[FMMIKA] Chapter 303: Selfless Love

Under the full force of the explosion, Nero's troops easily defeated the United Roman troops.

Nero felt a bit puzzled, and what surprised her was that, after crushing the remnants of the United Roman troops, very few were taken prisoner. Even if they were captured, their attitudes were stubborn, showing no signs of discouragement or surrender.

"Just wait! You will be defeated!" Despite taking quite a beating, the soldiers of the United Roman Empire continued to defiantly proclaim. Even with swollen faces and bruised bodies, they refused to beg for mercy.

Artorius could have used his skills to turn them into Romans directly, but he refrained, simply watching them with interest.

"These guys are something else..."

Originally, Nero wanted to extract some information from this bunch. However, at this rate, it seemed unlikely.

"Lock them up for now, and we'll have the professionals interrogate them later."

Nero spoke calmly and then made a cheerful expression and declared:

"Now, let's celebrate our victory! Our Roman Empire has triumphed over the enemy."

"The empire is secure."

"The arrogant usurpers have fled back to their nests with their tails between their legs."

"Next, it's time for us to take the initiative!"

"The empire will counterattack, defeating all rebels. We will restore our most beautiful and beloved Rome!"

"..."

""OOOHHHHH!""

After Nero's speech, the Roman soldiers around were supposed to cheer loudly immediately. However, they hesitated until Artorius, standing beside her, subtly signaled with a nod. Luckily, she overlooked this detail.

===

Meanwhile, as Artorius and Nero successfully battled their way to dinner, Ritsuka and Mash found themselves climbing a mountain.

The location was the legendary Mount Olympus, situated on the northern coast of the Aegean Sea, the very peak where the Greek gods were said to reside.

Of course, now it was just a myth.

Although the Age of Gods had not completely dissipated, the influence of the gods on the mortal realm had dwindled to a pitiful extent.

Perhaps during the Roman Republic or the late stages of the Republic, the Greek gods still held sway over humanity. Even during Alexander's conquest and the War of Succession, they had actively intervened. But today, Mount Olympus lay in complete silence.

The former glory of the Greek gods had vanished. Not a single divine figure could be seen. Only a few remnants remained for remembrance.

"I'm so tired, Mash. How about you carry me for a bit?" Ritsuka's voice, playful and whiny, interrupted Mash's contemplation of the surroundings.

"Senpai, tired already?" Mash smiled, turning her head to address Ritsuka.

"Yep!" Ritsuka nodded happily, behaving as if she would only continue if Mash carried her.

"But, we've only been climbing for a little over half an hour from the base of the mountain..." Mash said calmly while tilting her head sideways. "Can't you endure a bit longer?"

"No! Don't wannaaa!" Ritsuka replied without hesitation, lying down on the ground and playing the spoiled card, or rather, throwing a tantrum.

"In that case, should I chop off your legs and replace them with mechanical ones? That way, you can climb automatically, and Senpai won't be bothered anymore." Mash suggested, still smiling, her expression oddly a mix of sweet and sinister.

At that moment, Ritsuka quickly got up from the ground and laughed. "Don't be so serious, Mash~ I was just joking, ahahaha~"

"Is that so? I was just joking with Senpai too~"

"Ahaha... good joke..."

Hearing that, Ritsuka didn't say it out loud and only laughed awkwardly but inwardly, she sighed.

'What a pity... since meeting Artorius, my adorable little eggplant has transformed from a sweet, cute, petite girl into a dark and sy girl. Even more unfortunate is that this dark side only shows in front of me. When facing that guy, she still puts on the facade of a well-behaved girl. What a bullshit...'

"Senpai... if you don't move, I might leave you here."

"Ahh, coming, coming!"

And so, the two continued their journey.

They were here for the same reason as always—to establish communication and build a channel to Chaldea.

As the most famous mountain in Greece, Mount Olympus possessed the strongest leyline and was naturally chosen as the node for establishing the channel.

In theory, establishing contact with Chaldea was their most crucial task upon arriving in a new area. However, for them, already seasoned warriors, it was more of a confusing act than a necessity—just a way to playfully deceive Romani, who worked so hard.

Therefore, Ritsuka was not in the best mood, finding the effort unnecessary. According to her, it would be much simpler to shoot a short video and fool the clueless Romani. She didn't see the need for such serious effort.

But Mash disagreed.

A show had to be completed. No matter how clueless Romani was, he wouldn't be fooled by a mere short video. He wasn't a voter of an election after all.

"Ahh, little eggplant, little eggplant." Ritsuka leaned in closer to Mash.

"What now, Senpai?"

"It's like this~" Ritsuka happily winked. "So, what's that guy Artorius up to now?"

"Didn't His Majesty go to the city of Rome to negotiate with the Roman Emperor?" Mash replied calmly, sensing instinctively that Ritsuka was about to say something unpleasant.

As expected.

"Is that all~? Just that~? It's Rome, y'know?"

"Senpai...?"

"Luxurious and extravagant Rome—do you know about the Roman baths there? The people there have loose belts. And with his personality, status, and the significance of his journey to Rome, his mission. The Romans will surely treat him well, hehehe~"

"Senpai, your laugh is so creepy." Watching Ritsuka chuckling, Mash commented with a disgusted expression.

At the same time, Ritsuka felt a bit disappointed that she didn't see any signs of dismay or wavering on Mash's face.

"Huh? You don't care? That guy might be having a great time with two Roman girls right now, y'know? You really don't care, Mash?"

"Senpai..." Mash stopped. She turned to look at Ritsuka.

"If you think that this kind of provocation can affect my feelings for His Majesty, you're gravely mistaken."

"Yes, I deeply love His Majesty."

"I am confident that I love him more than anyone else."

"But this is not a reason for me to compete or feel jealous."

"My love is selfless, dedicated, and protective."

"No matter how many women His Majesty has, I don't care."

"..."

Watching Mash being so serious, Ritsuka felt an inexplicable sense of being NTRed. And it was a double NTR.

Betrayed by her favorite girl and her favorite man.

This made Ritsuka feel both pleased and a bit lost, to the point where she couldn't help but want to say a few more words like "If it's really like that, why are you reacting so strongly?" But after some thought, she decided not to say anything.

Her reason for giving up was definitely not out of fear that Mash would get angry and turn her into a c*ck sleeve, to be delivered to Artorius as a sex toy.

It was just that, as a senior, caring for her junior's mental and physical well-being, she didn't want to make Mash sad.

'I really am a good person.'

As Mash turned back and resumed her walk toward the leyline deep in the mountains, Ritsuka comforted herself.

'That guy Artorius doesn't appreciate me, truly his loss.'

'But what is he doing right now, really...?'

'Hmm...'

'He wouldn't really be hugging two Roman girls, having a grand old time, would he? While Mash and I are working so hard climbing this mountain... I hope not.'

This time, Ritsuka really guessed wrong.

Yes, Artorius was currently taking a bath to relieve the stress from travel and battles. He did indeed plan to hug a Roman girl.

But not two.

Just one.