[FMMIKA] Chapter 228: Two Meetings, Justinian, Crimson Moon

During the first three days after half of the Artoria Species returned to the Servant Universe, Artorius spent nearly all his time with them.

While conversing with Lion King, there were two hundred and fifty exhausted Artorias in the background, including X and XX.

These two Artorias were to return to the Servant Universe as Lion King's aides.

"Really, we must leave some memories before we go!"

"Yes, memories!"

That's pretty much how it went, with X and XX persistently causing a ruckus before their departure. Artorius had no choice but to try to fulfill their requests as best as possible.

Whether it was shopping, visiting parks, or historical sites. Of course, indulging in various feasts and snacks. The most exciting and thrilling moment of their date was obviously at the end of it.

The rest of the Artoria Species also joined and charged at Artorius one after another on the super big bed without hesitation.

Afterward, it became like this.

Finally, after knocking down the other Artorias, Artorius could speak properly with Lion King.

"Don't worry. You can always trust me."

Lion King looked earnestly into Artorius's eyes and said those words, making him feel happy and a bit moved.

"Yeah, I know." Artorius smiled at her. "I love you, Mother."

"Umu, me too, Son."

The next day, when Artorius woke up, he was alone.

No Lion King, no X and XX, and no more smooth and fair-skinned Artoria Species.

Artorius felt the world suddenly become vast and cold, while he himself was empty and lonely. Until the door to his room opened, and Ex, in her usual get-up of eyeglasses with a sailor uniform, walked in with a calm expression.

Ex sat on Artorius's bed and held his hand.

"Artorius."

"...Yeah."

Treated so gently by Ex, he found the motivation to move forward once again.

"There's still a lot of work to be done."

Artorius stood up, and then, with bold strides, he moved forward. Before leaving the room, he had a beautiful frost-silver cape, a robe, and a crown on him.

After he left the room, the Emperor's secretaries handed him a stack of documents that needed his attention.

But before that—

"Send an envoy." Artorius ordered calmly. "Go to Constantinople and notify Justinian. I want to discuss the future of our two empires with him."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The white-haired and red-eyed female secretary smiled and went to carry out the Emperor's will.

"Increase the search efforts, we must find the location of the vampires." Artorius continued with no hesitation, "I have some matters to discuss with the King of the Moon as well."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The next female secretary, almost identical to the previous one, smiled similarly, then turned and left to convey the Emperor's will.

The world once again resumed its normal course, and the wheels of history continued to turn.

The will of the Dragon Emperor quickly reached Constantinople, the political, economic, and cultural center of medieval Europe. It also reached the court of Justinian, the Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire.

"Wants to talk to me..." Justinian, who was even younger than the Dragon Emperor, pondered this question.

Theoretically, both his and Artorius's dynasties were quite young.

The difference was that the Dragon Emperor had established his dynasty by overthrowing the previous Emperor, while Justinian had ascended through 'elections' and 'coups', a typical Roman-style conspiracy.

This made him feel a subtle intellectual superiority when facing the Dragon Emperor, along with a hint of insecurity.

The Eastern Roman Empire was currently in a peak era of prosperity.

His late predecessor, Justin, while not an outstanding ruler, was a capable guardian of the Eastern Roman Empire. Under his governance, the empire had prospered, accumulated strength, and left a considerable legacy for Justinian.

With armies numbering in the hundreds of thousands and a population in the millions, vast tracts of land, markets, workshops, and seemingly inexhaustible wealth and food stores in the imperial treasury.

Justin had laid a solid foundation for Justinian, the young and ambitious emperor, to pursue his own ambitions.

However, the question arose—who would be the target of Justinian's grand ambitions?

Justinian's ambitions were immense. He aspired to become the greatest emperor in Roman history, surpassing Caesar as well as Augustus, and writing his own glorious chapter in history. To achieve this, it seemed only natural that he should unify the entire Roman Empire under his rule.

To bring the whole of Rome under his dominion...

However, the current geopolitical landscape was far different from the past.

East and West had been divided for centuries, and many changes and transformations had occurred in politics, religion, culture, and even the demographics of both sides.

In this situation, forcibly uniting the two empires was no longer as simple as the earlier emperors who could win one or two decisive battles and have the opposing people and officials welcome them with open arms. So, Justinian's dream of becoming the 'Greatest Roman Emperor' was destined to be unattainable.

However, this situation suited Justinian just fine. After all, his rival, Artorius Pendragon, had proven himself in numerous wars.

If they were to engage in a full-scale conflict, it was more likely that Artorius would become Caesar while Justinian was Pompey, or Artorius would be Octavian, and he would be Antony. That wouldn't be ideal.

So, for now, both the Eastern Roman Empire and the Holy Roman Empire maintained a fragile balance.

Although they disliked each other intensely, there were occasional border skirmishes, especially at sea, where their merchant ships, pirate vessels, and navies clashed regularly. However, overall, they managed to keep things in check.

'Let's talk...'

'If we talk, perhaps it might work...'

'But, the chosen location is... on the land of the Magyars?'

It was neither Rome, nor Orleans, and certainly not Constantinople. Artorius had chosen the relatively neutral town of Pest in the Magyar region.

'If it's possible, perhaps I can make him my co-emperor... although, just thinking about it, it's unlikely.'

Thinking this, Justinian curled his lips into a slightly self-deprecating smile.

'After all, he is an emperor, with all the arrogance that comes with it.'

'But regardless, it's a good thing.'

'Once the West is secured, I can focus on the East.'

Since he couldn't become the Greatest Roman Emperor, Justinian at least wanted to be the Greatest Eastern Roman Emperor. If Artorius was to govern the entire Western, then the entire Eastern should be his.

'Egypt, the Red Sea trade, silk and spices, porcelain and gemstones from India. The prosperous Mesopotamia, and Persia.'

Thinking of this, Justinian's mood brightened.

'Perhaps this isn't such a bad thing.'

'The East of the Roman Empire is much richer than the West.'

'The land Artorius can expand into is nothing but uncharted forests and swamps.'

'He would face only barbarians and uncivilized Germanic, Slavic, and nomadic tribes.'

'He wouldn't gain much. All he would have are desolate lands and the trash produced by those barbarians. Nothing compared to the achievements I could make in the East.'

'In this way, when people talk about Roman emperors, the first name that comes to mind will be mine.'

'In the end, I will be the Greatest Roman Emperor of this era. Hahaha...'

Thinking like that, Justinian felt quite content.

With renewed determination, he wrote a letter to respond to Artorius, offering to meet him on the banks of the Danube. After that, he shifted his focus to the East.

On the plains of Mesopotamia, amidst numerous cities, wheat fields, and pastures, it seemed that the Roman and Persian armies were engaged in an endless war.

At such times, there were no heroes who could shoot an arrow across the border, sacrificing their own lives to maintain peace between two nations. Justinian felt that he should bring all of Iraq under his control.

'First, Persia, and then all of India. I will establish achievements surpassing Alexander's, spreading Rome's glory to the Indian subcontinent.'

'This must be more meaningful than establishing colonies in the harsh lands of the Slavs.'

Justinian thought this with great determination. His finger traced the map, sometimes landing on Egypt, other times on Alexandria, occasionally on Ctesiphon, and then the legendary India.

Occasionally, he remembered the insignificant city-states along the Red Sea that were in the desert.

They had prospered for a time due to the spice trade along the Red Sea. But with the trade routes severed and the population dwindling, these city-states had fallen into decline.

'Insignificant places.'

'If trade with India were to reopen, perhaps they could thrive again, but... maybe I should opt for overland routes.'

And thus, the Eastern Roman Emperor decided his course of action, and with it, the future of his empire and the world.

===

Meanwhile, in the Millennium Castle.

Sitting on the throne as the eternal ruler of the night, the King of the Moon—Brunestud of the Crimson Moon, no longer appeared as disheveled as when she had returned. She had regained the composure, splendor, and nobility befitting the title of the King of the Moon.

Thinking back to just a few days ago when she had led her army in a triumphant expedition to Orleans, she had been full of vigor and wisdom, as if she could conquer the entire world.

But what was the result?

In an instant, everything was lost.

When she returned, she was in tatters, her beautiful golden hair turned into coarse straw, covered in scars and dust, even missing a shoe. She looked as though she had been through the wringer, making the True Ancestors who had come to welcome her stare dumbfounded, as if they had eaten too much garlic.

Also, most of those fellows who witnessed that were now assigned to Siberia to cultivate potatoes.

"Hmph, that guy actually wanted to negotiate with me?!"

As she said this, Crimson Moon's gaze flickered, and even the entire Millennium Castle trembled slightly as if it sensed the anger of its king.

Beside Crimson Moon, her attendants had also been resurrected but now looked pale. One by one, they lowered their heads, concealing their fear and awe, their faces frozen.

They continued to maintain a stoic silence. Even loyal individuals like Merem Solomon or Trhvmn dared not speak to Crimson Moon, for fear of incurring her wrath.

"Are we going to war?"

"Is war with the Dragon Emperor about to break out again?"

"What should we do this time? How can we win?"

They exchanged cautious glances, sensing the profound helplessness and fear in each other's eyes.

This was a fight they simply couldn't win; Artorius Pendragon was not a being they could defeat.

"What should we do?"

"According to Her Majesty's will, we will inevitably go to war."

"Even if we can't win, we must tough it out."

"Then let's go! This is my resolve!"

"Before the Dragon Emperor taints Her Majesty, we must stand in his way!"

"..."

"I don't think Her Majesty has any interest in you. Give it up."

"What did you say?! Are you doubting my loyalty to Her Majesty?"

"It has nothing to do with loyalty. What matters is experience. Haven't you noticed? That guy called Svelten is the only Dead Apostle who hasn't been resurrected."

"Why is that? Didn't he serve under Black Princess? Then why was Stuart resurrected?"

Before this argumentative group of vampires could continue, Crimson Moon, seated on her throne, spoke up.

"Do any of you have a solution?"

She surveyed her surroundings, her tone growing increasingly severe, leaving those Dead Apostles, True Ancestors, and vampires around her in silence, unable to speak.

As Crimson Moon's trusted confidants, they wanted to ease her burden. However, they lacked the capability to do so. Speaking up recklessly would only reveal their incompetence and immaturity.

"..."

"Are all of you mute?"

"Are you all scared by that human?"

"Did one failure strip you of the courage to face him?!"

Crimson Moon's tone became more and more stern, and her words made everyone hang their heads in silence.

But at the last moment, when more than one individual summoned the courage to show Crimson Moon their determination, to express their loyalty to her...

"Then, let's talk to him."

Crimson Moon said something that left everyone speechless.

'Could it be... Her Majesty also afraid of that human?'

At this moment, more than one vampire dared to think such blasphemous thoughts.