Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

[How come you guys are here so soon?] Apollonia sent a message to Victoria first. She only found out about Victoria’s arrival a few minutes ago.

Although Victoria had expressed her intention to come here not long ago, Shangluo and she had previously thought that they had to discuss the specific time with Victoria before she would come.

"It's a private matter, so there's no need to be so formal."

【.】Apollonia paused,【You came too often. I remember that you came several times within a few months.】

“Is he busy now?”

[No matter how busy he is, he still has time to entertain you. I'm talking about your business - someone just commented on the Roman Empire. They said we were too lazy and too weak. After knowing that we had a way out, we kept retreating. Many things were just stuck on the deadline. It always felt like we were just idling away our time, taking it one day at a time. They said that the Roman Empire had almost treated the world as a joke.]

"Tsk, their moral standards are still too high. Since the establishment of the Roman Empire, there has been almost no day that has not been like this. When the Sultan fought outside the Theodosian Wall, the Senate was still struggling. Many of them were born to have fun. The body is like a created role for them. They think that their consciousness should be at a higher level and should have their own essence in the light world. This earthly body is just a blessed body for enjoying glory.

"This is the essence of magic, the source of Gnosticism. The bone burial ceremony of the past and the current Cybernetics provide the backing for all of this. So, everyone in Constantinople has never intended to take this world seriously. But there is one exception."

【What? 】

"Friends. Although the body is just a shell, friends are real. Even if the body is just a shell, we are really using our souls to build interpersonal relationships. Zhendan, this friend, is the most precious treasure for us - of course, there are also silk, tea, and McDonald's. All tangible things in this world may return to dust, and only these intangible things can accompany us to the light. Apollonia, isn't it the same for you?"

[Ah, I can already smell the sour smell of love. Just come find him, why are you saying so many high-sounding words.]

"Well, I thought we could have a frank talk, could you please not expose me?"

[Ahaha, I love to hear people praise me for being smart, and praise me more. That guy keeps calling me stupid, and I have lost my confidence.]

"You left your brain at home, so it's normal to be slow to react sometimes."

【Speaking of which, can I apply to bring out my 'brain'? 】

"I can't do anything about this. You know, the three systems of the Senate, the Palace of Muses, and the Oracle operate independently. I can only decide on matters related to the Senate. As for the Oracle, you are the supreme leader. If you can't make a decision yourself, then there is nothing I can do."

[Can't you interfere in the internal affairs of the Oracle? I beg you, please interfere in the internal affairs. Bring your imperial guards to bombard Delphi.]

"So you just wanted to take the luggage you left behind with you after you ran away from home."

[I thought we could talk openly and honestly, can you please not expose me?]

"You just said that to me. So, you see, since we both have something to ask of each other, can we switch? You give me a seat, and I'll bribe you?"

[He is not the top star in my firm. It has nothing to do with me.]

"Ah? You really don't mind? Then lend it to me?"

【You are welcome to do whatever you want. It’s your own way.】

"As for your matter, I'll try my best to think of a solution."

[There is an old saying in Aurora that goes, "Don't release the eagle until you see the rabbit." I didn't give a clear answer, and neither did you? 】

"That's not what I am."

Suddenly, Agatha beside her spoke up: "Excuse me. Lady Victoria and Lady Apollonia, please do not mix official and personal matters."

【Ah, Ms. Agatha is still so strict. 】

"Ah," Victoria shook her head, "So having a Spartan as a tutor is the right choice. If I have a child in the future, I will definitely hire a Spartan as a tutor. It really works."

【Then what about my 'brain'? 】

Victoria glanced at her tutor next to her:

"How about this - I'll at least open up the functional interface to you, how about that?"

[Ah, just give me an external brain. If you don't give me a 'brain', I will grow my own brain. ]

"I think you're cuter when you're at home."

[Yes, you like the cute and brainless Apollonia, right?]

Victoria shook her head. "I don't know why, but I feel like you're becoming more and more like Shangluo. Is it because the cat has been raised for a long time that it's becoming more and more like its owner?"

【Meow meow meow?】

"Wow, I suddenly realized that you have really changed a lot. I wonder if Phaethon has changed. After we broke up, I haven't lived with her for a long time."

[Wait.] Apollonia suddenly realized something, [Live together? What do you mean? You want to take Phaethon to live with you?]

Agatha pushed her glasses and said, "Of course, that's not necessary. But for security reasons and based on the strong request of a certain Roman emperor, after consultation with the internal security forces, I will make the request - we want to live in Shang Tianjun's house."

[No way?! His house only has 4 rooms with a loft, and the patio in the middle can only fit a water tank. How can the two of you live there?]

"Not two people," Agatha explained, "Although it is a personal matter, we brought 592 people. This is to ensure the safety of Lady Victoria, Lady Tianjun, and Lady Phaethon."

【???】Apollonia was stunned for a moment, then immediately regained her composure, 【Is that so? That doesn’t matter.】

"Why did you suddenly agree again?"

[When two people move in, I'm the one with the headache. When 592 people move in, he should be the one with the headache. Wait, should I tell him, or should you tell him?]

"Let me do it~" Victoria replied.

[Hello, Shangluo, I have a little surprise for you later. ]

"What surprise?" Shangluo was sitting in the back seat of the shuttle bus, looking down at the map that Grani had just drawn. Hearing that there was something good, he immediately became excited, "Is it finally my turn to have something good happen? What good thing is that?"

Chapter 991 Accommodation

【Victoria is coming to live in your house. 】

"what!"

Wen Yuan, who was driving in front, was startled: "What are you laughing at? Is there something behind me?"

"No, no, I just heard a piece of news that has a very important mission."

"What news? It can't be that Victoria is going to live in your house?"

"???"

"?!!" Wen Yuan was so scared that she almost lost her grip on the steering wheel. "Are you serious? Victoria is going to live in your house?"

"It seems so"

"It's over, it's over. What about security? Even though she's here for a private visit, we're still responsible for security. It's not easy for other Jinyiwei to go to your house, so in the end I still have to keep running to your house. But I still have to prepare for the exam."

"Ah, that's true," Shangluo thought for a moment, "I don't really want many people hanging around my house."

[Too many people will disturb you, right? ]

"Well." Shangluo temporarily ignored this sentence, "Actually, Victoria's security will be the responsibility of me."

"Are you serious?"

"I am the Lord of Heaven! Of course I can be the Lord."

"Ah! I never thought that knowing you, Lord Shang, would bring so many benefits. Then please don't let me be responsible for the security here, leave it to you, Lord Tian. If possible, don't assign me any work recently. As an intern, I get half the monthly salary and do the work of two people. Jin Zhihe and Xin Antiao Ke, you either played the whole game or half the game, I want to apply for leave."

"Okay, okay." Shangluo nodded, "Don't worry, just leave it to me."

As they were talking, they saw Victoria on the side of the road. She was standing on the side of the road with Xiaohong, as if they were going to take a taxi.

"Hello!" From a distance, Victoria, full of energy, stretched out her hand to greet Shangluo.

Shangluo also stretched out his hand - and the next second, he saw the person behind Victoria.

The woman who is 1.8 meters tall.

She had black braids on her head, a slim-fitting hunting uniform skirt, and glasses. But the murderous intent of a Spartan could not be hidden under the glasses. No matter how powerful the opponent was, the Spartan's momentum would not change.

After confirming Shangluo's identity, the murderous intent in her eyes disappeared - but her eyes immediately turned into "scrutinizing".

"Hey, hey, hey, Apollonia, why didn't you tell me there was another one?"

[Ah? Did I say she was the only one living in your house? Of course there was someone else accompanying her.]

"Your situation is totally different! How can one person be the same as two people?"

[Ah, so you think two people are enough of a headache, right? But there are actually another 590 people. ]

“????” Shangluo was stunned. “How much?”

[A battalion of guards, 590 men.]

"Are you sure they are here to live in my house and not to occupy it? There is no way so many people can fit in even if they are piled up like human figures."

[Oh, Victoria wants to live in your house, and with a camp and a tutor, it should be okay. ]

“Is this sold as a bundle?”

"Ah, why not think about it this way?" Apollonia changed the subject. "At a time like this, I suggest you trust Victoria. I know her personality. Although she's long been accustomed to being an emperor, she doesn't really like being around people. She'd feel uncomfortable with more than a dozen attendants."

"???" Shangluo blinked, "I don't know where to start complaining about this."

[That is to say, she only needs the most basic attendants, no drink slaves or anything like that, just human decorations. 12 people are already too few, someone has to hold her schoolbag, someone has to hold her parasol, there are fans, incense, doctors, guards, and so on. Victoria's life is already as simple as a child from a small family. ]

"Well, when you think about it, it's not unacceptable."

Thinking back to Zhu Xianxin’s situation, it was actually similar.

Zhu Xianxi really didn't like people hanging around in front of him - that's true. But around him, from downstairs to the entire Changchun Palace, there were at least 200 people waiting to take his orders. He just didn't like people hanging around in front of him, and didn't like people watching him receive ministers, but there were still all the necessary people around him. This is also the advantage of living in Xiyuan. Xiyuan didn't need to write the "Emperor's Daily Notes", and the historians would only follow him when he was at work, not all the way home with him.

"However, Victoria," he thought for a moment, "is not a problem as long as no one is writing down their living records nearby. They say they live in my house, but in fact, other people should live nearby. They can't all walk into my house."

He went up to Victoria and greeted her.

"Hey! Shangluo, did you know? We are going to live together! Miss Agatha agreed!"

"Nice to meet you." Agatha saluted Shangluo from behind. "You are the Emperor of Zhendan, right? Since the Emperor is not here, please take good care of Lady Victoria."

"sure."

"I mean the necessary entertainment." She pushed up her glasses. "If you want to have a closed-door meeting with her, please let me handle it."

This statement is ambiguous. But Shangluo did not consider the ambiguity at all.

From then on, Shangluo didn't say a word to Victoria until they returned. In the back seat of Grani, Agatha sat between the two of them. Shangluo looked at the scenery out the right window, while Victoria looked at the left.

"Here we are! Ms. Agatha, this is his home!" Victoria had been here.

Agatha stood at the door, looked at the lintel of Shangluo's house, and then looked at Shangluo:

"I know that someone of Shang Tianjun's rank shouldn't have worldly prejudices. But Shang Tianjun, do you have any special hobbies? Why do you live in such a small house?"

"It's so small and cute. Come in, come in. Let me tell you, the table in his house is very, very cozy. It's a square dining table, and everyone can eat face to face!" Victoria said, and went in by herself, just like returning to her own home.

"This..." Agatha wanted to reach out and pull it, but her hand slipped and she couldn't hold it.

"I'm sorry." She apologized to Shangluo for Victoria's unauthorized actions. "Please accept my apology. This child is a little neglected in some aspects. Sometimes she thinks every place is her living room, because the whole of Constantinople is indeed her living room."

"Ah, this... I understand. I understand. Then please come in." Shangluo pushed open the other half of the door.

Arriving in the living room, Agatha looked around. It was much smaller than she had expected. But it was not a big problem.

She found a blank wall.

"Can I borrow this wall?"

[Ah! That's it!] Apollonia understood immediately.

"Borrow the wall? Sure."

After getting permission, Agatha took out a painting from her briefcase. The painting showed the green grass, forests, white clouds and snow-capped mountains of Arcadia, as well as a palace on the top of a mountain.

She hung the painting on the wall—and the clouds and everything else in it moved.

"Wait, do you live here?"

"Yes. Your Majesty Victoria, she will live in the palace of Arcadia and will not cause any trouble to you and Zhendan. But from now on, we will be the residents of your home, so please take care of us."

Chapter 992 Files

"You want to live in the cave?"

【Oh, the wise Shang Tianjun overestimated the technology of Rome - this is just a painting. 】

“Isn’t that still a cave?”

[No, no, no, it's different from the cave. There is time in the cave, and the painting is just an artistic creation, and it has not experienced an explosive birth. So the four seasons inside will not change, and no stories will happen. But it is very useful for a villa, because you only need to take care of the flowers and plants for one season. ]

"That's really... really convenient." The painting was hung on the wall of his house.