Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

Later, in order to consolidate her position, this wicked woman coerced Claudius I, who was nearly 50 years old and unable to have children with her, to choose her child Nero as the heir to the Claudius family's imperial power.

Claudius I died from poisoning, and all indications suggest that it was likely Nero's wicked mother who was responsible.

Having eliminated her husband, Agrippina, whose daughter held the right to inherit the throne and was young and naive, became even more unscrupulous in her power. She not only frequently brought her lovers home for pleasure but also indulged in extravagant spending.

As the child grows up, the power struggle between mother and daughter inevitably leads to antagonism and escalating conflict.

Compared to his mother, who held immense power, the young Nero was far too weak.

In order to avoid becoming a puppet to be manipulated, she must establish merit and gain the support of the army and even the Pantheon.

However, Agrippina the Younger was a very controlling woman and naturally would not tolerate Nero's resistance.

It was that wicked woman's doing to throw out the IOU and have Nero collect the debt from the Celts.

Nero stubbornly chose to fight to the bitter end. He first tried every means to escape from the city of the Seven Hills and went to the Seventh Legion's base to try to gain the army's support, but to no avail.

Left with no other choice, Nero had to take a desperate gamble and, with only a small number of people sent to her, went to negotiate with the Celts.

But now it seems that her mother has decided to kill her.

Nero's situation was not necessarily better than that of Boudica and her two daughters.

But a future tyrant who acts arbitrarily will certainly not be one to back down after suffering a loss.

Nero, whose wounds had been reopened, was only depressed for a moment before raising her head, putting her hands on her hips, and snorting coldly.

"Hmph! My affairs are none of your business. Paying back debts is a matter of course, especially since this is a contract witnessed by the goddess of oaths, Styx. If you Celts are determined to renege on your debt, if the Pantheon's army marches in, you won't even be able to be slaves!"

"We even took you in! We should have let you die on Lonely Mountain!"

"I will die on Lonely Mountain, and the blame for the murder of the heir of the Claudius family will fall on the Celts. You will all be implicated and die with me!"

"you……"

The first princess, growing angrier with each word, raised her hand in annoyance. By then, the second princess had already left to attend to her chores.

"You resort to violence when you can't win an argument? Is this the kind of manners you Celts have?"

"Roman barbarians, who are you talking about!"

Nero raised her little face and teased the nemesis she couldn't stand, while the red-haired first princess angrily lowered her fingers and continued to glare and argue with the little one in front of her. Their foreheads were almost touching, like a pair of fierce fighting cocks.

"Crack! Crack!"

Seeing that the two sides were getting increasingly angry and were about to fight, a graceful and voluptuous figure approached from nowhere, raised her hand and slapped the heads of the two girls, one big and one small.

Immediately, a pair of slender, fair fingers, like an eagle catching chicks, grabbed the two girls by the collars, and the gentle yet authoritative reprimand echoed in the ears of the two girls.

"You two argue while sleeping, when you meet, when you shower, you even argue when you're looking for someone. It's never quiet from morning till night. Don't you want to eat?"

Queen Boudica, who came to arrest the man, was greatly troubled by the situation.

"Um, what's for dinner?"

Caught red-handed, Nero instinctively shrank back, seemingly in awe of Boudica. Then, his nostrils flared as he caught a whiff of the rich fragrance, and his eyes lit up.

"The hunting team caught a litter of wild boars that were destroying crops. This is a rare treat, and if we wait any longer, we won't get any."

Boudica glanced at the kitchen behind her, her eyes sparkling, and a slight smile played on her lips.

"I do seem a bit hungry. How about we call a halt and continue after we've eaten?"

Nero raised his elbow and nudged the red-haired First Princess, who was also hanging beside him.

"it is good!"

The First Princess slurped her saliva, nodded emphatically, and skillfully gave her old rival a high five as a gesture of agreement.

Given that similar situations had occurred more than ten times in just a few days, Boudica, who had become accustomed to it, simply let people go and followed behind at a leisurely pace, like a mother shooing her naughty child home at mealtime.

They're becoming more and more like a family...

This is fine...

Samael stretched comfortably on the grass, muttering to himself, a meaningful look appearing in his smiling eyes.

Just as the ancient serpent was about to get up to go and freeload a meal, Nero, carrying a ceramic bowl, stumbled and ran up along a side path. As if presenting a treasure, he shoved the half-spilled meat soup in front of Samael, his eyes sparkling.

"Here, these are all my favorites, you can have them all..."

"So, what price must I pay, Your Majesty the future emperor?"

Samael was taken aback at first, but then, under Nero's expectant yet apprehensive gaze, he took the earthenware bowl and asked with a playful expression.

"No need, this is compensation for saving Yu Yingde..."

Nero first shook her head slightly in earnest reply, then gently bit her lower lip with a solemn expression.

"But if you are willing to take me back to the City of Seven Hills and help me get back what my father left me, I am willing to pay any price for it!"

"Any cost, are you sure?"

Sama stroked his chin, his narrowed, snake-like vertical pupils scrutinizing the flat-chested loli before him, and asked in a low voice.

"Of course!"

Nero was thrilled, suppressing the tremor from the scrutiny, and nodded emphatically.

"That's it..."

Samael spoke in a strange tone, and grinned broadly.

"Boudica, come and get the person!"

The resolute young girl before him froze upon hearing this, and before she could even react, the back of her neck was firmly gripped by a soft, delicate hand.

August bonus chapter settlement + setting explanation

I. On the Hunnic Empire and Attila (the preceding text has been partially revised)

PS1: Historically, the Huns are believed to have originated from the Great Migration of the Xiongnu, while others believe, based on culture and customs, that the two are unrelated. However, according to recent bloodline investigations, the two seem to have a blood relationship.

PS2: Attila is known as the King of the Huns, and in the Bond Story of FGO, there is also the claim that he is a descendant of the Huns. Therefore, they themselves have Hunnic influences. It is not a strict historical study. So, in addition to the asteroid civilization brought by Attila, the setting of this article will roughly establish a connection between the Hunnic Empire and the Huns.

PS3: The Eternal Heaven seems to be the main god worshipped by Attila. In terms of the mystery system, it will adopt a mixture of shamanistic culture, the Wandering Star Civilization and legends such as the Blue Wolf and White Deer.

This is not a serious work, please do not take it too seriously.

II. Regarding the change in world lines and the chaotic battle in the world bubble.

1. The war between the serpent and God spread the power of spacetime to world bubbles of different mysterious depths, causing the worlds to become disordered and interconnected. Those who should have bid farewell to the age of gods are still enacting their legends, while those whose age of gods should have flourished have declined prematurely. Heroes from different eras take over from the gods, stepping onto the stage to fight for their faith and for themselves. This is the background of Volume 3.

2. In the previous volume, Samael had already become the first Chronos, driving destiny, so it's plausible that he changed the world order. As for singularities, Lostbelts, Gaia, Alaya, etc., the plot of the later volumes will answer those questions. I'll show off my driving skills then.

Third, the reward will be increased.

Recommendation: 117887-114937=2950 (Two more chapters added)

Monthly votes: 9304 - 8991 = 311 (Three extra chapters added)

Reward: Golden Treasure Chest (10 more chapters added)

The rest is enough for one more chapter.

Blade count: 138 (Bonus chapter)

Total: 17 chapters, all completed this month.

I'll work hard to finish Athena's side story at the end of the month.

Chapter Twenty-Two: From this day forward, you too are Rome!

However, unexpectedly, the little girl who was caught red-handed waited for a while with her head tucked in, but did not receive the so-called "punishment".

At Samael's prompting, a slightly bewildered Queen Boudica, carrying Nero, followed the ancient serpent away from the noise and crowds until they arrived at a secluded cottage with a pale yellow light.

The guy strolling leisurely ahead would occasionally sway his earthenware bowl, take a sip of the fragrant meat soup, and then cast a teasing glance at the poor little guy being carried around.

Nero, whose stomach was growling, was so angry that his teeth were itching to grind them, wishing he could tear a piece of flesh off someone to vent his anger.

"Your Highness, as you instructed, everything inside has been arranged."

At the door, Brunhilde emerged from the shadows around the corner and bowed.

"Thank you for your hard work. If it's convenient, could you please get some food and bring it over? I heard you cooked today too. I'd really like to try your cooking. Let's eat and talk later."

Samael smiled faintly, his tone gentle.

"I will obey your command!"

"This is not an order, it's a request..."

"Um……"

The Valkyrie's tense body relaxed slightly. She nodded gently, and a smile softened on her usually composed and elegant face. She turned and walked towards the kitchen, her steps becoming lighter.

Samael chuckled and shook his head, then pushed open the door and led Boudica and the Nero being carried into the room.

Immediately, two runes lit up on the door panel, and with the ripples of light, the entire hut was enveloped by a formed barrier.

"Do you still want to go home? Sit down, we've been waiting for you."

As the two took their seats, Samael casually pulled out a chair at the round table in the room and invited Nero, who was standing in the middle of the hall, to join him.

Nero, who had just been put down, had a bright look in his emerald eyes. All his previous fear was gone. He sneaked up to Samael, sat down excitedly, raised his elbow, and poked Samael's ribs mischievously. He seemed very familiar with him and smugly whispered something to him.

"Hmm, you've finally come to your senses! I am the most admired flower of Rome, and you are the mighty dragon who repelled the Hunnic wolf cavalry. I knew that such outstanding beings as us would definitely be on the same side!"

"Ha ha……"

Samael, with a forced smile, pried open the little hand that was resting on his ceramic bowl, cutting off the girl's attempt to strike up a conversation. He then looked up at the two figures, one big and one small, in front of him, shaking the ceramic bowl with amusement, his voice low and deep.

"The Lord of Claudius wants me to help you return to Rome; Her Majesty the Queen of the Celts wants me to stay and protect Britain. You both have something to ask of me, but I don't have the time for both."

Moreover, gifts from God often come at a high price; my appearance fee is very high, and you probably can't afford it.

Boudica's face darkened upon hearing this, and she lowered her eyes in resignation, knowing that it would be difficult to achieve her goal of securing a strong ally for Britain with only small favors at present.

"Tch, then what are you doing here looking for me?"

The little girl, whose plot had been exposed, slumped listlessly on the table, her face dejected and her expression broken.

"Snapped!"

Samael tapped Nero on the head with his bent finger, responding irritably.

"Idiot! Why don't you look at the other side?"

Just as Nero was holding his head in confusion, Boudica, who was looking at him from the opposite direction, suddenly seemed to realize something and appeared to be deep in thought.

"You all want to pin your hopes on God to bring about fragile miracles, but little do you know that you are each other's perfect answer to get out of trouble!"

Samael smiled and blew on the oil in his bowl. With a wicked grin, he took a swig right in front of Nero and then lifted the uneven tablecloth.

As the runes pulsed, miniature, exquisitely detailed sand table models of mountains, rivers, forests, and wilderness on the table came to life in three dimensions, vividly displayed before the two parties involved.

At that moment, the door was carefully pushed open, and the Valkyrie, carrying some wheat cakes, meat soup, and fruits, stepped into the room, filling the air with the aroma of food.

Samael took the plate and gestured for Brunhilde to sit down. Completely oblivious to his divine status, he casually served soup to the three of them while simultaneously engaging in a lively conversation with both parties involved.

"Her Majesty's problem is that she wants to ensure the independence of the country, but she also wants to survive in the cracks. Both the Roman Empire and the Hunnic Empire want to swallow Britain first to strengthen their power. As the weaker party, you are in a precarious situation and need a banner to protect yourself and a strong umbrella to protect you."

As for this Claudius candidate for emperor who hadn't even received a title, he lost control of the seventh province and the legions, was blocked from Rome, and had to guard against his mother's persecution while also cultivating the power to support his entry into the Pantheon.

So why not choose to unite with each other?

Nero and Boudica, having received the earthenware bowl and barley cakes, exchanged a thoughtful glance, a subconscious thought rising within them.

"Once an alliance is formed, the Celts will nominally submit to Rome under your banner and send their most elite men to help you return safely to the City of Seven Hills, allowing you to enter the Pantheon for this achievement, inherit the glory of the Claudius family, and obtain imperial privileges."

Samael lifted the soup spoon and, with a smile, scooped out a few more pieces of meat for the starving little girl. His description greatly increased Nero's appetite, her eyes lit up, and her little face was full of anticipation.

"Similarly, Nero, by obtaining imperial privileges, could rightfully take over the Seventh Province, and in return, she would need to guarantee Britain's independence and autonomy and protect the Celts."

Then, the ancient snake pushed a dish of mushroom sauce in front of Boudica and smiled as it spoke.

"Wouldn't that basically resolve the issues and demands of both sides?"

During this meticulous analysis, Nero and Boudica exchanged a glance and suddenly felt their minds become clear.

indeed so!

Currently, the strengths and weaknesses of both sides have inadvertently achieved a wonderful complementarity, with both sides benefiting from cooperation and both suffering from separation.