014: The Roman Court Incident
"The Divine Envoy has resolved the affairs in Alexandria. He deserves a great reward."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After that, the pattern of Novia's days outside the city of Rome was largely predetermined.
Before dawn, she would gaze out the window at the trees not far away. Past noon, she would take walks in the surrounding area, spreading the teachings. Before the setting sun enveloped everything, she would return. Nights were mostly spent training in secluded places, swinging her sword at leaves falling from trees to keep her arm from growing sluggish.
If Novia guessed correctly, the reason for Emperor Claudius I's sudden and drastic change in attitude towards his was likely due to the current Empress Messalina whispering something into the ear of this fifty-year-old emperor by his bedside during her absence.
Nevertheless, the preferential treatment for Christians within the Empire that Claudius had promised Novia was being implemented. So, Novia didn't mind too much. After all, the road must be taken step by step. Later, when she had time to return to the Anatolia province, she would see if he could persuade Paul and others to accept the doctrines she was spreading and lend her a hand.
The Roman Empire's territory was simply too vast. Relying on Novia alone, it would be impossible to thoroughly spread the Christian faith across all regions before Claudius's death.
Moreover, based on Novia's speculation, Claudius dying in 54 AD was probably a fixed event. That left her with less than six years. Within these six years, he needed the Judaism in Jerusalem to find a reasonable pretext to be dealt with, wait for Lusius to excavate the remains of the Albion Dragon and refine them through alchemy...
Each task would take a considerable amount of time.
After Claudius's death would come the ascension of that 'Tyrant' Nero, famous in both Type-Moon and actual history, beloved by the people.
At that point, Novia couldn't guarantee she would proceed as smoothly as now. But then again, if not for the help of his mother, Agrippina, he probably wouldn't have smoothly become emperor either. However, it was hard to say, because the inevitable events of the Type-Moon world could not be rewritten no matter what. So, Novia believed that if she tried to alter this period of history, it would be difficult to predict exactly what would happen.
Currently, just like Novia who was being subtly suppressed, Nero's mother Agrippina, as someone connected to the imperial family, was in a similar situation.
Empress Messalina, to secure the future imperial succession for her own son, vigorously suppressed other potential imperial heirs among the royal relatives. She even had Claudius execute his own secretary. One could say, under the indulgence of Emperor Claudius I, she held sway over everything.
However, Novia was completely indifferent to this. After all, she knew what was going to happen later. She just needed to wait patiently.
"Lord Novia."
Hearing the voice, Novia looked up towards the fifty-year-old man limping over from the corridor that had no windows leading outside.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Perhaps out of consideration for the 'God', Emperor Claudius would seek out Novia for conversations every few days. Although Novia very much wanted to directly persuade this man to become a Christian, the old fox always dodged the topic.
Novia had also considered using that single drop of water obtained from the Atlas Institute to cure Claudius's illness, but upon further thought, she decided the gains wouldn't outweigh the losses and abandoned the idea, giving it to Lucius instead.
After all, Novia had promised Lucius she would cure his gnawing pain. Moreover, after following her for a year without asking many questions, it was only right, both in terms of sentiment and reason, to alleviate his suffering first.
Currently, Novia's basic plan was to gain control of the Praetorian Guard responsible for Rome, have Christianity, led by her, sweep across Europe, and also find someone to handle important political affairs on behalf of the Roman Emperor... For this last candidate, Novia had already decided long ago, just waiting for the right moment.
"No need for formalities. It was my fault for having you, the Divine Envoy, stay outside the city."
"Your Majesty, these are necessary courtesies, also permitted by God."
Novia wore her usual smile on her face, while inwardly clicking her tongue. Just keep your polite talk to yourself, Claudius. You don't really think I believe it, do you?
"Hahaha, then there's no helping it." Claudius opened the large, ancient book on Novia's table. It appeared to be a book recording many religious thoughts. After flipping a few pages, he stopped. "But every time I come, I see you reading books on faith, Novia."
"For people like us, it's necessary. By the way, might I ask Your Majesty to forgive me for one thing?"
"Oh? What is it?"
"The rain a few days ago caused the nearby river to flood, making the bridge to the port impassable..."
"The food reserves here are enough to last past winter. For just you alone, there shouldn't be any problem at all."
Claudius, pondering purely out of curiosity, asked this. Novia showed an apologetic smile.
"No, it's not about food. Travelers, unable to cross the bridge, unintentionally ended up here and sought my help. Wondering if I could allow them to stay until the rain stops, thinking I couldn't let lost people lose their shelter, I agreed. But this is a place Your Majesty granted to me alone."
"Absolutely no need for my permission!" Claudius stood up from his seat, righteously patting Novia's shoulder. "You did very well. Everyone within my Empire must strongly support such acts."
"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's recognition."
The reason Novia did these things and spoke to Emperor Claudius about them was to make Claudius subconsciously consider the actions of the Christianity she promoted as reasonable and proper. This way, Christianity's sheltering of the homeless and caring for sick neighbors regardless of status or religion within the Empire would be naturally legitimized.
"Your Majesty."
A voice came from outside the room, likely from someone in charge of Emperor Claudius's travel arrangements and security.
"What is it?"
"The matter is urgent. Please allow me to inform Your Majesty in person."
"Enter."
Novia originally intended to make space, but Claudius silently shook his head, indicating it was fine for her to stay.
Soon, the person in charge of security entered and, without hesitation, whispered something into Emperor Claudius's ear.
"...Your Majesty, please decide swiftly."
After listening to the report, a glint of anger flashed in Emperor Claudius I's eyes. Sensing this change, Novia seemed to realize something.
"Everyone, follow me, return to Rome at once!"
Since morning, it had been a dark sky mixed with cloud-like gloom. As the sun set in the west, rain began to fall on the ground, thunder roared, developing into such terrible weather that even the window frames seemed to shake.
This was the court incident Novia had been specifically waiting for—
Empress Messalina's wedding with her lover.
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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