017: The Christian—Nero
"...?"
The golden-haired girl glanced between Novia and her mother in confusion, not understanding what this meant.
Agrippina's expression darkened briefly before she quickly replaced it with one full of apology, gently stroking the child's head.
Novia was well aware of this woman's intense need for control. The chronic headaches Nero suffered from since childhood were the result of prolonged exposure to poison—Agrippina's doing. Its horror was such that even after Nero became a Beast, she could not escape it, a poison etched into her Spirit Origin.
In short, Agrippina did not view her daughter Nero as a "person." At best, she was a puppet.
"You are right, Your Excellency. This is my fault as a mother." Agrippina met the youth's calm gaze with eyes that seemed on the verge of tears. "If I had taken better care of her from a young age, perhaps she would not have ended up like this. I will never let it happen again."
"In that case, that would be excellent, Lady Agrippina."
Novia smiled upon hearing this. He knew Agrippina would not expose herself so easily. After all, in the Fate storyline, even when facing execution, Agrippina died smiling as she watched Nero's hysterical demise—a true madwoman.
After that, both fell silent. Time passed not because they had nothing to say but because they were waiting to see who would break first.
Novia was unfazed by this, as it was Agrippina who needed his help. Without his permission, she could not approach Emperor Claudius, let alone become empress within a year and secure her child's position as the next emperor.
Sure enough, as night fell, Agrippina grew increasingly restless and finally cut to the chase:
"Your Excellency Novia, as the emperor's niece, I deeply feel the strain His Majesty endures day and night managing state affairs. Could you convey my sentiments to His Majesty?"
At the same time, the woman licked her lips, revealing a set of sharp canines on her upper right jaw. With a practiced, seductive gaze, she attempted to charm Novia.
"Lady Agrippina, the God I believe in still watches over this world."
Novia remained unmoved. His azure eyes, always as serene as deep winter seawater, seemed to gaze up from the ocean's depths, instantly calming Agrippina.
"I see."
At this moment, Domitius observed that her mother's expression seemed less like calmness and more like dissatisfaction. But she no longer cared, only wanting to return quickly because her head was throbbing painfully.
"But what about my child's future? This pain..."
The woman lowered her gaze, seemingly plotting something.
"I believe nothing more needs to be said. Farewell, Lady Agrippina."
Under the cloud-covered night sky, Novia rose to return to his residence, his footsteps echoing softly on the ground.
"...Wait, Your Excellency."
It was a voice stripped of emotion. The woman's cold eyes fixed on Novia as he turned. This time, she had truly resolved something, and Novia could sense it clearly.
"I am willing to convert to Christianity. Moreover, my child, Domitius, has long believed in God. I humbly ask that you baptize her."
In theory, becoming a Christian required nothing more than believing in "justification by faith."
As Jesus Christ said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Novia knew Agrippina did not truly believe but was merely signaling her allegiance. If he accepted, she would surely announce it publicly. However, for Novia, the most important aspect was Agrippina's child, Domitius—the future Nero.
If she, who was historically known as a tyrant for suppressing Christianity, were to become a believer... what would happen?
Moreover, she was exceptionally unique. According to the setting of the Beast of Sodom, she became a calamity only after a destined death...
As Novia pondered, Domitius's pupils flickered with unease. Her breathing might have already grown erratic.
"..."
The golden-haired girl looked at him with eyes that seemed to awaken from a dream.
Then, with a dazed expression, she nodded and said, "That's right."
She nodded once, and for some reason, after more than ten seconds, nodded again and said, "Please baptize me, Your Excellency."
Baptism was not a mere ritual but a testimony—a public declaration to follow teachings, emulate examples, and a covenant of commitment.
"Very well." Novia faced the woman's delighted gaze. "Moreover, her chronic illness should end. It should also be handed over to me."
These words froze Agrippina's body. She was certain that only she knew about the poison she used to control her child and could not understand how this silver-haired youth knew about it or why he demanded she relinquish it... Yet, in the end, the woman silently nodded.
Before leaving, Novia saw Agrippina cradling the golden-haired girl's head, murmuring incessantly:
"I love you, you know. This is for you, Domitius. I love you. I love you deeply."
A mother professing love for her child—a seemingly warm scene. The only chilling aspect was the "mother's" gaze, which was like dark mud, ready to devour everything.
The night was cold and dewy, the sky vast and beautiful. The scenery spoke of the day's end, yet no two days were ever the same.
The next day, Agrippina was appointed as the emperor's secretary.
On the third day, at Novia's residence in Rome.
"Bishop..."
"Tell me."
Novia poured a bottle of water over the golden-haired girl's head. Domitius neither frowned nor showed surprise, merely listening quietly. Then, Novia handed her the remaining half-bottle and asked her to drink it.
This barely counted as baptism, as proper baptism required immersing the baptized person fully or partially in water.
"What you must do."
In fact, Novia already knew what Domitius would say, as he had specifically taught her these words earlier.
He had held onto these words for a long time. Domitius was the first to hear them, but when the opportunity arose, they would be widely proclaimed.
"People have had ideals and fantasies, found comfort and endured insults, and once lost faith in others and themselves."
"Through the passage of time, we have come to understand the value of 'truth.' Though 'truth' may sometimes be embarrassing, a nation that faces truth is a mature nation, and people who face truth are strong people."
"Nothing can easily move people except the call of justice."
The golden-haired girl recited these words, which were starkly different from the Christian texts she had at home. Though puzzled, she did not question them.
"When you face the helpless weak who have been wronged, when you face the arrogant and tyrannical wicked, when you face injustices that can shape a person's entire life, you must understand the price and courage justice demands."
"At such times, we may be left speechless, with only blessings to offer: May the powerless gain strength, may the pessimistic move forward, may those who walk onward continue, and may the happy become happier. As for us, we must strive ceaselessly."
For some reason, the girl grew increasingly joyful as she recited these words and began to feel a sense of admiration for Novia.
"There is always a force that moves us to tears, a force that invigorates our spirits, a force that drives us to constantly seek 'justice, love, and conscience.'"
"This force comes from me and from every living person in this world."
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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