019: News of the Dragon of Albion
From the ancient land across the English Channel, pale gray snowflakes drifted gently from the sky. The sparse snowflakes soon gathered and dominated the entire island.
Time officially entered 49 AD. Londinium, the settlement built by the ancient Roman Empire on the island of Britain, continued to develop this year after its conquest as the "bridge across the Thames." In time, this settlement was destined to become the "heart" of the island.
The late-night wind was bitterly cold, brushing against the cheeks of Lucius, the Governor of Britain. He couldn't help but sneeze and paused in the cave he had dug.
"There are just too many of these damned things here."
The man pointed the weapon in his hand toward the countless green specks of light in the tunnel, floating and settling on the earthy cave walls as if dusted with frost.
However, these were all corpses, yet Lucius felt no sorrow.
Were they? Were they not?
Their genders were indistinguishable. Their insect-like bodies, eyes slightly larger than a human's, limbs reminiscent of a human girl's soft beauty, hair flowing softly even without wind—but upon closer inspection, their faces revealed a seam. When split open, their faces would tear vertically, turning their entire heads into mouths with sharp teeth, lunging at people.
Though utterly repulsive, they were not phantasmal species. They seemed more like maggots born from some long-dead mystical creature.
Since Lucius was appointed Governor of Britain a year ago, he had been following Novia's instructions, diligently digging for something beneath Londinium. Though he wasn't sure what Novia was looking for, for safety's sake, Lucius chose to dig alone. Fortunately, he was no ordinary person. Working for a year on just three hours of sleep per day was more than enough, and it led both the stationed soldiers and local residents to view him as a trustworthy governor.
Naturally, Lucius wasn't someone who cared about money. He didn't exploit the natives, possessed formidable personal strength, and often led by example in training the legions. The soldiers stationed in Britain naturally respected him.
After pausing for a moment, he shifted his gaze from the green lights to the front of the cave and continued digging alone. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his lower back. He frowned slightly, enduring the gnawing pain that had plagued him for years as he always had.
However, after receiving a drop of water from Novia, the pain had eased significantly. If it was a ten before, it was now a one.
Naturally, Lucius was filled with gratitude toward Novia. He had even considered giving Novia the spear stained with the Holy Son's blood, believing Novia to be far more important than himself. But Novia refused, saying Lucius needed it for self-defense.
Since that was the case, the only way to express his gratitude was to complete the task Novia had given him. Moreover, Novia had achieved so much at such a young age. Though Lucius was old, he couldn't afford to hold him back.
With this in mind, Lucius had no interest in admiring the island of Britain. He only hoped to find what Novia was looking for. After digging for two hours, the man took out a water pouch soaked with sweat from his belt and drank deeply.
After drinking, Lucius prepared to continue digging. However—
The moment he touched the wall ahead, he stopped. He could feel something powerful and corrupt just beyond the soil, and its size was immense.
This must be what Novia was searching for, the man thought. It was likely a creature that had once thrived on this land, even dominating the ecosystem.
After confirming the location, Lucius didn't hesitate. He retraced his steps, using the Spear of Longinus to seal the area, transforming it into an endless wilderness adorned with weeds and deadwood, impervious even to magical eyes.
A gentle breeze blew, and the rustling of leaves masked the movements in the grass. When the wind ceased, everything returned to silence. Lucius, appearing out of nowhere, stood like a statue of Mars, vigilantly surveying his surroundings with eyes restored by the holy blood.
After half an hour, he left the wilderness without looking back and immediately sent word to Novia in Rome.
"This fellow believer is truly cautious, Lucius Longinus. But those eyes and that spear..." A voice echoed as if from space itself before fading into silence. "If the man in Jerusalem sixteen years ago was real, then I should also find a way to leave Alcatraz and meet this fellow believer who brings a new faith, Novia."
On this starry night, something that had become a vampire and could no longer face its old friends spoke thus.
.....
Novia received the news from Lucius in Rome in the morning.
At that moment, the silver-haired boy was spreading his innovative Christian doctrine around Rome with Domitius.
The morning mist in the wilderness slowly dissipated, and sunlight poured through the sparse shadows of birch trees onto Novia's shoulders, as if painting a natural forest scene.
"Though Christ Jesus, the Holy Son, was born in the world, incarnated, suffered, and resurrected, the Holy Father still participated. The difference is that only the Son was manifested. The Holy Father and the Holy Son are completely equal, with no precedence or hierarchy. The Holy Son is also fully the Lord, His unique attribute being eternally begotten by the Holy Father."
"Those who believe, though their faith, hope, and love may differ, equally enjoy worldly benefits or suffer evil."
"The best life is one of goodness, and attaining this best life itself—whether you are in Rome, Gaul, or Anatolia—as long as you believe, believe devoutly, and as much as possible relieve the poor, love one another, and care for the weak, your soul will ultimately be saved."
"All nature is good, for the Lord of all nature is supremely good. But nature is not as supremely and eternally good as the Lord..."
The blonde girl Domitius watched the distant horizon grow clearer. As the birdsong in the forest rose and fell with her teacher's voice, she felt a touch of intoxication and gradually immersed herself in the embrace of the sunlight.
But then, though Novia's hesitation was only momentary, Domitius noticed it. By the time she reacted, her teacher had handed over the remaining tasks to her and left, seemingly on urgent business.
At dusk, upon returning to Rome, she learned that her teacher Novia had been sent by the emperor to Britain to handle matters related to the local Druidic religion.
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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