Melusine, Become my Noble Phantasm!

To outsiders like us, the coastal city barely blinked.

Rome's empire was in decline, but still a world power—and a magnet for wanderers.

Signs of the Huns harassing the eastern borders were increasing, but chaos was contained for now.

Rome's warriors remained elite, though rank-and-file soldiers showed decline after years of peace.

No one questioned a lone stranger like me; guards were more interested in the beauties passing by.

Perhaps Rome's long Dark Age had led its people to pursue enjoyment at all costs.

But such indulgence invited internal strife.

Feudal provinces grew stronger, governors held real power, and the royal family suffered turmoil.

Meanwhile, farmers and serfs lost more rights.

Rome remained the Mediterranean's king, but the ruling classes lived ever more lavishly.

As a blacksmith, I wasn't short of coin—and finally enjoyed true luxury.

The great bathhouses were my sanctuary—warm water flowing endlessly, a comfort not yet found in Britain.

Roman food satisfied me too. No more mashed potatoes as a staple.

Yet, despite the comforts, my search for Mecha progress stalled.

Even visiting Troy's ruins—the final stage of Greek myths—yielded few clues.

How the gods joined Rome's pantheon or disappeared was a forbidden secret.

Did Zeus fall to his son? Or did some other calamity end their reign?

Perhaps the Mecha-Gods' own power waned, leading to their downfall.

Without key records and with few surviving Greek myth ruins, I could only gather gossip.

Still, Rome had a strong emperor in Sword Emperor Lucius.

Though clashing with the Huns, he reclaimed lost lands, even pushing toward India.

If not for the later battle with Artoria, Rome might have restored its glory.

I don't know how Lucius fell in Artoria's timeline.

He was confident against Arthur, but history erased him completely.

Maybe in her world line, someone else impersonates Lucius, or he remains monitored as a heroic spirit.

But none of that matters now.

If Rome and Lucius fail, decline and collapse will follow inevitably.

While soaking in the bathhouse, I watched the sky.

My contact should arrive soon.

Before my dreams are fulfilled, I won't fully surrender to pleasure, even if I enjoy it.

Small-time dealers prefer to trade intelligence here.

The bathhouse is the perfect cover: a place to relax, converse without suspicion, and maybe meet beautiful women.

A young boy hurried in, sitting beside me.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Aslan? Our boss says the best-looking person who caught his eye must be you."

I nodded, frowning and touching my chin.

Perhaps I should disguise myself more carefully in Rome.

Even with Christianity's spread, Rome's ancient customs linger.

My body—and soul—belong to my dragon. I cannot afford to fall into the gutter.

The boy noticed my hesitation and quickly added, "Are you a devout believer, Mr. Aslan?"

I paused, then shook my head.

"No. What information do you have?"

-End Chapter-

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