They Call me Vox

Singularity 2: Act 3

"Take a good look and be struck with awe!" Nero exclaims, walking backward to face us as we enter the streets of Rome, "This is my city, the glorious Rome!"

I look around, Jack on my left with her hand in mine and Artoria on my right, as we walk through the streets. The city is indeed glorious. The streets are lined with vendors and filled with bustling people going about their day. Music drifts through the air from an out-of-sight musician. It's all so vibrant, which is a nice reprieve from the rather sterile Chaldea and the normally dreary singularities.

"It's certainly vibrant," I relay my observation to Nero.

"Yes, of course! After all, this is the greatest city in the world!" Nero exclaims proudly, turning on her heel so that she's walking forward.

Roman chimes in from Mash's watch and begins speaking with Nero. I mostly tune their conversation out, only picking up the important details as Roman comes up with a cover story for us. According to the good doctor, we're his pupils and he is a wizard from a faraway land.

Wonderful, though I almost laugh when Roman begins explaining the singularities and greatly confuses Nero with all the technical term gibberish.

I pay more attention when Mash begins re-explaining our mission to the empress.

"We seek something called the Holy Grail, a magical item with special powers," Mash explains, "It's causing a great many disturbances just by being here. The Grail is likely causing the situation plaguing Rome."

"I see. This Holy Grail is damaging my Rome," Nero says.

"Yes," Mash confirms, nodding, "I understand this might sound confusing and strange to you-"

"No, neither strange nor incomprehensible. This Holy Grail... it worries me for some reason," Nero says, appearing thoughtful.

"Probably because the damn things leave a trail of death wherever it goes," I input, joining the conversation, "These things cause conflict wherever they show up."

"Then we have much to speak about. Come with me, we can talk freely in my home," Nero decides.

Before we can go anywhere, though, angered shouting can be heard off to our right. The crowd begins to part, making a ring around the commotion. With Nero at the lead, we push our way through the crowd.

"Hey! What are you people doing to my shop!" someone shouts over the thrum of the crowd.

Our group manages to arrive at the commotion, the people moving out of the way the moment they recognize their emperor. What we find is a group of thuggish men ransacking a vendor's stall, the vendor standing off to the side with a helpless look.

"What is the meaning of this!?" Nero thunders, authoritative and imperious, the surrounding citizens collectively falling silent, "Cease this at once!"

The largest man, perhaps the leader of the group, turns toward Nero with a half-formed snarl that falters when he lays eyes on Nero, "E-Emperor!?"

"Yes, it is I! Nero Claudius! What right have you to disturb my people, especially in my presence?" Nero demands, only letting the thug stutter for a few seconds before ordering, "Guards, arrest these ruffians!"

From the crowd, a group of Roman soldiers step forth to arrest the men.

Turning back to us with a bright smile, as if nothing had happened at all, Nero asks, "Well, shall we continue?"

Timeskip(brought to you by Vox playing with Jackie)

I, along with my Servants and Nero, sit around a fancy wooden table within the Emperor's large villa-mansion-thing.