030: The Original Flame You Bestowed
Compared to the longer history of gladiatorial performances, beast-hunting shows in ancient Rome had a relatively shorter history, only gaining acceptance around the 2nd century BC.
Gladiators rarely, if ever, fought beasts, as it was deemed beneath their status. Beast-hunting performances were carried out by professional beast fighters, who were considered an entirely different profession from gladiators in ancient Rome.
Without specialized training, the spectacle and significance of beast-hunting shows were far inferior to gladiatorial contests, barely qualifying as a general "sport." During these performances, not only would beast fighters engage in life-or-death struggles with animals, but Romans would also pit various beasts against each other, resulting in exceptionally bloody scenes—precisely what the ancient Romans loved to watch.
Generally, ancient Roman politicians or emperors would go to great lengths to please the masses, making each beast-hunting spectacle grander than the last... It was rare for someone like Nero to dedicate such a show to just one person.
"Roar!"
A lion that had been starved for several days, once freed from its restraints, immediately bared its bloodthirsty maw. Its sharp fangs glinted coldly in the sunlight as it let out a deafening roar and lunged at the golden-haired girl.
Nero took a slight breath, clenched her fists, and prepared to face the challenge.
After all, she had no intention of using magecraft for this fight, relying solely on her physical prowess.
As the lion leaped, the girl swiftly dodged to the side, evading its initial attack. She then swung a fist, striking the lion's head with force. Her fist brushed past the lion's mane, creating a swooshing sound.
Struck, the lion let out a pained roar but did not retreat. Nero pressed her advantage, throwing punches from all angles, each blow making the lion stagger.
Her fists were like hammers, pounding fiercely into the lion's body. Yet, the staggering lion refused to yield, attempting to counterattack with its sharp claws and teeth. Unfortunately, it was too late.
The golden-haired girl's left arm had already hooked under the lion's jaw in a V-shape, tightening her grip. Her right arm followed, pressing against the back of the lion's head while her left hand gripped her right elbow from below. With her right palm pushing against the lion's head, she arched her body and began the chokehold.
As Nero's arms, channeling her full strength, pressed against the lion's throat, they directly cut off blood flow to its brain, causing the lion to go into shock.
As time passed, a dull thud echoed through the arena. The lion's powerful body seemed to crumble under an invisible force. A cracking sound came from its throat—the sound of bones being crushed, clear and chilling.
Satisfied with her successful naked chokehold, Nero casually tossed the lion aside as if discarding trash.
At that moment, she felt a sense of reality. She deeply enjoyed situations where she could maintain dominance while facing life-threatening danger, as they allowed her to demonstrate her worth.
The lion traced a brief arc through the air before descending in what seemed like a suffocating slow motion. Its golden mane trembled in the sunlight, each strand seeming to convey unwillingness and despair.
The lion's limbs flailed weakly, as if trying to grasp one last shred of hope for survival, but ultimately, they went limp.
When the lion's body hit the ground, it stirred up a cloud of dust. Its chest heaved violently a few times before gradually stilling.
The lion's eyes remained open, but they had lost their former vigor, leaving only an endless void and emptiness.
"How was that?" Nero smiled from the bottom of her heart, her eyes narrowing with delight. The beast's blood splattered across her face, giving her a somewhat frenzied appearance. "My teacher, did I do well?"
"Very well."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Truly, truly?"
"Yes, without a doubt. Your process of choking the lion was exceptionally graceful. And the fact that you showed it only to me fills me with immense joy."
Their exchange of questions and answers deepened the girl's smile even further.
"That's wonderful!"
Nero nodded slightly, her hair swaying. She could clearly feel her expression brightening, as if with each response, her body grew lighter, almost floating upward.
Novia also offered a slight smile as a response. In his gaze and words, the girl detected no trace of falsehood.
Come to think of it, the golden-haired girl's current demeanor aligned with his memories of Type-Moon's Nero: outgoing, eloquent, fond of extravagance and self-expression, treating her people with parental care in governance, yet somewhat dismissive of the Senate's authority.
Whether the girl's current sentiments stemmed from a master-disciple bond or a budding romantic interest, this doubt did not stir even a ripple in his heart. Regardless of which, as long as it could restrain her, it was enough.
Novia wouldn't delve into what considerations, feelings, or thoughts lay behind her actions.
He simply accepted the purest part of it and responded with a simple smile to this golden-haired girl, who had excelled in everything she'd done until now and spoke to him with pride befitting her age.
In the next moment, Novia rose and approached the stage, handing Nero something he had prepared long ago—
"This is...?"
Nero examined the red-and-black object Novia had gifted her, which resembled a "sword," with confusion.
"This is a weapon I crafted specifically for you." Novia's smile remained unwavering. "A few months ago, a stone fell from the sky. Roman mages called it a 'Tear of the Stars.' It's said to be a fragment of hope from a traveler's star, as it's not of this world. In any case, I've forged it into a weapon. I hope you'll like it."
"Is this... because I've done everything you take pride in, because I've become valuable to you, that I've received this gift?"
The golden-haired girl's bright eyes gazed directly at him as she raised one hand high.
"You don't need to belittle yourself." He simply smiled at her warmly and brightly. "From the day I baptized you, I should have taken on this responsibility."
"Nero."
He called her name briefly.
If a few smiles and words were all it took to reassure Nero, Novia naturally wouldn't hesitate.
".......Its name." After a pause, Nero puffed out her cheeks and pouted, as if sulking. "What's the name of this sword?"
"You could name it yourself."
"I want you to name it."
The girl spoke in an expectant tone, her eyes quietly fixed on Novia.
"Then, let's call it... the Original Flame."
"Original Flame..."
As she spoke, the girl lifted the sword to her chest, her slender fingers slowly caressing it.
"This is... the bond between you and me... right?"
She whispered.
....
In the days that followed, nothing particularly earth-shattering occurred. Nero merely hosted several large-scale games in her name to garner public attention and win their support and allegiance.
On the surface, aside from his usual promotional work and assisting with political affairs, Novia quietly awaited news from Sherley, who was in Britannia.
Finally, when the year was up, the purple-haired girl sent word from Britannia as promised.
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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