Chapter 4: Chapter 4: The inquiry
(Titus's (Tacitus) POV)
"Is that the right way?"
"Yes, awe…"
I was sitting with Seneca, my foster father, in this new reality, rubbing a herbal lotion on my cheek. It was evening time. After the whole drama in the Roman court, Seneca summoned me to his house.
According to my current body, Seneca had many foster children in his care. Tacitus, the current me, was also one of them.
"Your mouth couldn't remain shut, right?" Seneca spoke with a sarcastic tone.
I just rolled my eyes and remained silent. How should I tell him that I was someone from the future? However, from Seneca's tone, it seemed like my body's original owner was also used to be a chatterbox.
After he finished dressing the bandage on my cheek, I asked, "Foster father, what is going on in the royal court? I mean, a mother and daughter shouldn't use that kind of language, right?"
Hearing my question, Seneca stared at me for a couple of seconds before he sighed and answered, "Sigh. Empress Octavia's brother was poisoned a few days ago."
'Wait, does that mean the current Nero would soon kill her mother?'
If my knowledge serves me right, Agrippina died at the hands of her son Nero after Britannicus's murder.
There was also a theory that Britannicus died by natural cause. Still, after watching Agrippina grinning evilly in the court, I think the latter was not the case.
Though the reason was simple, he was the true Cesar of Rome, a threat to Nero's rule.
"Does that mean…"
"Yes, Emperor Nero claims that the killer is her mother, Agrippina."
"Wait, Foster Father. If I remember correctly, the late emperor and many on the line meet the same fate. Isn't that obvious who the real perpetrator is?"
Seneca raised his brow and remained silent for a couple of seconds before speaking again, "Since you are mature enough to participate in politics, I will alert you with some common knowledge about the court. Though it is evident who is destroying the royal lineage, no one could do anything. Agrippina is carrying the management of government at her fingertips. Currently, her influence is even greater than her majesty Nero."
'So, the timeline is pretty much following the actual history….' I thought, processing the current situation according to my information.
"Then why is the senate not doing anything? I saw them in the court showing their disdain for her majesty Nero so openly. They weren't also showing little to no respect for Lady Agrippina."
"Hmm, what if your pay suddenly drops by 50%? What would be your top priority?"
"Oh, I see. The senate is angrier with her majesty than Lady Agrippina due to her majesty Nero lifting all indirect taxes and taking action after corrupt officials. Does that mean they want to remove Agrippina and Nero by keeping silent and fuming the heat between mother-daughter fights?"
Seneca smiled and rubbed my head, "You have suddenly become sharp. It seems like I am talking with a different person."
'Because I am a different person.'
Well, I just took the compliment.
"Though as much it disgusts me, this is the real face of the government of current Rome. However, a cup of advice. Don't involve yourself with current politics. I am referring to Emperor Nero."
It was impossible since the system mission required me to stick with Nero. I had to become close with Nero at all costs for the system quest and get everything done.
I remained silent, not answering anything.
Seneca smiled, "Although I am enjoying a sensible conversation with new Tacitus, it is getting late. Now, you should get going."
I nodded, stood from my chair, and was at the door when Seneca spoke again, "Though if you want to get close to her majesty, I would advise you to keep a sleeping drug or herbs for headaches."
"…I will." I smiled and nodded. This time, I duly noted Seneca's advice since I knew his advice would come in handy later.
---
(Nero's POV)
"Umu, this is my Rome."
The breeze from my room is just the best. Nothing better than enjoying the cool breeze from the balcony of my room.
It was a good day until that bit*h, Agrippina, ruined it.
I shouldn't be uttering such filthy words from my beautiful mouth since Agrippina is my mother, but her existence is like a thorny flower.
She killed so many people important to me or necessary for my rule. She killed Seneca's wife and my wife Octavia's brother.
Plus, she had been poisoning me since birth. She is a witch that I must kill. I have already sent some assassins for her, but I don't think they can kill that witch.
"Hmm?" While looking down from my castle, I saw a familiar face.
It was Tacitus, Seneca's foster son. He was leaving Seneca's house with his cheek patched with a bandage.
Anger began to boil when I recalled when that witch's dog hurt my precious guest. But soon, I calmed down when I saw his face.
"Ah, his face is so my type," I muttered unconsciously.
Usually, I could demand anything I wanted, but this time I wanted to… earn him.
Hmm, I don't know what this feeling is, but it is refreshing.
"Hehe, he was funny, too~!"
Recalling his goofy face, a smile popped on my face.
"It is decided then. I will teach Tacitus about Royal Court, and then he will succeed, Seneca! Umu, umu~!"
---
(Titus's (Tacitus) POV)
I was now in a different room. It was a single-story stone house where Tacitus was currently living.
There were many herbs on the shelves and stands attached to the walls. There was also a study table and a sofa in the room. If I have to take a dump, I must use public toilets.
Believe me. If there is anything that would irritate you the most, it would be the lack of toilets.
I went there once but ran away immediately from the horrible smell. Even my junk refused to come outside. In the end, I used the Man vs. Wild thing and helped fertile the land.
Anyway, let's summarize certain things.
I noticed a couple of new windows but didn't pay attention.
First, I opened the Status Log.
---
[[Status]]
Name: Titus Faria Dusklock (Temporary Name: Publius Tacitus)
Age: 19
Elements: Light (Special)
Level: 12 (Locked)
…
Parameters (Temporary):
STR: 14
MAG: -
END: 33
AGI: 14
LUC: 25
Additional SPs: -
…
HP: 86
MP: -
…
Skills and abilities: [Herbalist C, (temporary)]
…
Magecraft (Locked):
Illusionary Arts Rank D: [Illusion Hide], [Expression Distort]
---
"Wait, I am that Tacitus?"
Now that I think about it, Tacitus was a historian who wrote about the rule of the Roman Empire in clear Latin. However, I don't know about this version of Tacitus since he is an herbalist instead of a politician.
Now that I think about it, how could I speak in Latin so clearly?
It was then some system windows popped up.
[Publius Tacitus, also known as Publius Cornelius Tacitus according to the Host's previous life legends, is a 19 years old goofy boy.
Before merging with memories of Host, he was an enthusiastic boy with a keen thirst for knowledge, mainly about herbs and drugs related to the pharmaceutical field. His foster father, Seneca, educated him about politics and literature. Though, like Host being a bookworm, Tacitus was only attentive to herbs. He aims to become the best pharmacist in all the Rome.
He was the student under Longestra who died due to an unknown cause a month ago.]
[Host could naturally speak any language during missions.]
I don't know why the system description seemed so sarcastic, but it explained everything I needed to know. My magic was also locked, but it was not a problem.
Now then, let's put events in order.
Since Britannicus was already dead, I guess Agrippina's death was also coming. Nero's wife, as well as Seneca, would also commit suicide soon.
Octavia's death was Nero's affair with another woman, Poppaea Sabina. However, after recalling memories of this body, I didn't remember hearing any such name, meaning that she either doesn't exist or the affair hasn't started due to this Nero being a girl.
Then if I recall my memory from my previous life, the male version of Nero goes to full tyrant mode after Agrippina's death. He also married another woman named Statilia Messalina.
Fast forward to 64 or 65 AD, and we have the great fire of Rome. This is my primary mission. Although many claimed it to be another conspiracy by Nero, the real reason is still unknown.
After the fire, Nero pretty much defines the true definition of the lowest scum of the earth. Nero married Sporus, a young boy who is said to have significantly resembled Poppaea. Nero had him castrated and married him with all the usual ceremonies, including a dowry and a bridal veil.
"Thank goodness I am not Sporus."
Even though I don't show much interest in girls, I still treasure my little brother. As for Sporus fellow, if I find him, I will ask him to leave Rome as soon as possible.
"The only problem is if history would follow the same."
The source of my knowledge is my previous life. In Nasuverse, I didn't get to invest much of my time in history or Nasuverse Nero's lore, to be specific.
In my previous life, I did select her in Fate/Extra game due to her cute voice but skipped her back story, you know, normie thing.
"Come to think of it; I don't know the Nasuverse lore of many servants…."
I really regret not reading the lore. I only played games due to cute girls and their dialogues. I also played FGO but had never summoned Nero.
In short, I know little to nothing about this version of Nero and her lore.
"This will be a bit problematic. Well, nothing I could do."
A smile crept on my face when I recalled seeing her for the first time. My heart skipped a beat at that time. Was that what you call first love?
Nah, I don't think so. I am not someone to talk about this love thing. But still…
"She was cute, though, umu!"
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