Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover-Chapter 613

Chapter 613: The Beast Slumbers in a Rose’s Dream

There stood a breathtakingly beautiful woman clad in a sheer gauze dress. Though her attire was revealing, it carried no hint of vulgarity—instead, it exuded an air of nobility.

Upon closer inspection, one could detect a familiar quality in the woman’s features.

Cradled in her voluptuous embrace was a golden-haired girl, also dressed in gauze, her head bowed low. A red ribbon trailed from the back of her head, making her resemble an exquisitely crafted doll as she allowed her mother to hold her while suppressing excited whispers.

"Your father passed away mere hours ago. Though you are not his blood, you are now the legitimate heir to Caesar."

"My daughter, you shall become emperor."

The woman gently shook the child’s shoulders. The golden-haired girl obediently lifted her head, and the moment her face came into view, the observing Kishinami Hakuno and Alice gasped in shock.

"It’s her?!"

"That’s... the red-clad older sister..."

Her appearance was unmistakably that of ’Nero’—the same one who had previously directed killing intent toward them!

No matter how stunned the onlookers were, the story continued to unfold. As the mother spoke excitedly, the golden-haired girl suddenly clutched her forehead and let out a pained groan.

"Ugh..."

"Another headache?" Despite the girl’s suffering, the beautiful mother showed not a trace of concern. She calmly instructed, "I’ll give you more of the medicine. Make sure to drink it all."

...!

Only upon hearing this did the golden-haired girl finally speak up: "I don’t like drinking this... It’s too bitter."

The moment these words left her lips, Hakuno and Alice exchanged glances—the girl’s voice was frail and pleading, a far cry from the lively tone they had heard before. The difference was so stark it made them wonder if this was a twin sister.

Her mother’s expression darkened as she spoke meaningfully: "Listen to your mother. Everything will go smoothly if you do."

"...Okay."

The golden-haired girl picked up the bitter medicine and downed it in one gulp.

[I can’t defy Mother. If I don’t obey, even her own child won’t be spared.]

[Just like that foster father of mine.]

The girl’s sorrowful, lonely thoughts echoed through the space. Hakuno and Alice remained silent, equally shaken by the beautiful woman in the vision—

By those eyes, dark as sludge, as if they could devour everything.

Though still confused about this place, Hakuno found herself irresistibly drawn into the story.

How had this obedient, powerless girl from childhood transformed into the vibrant, confident figure they knew? What past had led her to be recorded in the Throne of Heroes?

Wait... What was the Throne of Heroes?

Hakuno, still grappling with her amnesia, continued to puzzle over this. But as the scene shifted, one of her questions was answered:

"I’ll arrange a tutor for you—to cultivate the qualities befitting an emperor."

With the former emperor’s funeral concluded, the now-regent woman turned to her daughter and declared:

"Among my old acquaintances, there’s a suitable candidate. He was once a philosopher in the Senate. If we can win over the Senate, our position will be unshakable."

Thus, with calculated cunning, she maneuvered her most trusted pawns to seize greater advantages.

"Ah," sighed the golden-haired maiden.

A tutor? This would only further restrict her freedom. All she truly desired was to remain undisturbed, composing poetry in peace.

Perhaps she should simply find an excuse to slip away.

Wrapped in a sheer gauze dress, the young girl strode decisively toward the palace gates—a rare display of resolve. Yet as she traversed the empty corridors, her mind wandered, and with a dull thud, she collided against someone’s unyielding back.

Ouch.

Her nose stung as she staggered backward, tears welling in the corners of her eyes from the pain. "How rude! Don’t just stand in the middle of the hallway!"

Startled and furious, the usually silent girl revealed an uncharacteristically imperious demeanor.

"Scoundrel! State your name!"

"My, how discourteous of me."

At the sound of his voice, the tall, imposing figure turned around. To Hakuno and Alice’s surprise, while the faces of patrolling soldiers and bustling attendants were clearly visible, this man’s features remained indistinct—only the faint impression of an amused gaze could be discerned.

"It has been so long since I last set foot on this land that I became lost in melancholy," the man said, pressing a hand to his chest with practiced grace. "I am Seneca, the philosopher, at your service, Your Imperial Majesty."

As he bowed, the sun behind him cast a vast shadow, engulfing the girl and even the unruly tuft of hair atop her head.

So... large...

The girl recalled the earlier collision—it had felt like slamming into a wall. Crossing her arms, her expression darkened further. "So you are to be my tutor? I expected some hunched old man. How unexpected."

After a pause, she continued, "You’ve drawn quite the unlucky lot. I have no interest in philosophy or statecraft, so I imagine you’ll be packing your bags soon enough."

"That won’t do, Your Majesty. Your mother, the Empress, once saved this exiled man’s life." Stroking his chin, the man studied the girl as if appraising a rare gem. "I will mold you into an exceptional leader."

That gaze—

Hakuno’s eyes widened slightly. For a fleeting moment, she felt as though someone had once looked at her the same way. Yet judging by the attire in the scene, this story must have taken place in the distant past.

Could it be... just an illusion?

The scene shifted. This time, the man who called himself Seneca stood before a sculpture. "So this is Your Majesty’s work."

"Mmm. Before I am a ruler, I am first and foremost an artist. Well? Quite the masterpiece, is it not?"

Seneca fell into contemplation. Beside him, the beautiful maiden feigned indifference, though her frequent sidelong glances betrayed her nervous anticipation.

"To be frank, its craftsmanship is... rather ambiguous."

"W-what?!"

The philosopher’s words struck the girl like a blow. As she slumped in dejection, Seneca unfurled a scroll with a smile—a vast map of the empire.

"If you remain ignorant of the world beyond, cloistered in your own creations, your senses will dull. Come, let us broaden your horizons together, Your Majesty."

"Hmph! I dislike louts!"

"Your Majesty is still young, there’s no need to worry about your height." Though his expression was unclear, anyone could tell Seneca was smiling. "There’s still potential for growth."

"To... to dare mention height before Us? You’ve truly stepped on a landmine." The girl fumed. "No wonder you suffered the hardship of exile!"

Yet beneath her indignation, she couldn’t help thinking:

[Hmm, though infuriating, he’s quite an interesting fellow.]

[Perhaps he could alleviate some boredom.]

From that day onward, Seneca’s tutelage began.

Amidst the turbulent political transitions, many distanced themselves from the young emperor—but this man was different. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to nurturing the girl’s talents and broadening her horizons.

After merely studying swordsmanship, she defeated an arrogant Roman officer moments into their first spar;

After just days of diligently copying master paintings, she mastered their techniques and infused them with bold imagination;

Her naturally gifted poetry, once circulated beyond the palace, was so admired that people suspected renowned poets had ghostwritten for their emperor.

—Remarkable. Her talents were truly blessed by the gods.

Seneca watched as the girl’s confidence blossomed into radiant brilliance, his gaze profound.

"Seneca, look at this!" The girl rushed excitedly from the dressing room, holding up a dazzling new gown—a ballgown embodying artistic audacity and inspiration. Designed in masculine style yet worn by her delicate figure, it achieved the startling beauty of Venus.

"Behold! We designed this dress Ourself. Isn’t it magnificent?"

She laughed triumphantly, twirling through the solemn classical halls as the form-fitting gown spun with her, streaming golden-red brilliance: "Wearing this, Our inspiration flows endlessly! We even desire a matching crimson greatsword!"

After a brief stunned silence, Seneca smiled softly. Together with Hakuno, he admired the young emperor’s iconic ensemble that would be remembered for ages.

The once timid, compliant child-emperor had fully blossomed. The budding rose now bloomed extravagantly, stretching her branches boldly to the world, flaunting every exquisite petal. Young, passionate, vibrant—she loved this world, this nation deeply, convinced all she cherished would return equally fervent love.

As her teacher, he recognized this with absolute clarity. While swelling with pride, an unease stirred within him.

Her Majesty has already advanced so far...

Having discovered and cultivated her talents, surely I bear responsibility too.

If someday that small, courageously shining gem transforms into a baleful star descending upon us—

That calamity would surely be the sinful flame I myself ignited.

Perhaps I shouldn’t have reached out...

"Well, Seneca?" The rose bloomed ardently as the girl drew near her teacher, emerald laurel-leaf eyes glittering with unveiled anticipation. "This is Our talent! We shall personally rectify all this corrupt governance!"

This was the declaration made by the young emperor before her inauguration ceremony. This radiant figure, this brilliant and dazzling star, extended her hand to the man with utter reliance.

"My talents should be wholly dedicated to the people and to art. Seneca, with your abilities, support me a while longer!"

Perhaps I should have let go.

Perhaps at that moment, I should have exiled myself back to the wilderness—

But gazing into those eyes, I found myself utterly incapable of uttering a refusal.

After a brief silence, the man smiled wryly and reached out to clasp hands with the future emperor.

"At your service, Augustus."

The girl laughed, her radiant smile blending with the intoxicating sunlight behind her, blurring Seneca’s vision.

Ah, forgive me, merciful Lord.

I can no longer tell if this is dawn...

Or perhaps, twilight.

————

[She was born at the break of dawn]

[Not as the emperor’s legitimate heir, but as the last of her line]

[Perhaps due to the backlash of her illegitimate birth, she was unlike any Augustus before her]

[She loved strangers more than family]

[She cherished the common folk more than the nobility]

[Yet this way of life was never understood]

[Neither by family nor by strangers]

[Neither by the nobility nor by the common folk]

[Thus, the first to clash with her was her own mother, Agrippina]

A cunning and selfish woman who wielded power over Augustus.

She unilaterally reconciled with the Senate, rendering the young emperor’s painstakingly enacted policies void overnight. The loss of trust and resources was immense, and countless innocents were swept into the turmoil.

...No one knows how deeply this truth wounded her fragile spirit.

In the end, however, she resolved to assassinate her own mother. Before confronting the Senate, she had no choice but to eliminate the wolf lurking in her own backyard.

Yet the assassinations repeatedly failed.

Until at last...

A crimson tide swept through. When Hakuno opened her eyes, she saw the once-beautiful woman’s bloodied lips, her arm reaching skyward before falling limp under the horrified gazes of the assembled nobility.

The wine cup she had held rolled away, only to be picked up by the young emperor, her downcast eyes obscuring her expression. Raising the cup, she proclaimed to the panicked crowd:

"—This woman poisoned me."

"Even as my mother, to betray the emperor is a capital crime!"

Yes, she ultimately chose to execute her mother in public. As her last surviving kin, her mother’s final words were:

"I curse you..."

"Nero Claudius."

[Year 59 of the Western Calendar]

[The moment the name ’Tyrant’ became eternal]

[From this point onward, her life strayed further down a twisted path]