(Titus's (Tacitus) POV)
The revolt I had feared occurred, but it happened much earlier than I had anticipated. Like any era, the fifth emperor of the Roman Empire, Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, had to deal with rebels. Most of them were greedy individuals sponsored by members of the Senate. However, this time, events took an unexpected turn as one of the perpetrators turned out to be Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger, my foster father.
"Much earlier than expected," I thought to myself.
Seneca was supposed to rebel in 65 AD, but the event occurred in early 59 AD. I had no idea whether I was the one who had accelerated the timing of these events. But even then, my identity as Tacitus from this era should only be that of a two-year-old infant.
"Arg, should have read more about Nasuverse," I lamented silently.
My knowledge of the Nasuverse came from watching anime and reading manga, all primarily centered around Artoria Pendragon. Yes, I was a simp for her. My journey into the Nasuverse game began with Fate/Extra, as I was drawn to the character who appeared to be Artoria in a red outfit. Little did I know that it was a gender-bent version of another king. Although I completed the game, I skipped most of the story, only to later discover the emotional depth of the characters, especially Tamamo-no-Mae. Her story had moved me to tears.
However, Nasuverse lore was extensive, and one could earn a degree studying it.
"More importantly, what will Nero do with Seneca?" I wondered.
In proper history, Nero had forced Seneca to commit suicide, but this version of Nero held affection for Seneca and regarded him as a father figure.
"HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT NOTHING WILL HAPPEN?! I WILL CLEAR ALL THE CHARGES!" Nero's screams echoed through the hallway of her chamber. This sweet and childish version of her also had a darker, more volatile side that emerged when she was angry or suffering from headaches, for reasons unknown.
"Your majesty, I... I have committed an unforgivable sin... Please exercise your judgment," came Seneca's deadpan voice.
Peering into the room, I saw Nero glaring at Seneca, her expression resembling a beast ready to pounce, while Seneca stood there, looking like a man whose life had been drained from him.
Since Seneca was a prominent figure in the empire and close to Nero, she had placed him under house arrest in her chamber instead of imprisonment. Furthermore, she had reasons to believe that Seneca might not have been directly involved in the conspiracy.
"Enough, Seneca! Utter one more word of nonsense, and I will end you in a way you couldn't even imagine!" Nero shouted one final time before sighing. "You must be exhausted from all the events. Take some time off once this is over."
Nero then walked out of the room, massaging her temples. She noticed me in the hallway, her blood-red eyes meeting mine.
"Tacitus... Go and comfort your father," she said, her words carrying an unusual weight.
I could tell she was suffering from the same headaches, but I had never seen her use such harsh language with Seneca.
She left down the hallway, and I entered the room.
Seneca noticed me but didn't say anything. His face appeared soulless, reminiscent of Queen Octavia before her death.
It seemed like this man was following the same path.
"Foster father, it appears that you were knowingly manipulated by their hands," I spoke.
"Hehe, you are indeed a sharp child," Seneca chuckled lightly. "Yes, I knew from the start that those from the Senate were trying to use me. You should also know why they want to use me."
Just like in any era, the Senate aimed to use Seneca as a puppet to overthrow Nero and place themselves in power. They wanted a figurehead they could manipulate to further their agendas. In times of crisis, they would blame Seneca and eventually dispose of him, perpetuating the cycle.
"But why though? I understand you were weary, but did you have to involve her majesty?" I asked.
"Tacitus, my child... how can I explain... that I have always despised Nero from the bottom of my heart." Seneca began, clenching his fists in anger. The emotion was clear on his face.
I was taken aback, for it was the first time I had seen Seneca so angry.
"I once had a family, a wife, and two sons. They were all assassinated by Agrippina, Nero's mother, because my wife had royal blood."
In this timeline, Seneca's wife was related to the fourth emperor. I knew that much.
"But why her majesty, Nero? She did nothing to earn your hatred. She even avenged her mother—"
"THAT'S THE MAIN REASON!" Seneca burst out. "I entered the court to exact revenge on Agrippina, that witch. But Nero took everything away from me. I wanted to make that witch suffer, to torture her slowly. Yet Nero just ended Agrippina's life, giving her a painless death."
I fell into silence.
That explained most of it. But what now? What did Seneca intend to do?
"But you are right; Nero is an innocent child. If nothing else, she was also a victim of her mother's cruelty. She won't be able to resist that poison..." Seneca spoke with a softer tone.
Wait, poison? I needed to know more.
"I thought if I rebelled, I could take my revenge on Nero. But then I saw memories of Nero smiling and laughing on my lap, like my own child. That's when I realized..." Tears welled up in Seneca's eyes. "H-how could I end the life of a child I loved...?!!"
I couldn't find words. I stood there, frozen, overwhelmed by this man's grief and sorrow. I wasn't one to easily sympathize with others, but at this moment, I felt an urge to share his mourning.
Seneca then withdrew a blade from his sleeve, and although I knew what he intended to do, I inexplicably didn't move to stop him.
Seneca then swung the blade and slit his throat.
"Tacitus… my child… I have just one request… Please look after Nero in my place. No matter what happens, please don't leave her side…. Please… that child deserves some affection that only you could grant…." Seneca requested, blood swelling in his mouth.
A single tear welled up in my eyes as I smiled and nodded, "I will, Father."
Seneca smiled brightly as he spoke his final words, "Good to hear… you are a kind child…."
Slowly, Seneca fell to the floor, lifeless, surrounded by his own pool of blood. His eyes and smile were fixed on me, as if a proud father gazing at his child.
I stepped forward and gently closed Seneca's eyes.
As I looked out the window at the moon, I noticed my eyes were wet.
"Hmm, why are my eyes so teary? I shouldn't be feeling these emotions."
I had become a person who stopped feeling anything a long time ago, yet here I was, shedding tears for a man who wasn't even related to me by blood.