The next day, having confirmed her beloved teacher was perfectly fine—and after receiving a rather satisfying "reward"—Nero no longer hesitated.
That morning, after a few more tender moments with Novia at the palace, she boldly announced her intention to depart for the Isthmus of Corinth in the Greek peninsula to begin digging a canal.
With the emperor away from the capital, Seneca among the civil officials, and Lucius as the Praetorian Guard commander, any order from Novia carried the same authority as that of the emperor. Then again, Novia himself felt that things didn't operate much differently whether Nero was present or not.
After all, whatever he proposed, the golden-haired girl would always agree.
In truth, after founding the Holy See, crowning himself as its first Pope, and overseeing a vast, rapidly expanding Christian population across the empire, Novia was basically out of things to do. He could've simply sat back and enjoyed a life of ease.
Even after learning about John's vision of the New Apocalypse, Novia had remained incredibly busy.
On the church front, even with support from members of the Burial Agency and local Roman magi tasked with suppressing Dead Apostles, it was far from sufficient. Ultimately, they had to wait until the Bible that Novia was compiling was widely accepted. Only then would common people be able to use the accompanying rituals for basic self-defense—though it would take time.
As for whether or not to establish a church-run knight order, Novia hadn't made up his mind. For now, he preferred to focus on training Executors.
It was still an openly militant organization, after all. Even though Nero would never object, as her teacher, Novia felt he should remain cautious.
With matters of the Holy See temporarily settled, he turned his attention to the Roman Empire.
A few years ago, Novia had utterly destroyed nearly every building in the province of Judaea, sparing only the First Temple of Jerusalem. But with the province's population swelling, it was necessary to repopulate and rebuild the area. Thus, restoring Jerusalem as a holy city and rebuilding around the First Temple was now on the agenda.
Once that was complete, his next focus would be Byzantium.
Strategically located between Europe and Asia, and connecting the Black Sea to the Aegean, Byzantium's proximity to the Golden Horn made it a prime natural harbor. Since ancient times, it had been a magnet for merchant ships from around the world. With proper investment, its land and sea routes could flourish, driving economic growth and bolstering imperial revenue through infrastructure development.
More importantly, a thriving Byzantium would instill pride and unity in the eastern provinces of the empire, strengthening their sense of identity as Roman citizens.
All of this would take time. But Novia and Nero were still young, so there was no rush.
For now, however, Novia had another destination in mind after hearing about the New Apocalypse: Megiddo, 80 kilometers north of Jerusalem.
Yes—Armageddon.
The very place where, in the Book of Revelation, the final battle of the world would take place—the cataclysmic war waged by the "Beast Nation" against the gathered nations.
"I'll be away for a while. It might take me a long time to return."
Having bid farewell to Nero, Novia returned home and spoke to the "spear" hanging there. Ever since that night when Albion had licked his mouth over and over with her unnaturally long tongue, she hadn't shown herself again, vanishing by dawn.
From that day onward, no matter what Novia said, she gave no response. She didn't speak.
He could've simply left without a word, but he knew that deep down, Albion feared loneliness. So he said it anyway. Whether she chose to follow him or not—it was up to her.
"Don't let me see you. I still want to eat you so badly."
Hiding within the spear, Albion's instincts were beginning to stir again. Ever since she had bitten into Novia's shoulder and stomach, something inside her had shifted. Her soul had changed. Her craving grew stronger, more insistent. She longed to hear his ragged breath, disordered by her touch—to lick clean the blood-soaked hands he used to defend himself.
Ten long seconds passed in silence. Still no answer.
Tch, Novia thought, annoyed. Why are tsunderes so damn exhausting?
"…I'm afraid of you."
Those unexpected words, spoken quietly, drew no immediate reply. Albion remained silent. She didn't like being hated—but more than that, she didn't want to devour Novia.
"I'm afraid… of the fact that you want to eat me." Novia gently took the spear in his hands. "You're precious to me. But you're terrifying too. If things were as they should be… maybe I should destroy you."
Inside the spear, the silver-haired girl whimpered in anguish. Yet Novia did not let go of the weapon. He didn't abandon her, didn't destroy the spear, didn't decapitate her with magecraft.
"...But I want you to live. Even if that means feeding on my blood and flesh."
"…I can't do it."
Finally, Albion appeared before him once more.
"I'm the strongest dragon. But I can't stop wanting to eat you. Even though I've been obedient… I can't control it."
"…Then come here."
Novia pulled her into his arms.
The silver-haired girl trembled as she grasped the hem of his robe with her small hands.
She doesn't want to leave me, he thought. Her feelings were clear as day.
"If you really can't stop, then let's make a contract. I'll give you a new name. One that, whenever it's spoken, will bind you to me and help suppress that desire."
"…Okay."
Her golden dragon eyes looked hazy with emotion.
"Merushin. That will be the name that seals away your hunger for me."
"Mm. I understand. I am your strongest dragon. I am Albion… and also Merushin."
"Then, before the contract is sealed, as your offering—"
Still holding her, Novia pulled her head close to his shoulder.
"Take one last bite."
In that moment, blood sprayed across the girl's face, slightly staining her delicate beauty.
"Novia… that must've hurt so much… Here, bite me. I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I swear I'll never do it again… I really, really mean it this time…"
Though she had only taken a chunk from his shoulder, she knew it must have hurt terribly.
Now renamed Merushin, Albion extended her tongue and tenderly licked up the blood and bits of flesh she had torn from his body.
"…Merushin, you're a little heavier than I expected…"