005: Plan Accomplished √
Nearly a century, from 55 BC to AD 48. Rome had finally completely made Britannia its own territory.
From then on, the ancient Roman Empire's control over northern France and Belgium was firmly consolidated, controlling the English Channel and breaking Britannia's trade monopoly with continental Europe.
Most importantly, it strengthened the ancient Roman Empire's position in Europe. The ancient empire that had endured since the Age of Gods remained, even as mystery faded, the undisputed hegemon of Europe.
However, even though Emperor Claudius intended to control discussion of the 'divine providence' on the eve of the battle, it was to no avail. Starting from central Britannia, the news of the long-absent 'divine providence' reappearing and granting Rome victory was spreading rapidly.
But aside from the Britons and the Roman expeditionary force who witnessed it firsthand, few knew the symbol of that 'divine providence' was—the cross.
At this moment, in the suburbs not far from Rome.
Novia walked forward along a forest path. At the end of his sight, he could already see sunlight filtering through the gaps in the forest.
He had rushed all the way back from Britannia. There was no choice; time was too tight. Although the main Roman army's return would take a long time, Claudius didn't necessarily have to take that long. Novia had to return before Emperor Claudius; otherwise, no matter how you looked at it, it would seem far too coincidental.
The divine providence featured a cross. Over the past year, there had been a person spreading word with the cross everywhere. During the battle, a divine providence just happened to appear... it had a strong feeling of being premeditated.
But Novia was also helpless. If he didn't use the cross, who would know the divine providence was Christian? The reason he had used the cross as an identifier everywhere this past year was precisely because Christianity in the 1st century AD had no universal symbol!
Early Christianity hadn't yet separated from Judaism. Aside from spreading the deeds of Jesus, there wasn't much symbolic expression of faith.
Simply put, according to original historical development, the cross becoming the universal symbol of Christianity happened three hundred years later, after it became the Roman state religion.
Theoretically, the only universal symbol of Christianity was Jesus's words: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
In Jesus's eyes, the mark of a Christian was loving one another, not any other tangible thing.
But in Novia's view, if it remained simply publicity Jesus's deeds like this, it would be too difficult to replace polytheism In advance.
The theory of redemption, widely known in later ages, was of no interest to anyone now. The focus of discussion among various sects was still mainly on predestination.
But over this past year, Novia had precisely focused on the theory of redemption, strengthening the image of Christ's suffering on the cross, centered on salvation and the Son of God bearing sins for heaven, widespread publicity, discussions on fall, original sin, Christology, ecclesiology, sacraments, eschatology—matters concerning the universal human condition, ideal ways of life, and the historical vision of the world—thereby providing universal care for all.
This was the breakthrough in the theory he publicity and what attracted others. He had to pay attention to both organization and ideology.
Novia quickly exited the forest and finally saw Lucius, whom he had instructed to wait for him here.
"Novia, you're back."
On the flower-dotted river surface, petals gathered, floating leisurely. Lucius stood on a small boat placed upside down on the bank.
"It's only been a few days. Why are you dressed so formally?"
"Does it look that strange? No matter what, I am a Roman soldier."
The crimson outer garment flying from Lucius's back was his color, codename Crimson—'The Scarlet Summons.'
That "red" was Rome's "red," symbolizing the God of War, Mars, the color Roman soldiers were most proud of.
"People who didn't know might think you were sent to kill me."
Novia said jokingly, simultaneously drawing a long sword hanging from the sword belt at his waist.
"Hey hey, what I taught you was spear technique. What are you doing with a sword?"
Lucius's tone sounded like a grumble, but the iron spear in his hand was already thrusting toward the silver-haired boy.
Actually, throughout the year, Lucius would sometimes act as Novia's spear-fighting instructor, teaching her combat techniques. However, Novia had never seen him bring out the Spear of Longinus.
"I've heard that gladiatorial duels are sacred rituals dedicated to the Roman gods, but that's inside the arena—and you're using a spear."
A metallic clang, like the sound of ice shattering, rang out alongside Novia's voice.
The silver-haired boy raised his longsword high, holding it horizontally, and smiled as he looked at Longinus, whose expression was uglier than tears.
"Have you improved too quickly? Do you even still need me to follow you?"
The spear spun nimbly in the air and descended toward Novia once more. Just before it hit the ground, he grabbed it and threw it back toward Longinus's feet with lightning speed.
"What are you saying? I promised you I'd settle the 'Biting Pain.'"
Novia sheathed his sword at his waist, a smile still on his face.
In Novia's plan, Lucius was an essential figure for him to take control of the Praetorian Guard. As for the forty-five external provinces, once he successfully replaced polytheism with Christianity, there would naturally be opportunities for political integration and religious unification.
"Hope so... But are you really confident, going into Rome now?"
Lucius slowly picked up the spear and thrust it into the ground not far away.
Their fights had always been wholehearted and focused. For Lucius, after a year of frequent sparring, he hadn't improved much himself. Instead, he deeply felt the terrifying growth of the fifteen-year-old before him, who no longer needed to hold back during their bouts.
Lucius also understood that Novia's combat skills and strength were now on par with, if not surpassing, his own. If this were an age of greater mystery, Novia could have grown into a hero of myth. But unfortunately, times were different.
"I heard the Roman expeditionary force, blessed by a miracle, crushed the allied British forces. Was that your doing?" Lucius's eyes gleamed with a teasing light before reverting to the usual cold expression of a soldier. "I never thought you could deceive tens of thousands of mages."
"A miracle? Deceive? Hah, nothing of the sort. Any magecraft produces magical fluctuations."
Novia chuckled softly before lazily turning to walk toward Rome.
"For the present, it was truly a miracle."
In the first century AD, creating a fiery-red illusion in the sky without later-era technology required special methods.
Novia's method was to use hot air balloons or similar flying devices, releasing fiery-red suspended materials to form the illusion in the sky.
To be fair, this approach required skill and experience. With the era's crude technology and equipment, the effect might not have been as impressive as imagined.
But in terms of results, Novia thought it went smoothly. No flying magical beasts came to investigate, and mages on the ground likely mistook his hot air balloon for a red star.
Thus, Novia calling it a miracle was truthful—albeit with a qualifier: man-made.
Moreover, according to Novia's speculation, the Roman Empire's conquest of Britain was as inevitable an event in human history as Britain's eventual fall five hundred years later—unchangeable. Even without a miracle, victory was assured.
So, when he saw the Roman expeditionary force at a disadvantage, he acted according to his original plan. Otherwise, after staging a "miracle" blessing, failure would have been utterly embarrassing.
Before long, Novia and Lucius arrived at the center of the empire: the gates of Rome.
"You must be Novia."
Novia had long been prepared for the possibility of being imprisoned upon arriving in Rome.
A group of over a dozen imposing figures, along with soldiers, were clearly waiting for him—after all, his silver hair was quite conspicuous.
"I am Novia, from the province of Anatolia."
The silver-haired boy's naturally sincere words and complete lack of resistance widened Lucius's eyes. He had been ready to fight outright, which was why he had donned long-unused gear.
But before being taken away, Novia signaled with his eyes for Lucius to wait.
...
Admittedly, prison cells, regardless of era or nation, are profoundly unfriendly to survival.
Take Novia's cell, for example: built underground, poorly ventilated, lacking natural light and fresh air—crude, dark, and damp.
It had only basic facilities like straw piles and wooden planks for beds. The quantity and quality of food and water were likely poor.
But Novia didn't mind. The environment was just a bit worse, the food a bit spoiled—no big deal.
Novia had been there for about three days, waiting specifically for Emperor Claudius to return from Britain and seek him out.
After all, in the emperor's mind, the victory was due to a miracle. It was only reasonable for Claudius to meet him, though his attitude might vary. According to records, Claudius I was an emperor intensely fearful of losing power, even expanding execution scopes because of it.
Just as Constantine, who would establish Christianity as the state religion three hundred years later, only accepted baptism on his deathbed due to fears that Christianity would undermine Roman imperial stability.
But baptism on his deathbed precisely showed Constantine's fear of "sins not being forgiven," proving his firm and devout belief in Christianity.
Novia didn't think one miracle would make Emperor Claudius an instant Christian. Curing his polio sequelae might do it, but no mage in the Roman Empire could achieve that, and Novia didn't believe he could either.
Staying in prison before Claudius's return was also part of Novia's plan.
The psychological pressure was immense. The "miracle" had given Claudius anxiety that a god was watching. Learning that Novia, likely the new god's messenger, was imprisoned could break his mental defenses.
After all, the Age of Gods had ended less than fifty years ago.
"..."
Novia admired the moon's beauty through the cell's only window.
"Do not look at the moon. It is not a friendly thing."
Just then, the cell door opened. Following the voice, Novia saw a somber-looking man around fifty, clearly afflicted by illness—he walked while supporting his legs, one of which was bent and deformed.
"Oh?"
Seeing this, the silver-haired boy felt confident.
"I am Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, Emperor of Rome."
"Greetings, Your Majesty. I am Novia."
"As a messenger of God, what do you seek?"
"I seek nothing, yet I seek everything."
— Roman Annals, Volume XVII, Chapter I
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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