It was unclear whether it was complete despair or utter exhaustion.
Even with the flames licking at him, Matiou Oberstein remained silent.
But for Ning Cuo, it didn't matter.
No matter how tough the mouth, wouldn't it be reduced to ashes by the fire?
He returned to the palace to report again.
Nero, however, broke her usual demeanor and spoke suddenly.
"You've helped me so much, as an emperor, how should I reward you?"
Ning Cuo was taken aback, not quite understanding.
Had Nero completely accepted him as one of her own?
How did a verbal reward suddenly turn into an immediate material one?
"You've eliminated my biggest threat and declared your worth to me. As your sovereign, I naturally have to reward you well, feel free to speak your request."
Cutting ties with the nobles, wasn't this a loyalist?
So when she spoke these words, Nero seemed incredibly generous.
Although Ning Cuo still didn't understand the situation, he spoke with a touch of surprise, flattering her first.
"Truly worthy of being the emperor of the Roman Empire, your generosity is as vast as heaven and earth."
"Humph, I've always been generous to loyal subjects."
Though secretly pleased, Nero still kept a stern expression, but her smugness was a little hard to conceal.
After all, for her, today was a day of happiness and joy.
The Senate wouldn't be able to cause any trouble for the time being, and now she had gained such a loyal servant.
According to Ning Cuo's previous plans, it was quite attractive for Nero.
And Ning Cuo began to seriously consider what reward he wanted.
In the Roman Empire, wealth was essentially of a few types.
The most core one was land.
Possessing land could produce almost everything.
Food, wood, minerals, and even people, could all be produced on land.
This was why countless people would fight tooth and nail to become nobles.
But he couldn't directly ask for it, or it would be hard to explain himself to the Pope.
After thinking for a moment, his eyes lit up.
"Respected Emperor Nero, I wish to build a church, may you grant me your permission."
Ning Cuo almost blurted it out.
In the era of Christianity's widespread dominance, the construction of a church had already been approved by the Pope. Whoever built the church would be its owner.
At the same time, the church belonged to the spiritual realm and did not need to pay taxes.
This was also why the Roman emperors were so averse to religion.
The more they built, the poorer Rome would become.
He was also a little nervous, this was a bit of a touchy subject for Nero.
Though he seemed to have a place in her heart, he wasn't sure if Nero would agree.
However, he didn't know that on the throne, Nero was already prepared for this, even quite happy.
After all, according to Ning Cuo's previous words, to have him represent the Church and spread her will, with his current status, it wouldn't be possible.
He would have to at least be a bishop.
"Truly worthy of being a subject I value, quite ambitious."
That's roughly what Nero thought.
Moreover, the most crucial point was that a church built by Nero would nominally belong to Nero.
Though it was transferred to Ning Cuo, Ning Cuo only had the right to use it.
"I agree to your request. I'll arrange for a church to be built for you outside of Rome, Ning Cuo."
Nero's agreement was quite straightforward, leaving Ning Cuo a little unprepared.
But the following words shocked him even more.
"At the same time, I will also grant you a portion of Matiou Oberstein's family land. On this land, the village's taxes, the right to rule, and the use of forests and minerals, I will bestow them all upon you."
"As the victor, you have the right to divide the spoils of the defeated."
Now, Ning Cuo was completely dumbfounded, looking at Nero with even more fervor.
This is what a good leader of the people is like! Although she draws out promises, she actually delivers!
With a few words, a monastery and land ownership were all arranged!
Good things come in pairs, and the system popped up at this moment.
【Congratulations on gaining the trust of the Roman Emperor】
【Congratulations on acquiring territory】
【Congratulations on acquiring a wealth monastery】
【Mount and Blade system upgraded, unlocking the lord module, unlocking the technology tree module, unlocking the troop upgrade module.】
Whoa! The system could upgrade again after obtaining territory?
Ning Cuo secretly marveled, outwardly appearing as though he was bewildered by the favor bestowed upon him.
In Nero's eyes, this was as if Ning Cuo was stunned by her grand gesture.
Good, this way he wasn't one of those fools brainwashed by religion.
As long as the benefits were enough, the possibility of Ning Cuo rebelling against her would be greatly reduced.
After all, Ning Cuo's resourcefulness and political reactions were what Nero liked, but the Tolere under him was one of only two supernatural beings in Rome.
Nero naturally wouldn't forget that.
She knew how to win people over.
She spoke with a hint of pride.
"You just need to serve me well, don't betray my trust in you, don't betray the words you've spoken, or else, your blood will hang high in the heavens."
"Hm? What are you doing! Be bold!"
As Nero was still half-threatening and half-guiding, she suddenly felt a lightness in her hand. Looking up, she saw her white jade finger hanging in mid-air. Ning Cuo knelt half-way down, as if taking a knight's oath, and kissed her finger.
"Your Majesty, I will never betray you."
Ning Cuo looked up, the angle of the sun's reflection cast on his face, like a finely crafted work of art.
Coupled with the intelligence in his eyes, it was impossible not to find him captivating.
"Humph, don't do that again next time."
Her cheeks flushed, Nero turned her head slightly, as if trying to hide the blush spreading from her neck.
...
As night fell.
The revelry ordered by Roman Emperor Nero began, even the commoners outside received some food.
Though they didn't understand why the emperor was so happy after burning a man from the Senate.
But what was in hand was what was good. For a while, the entire city of Rome was filled with singing and dancing.
Members of the Imperial Legion infantry squad gathered together, holding some food, looking at their leader Tolere with a bit of pity.
Even though they were summoned by the system, everything they experienced was real.
They were well aware of whether Tolere, who had fought alongside them in the north and south, was a ["hero"] or not.
"Hey, Ning Cuo-sama gave strict orders not to talk about it. Tolere-dono can only tough it out now."
An Imperial Legion soldier whispered to his comrade beside him.
The nobles of the entire city of Rome were trying to win over Tolere.
All kinds of conditions were offered, from weapons, horses, land, and wealth.
Some even went so far as to offer their wives and daughters.
As if as long as Tolere nodded, they could immediately send these family members, clean and ready, to his bed.
However, Tolere, who was not good at dealing with the nobility, and due to Ning Cuo's orders, needed to disguise his identity as a ["hero"].
He could only keep a tight-lipped, silent, and act haughty.
No matter what promises these nobles made, he pretended not to hear!