As Nero and Ning Cuo emerged from the Imperial Palace to attend the grand feast.
Though the content of their agreement remained unknown, the beaming smile on Ning Cuo's face clearly indicated he had secured immense benefits.
The nobles, loyal to Nero, had traveled from distant lands to attend the banquet, and their eyes held admiration when they looked at Ning Cuo.
The royalists were essentially die-hard Romans, imbued with the spirit of ancient Rome.
The frontlines were facing setbacks, and they were mostly leading troops in combat on the frontlines.
They wouldn't be here now if they hadn't heard about the Elder Council's rebellion.
Furthermore, they had witnessed and heard everything Ning Cuo had done.
He publicly burned Matiu Oberstein to death, leaving no room for reconciliation. This was undoubtedly a clear demarcation with the nobility.
His martial prowess was outstanding, and he had a "Hero" under his command, and his soldiers boasted exceptional fighting abilities.
This perfectly aligned with the traits that appealed to these military men.
For the Knights, who revered martial strength, Ning Cuo's origins in the Church could be overlooked. Instead, they saw him as a truly resourceful individual.
"Lord Ning Cuo, what method did you employ to gain his unwavering loyalty?"
Nero naturally noticed the scene unfolding in the grand banquet hall.
While Nero hadn't pursued the previous rebellion, it was a thorn in his side.
These nobles were undoubtedly uneasy, but if the "Hero" Tolle was willing to pledge his allegiance to them, the outcome would be different.
If he could swear loyalty to Ning Cuo, he could just as easily swear it to someone else.
This was the basis for their audacious promises, almost offering everything they could.
However, it was a pity.
All characters created by the system were entirely devoted to Ning Cuo.
"Hahaha, I have my own ingenious plan."
"Assemble, everyone!"
After slightly placating Nero, Ning Cuo lifted a glass of wine and issued a command to his troops.
With just a few simple words, Tolle, who was previously aloof and cool, immediately sprang into action.
The same applied to the Imperial Legion infantry squads scattered across different areas in small groups.
They marched in unison, orderly and disciplined, to pay homage to their master.
"I have witnessed everything that transpired today. Your feats will forever be remembered!"
Ning Cuo's voice resonated with power.
"I have secured my own land. When our homes are established, I will grant each of you titles as a reward for your loyalty!"
As he finished, the soldiers surrounding Ning Cuo erupted in joyous cheers.
The nobles observing from the sidelines were instantly stunned.
A wave of inexplicable anger surged within them.
Were their promises, infinitely more generous than Ning Cuo's, not worth this level of excitement?
Furthermore, what made Ning Cuo so special?
He had only arrived in the Roman court a few days ago, and he had already achieved such a rapid leap in social class.
He had become a landed gentry!
"While Matiu Oberstein's actions were inappropriate, your cruel punishment does not befit your honor."
A noble knight abruptly interjected, attempting to undermine Ning Cuo's reputation.
But his simple mind failed to grasp that this war wasn't just a typical battle with winners and losers.
It represented a power struggle between the royal authority and the nobility.
The moment Ning Cuo triumphed, the majesty of the royal power was established.
Ning Cuo's status and position within the Roman Empire were also established alongside it.
Understanding this, Ning Cuo wasn't afraid in the slightest.
"I stand behind Emperor Majesty, and I am under the watchful eyes of Almighty God. A traitor to the Empire and a betrayer of faith, it was right to send him to hell. That is why I chose to cleanse him with flames. May the merciful Father forgive his sins! I was helping him!"
These words left the nobles feeling like they had swallowed a fly, powerless and frustrated.
There was a time when these tactics were their forte.
What did "helping him" mean?
Just the thought of Matiu Oberstein being burned alive in front of so many people made their scalps tingle.
The maids who served them didn't think that much. They held their trays, their eyes filled with admiration.
"Do you think we have a chance to get with the envoy? If we could sleep with him, that would be amazing."
Roman women were known for their openness!
Nero, who previously paid no mind to these words, inexplicably narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
His voice sounded like a declaration of sovereignty.
"Lord Ning Cuo has sworn to me that everything he has belongs to me. Stop daydreaming about him."
The maids immediately fell silent, not daring to utter another word.
Unfortunately, not many witnessed this scene.
Most eyes were fixed on the center of the hall.
Ning Cuo, with his loyal followers, basked in the fruits of their hard-earned victory, surrounded by laughter and revelry, while they drank deeply.
Simultaneously, he was taking stock of his spoils of war.
After this battle concluded, almost everyone could receive valuable goods.
As the master of the soldiers who swore allegiance to him, Ning Cuo had a duty to cover their expenses and provide for their enjoyment.
Therefore, building his territories felt somewhat urgent.
To win over hearts and minds, Nero's feast was essentially the best in all of Rome, exceptionally grand.
It featured stews prepared with various rare spices, as well as an assortment of roasted meats.
Newly-brewed wines were also brought to the table.
Ning Cuo and his followers simply had a great time eating and drinking.
After coming to Rome, there wasn't a single moment when Ning Cuo didn't miss the food from his previous life.
The staple here was either black bread or cabbage.
Even the nobility didn't get to eat this well every meal.
And Ning Cuo's soldiers didn't fare much better.
Their memories were filled with fighting, using the money they earned to buy supplies to maintain their equipment.
And their food was an even bigger issue!
They ate whatever they could find while on the march, and going days without food was commonplace.
"My loyal subjects, raise your glasses with me!"
Nero, clearly inebriated, swayed his golden goblet filled with wine. A blush of red tinged his cheeks.
He looked like a spoiled little girl.
If you ignored his attire and the crown perched on his head, the childish innocence in his tone erased any distinction between ruler and subject.
Instead, it felt like the comfortable ease of friends.
"Beloved Majesty, your reign will surely prosper! The Roman Empire will forever endure!"
Ning Cuo would never fumble on such an occasion.
He quickly picked up the thread, defining the significance of this moment.
It wasn't the Emperor's impropriety, but his concern for Rome!
This prevented any slander of her name by those nobles.
Although, Nero probably wouldn't mind.
On the other side, Tolle remained uncharacteristically quiet, unsure what to say.
He could only awkwardly lift his goblet and drain it in one gulp!
He was, after all, a simple, rough-hewn man. He excelled at fighting, but flowery language was beyond him.
Luckily, Nero either didn't care or didn't mind.
He similarly emptied his goblet in one go, then slowly rose to his feet, supported by the maids, and left the hall.