Ning Cuo was well aware of the true nature of these hypocritical nobles.
What one thinks in their heart is one thing, but the taste of words changes when they are spoken out loud.
Moreover, this was the infamous tyrant Nero.
If you dared to speak, she would send you to the heavens.
Seeing the silence of the entire assembly, Nero let out a cheerful laugh, completely disregarding the faces of these ministers.
How could she not be aware of the true nature of these so-called members of the Senate?
They even dared to steal the allowances of the soldiers fighting at the front lines, using their own names to issue indulgences.
Yet, if you tried to reason with them, they would use their shameless rhetoric to drag you into their trap.
But now, Ning Cuo's words directly hit the core issue.
It also indirectly gave Nero a chance to vent her anger.
“It's a pity I can't really kill them all.”
Nero sighed inwardly.
But then she heard Ning Cuo continue.
“Throughout history, in every empire, there should only be one will, and that is the Emperor's will!”
“No matter how noble your bloodline, no matter how brilliant your intellect.”
“The Emperor holds the army, and whoever controls the army controls the nation!”
His roaring words echoed through the hall.
Seeing Ning Cuo single-handedly suppressing the entire Senate, a feeling of emotion, a feeling called admiration, arose in Nero's heart.
It felt like no one had ever gone to such lengths for her before.
Not even her mother, not even her teachers.
They never acknowledged her power as being above all others.
Moreover, this was a man who was extremely handsome, perfectly fitting Nero's aesthetic.
Coupled with his identity as someone not aligned with her faction, it further fueled Nero's thoughts.
It brought forth a strange and unsettling feeling in her.
“The Senate is the Senate, the Emperor is the Emperor, and the Roman Empire is the Roman Empire.”
“In this world, just having a title doesn't make you right. If you are truly brave, you can challenge the Emperor to a duel.”
“If you dare, I am willing to pronounce a fair duel between the two of you in the name of God, to prove your loyalty to Rome!”
By this point, Ning Cuo's words were laced with a playful tone.
Most importantly, no one present could refute his statement.
The Roman Empire was essentially a noble-based system, and when disagreements arose, they could be resolved through duels.
Yes, this included challenging the Emperor.
But this was the Divine Age.
The only individuals in the Roman Empire possessing strange energies were the so-called tyrant, Nero, and the exiled Pope.
Duel Nero?
It would be easier to find a pillar and ram yourself into it.
The members of the Senate, whose beards were bristling with anger, pondered for a long time, unable to think of a rebuttal.
They thumped their chests and stomped their feet, looking rather pathetic.
If they weren't trying to maintain the nobility that was expected of them, they would have already collapsed to the ground and rolled around in despair.
The knights they had brought with them also looked quite uncomfortable.
After all, their fates were intertwined.
Moreover, no one present could comprehend why the Pope would send such a person.
Was he truly seeking to mend relations with Nero?
“Hahaha, what a fascinating performance. If no one wishes to challenge me to a duel, then let us disperse.”
A satisfied Nero, as if watching a farce, spoke to interrupt at just the right moment.
She stopped the situation before it escalated into an all-out brawl.
The members of the Senate, feeling humiliated, could only clench their jaws.
They descended the steps, escorted by their knights, leaving like defeated soldiers.
Taking a deep breath, Ning Cuo still had a smile on his face as he looked at Nero seated on the throne.
Sure enough, a satisfied smile graced her features.
Ning Cuo had planned this meeting for a long time, arriving at the perfect moment.
It was to leave a lasting impression on Nero.
Moreover, with his performance just now, he had essentially secured his footing in the Roman Empire.
“Ning Cuo, is it? Your performance was quite impressive. How about you leave the Church and become a court official in my service?”
Nero was very generous, directly making an offer.
Ning Cuo slowly waved his hand, rejecting the offer.
Being a court official wasn't as convenient as being an envoy of the Church, and besides, he had decided to play both sides.
“Your Majesty, I am unlike the other envoys. I hold your holiness in high regard, and I have come with the sincere intention of helping you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Beyond that, I seek nothing else.”
His timely declaration of loyalty and sincere demeanor made Nero's desire to possess him even stronger.
Whether Ning Cuo was genuine or not, at the very least, he presented himself more honestly than those members of the Senate.
At least it gave Nero, who was feeling somewhat isolated, a glimmer of warmth.
It was like a drowning man grasping at a lifeline.
“Tell me, what must I do to elevate the Roman Empire to even greater heights?”
Nero revealed her true ambition at this point.
As the most legendary Emperor of the Roman Empire, she had actually implemented a series of measures that benefited the people.
But unfortunately, the roots of the Roman Empire had rotted.
Even though she now possessed the power to resist the entire nation, she was trapped by the current situation, unable to break free.
After all, she couldn't really kill all the members of the Senate, as that would completely collapse the Roman Empire.
However, Ning Cuo's performance had caught her eye.
“The vast Roman Empire cannot be transformed overnight. I need time, my dear Majesty.”
Ning Cuo did not directly boast, but instead further closed the gap between them.
While it was certainly captivating to immediately point out the current problems, it was not enough to satisfy Ning Cuo's appetite.
Nero nodded slightly. The Roman Empire, now in her hands, had long lost its former glory.
The battlefield outside was losing ground, and the internal politics were corrupt.
She regained her arrogant expression and inquired.
“Then do you have no ideas at all? This would make me rather disappointed in you.”
“My dear Nero, if we are talking about ideas, I do have a few.”
Once again closing the distance between them, Ning Cuo subtly tested the boundaries, taking a step closer.
They were now even closer, and only then did he speak.
“The people of Rome cannot hear your voice now. The nobles are using your name to amass wealth, completely ignoring the crisis facing Rome.”
“But if we can join forces, I will use the Church to help you speak to the people. Who could possibly deceive Your Majesty then?”
“And I will remain in Rome, always at your command, my dear Nero.”
However, these words were not entirely selfless. They were full of Ning Cuo's own schemes.
If Nero agreed, he would play both sides, the Church and Rome.
If she disagreed, the Church wouldn't have a reason to complain.
It was a win-win situation.
But Ning Cuo's greatest hope was that Nero would agree.
As someone who was born into the Church and had direct contact with Nero, he could naturally expand his influence.
He could even use this opportunity to get involved in Rome's internal affairs and then use Rome's power to suppress the Church.
Unfortunately, Nero couldn't see this deeper plot for the time being.
She only felt that Ning Cuo's words were earth-shattering, a single touch that brought a sense of clarity.
Yes.
If she could control this envoy from the Church, wouldn't she be able to bypass those annoying people?
Thinking of this, Nero's eyes burned with intensity as they fell upon Ning Cuo.
Looking at his smiling face, she found him even more appealing.