Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

At the age of fifteen, he gained the trust of Emperor Claudius and was put in charge of the Secretariat, which oversaw domestic, foreign and military affairs; the Finance Department, which managed finances; and the Judicial Department, which handled legal matters. Emperor Claudius not only personally supervised these three departments but also frequently asked for their opinions. Furthermore, if a provincial noble wanted to enter the Senate to become a high-ranking official, the emperor would also ask for their thoughts.

He was literally second only to the emperor, and his Christian sect was rapidly growing and heavily promoted by him.

Moreover, unlike the previous secretaries, he was completely free of corruption and did not amass wealth.

Seneca admired everything about them. Of course, he also felt that he had ended his exile because of Novia, which would naturally label him as a Novia supporter. Moreover, Seneca was a Christian, but a Christian of the original doctrine.

Seneca, a veteran of three reigns, was suspected of being a target of suspicion because of his talent. If it weren't for a series of unexpected events, he would have been executed long ago. During Claudius's reign, he was ruthlessly exiled to Corsica for seven years.

Initially, Seneca was quite surprised that Novia wanted him to teach Octavia and Britannicus. After all, Britannicus would undoubtedly become the next emperor, and Novia was actually entrusting him with the honor and power of being the emperor's tutor...

Although Novia entrusted the education to Seneca, he also taught the two of them his own innovative Christian doctrines every day.

"That's what you said, my lord."

An old man and a young man took a sip of the water on the table, and then took a second sip.

The sound of a gentle breeze rustled in my ears. What did Lady Novia want to do by coming to see me?

Seneca took his third sip, his thoughts still hazy.

“I heard that Agrippina came to see you today.”

The boy didn't look up, but smiled as he drank his water.

Upon hearing this, the old man, whose eyes were still blinking and not fully open, suddenly sat up from his chair.

"No, no, no, sir, please don't misunderstand. That woman only wanted me to be her child's tutor, I didn't agree—"

“It’s nothing, I was just asking.” Novia reached out and patted the old man on the shoulder, saying, “Her child? What do you think?”

Agrippina's child was Nero, who, according to historical developments, ascended to the throne of Rome six years later.

According to Novia's memory, Seneca of Type-Moon was forced to commit suicide by Nero, and her monologue to her apprentice Nero before her death was as follows—

The tiny gem that once shone with spirit has now transformed into a malevolent star. The impending disaster, like a meteor, has turned into a raging inferno that consumes everything. I, who discovered your talent, also bear the responsibility.

Perhaps out of some concern, Seneca was now telling Novia that Agrippina's children were not as talented as Octavia and Britannicus.

"Oh, by the way, Agrippina also said at the end, 'Please give my regards to Lord Novia.'"

“I see.” Novia narrowed her eyes and walked into the palace. “Thank you for your trouble, Seneca. You should go and rest.”

"Sir, what is this?"

"Since you've already asked me to inquire, then I naturally want to meet this Agrippina."

.......

Somewhere inside the Roman palace.

A woman seemed to be deep in thought, as petals drifted lightly from the branches. She glanced at them briefly, then quietly closed her eyes. The sunlight was soft and comforting.

"Mother, my head hurts so much."

Perhaps it was the sound of the young girl's voice from the woman's arms that made her suddenly open her bright blue eyes. However, the scenery around her had not changed much, but the woman looked around as if she were looking for someone.

"Because something very important for our future is going to happen today, so be patient, Domitius."

The mother's words were somewhat harsh, and the blonde girl trembled slightly like a small animal, turning her head to look at the ground. After a while, she answered softly, "Okay," looking slightly frustrated.

Domitius was Nero's original name. Nero's name was changed after her mother married Emperor Claudius I. She lost her father at the age of three, and her mother Agrippina was also exiled. Therefore, she was raised by her aunt's family, the "Lepidus".

Agrippina was also somewhat anxious. The main reason she dared to bring her child to see Seneca today was not to say those things, but to get Novia, who currently held all the power in Rome, to meet her. After all, ever since the death of the previous empress, she had been trying to find a way to meet this fifteen-year-old boy, but unfortunately, she had not been successful. Therefore, she had no choice but to resort to this tactic.

Time passed slowly, which only increased Agrippina's anxiety. If she didn't see Novia by today, how could she, as the emperor's niece, enter the palace to assist with household affairs...?

"You must be Agrippina, I am Novia."

The sudden sound lifted Agrippina's spirits slightly, and she turned her gaze to the silver-haired boy who was walking towards her.

"Greetings, Your Excellency. I am Agrippina, the granddaughter of Augustus, the sister of Caligula, and the niece of His Majesty Claudius."

Novia, of course, was not so easily intimidated. He turned his azure gaze to Agrippina, his expression, even when smiling, was inscrutable.

“Agrippina,” the silver-haired boy said, speaking the woman’s name calmly yet respectfully. “These external things are meaningless. Under God, all are equal.”

"Oh, I see. I'm sorry, I was just introducing my family to you, sir, that's all..."

"what."

Suddenly, Domitius gasped softly, then fell silent, covering his mouth with one hand as if not wanting to be discovered. He seemed to have something to say, but quickly realized it was meaningless, so he said nothing more.

There are times when I can't control my headaches, like the one I'm experiencing now.

"Hehe, this child has suffered from headaches since he was a child. I'm really sorry. I've heard that you, Lord Novia, are a messenger of God. I wonder if you could help this child relieve his pain?"

At the same time, Agrippina deliberately pinched the child in her arms, signaling to say a few words.

"Lord Nonovia, I—"

Just as Domitius was about to say something, Novia interrupted him, saying with a half-smile.

"No need. As your mother, you must know far more about this condition than I do."

017: Nero, a Christian

"....?"

The blonde girl glanced blankly between Novia and her mother, not understanding what the sentence meant.

Agrippina's expression darkened briefly, but she quickly changed to one of deep apology, gently stroking the head of the child in her arms.

Novia knew all too well the intense controlling nature of the woman before her. Nero's chronic headaches since childhood were caused by her constant ingestion of poison, the work of Agrippina. The poison was so terrifying that even after Nero became a beast, he could not escape it; it was a poison etched into his very being.

In short, Agrippina did not regard her daughter Nero as a 'person'; at best, she was merely a puppet.

“Yes, sir, you are right. It is my fault as a mother.” As she spoke, Agrippina met the boy’s calm gaze with eyes that looked like they were about to cry. “If I hadn’t failed to take good care of her when she was young, perhaps she wouldn’t have ended up like this. I will never do it again.”

“That would be wonderful, Your Excellency Agrippina.”

Novia laughed upon hearing this. He knew that Agrippina wouldn't expose herself so easily. After all, in the Type-Moon storyline, Agrippina even smiled as she watched the hysterical Nero die after being purged, making her an absolute madwoman.

After that, neither of them spoke, and the silence lingered. Rather than saying they had nothing to say, it was more like they were seeing who would lose patience first.

Novia didn't care at all, because now Agrippina needed her help. Without her permission, Agrippina couldn't get close to Emperor Claudius at all, and it would have been impossible for her to become empress in just one year and make her own child the next emperor.

As expected, as night fell, Agrippina grew increasingly anxious and finally stopped beating around the bush—

"Lady Novia, as His Majesty's niece, I deeply feel the exhaustion His Majesty endures day and night in his busy affairs of state. Could you please convey this message to His Majesty for me?"

At the same time, the woman licked her lips, revealing a double premolar on her upper right jaw, and with her eyes, which she had long since mastered, she looked at Novia with tender affection and flattery.

"Your Excellency Agrippina, the God I believe in still watches over the world."

Novia remained unmoved. His azure eyes, no matter the time, were as calm as the sea in deep winter, as if gazing upwards from the dark ocean floor, enough to calm Agrippina down in an instant.

"I see."

At this moment, Domitius observed that his mother's expression was less calm and more like dissatisfaction, but she didn't care anymore and just wanted to get back as soon as possible because her head was really hurting.

"But what will happen to my child in the future? This pain..."

The woman lowered her gaze, as if she was planning something.

“I think there is no need to say more. Farewell, Lady Agrippina.”

Under a cloud-filled night sky, Novia was about to get up and walk back to her dwelling, her footsteps making a clanging sound on the ground.

"...Wait a minute, sir."

This was a voice devoid of emotion. The woman's cold eyes were fixed on Novia, who had turned around. This time, she had truly made up her mind, and Novia could fully sense it.

“I wish to convert to Christianity, and my child, Domitius, has been a believer for many days. I implore you, sir, to baptize her.”

In theory, becoming a Christian doesn't require much; it simply requires believing in "justification by faith."

Because Jesus Christ said, “I did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many.”

Novia could see that Agrippina couldn't really believe him; she was just stating her opinion. Once he accepted, Agrippina would announce it publicly. However, for Novia, the most important thing was Agrippina's child, Domitius, who would later become Nero.

What would happen if this woman, who was known as a tyrant for suppressing Christianity in its original history, were to convert people into believers?

Moreover, it is extremely special in itself. According to the legend of the Beast of Sodom, it is a calamity that turned into a villain after its destined death...

As Novia pondered, Domitius's pupils flickered, revealing an uneasy expression; his breathing was probably erratic.

"......"

The blonde girl looked at him with eyes that seemed to be just waking up from a dream.

Then he nodded with a vague expression and said, "That's right."

He nodded once, and then, for some reason, after more than ten seconds, nodded again and said, "Please, sir, baptize me."

Baptism is not merely a ritual; it is a testimony, a public declaration to the world that one should obey commands and follow the example. It is also a covenant of commitment.

“Yes.” Novia met the woman’s delighted gaze. “Moreover, her chronic illness should end and be handed over to me.”

These words froze Agrippina's body. She was certain that only she knew she was controlling her child with poison, but she couldn't understand why this silver-haired boy knew and was demanding that she hand him over... In the end, however, the woman silently nodded.

Before leaving, Novia saw Agrippina cradling the blonde girl's head, muttering to herself.

"I love you, oh, this is for you, Domitius, I love you, I love you deeply."

The mother speaks of her love for her child in an incredibly heartwarming scene. The only chilling thing is the mother's gaze, which seems to devour everything, like a black mud.

The night is deep and the dew is cold. The sky is vast and beautiful, and the scenery tells of the end of a day. However, every day is not the same.

The following day, Agrippina was appointed as the emperor's secretary.

On the third day, Novia stayed at his residence in Rome.

"Your Majesty Bishop......"

"tell me."

Novia poured a bottle of water over the blonde girl's head. Domitius didn't even flinch or show any surprise; he just listened quietly. Novia then handed her the remaining half-bottle and asked her to drink it.

This barely qualifies as a baptism, because a normal baptism involves immersing the recipient's whole or half body in water.

"You should do something."

In fact, Novia knew exactly what Domitius was going to say, since he had already read it to the girl.

To be honest, Novia had kept these words to herself for a long time. Domitius was the first to hear them, but when the opportunity came in the future, she should publicize them more widely.

"People have had ideals and fantasies, people have received comfort and insults, and people have stopped believing in others and in themselves."

"As we grow with age, we come to know the value of 'truth.' Although 'truth' can sometimes be embarrassing, a country that faces truth is a mature country, and people who face truth are strong people."

"Nothing can easily move a person except the call to justice."

The blonde girl read aloud words in a language completely different from the Christian books she had received at home. Although she was confused, she did not ask any questions.

"When you face the wronged and helpless weak, when you face the domineering evildoers, when you face injustice that can affect a person's entire life, you should understand how much justice costs and how much courage justice requires."

"At this moment, we may be speechless, but we can offer our blessings; let the powerless have strength, let the pessimistic move forward, let those who are moving forward continue, and let the happy become even happier; and we, on the other hand, need to keep striving."

For some reason, the girl felt increasingly joyful as she read, and at the same time, she developed a sense of admiration for Novia.

"There is always a force that moves us to tears, a force that invigorates us, and a force that drives us to constantly seek 'justice, love, and conscience'."

"This power comes from me, and also from every living person in the world."

018: Jewels and Flames

"Today, we will learn about the Twelve Tables."

The morning sunlight streamed through the simple curtains, shining on his hair and shimmering in the blonde girl's blurry vision.

That light was like moonlight, or the shimmering light on rice stalks; it appeared to change constantly at different times.

This person was as if he were the embodiment of an elusive mystery, and so Domitius's day began.

Since Novia had already baptized him, as a matter of duty and personal motive, he planned to do his best to tip the scales in Domitius's heart towards him, the future Nero, before Agrippina ascended to the throne, so as to facilitate his swift execution after Claudius's death.

Although Agrippina had previously displayed a humble demeanor, he had never underestimated the woman's schemes. After getting close to Claudius, it was inevitable that she would become queen. This was not because the sixty-year-old Claudius was lustful and preferred marriage between uncle and niece, but because he rationally needed Agrippina's bloodline and background as a tool to consolidate his legitimate rule.

Claudius was placed on the throne after Caligula's assassination. No previous emperor had confirmed him as an adopted son or heir according to the prescribed procedures. He had never even served as consul before. In terms of bloodline, Claudius did not have the blood of Augustus. His blood relationship with the Yuri family was maintained through his grandmother's hut, Via Grande, which meant he was a "collateral" or "minor" lineage. Agrippina had both of these absolute advantages that he lacked.