Welcome to Hero of Rome, a litRPG historical fantasy set in Ancient Rome. If you’re new here, start the story in Chapter 1.
Enjoy the chapter!
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Recognizing Alexander’s knack for conquering just about everything he glances at, the Pharaoh of Egypt aims to be besties with the empire’s new golden boy, hoping a few well-placed gifts might keep his sands and pyramids off Alexander's ever-expanding shopping list.
I read the scroll’s description again for clarity.
Item: Alchemy Scroll of Venom of Lethe (Legendary)
Description: This ancient scroll reveals the secrets of crafting the Venom of Lethe, a potent concoction that induces temporary paralysis in its victim. To create this venom, one must gather rare ingredients, including the venom sac of a basilisk, the leaves of the nightshade plant, and the essence of a moonlit orchid. Once combined and brewed, the venom gains its paralyzing properties. When administered, the victim experiences complete paralysis for a duration of one minute, rendering them immobile and vulnerable to attack.
Weight: 0.02 kg
Worth: 4,200 Denarii
“Can’t read?” Camilla said, his eyes teasing as I poured over it near the quasi-funeral pyre of Pompey the Great.
“No, I can read it. I guess I’m just confused on how to brew this thing.”
“Have you learned alchemy yet?” Titus said, tightening his bag which was filled to the brim with Pompey’s loot, especially crafting materials for his warhammer.
“No, but I have skill points for it.”
“It would be good to learn from a master, rather than attempt it yourself first,” Camilla said, hoisting her treasure-laden bag onto her shoulders as we made our way back out of the dungeon. “There’s an alchemist in Rome, Albus Valerius. My father knew of him from our first life. I believe his shop is still there. We can stop by his place on our way back. Shouldn’t add more than a day to our travel.”
“Let’s do it,” I said, wanting very much not to strike Medusa with a useless poison before being devoured by snakes. At the same time, I wanted to be able to use Bulla and his resources to help me pull off the quest before Cataline could interfere. Time was of the essence.
“I will return to the camp if you don’t mind,” Titus said as we walked past the slain chimeras; I made sure to double-check that they were indeed dead before we did to avoid any jumpscares. “I have a lot of work to do on my warhammer if I will be useful against this Medusa.”
“Very well,” I said. “Just don’t inform Bulla of our plans yet, okay?”
Titus nodded. “Promise.”
Escaping from Pompey’s estate proved to be much easier than our initial entrance. The focus of the guards was entirely geared outward, not inward. This allowed me to sneak unperturbed to the stables within the walls, where I quickly released the horses from their pens and scattered them, drawing the attention of the guards. As I had seen in the future, Camilla and Titus scurried on the outskirts of the grounds as they fled from the dungeon and scaled the walls on the opposite side. Without apprehension, I soon joined them on the other side and disappeared into the underbrush.
Titus departed from us as soon as we rejoined with our horses. The tall and muscular bandit looked almost regal in his new Pompeian armor as he began riding away. “Make sure you learn how to brew some ale while you’re at it,” he jested.
“No promises,” I said, before Camilla and I kicked off towards Rome from the foothills.
Party (-1): 1
Titus has left your party.
Oddly, I found myself somber now that he was leaving. He seemed to draw others into himself, much like Paxbreaker, with his warm demeanor, tales of Roman glory, and the wonders of blacksmithing at the campfire, all despite his numerous scars from metalworking and imposing size.
Treasure-laden, we kicked off from the foothills. Camilla was true to her word and we arrived at the bustling streets of Rome only several hours later. The city was noisy even from several miles away. I made a glance over to Camilla. She seemed to be lost in thought, her hazel eyes almost grimacing at the sight of the city. I chose not to press her for what she was thinking. She wasn’t fond of opening up all the time, though it was beautiful when she did. From what I learned of her, she was sometimes overly cautious and guarded, but I could understand given how she was exploited horribly in her previous life.
I would let her open up to me at her own pace.
Once inside the walls, we were greeted with the clattering of carriages, lively chatter of merchants pulling everyone to come to their shops, and the occasional horn blast from a passing legionnaire. People moved out of the way for our horses, but it was still all so overwhelming. The only part I enjoyed about our arrival was the aroma of freshly baked bread and sweets that wafted through the air, masking the rather obnoxious body odor and sweat from the hordes of people.
Despite the horrible smell, the glory of Rome unfolded before me as we navigated the maze of people. Magnificent, marble temples reached the cloudy skies, their columns adorned with feats of conquest by the gods and emperors. The fountains we passed by sparkled in the hot sun, with statues of gods and heroes bathing in its splendor. There were even banners waving in the wind showcasing the latest gladiatorial games that were just around the corner, hinting that a legendary surprise would be facing off against the most dangerous monsters according to Commodus.
Everywhere I looked, there was life and chaos, both beautiful and terrifying. I couldn’t help but smile in appreciation of the glory of Rome, all of its ugliness and glory on display.
Camilla noticed my awe and spoke up. “Quite a spectacle, isn’t it?” she said.
“Yeah. I still can’t believe it’s all real some days.”
“I know,” she said, casting her head down momentarily as we carefully weaved through the crowds. “Max?”
I turned to her. “Yes, Camilla?”
“You’ve read of Rome’s history, and I’m assuming the other empires of time, correct?”
“Correct.”
Camilla paused as our horses slowed. The Roman street was packed shoulder to shoulder. Our horses were touching, even our knees occasionally, allowing me to hear her now softer voice despite the crowds. “Is there ever a permanent peace established for Rome? Or for any empire? A just ruler whose lineage of justice spans forever?”
I turned to look at her. Always in our conversations, she geared the focus to me or kept to herself amongst larger groups, never taking the spotlight. Her curiosity about rulership caught me off guard. “Um, well no, not really. There’s a saying for history that everything just repeats itself, and from what I’ve seen, it’s true. There will be good rulers, followed by awful ones, then sometimes mediocracy, then back to great. So on and so forth.”
“I see. So after this tetrarchy is abolished, a just ruler will arise, or perhaps another wicked one in its place, repeating the endless cycle?”
I shrugged my shoulders, not seeing where she was getting at.
“Like a hydra, we cut off one head, only to be replaced by two more just as bad? Or perhaps there is a lull, but the beast will always arise more numerous than before to oppress, just as it has occurred in Antiquitus?”
“I mean yes, but what’s the alternative? Allow rulers like Elagabalus to win? How many more innocents will he devour if left unchecked?”
“I agree he should be destroyed. But maybe our approach is wrong. Maybe it’s always been wrong since it always repeats. The root of the issue has always been the hydra’s heart.”
“The heart is the human condition, though. War, greed, love, honor, all of it. It can’t be changed, and to kill it would leave nothing in its place.” I shook my head. “So many leaders have promised utopia throughout history. Most of them brought war, oppression, and desolation instead.”
Camilla’s face darkened. “I see,” she said with a sigh.
Our conversation tailed off as Camilla turned and led us down another narrow street. Tucked away between various shops was the modest apothecary shop, Valerius' Elixirs, marked by a hanging sign adorned with a golden mortar and pestle. In the window were dark vials and what appeared to be potions. I could even smell the herbs before we reached the wooden doorway.
“By the gods!” a muffled voice said from inside, followed by a brief explosion that rattled the vials displayed before the window. The smell of cinnamon and something else pungent drifted through the air.
“You ready to meet Valerius?” Camilla said with a sudden grin.
“Delicious!” the man, I presumed Valerius, continued to exclaim.
“Sure. What could go wrong?”