Ming Dynasty and New Rome and Infinite Magic Machine

Chapter 1155: The Stigma of the Country
"So Victoria." Although she didn't say anything, Shangluo still sent a message to her, "King Ao Zang's point is very reasonable - you don't need to compete with a group of soulless combat weapons. You can have a more far-reaching direction to study, such as cultivation."

This is indeed the truth. No matter how strong these crab generals are, they are just tools. The Dragon King himself will obviously not become a crab general.

"The term 'cultivation' is very oriental," Victoria said, "such a thing doesn't exist in Rome."

"Is that so?"

"Let me put it this way. The history of the development of mystery has its own historical evidence. The essential thought of Roman mysticism is closer to the alchemy of the pre-Qin period in China. In Xu Fu's time, there was no real 'cultivation'. Everyone from top to bottom wanted to find immortality, elixirs, magic, etc., so as to achieve liberation. The closest thing to cultivation in Roman mysticism is the gold refining emphasized by many secret religions, that is, alchemy."

"Alchemy, isn't that similar?"

"Although it is very similar, it is not. Alchemy is ultimately just about refining external elixirs. The advancement of alchemy is the advancement of the elixir, not the advancement of the person. Before alchemy truly achieved the elixir of immortality, it could not gradually strengthen the human body. If it could, the Romans' bodies would not be so fragile that they had to rely on strengthening their souls to gain false immortality. This is essentially not entering into true immortality, but rather moving from the realm of alchemy into the night walk of the mystical arts."

[Excuse me. Victoria, your blood pressure is rising. Haven't you noticed that your words have become stiff? Shangluo is really lucky to be friends with you. I can see many different sides of you in a day. In the morning, you have four legs, at noon, you have two legs, and in the evening, you have three legs.]

“That’s just who we are,” Victoria sighed. “I’ve just become more real.”

[I want to remind Victoria, and Shangluo, that Victoria's current mental state is related to the fate of Rome. Rome is in irreversible decline, which is why she, the king who is "scorned by the country", has become depressed. Shangluo, you don't have to follow her rhythm.]

"I know." Shangluo replied, "She has been criticized by the country, so I am just accepting her criticism. After all, we are friends, so it's okay to listen to her complaints more."

"Wow, wow, wow~ You're so nice~ No matter how I change, you can accept my state. I don't know what to say."

[Well, in fact, maybe if Victoria is in a good mood, Rome's national fortune will also rise. ]

“Do I still have this function?”

[Otherwise, why would your father give you the position? Because he himself seems unable to assume this function. His heart is too complete and too tough, and he is unable to show the spirit of the empire. You are different. You are much more sensitive than him, so you can more deeply understand the fate of Rome's defeat. You are grieving for the fate of Rome.]

"Eh?" Victoria asked, "So it's not me who's making friends with Shangluo, but the Roman Empire? Am I the personification of the Roman Empire's national character?"

[No, you are not the personification of the Roman Empire - you are the master of the empire. There is a saying that goes, if you keep a dog for a long time, it will become more and more like its owner. Sometimes the owner will become more and more like the dog. You are the master of the empire, and I think your influence is greater than the other two.]

"Then am I not guilty?"

[How have you committed any crime? All I can say is that your fate is still unable to save the empire that is doomed to fail - but your fate is already very good, you have found the best destination for the failed empire. Didn't you find Shangluo? ]

"Ah! Yes, yes! As expected, Apollonia, you are the most professional, you are the true emperor of Greece. You have dispelled my 'bad luck'." [To some extent, our roles are complementary. It has been a long time since the supreme leader of Rome was divided into several people. If all six Romans were there and everyone's fate was extremely prosperous and strong, maybe they could really revive the empire. But the current result is not bad. ]

"Ah~~ Indeed. It's good to find a home." Victoria paused, "After the war is over, I also want to find a place to rest."

【Come to Shangluo's house. His house is quite big, you can stay here forever. 】

"I haven't said anything yet, so don't take it home for me."

[Victoria is different. She is different. She is a good person that I have certified and she is my friend.]

"And what about Phaethon?"

[She is different too, she is my relative. And she is very strong, okay?]

"What about Yanqiu?"

[Please, Yanqiu is so pleasing to the eyes. ]

"Well," Victoria suddenly said, "Didn't you say that people in the same family become more and more alike when they live together for a long time? I think, Apollonia, you seem to be becoming more and more like him."

[Tsk, it doesn't matter. After all, I see the world through his eyes. But having said that, I'll give you a suggestion - what the Dragon King said is actually quite right. You can practice more with the techniques of the Phlogiston Submarines.]

"Eh? What do you mean?"

[Just don't think about dying and not caring about anything else - there are still many things you can do! Why do you all think that the empire's demise is a matter of course, and don't resist? Although demise is inevitable, you can decide the way of demise. Didn't you find Shangluo and help the empire find the best ending? Then in order to reach this ending, shouldn't you be more active? ]

"Wait a minute." Shangluo asked, "So the Roman Empire hasn't used its full strength yet?"

[How can you know if you have done your best if you haven't done anything? The Roman Empire is like Victoria's wallet, if you squeeze it hard, you will always get something. The current situation is mainly because many people in the Senate believe that the Roman Empire is doomed to perish in the world, so there is no need to invest in it, and only maintain the minimum military force. However, although the emergence of Shangluo did allow Rome to find the final solution, the speed of Rome's demise was greatly accelerated. If it remains in its current state, I think the death of the Roman Empire may not be very beautiful. ]

"Huh?" Victoria was stunned for a moment, "Is that so?"

[Let me make it clearer. Victoria, you have to do something. Otherwise, you might die a miserable death. Even if the result is destined, the process is also important. Is fate really undefeatable?]

(End of this chapter)