"Are you sure this tunnel leads outside the city? Appis had built a siege outside the city! ”

In the narrow tunnels, Savius and Teretus walked forward one after the other, hunched over.

"I'm sure. This tunnel, which I personally oversaw, led to the grove outside the city and threw away the siege of Apis. Hold on, my little master, we're going out soon. ”

With a hunched waist and a torch in one hand for light, Savius walked ahead and replied with difficulty.

And Terretus, who could only follow behind Savius, crawled forward with difficulty by the light of the fire.

"Damn, you dare to hide from me and secretly dig tunnels!"

In the midst of the difficulty, Teretus suddenly shouted.

"No, no, no, little master Tretus, this is a special case and I have to do it. You stand by your decision, but I know that it will lead to destruction. I didn't want to see you and me die in this disaster, so I had to dig this secret passage in advance. Just in case. It's all for our sake. If you have to condemn me, then please go out of the city and condemn again. ”

Guiding Tretus forward, Savius patiently explained.

I don't know how long I have been advancing in such a narrow and dirty tunnel, but finally, a burst of fresh air comes from ahead. Tretus knew that the exit was ahead. I couldn't help but feel excited.

"Come, Tretus, we're here."

Climbing up a steep slope, Cyvius threw his torch to the ground, propped up the steep slope with both hands, and jumped to the ground. Then, with his hands outstretched, he dragged Tretus to the ground.

There was silence all around, with trees and no one in sight. In the distance, the sound of the Roman legions attacking the city can still be faintly heard.

"There's nothing here, we need a horse, and gold. I'm going to make a trip to Susa before I get to the south. ”

Traitus, who had climbed out of the tunnel, took a breath as if he had been reborn, and then, slapping the dust off his body, he swore an oath.

"A horse? Oh yes, we need a horse...... Yes, at least we're safe now. ”

Savius said, a strange expression on his face.

Roman GIs were generally not good at disguising their emotions, and this was no different for Sevius, who became more and more emotionally unstable when he saw that his plan was about to succeed.

At this moment, the neighing of war horses sounded in the woods. In the pitch-black woods, countless streams of fire suddenly burst out. It was the soldiers of the Thirteenth Legion marching with torches. To be exact, in the encirclement. Surrounded by the two deserters in the woods.

"Savius! You deceived me! You traitor! ”

The tremendous movement around him made Tretus extremely emotionally unstable. His voice changed, and his sword trembled in his hand. Obviously, no matter how strong one person is, he can't stand against a Roman squad of hundreds of people. It was as if they were surrounded.

Tretus pointed his sword at Savius, accusing in an almost trembling voice.

"Traitor? Alright, young man, how much is the ring on your hand worth? All I need is that. ”

Seen through the motives, Savius no longer hid, he tore his face. Snatched the sword from Tretus with his bare hands. And then step by step.

At this time, the heavy infantry of the Thirteenth Legion also quietly arrived.

Torches flickered all around.

Maximus stepped out of the crowd, dressed in heavy armor and draped in a bright red cloak behind him. Behind him, the flag bearer held the flag of the Thirteenth Legion, a symbol of glory. Obviously, it was a well-prepared trap.

"Maximus!"

"Yes, it's me, Tretus, it looks like you remember me."

Maximus walked over with a smile on his face.

However, such a smile seemed to Tretus to be very disgusting. It was like a mockery, a mockery.

"I remember you, of course I remember you."

Tretus glared.

Beside him, there were fierce Roman soldiers. They were eager to rush up and beat the traitor Tretus to the beating, and then tie him up and give it to their commander.

"Your presence has bothered Appis a lot, you know? Your mother interceded on your behalf, which is why we went to such great lengths to capture you alive. Otherwise, tonight, you will be in the same broken bones as the defenders inside the fortress. It was the kindness of Apis that spared you. You know, Rome never spared a traitor. ”

Maximus walked up to him and said in an oppressive tone.

He saw that Tretus' eyes were full of hatred, hatred for his opponents, hatred for himself.

"My mother intercedes on my behalf? Who did she intercede with? ”

"Do you need to ask? Appis, of course. In all of Rome, he alone has the power to decide whether you live or die. ”

Maximus went a step further and said—

"Well, do you tie yourself up, or wait for us to tie you up. Perhaps, you still want to fight bravely with a sword in hand like you did at the beginning. Finally, do a struggle to show your bravery. If you're willing to do that, I'd be happy to accompany you on this journey, and of course, I won't hurt you, you're a baby. ”

Maximus's words were full of sarcasm, which made Tretus furious. He rushed up and tried to knock Maximus down. But the sturdy figure of the cavalry captain made it impossible for Tretus to shake, and in an instant, Maximus threw Tretus to the ground.

Then, before Maximus could give the order, the guards behind him rushed forward, holding Tretus firmly under him, and putting ropes around his neck and wrists.

"You're doing a great job, veteran. It's a reward we've agreed on in advance, so take it and live in Rome or wherever you want to go. I will hide what you have done and not tell me about your defection to Tretus, as promised. ”

Maximus then threw a sack full of Roman silver coins into the arms of the veteran Cyvius.

Tretus was captured alive and sent back to Rome, and not far to the east, Appis's Tenth Legion had joined up with two legions of Publius and marched under the Parthian capital of Susa. This is already farther east, far from the imperial capital of Rome, and it will take at least three months to return to Rome, if there are no accidents on the way.

Appis knew that this was his first and probably the last time he had arrived in the summer capital of Parthia, so far to the east. Further east, is the mighty kingdom of Kushan. Further east, not only will the logistical supply not be guaranteed, but the unstable factors in the empire will also begin to stir.