After the Legion's victory, Apis and Crassus the Younger found their commander, Obius, among the dead corpses...... Yes, after a great duel, the legion sent by the Senate had actually been beaten to pieces, the commander was killed, seven thousand soldiers were killed, plus the fleeing soldiers, and Appis guessed that the Senate and Pompey's army numbered less than 10,000 at this time. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 info is about the same number as on my side.

And if they can still regroup, there must be an adjutant general in the army who temporarily serves as the commander. Appis wondered when he would launch another surprise attack to completely crush the remnants of Pompey's army. Then, march into Athens and join Caesar's main army.

However, at this time, a noble woman appeared outside the barracks......

"Anelka, mother?"

Anelka was wrapped in a thick cloak when she got out of the carriage, but Appis recognized the noble woman at a glance. It should be said that she has a delicate and inexplicable relationship with herself. It's a mother, but it's not a mother. In short, Appis still felt from the bottom of his heart the deep love of this noble woman for him. After all, before the crossing, Anelka was Vibius's mother......

"Vibius ......"

Anelka lifted her cloak and glanced at Appis, an instinctive whisper. Although she also knew that Apys's real name should not be called......

"You guys go out first."

Anelka was carried by the servants into the tent of Appis and Crassus the Younger. The grief-stricken woman looked around, and Appis understood that she had something to say, so he drove away the guards around her, leaving Anelka alone in the tent. Little Crassus also walked away with interest, mother and son got together, there must be something to say......

"Handsome boy, you have become a brilliant commander of the Roman legions. Mars protects you, Vibius...... I was just on my way here and heard that you have won another battle......"

Anelka spoke to Appis with a sense of ambivalence and apprehension. Apis couldn't see the sadness hidden in her eyes, but Apis was sure that Anelka's visit to him today was definitely more than just a visit.

"Mother...... It was only a skirmish, and less than two corps actually took part in the battle. And no surprises, mother. ”

Appis said in a gentle tone. Unlike other Roman aristocratic women, in Anelka, Apis saw not insidiousness and deceit, but sincerity and emotion. Perhaps, Apis lamented a little that fate made people. Let the originally happy family become what it is today.

"Yes, there are no surprises...... Vibius, in fact, I have come to you today not just to visit you. ”

Anelka said with a sad expression. Between her eyebrows, there seemed to be an unspeakable pain.

"I guessed it. Say, Mother, what is there for me to do? As long as it is not a betrayal of Caesar. ”

Appis guessed something as to the cause, but wasn't sure if it was Appius' conspiracy. In the wars and political struggles in Rome, there are always treacherous people, and there are always good people, Anelka is by no means the kind of cunning politician, so if she has something to do, then the only possibility is that she was manipulated and used by Appius. And immediately, Appis's fears became a reality.

"Vibius, do you remember your brother Nikulas?"

Anelka looked pained.

"Nikulas?"

Familiar and unfamiliar name, yes, before coming to this ancient Roman world, I did not know Niculas as a person. But the crossing of dog blood makes this name one of the most familiar characters.

That's my big brother in this world...... Apis sighed.

"Yes, your brother, Nikulas. He's your big brother. Vibius, you have only been gone for six years, and although I don't know exactly what you experienced in Gaul during those six years, I believe that six years is not enough time for you to forget your brother. My poor children. ”

"Yes, I remember ......"

Appis replied helplessly.

"He's in Pompey's barracks right now...... Two days ago, you fought Pompey's legions, and your brother Niculas was in the army. He served as an infantry commander inside. ”

Anelka's words surprised Appis. At the same time, without Anelka finishing speaking, Appis also knew that his mother had come all the way to the barracks today to find her purpose. But this is definitely a conspiracy of Appius. Appis hated in his heart. It's just that they have pushed the ignorant woman to the most dangerous front and become the most unsympathetic pawn in their hands!

"My mother, I guessed what you wanted me to do. However, this must be Pompey's conspiracy! He deliberately arranged for my brother Nikulas to be the Legion Lieutenant Commander in this team battle. Then, at the risk of your life, he came to my barracks to interview me and ask me to give up the encirclement and suppression of his legion. In this way, Pompey could effortlessly keep Caesar's most elite Tenth Legion out. It's all a conspiracy they've devised to you, Mother, and you've just been used and deceived by them. ”

Appis spoke to Anelka about the current situation in a coherent manner.

……

Anelka was silent, however, after a while, Appis saw several tears of sadness appear on her haggard face.

An old woman wept in a low voice in front of her, even if she was not her mother, Appis could not stand it, let alone now that Anelka had come with a heart full of hope, how could Apis bear to refuse her request. What's more, her request is so humble, she just doesn't want her two sons, swords against each other......

Appis knew what was best in him, but now he also became a lever for the enemy to exploit.

"Mother's ......"

Looking at Anelka, who was crying sadly, Appis put his hand on her shoulder with a heavy heart. Then, a tired emotion swept through Appis's nerves. Apis felt that he was still not ruthless enough, and that in the struggle for power, the ruthless and ruthless people could achieve the ultimate victory, but Apis felt that he still could not fully achieve this.

"Vibius, my child, if you must go to war with your brother Nikulas, leave his body intact, and I will take him back to Arretien, our homeland, and bury him......"

Anelka was no longer crying, Apis could barely stand it, and the flood of compassion and deep sense of self-reproach caused Apis to do the most irrational act of his life - to agree to Anelka's request...... (To be continued.) )