At least half of the village's houses have burned down, and some of the collapsed beams still have dancing embers. The further you went to the center of the village, the more corpses there were on the ground. Most of the corpses of those men are still in a fighting posture, and some have been scorched black by the flames, but they still haven't let go of the weapons in their hands - as a man, if you want to live in this dark age, fighting to the death is the least consciousness.

Princess Theophanus walked in the front with a grim face, and although it was not the first time she had seen such a tragic scene, she still felt an irrepressible anger and sorrow stirring in her chest. She wanted to roar, she wanted to kill, she wanted to avenge the tragic death of her subjects, but she couldn't do anything, the enemy had long since left, and with Liliang in Gloucester City, there was no way to launch a counterattack against the barbarians who were entrenched in half of Britain.

They did not take the majesty of the Roman Caesar in the slightest, and Princess Theophanus thought to herself that the first hundred years of the fall of Rome by the barbarians had not yet arrived, but the Roman emperor, who had made half of the Shijie tremble, could no longer even defend the people near his court.

As a result, she walked silently among the congealed blood and scattered ashes, searching with the soldiers for any traces of survivors, though everyone knew that there was little hope. Dozens of Gloucester militiamen fanned out behind her, their weapons glinting - no orders were needed, for years of war had made it clear to everyone what they were supposed to do.

Instead, the traversers who then walked the killing fields. It is possible to view this brutal massacre from an outsider's point of view.

“…… It doesn't matter what era or what country. The scene on the battlefield is just as brutal. ”

If it was the first time to see such a visually striking scene, Wang Qiu might feel uncomfortable and want to vomit, but now he has traveled through time and space, not only defeating the Spanish invaders in the Aztec Empire, slaughtering millions of lives in the Byzantine Empire, but also experiencing the test of war in Fukushima, Tokyo and London in this time and space. has long been trained to be hard-hearted. On the contrary, Arthur, who had been living in the Dark Ages for two or three years, although he had also participated in small-scale battles, still felt a little uncomfortable with such a large-scale massacre.

“…… Alas. Many boys think that war is an honor thing, but in fact, war will always bring hell. ”

Wang Qiu said this with a calm face, while Arthur on the side had already closed his eyes. I can't bear to look at it anymore. But he soon forced himself to open his eyes again—there were so many people watching, and now was not the time to be weak, he admonished himself.

Then, in the small square in the center of the village, the people saw the most tragic scene: several bloody bodies were tied to thick wooden stakes, and the whole body was almost cut into a skeleton except for the head with a distorted expression. Some of the human remains, which were no longer distinguishable, were discarded haphazardly on the ground. Even though the weather is still cold, it still attracts large flocks of crows to circle and peck at food.

A few people with poor mental capacity. Seeing such a horrific sight, I immediately couldn't help but vomit heavily

“…… This is...... Peeling and cutting meat? Hell yes! Do the Anglos still like to eat human flesh? ”

Wang Qiu and Arthur didn't vomit, but were stunned - probably too shocked. Princess Theophanus, on the other hand, thrust a battle axe into the ground in hatred, "...... This is not the first time the Anglos have done this. Although they don't eat human flesh, they feed their dogs with human flesh! ”

So, Wang Qiu looked back at Arthur with complicated eyes - when the British Empire of the Anglo-Saxons colonized the Americas in the future, it seems that Indians were often used to feed dogs, and sometimes they were afraid that dogs would be picky eaters, and they would roast living people on charcoal fires in advance...... Could it be genetic?

Next to the small square littered with blood and corpses was the ruins of a small church still smoking. A large lock attached to a thick iron chain was still tightly locked to the remaining gate. Through the burned walls, you can see the blackened humanoid wreckage inside......

“…… The enemy does not seem to have taken the prisoners, but stuffed them into churches and burned them. I'm afraid the time to set the fire is just this morning. ”

Former Japanese Prime Minister Kotori Mahahiro carefully observed the scene of the fire, and then said with confidence - as a superpowered girl who has traveled through history and space many times, suppressed cult strongholds in modern times, and seen scenes of human sacrifice, she will not scream and faint when she sees a few corpses.

“…… I think so too. Arthur and Princess Theophanus walked up side by side and echoed, "...... About half of the houses in the entire village and town were burned down, the village chief died, and most of the villagers also died, and some may have escaped, but they have not been found yet. The Anglo barbarians took all the sheep and pigs, all the wheat and flour before leaving, and only a few scattered rye remained in the village. ”

…… In other words, the stronghold has lost almost all of its population, which is equivalent to a complete destruction...... Wang Qiu thought a little wistfully.

According to Princess Theophanus's introduction last night, this village at the foot of Barton Hill was an important base for the Emperor Romulus to expand the Shili range inland from the coastal city of Gloucester, and it was also the only satellite village under the jurisdiction of the capital city of Gloucester after the Emperor abandoned the area around the spa city of Bath, specifically the territory currently occupied by the "Red Dragon Kingdom" at the "Carmelot" research station.

From the map, Barton Hill is located between the Severn River and the Thames River, backed by the seaside city of Gloucester, holding the main passage for the Anglos to move south from the Northumberland region in the northeast and the Saxons to the west from the London area in the southeast.

For the Roman emperors, who now had only one city left, it was not only the front line for the defense of Gloucester, but also the logistics base for the later expedition to the north to recover the occupied areas. As a result, more than 1,500 settlers were settled here, even as plagues, wars, and famines led to a drastic decline in the population...... However. At this moment, all blueprints are looking forward to all grand undertakings. It's all in vain......

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Looking at the ruined villages and towns with no people and corpses, Princess Theofana sighed in disappointment, and followed Wang Qiu, Arthur and the others, and continued to advance towards Barton Mountain, where a rudimentary fortress had been built behind the village. In the wilderness from the village to the hill, there were still many corpses lying on the ground, and the road leading from the foot of the hill to the fortress was covered with stumps and severed arms. The situation is so miserable that it is like purgatory...... Only a broken eagle banner, a symbol of the glory of the Romans, was still hunting in the twilight. It looks bleak.

Then, when they finally reached the top of the hill through the corpses and torn armor that littered the ground, they were shocked to find this rudimentary fortress made of logs, dirt, and stones. It has also been shattered by the war. Knocked open on both sides of the gate. Layers of corpses were piled up. A handful of ragged and unkempt soldiers of the Roman Emperor's Imperial Guard, panting, with spears and flagpoles, watched as the princess led the troops inside...... But he no longer had the strength to cheer. Only one of the more energetic and energetic Imperial Guard soldiers slowly stood up with his back against the wall and spoke in a low voice.

“…… Your Highness! Did you bring reinforcements? The Imperial Guard soldier said hoarsely, "...... It's too late, it's really too late......"

“…… It's me, ahem. How did this place come to this? Where are my father and the others gone? ”

In just a few words, Princess Theofhanus felt an uncomfortable blockage in her throat. The weakly said, "...... Are they ...... in there?"

“…… It's a pity, Your Highness the Princess! Ahem, please stay calm. Your brother, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Andrew, has been killed in battle, and we have all seen his head picked on a long pole. Also, your mother, Queen Boudicca, was also captured by the barbarians and escorted down the mountain to persuade the emperor to surrender. As Bixia sternly refused to surrender, the enraged enemy cut off her head with his own hands yesterday evening......"

The surviving Imperial Guard soldier shook his head and replied with a numb expression, "...... Last night's offensive and defensive battle reached Zuihou, and there were only a few of us left in the entire imperial guard. Bixia was lying inside, badly injured...... We don't know if he'll ever wake up......"

Hearing this bad news, the princess, who was already mentally anxious and physically exhausted, suddenly had black eyes and weak legs, and fainted on the spot.

“…… No—no—" The other Roman soldiers, who had arrived from the city, also wailed in despair, and fell to their knees crying.

At the same time, looking at the ragged man on the inside of the fortress, covered in blood, with his hair and beard in a mess, no matter how he looked, he looked more like a beggar, only a bright red robe and the delicate gold crown beside him could prove that he was the emperor's middle-aged man, Wang Qiu couldn't help but sigh.

Although the injuries on this emperor's body are heavy, and there are several arrows stuck in his abdomen, the blow to his soul is probably even worse!

- Although due to the ferocity of the modern Shijie traversers, the Anglo Five-Nation Alliance, which came with great momentum, suffered an unprecedented heavy blow this time, and was crippled outside Gloucester City, suffering heavy casualties, and had to return in vain. However, Shili, a Roman remnant of the British province entrenched in the city of Gloucester, still suffered a terrible defeat in this sudden barbarian sneak attack.

In the wilderness battle around Barton Mountain, the regular army and auxiliary forces that Emperor Romulus had painstakingly managed for many years, totaling more than 500 people, were almost completely wiped out. Next, the villages and towns of Barton Mountain, which were the frontier strongholds, were completely razed and slaughtered, and all the souls of 1,500 settlers returned to heaven.

Coupled with the sweeping operations of the farms on the outskirts of Gloucester City, the city-state only lost as many as 3,000 people, which is equivalent to a loss of one-tenth of the original population of 30,000. Moreover, most of the dead and wounded were young and middle-aged men who were the main force of labor......

What's worse is that due to the lack of precautions at that time, as a result, many of the grain harvested in the autumn and the cattle and sheep grazing were not transported into the city, and Zuihou was either looted by the Anglos or ruined in the war......

If food support could not be obtained from elsewhere, Gloucester City would be starving this winter.

The most terrifying thing is that in this raid, Queen Boudicka and Crown Prince Andrew were unfortunately killed. Even their heads were taken away as trophies, and their skulls were either made into wine bowls or ground into urinals by barbarian leaders...... This is not only an unforgettable shame. It was also a heavy blow to the emperor's prestige, almost directly shaking his position as the leader of the alliance.

-- There is a saying in political science that power comes from trust, and without trust there is no power.

The remnants of the small Celtic states in the province of Britain trusted the Emperor Romulus because of Liliang, who felt that this Caesar could defeat the barbarian invasion and protect the safety of these "civilized people". to be willing to unite again under the Roman eagle banner. And now, the emperor can't even protect his wife and children, and even let their corpses be humiliated...... Naturally, his authority would be seriously questioned.

So. Under the combined effect of great humiliation, unprecedented grief and heavy injuries, Romulus, the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, fell into the deepest coma, as if he wanted to get rid of this miserable shijie that made him haggard and heartbroken......

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…… Cold Rain ...... Raging fire...... Scream...... Moan...... The impact of the sword...... The neighing of a war horse...... There is also heart-wrenching despair and pain......

I couldn't exert any strength in my whole body. It was as if the heavens and the earth were hanging upside down. It almost cluttered up the mind and nerves.

The completely deactivated body almost became cold, and even the pain was gradually invisible, and the intermittent footsteps sounded like death urging, and the repeated calls were like buzzing mosquitoes and flies, which were annoying.

…… There seem to be many holes in the internal organs...... Ay...... Am I going to die......

Instead of dying in the sunny house arrest dwellings of Campania, but in this British wilderness at the end of civilization?

If I die here. What will become of the Roman Empire...... What would have become of the Roman Empire if I hadn't died here?

Alas. Wasn't the Western Empire long gone? Even Rome and Ravenna have become the world of the Goths.

As for the Eastern Empire...... That's none of my business, those Greeks have their own future and destiny......

Moreover, the only son has also died, and with this broken body now, I am afraid that there will never be a male heir again.

Hehe, in that case, what are I fighting hard for so many years, fighting against the established history and destiny?

After all, the dream of recovering the country is empty, is it just to change the location of the place where he is buried? That's so sad, isn't it?

Fate is like a violent storm, life is like a short candlelight, no one knows where the wind will blow, when the candlelight will go out.

Ah, I'm so tired that I want to sleep like this, so that all the struggle and the loss, the pain and the killing, will not appear in the dream......

“…… Cheer up, Bixia!! "Wake up! Romulus? Augustus!! ”

“…… Wake up, Father!! Woowoooooo

A voice that sounded a little familiar, listening to the ears of the exhausted emperor, for some reason it seemed very ethereal.

…… Who's this...... Who's calling me? Oh, as if it were dear Theophanus......

“…… There is really no other way, Your Highness Princess, try to give your father a shot of battlefield doping!! ”

“…… What is this? Is there a legendary elixir that can bring the dead back to life? ”

“…… This can temporarily relieve the pain, but whether he can fully recover in the end depends on his own physical condition and will to survive. ”

With an incomprehensible speech, a faint tingling pain came from his numb arm, and Emperor Romulus vaguely felt as if something cold had flowed into his veins. In the next moment, the torn muscles, the bloodshot eyeballs miraculously regained their function again, and the chaotic head seemed to be forcibly added with an infinite amount of powerful energy. This made him feel very good, as if there was a sense of impact of enlightenment.

“…… God forbid, it seems like you're about to wake up successfully! Lo and behold, his eyelids are moving! ”

As a shot of battlefield stimulant was injected into his body, the wonderful drug quickly dispelled the chaos in his mind, and also awakened his dusty memory - this battlefield potion containing morphine was released extremely quickly, and it only took a few tens of seconds to play a noticeable role with the blood circulation. The comfortable sensation of the release of the effect of the medicine made the mortally injured and dying Emperor Romulus almost groan, and his mind gradually returned to clarity with this wonderful coolness.

However, this sobriety was not a pleasant thing—the wet mud was so cold that he couldn't help but gasp; The wound on his back seemed to be torn open again, and even with morphine anesthesia, it could not completely eliminate the severe pain on his body.

“…… Ahem, my dearest Theophanus, don't cry, it won't be beautiful to cry again......"

The strong Emperor Romulus shuddered a few times and opened his eyes. Then, with the help of Princess Theophanus, he sat up with great difficulty, and muttered in a hoarse, broken voice. With a little strength, I kicked my legs, but I still couldn't stand up on my own.

“…… We...... Did you win? The second thing the Emperor did when he woke up was to ask the princess Theophanus this question.

Princess Theophanus wiped her tears and whispered in his ear, a relieved smile on Emperor Romulus' face.

“…… Was it saved by another group of time travelers? Very good, although we have lost almost all of our troops, the Celts should not dare to break the covenant for the time being, and the Anglobarians have not attacked again! Belch? So many people came? ”

He muttered to himself, turned his head to look out into the wilderness below, and was surprised to see hundreds of traverser soldiers in camouflage uniforms, as well as slow-moving off-road vehicles and drones hovering in the air...... This discovery made the emperor's smile immediately freeze on his face - in this dark age of declining civilization, especially on the vast and sparsely populated island of Great Britain, thousands of well-trained armed soldiers were already a force that could run rampant in all directions. Not to mention the warriors of the future with countless terrifying weapons...... (To be continued......)