Early in the morning, in the training ground in the backyard of Caesarea Castle, Theodore, who had gotten up early in the morning, was practicing swordsmanship with Elendiel, which was also one of Theodore's few leisure times.

"Bang-!-!!

"Steady pace, don't panic. Elendil slowly stepped back from Theodore's slash, reminding Caesar from time to time: "You are now using a knight's sword, which is longer than the sword used by your soldiers, so please don't always try to make a shield block." The essence of knight swordsmanship is to extend the attack surface to the maximum, never flinch, and kill with one blow!"

"It sounds easy, but it seems like it's hard to do!" Diodore replied to Elendil with a straight stab with a smile, then turned and stepped forward, dragging the tip of his sword behind him, and swung it violently, "But I agree with the fact that one blow is fatal!"

"Smack!" There was a crisp sound, and Elendil stabbed the gauntlet in front of Theodore's hand with the tip of his sword, and the wooden sword that had lost its center of gravity was thrown directly out of Theodore's hand and fell to the side of the sand.

"Zuihou, never use an attack move that you are not good at, and it is easy to be picked off by the enemy. With that, Elendil walked to the sand, picked up the wooden sword, and put it on top of the weapon rack by the wall with herself, and took the two water bottles: "Your progress is fast, of course you need more practice." ”

"Perhaps, as long as the enemy doesn't pull him off his horse next time. Theodore shrugged his shoulders helplessly and took the kettle from the knight's hand: "Although I long to fight side by side with the soldiers, it would be embarrassing if it was like this every time!"

"There aren't many enemies like that. Elendil couldn't help but laugh out loud: "I haven't forgotten to this day, Captain Valens's panicked appearance is really rare." ”

"Okay, let's not talk about that. Theodore flattened his mouth and waved his hand: "Take a break, then eat breakfast in peace, and then go to the government council to listen to the endless nagging of those guys!"

"Looks like you're going to listen to them now. Elendil pointed to the corridor opposite, where Virgil, dressed in a white toga robe, was walking briskly towards him, still holding a scroll in his hand.

"Sorry to bother you at a time like this, Caesar. Virgil looked quite nervous, completely devoid of his usual elegance: "But...... It's really urgent, a piece of information from Haringos!"

"When did our foreign minister become so ungraceful?" asked Theodore with a smile, "Would you like to have breakfast together and take a break?" You look quite tired. ”

"I'm afraid we don't have time for breakfast, Caesar. Virgil's expression became more and more serious: "Please come with me at once, while the meeting has not yet begun!"

Theodore looked at the other party's serious face, and also put away his smile: "I know, then hurry up and start - it must be very important information, right?"

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"Assassination?how is this possible?!"

In the small living room of the castle, Theodore stood up from his seat with wide eyes and looked at the foreign minister with a serious expression in disbelief, and the shouts of surprise echoed in the living room.

"Not to mention that Brenus and Ultok have sworn allegiance to Helena, and it is impossible for these two fellows to assassinate her at the risk of fighting on both sides at the same time!Could it be that the lords of the East did it, but weishenme, what reason can they have?!" Theodore frowned and thought to himself: "Territory or wealth? If that is the case, it is better to assassinate me directly, after all, the Romans have nothing to do with them!"

"But now it is the case that Her Highness Helena was assassinated in the halls of Haringos by an Assassin disguised as a wandering knight - of course, it had been stopped, and the Assassin had been caught. Virgil said solemnly: "The town council of Harlingos has blocked the news, and most people are still unaware of this. ”

"Very well done, sensible approach. Theodore nodded: "It seems that we are going to give these exemplary officials a commendation award to ...... Inspire other less competent officials. ”

"I'm afraid you don't have that spare time, Caesar. Virgil continued: "They were unable to find out the true identity of the Assassin, but they did find his weapons, two Roman swords!

"A few Roman swords may not say anything, but it is enough to point the rumors at you! Fools and drunkards who like to talk and speculate will spread what they see all over Shijie, and when everyone believes their opinions, even the most vexatious explanations will become 'facts'!" Virgil's voice became more and more urgent: "In less than two days, this matter will reach Caesarea and Talboa, and in two weeks the people of Salion will know about it, and in a month's time...... The whole north will hear about it!"

"We need to find a way to stifle the rumors in the cradle. Theodore held his chin and his eyes rolled rapidly: "We can't let this kind of thing destroy the alliance between Rome and the Empire, it will hurt the foundation of Roman rule, and those gentlemen who are not yet very loyal will be shaken by it." ”

"Maybe it's an orc, maybe it's some lord we don't know. But in any case, whoever it is they have achieved their goal. Virgil said worriedly: "Even if His Highness Helena trusts you as always, the Knights of the Dawn will have doubts about you, and even the attitude of the two archdukes is not easy to judge." ”

"Actually, there is a way, Virgil, my Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Theodore looked up and said, "If I go there myself, the matter will be settled." ”

"Are you kidding Caesar, they might not even let you enter the castle!" Virgil shook his head: "We must find a way, find a suitable place first, and then invite the two Grand Dukes and Her Royal Highness Helena to go with us, and sit down and have a good discussion......"

"Listen to me, Virgil. Theodore interrupted him: "I know they must be very disbelieving of me now—that's understandable, so I'll be sincere first." ”

"Sincerity? How do you show your sincerity?"

"It's simple. Theodore blinked, "I will go to Haringos alone, and only with the Imperial Guards, I am sure they will see my sincerity." ”

“............ Are you crazy?!" Virgil grabbed Theodore's shoulders without any courtesy, and shouted hoarsely: "Those assassins are probably lying in ambush on the road!

"With the Imperial Guard Knights with them, they can't hurt me a hair. Theodore replied calmly, "Besides, if you don't do this, how can you show my sincerity?"

"The lords of Rome will not allow you to make such a fool of yourself!" Virgil shook his head: "You are the only Caesar of Rome, you are Rome! ”

“...... We'll come back to that, Virgil. Theodore was silent for a while, then patted him on the shoulder: "First go and find the owner of the blacksmith shop in the name of the Caesarea Foundry, I will find him for something." ”

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"I wish you good health, esteemed Caesar, Artis of the blacksmith is willing to serve you. ”

In the small living room, a middle-aged man wearing a leather apron bent down respectfully and said in a deep voice. His hair was very short, his face was stubble, his two strong arms were framed by a somewhat thin skeleton, which looked very incongruous, and his black leather apron was covered with ashes.

"I wish you good health, Artis. With a casual greeting, Theodore asked, "Have you always been in charge of the blacksmith's shop, especially when it comes to the sale of weapons?" ”

"I've always been in charge, Caesar. Ardis nodded and replied, "All weapons and armor, including some specially customized gadgets, are all registered. ”

"I want to find out the whereabouts of a certain Roman sword, a military custom, and a fairly sharp Roman sword, which should have been quenched. ”

"Of course there is!" said Ardis: "The military swords generally cast in the foundry are for the army, and the number of retail sales is very small, and although this kind of thing is very popular, there are really not many people who can afford it, and even fewer outsiders, so everyone who buys a weapon, someone in the shop has made some special records, especially the appearance characteristics and so on." ”

"Can you remember the exact style of all the Roman swords sold?" asked Theodore in a deep voice, "I wish I could know the most accurate information!"

"Of course, Caesar. Whether it's the length or the pattern of the handle, even how much iron is used!"

"Very good. Theodore laughed and snapped his fingers: "Virgil, you have something to do, and it's a boring trouble. ”

"I'll find out that guy as fast as I can, Caesar. Virgil bent down slowly: "Everything is for Rome, for you, Caesar!"

"Whoever he is, whatever his purpose. Theodore's eyes shone brightly: "If you dare to stretch your claws into Rome, I won't make him feel better!"