Chapter 44: The Cries of Glory and Death (4)

PS: I'm not a eunuch!

Under the orders of the Minister of War, Mehemus, the 1st Wing halted its advance and waited in a loose phalanx for the arrival of the opposing envoys, and the golden laurel banner was raised high, so that anyone who was not blind could see it clearly.

Not long after, a small castle not far away opened its gates, and a group of horsemen with swallow-tailed flags ran towards them, dressed in fairly uniform burqas and identical coats of arms on their shieldsβ€”not only Roman legions who understood the benefits of uniform clothing.

When he was a few dozen meters in front of the First Wing, a knight who looked like a leader stopped the cavalry behind him and rode slowly forward on his horse. Seeing the other party's Mehemus, he also took a few steps forward, which can be regarded as a sign of respect.

"This is the domain of the Charles family, Your Excellency the General. The knight tried to make a friendly face, and said gently, "We have not received any news that the Roman army is going to pass through here. ”

"That's why we're here. "There's no time left to deliver the letter - the situation is already critical!"

"May I know who you are, Your Excellency?" the knight bowed his head slightly, "so that I can also inform my master, Lord Charles." ”

"Petronius Mesimus, Roman Minister of War, loyal servant of the great Caesar-Theodor Julian. Mesimus's face was as solemn as a quiet lion: "On Caesar's orders, lead the legions to the Kwyn River - from now on, I am the only commander of all the armies on the Kwyn River!"

"Youβ€”are you saying that you came on the orders of the Emperor?" the knight's face twitched a little, and he had to ask, "Is there anything to prove?"

"The Roman eagle banner and the golden laurel wreath are the best proof of this. Mehemus said, "The orc tribe is about to enter the Kwyn River, please tell your master that I need to meet with all the Kwyn River lords and form an alliance to defend against the invasion!"

"I can't call the shots about things like this. The knight said, "Let's go to the castle of the Charles family and rest first." We have prepared enough food and beds to entertain you and your soldiers!"

.......................................

The Charles family's castle was not large, but it was functionally sophisticated, from stables for the finest horses to blacksmiths for forging and maintaining weapons and armor, and kitchens for the lord's family and servants. The castle was like a huge round tower, and the stone walls on the perimeter were far more decorative than they could actually defend themselves - after all, the original northern part was only a wilderness, and the castle here had very little real defense against the enemy.

Because of its shape, the castle's hall is also circular, and there are four fireplaces around the hall that can be used to heat or heat food, which is quite luxurious.

"It is an honour to entertain Lord Theodore Julian's general, His Excellency Mehemus, in my castle. The face was not good, and Charles sat in a chair. Looking at Mesimus, who was standing in the middle of the hall, he said, "But as far as I know, shouldn't you go to Severcro now? ”

"The tide of the battle has changed, Your Excellency Charles. Mehemus's voice was gentle, but it was involuntarily serious: "It's not the orc army that occupies the fortress of Severcro, but several tribes of all sizes - their goal is not to take the northern gateway, but to move north!"

"On the march south, the northern army led by the great Caesar annihilated an orc tribe intent on moving northβ€”it is clear that there is not only one enemy!"

"In other words, you have come to defend the Kwyn River, and as a courtier of the Human Emperor, we are willing to provide you with everything you need. Charles asked, "But as far as I know, you seem to have only brought an army of about a thousand men." ”

"Laria will send a reinforcement to come, and Salion's cavalry is coming. But we can't wait. Mehemus said in a deep voice, "I need the full support of the Kwen River, and all the knights and soldiers must also be armed to form an army to resist the invasion of the orcs!"

β€œ...... Is even the Kwyn River going to ignite the flames of war?" Charles looked extremely tired, and his eyes looked at Mehemus who was standing in front of him: "Okay. As you said, I send a notice to all the lords of the Kwyn to bring their knights. ”

"But prepare for the worst............ It's a cold world now, and it's not easy to convince them!"

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The Roman soldiers, who had been marching for days, finally had a place to rest. It's not comfortable, but it's better to have a room to sleep in than in a tent, and hot broth and brown bread are the best ingredients after a long journey. The Charles family even brought out some pretty good cider to treat them to.

As the Roman Minister of War, Mesimus naturally received the highest standard of reception - not only in the special room, but also in some simple furnishings, which were obviously brand new. Although the richness of the Kwen River is famous in the whole north, such hospitality can also show the thoughtfulness of the other party.

"You, your dinner, honorable lord. A servant with a large tray walked into the room tremblingly, with a flattering smile on his face: "Tonkatsu, bread, chowder vegetables, and grilled sausages - forgive us for not being able to prepare any more haode, you did come a little ...... It's so sudden!"

"Oh...... It's already more abundant than what I have at home...... Very grand hospitality. Mehemus, who was sitting at the table, smiled softly and called out to one of the guards beside him, "Tori, go and bring me my wine, and pour this gentleman a glass too." ”

"Understood, General Mehemus!" a large, square-faced man replied in a dull voice, taking the flask and cup from the table beside him, and the feet of his boots clattered on the floor.

"Uh, ah, no!" the frightened servant hurriedly waved his hand and retreated to the door, hiding behind the door half-covered, and bent down humbly: "If you need anything, please call us, as instructed by Lord Charles, as long as you can do it." With that, he pulled the door open and left.

"I think you may have scared him, General Mehemus. Tori looked at the door happily, and with the other hand he held the flask steadily, filling the glass in front of Mesimus.

"Maybe. Mehemus shrugged his shoulders and pointed to the other cup in front of him, "Fill that cup too, I can't eat enough - do you want me to add another chair for you?"

"Thank you for your hospitality!" said Tori, who had long been hungry, smiled and moved a chair across from Mehemus, poured himself a full glass, unceremoniously slice half of the bread and put it on his plate, and stuck a oily grilled sausage with a dinner knife - as the personal guard of the Minister of War, Tori was probably one of the people who knew him best, and he would be upset if he was still so hypocritical at this time.

"Are the soldiers already arranged?" asked Mehmus, carefully dividing his pork chops, "I'm sure they won't have any more complaints about such a sumptuous hospitality, right?"

"As long as you're there, no one will have anything to complain about. Tori smiled and shrugged his shoulders, "I think the lords here seem to be a little too generous - they are entertaining us with the same specifications as Caesar, and of course you represent Caesar's will now." ”

"Do you really think they're willing to send an army to defend the Kwyn River?" said Mehemus, grimacingly, "I don't think soβ€”especially after meeting that Lord Charles. ”

"Is there any doubt about this?" Tori looked at Mesimus suspiciously, but his mouth still kept talking: "This is their land, their wealth." Will they watch their manors and orchards burned to ruins by orcs, and their castles to pieces?"

"Here's the problem, it's just from our point of view. There was a hint of sadness on Mesimus's face: "But in their eyes, it is different - one of the prerequisites for the full support of the Kwyn River Caesar is that Rome provides them with absolute protection, which means that Rome sends troops to rescue the Kwyn River, which is not a good deed but our obligation!"

"The food of the Croyn River ensured that Rome could accommodate a larger population, support a sufficient number of reservists, and supply all the rations of the southbound coalition. There is no doubt that if there is a problem with the food supply of the Kwyn River, Caesar will have to fight quickly - even to give up on taking Severcro for the time being!"

So in the eyes of these people, the importance of the River Cwyn to Caesar was crucial, and Rome would do whatever it took to protect them...... A kind of businessman-style cunning. Mesimus took a sip of his drink: "They just have to be patient until we can't sit still, and they don't have to hurt a single hair of their hair." ”

"So what are we going to do?"

"It's simple. "Just convince them that Rome is too late to send reinforcements - this is one of the reasons why our beloved Senate is reluctant to mobilize the Citizen Reserve............ A kind of politician-like cunning!" (To be continued......)