Chapter 5: The Coming of the Prophet

The sunset fell down the mountain, revealing only a small trace, and the golden sunset sprinkled on the wide avenue, in the farmstead.

The old man in a gray robe and hood, with his strange cane, walked down this straight avenue in the dust, and anyone could see his tiredness, but his vigorous steps were really not like the footboards that an old man should have.

Panting softly, the old man tightened his backpack behind his back and continued to move forward with a smile, as if some magical liliang was attracting him in front of him.

Marcus sat on the stone, complaining, gently rubbing his aching shoulder, the short period after March was the most bitter for the farmer's family, the old field was sprinkled with grass seeds, to make it back to fertilizer, the new field had to dig the ditch, and then led the old oxen to plow the ground, and then sprinkled wheat and vegetable seeds, until July, so that there would be a good harvest.

Sitting on the bare stone with his feet cocked high, watching the sun in the distance in a daze - this was also a pleasure for Marcas: he didn't have to do anything!

Although he was always scolded for being unproductive, he didn't think there was anything wrong with it - it was also a kind of life secret, working hard, and then enjoying the leisure of the evening, without thinking about anything, and having nothing to think about.

"Perhaps, I might consider going to the city to do odd jobs, well, I can go to the baths and help the people there burn the boilers, Caesar has always been very generous. Marcus muttered as he was already thinking about his life's events as an adult: "Then I'll have the money to marry Cezea!"

Pressing his finger on his chin, Marcus smiled and showed his back molars, as if he had seen the shy expression of the girl in his dream.

Jumping off the stone, Marcus jumped in place, ready for Grandpa's incessant nagging tonight, like a Roman warrior going to war.

Turning around, he saw the old man, smiling and moving forward in the sunset, as if he were in a hurry to meet his bride (oh, please forgive the adjective of a young man who is just starting to fall in love. )

"Where are you going? As soon as he finished speaking, Marcas couldn't help but slap himself, in this direction, where else could it be except Caesarea?

"Caesarea, child. The old man stopped, smiled and walked up to the young man: "The largest city in this land. ”

"Then you're too late. Marcus said with a smile, pointing in the direction of the city: "Caesarea closes in the evening and opens in the early morning every day, and if you go now, you won't be able to enter the city." ”

"Do you want to come to my house? You can go tomorrow, it's going to be fine tonight." Marcus warmly invited: "If you go from here, you can stay at my house for a short night, with food and wine, and of course a warm bed." ”

"Thank you for your generosity, child. The old man nodded, agreeing, "You have shown me the warmth of the Romans. ”

"Visitors from afar are always loved by the gods. Marcus replied, "The gods are protecting you!"

Marcas led the old man towards the village, and when he was almost home, he remembered that he didn't even know the other person's name. So he turned around and asked.

That's how the old man replied.

"Ah, my name is Malcius, a bad old man who is getting moldy!"

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"This is simply the most ridiculous thing!"

There were only a few people in the brightly lit government hall, Theodore sat in a chair at the front, Herodotus and Flavi High Priest stood on either side, and the elderly Flavi was speaking generously and loudly reprimanding.

"My dear Caesar, it seems that you do not know how important you are to Caesarea and to Rome as a whole, especially right now!" the old man's beard shook and his eyes opened like two full grapes: "Both for the people of Rome and for the adults!"

"We have no objection to you leading your army into battle against foreign enemies, and your victory has shown us how powerful your commander is! Victory can also give the Roman people a beautiful vision of the future, as well as objective wealth, which is approved and allowed by the gods. ”

"But look at what you've been doing these days, and allow an elderly person to worry about your health. Flavi sat next to Theodore, pressed his right hand, and looked up at Theodore with sincere eyes: "Is she more important than your life and the whole of Rome?!"

"Or do you love her more than you love yourself and all of Rome?!"

"She is my friend. Theodore replied lightly, "I have reason to care about her." ”

"But there's nothing you can do, you're not a doctor. Herodotus interjected, "We have called on several scholars from the university to take charge of this. ”

"And, as described by the knight of Elendil, this strange disease is rare. Flavi said softly, but with a slight sigh in his tone: "There doesn't seem to be anything to explain, it's like a natural occurrence, it's very rare." ”

"You mean, we're going to watch her die slowly?"

"We can give her the most complete sacrifice, pray for her soul, and give her a place in the kingdom of Jupiter. Flavi's cold tone did not seem to deny: "But this does not mean that we allow Caesar in Rome to suffer misfortune because of her!"

"Remember who you are, you are the Caesar of Rome, and you bear the rise and fall of the whole of Rome!"

Theodore did not reply, but looked up, not knowing what to say.

Remembering the events of that night, Theodore...... Confused.

Perhaps it was the memories of his previous life that were at fault, and Theodore suddenly felt that he already had some signs of personality splitting, on the one hand he firmly believed that he was Caesar who was blessed by the gods, and on the other hand, he thought that he was a man of his previous life.

When I see a friend hurt, I will cry and hurt, but sometimes I can not change my color at the funeral, and I am very "stylish" to make a fuss, and it is a matter of course.

What the hell is wrong with herself? Theodore felt contempt for himself from the bottom of his heart, he had promised that he would save her and let her live, and he had promised more than one person to take care of her, Malbert and Elendil.

Isn't that a good enough reason for her to consider me a friend?

"I have a question that I hope won't be too abrupt. Herodotus said silently, "What is the identity of that girl, Helena? ”

"Maybe it's a princess, maybe it's not, but it doesn't matter. Theodore bowed his head and said, "She's my friend, so I saved her!"

"But now it's too late. Theodore said, standing up, "I won't ask you to do anything more, I just want to leave this zuihou time for me." ”

"Helena has only two days left to live, if Elendil hadn't lied. Theodore said calmly, "I hope she can go a little happier." ”

Herodotus and Flavi didn't say anything more, lowered their heads, and took two steps back, acquiescing in Theodore's actions.

"No!"

A loud shout came from outside the door, causing all three of them to immediately turn their eyes in the same direction.

"It's not too late!" the old man in the gray robe walked into the hall panting, holding up the cane in his hand: "As long as you don't give up hope!"

"Who allowed you to enter the government hall?!" Herodotus shouted angrily, "Guards! Where are the guards?!"

"Please stop shouting, my lord. The old man walked to the table, bent slightly, and bent towards Theodore: "I am just an ordinary old man who has come to meet Caesar of Rome. ”

"The enthusiastic Romans told me that everyone in Caesarea had the right to meet Caesar, and so I came here. The old man straightened up and turned his soft gaze to Theodore: "So, dear Caesar, are you going to receive an old man like me, who does not know how to behave, or are you going to order the guards to throw me out of here?"

"I won't turn down any guests who are looking forward to it. Perhaps the old man's slightly mocking words, the corners of Theodore's mouth rose slightly: "So, as a guest, should you show your identity?"

"Malcius, an old man. Maltheus bowed his head slightly.

"Maltheus...... I've heard Malbert mention you. Theodore suddenly frowned, "Who are you?"

"Ah, that knight is indeed loyal and commendable!" said Malcius, as if with emotion, with a long sigh.

"As for the purpose of my coming, it is only for a remedy for a mistake, nothing more. The old man bowed his head deeply.

"Qiang!"

"If you don't tell the truth, I'll cut off your head with it. Theodore said with a gloomy face: "I will do what I say!"

The cold sword body was attached to his shoulder, but the old man did not have the slightest fear, and stood up calmly, his clear gaze made Theodore hesitate slightly, but he did not waver in the slightest.

"Caesar, I think we should listen to him before jumping to conclusions. Herodotus came over and blocked Theodore's sword.

"It's all the bitter fruit of a stupid mistake. "However, there is still a possibility of redemption, so I have come here to look up to your countenance, and beg you to give me a chance to make amends." ”

"You can save her?"

"No, it's up to you, honorable Caesar. Maltheus stepped forward and lowered his head: "Whether you can save this poor girl or not, it's up to you." ”

"I want to know the root cause of your rescue and what exactly you did all this for. The old man whispered, "Can you tell me?"

"Because she's my friend. Theodore replied, "That's all." ”

"For that reason?!"

"............" Theodore was silent for a moment, "that's all. ”

"So. The old man raised his head and looked at him suspiciously: "Can I think that you can do whatever it takes for your friends?"

"It's keeping promises. Theodore replied, "I promised two men to take care of her, both friends and Caesar, and I should do all this." ”

Malthews smiled.

"I've given the answer, now it's your turn. Theodore withdrew his sword from its scabbard and looked at him coldly, "Tell me your answer." ”

"I'll save her, there's no doubt about it, because the mistake was mine. The old man bowed his head and bent down humbly: "I only implore you to grant me one request afterwards." ”

"It's nothing to you. The old man mysteriously stretched his face, the corners of his mouth raised.