At the same time that Theodore returned to Caesarea, General Belisarius, who led his cavalry troops to the north, had also arrived at Marions, the "pastoral city" in the north.

This is an iconic city, the Alama family brought from the south square stones not found in the emerald steppe, with bluestone to build the foundation, black bricks to build the walls, solid ironwood and oak to support the beams and pillars of the towers, and gravel to the ground, forming the main street of the city - a stone city unique in the northern steppe, and thus it was built!

The Alama family, which was originally only relatively powerful on the emerald grassland, rose rapidly after allegiance to the empire, established stone cities with the resources of the north, and greatly improved weapons and equipment, and soon became the only overlord in the grassland. The strong walls made the other tribes intimidating, and even the Arama family became invincible!

Because the cost of buying stones is very high, even if the Arama family unified the savannah, there would only be one city, and the rest of the place would still be a village composed of countless tents.

Under the blue sky, in the endless emerald savannah, Marions is like the center of the earth, with tall towers looking down on the turquoise meadows. On the hillside in the distance, cows, sheep and horses move like white clouds in the sky, and from time to time, you can hear the song of the herdsmen.

Belisarius led the Roman cavalry on a rising hillside, and the Roman banner of the golden laurel crown was raised high. The Roman cavalry, dressed in a wide red robe, became unusually vivid in the steppe.

"Finally arrived, Marions, the city of the Catutes. Belisarius rode his war horse, took off his big red mane helmet and held it in his arms, and looked at the walls and towers in the distance, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"Please also be careful with what you say, General Belisarius. "A middle-aged man in a toga robe came on horseback. With a melancholy on his face: "It's hard to say whether we will be welcomed by each other or not. ”

"I carry Caesar's will in me, so now ...... I represent Rome. Belisarius raised his chin proudly: "And I am only here to read Caesar's will!"

"Even that doesn't change the fact that we're here to seek friends. The middle-aged man bowed his head slightly: "Caesar needs the friendship of the Cato people to ensure that after going south, the villages and fields in the north will not be attacked by the Cato riders who take advantage of the opportunity to plunder." We're not here to fight. ”

"That's right, we're not here to fight. Belisarius's words reassured the middle-aged man a little, but the cavalry commander raised the corners of his mouth: "We are here to demonstrate!"

"I don't understand those so-called polite words of your diplomats, I have my style. Belisarius said unscrupulously: "Caesar has already made his mind clear when I asked me to deal with these rude and savage fellows. It's better to be direct than anything else, or it's Virgil!"

While the two were chatting, a cavalryman rushed out of the Marions gate not far away, holding the banner of the Emerald Horse of the Alama family, and kept waving it and running towards the Roman cavalry under the golden laurel crown.

"In the name of the family of Alama, please report your identity. The bearded Cato cavalryman, wearing a suit of scale armor, stopped about five or six meters away from Belisarius, and his loud voice was really frowning: "This is already the territory of the Duke of Allama!"

"We are Caesar of Rome, the cavalry of Theodore Julian!" Belisarius looked up. Put on the helmet again, and the red horsehair swayed gently above his head: "I believe your duke has also received news from us!"

"The Duke has prepared wine and singing and dancing in the hall to welcome your guests. The Cato cavalry bent down to Belisarius with a hearty smile and saluted: "The declaration of the human emperor Bixia has also spread throughout the entire emerald steppe - the Romans early. You are friends of all the Cato people!"

"I think we should be able to be friends, the minions of the orcs have reached into the northern lands, and no one is immune. Belisarius smiled and said, "If you can, you can fight side by side with the Cato." It is also my honor to share the glory and joy. ”

"Only the Duke can make a decision on this matter, and I have no right to speak. The Cato cavalry smiled apologetically. Then he took the reins of the horse, turned around and opened his arms in the direction of Marions's city gate: "Then friends, please come with me, the 'pastoral city' in the north has opened the gate for you!"

Heavy trumpets sounded, and the Roman cavalry lined up in a long formation, climbing up the hillside and into Marions, the bright red color dyeing the city a little joyful.

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Although the Cato built a stone city almost as close to that of today's Caesarea, their old customs remained unchanged. There is not a single building in the town of Marions that can be called a "house", and there are many rows of tents forming a lush alley.

And the Duke of Aalama's "castle" is the most huge of all the tents -- the city of Marions itself is built around a small hillside, and the Duke of Allama's "castle" is at the top of that hillside, and the huge tent occupies the entire hillside - the central main tent of the Roman military camp is completely different from the villa and the villa compared to this castle-like tent.

Knights of Cato, clad in scale armor and carrying scimitars at their waists, lined up in two columns outside the gates of the Great Tent. Of course, it was impossible for everyone to go in, and most of the Roman cavalry was arranged outside, only Belisarius and the middle-aged diplomat, as well as several veterans of the cavalry wing, followed into the tent.

Lifting the thick felt curtains, like all castles and palaces, is a huge hall. The walls are covered with velvet carpets with various patterns, and the heraldic emeraldic horses of the Alama family are also scattered throughout.

Wooden shelves on either side were lined with delicate armor and weapons, sumptuous gold and silver objects were stacked haphazardly, large and small gold and silver coins were stacked on top of each other, and Belisarius even saw several small Roman stone sculptures, and even stained glass plastered to the circular ceiling like tin foil.

The glittering treasures may be tempting, but what is even more amazing is the nonchalant attitude of their owners, who pile them up as if they were ordinary stones.

"Mercury Almighty!" a Roman cavalryman swallowed, his eyes wide as he watched it all, "There's enough in this tent to feed a legion." ”

"They're demonstrating, shut your mouths, don't forget who you are!" Belisarius's cold eyes made the three cavalrymen behind him quickly retract their original surprised expressions.

Belisarius didn't believe that the other party would take these things seriously, as the soldiers behind him said, it was enough to support the wealth of a legion. What is more important than wealth and the army in this time of chaos and turmoil? The other party is just showing off his wealth and fighting for his own face -- what a lovely Cato man!

Standing in the two columns of the hall were more than a dozen Cato knights dressed in emerald green and straddling scimitars, and it could be seen that they were all quite capable warriors, and their status should not be low. In the center of the hall is a giant grill with firewood burning underneath. Directly at the front of the grill, sat an old man in a dark green and white piping velvet robe, and before he could see the other person's face, Belisarius could also feel the majesty of the years.

"The great, the leader of Rome, the supreme commander of the legion, the first citizen of Rome, the honorable Caesar, the possessor of the Radiant Cross, and the co-lord recognized by the lords of the north, Lord Theodore Julian, has sent his humble servants to declare his will!" the middle-aged diplomat dressed in Toga's robe said in a voice so thick and confident that his words could be heard throughout the hall: "We are willing to speak with you, master of the steppes, leader of the Catus. Duke Alama's family has forged an unbreakable alliance against the orcs intent on encroaching on the north!"

"Alliance?hehehe...... the old man smiled indifferently: "Your Caesar, if I'm not mistaken, he seems to have received the allegiance of almost all the northern lords, such a big man, does he still need to ally with us Catu?"

"But you have also pledged allegiance to the Empire, and the Pendragon family still has an heir. The diplomat said in a deep voice, "Are you going to break your oath?!"

"Breaking an oath?" the old man's voice was astonished: "The past empire can bring wealth and glory to the Catu, and we are happy to show our loyalty to the empire, and the Cato people have repeatedly resisted the barbarians who tried to cross the Misty Mountains on the steppes to defend the frontier. But what can that little girl give me now?!"

"Anything is an exchange for a price, young man!" said Duke Allama with disdain, "If your Caesar could not bring you wealth and glory, and could not fill your small ambition to show your abilities, would you still be willing to serve him faithfully?!"

"You ......" The middle-aged man was in a hurry, and just wanted to refute, but was blocked by Belisarius in front of him. The young cavalry commander tilted his head to look at the old man, and his voice was flat and soft, as if he were whispering to his beloved woman:

"I've heard that the Cato were as fond of drinking as the Romans, but my mouth is still dry. Belisarius smiled and said, "Is the rumor I heard wrong?" (to be continued......)

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