On the banks of the long Kwen River, a large army marched slowly along the gravel road beside the embankment, and countless flags flew and waved, all different colors.

If it had come to be a coalition that represented the will of all the northerners, there would have been only one master to whom it now had allegiance—the flaming golden laurel crown was their all-in-one, one-of-a-kind leader. The endless green grass was bent by the autumn wind that came early, as if bowing its head humbly and saluting the flag.

Holding high the banner of the Knights of the Dawn, Terenus urged his horse unhurriedly, following behind the young man who was surrounded by dozens of black-robed knights, his short gray hair shining slightly in the sunlight like a helmet, although he was already old, but his eagle-like eyes still convinced all the young people that this old man who had passed half a hundred had the strength that others could not challenge.

Experienced and aged, Terenus was able to see many people clearly, and as a knight who kept his reason and kept his oath, Terenus chose to be loyal to Theodore. After all, the North needs a leader, especially a spiritual one, and the legend of the Radiant Cross is enough to make everyone bow their heads.

Confident and passionate, not lacking in wisdom and humility - Theodore possessed the personal qualities expected of most leaders, but of course their humility was always reserved, and Theodore, like all young people in high positions, was very resistant to being challenged by others to challenge his authority, lest others look down on him because of his age, and he had difficulty controlling himself in the face of honor and merit, and he couldn't wait to show himself.

But unexpectedly. Theodore was in no hurry to rush back to Caesarea for his coronation and assert his authority to the rest of the world. It was unconscionable that he had merely issued a proclamation and given all the lords enough time to rush to Caesarea so that Belisarius could relay the news of his victory—in the minds of Terenus, even if Caesar had rushed back to the castle with Helena alone.

Was he too confident, or was he having other plans? Tyrenus could not discern it, but it could only be attributed to Caesar's absolute confidence in himself, which on the face of it was, with the Radiant Cross. In legal theory, he is a well-deserved emperor. Not to mention Her Royal Highness Helena......

Terenus smiled at the thought of this, and he felt that he didn't really have any need to worry about this at all—he was old, and age gave him a huge advantage and an excuse. No matter how Theodore prepared to deal with the nobles on all sides, it had nothing to do with him. As the last leader of the Knights of the Dawn, no matter what Theodore decides to disband. It doesn't matter if you continue to reuse it. Even if he disbanded. He couldn't discard the remnants of the strongest knights—he could still spend his last days fighting the orcs. You don't have to think about how to fight for power.

Looking at the calm waves of the Kwyn River in the distance, the leisurely water of the river made Terenus feel much more relaxed all of a sudden, and gently urged the horses under him. Quicken a few steps and trot to the black steed.

"Will has sent back the message, Caesar. Terenus addressed Theodore with a slight awkwardness: "His Majesty Rivard of the Cobblestone Council of the Black Rock Basin has personally traveled to Caesarea as the leader of the Emissary Mission—this time may have arrived, as an apology for not responding to your summons, and to present a precious gift." ”

"When I get to Caesarea, I'll thank him personally. Theodore smiled and nodded, "I don't know it's him, right?"

"Our emissaries have met a group of emissaries from the Forest of Silence, naturally the Noldor elves. Terenus nodded in response, "The leader is Alpha Yi, the famous warrior of the Noldor Elves - they are known as the Juggernaut. and Sibeya Aldalia, daughter of Van La. ”

"Seriously, it's completely counterintuitive. Terenus smiled, "The Noldor elves have never had a sense of time - except for war, but it seems that this time the emissaries are almost as if they have been prepared for a long time, which is completely out of line with their usual style. ”

"Sibea......" Theodore whispered, his right hand gripped the hilt of the Radiant Cross. The memories of the past flew out like butterflies among the flowers, and the proud female elf left a deep impression on him—a familiar appearance, an unruly character, and unforgettable.

"The lords of all the north have arrived in Caesarea and are waiting for your arrival. Terenus pretended not to see Theodore, who had lost his soul, and continued, "The north is yours, Lord Theodore Julian. ”

"With all due respect, Caesar. Terenus said, "When you have that supreme power, how are you going to rule the North, as the empire used to be, or will you let your Senate hold power, or will you ...... The way you choose, the future of the North will be determined. ”

"Hehehe......" Theodore chuckled a few times, and looked at the slightly worried old man with a flat face, "It wasn't that long ago—of course, it was a long time for me. An old man once asked me a similar question, 'How are you going to rule Rome?' but I didn't answer him at the time, and after a long time it was over, and I think he probably understood from my actions. ”

"So, should I shut up too?" Terenus smiled slyly as an old man, "Serve you faithfully until one day you come to your senses?"

"No, I can tell you right now, and very explicitly. Theodore said in a deep voice: "I will make Caesarea the new Aessos, I will make the north an absolute union rather than a nominal union, and I will make the Romans the name of all." ”

"It's going to be a long process, but the goals are clear and the benefits are clear. Theodore said, "The North will no longer be a vassal, nor will it be as it used to be, but the North will really stand up, and the only way to stand up is to become one, not innumerable." ”

"You just said ...... New Issos. Terenus seemed to hear something from Theodore's words: "What about the 'old' Issos, then?"

"Issos. Or Issos. Theodore looked at him with a smile: "Perhaps you would not mind calling my dear Minister of War, Mesimus, and I would like to consult with him about the list of soldiers who should take part in the triumphal ceremony—after all, it is impossible to enter the city, and we must let the most decorated get the honor they deserve." ”

"That's how it should be, it's the most just. Terenus nodded a little dullly, "Allow me to take my leave, then, my honorable Lord Theodore Julian. ”

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"Triumphant? Sounds exciting. In the tent, Salald crossed his legs at the map table with a wine glass: "What kind of ceremony?"

"It should be said that it is a very important ceremony. Theodore nodded and smiled gently: "It's about sacrifices, celebrations, and banquets...... And so on, Valence you explain!"

"Yes, Caesar. The captain of the guard, who had received the order, stepped forward, his expression still stiff like an immutable statue: "In short, a parade to celebrate victory. Recognition of merit - must be approved by the Senate. Of course they have agreed. ”

"Participants will wear flower crowns, ornate robes to show their status – and of course a guard of honour of their retinue, generally selected for the most distinguished soldiers, who will enter through the southern gates of Caesarea. Then take Central Boulevard. At the end of the procession, sacrifices will be made to Mars and Jupiter at the temple. That's about it. ”

"We drew up a list of soldiers who would take part in the parade - a thousand out of all the soldiers. Theodore said as he placed the list on the map table: "There is no doubt that there is no better way to show the unity of the North than a triumphal ceremony." ”

"I think so. Bran walked over. Pouting his lips, he said: "But unfortunately, most of the truly meritorious soldiers will definitely not be able to participate in your triumphal ceremony, and those who lack arms and legs may also be unsightly." ”

"All the gentlemen of the North will participate in this ceremony, and I would like to make it our new beginning. Theodore said in a deep voice, "When the ceremony is over, I will build a new temple in Caesarea - dedicated to the gods Jupiter, Mars, Pluto, Juno, etc., and the Radiant Cross, the Radiant Cross will be its symbol, and this temple will become the symbol of the North - where all the people of the North will gather to discuss how our country should become strong and how to resist the invasion of the Orcs." ”

"Are you sure you're building a temple and not a palace? Salald burst out laughing and squirted, "It seems the same to me anyway." ”

"I didn't mean to say anything about you, but something seems wrong with this list. Bran raised an eyebrow, "'Two hundred peasant soldiers from the Kwyn River were the first column of the honor guard to reward them for their heroic deeds in the battle of the Kwyn River', do you really want to do that?"

"Without them, the Kwyn River would be in ruins. Theodore replied undeniably, "I don't think there's anything wrong with that. ”

"It's true that they deserve to be commended for their actions, but I think the gold and some tax deductions are generous enough, and such an honor should be reserved for those who are more deserving. ”

"Who do you mean by the more qualified ones?" said Salald, jokingly, "that the nobles of the Kwyn River also contributed a lot—ah, yes, in the castle hundreds of miles away, faithfully praying for the sad future of the Kwyn River." ”

"I don't want to discuss my origin with you here, I'm a concubine and the youngest, so I don't insist too much on this. Bran gave him a disdainful look and turned his gaze to Theodore. The conflict between the Golden Lion and the Black Cross has been going on for a long time, and no matter what he says, this guy will stick in the way: "These people are not well-trained warriors, and they have never seen much of the world - if you don't want your triumph to turn into a vegetable market, I suggest you choose carefully." ”

"I'm sure they'll do well, Duke Larria. Theodore blinked, the corners of his mouth curled up with a smile: "Please wait and see." (To be continued......)