There are two types of close associates around Emperor Valentinian III: one type consists of nobles with certain power, considered political allies of the empire's emperor, and the second type has little power, relying solely on flattery to gain position, akin to officials within the court. Without a doubt, Quintus belongs to the second type.

"Princess Praxidica seems to be about the same age as that Governor of Britain, doesn't she?"

"Indeed."

"However."

"She's betrothed to Aetius's son. His Majesty the Emperor seems to always wish to annul the engagement, but lacks a suitable excuse. I wonder if there's room to maneuver in this matter."

Quintus's mind was racing, thinking who knows what, but he suddenly became eager to meet Anya.

Political opportunism!

He sharply sensed a hint of possibility, possibly even an unexpected surprise in the future.

The imperial emperor Valentinian III resented Aetius greatly; if he weren't being suppressed to the point where he couldn't raise his head, needing a marriage alliance to secure his position, he would never marry his daughter to Aetius's son, who was already over thirty.

Furthermore, the imperial succession system was quite messy; marrying the emperor's daughter also granted a slight inheritance right at the lowest rank.

Historically, Aetius later questioned the imperial emperor as to why the marriage contract was not fulfilled, leading to an emotional outburst from Valentinian III, resulting in the direct murder of this Protector of the Realm.

Quintus wanted to make a big move!

But for now, he still needed political allies because this matter would severely offend Aetius.

Setting aside how Valentinian III waged a great battle with the Senate!

After Aetius returned victorious from the war, various pieces of information about the Battle of Sharon also came back.

The old king of the Western Goths fell in battle?

Good news.

The Romans celebrated in anticipation.

The empire had fought with the Kingdom of the Western Goths for decades; the old king's death promised inevitable disputes for the new throne, granting the Empire's Gaul Province a breathing space.

The Roman hero, Governor Duncan of the British Province, didn't return with the army?!

What's going on?

Upon investigation, some information could not be concealed, and within the imperial legion, discontent emerged. Soon, rumors spread wildly that Aetius wanted to release God's Whip - Attila. More details emerged, and the Romans learned about the fallout between British Provincial Governor Duncan and Protector Aetius.

Indeed, it was he alone who led an elite cavalry in a life-and-death pursuit and finally slew God's Whip - Attila!

Suddenly, the Romans became passionately excited again.

No use talking to them about strategic intentions; they only knew that the Battle of Sharon resulted in countless casualties, with the empire paying a huge price and only narrowly winning through the concentration of its elite legions.

What's with wanting to release the enemy commander?

Shouldn't they be pursued and exterminated?

If the Emperor of the Huns, Attila, escaped and returned next year with a gathered army to invade the empire, what then?

Countless people were abuzz with discussions.

No wonder Governor Duncan of the British Province didn't return to the Italian Peninsula, even forsaking the opportunity to receive praise and rewards; it seemed he had completely fallen out with Protector Aetius.

When Valentinian III heard of this, he was instantly moved to tears, and his discontent with Aetius grew even stronger.

Duncan wouldn't come.

He sent someone in his stead, and Quintus had already set out.

Continuous streams of news kept coming back, especially regarding the British Province. This remote province, abandoned by the empire for twenty to thirty years, had never garnered much attention from the Romans. But now, due to Duncan's presence, even the slightest whisper spread like wildfire.

Past rumors were also brought to light, with people eagerly discussing Duncan's deeds of anointing the Duchess of Britain in the name of God and the gods.

The Oathkeeper - Duncan!

Indeed.

Only such an Oathkeeper would lead the British Legion across the sea to aid the empire in its time of crisis in response to the call of war.

As for his anointing the Duchess of Britain as an act of usurpation?

No problem.

Romans have always been forgiving of war heroes. The place was abandoned, after all, and Lord Duncan's action was to stabilize the situation, appeasing the troops of Duke of Dingtiger. Without this event, could he have so quickly taken command of the troops and led the British Legion across the sea to aid the empire's battlefield?

Roman citizens will fill in the gaps themselves, finding all sorts of reasons for Duncan.

Very soon.

Continuous streams of information arrived.

The first was that the Saxons had torn up the peace treaty. After Governor Duncan of Britain led his army across the sea to aid the empire's battlefield, they took this opportunity to attack his rear, reportedly already surrounding Southampton.

Instantly, Roman citizens were passionately excited!

Strike back!

Let the imperial legion in Gaul strike back!

They couldn't let the empire's hero shed blood and tears; the Saxons breaking the agreement at this time and attacking the rear was nothing short of blatant piracy.

The empire's populace could not tolerate this!

Many citizens gathered outside the Senate, demanding the deployment of the imperial legion to aid the British Province.

Old Romans were proud people too!

At this time, how could they abandon the empire's hero?

A string of messages, like an epic, filled the Roman populace with a sense of participation, with some even volunteering for military service, wanting to rescue the British Province like the Britons had for the empire.

To hell with the Saxon pirates!

This is the time to destroy them for tearing up the treaty and sneaking an attack!

Very soon.

A second piece of news also arrived: the empire's British Legion had already set out for aid. After the Battle of Sharon, the Britannian Imperial Legion directly headed to Southampton to rescue the imperial citizens being ravaged by the Saxon pirates.

Instantly, the emotions of the Roman people were greatly appeased, merely waiting for good news to come.

As for another piece of news.

After the Battle of Sharon ended, Governor Duncan of the British Province directly seized the command of the Britannian Imperial Legion and led the army back to Great Britain.

There wasn't even the slightest ripple caused.

Protector of the Realm Aetius even directly tore up the letter concerning the Britannian Imperial Legion; at this time, nothing could shake Duncan. The Saxon pirate's breach of the treaty and invasion was so timely that the change of allegiance by the Britannian Imperial Legion became somewhat reasonable.

Also, around this time, Emperor Valentinian III received Duncan's letter and learned the entire process of the Battle of Sharon.

"Bastard!"

"The old thing actually wanted to use the adopted son's status to buy off generals who supported me!"

Emperor Valentinian III was infuriated, breaking many things on the spot, and hastily ordered, "Send someone to catch up with Quintus and have him find a way to gather more rewards."

This was simply outrageous!

He, a dignified emperor of the empire, had no prestige in the army; having finally found a prominent supporter, he began to accumulate some military prestige, and Aetius dared to undermine him.

This was blatant disrespect towards him.

Even more infuriating was Aetius's intent to release God's Whip - Attila. The old thing still harbored old sentiments, brazenly disregarding the empire's interests for his own personal ties.

Valentinian III lost all the enjoyment from vigorously rebuking in the Senate a few days ago.

He only thought about how to secure Duncan's loyalty, gain his military support, and then find a way to weaken Aetius's power, so he could extend his influence into the empire's military forces.

All intelligence continued to churn and spread.

As for Anya, she was already resting, waiting for Duncan to return and fully reward her. Without a doubt, the network of information behind these events was disseminated secretly by her. Otherwise, intelligence on Great Britain couldn't have been delivered so quickly.

In this era, messages spread very slowly.

But Anya had her own network, and her guild traveled between the British Channel, making it so that most information the Roman populace learned was secretly disseminated by her.

This time, Anya had made another significant contribution, preparing herself to go head-to-head with the Crow Queen - Triss; she aimed to come out on top this time.

No matter being a two-star Whiteboard.

Anya never easily acknowledges defeat, growing stronger with each battle!

.........

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