Ravenna.

The transmission of information in this era is very slow, with the imperial roads built in the past essentially abandoned. Along with Burgundy's constant unrest, the Western Empire's forces are completely unable to penetrate into the Frank region. Molov is effectively the ruler of the Franks, even only responding to Aetius's orders but not his commands, and the empire has long lost control over that land.

At the gates outside the palace.

Quintus hurriedly arrived. He had only recently learned about the outbreak of war, with the Kingdom of Britain declaring war on the Frankish tribes, and shortly after, heard news of Molov's defeat and death.

This made him feel like he had backed the right horse.

The strength of Duncan, the Governor of Britain, was already unstoppable. It is said that the British Legion had regained control of the Rhine defensive line, equivalent to reclaiming the territory of three Gaul Provinces. Such good news was naturally to be reported to Emperor Valentinian III; Duncan's capture of Frankish territory meant a direct confrontation with the Western Gothic Kingdom.

That was indeed the empire's great enemy!

Duncan had fought until now without a single defeat, and with him guarding against the Western Gothic Kingdom, they could certainly prevent the expansion of the Goths.

As for other matters, Quintus dared not think, and neither did the imperial emperor.

The Governor of Britain, Duncan, must be a loyal minister.

When Quintus reached the doorway, he suddenly stopped, gesturing to a servant behind him. Soon after he entered, the servant handed a pouch of money to the Forbidden Army guard. The political landscape on the Italian peninsula was changing, with the relationship between Protector of the Realm Aetius, the Senate, and the emperor deteriorating.

He had already keenly sensed something.

Now, without a doubt, is the best time to act. With Duncan guarding against the Western Gothic Kingdom, both outer and inner Gaul can sleep peacefully, the eastern Hunnic Empire has completely fractured, and the Italian peninsula formed a perfect closed loop, potentially even reclaiming the Pannonia Province.

If they are to take action, missing this opportunity would make it very difficult to replace Aetius, as this period is the most suitable for a power transition.

Indeed.

Once inside the palace, Quintus immediately saw Maximus and his attendants, and beside him was a middle-aged man, also a confidant of Valentinian III. Hercules was the emperor's Attendant Officer, equivalent to an Imperial Guard Commander, and also an ambitious character.

Within a lavish hall.

The eyes of Valentinian III were bloodshot. As Quintus entered, he passed by Maximus, who was leaving. This senate dignitary gave him a faint look, his expression extremely indifferent.

The upper echelons of the Roman Empire all seemed to have mild lead poisoning; sometimes Valentinian III would get very excited, perhaps due to a slight poisoning factor.

"Quintus, you're here?"

Valentinian III turned his head to look at Quintus beside him. Unlike others, Quintus was his jester, his honor and disgrace entirely dependent on the emperor's favor. Without the emperor's regard, Quintus would not even count as a noble.

Quintus cautiously poured a cup of water for Valentinian III and respectfully said, "Your Majesty didn't rest well last night?"

The imperial emperor indulged in wine and women, with an unknown number of secret lovers, and numerous favored maids. Disliking exercise, his body had long been exhausted.

He hadn't had heirs for a long time, probably also related to lead poisoning.

Valentinian III nodded tiredly, took the water cup to sip, and soon waved for the maid to replace it with wine.

Tasteless.

The imperial emperor didn't like drinking water; he routinely used wine instead.

Quintus had recently given up alcohol.

Initially, it was to flatter Valentinian III, but now he had his own ideas, no longer needing to excessively cater to the emperor's whims, at least not to drink and revel with the emperor at court banquets. Earlier, having tasted Roman noblewomen, Valentinian III became interested in commoner women, particularly wanting to try wanton prostitutes, and it was Quintus who discreetly arranged for one to be sent in.

A slave master's descendant rising to his current position, Quintus is certainly no hedonist.

A sip of fine wine down the throat.

Valentinian III seemed to regain some spirit, his cheeks flushed, waving the servants away and then lowered his voice, "Maximus suggested using the pretext of a broken engagement to lure Aetius to the palace."

Saying this, the emperor's eyes turned slightly cold, excited yet fearful, making a cutting gesture with his hand.

Quintus felt his scalp tingle.

So simple and brutal?

The Protector of the Realm, a hero of the empire, just being bloodied in the court, ending in such a tragic way?

He even thought of when Caesar was assassinated in the Senate.

Valentinian III gazed at Quintus, asking in a deep voice, "What do you think?"

He still felt uncertain.

Valentinian III was never a decisive person to begin with, and because of this matter, he had hardly slept well for days.

Quintus opened his mouth, hesitated several times, rationality telling him that taking such a step would inevitably lead to backlash, and the one behind the suggestion probably didn't intend for the emperor to fare well either. It was certainly Maximus, as Valentinian III would suffer backlash, while he would be the most benefited.

If it was a year ago, Quintus might have carefully expressed an opinion, but now he had his own plans. Especially with the promise Anya made, making him somewhat hesitant.

Eventually, Quintus slowly said, "If you are to move against Aetius, now is indeed the best time."

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