Chapter 83: Choosing to be Different from the Emperor (Part 1)
The next morning.
"Are you all ready?" Arthur asked.
The group of people nodded and walked towards the gate of Rome together.
"Stop! Who are you? Take out your customs clearance documents!" shouted the guard guarding the customs.
Arthur silently took out the file.
"Oh, knights of Pantorakon? An announcement has been sent about your affairs. Wait a moment, the carriage taking you to the capital will be here soon," the guard said.
"We can just find a way to get to the capital." Arthur said without emotion.
"I'm sorry that's impossible, knight." the guard said, "you also know the current situation in Rome. We can't let foreign knights just walk on the streets of Rome like this. Please cooperate."
Kai and Arthur looked at each other, and finally had to compromise.
The carriage that came was pulled by two horses equipped with armor and anti-gravity thrusters. The carriage was extremely luxurious, and it was indeed a standard ceremonial vehicle used to receive foreign guests. In comparison, Arthur and his party were dressed in dirt.
It's rustic. Anyone who sees bumpkins like them sitting in such a luxurious carriage will feel unsuitable.
"Oh, how about installing a reflector on the horseshoe to generate propulsion? Fortunately they can think of it." Bedivere measured the car curiously, as excited as a child.
"Sit still, don't be rude." Arthur said angrily.
"Haha, what a lively child." The Roman knight who had just stepped onto the carriage laughed. This man was tall and majestic. He was wearing luxuriously designed but very practical armor. It was obvious that he was a soldier of very high status.
"Who is your Excellency?" Arthur asked.
"Belisarius is just a warrior." Chivalry.
"It turns out that your Excellency is the famous General Belisarius. I am really frightened to ask you, General, to escort us." Arthur said.
"Where. His Majesty the Emperor believes that even in such troubled times, basic etiquette should still be sufficient." General Belisarius said, "Besides, I am only the lowest ranked among the ten generals of Rome, and I have no real power in my hands.
I have been very free, so I have to take charge of this kind of diplomatic reception."
When the others looked at each other in confusion, not knowing what to say, Belisarius continued: "Actually, you don't have to be so nervous, I am on your side."
"How do you say this?" Arthur asked tentatively.
"His Majesty the Emperor's attitude is indeed wavering. For Rome, no matter which side it forms an alliance with in the war, it will definitely be in the most disadvantaged position on the front line. Therefore, His Majesty the Emperor's highest priority is not those who are righteous and righteous, but who it is with.
The alliance between one party is the most certain of victory and the one that can get the most benefits."
"Wait a minute. Your Excellency, you mean that the Hungarians also plan to discuss an alliance with His Majesty the Emperor?" Kai asked.
"They took action earlier than humans. They sent envoys to discuss alliance from the very beginning." The general said, "Do you know how much effort His Majesty the Emperor spent to finally delay the situation until you came?"
"In other words, your Majesty does not want to form an alliance with the Hungarians?" Arthur was even more confused.
"Your Majesty only wants to form an alliance with the strongest." Belisarius said bluntly, "What he means is that you come and decide the outcome with the Hungarians, so that Your Majesty can clearly understand who has the greatest chance of winning in this war.
The Eastern Roman Empire was just founded, and it was a time when everything was waiting for improvement. Defeat was the worst outcome that was absolutely unacceptable. As humans, of course we want to help humans, but we must also see that humans have hope of winning before we can help Rome.
We also need to continue to survive, I hope you can understand..."
"I can understand. Rome has its own difficulties, especially because its geographical location is right between the human world and the Hungarian world, and it suffers the most from the war." Arthur said, "So during the war, the civilians of Rome were
They were allowed to take refuge in Pantoracon, and all supplies lost by Rome during the war were borne by the Allies. These are all listed in the treaty."
"I know. Your Majesty will be happy to see such favorable conditions. The only question is whether you have enough strength to win this war." The general said.
"What exactly does His Majesty the Emperor want to see to be satisfied? The simple statistics of military strength are clearly listed in the document." Arthur said.
"It is a pity that His Majesty the Emperor is also a warrior. He is not interested in documents and data at all, and he never believes in things written on paper. He always believes only in what he sees with his own eyes." The general said, "So please do your best.
Psychological preparation, the means used by His Majesty the Emperor to make decisions, nine times out of ten are duels."
"duel?"
"Although it is just my personal guess," Belisarius said, "but according to the tradition of ancient Rome, the envoys of both sides were allowed to duel in the arena, and Rome would only help the victor. This is probably the emperor's plan."
"You can see who is stronger without offending the envoys of either party." Kai said, "It is very cunning, but it is indeed a smart approach."
"I'm sorry, there's nothing we can do about it." Belisarius sighed, "Rome only fights wars that are certain, and it has been doing this since ancient times. But, as I said just now, I stand on the side of
On your side. I don't have a good impression of those beasts who only know how to plunder. It would be better to kill me if I want to ally with them. Although I can't help you with anything, I can provide you with information to make it easier for you to defeat.
The Hungarian embassy."
"Wait a minute." Bedivere finally couldn't help asking at this time, "Since the other party also knows that the alliance will be decided by a duel, haven't they already sent the strongest warriors from all the orcs? Why are they here?
Can’t we send Heavenly Knights to fight? Wouldn’t things be much simpler if Heavenly Knights were also dispatched here?!”
"Celestial knights are not allowed to enter Rome, just like the Hungarian patriarchs are not allowed to enter Rome. Such powerful warriors entering Rome will only make the situation more tense. This is what His Majesty the Emperor least wants to see."
The general said, "I don't know if you people are the knights second only to the Heavenly Knights, but you are here right now because of your council's choice. I just hope your council is right."
"Or maybe the idiot council never considered the duel at all. They just regarded the alliance as a certainty." Kai said, "They probably thought that no matter how ruthless Rome was, they would never really run away.
Allied with the orcs."
Belisarius was anxious: "What on earth are your council thinking? Are you joking? His Majesty the Emperor is serious. If humans are really so disappointing, Your Majesty would rather ally with the orcs to attack Europe! Your Majesty is really
It can be done!"
"Relax, General. Ignore Sir Kay's joke. The Council is serious. Although we may not be the strongest knights below the Celestial Knights, we are still sure of defeating the warriors sent by the opponent." Arthur Leng
Said coldly.
"To be honest, when I saw your group, I was a little suspicious. Although it's not polite to say this, but aren't you just a bunch of brats?" General Belisarius said, "The people sent by the other side are the most elite and experienced.
Warriors who have fought hundreds of battles. Do you really have a chance of winning in a duel with them?"
"As long as you make a good battle plan, yes." Arthur still said calmly.
The general hesitated for a while, but looking at Arthur's eyes he didn't look like he was joking, and gradually he believed it, "Okay, it seems you are sure. Anyway, I have decided to help you, so just believe it to the end."
Well. I will send people to check out the information on the orc envoys as much as possible to find out their strength. You should prepare well for the duel."
"Thank you in advance, General." Arthur nodded coldly and politely.