Chapter 185 To the East

The young Valentinian III was speechless. He probably didn't expect that Litorius, a subordinate of Aetius, would catch him off guard with such an excuse. Facing a group of nobles, he didn't know how to respond. If he forcibly appointed Luca as his close bodyguard, even if it was a violation of the promise he had made, then for the nobles at the moment, if they saw their Caesar go back on his word, it would definitely seriously affect the reputation of the young emperor. Then the support of the nobles would definitely turn to Aetius, which would result in a situation where no one would listen to him as the emperor of an empire, and his power would be hollowed out. Of course, not only all the nobles present, but even Luca himself believed that this young boy was not a fool and would definitely not fall out with Aetius's forces for him.

Knowing roughly what Caesar was facing, Luca had to make a choice. Instead of fighting to the death here, Luca would end up in a complete defeat. Of course, as Caesar, Valentinian III would also be greatly affected. This was a very bad strategy.

There was a great opportunity in front of him, and Luca couldn't just give up such a great opportunity, but now he had to make the necessary choices. Litoluo was obviously deliberately excluding him, sending him to the far east, and it was still unknown whether he could come back, not to mention that this trip was extremely dangerous, and it was not certain that Litoluo would kill him on the road, after all, politicians had no credibility.

"In fact, Mr. Litorius's idea is not a bad way out." Luca spoke up, thinking that if I don't go to hell, then who will? He just wanted to ease the embarrassment of Valentinian III, but he never thought that it would attract everyone's surprised eyes.

A politician who was almost thirty years old and close to forty, deliberately made things difficult for a young man. If Valentinian III was not rescued, his authority as emperor would be in jeopardy. It was meaningless, just like having your cake and eating it too. You had to make a choice! Luca stood up, faced the dignitaries, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled, secretly telling himself in his heart, "I've made up my mind, I've made up my mind!"

"Just let me go, respected Caesar!" Luca looked up at Valentinian III on the podium with a smile on his face. He secretly told himself that going to the Eastern Empire might not be a bad thing. At least he would not have to live in such a life of intrigue and deception. Is this life? He could not give an answer for a while. Looking at Valentinian's surprised face, but why, there was a little gratitude in his eyes. Luca responded with a smile, thinking: Yes, be grateful to me, at least Littorius did not give you a way out, I will give you this way out!

"Are you really determined to do this? My loyal guard!" Valentinian III's voice was choked with sobs, and he did not seem to give in. As he spoke, his face was a little gloomy. "Maybe there will be other ways? Isn't this still under discussion?"

Still not giving up? Luca asked secretly in his heart. This was not surprising, because if Levi became Valentinian's close bodyguard, it would undoubtedly be like a murderous dagger on his neck. It was not protection, but kidnapping.

The young Valentinian was smart. At least he knew the meaning of the word "fear" compared to his peers. He understood Litorius' intention, which was not to let anyone interfere with the plan of his master Aetius. It was really rude for him to protest like this now, but so what? Even though he should not have the right to speak due to his repeated defeats, his backer was Aetius, the supreme commander of the Gallic Army and the commander of the Central Field Army in Italy. Looking at the entire Western Empire, no one could confront such a powerful force head-on. Even Caesar Valentinian himself, when he stood up to oppose, had to think about whether Aetius would be angry and abolish his throne for this. After all, who could he rely on? The uncle who was the emperor in the Eastern Empire or the mother who was in Ravenna and was first ravaged by the Visigoths and then touched by the Roman rebel leader and gave birth to him? He is not a pure blood of Flavius, at least he has the blood of a traitor in his body. In addition, the great failure of this expedition to Bagauda has already made his own imperial authority questioned. He has been criticized so much at such a young age. If he does not compromise now, I am afraid that his throne will be in vain! "You see, just as Orius Luca said." Littorio seized Luca's words. This is an opportunity. He immediately took advantage of the topic and said, "The Emperor of the Eastern Empire, Theodosius II, is your uncle, Caesar. It just so happens that the Eastern Empire and Sassanid are on the verge of a new war. If Orius Luca is strongly recommended by your nephew at this time, the old emperor will naturally recognize him and be able to use him. If Orius Luca is really a talent, Theodosius II will naturally give back, which will not be in vain for Caesar's kindness, and also leave me with a good story of seeking a good future for my former subordinates."

They went through so much trouble just to keep Lujia as far away from the Western Empire as possible, and never let him appear under their noses again. Because Lujia's actions had disturbed them too much, no matter if they were the planners or the executors of the plan, they didn't want to see a small character like Lujia who came from nowhere disrupt their plan.

"This old fox!" Luca cursed secretly in private.

Although every word of Littorio implied that Luca would never come back, of course these words were also a way for him to back down. If Luca suddenly changed his mind, he would surely die an ugly death.

Things have come to this point, and Luca has no other way out. He must bow his head. After all, this is the only way out that Littorio and himself have left for themselves.

"Mr. Litorius is right. A poet named Ovid once said: A warrior's hometown is everywhere. The Western Empire is my hometown. Of course, since it belongs to the Roman Empire, the Eastern Empire is also my hometown. I am just going home. Why should I be sad?" Luca said seriously. He looked at the young emperor Valentinian III again and said in a gentle tone, as if to comfort him: "Caesar, don't worry about my leaving. If there is a chance, we may meet again."

After saying this, Luca picked up the wine glass, facing Valentinian, then raised his head and drank the wine in the glass. The whole scene was tragic and I wonder who was moved by it.

After drinking, Luca handed the empty glass back to the waiter, turned around, and walked out of the hall without looking back. He had made a decision. He had already made a decision. Turn back? He couldn't turn back.

Luca pushed open the door and saw Andrew running hard with his robe in his hand from afar. This guy came really late.

"Hey, Luka!"

Andrew ran to Luca, he was out of breath and it seemed like he had run a lot.

"What's wrong?" He asked Luga, and curiously stretched his neck to look behind Luga. He felt that the banquet was not over yet, but Luga actually came out at this point. The result was suspicious, which made him a little puzzled, so he asked: "What's wrong, Luga, are you full? Hey, you didn't call me, and watched me fall asleep like this. Okay, don't say it, Luga, come in with me, I'm hungry, I want to go in and see what the nobles eat?"

Andrew yelled and was about to rush in, but Luga grabbed him and whispered to him, "Andrew, let's go. It's not appropriate to go in now."

"What's wrong?" Andrew felt the heavy atmosphere, and his heart began to beat. He asked in a low voice: "Lu Jia, is it that the little guy who is giving you trouble?"

"No, that's not the case, Andrew. It's not appropriate to talk about this topic here. Come on, follow me!"

As he spoke, Luca pulled Andrew up the long corridor. The white marble columns passed by him and were left far behind. On the lawn of the garden, the nobles were still playing. Luca felt that it didn't take him long to get in.

Besides, is the life of the nobles really so carefree? Luca walked past them and watched them playing. The good time slipped away from their hands in vain. They didn't care at all, because they had some endless money and endless food and wine. Isn't this what people pursue in their lives? But they enjoyed it in their prime years, so what else are they pursuing? The unrealistic is too tiring, and there is no hope. The things that are right in front of them are meaningless because they are within reach. But what they can reach now is Luca's unattainable dream, and it is also what he has worked hard for and given up everything for. Luca couldn't even ask why this was, and what else! Back in his room, Luca told Andrew everything that happened. As a hot-tempered German man like him, he was naturally furious. He slapped his thigh and cursed, "It's Levi again, damn it!"

"Then Luca, what should we do now? Is it really like Littorio said, that we let them kick us to the Eastern Empire? Then we can never come back!" Andrew was extremely unwilling at this moment. Of course, he could only go with Luca. Otherwise, not to mention whether Aetius and Littorio would cause trouble for him, even Alessio, who was secretly rejoicing somewhere, would not let either of them go if he suddenly knew what I had done.

"Now we have no choice but to go to the Eastern Empire. Although it seems like leaving our homeland with no chance of turning back, who knows when the empire may need to recall us. Think about it, a close guard of Caesar of the Eastern Empire will at least be a legion commander when he returns!" After hearing what Luca said, Andrew did not refute. He just turned around and walked out the door.

"Hey, where are you going?" Luca asked.

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"Pack your things, we must leave as soon as possible. What if old Littorio changes his mind? It will be too late to leave then!" It seems that Andrew was moved by Luca's words, and Luca felt relieved. At least after leaving the Western Empire, no one would bother them anymore.

On the day of departure, Caesar Valentinian III personally saw Luca and Andrew off. He looked very sad. After all, Aetius' plan had succeeded. Livy would become his close bodyguard and, of course, a sword hanging over his head.

"Don't worry about us, Caesar!" Luca smiled and patted his hands. The eighteen-year-old emperor looked unhappy. It seemed that he could not accept Luca's sudden retreat at the banquet. He might not understand why Luca followed Littorio. It was better not to know, otherwise Luca was afraid that the young emperor would let the cat out of the bag, and then endless troubles would come again.

"Before I leave, I want to entrust Caesar with a favor!" Luca suddenly thought of Tenea. Fred, the mercenary leader, knew her address. After Aresio knew about Luca's betrayal, he would definitely take action. Luca couldn't let her get hurt again! "Just give me your orders. Just consider it as repaying the life-saving grace a few days ago." Caesar snorted coldly, with a proud look on his face. "Hey, this brat." Luca was unhappy, but he didn't dare to show it. He leaned over and whispered a few words in his ear. This arrogant guy didn't know if he heard it or not. After Luca finished speaking, he still snorted coldly and said slowly: "Go, I will deal with it as soon as possible!"

With the emperor's promise, Luca felt relieved. He rode on the horse that had been prepared for them, and headed east with Andrew, escorted by four or five private guards. This would be a new journey, Luca told himself!

"Eastern Empire, here I come!"

The fifth volume is finished, and I have also seen the opinions raised by readers in the comment section. Of course, I am very grateful for the readers' affirmation. In fact, I have also thought about the inappropriateness of the first person, so I decided to change the pronoun every day. This should not be a difficult project. Thank you for the support of readers!

(End of this chapter)