Chapter 237: Collaborative Talk

Although Luca said that he didn't care, he still had some illusions about the parchment from Aetius. However, the last sentence on the parchment made him pay attention, because Aetius hoped that he could reach a reconciliation with Thermitius before they cooperated.

Luca really couldn't think of what this reconciliation could bring him. Was it the support of the Senate? How could it be possible? His sword had already left an unforgettable mark on the old fox Thermitius. How could this guy who didn't know whether he would remember a grudge or not not hate him? The scar on the wound hadn't healed yet. It was somewhat credible for him to come to mediate at this time and limp to ask for punishment.

Once bitten, one will be afraid of the rope for ten years. Luca had to start thinking about the intention of Aetius' invitation. If he was trapped in siege again, he would not be so lucky to get the help of the soldiers.

"I think I gradually understand why they tried every means to stop me from destroying Gaiseric. They are afraid that I will use my victory to get more things they don't want me to get." Luca played with the parchment in his hand, rubbing the uneven surface with his fingertips. He was thinking and making preparations to deal with possible crises in the future.

"Lujia, what did it say, such as the meeting place and time?" Andrew was also sweating for this, and he continued: "After all, we are facing a real old fox, and no one can be sure whether there is any conspiracy here."

"Yes, Andrew, you and I are thinking the same thing." Luca kept nodding at Andrew and continued, "They want to meet with us in Syracuse in a week. I don't know why they chose this place. I think this place should still be under our control." Luca said, carefully putting away the parchment, and picked up the silver wine glass on the table. The glass was no longer filled with wine, but water, plain water. Because he drank too much wine, he also felt a little uncomfortable, such as abdominal pain. He knew it must be the problem with the wine. He had never drunk it before and drank it as water. Now, wine has become an unnecessary item.

"Send an auxiliary legion first." Luca thought for a moment and said, "They are still in Palermo, so we should station in Syracuse first. At least we can control the whole city in our hands, so as to prevent an old fox like Thermitius from taking the opportunity to come up with some tricks."

"Yes, we must be careful in everything. After all, we have suffered a loss once." Andrew nodded and said, "Then let's do it according to your method. Then we will transfer a legion first."

"Yes, let that legion guard the city gates tightly. Don't let them get in during this period. Don't let Thermitius and Aetius' men enter the city first. I'll give them three days, which should be enough."

Andrew took the order and left, leaving Luca alone in the room.

"What is this farce about?" Luga asked himself, took out the iron sword, and wiped the blade carefully with a cloth so that it would shine brighter.

The arrangements made in the morning had already set out the auxiliary legions under Marenius, which had been assigned in the afternoon.

Three days later, Luca led Andrew and his two hundred guards on horseback for a whole day and finally arrived in Syracuse at noon the next day.

As soon as we entered the city, there was still enthusiastic cheering. The citizens were discerning people and they recognized who was the hero who saved them.

There were still three days left, which was plenty of time. He slept well in the room he had arranged in the city until noon the next day. After he got up, he began to prepare the room and started the next round of negotiations. The workload was not much, but he arranged more people in the meeting room. Although he did not want to plot against them, he should not have the intention to harm others, but he should be on guard against others. It is always good to make second-hand preparations.

Three days later, Aetius was indeed not late. He only brought one guard with him, which made Luca a little confused. With his character, he should not put himself in danger so easily. But he really did it, but he was alone. Luca did not see Thermitius, which was not surprising. This might be why Aetius dared to come alone with his guard.

He followed Andrew with two guards and carried a box to the meeting room prepared for him by Luca. He arrived exhausted, and when Aetius opened the door, he was startled, because the first person he saw was not Luca, but two rows of fully armed soldiers with swords drawn in their hands.

Luca raised his hand slightly towards Andrew, who nodded in response and shouted to the soldiers, "Put away your swords and stand by!"

"brush!"

As if they had rehearsed for a long time, the two rows of soldiers put away their swords almost at the same time, in one go. Such a uniform speed made Aetius secretly amazed. Of course, this was a show of strength from Luca. These soldiers had practiced this for three days just for this moment today.

Andrew made a gesture to invite him. It must be said that as they met more often, Andrew was no longer as excited about Aetius as he was at the beginning. Instead, he looked much more natural.

"Why, Lord Aetius, you asked me to come to negotiate, but the perpetrator is here, but the victim is not. How do you want me to reconcile?" Luca looked at Aetius with a puzzled look, spread out his hands and asked him.

"Oh, yes, Master Luca." Aetius smiled and sat opposite Luca under Andrew's guidance. He rubbed his hands and smiled at Luca, "Master Thermitius was a little frightened, and his wound worsened due to the climate. He had to go back to see the priest and doctor for treatment, so let me represent him to complete the conversation with you."

"Maybe I really shouldn't have spared his life." Luca smiled, his tone showing dissatisfaction. "This problem is serious enough. I have already written a letter and submitted it intact to His Majesty Augustus Theodosius of the Eastern Empire. I don't believe that the Senate is so arrogant that it dares to do whatever it wants in the name of Augustus! Of course, since he wants you to represent him in the negotiations, he must want some compensation. Then give the mansion that the Senate gave me to that old guy. Anyway, I don't have anything else. If he doesn't want it, I have nothing else to give him."

These words made Aetius feel ashamed. Luca was obviously blaming Aetius, because it was Aetius who took out the scepter. However, he had to admit that he now deeply understood how Luca felt when he was besieged. He wanted to refute, but when he looked at the soldiers around him with cold faces and their right hands tightly pressing the hilts of their swords, he held back what he wanted to say. He could not help but feel surprised that Luca seemed to consciously or unconsciously mention Theodosius II, the Augustus of the Eastern Empire that Aetius was very afraid of. He was very worried, fearing that Luca would notice his fear. Moreover, Luca was now the adopted son of Theodosius II, and naturally had the unconditional support of the Eastern Empire. His status was no longer the same as before, so he had to be polite to Luca, who had once been played around by applause.

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"Of course, sir, we still need to apologize to you for this." Aetius said, and took out a golden statue from the box that the guards had placed on the ground behind him. It was an exquisitely carved eagle. Aetius looked at Luca and carefully placed the eagle emblem on the table.

"Oh, the eagle emblem, it looks so familiar. I have a question." Luka looked at the golden eagle emblem in his hand and couldn't help laughing. He continued, "I'm not even sure if this thing in your hand was taken down from the flag of the Fourteenth Twin Legion under your command and given to me. I can't afford it."

"No." Aetius shook his head and said, "This is a gift from Augustus Valentinian III, proving that you are the Eagle Banner Legion recognized by the Empire."

(End of this chapter)