Chapter 25 Entering the City

Andrew was right. We passed through many villages along the way. Although we were not rich, the bread was enough to support us. It was probably because we looked fierce in our chain mail that the farmers were afraid of us. This made the bread with salt much cheaper (because the empire monopolized the production and sale of salt, the price of salt was very cheap, which also brought a lot of wealth to the empire). I also spent a few Antony copper coins to buy two simple large leather water bags, so that we would not have to walk along the river on the way back.

When I came to the well in the village, I drew a bucket of water to wash the blood stains on the mail, and filled two kettles. Even this so-called "weird" behavior attracted many children who were playing. They stared at me in surprise and chattered like annoying sparrows.

"Look, the hoop clothes in this guy's hand are really cool."

"That's nothing. Let me tell you, my dad's brother also wore clothes like this when he joined the army when my dad didn't even know my mom. Really, I'm not lying. He's still in a box. I've only seen him once, and he's much more handsome than this!"

"That's all nonsense. My dad's is the most handsome. My dad said that the armor is stained with the blood of barbarians!"

“My dad is awesome”

“My dad’s brother is awesome!!!”

In order to argue about something that had nothing to do with them, but for their own little vanity, a group of children actually quarreled over it, and they were determined to decide who was better. Seeing them fighting, I could only shake my head with a wry smile, and casually said, "Is it worth it?" Then I put on my mail armor again and walked away from the group of children who had not stopped quarreling. In a few steps, I arrived at the village entrance, where Andrew held a large cloth bag full of bread in his left hand and the flag in his right hand. From his impatient expression, it seemed that I had kept him waiting for a long time.

I walked quickly forward and helped him put the full water bag on the belt around his waist. He didn't say anything, but just hurried on his way.

"How long will it take us to get to this place called Akwe-Sextia?"

"It won't take long," Andrew said without turning his head, hurrying forward. "We'll be there in a matter of minutes."

Stopping and starting, it won't take long, I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking this way, it made me relax a lot. But then I had to despairingly understand that what I thought was destined to be what I thought, and the gap with reality was really not a little bit, I walked and stopped like this until the evening of the next day, and the dirt road under my feet turned into a paved road.

Just as I drank the last sip of water in the canteen, such a small sip of water could not solve the pain caused by my thirst. I was about to look up and ask Andrew in front of me if there was any more water. But when I looked up, I saw Andrew standing on the high earth slope in front of me, pointing forward and turning back to say to me: "Luka, we are here!"

"arrive!"

I almost shouted out loud. Really, I have never walked such a long way since I was a child. I traveled for two days and two nights. I felt that I sat down to sleep for a while, then got up and walked. When I was tired, I sat down to eat bread and drink water and then slept for a while. This repetition really fulfilled what Andrew said about walking and stopping. Until I heard Andrew say that we had arrived, I really felt that my lost soul had returned to my body again. At that time, even my throat that was so dry that it was smoking was not so uncomfortable. I ran up the dirt slope that was one person high in two steps. Oh, yes, yes, Andrew was right.

In front of me was a city much larger than Narbonne, with tall city walls and typical Italian buildings with red tile roofs clustered behind the city walls like a tropical rain forest. A large number of carriages and pedestrians lined up in two long queues in front of the city gate (one for leaving the city and one for entering the city). It was not yet night, and the soldiers guarding the city had not closed the huge wooden city gate. There was still a chance. I hurriedly urged Andrew to act quickly because I didn't want to sleep outside anymore.

Relying on our big bodies and the intimidation of armor, we arrogantly joined the team entering the city. I didn't dare to look back, because I could hear the bullied civilian behind me whispering curses that Andrew and I would die. Ha, who would believe it? We have all died once, so what is there to be afraid of? But then again, the security of this city is much higher than that of Narpon, and every civilian and carriage must be searched.

"Be careful. If they stop us, just say we were out on patrol at noon."

Andrew whispered to me, his expression was very nervous. Maybe after being blocked outside the city of Narpang, he started to become cautious, especially when he saw such strict security.

"That's not necessary, Andrew."

Could it be that our news has been known to the defenders here? Looking at those tall and strong soldiers, I couldn't help swallowing my saliva, thinking that they are much better than those child soldiers in Narpong. If they are discovered, I think Andrew and I will be defeated here.

"Andrew, if we are really unsure, then we should just leave. If we are caught, we will never be able to clear ourselves of guilt even if we jump into the Yellow River."

"What river?"

"Oh, you see, I was so panicked that I was talking nonsense." I quickly covered myself up, otherwise Andrew would say that I was possessed by evil spirits. If he took me to see the priest, I felt that only a cross and a pile of firewood would greet me. I wondered if Rome at that time regarded burning at the stake as a religious fashion.

Wearing Roman armor and military uniforms, we came to the guards guarding the city with trepidation. We were supposed to be searched, but when the guards saw how we were dressed, they immediately made way for us, and the lights were green all the way. From time to time, a soldier whispered to us: "Thank you for your hard work on patrol."

What is this? The Hongmen Feast? My expression was not natural at all. My palms were already covered with sweat. I was very different from Andrew who held his head high as if nothing had happened. I kept my head down all the way, afraid that people around me would recognize me and shout, "Come on, he is Luca, catch him!" Oh, it hurts just thinking about it. My forehead was covered with beads of sweat, but I never thought that no one would look at me all the way in. Until Andrew and I stood on the street of Akwe-Sextia, I thought this was not real, this was a dream! "Hey!"

Andrew patted my shoulder, which frightened me.

"Hey, Luka!"

Andrew looked at me and smiled and said, "I guess you are scared because you killed those robbers."

"No, that's not the case." I quickly wiped the sweat off my head and defended myself, "I'm just starving. You don't know that when I'm hungry, I feel uncomfortable all over and sweat on my forehead. Let's find a place to eat!"

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Without waiting for Andrew to say anything, I patted the purse on my waist and pulled him to the hotel closest to the city gate. As soon as we entered the door, the first thing that greeted us was the loud music. After taking a closer look, wow, it was really lively. It was crowded with all kinds of strong men. They sat at the wooden tables and ate with plates. Girls in revealing clothes shuttled among the crowd. Wherever they went, there would be frivolous whistles and dirty smiles. But they would not stay for too long, because they could not find customers who could pay, and talking more would only be a waste of time.

I casually gave the waiter who came to serve us a dozen Anthony's. I didn't count them carefully, but I felt it should be enough. So I took Andrew to find two empty seats and sat down. The table was full of food, so I didn't hesitate to grab some and start eating.

"Hey, have you heard? Tomorrow Governor Martinius will spend a lot of money to hire strong men to work for him!" The people around me were talking, but they didn't seem to be qualified secret keepers, because Andrew and I could hear it clearly even if the music was noisy.

"Work? What kind of work?"

"Hey, they are mercenaries! I heard that Marshal Aetius has issued an order to send a large number of soldiers to the front line. I heard that he wants to teach the Burgundians who are heading south a lesson!"

“Bang!”

Andrew slammed the table and stood up suddenly. I quickly covered my face with my hands, thinking in despair, "It seems I can't escape!"

I'm 21 now, and I have a lot to say, but I don't know where to start. So I'll write it in a novel, but I don't know how to write it in. This is the spear and the shield! 2333

(End of this chapter)