Chapter 355: The Pope's Assistance
"You, you really are the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church?" Luca pointed at him with his mouth wide open. He was very surprised, not because he admired the Pope so much after meeting him, but because Leo actually recognized Luca and he would go on a "secret visit" at this time.
"Why, you look very surprised." Leo I looked at Luca and smiled. He had a completely calm expression. As expected of the Pope, being in such a position, he naturally had some abilities of his own.
"No, no, nothing. I'm just a little surprised because I didn't expect that you knew my name. I'm really flattered." Luga twisted his hands together and spoke incoherently.
But he thought back. He had been in the limelight for a while. Who in Rome didn't know his name? It wouldn't be strange if he could say hello to him when he met him. Thinking of this, the surprise that Luca had just felt disappeared without a trace. He had never had any grudges with the church. Luca was not familiar with him. He must have some ideas. How could a guy who couldn't even convince the elders deceive Leo I, who was more intelligent and reliable?
Thinking of this, Luga couldn't help but shake his head. He felt like a loser and there was nothing he could do no matter what.
"Oh, nice to meet you, Sir Leo." Luca nodded at Leo, looking unhappy. "Well, I have other things to do, so I'll take my leave. Goodbye, goodbye."
"Oh, wait, wait, Luka!"
Just as Luca was about to turn around, Leo I called him from behind. What did this mean? Luca turned around in confusion, only to see Leo I smiling and saying to him, "Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Actually, I came here specifically to see you."
"Come all the way to see me?" Luca pointed at himself, feeling that what Leo I said was very surprising.
"Of course, Your Excellency Luca." Leo I smiled and continued, "I also heard about your visit to the Senate Chamber. I heard about your failure and felt that I should be able to help you."
"Sir, do you feel sorry for me?" Such words did not make Luca's heart ignite a positive thought. His face immediately darkened. He thought to himself, could it be that this bastard is also here to laugh at him? "Not really," Leo I shook his head. "Although I don't believe your lies like them, I see something else in your thoughts, which makes me very interested."
"Something else?" Luca didn't quite understand what Leo I said.
"Of course." Leo I nodded. He looked around and felt that there were many people coming and going here, so it was not suitable to discuss things here. "Please follow me, Mr. Luca." Leo I said, leading Luca and Andrew to the carriage.
"Where are we going? And why should I trust you?" Luca stood under the carriage and looked up at Leo I.
"Oh, Lord Luca, now you can choose not to believe me." Leo I shrugged and continued, "But you have no choice, right? You can only believe me, because only I can help you out of this predicament."
"Relieve the dilemma..." When Luca mentioned the current dilemma, he softened immediately. Leo I was right. He was indeed in big trouble. If he didn't solve it as soon as possible, he might have to take Andrew back to the province. What would Marenius do if he learned that the Ninth Legion had run away? He must lead his Eastern Empire subordinates back. It must be like this. The more he thought about it, the more terrible it became, so terrible that Luca didn't dare to think about it anymore.
"Luga." Andrew called out from behind Luga, perhaps not knowing why Luga hesitated again.
"Okay, let's go." Luca sighed and followed Leo I into the carriage. The carriage went up and down for more than ten minutes before it stopped.
"Follow me," Leo I said, and got off the carriage. Luca followed closely behind him. When he got off the carriage, he saw two semicircular arches, the doors were open, and guards at the door were standing with their hands folded on their chests, as if on guard. People coming and going in and out of the doors included the common people and the nobles. This place was very open-minded, welcoming guests from all walks of life. As long as you had money in your pocket, you could enjoy the service.
"Diocletian's Baths are the largest baths in Rome. They can accommodate six field regiments of soldiers for bathing. Of course, I like it here too, especially the private bathrooms exclusively for the nobles." Leo I said, taking out a golden cross from his arms, holding it in his hand, and walked to the guard at the door to show him.
"Welcome, Your Holiness." It seemed that he was an old customer. After just a glance, the guard hurriedly made way.
"These two are my friends." Leo I said to the guards.
"I recognize him." The guard bowed slightly to Luca and said, "Sir Flavius Luca, it is our great honor to have you bathe here."
Luca nodded in response and followed Leo I into the bathroom. The place was crowded with people, nobles and commoners, who bathed in the public bath and enjoyed the hot water together. There was even a podium in the bathhouse, where some elders and even Augustus would come to give speeches and exchange opinions with everyone.
"The bathhouse belongs to the country, so all the income here belongs to the country." Leo I was in front, introducing the bathhouse.
As soon as the waiter saw Leo I coming, he didn't need to be reminded at all, and said to Leo I: "My lord, please follow me."
The group walked through a long corridor and finally came to a private room. The decoration here was luxurious, with marble floors and stone pillars. There was a pool of water in the middle, which was full of pure hot water and steam was rising from it.
The waiter sprinkled bottles of bath salts into the pool and helped Leo I take off his clothes. Naked Leo I did not feel any discomfort in front of Luca. He slowly walked down to the pool and sat down.
"Why? Don't you like taking a bath?"
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Under the repeated urging of Leo I, Luca had no choice but to take off his clothes, go into the water and sit opposite Leo I.
"Taking a bath can relax the whole person, especially when you are frustrated, taking a bath can make you feel much better." Leo I was the first to speak. He then said: "I can understand your feelings at that time, just like when I was preaching in Gaul, I also encountered many difficulties."
"We could have talked about this issue directly, Your Holiness." Luca also imitated the waiter outside to address Leo I: "Excuse me, Your Holiness, I am really pressed for time."
"Okay, I understand." Leo I said with a smile, "I heard from the senators who came to visit you how miserable you were at that time. Yes, Mr. Luca, they rejected you because they thought you had too many uncertainties. But I can tell you with certainty that the people in the Senate will not help you, but I can help you, and I can meet your needs."
"Don't you need something in return?" Luka asked, "You must need something in return. Tell me, sir."
"Oh, Lord Luca, you are really straightforward." Leo I rubbed his body with his hands and said to Luca with a smile: "Well, since you talked about my request first, I will also speak directly."
Leo I changed the subject and looked up at Luca, then said slowly: "I want you to enter Britannia in the name of God and eliminate the pagans there. Of course, the Ninth Legion under your command will be composed of Christians and become a thorough Christian Legion."
(End of this chapter)