Chapter 402: The Dusk Queen (Part 2)

"But here comes the problem." Luca looked at Augusta Gala Placidia with a half-smile, and said to her boldly: "What benefit can I get? On the contrary, at this time, Augustus is like a hot stone. No one can hold it tightly for a long time."

"This is not something you can consider!" Gala Placidia began to argue.

"But you have been hinting that I have to get involved." Luca interrupted her with a roar, and then said: "No one can escape now. You keep telling me that this is a big deal, so serious that it concerns the future and fate of Rome."

Gala Pracitia was stunned. She realized that she did not scare the young guy. On the contrary, the young guy was a head taller than her in terms of arrogance and suppressed her.

"I am just asking for your opinion. After all, you are a member of the Flavius ​​family and should be loyal to Augustus." It seemed that she had said too much and Galla Placidia was a little overwhelmed, but she still wanted to speak and spare no effort to convince Luca, the uncertain factor.

As she spoke, Gala Placidia's expression became more and more awful. She must have been conflicted inside, because she was not sure in her heart what Luca would do. After all, he had already made great military achievements. How could Gala Placidia, who was about to die, be able to intimidate him again?

If she couldn't deter him, she could kill him to eliminate the trouble. But Galla Placidia couldn't do it. What if Luca could protect Valentinian? If Luca was killed by her despicable means, then Valentinian would no longer have any protection against Aetius. She couldn't allow this to happen, so under the premise that it was most difficult to make a violent decision, she once again tried to win over this young general.

"The power to rule over everything!" Galla Placidia finally revealed his trump card. After thinking for a long time, he said, "Augustus is not just a title. It means the power to rule over the western part of Rome and the ultimate qualification to rule over the entire Rome."

Gala Praxitea said, ignoring her weak body, and stood up in front of Luca. This arrogant woman, at this age, was so weak that she couldn't control her urination and defecation. This funny look, coupled with her old but determined expression, made people laugh.

"Valentinian cannot die, and Augustus' position cannot be replaced by others!" Augusta Galla Placidia said loudly, "There are many people eyeing this position, they may be generals leading troops to fight outside, or they may be close ministers lurking around us. Many people, or everyone, are eager for this power, and they all want to take my son's life. So! I beg you, a member of the Flavius ​​family, you must protect Augustus from the usurper and keep Rome stable, just like in the days of my grandfather."

This old Augusta, with a white cloth hanging from his lower body to hold dirty things, but the aura he exuded when he stood there and spoke to Luca was no less than that of the usual Augusta.

"Please, just do it for Rome." Galla Placidia begged Luca with tears in her eyes, tears sliding down her wrinkled face. Luca had never seen her like this, so pitiful and helpless, this was not the look of someone at the top of power.

At this moment, in Luca's eyes, she had lost the glory of Augusta, and was replaced by an old man or a dying person begging for mercy.

Even though she was like this, Luca was not in a hurry to express his opinion, because he couldn't be sure how much truth there was in Galla Placidia's words. After all, a woman who was good at getting along with politicians was used to speaking differently to different people. Luca couldn't be sure how much of her pity was real at this time.

"Then you must tell me!" Luca looked directly at Augusta Galla Placidia and said, "What exactly is it that makes you so afraid? What exactly makes you lose your rock-solid position? Who, Aetius? Or the hidden enemies of all kinds."

"Okay, okay!" Galla Placidia stretched out her hand to Luca to signal him to calm down. She sat down slowly, and the maid served her carefully, fearing that this woman might make some mistakes. "Now that things have come to this, I have no choice but to confess to you, Luca."

Gala Praxiteas took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down to avoid coughing from excitement.

"Aetius, he will come to Ravenna in a week. He doesn't want to come empty-handed. He must get something here, such as..."

"Like what?" Luca asked hurriedly, very curious.

"Captain of the Army, command all the armies of the Western Roman Empire." Galla Placidia said solemnly, "This position was originally held by a Vandal named Stilicho. After his death for more than 30 years, no one has been able to take up this position. This is a very dangerous position, but the benefits are also huge!"

"To control the soldiers is to control the lifeline of Western Rome. Isn't it for this result that Aetius has been constantly running around and suppressing rebels during this period?" Luca lowered his head and thought. He was not sure if he really chose to stand on the side of Valentinian. With his strength and the title of adopted son of Theodosius II of Eastern Rome, what else could he do to compete with the growing power of Aetius?

If the alliance with Aetius could protect him, then choosing Valentinian was tantamount to standing against Aetius. This was a very risky thing. If he succeeded, he would be famous, but if he failed, he would be dead.

"What about the elders in the Senate?" Luca asked. "This kind of appointment cannot be achieved without their support. We account for half and they account for half."

"They have already named Aetius the Protector of the Nation! They are extremely supportive of Aetius. I can even think that they can push Aetius to the position of Augustus for their own benefit." Galla Placidia shook her head and continued, "This is what I am worried about. After all, Aetius has shown his intention to replace him more than once."

The problem was getting more and more serious, and Luca couldn't help but start to waver. After all, people are selfish, and he had to consider whether he could win in such a struggle. After all, the other person was already a sergeant, and he was nothing.

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"I know what you're worried about, Flavius ​​Luca!" Galla Placidia looked at Luca and said, "I will spare no effort to push you to the same position as Aetius, because in terms of military achievements and influence, you are no less than him."

"You mean, if Aetius can get it, I can get it too?"

"Yes!" Gala Praxetia nodded and said, "I just need you to promise to protect Valentinian from any harm."

"This is not an easy thing to do." Luca looked at Galla Placidia, "But you said that I will be on an equal footing with Aetius, so I naturally cannot refuse such a huge temptation!"

(End of this chapter)