Chapter 404: Spear and Shield (Part 1)
"It's started! It's started!"
The ministers around were waiting to see what would happen. Aetius's supporters were so excited that they shed tears. They firmly believed that Aetius, the "Protector of the Country", was the one who could turn the tide in this troubled time. After all, in the war between the famous generals, only Aetius survived. It is not difficult to believe that the one who can survive in an environment of survival of the fittest is naturally the best. After all, these older and more experienced guys can clearly see the magnificent sight of the mighty Hun army coming just for the war more than a decade ago.
"I can't wait to watch the gladiatorial games. I don't know if those old guys can still pick up their weapons after so much time has passed." The officers not far from Luga already knew the outcome of the matter, so they complained boredly and began to discuss the upcoming gladiatorial games in private.
"Oh, don't be discouraged, my friends. Don't forget that this place brings together warriors from all over Rome. If the old ones are not good enough, there are always new ones. It will always be a feast for our eyes!"
"Hey, these so-called gladiators are far inferior to our soldiers. I really don't know why there are so many ignorant young people who admire them. If possible, I really want to let them see our fighting skills. I will definitely make them die unclearly."
The arguments of this group of people were not a concern for Luca and his companions. Their eyes never left Augustus Valentinian III.
"If it weren't for my loyal defender!" Augustus Valentinian III released Licinia's hand, opened his arms to Aetius and said, "Come, embrace Augustus, just like we did before."
Aetius naturally agreed to Augustus Valentinian's small request with a smile. He stepped forward and hugged Valentinian, proving his loyalty and friendship to Augustus to the world.
Yes, everything was as harmonious as imagined. Seeing this scene, people began to cheer for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"Yes, give it to me, let me protect you." Aetius and Augustus Valentinian III hugged each other tightly, and smiled at each other after letting go. Aetius was still calm, he could see that all this was just a formality. He couldn't wait to get what he wanted, and even asked Valentinian for it. At this time, he hurriedly half-knelt on the ground, waiting for Augustus Valentinian's conferment.
"Oh, yes, yes!"
How could Valentinian dare to go against Aetius's opinion? Although he was Augustus, he agreed and hurriedly took the captain's scepter from the hand of the attendant behind him. He handed it to Aetius solemnly and took one of the two laurel crowns on the tray in the attendant's hand and put it on Aetius' head.
"In the name of God and the people of Rome, you are appointed as the Roman soldier commander. I hope you can be loyal and do your best for the safety of Rome and live up to God's expectations." He hastily concluded the appointment with a few words. At the end, Valentinian III said, "I heard that the Senate appointed you as the Protector of the Country. I think this is far from enough. It cannot reflect your efforts for the Purple Chamber." He stroked his chin and thought for a moment, then said to Aetius, "They call you the Protector of the Country, and I call you the Shield of the Imperial House!"
The Imperial Shield, a resounding name. Although Aetius remained expressionless when he heard it, he was already overjoyed in his heart. He originally thought that the Purple Chamber, especially Augustus Valentinian, would resent him for taking away many of his rights, but according to Valentinian's current performance, he didn't care at all. On the contrary, he was grateful. Aetius was very happy in his heart because his hard work was finally seen by Augustus.
Wearing a laurel wreath and holding a scepter, he is now a sergeant second only to the emperor. Who can stop his steps and plans?
"I am not Stilicho, I am Aetius. I am more powerful and unrivaled in the world!" He said this to himself secretly in his heart and slowly stood up. However, he inadvertently saw that the waiter behind Augustus Valentinian was holding a scepter and laurel wreath exactly the same as his.
"What's going on?" Aetius muttered in his heart. How far could such a guess be from the real answer? Aetius was unwilling to waste time on guessing. So he asked Augustus Valentinian III directly: "Why, Caesar, do you also want to hold a set of this in your hand?"
"You mean this?" Valentinian looked back at the scepter and laurel wreath, and suddenly remembered something, holding his forehead and smiling, "Thank you for reminding me, Your Excellency. I almost forgot about this matter. I have another person to reward."
"Oh?" Aetius was very curious, because he didn't believe that there was anyone in this country who could make greater contributions than him. He was a man of great military exploits and the only remaining Roman general after Honorius.
"You are extremely familiar with that person. Of course, he totally deserves this!"
After saying that, Augustus Valentinian III turned around, picked up the scepter, and looked around, but he did not see Luca in the crowd, because Luca was standing among the crowd of field army commanders, but Valentinian III was looking for the empty seat of the army group commander.
"Hey, Augustus is looking for you!"
John Antiochus whispered to Luke, urging him on, and grabbed Luke's arm and dragged him out.
"Hey, hey, don't say that." Luca struggled and kept reminding John Antiochus to shut up. He didn't expect that he would receive such a big reward. All he had to do was let him change his position to the army commander's position and give him a chair so that he could breathe the fresh air there. But he never thought that this time, he might have to set up another position in front of the army commander to suit him.
"Oh, my faithful fellow, you are here!" Finally, Valentinian III saw Luca who was dragged out by John Antiochus in the commotion of the crowd. He hurriedly walked forward with his entourage and hugged Luca who had not yet stood still, saying, "Hey, where have you been? You are also a protagonist of this conference."
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Before Luca knew what to say, Augustus Valentinian III stuffed the scepter in Aetius's arms under his wide eyes and whispered to Luca: "Hey, this is what my mother wanted. Do you want to disobey my mother?"
Luca could not bear such a threat. He half-knelt on the ground and let Augustus Valentinian III put a laurel wreath on his head.
"From today on, I will call you the Spear of the Imperial Household, using this name to praise your glorious military exploits." Augustus Valentinian III said slowly.
There was no more cheering in the venue; it was completely silent as if there was no one there.
(End of this chapter)