Chapter 424 Hostage
The camp gate was slowly opened, and only a team of carriages were seen following John Anthony's carriage. They stopped in an open space not far away, which was specially arranged by Luca.
"Okay, kids, we're here!" John Antiochus was very into the role. As soon as he got off the carriage, he waved to the children in the carriage behind him. All of them stared with big eyes and looked around curiously.
"Oh, look at these tender and delicate guys!" The soldiers passing by kept making eyes at these young kids who knew nothing. It was probably because of their orientation that they started to become interested in these little guys whom they met for the first time.
The sounds made by these frivolous guys in their pinched throats and the grimacing expressions on their faces frightened the students. They huddled together like a group of lambs, and retreated repeatedly at the soldiers in front of them, looking at them with fear in their eyes.
"Hey, you guys!" At this time, a Roman officer appeared in front of these students like a savior, and he stopped these frivolous soldiers.
When they saw the officer, these guys didn't dare to act rashly. They quickly lined up and saluted the officer.
"They are our commander's distinguished guests. Aren't you afraid that the sergeant-in-chief will hang you up and whip you severely?"
Faced with the officer's scolding, the soldiers looked extremely frightened. They kept trembling, lowered their heads, and dared not even breathe when facing the officer.
"Get out of here!" the officer roared, scaring the soldiers so much that they ran away with their tails between their legs like cowardly dogs.
This is really impressive. The officer's arrogant look gradually becomes taller in the eyes of these young men.
"Oh, don't be alarmed, everyone!" At this time, John Antiochus seized the opportunity to greet the frightened teenagers in front of him, and explained to them with a smile: "They just haven't seen new faces for a long time, so they are very curious. I hope you don't mind."
After saying that, John Antiochus led the group of children forward, bypassing the defensive equipment made of sharpened wood. In front of them was a very flat and straight road. On both sides of the road were fully armed soldiers. They were wearing chain mail and freshly cleaned helmets, all lined up in front of the group of academy children.
They were used to seeing soldiers patrolling the streets, but their uniforms were not as impressive as the ones they saw now. The most common ones these students saw were the private guards of their own families.
It was the first time for these children to see such well-equipped soldiers. They opened their eyes wide and looked up and down at the soldiers in front of them, their eyes full of envy.
"Okay, children, let me introduce everyone present here." John Antiochus pointed to the soldiers on both sides and introduced them to the children behind him: "They are all warriors who participated in the war to retake Britannia. I think when you ask them privately what scenes you experienced as participants in this war, they will be very happy to tell you."
At this point, John Antiochus turned around and saw the children's eyes were full of joy, some nervousness, and more of anticipation.
"Of course this is not the main problem!" John Antiochus laughed at them and led them forward.
Luca saw John Antiochus leading the group of children and walking towards them slowly while explaining something. He thought that things were almost ready, so he whispered to Andrew beside him, "Okay, send a messenger now to inform the parents of these children as quickly as possible."
Andrew understood, turned around and left, leaving only Luca and the stool in front of him.
"Okay, kids, now it's my turn!" Luga rubbed his hands and muttered to himself as he looked at the group of people getting closer and closer.
Time passed by minute by minute, and it was almost evening, but how could Luca's story have such a short story? He slightly processed the story, how could a story of several years be told in half a day? The children sitting there were fascinated by the story, but they didn't know that there were more and more parents outside the camp gate. They were very anxious and shouted outside the gate to see their children, but even if they shouted until their throats were broken, the soldiers on the gate tower would watch them coldly with indifference.
Some nobles even brought their own servants and guards, who stood at the foot of the city holding swords and spears. The private guards of several families combined actually numbered more than 200 people. They made moves to attack, but in the end they were afraid of what Luga had done and had to give up. Instead, they repeatedly begged Luga to release their "imprisoned" children.
"Luka! They are almost here!"
While Luca was telling a story, Andrew came over and whispered in Luca's ear.
As Luca listened, a smile appeared on his face. He then asked the children who were still not satisfied, "Okay, children, you have been listening for so long. I have finished my bottle of wine. I wonder if you are hungry?"
After hearing this, the children looked at each other and nodded at Luca at the same time.
"Very good!" Luca said with a smile, "Then my adjutant will lead you to experience the food in our army. Believe me, after eating this, you will be as strong as us!"
Such an obvious lie was actually believed by these children. Maybe they were really hungry and didn't care about anything else. Of course, Luca would not treat them badly. He asked Andrew to take them to the back and ask the cook to prepare some food for them. Of course, it had to be the best. At least he would not treat them badly so that he could have a better discussion with their fathers about the price of food.
Luca, Marenius and a group of soldiers slowly came to the city gate tower, and saw that it was already crowded with people. The ones in the front were all the nobles' personal guards, who had even drawn their swords and were holding them tightly in their hands.
"Hey, Luca, tell me, is my son in your hands?"
"Oh, respected Master Luca, how did we offend you? If there is anything, we can still discuss it in a good way instead of using this method."
"Flavius Luca, you are a member of the Purple Chamber, but you actually used such means. Aren't you afraid that you will humiliate the dignity of the Flavius family?"
The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!
Facing the questioning of the nobles below, Luga just sneered. These paper tigers could only show off their power behind their soldiers.
"Of course, gentlemen!" Luca said slowly, "I think you are all wrong, because I invited your children to visit the military camp and experience military life. I did not harm their behavior or thoughts. Whether this will happen in the future depends on what everyone present does!"
“Oh my God!”
After hearing what Luca said, the nobles in the audience first exclaimed, and then whispered to each other.
"What is there to discuss?" Luca asked, "Do you think that you can get your children out just by praying and discussing? That's too naive!"
"Then tell me, what do you want?" One of the nobles below couldn't help but ask.
"You're asking even though you already know the answer!" Luka sneered and said, "Food. You guys are maliciously raising the price of food. I think we can have a good discussion here now."
"Let me see my child first!"
"Let me see my child," the nobles shouted.
"Enough!" Luca roared, and said to the nobles in the audience: "I hope you will not challenge my patience! Don't you like money very much? Then I want to see which is more important, money or your children!"
(End of this chapter)