Chapter 538 Return to the Center

A week later, a messenger sent by a clipper from Rome brought the news of Theodosius' death to Tarraco.

Augustus, who lived far away in the East, was not well known to the Romans in the West. The only thing they knew was that he once had a code of law that was enforced here.

Perhaps the best way to remember him is to enforce his laws, but is there anything worth remembering when you think about coming back? People had no time to remember this Eastern Augustus whom they had never met, but instead seized the opportunity of the rapid development of the city brought about by the Pope's arrival and accelerated the expansion of Tarraco.

What kind of prosperous city could be so honored that the Pope could stay here for four whole months?

Everyone who comes here has this question in mind, whether from the south or the north. It must be said that thousands of people come here to live and try to see Pope Leo even once.

“Are all these people coming and going here to pay homage to the great Pope?”

"No, no, no, it's more about seeking asylum, you know?"

"shelter?"

"Because Luca, the Spear of the Empire, is also here. No barbarian can stand under his spear!"

The streets of Tarraco were crowded with people. The previously dormant sculpture and construction industries immediately regained new vitality. The whole city seemed to have been revitalized by the arrival of the Pope and the Captain-General.

Architects even argued that the city walls needed to be demolished to expand the city so that the nobles, who were scrambling to squeeze in, would be willing to buy land. Those who held the opposite opinion advocated raising the land prices to make a fortune.

The bustling outside was irresistible, and the noisy sounds seemed to be everywhere. However, in the Governor's Palace, this temporary church, it was eerily quiet. The seats that were originally occupied by believers were now filled with officers and court officials.

They said nothing, looking at Liang and Luca on the altar.

Liang and Luca stood opposite each other, looking at each other without saying a word, and Liang's face was clearly filled with displeasure.

"Just leaving so casually? You must have forgotten what you promised me." Liang's expression froze, and it was as cold as if there was a layer of frost on it. The tone of his voice was even more dull, and it contained a hint of teasing.

"I am very sorry, papa. Now the situation is no longer as optimistic as you and I originally expected. I must go back to defend Rome."

"Ha, Aetius." Leo laughed dryly, but the corners of his mouth were only slightly raised, which made him look more playful. "You are still afraid of that guy, the bastard you called ambitious. He is already fifty-four years old. Why do you think he is still so bold?"

"Because he's still alive."

Luca thought that he couldn't say a few more words to Leodore. It would take half a day to explain. Besides, he was not good at speaking, so leaving it alone might be the best outcome. Luca turned around and left with the officers.

Looking at the backs of Luca and his group going away, Andres stood up in surprise and asked Leo: "Papa, are they, are they just leaving like this?"

"Politicians' ideas are always so complicated, especially when soldiers enter politics." Leo shrugged and continued, "They always try to solve the most complex problems with the most direct and violent means. Facts have proved that most of their choices are acceptable to the world."

Walking out of Tarraco, the huge army that accompanied them had already lined up outside the city and was slowly moving towards the port.

The harbor was full of warships, flying the flag of the Second Phalaenopsis Fleet, and Sergius had been waiting there for too long.

"Long time no see, old friend." Luga boarded the ship and hugged Sergius. The whole scene looked very relaxed. However, Sergius looked a little whiter, and the passage of time made the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes thicker.

“It’s my pleasure, Soldier Captain.” Although there seemed to be a big age gap between them, Sergius was still so calm and polite.

"Let's talk about the current situation in Rome." Luca said, "I urgently need news from Rome. After all, this place seems like the faraway edge of the world."

"I am sorry, Your Excellency Luca." Sergius bowed slightly and said, "I have to apologize to Your Excellency after I learned the news of Augustus' death."

"This is indeed a very regrettable thing, Lord Sergius." Luca sighed. Although he showed an indifferent look on his face, Luca was not a cold-blooded animal. His help to Theodosius was really what a father should do. It can be said that without Theodosius II, there would be no Luca today.

"But right now we must ensure Valentinian's safety. After all, he is the only one in the Flavius ​​family."

“I’m afraid there’s more to it than that, Lord Luca.” Sergius looked at Luca with meaningful eyes.

"What do you mean?" Luca looked at Sergius with confusion. He had a bad feeling in his heart.

"Take a look, Mr. Luca." Sergius said, taking out a parchment from his pocket and handing it to Luca, and then said to Luca: "This is the letter written by Theodosius II before his death. Now I ask that this letter be delivered to you."

With an uneasy mood, Luga stretched out his trembling hands to take the parchment and held it in his hands. As if he had made up his mind, he swallowed, opened the parchment, and read the words inside carefully.

"What does it mean? What does this mean?" Luca felt incredible. He looked at the parchment in his hand. If it weren't for the autograph of Theodosius II, he would never have believed that this was the will of Theodosius II.

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

"What did he say? May I have the honor to know, Lord Luca?" Sergius was very curious. Seeing Luca so surprised, he became even more curious and wanted to find out what happened.

"After all, this is not an issue that needs to be spread, Sir Sergius." Luca put away the parchment, sighed, and looked helpless. He did not seem to want to carry out the will of Theodosius II in the letter.

"Does Valentinian know about this?" Luca asked Sergius.

"Augusta is trying to cover up the truth of this matter. She is afraid that Augustus will go crazy and want to go to the East."

"So Augusta also got my father's secret decree?"

"I'm afraid that's the case, Mr. Luca. Augusta asked me to come and bring a message."

"What?"

"She's ready!"

"What are you talking about!" Lu Jia's heart skipped a beat. He was now 100% sure that the information Li Jinia had received was exactly the same as his. Li Jinia was ready. What was she going to do? Go back? Or...

The more he thought about it, the more confused he became. The more he thought about it, the more panicked Luca became. He hugged his head, then grabbed Sergius and said, "Now, no matter what, let's go!"

"Where to?" Sergius looked curious. This smart guy must have understood something. "Eastern Empire, or Rome?"

"Rome!" Luca's words were extremely firm!

I'm too tired today. I worked until 12 o'clock, so I can only update once. I still have work from 3 to 6, and I have to carry out a mission at 7. Sorry!

(End of this chapter)