Chapter 561: Friend or Foe

The Golden Horn, the estuary outside Constantinople, is the port of Constantinople. The unique geographical conditions made this place attractive to the first generation Augustus, who then used it as another capital of Rome.

However, the prosperity and vitality did not successfully cover up the panic and tension they tried their best to conceal. Even though the streets were crowded with people coming and going, no laughter or joy could be heard.

The strange atmosphere was like an invisible virus that infected the entire Constantinople, from nobles and courtiers to citizen slaves, leaving no one unharmed.

With frowns on their faces, they spared no effort to buy food in the streets. Even though all the ships going to Asia Minor were fully booked, the docks were still crowded with citizens and nobles carrying heavy luggage.

The news of Dilarchum was like a thunder in the sky. Even though it lasted only a split second, the rumbling sound that followed made everyone's heart tremble.

The streets were full of fully armed soldiers, who were patrolling back and forth with weapons in hand, looking at the citizens passing by them with vigilance and suspicion.

They were no longer guardians, but rather monitors and guardians complementing each other. They protected and were hostile, which was a very contradictory situation, but under Augustus's orders, it all seemed so normal.

Marcian was worried that there might be supporters of Flavius ​​Luca in the crowd, and he did not want to see a repeat of what had happened at Dyrrachium. If Constantinople fell, he would really have nowhere to retreat to.

In the morning, the garrison troops of Constantinople arrested dozens of instigators who were openly discussing the legitimacy of Flavius ​​Luca's succession to the throne of Augustus in various squares. Those who were talking about Flavius ​​Luca or even those who were standing by and listening were all arrested. There were hundreds of carriages on the streets transporting the so-called traitors.

Angry citizens protested against the new Augustus's inhumane decision, but what they got was hard shields and heavy sticks.

Now the people of Constantinople were in panic, and no one knew whether these garrison troops were defending Constantinople or the new Augustus.

But what is clear now is that the Western Roman army is getting closer and closer. Everyone knows that war is imminent and a new order is about to be born. It's just that Flavius ​​Luca is getting closer and closer, or Marcian is hiding in the city and seeing enemies everywhere. Everything is a question. Wait for the passage of time to find out the truth.

The docks were crowded with commoners who wanted to flee to Asia Minor. The nobles had already loaded their ships with treasures and left, leaving them counting the days for fear that Flavius ​​Luca's army would arrive.

But soon, a large number of soldiers appeared on the dock. They rushed in with spears in hand. They roughly pushed the citizens gathered on the dock away and made way for a very open path.

When everything was ready, a horn was heard in the distance, and the iron chain of the Outer Golden Horn Bay was slowly lowered, making way for both the civilian fishing boats and the nobles' large ships.

The common people were not willing to give up so easily. At this time, they still emphasized their rights as Roman citizens, but how could the soldiers who declared their allegiance to Marcian listen to their declaration of so-called rights?

Not long after, when the citizens and soldiers were arguing most fiercely, a horn sounded from a distance and interrupted them. Everyone looked back and saw a huge warship appearing outside the Golden Horn Bay. The warships slowly entered the port one after another, which seemed to be a huge tranquilizer that cooled the noisy hearts of both the soldiers and the citizens standing on the dock.

It was as if their souls had been sucked out of them, leaving them unable to control their bodies, or perhaps they were all stunned, not knowing what the appearance of so many warships at this time meant.

All we saw was a huge warship slowly approaching the shore accompanied by countless small boats. The small boats were packed with soldiers. When they approached the shore, they hurriedly jumped into the water and rushed ashore to assist the soldiers who were maintaining order on the shore to help the escorted warship to dock.

At this time, a gorgeous carriage appeared on the main road of the dock, escorted by the royal cavalry. Such a scene made it clear that "Augustus" had arrived.

The citizens quickly stepped aside, stood with their heads down, and watched quietly as the carriage of "Augustus" passed by them.

Marcian was still as elegant as ever, and his aristocratic education made him always so comfortable in such occasions, whether he was getting off the carriage or standing with his hands behind his back. He always gave people the illusion that he was the real Augustus, even though he did not ascend the throne legitimately.

At this time, the stairs on the warship were paved under the busy sailors. Only a man was seen wearing a purple cloak, a tightly bound silver breastplate, decorated with purple cloth bags around him, and a golden crown on his head. Such gorgeous clothes still couldn't hide his dark skin and old age.

"Welcome, Hermanus, loyal admiral of the Empire!"

Watching Hermanus slowly walk down the steps, Marcian opened his arms, spoke loudly to Hermanus and was about to go forward to hug him, as if they were old friends who had not seen each other for many years.

"Of course, Lord Marcian!" Hermanus smiled, the wrinkles on his face almost squeezed into a ball. He hugged Marcian warmly and greeted him with their cheeks close to each other to appear intimate.

"I'm very sorry, Your Excellency Marcian." Hermanus still understood the controversy surrounding Marcian's position at the time, so he deliberately used a level address instead of calling him "Reverend Augustus" or "Caesar." "I was always so busy that I couldn't rush back to Constantinople to see Augustus ascend to heaven the moment I heard such bad news. I'm afraid I will never forgive myself for such a dereliction of duty."

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As he spoke, Hermanus burst into tears and soon he was sobbing uncontrollably, which moved everyone around him.

"Yes, yes. Please accept my condolences, Lord Hermanus. After all, you and Theodosius are not just a monarch and a minister, but also close friends for many years. Theodosius has always had great trust in you."

Marcian held Hermanus' hands tightly and comforted Hermanus like an old friend. Such a close relationship would surely make others suspicious: Could it be that this was the helper that Marcian specially found to deal with Luca?

"But now is not the time to grieve, Your Excellency Hermanus." Marcian changed his tone and immediately talked about business. "Now, Theodosius's adopted son, the Western Roman soldier Flavius ​​Luca, once believed that he was the legitimate heir, so he openly instigated the rebellion of the Thracian Field Army. At this time, the Thracian Field Army, bewitched by Luca, is getting closer and closer to Constantinople. Your Excellency cannot turn a blind eye to this matter."

"I know, I know, Lord Marcian." Hermanus quickly suppressed his bitter expression. His face was solemn and he nodded repeatedly.

(End of this chapter)