Chapter 583 Return to Rome

Augustus of the Eastern Roman Empire personally led the army to fight. This was a great event no matter how you looked at it. However, the soldiers patrolling the streets were just marching along the streets of Constantinople to show the world that although Constantinople had just experienced a war, a new group of courageous soldiers were soon deployed to defend the city and protect the safety of the citizens at all times.

Fully armed and wearing gorgeous armor, with even armored cavalry leading the way, the sound of trumpets blown by Roman soldiers marching could be heard throughout the streets of Constantinople.

"Why? Is Augustus leading the army in person?"

The excited citizens spread the news by word of mouth and rushed to the streets to look, cheering and whistling loudly at the advancing army.

However, after just a parade, the soldiers returned home, showing no sign of going to war at all.

"What? What's this for?"

The confused citizens spread their hands and asked loudly, but no one could get an answer.

Perhaps the most disappointed ones are those elder nobles who secretly opposed Luga's coming to power. They always want to find an opportunity to stab Luga in the back when he ascended the throne.

The first thing to do is to pay close attention to the situation of the Constantinople garrison. They are all Luca's confidants, or should we say, Luca's soldiers, and they are difficult to shake. Only by launching a coup when Luca is at his weakest in the process of dispatching can Constantinople be occupied.

But right now, the army has no intention of leaving the city. It is just a means to boost courage and scare the enemy. What is there to pay attention to?

Looking at the street where the crowd was gradually dispersing, these frustrated guys could only sigh and shake their heads helplessly.

In fact, Luca had left Constantinople by carriage before dawn, and arrived in a suburb a few dozen kilometers outside the city of Constantinople. Here, the army from Asia, part of the capital's garrison troops, and the expeditionary force that originally belonged to Western Rome had 25 infantry regiments and 10 cavalry regiments, a total of 15,000 people, and they were marching along the direct road between Constantinople and Rome.

A month later, Luca's army had arrived at Aretium and stationed there.

The whole of Rome was in the midst of intense preparations, because this month was Augustus, a time for national celebration. According to convention, the Romans would celebrate on the first and fifteenth day of Augustus and onwards.

It was unprecedented that the two Roman Augustuses met in Rome at the same time.

On August 15, the gates of Rome were opened and Luca's army marched into Rome in a phalanx.

The citizens of Rome lined the streets to welcome them, and on the rooftops there were maids holding flower baskets filled with flower petals, which they scattered down handfuls at a time.

The petals fell to the ground and formed a colorful carpet. The soldiers walked on this "carpet". It was their first time in the Eternal City. The soldiers looked up and down with wide, curious eyes at this city that represented the entire country.

The army formation passed through the street like a long snake, and Luca was in the middle of the formation, between five cavalrymen in front and behind, and escorted by fifty armored cavalrymen, slowly passing through people's sight.

Luca was wearing a long purple robe and a brass muscle breastplate, which was engraved with twin angels and the battles of his life.

He wore a golden crown on his head and a wolfskin cape on his shoulders. His long purple cloak fell straight down from his shoulders and spread flat on the deck of the chariot at his feet.

The chariot was pulled by four horses, all of which had pure white hair, making them look extremely noble. The chariot was decorated with gold and carved into various patterns. Many stone human heads were hung on the front fenders of the chariot. They were the leaders of the rebels and even barbarians who had been defeated by Luca's sword, showing Luca's great military exploits.

Instantly, the cheers and screams all quieted down the moment Luca appeared. In an orderly country, people are best at obedience, but it is hard to say whether they obey individuals or positions.

The moment they saw Luga, everyone fell silent, their eyes wide open, watching Luga getting closer and closer to them.

"Caesar...Caesar!" Finally, a ragged old beggar, leaning on a crutch, knelt on one knee tremblingly. He was so excited and tears filled his eyes as he watched Augustus, who was like a god in his eyes, slowly pass by.

Then, an incredible scene happened. Wherever Luca passed, the citizens on both sides of the road knelt on one knee to express their respect to Luca, the lifelong emperor from the Eastern Roman Empire. Even if Luca's carriage had passed for a long time, they would not get up from their knees, thinking that it was a great honor for Augustus to pass by them.

Until he passed through the Arch of Constantine again, the citizens standing on both sides of the arch shouted "Long live!" and then knelt down to pay tribute to Luca.

This is different from the Rome of the past. Similarly, Luca is no longer the same person he used to be. Everything has changed quietly, but it all seems to be thriving, so bright and beautiful, and enviable.

The Forum of Augustus in front of the Imperial Palace was already crowded with people. It was home to nobles and upper-class citizens from Rome. Like those standing on the street, they all came to witness this historic moment, or in other words, they all wanted to see what it would be like to see two Augustuses who were at odds with each other together.

As a necessary etiquette for the reception, even though he was a thousand times reluctant, Valentinian still had to stand in front of the palace and wait.

Although he was surrounded by numerous courtiers, this time he was followed by only two little princesses, Eudoria and Obelia. Obelia was still young, so she had to stand behind Valentinian under the guidance of her nanny. She stared with her eyes wide open, curiously looking at the chariot that was getting closer and closer.

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Eudolia was already ten years old. She had met Luca a few times. Although she was not very close to him, she was familiar with him. This uncle with great military achievements had become the devil in her father Valentinian's mouth over the years. At such a young age, she naturally believed these words. When she saw the "devil" approaching, she was terrified and hid behind her nanny with a timid look.

Valentinian could clearly see the fatigue on his face. God knows what kind of story he had experienced during this period.

However, Valentinian was resistant to Luca's arrival from the bottom of his heart. No matter what happened, it was still difficult for Valentinian to face the man who deceived him and then took away everything he thought belonged to him with a forced smile.

If this matter happened in private, no matter who was the orthodox Augustus between Luca and him, no one would be happy about it.

However, there is a thing called the overall situation. At this time, Valentinian was already alone and weak. It was a miracle that he could hold his head. He might know, or he might be confused. Those in power are so contradictory. Everything must be based on the overall situation, so they need to make sacrifices at the most critical moment, although sometimes it is as small as a few rude words, and as big as letting their relatives and even themselves be insulted.

The chariot stopped in front of Valentinian, and the accompanying guards hurriedly placed a wooden bench behind the chariot. This small move surprised the people around, after all, the king had his own slaves to cushion his back.

Under the surprised gazes, Luca slowly got down from the chariot and came in front of Valentinian.

"Imperatora!" Valentinian saluted first and saluted Luca. This way of doing things really made Luca lose his sense of proportion. After all, as Augustus, he was in charge of both the eastern and western parts of Rome. Although there were the chief and deputy positions, there was still no obvious distinction between the superior and the inferior. Valentinian's actions were obviously intended to embarrass Luca.

(End of this chapter)