Chapter 305: Chapter 156: Purge List Ravenna, Imperial Palace.
The weary figure of Valentinian III appeared outside the palace, surrounded by a contingent of well-equipped Imperial Guards. Although his power had not yet extended to the empire’s border troops, the Forbidden Army of the palace had slowly come under his control after Aetius’s death.
Currently, the Empire’s commander, Hercules, also followed by his side, aware of his own lack of prestige and choosing to stay in Ravenna to amass strength.
Inside a lavish hall, several beautiful attendants served Valentinian III as he lay down, with servants offering him fine wine. This emperor of the empire diligently governed for perhaps half a month before feeling exhausted, his whole body weary and sore, no longer inclined to visit the Forbidden Army camp frequently.
"Prepare the banquet,"
Valentinian III waved his hand lazily and called a close attendant to inquire, "Has Quintus not returned yet?"
The attendant cautiously replied, "Not yet, Your Majesty."
"I heard the Burgundians have rebelled again."
"There is still no news from Lord Quintus."
What a useless person.
He seemed reliable normally, but at critical moments, no news came for ten days or even half a month.
Burgundians?
Didn’t Aetius suppress the last rebellion by massacring fifty thousand? How have they rebelled again?
Perhaps he didn’t kill them all?
Valentinian III felt a bit irritated upon hearing this, and without the support of the Governor of Britain, Duncan, he felt a tinge of crisis. But fortunately, the army did not rebel after Aetius’s death, and he had already won over some lower-ranking officers through rewards in recent days.
After all, he had been emperor for decades, and given enough time, he could slowly consolidate some military power.
Soon, a stately and beautiful figure appeared. Empress Lysiniya Eudoxia looked slightly haggard, seemingly anxious. She was the daughter of Theodosius II, the Eastern Roman Emperor, and theoretically, her children with Valentinian III would inherit the legitimacy of both the Eastern and Western Roman Empires.
Unfortunately, she gave birth to two daughters at a young age, and later Valentinian III seemed almost infertile, gradually becoming indulgent and dissolute, making it even less likely for them to share a bed.
Empress Lysiniya did not even glance at the young beautiful attendant lying in Valentinian III’s arms, dismissing the disheveled attendant with a wave, then poured water for the emperor and softly asked, "Is there any news from the Governor of Britain, Duncan?"
It had been over half a month, and there was not a bit of news from Gaul either.
Quintus seemed to have vanished, and whether alive or dead, if he had fallen into the hands of the Barbarian Race, at least some message should have arrived.
Valentinian III responded impatiently, "Not for now."
He did not even take the water offered by the empress, instead grabbing the wine to drink it all.
Lately, he found no taste in anything he ate.
Originally, his marriage with the empress was intended to draw closer ties with the Eastern Roman Empire, but it hadn’t brought them much closer, and the Eastern Empire couldn’t be relied upon. Empress Lysiniya held legal status but was not valued; otherwise, in history, she would not have had to plead for marriage with Maximus or seek help from the Vandals, as she could have directly sought help from the Eastern Roman Empire.
Empress Lysiniya seemed to see the emperor’s impatience, sighing faintly as she turned to leave.
After learning about Aetius’s assassination by the emperor, she had been anxious and fearful, placing all her hopes on marrying the Governor of Britain, Duncan. In such chaotic times, a son-in-law with military power could offer her some reassurance.
Killing Aetius would undoubtedly have repercussions, although when it would come to pass was uncertain.
Realizing she couldn’t persuade the emperor, Empress Lysiniya summoned her attendant upon returning, handing him a bag of gold and firmly instructed, "Send someone to probe for news about Quintus immediately."
"Whether alive or dead, we must know where he is!"
At this critical juncture, all dispatched messengers vanished, and not only was Burgundy in chaos, but Gaul inside and outside the mountains seemed the same, as if someone was deliberately intercepting the emperor’s envoys.
Being the daughter of Theodosius II, Empress Lysiniya had a keener political intuition than her husband and had already sensed something wrong.
Inside the palace.
Valentinian III only remained a diligent emperor for half a month before indulging in lavish and indulgent court banquets the next day, with no one to restrain him any longer.
At the same time.
In an estate over a hundred kilometers from Ravenna, Quintus, who had been hiding for over a week, finally received a secret letter from Paris, along with a team of cavalry. The leading man was burly and robust, with an indigo tattoo on his chest.
Kulin gazed coldly at the Quintus before him and slowly said, "This is from the Governor."
"This is a secret letter from Lady Anya."
Quintus, in fact, had not met Duncan because of the unclear movements of the Western Goth Kingdom. Duncan concentrated troops at the border of the two countries, and fearing for his own life, Quintus sent a trusted subordinate to deliver intelligence instead.
He first opened Duncan’s letter, which was simple, merely instructing him to keep an eye on the palace’s movements at all times.
In addition, the Governor of Britain dispatched an elite force to him, and in case anything happened, he should prepare in advance and think of ways to save Valentinian III’s wife and daughters.
All of this was within Quintus’s expectations.
However, when he opened the secret letter written by Anya, Quintus couldn’t help but tremble slightly.
The contents were very direct.
Anya instructed him that if he discovered any plots from the Senate or Maximus against the emperor, he should secretly coordinate and provide some opportunities and conveniences without personally intervening.
Simply put, it’s about helping to hand over the knife!
There are certain things that Duncan cannot do, nor is it possible for him to do, but Anya steps up without hesitation. Her reputation is already bad, so she doesn’t care if it gets worse.
After Quintus finished reading Anya’s secret letter, his expression was uncertain. He quickly burned the letter with a candle.
He had no other choice but to burn it.
Kulin stood nearby watching, his eyes like those of a predator. If he dared to leave evidence, who knows what could happen. Anya, being the clever one, must have explained something to Kulin before setting out; some dirty and tiring work must be done by someone.