Chapter 5: The Return of Claudius (Part 2)

"I came ashore with two choices, everyone. Even if the Greeks in Pontus are stingy, they actually wanted to kill my little Babu." The muscular man was MacMillan, and he was still full of pride when he arrived on the shore. , hugging "Babu" Claudius even tighter, "Fortunately, our people saw the fleeing little Babu in the Khersones area and rescued him, so the two choices are-first Let me loot this city to my heart's content."

"I'm sorry, I don't have time to listen to your second choice. Anyway, this city has been looted twice. You'd better make your first choice. Please do so." Karabis stepped forward and asked Macmillan "Little Babu" in his arms saluted, "Now I have something urgent to report to the Lieutenant-General."

Macmillan looked at Claudius. Claudius smiled shyly, then stood on tiptoes and said a few words to the other person's ear very affectionately. Macmillan laughed and pinched Claudius's ear. mouth, and patted his chest, and brought the coquettish Claudius to Calabis, saying that he could be temporarily lent to the subordinates of the legions to discuss matters.

In the garden on the side of the palace, Claudius walked back and forth anxiously. He even held the hands of Calabis and the princess, begging them not to tell this matter, especially Calabis, not in Rome. Spread the gossip between him and the pirates, "How could it be? Your Excellency, Lieutenant-General, you will soon be the tribune of the people, and you will have to rely on me for everything in the future." Calabis swore sincerely, and then he turned to look at Adiana, He held "Autolicus" held by the princess with his hand.

The princess hesitated for a moment, then cast a trusting look, and asked Calabis to take away the sword and the scabbard inlaid with precious diamonds. Calabis humbly handed the magic weapon to Claudius. , "Your Majesty, Mithridates is actually dead. This is Your Majesty the Princess, and I think you know him too. Okay, there is no need to go into details. The Princess hopes that you will return to Rome with this trophy to perform meritorious service, and to compete with Pompey in the future."

"Is there any reason?" Claudius asked, licking the sword in surprise.

"Your Majesty the Princess does not want the body of my father to be obtained by Pompey. I do the same, and I believe the Lieutenant-General does the same. I think everyone's interests are the same on this point. In fact, I stuffed a fake corpse to use as a prevarication for Pompey. And you go back with this sword that truly symbolizes Mithridates' identity, and this." Calabis also handed the amber tablet he just wrote on to Claudius, "Give it to Crassus and others. Caesar, don't give it to Cicero. They will know how to do it, and they can even get you a small triumph. You are the hero of the Thirteenth Legion, sir - this will be very important to your tenure as tribune. It's good that both the common people and the nobles will worship you enthusiastically. You will be the master of Rome, and even Cicero, Cato and even Pompey will not dare to offend you easily." Calabis's words were full of confusion.

"Yes, I will bring this trophy, which symbolizes the merits of our legion, back to Rome, immediately!" Claudius's eyes sparkled, "There are Macmillan ships, Calabis, you don't have to worry."

"Listen! Don't stop on the way. It's best to disembark somewhere and then go to Rome by land. This will not cause unnecessary trouble." Calabis knew Claudius's surname well and reminded him in a serious tone, "Everyone My son's glory depends on you, and I stay here to complete some additional tasks. Lieutenant General, I am the adopted son of Marcus, but I am also your sister's most loyal servant, even if she is abandoned by the patron. I still hope to dedicate more to your siblings.”

"This really touches me, Calabis. After returning to Rome, I will fight side by side with you at large and small banquets. We are the closest legion comrades!" Claudius's eyes actually flashed with tears, and he and Calabis Si fisted, turned and left.

The city of Ponticabion under the setting sun is full of the color of a fallen king. The golden color covers the entire bay, just like a gorgeous mosaic. On the rubber wood boat, there are urns holding the ashes. Adiana, who was writing the letter, leaned a little tiredly on Calabis's shoulder. She had already explained to Achilles and Archelaus that she hoped to rent a ship and go to Castor City to meet Pompey first. , and then go to Sinop to bury the bones of her father and brother-in-law in the Pontus royal cemetery. Finally - she will obey Pompey's arrangements, or be named a noblewoman who owns a city in the Pontus empire, or be Marry a vassal king like Charnus.

But Calabis objected. He believed that it was not safe enough to use Achilles' ships - it was better to repair the white sailing ship that Adiana had brought beforehand - anyway, the ballistae only damaged the mast. , decks and sail ropes, which can be easily repaired. Craftsmen and oarsmen are everywhere in the disintegrated Pontic army, and even the hiring price is very cheap.

In this way, they would have to spend two or three days in the Acropolis.

Then at the city gate before sunset, Helenputina led the horse to say goodbye to Calabis again.

"Carabis, actually... I have also seriously thought about this question, that is, whether Neeko, no, even I, should live with you. I used to be ready to give up my position as the Queen of the Amazon and wanted to entrust Neeko to you. Yes, you love Neeko, and maybe Neeko does need a father, but... Neeko is a deer in the forest. The city you are in must be a very scary place. I only saw a lot of people of all kinds, and they even had to fight for a body. So please forgive me for not being able to hand my daughter over to you. After losing Ella, I became indecisive and more easily manipulated by emotions."

"So you let El Capa take her away first, are you afraid that I will force her to stay?" Carabis said , then the queen led the horse forward and kissed him, "Please forgive me, Carapis, now I can only say this, Marca is dead, I have no reason to stay here."

"Then I will conquer your kingdom one day, take my daughter back, and build temples of Diana in every corner of Rome!"

"Yes, Carapis, Neeko will always be your daughter. After you die, she will mourn you. Of course, you must promise to pray for her safety and health in front of the gods, and I will also pray for your health in front of the goddess - goodbye." After saying that, the queen mounted her mount, looked back at Carapis, and took off the silver mask to cover the tears in the corners of her eyes, raised a cloud of dust, and galloped towards Cimmerian.

When Carabis could no longer bear it and stood there, lowering his head and letting his tears drip onto the ground below, Adiana, who had been hiding under the city gate, came out and hugged him from behind, then mustered up her courage and said, "Amphora, I don't want to marry the king of any kingdom. I don't want to end up like my mother. I don't want to, help me!"

"Don't worry, Adiana, since I promised you before that I would get you a thousand talents, I will fulfill my promise immediately! If you don't want to marry a king, I will make you the queen of a small kingdom!" (To be continued)