When I woke up I found Lucanus at my door. He is one of the people assigned to the mission, along with Domitius. For now, it is just us two walking through the town. We eventually stop at a tavern where there is a big commotion early in the morning.
There were two men wearing togas being dragged out of the inn above the tavern. They were being ripped apart from each other while holding hands. This sight seemed to resonate deeply with Lucanus beside me, he even started trembling while watching it. I decided to ask what was wrong against my better judgment,
“Those two are being arrested for being in love with a member of the same sex. They were able to openly display that love in the Republic of Amidonia where there are no restrictions on this. The temple of the Aeneas kingdom made this illegal, which is why they are being torn apart.”
“I see, well it’s not that big of a deal. Let’s get going, who cares if they are being arrested, they are disgusting anyways.”
In my world, this was made legal, but I thought that was a stupid decision. My mom was an activist who supported its legalization, but she could never convince me to change my opinion.
“Cassius, I can’t ignore that. Everyone deserves empathy and understanding. Don’t you think that you can accept the love they feel for each other is the same love you feel?”
“I don’t feel love for anyone…”
I cut off the conversation with that. For some reason, what I just said seemed to hurt him more than the things I have said before. Maybe he is really involved in the support for same-sex couples. Oh well, I don’t care what he thinks anyway.
Come to think of it, I have been talking to Lucanus too much recently. Ever since I entered this army he has been following me around and shit. It’s gotten to the point that I expect him to be with me wherever I go. Oh well, it’s not like just being around him is going to get me attached or anything.
We find a place to eat that isn't too full. I just asked for whatever was most popular, and Lucanus did the same. He seemed to have returned to his normal self. We both ate eggs, bread, and honey. It was a bit expensive, which I tend to avoid. Lucanus paid for both of us.
We met up with the princess and Domitius at the gate. They arrived about 30 minutes after us, but we wanted to get there early so as to not offend her or something. I would have been fine showing up just on time personally.
We set out immediately after Lucanus and the princess said some pleasantries. Honestly, I am a bit worried about this mission. There is no way I’ll be beaten in combat, but I’ve never had to protect anyone before, plus a kidnapping or assassination of the princess will likely be carried out by Amidonia’s best soldiers.
I suggested that Ozias or the nation's royal guards would be a better fit for the job, but Ozias is on another assignment and the royal guards are having some leadership issues. Cleon was very adamant that I was the one to take this assignment.
Therefore I devised a formation of Domitius as a single unit of heavy infantry that will be at the princess’s front, Lucanus will be just behind the princess, and I will be further behind overseeing everything. Should an attack occur Domitius will absorb any damage while I quickly kill the enemy. Lucanus will put up barriers or cast enhancements while we fight.
We had a carriage prepared for us as the roads in this part of the region allowed for smooth carriage travel and Domitius took the reins. I sat inside looking out the window while Lucanus humored the princess.
The scenery is not too different from the kingdom, except there are more wheat and vegetable farms than olive and livestock farms. This is likely due to poverty in this region preventing the production of luxury goods, though you do see some occasionally.
The roads were eerily peaceful, not what you would expect during wartime. As much as I would like to use this to relax, I simply couldn’t. I am expecting the attack to occur after the discussion of the rules of engagement. The meeting could be used to gauge your opponent's strength and gather information about their army. That is what I would do, but you always have to be alert.
While watching the surroundings I listened in on a conversation between the princess and Lucanus.
“What are your goals at the talks?” Lucanus asked.
“I want to guarantee the survival of civilians as well as humane treatment of slaves that are captured. Promises to uphold any ceasefires that are agreed upon and free passage of priests within territories.”
“That is very ambitious is it not? Nevertheless, you have my full support with all of those. If there is anything I can do for you please let me know.”
“Thank you for that. I have a question, why did you leave the temple in the capital? I heard you were quite capable.”
“That is… I had a bit of a falling out with the leadership… that is why I left.”
“I see, well you have my respect regardless. Despite everything going on you still chose to serve your country. So, what is your relationship with Cassius here? Are you two friends?”
“Haha, he probably doesn’t think of us as friends. But I can’t help thinking of him like a little brother. That’s why I’m always trying to look out for him, not that he appreciates it much.”
“I’m sure one day he will.”
Hm? There is some movement in the bushes. I inspect closer and see some light reflecting off something in there.
I jump out and draw my blades. He wasn’t wearing any armor, just had a dagger that reflected some light. He runs away as fast as possible to the left of the road. I give chase at my fastest speed.
I’m quicker than he is, but he had a great deal of a head start. He is also familiar with these woods, I can tell by the way he dodges trees and doesn’t slow down at all due to obstacles. Still, I gain on him slowly.
Sprinting over branches and bushes, kicking through shrubs, and stumbling over rocks I start to lose my pace. Eventually, he exits a clearing in the trees before I can catch up to him.
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When I look into the clearing I find a military encampment by a river. The noon sun shone brightly on it. It is hot out and some sweat droplets fall into my eyes. I stop and hesitate for a moment.
Then, staring at the encampment I tightly grip my daggers, charge mana into my wrists, bend my knees, and… a hand on my shoulder stops me. I saw him coming but wasn’t expecting him to interfere.
“Come on Cassius, we are here to escort a princess, not pick a fight.” Domitius stops me.
“Alright,” I agree. I could destroy the camp, but we shouldn’t leave the princess alone for too long.
When I return I tell the princess about the encampment’s location and she acknowledges the information. The journey continues without any scouts watching us, they are weary of me.
It takes only five days of traveling to reach the agreed-upon location. I stayed awake three of those nights on guard duty. The humidity increased further as the days went on.
The town where the talks were taking place in was tightly guarded by mercenaries. When they saw just three guards with her they appeared to be shocked. Especially when one of them was a priest and another was a kid.
The town itself was beautiful. It had small walls and it was quite active as well. There were merchants entering and exiting the city at the same frequency. There were few elderly people or children in the city, mostly young and fit men and women. The inns were all open and filled with food.
The smell was pleasant, bakeries were preparing food and the streets were clean. There were no stray animals, homeless people, or sick people. The atmosphere was even more pleasant than any of the cities in the kingdom during peacetime. I gripped my blade tighter.
The estate prepared for us smelt of flowers and had candles burning already. We rested for the night, in this atmosphere even I could fall asleep quickly. However, I didn’t stay asleep for long. Domitius agreed to stand guard for tonight, but I slept in the same room as the princess.
When we woke up Lucanus was making breakfast. It was pretty good, he seems to be excellent at cooking. He is smiling in the morning like normal. He fixed my bead-head during breakfast and asked me how I slept. I was annoyed like normal with how he was babying me, but I’ve come to realize that just accepting it is easier than fighting.
The negotiations were taking place at a temple in the middle of the city a couple of hours after noon. The person we were speaking to was one of the lowest-ranking senate members in the republic. He came off as a bit of an idiot.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Senator Juncus. I am Princess Hortensia of the Aeneas kingdom. I hope that our discussion here will prove productive in creating a better future for the world.”
“I wish for this too Princess. Now then, let us begin our discussion. The first thing we demand is the freedom of any slaves captured, we demand you to release any prisoners of war, we demand compensation for any land captured and any damage done in those lands.”
“Are these talks not meant to decide the rules of war? You are acting as if you are victors with the right to punish the loser.”
“Ha, you can’t win against our glorious republic. We are giving you the opportunity to fight against our army in a way that will incur minimum punishment.”
“We beat you once already. Have you not considered this fact?”
“You beat a third-rate senator from the provinces, that means nothing. It is my benefactor, the great Gneius Gracchus who shall be leading the army against your inferior army. He has been generous enough to offer you terms of engagement, but that generosity will not last as long as you remain so insolent.”
The conversation went back and forth for a while. Terms were not discussed as often as insults were thrown. The princess was barely able to talk without being interrupted. If I had to describe this politician as one thing, I would say arrogant.
While they were talking I looked up to see two men wearing peculiar clothes. One of them had a spear in his hand, the other had a sword and dagger on his waist. They wore heavy armor with a robe covering it. Their helmet had fabric covering everything other than their eyes.
They also had matching necklaces with star symbols engraved into it. This was the symbol of the republic's temple. While they worship the same God and progenitors as the kingdom, they insist to be a separate, true religion.
Lucanus caught us staring at each other and whispered into my ear.
“Those two are with the temple guardsmen of the republic.”
So killing the two of them will get me closer to my goal huh? Well now is not the time. Still, they both seem to recognize I’m the most dangerous threat in this room.
The meeting went on for six hours like this. No terms were met, but they agreed to talk again at a later date. We left the room and entered the temple hallway, even as I left those guardsmen kept their eyes on me. After that meeting, I was pretty certain,
“This entire thing is a trap,” I said.
“What evidence do you have?” The princess checks with me.
“They had no interest in reaching any agreement during this meeting. There are no weak civilians like the sick or elderly who could get in the way of an attack. The entire atmosphere of this town was set up as if to keep us relaxed. Merchants are not fleeing from this town even though it's right on the front lines of a war. Everything is unnatural.”
“I see, I will break the promise I made to come back tomorrow and flee the town. My father will understand this decision, let us hurry out of this town without stopping at the estate.”
When we exit the temple it is dark out, probably just after 9 pm. We played it cool with how we walked or where we looked. Honestly, even I am a bit worried. They are most likely trying to kidnap the princess for use as a bargaining tool.
I let Domitius know of the plan and keep an eye out for the signs of an attack. When we walked past the path we would normally take to get back to the estate the signs came. Rough-looking men and women stared at us from around corners and within shadows. The guardsmen were nowhere to be seen so far. Someone with the appearance of a servant appears in front of us.
“Ah, it seems like you two are lost a bit. Let me guide you back to your estate, it’s not safe on these streets at night.” He speaks to the princess who is behind Domitius.
We ignore him and keep walking. Then he moves first, pulling a dagger and stabbing at Domitius’ throat. He dodges with ease and responds by removing the attacker's head.
I pick up the princess and Domitius puts Lucanus on his back. Kicking up the puddle of blood we run off from the scene. Dodging arrows and avoiding armed men we seek only to get out of the city. The light of the moons and stars barely enough to see in front of us we struggle to find the city's exit.
Jumping to the rooftops we get a better idea of where the gate is located. There is only one, creating a chokepoint, the obvious move is to get over the walls in another location.
I feel familiar eyes on me as we run towards the walls. Turning around I see robe-covered heavy armor running towards us.
We run even faster than before over the rooftops and get to the walls. By the time we reach the walls, the guardsmen catch up to us. If we tried to jump over the walls now we would be left vulnerable to their attack, if we don’t move then even more troops will arrive.
They stand before us knowing time is on their side and point weapons at us. Domitius moves in front of the princess and me while setting down Lucanus who moves to my side.
I charge up mana in my hands while setting the princess down for a moment and then launch my attack. Not in front of me, but behind. I blow a hole into the wall large enough for a truck to fit through, grab the princess, and jump out of that position.
Once Domitius gets through the walls I launch a fireball as hot as I can into the hole I just made and run further. Running deep into the forest, I set it on fire behind me. Probably 5 kilometers out I realize once and for all that we won't be able to escape this confrontation. Oh well, I was going to fight them eventually anyway.
I hide the princess in some bushes and enter a formation with Domitius and I both in front and Lucanus behind us. The guardsmen appear in front of us less than a minute later.
I prepare myself for my next battle.