Chapter 169: Choice
Arecio looked at Aetius's fingertips, and saw the regent Prasitia sitting on the seat of honor, sitting in her rightful seat, and beside her a waiter leaning close to her ear, not knowing what to say.
As she listened, it was as if she had heard news that shocked her, causing her to fall to the ground with a silver wine glass in her hand, causing a small commotion among the attendants around her.
Could it be that Platitia already knew about Berniface's betrayal at this time? Arecio was even more unsettled at this time, and his trust in Bniface began to waver like never before. Arecio did not dare to make a decision, because his future and wealth were at stake, and if Aetius deceived him into breaking with Bernifas, then he would lose all the wealth that came from the food from Africa and the friendship of Bernifas. If Berniface's rebellion is confirmed, and he does not delay in making a break, then the Senate and Plasettia will blame, and he will lose not only Berniface's friendship but also the wealth of Africa, and even his own official position, property, and noble status will be lost. He was caught in a dilemma. He pondered, and then turned his gaze to Eunice, who was still struggling to hold on. Seeker.
"Come on! Come on! Eunice roared, smashing the head of the downed wolf into a cake. Blood and brains stained his upper body red, bathed in blood like a bloodthirsty god of war, in the sun, bulging muscles with angular angles, swearing his strength and strength to everyone present.
The applause of the audience lasted for a long time, as if Younis had already won. But in spite of the honor of being a victor, he could not be happy, for there were still two wild wolves alive, and they would still be the greatest threat to his life.
"Think about it, Your Excellency." Aetius didn't care about the good fight below, but pointed again at Platitia, who didn't seem to have the heart to watch the show, and was worried. "Time is running out for you, and you must now make a choice between Berniface and your own future."
"You're threatening me?"
"No, no, no, how dare I threaten you, such a rich treasurer?" Aetius sneered, although he kept saying that he didn't dare, but his physical behavior still made Arecio shudder a little.
is worthy of being able to gain the trust of the queen regent, maybe he also used such means to coerce Plasettia, he really pity the orphans and widows. Arecio pondered, but he still didn't dare to jump to conclusions despite his usual caution.
"Roar!"
The death of his companion completely infuriated the cautious wolf, who, desperately, or rather seized the best opportunity to attack, pounced on Eunice and pushed Eunice to the ground before he could gain a foothold.
The sudden change made Younis at a loss for a while, but in the face of the sharp wolf fangs that struck directly at the throat, Younis quickly released his shield and grabbed the wolf's upper jaw, forcing the wild wolf to bite off Younis's neck.
Such a wonderful performance did not receive applause and cheers from the audience, because the audience on the high platform had to be sad to find that Younis was only dying in his death, and everyone had a trace of sadness on their faces, because they were about to watch the fall of a so-called "hero". There was only one person in the audience who could watch Younis be killed with great pleasure, and that was Valentinian III, the child who gave the order.
At this time, the other wolf, seeing that his companion had the upper hand, hurried to run with a long chain, and at this time, the wounded Younis could no longer stop the second one. Unwilling, Younis stretched out his right hand, covered in blood, and waved it back and forth, trying to protect his life at the cost of sacrificing his arm at the first moment of the wolf's attack.
"Verdict! Verdict! Verdict! ”
The discomfort of the audience caused by such a cruel gladiatorial fight, didn't the Romans love blood and gladiatorial fighting? But why is it necessary to relent-hearted when the winner is divided? He likes to watch the so-called heroic gladiatorial fights, and is willing to cheer for his victories, but he is not willing to see him lose his life in defeat. Seeing that the "hero" was about to die, the audience spontaneously realized that something needed to be done, no matter what, they had to go down to Eunice first, whether they liked him or not, and in the end, they also asked for peace of mind and made a note in the merit book of heaven.
But no matter how much the civilians on all sides protested, no matter how much they demanded a verdict to decide the life and death of Eunice at the moment, all those who hoped that Eunice would survive turned their longing eyes to Valentinian III, who was seated in his seat. But there he giggled, indifferent to the wishes of the audience.
"Look, this is our Imperial Majesty." Aetius looked at the smirking Valentinian III with a look of disdain on his face. But it was just a flash, and Aetius was just as cautious, not wanting anyone else to see what was going on in his mind at this time.
"He's young, just a kid." Arecio took this for granted, probably thinking that someone's youth was not a jerk.
"No, he's not an ordinary child." Aetius shook his head, and continued, "You forgot that he is now the Emperor of Rome, the Caesar of the Empire. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win the hearts and minds of the people, but I did not cherish it. ”
"He just needs guidance." Still, Arecio wanted to defend the younger emperor Valentinian III.
"No, he's hopeless, just like his mother, oh, forget, Platicia is the queen of the barbarians in your mouth, that little bastard, and the wild seed of the barbarian queen and the rebels on the Iberian side, isn't it ironic to say that?" By saying this, Aetius deliberately wanted to embarrass Arecio. Arecio still supports the royal family, I don't know whether it is the long-dead Emperor Theodosius, or the cowardly Honorius, in short, he is now speechless.
The little emperor's indifference made Eunice, who had repeatedly insisted, unable to hold on any longer, and his sore hands finally lost their strength, and the wild wolf, who saw that he could take advantage of the opportunity, seized the opportunity to bite Eunice's neck violently. It was a silent murder in broad daylight in front of thousands of people, and Younis gave up his resistance, and was torn out by a wolf in front of all the spectators who loved him, bleeding to death, without making a sound the whole time, I am afraid he could not make it. The wild wolves were hungry, and how could they be calm in the face of such a fat lunch, so they feasted without anyone stopping them, accompanied by the cries of the noblewomen.
"Oh!"
Thousands of spectators couldn't hide their frustration, blaming Valentinian III for what had happened. To their surprise, Emperor Valentinian III ran out of his seat to see how the wolves ate, and came to the front of the stands, staring at the corpse of Younis with surprised eyes, and laughing.
"It's over!"
As Aetius spoke, he saw that the audience was surprisingly quiet, and only the laughter of the little emperor could be heard.
"So, have you decided?" Aetius asked Arecius again.