Persian Assassin: Dance of the Prisoners

The red and wet tip of the tongue flicked between the white teeth, and was hidden under the shadow of the mask that covered it.

tbc

Chapter 29 [XXVII] Reunion on a Narrow Road

After walking for a while on Chengguan Avenue, we arrived in front of a rectangular open square surrounded by colonnades.

This is probably the administrative religious and ceremonial center of Constantine described on the drawings --- Osgu Tower Square.

Before the emperor arrives, we must wait outside the square.

I watched the structure of the square, and the markings on the drawings clearly appeared in my mind, and they corresponded with what I saw in front of me one by one.

We are just in front of the gate of Messe Avenue on the west side. The huge pillar with six giant columns in front of the gate is the Senate House, where Boumier will sneak to pretend to be a handmaiden next to the Senator; The most famous building is the Hagia Sophia. Tatu led others to hide in this palace holy place that few people except the royal family usually enter; The entrance to Constantine's sacred palace, where the emperor's residence and banquet stage were.

As the procession progressed, the sacred palace finally presented its whole picture in front of my eyes.It is like a giant beast lying in the clouds, which is as beautiful and majestic as the palace of the Persian king in Ctesiphon.

Looking at the glowing blue dome, the ominous premonition lingering in my heart became more and more intense, as if some danger was approaching.

The instinct of a soldier made me extremely alert, and I straightened my back and looked around.

Immediately, I noticed that in the shadows under an arch on the south side, a procession of horses was slowly coming out, marching in my direction.I recognized at a glance the leader riding a tall black horse.

He took off his heavy black cloak and chain mail, and wore a gorgeous purple-fronted and white-lined toga hanging over his saddles. The collar was dropped low, revealing a large pale chest, which was tied behind his head. A strand of long red hair was made even more alluring, shining brightly under the sunlight.

He raised his head and seemed to be looking at me, his lips curled up, and the mask reflected like a torch of light.

In an instant, I felt that my face towel and even my flesh were penetrated by the light, and I was ripped apart.Thinking of the unbearable and weird situation last night, cold sweat ran down my back all at once.

—He recognized me.

This thought jumped out of my mind, biting my nerves like a poisonous snake.I don't know why I am so sure, this feeling is so strong that it makes my heart palpitate.

I touched the mask on my face uncomfortably, and the metal bead chain made an disturbing sound of rubbing between my fingers. I forced myself to look away, and my breathing was unsteady.

No, don't mess yourself up at the beginning!Athione!calm down.

I swallowed a mouthful of saliva, admonished myself silently in my heart, took a deep breath, but seemed to hear a creepy "hissing" sound again.

I should be thankful that I have pretty good self-control, and I may just move a little in the eyes of others.But in fact, I was already on the verge of attacking, and the dagger in my cuff was thrown out of its sheath.

But I immediately realized that there were no snakes around me, and it seemed that it was just an illusion caused by my excessive nervousness... Or maybe Yuriyans was using magic on me again.

I clenched the hilt of the dagger warily, and caught a glimpse of Yulyans walking in front of the messenger, talking to him with a smile. Feeling like sitting on pins and needles, his heart was beating wildly, and the palm of the hand holding the handle of the knife was full of sweat before he knew it.

"Your Highness, is the sun too strong, making you feel unwell? Do you need to drink water?" Ishkad's voice came from below.He looked up at me, frowning, warning me with his eyes.

I know I don't look right.

I desperately need Ishkad to give me reassurance, he always has such a special ability.Even after what happened last night, I admit I still have a lot of faith in him.He waved his hand to the attendant holding the rope, and the elephant half knelt down, allowing me to get close to Ishkad.

He handed me a delicate silver jug ​​and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing." I shook my head, grabbed the water bottle and was about to drink, but Ishkad pressed my wrist down.

"Be careful not to show your face here. You are a tribute to the emperor, and only he can see your appearance." Ishkad lowered his voice extremely low, glanced at Yuriyans' direction, and changed We only chanted the old saying used in the scriptures, "You don't have to be too nervous. Yuriyans is currently our ally. You have to try to negotiate with him, give him the light of the moon, and explain our purpose. Prove that we are his helpers."

"Hand over the glow of the moon? This is our national treasure in Persia!" I took a deep breath.

"The reason I asked you to steal it is for this." Ishkad's pupils were dark, "The glow of the moon is an important token he traded with His Majesty the King. We get it first and then hand it over to make it appear that we have enough money." sincerity."

I was suddenly a little annoyed, "Just because I want to gain his trust? I almost..."

Ishkad's expression changed.My throat is clogged—losing my virginity?No, I can't say it.It would be embarrassing enough to have Ishkad dereliction of duty to save me by failing to complete the task.

"I understand." I nodded, lowered my head sullenly and retracted into the sedan chair, like a turtle.

Ishkad took the kettle, slipped his hand in his cuff, and grabbed my wrist: "Ah Suin, don't worry, I will protect you, no one can touch your finger, and let you go back to Persia safe and sound. with me."

My arms stiffened, pretending not to hear the ambiguous feelings in his words, I withdrew my hand and nodded: "Thank you, Commander, I will act according to the order."

"Ah... that must be His Royal Highness Prince Arshak."

Before I could sit still, I heard a cold and lazy voice coming suddenly, and my heart skipped a beat.Standing up unsteadily, I held onto the arm of the chair tightly, and an indescribable tension flooded my chest.

tbc

Chapter 30 [XXVIII] Like Entering the Tiger's Mouth

Obviously I was looking down at Yuliyans from a high position, but when I met that aggressive gaze, I felt that I had lost all my disguise, as if I was sitting naked on this elephant sedan chair, completely becoming a human being. Burlesque actor.For a moment, I was like an aphasia, staring at him coldly, not knowing what to say.

As if he thought my embarrassment was very interesting, the red lips under the mask seemed to be raised to one side, and the tip of his tongue stuck out, licking his lips, "I don't know why, but I think you look very familiar... "As he spoke, his lips parted exaggeratedly, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, and silently made a "meow" mouth shape.

I felt that the blue veins on my forehead were about to explode in an instant, and I clenched my fists.

Ishkad's face also changed.

Yulyans stared at me, his long and narrow eyes twinkling in the hole, as if he was savoring my panic and anger, and the smile on his lips deepened.

"Forgive my offense. Even if I can't see your true face, I am still fascinated by your peerless grace. A beauty like you will add another eternal legend to the history of Rome. I think it looks familiar , maybe because we saw it in the dream created by Aphrodite..."

Yuriyans speaks fluently and clearly in standard Armenian.He leaned slightly under my gaze, he was a handsome host elegantly welcoming a distinguished guest from afar, as if the impolite behavior just now was just my hallucination, but his erotic words made me feel Embarrassment to the extreme.

Aphrodite is another Greek name for Venus. Everyone knows that Venus is different from Cupid. She is the goddess of sex-love.I admit that I am a very bad-spoken martial artist, and the abnormality of Yuriyans is enough to make me speechless with embarrassment.In particular, he deliberately used Armenian. Without knowing that we are allies, if I open my mouth to communicate with him, maybe he will see through my disguise on the spot.

I looked at Ishkad for help, and he spoke to save the situation: "Your Majesty Yuriyans, your enthusiasm makes us feel very honored, and the Guizhi of friendship connects us, and our trip is worthwhile. "

Yulyans stared at me intently and smiled: "May Armenia and Rome... be on good terms forever."

I suddenly felt a chill down my spine.At this moment, a loud horn sounded from the southeast.I followed the prestige toward the huge Basilica 2 with three aisles, and three rows of honor guards entered like a vast galaxy——I straightened my back, knowing that it meant that the Roman emperor had finally arrived.

Accompanied by the sound of long whistles resounding over the entire square, the guard of honor holding horns was neatly arranged in a square formation in front of the Basilica, and the imperial army in red robes and gold armor came one after another and divided into three columns. Surrounded by the golden imperial chariot surrounded by eight tall white horses.

On it stood the current ruler of the Roman Empire and the greatest enemy of Persia, Constantius II.

I couldn't see the face of the Roman Emperor, only his rather comical gesture.

He raised his head wearing a heavy crown, and wore a gorgeous royal robe studded with precious stones. He stood on the chariot in the posture of a giant, holding a golden cross symbolizing royal power in his left hand, and an emperor's hand in his right hand. The scepter is shining all over.No matter how bumpy the car was, his body remained motionless, like a stiff metal statue, as if only in this way could he show the sacred and inviolable status of the Roman emperor.

The purple Labyrinth 1 banner fluttered behind him, and the golden-red cursive Latin characters of "Jesus Christ" on the banner glowed in the sunlight, like a flying dragon spewing out flames, trying to Burn and devour the world in the name of their so-called God.

The civilians crowded in groups outside the protective circle of the Royal Forest Army, and there was a sea of ​​people.They looked up and looked up, shoulder to shoulder, just to see the glory of the supreme emperor. The scene was extremely lively, but in my eyes, it seemed to be watching an interesting monkey show.And we are the monkey jugglers who will deal with this monkey.I sneered, but noticed Ishkad beckoning to me.

I suppressed my smile, nodded understandingly, and gestured to the servant of Qianxiang.

Although I don't have the slightest awe of the Roman emperor, I know that I must meet the master here as an Armenian prince.I got off the elephant sedan chair, walked slowly to the front of the envoy at the head of the team, and waited for the envoy who came in the chariot with a respectful attitude.

However, my gaze could not stop drifting to my side——Julians was just a few steps away from me, and I could catch a glimpse of the projection of his fluttering white hem from the corner of my vision, and my heart was swaying like that shadow.

Yuriyans rode his horse and walked a few minutes closer, his legs and feet were exposed under the hem of his clothes.

He no longer wore greaves, but a pair of lace-up Greek-style thick-soled shoes. The upper was dotted with amethysts, making the skin of his ankles look like snow, and a circle of dark scars was clearly visible.I couldn't help thinking of Flaviz's feet in chains, staring at the scar in a daze.

"hiss……"

With a conditioned heel flick, I raised my head abruptly.Yulyans stared at me with lowered eyes, his thin lips grinned slightly, revealing a line of white teeth.The sound came from his mouth.

He must have thought my reaction was hilarious.Furiously, I flicked a sharp eye knife at the pervert.If I could, I really wanted to use the dagger in my sleeve to stab a bloody skull in his heart immediately, or cut his hateful face, but I had to avoid any conflict with him in public.

But my indifference was of no avail—Julians jumped off his horse and walked straight up to me.His floor-length robe was dragged to the ground, and his steps were graceful and slow, but it gave me the illusion that a dangerous and ferocious python was approaching.In front of a crowd, I couldn't help looking up at him because that would be rude.

The moment I looked at him directly at close range, I immediately felt intensely dazzled.Perhaps without the barrier of the black cloak, his flirtatious temperament could be unscrupulously gushed out under the scorching sun.

His neckline was cut too low, revealing his beautiful collarbone and graceful chest and abdomen muscles. On the oblique purple ribbon was pinned a red flower bud that looked like flesh and blood. Poisonous.The wind blowing on my face brought the rich fragrance of his body, which made me almost suffocate.

"Your Highness, it's too impolite to stare at me like this..." He pondered lazily in a low voice, and then raised his hand.I avoided being touched by his icy fingers on the face, and suddenly felt flustered, and hurriedly took a step back, only to see that he was picking up a petal in his hand, and his lips, which were as red as it, were slightly hooked.

"Your face is covered with the kiss of an elf, ah, maybe it's because your face is too charming."

I took a deep breath, suppressed my excessively rapid breathing, and bowed deeply to him: "Please forgive my impoliteness, Your Majesty Yuriyans." I paused, forcing myself to spit out a false scene, " It is your demeanor and boldness that make me lose my mind."

I swear I'm going to throw up.And Yuriyans raised his eyebrows and raised his jaw, as if he felt very happy.He reached out and took off the flower on the front of the shirt, and pinned it to my neckline, as if a polite host was showing his favor to a guest.

However, his face got a little closer, and there was an inaudible chuckle beside his ear: "The tighter the collar is buttoned, the more people want to commit crimes... Your Highness, is your leg injury okay?"

I suddenly felt a numb and itchy sting on my leg, and my whole body shook.Shame and anger welled up in my head at the same time, driving me to raise my legs, wanting to crush him heavily.I was wearing cowhide boots with stiff soles and he was wearing sandals with jewels, and I guess that must hurt.However, when my feet were half an inch in the air, I was reined in by the cliff of reason, and I was put back.What if Yulyans exposes me in front of the emperor in a fit of rage?

He doesn't know now that I'm a living ally.

"Your kindness surprised us." I carved a few words between my teeth with no expression on my face, tried to modify my tone to be calm and gentle, and took off a string of agate bead curtains around my neck as a gift in return Wrapped around his neck.My hand touched his cool neck, and my fingers stiffened involuntarily. In this short moment, I strangled him ten thousand times in my imagination.

And Yuliyans unknowingly twirled the string of beads, and then retreated a distance that allowed me to breathe, but his interested eyes still lingered on me.

Distraught, I avoided his sight and glanced at Ishkad next to me. He gave me an approving look, which somewhat comforted me.I am not fighting alone.

The sound of the horn was getting closer and closer, and the Roman Royal Guard of Honor had already marched to the front of the line. The Imperial Forest Army lined up five levels inside and outside, and the emperor's imperial chariot was supported by stars like a moon.

The stiff and gorgeous figure like a statue slowly moved and bounced, and with a haughty and contrived pace, stepped on the ladder built by the backs of the attendants who were lying on the ground one after another, and walked towards me.

tbc

Chapter 31 merged into V and three chapters merged

[ixxx] gluttonous feast

The sun shone directly on the tall crown of Constantius II, which complemented his glittering royal robes.I originally thought that I would see a king who was as imposing as our majesty the king, but I gloated to find that although the Roman emperor in front of me looked like he was in his prime, his face was faded, and his figure was not bad, but he could not be called a king. Tall, a little shorter than his cousin Yulyans, wrapped in the cumbersome robes, he looked like an Egyptian mummy about to be buried.

His face was covered with thick white powder, but it couldn't conceal his bronzed complexion due to the battle, and there were even two ridiculous lumps of red rouge on his cheeks.

I almost burst out laughing, he doesn't look like a king, he looks like a eunuch, not even fit to lift the shoes of our majesty the King!

I was thinking this way, but when I saw Juliyans turned sideways, bent and half-kneeled, I realized that I was hesitating whether to kneel with everyone, but Ishkad stopped him in time I.

"Your Highness, you don't have to kneel down, just bow your head."

I nodded, walked forward, and made a fake gesture of respect to greet the holy driver.

Constantius approached us, surrounded by his attendants.Following his steps, the gemstones all over his robe made crackling sounds, shining dazzlingly under the sunlight, and it was not easy for me to meet his eyes in the light of the gemstones.When I saw his eyes clearly, the contempt in my heart was immediately shaken a little.These are indeed the eyes of a king.

His eyes were long and narrow, similar to those of Yulyans, but the pupils were a lighter blue-gray.Although he looked a little muddy due to his age, he could still see a kind of shocking courage, a kind of cunning and shrewdness in his eyes.

This is a wily, ruthless character.

Thinking of this, my heart was suspended, secretly brewing the appropriate tone and words that I would like to see the Roman emperor.

Ishkad handed me a wreath that had been prepared in advance, but this was my return after the emperor crowned me with laurel branches, and it would be inappropriate to act before that.So I stood there and waited quietly.

As Constantius approached, he looked at me with a smile. His expression revealed a kind of elder's calmness and high-sounding hypocrisy, which made it impossible for me to judge whether I was really as attractive as Ishkad had judged. got his "attention".I never know what I look like in the eyes of others. I just feel that I am not very good-looking, and it is probably not enough to attract a person of the same sex who has attracted countless people at first sight.

At least I think my temperament and eyes are very unpleasant.

Concerned about being too exposed, I deliberately lowered my eyelids a little to make my demeanor look more docile.Just as I was about to say some polite words, I saw Constantius walking up to Julyans first.I looked curiously at this pair of cousins ​​who seemed to be in harmony in the legend, and Yuriyans nodded respectfully at him.

"Ulyans salutes His Majesty the Emperor, holy Constantius, supreme Oskudus."

***

Constantius watched his cousin, the current Caesar of the Empire, look up.

He couldn't help but recall the frail young man kneeling in front of him back then. That shockingly beautiful face no longer existed, replaced by a hideous and frightening mask.In the deep hole, a pair of eyes are no longer as clear and bright as the stars when they were young, but like the deep and dark sea in the vast dark night, and like the intoxicating dew on the mandala, quenched with enchanting A deadly venom that confuses power.

And his long light golden hair that looked like silk had also turned dark red like copper wire, if he hadn't seen with his own eyes the red stubble on Julyans' bandage-wrapped head before he left Rome. , he will think that what is in front of him is a completely different person.

"Long time no see, my dear cousin. I'm very pleased to hear that you're in Gaul." Constantius raised his voice, patted him on the shoulder, and helped him up.His throat was dry and hoarse, his hand wearing a huge gold ring brushed over the iron mask on the opponent's face, his eyes seemed to penetrate it, and seeing his cousin's burned ugly face, he couldn't help feeling a little bit sorry.

If he still has that face, maybe he will be merciful to his cousin this time as in the past, and send him to the Eastern battlefield, instead of giving him a crime like he did with Gallus and looking for an opportunity to execute him .This poor young man was the last collateral brother of his family.

oh god!How young and promising, dragging a sick body, he recovered the colony that had been harassed by the Germanic tribes for a long time, and he dedicated himself.The feats of Yuriyans are far better than that idiot who fell into the gorgeous coffin he dug, the previous Caesar, his own brother Gallus.

Constantius tugged at the corner of his mouth, and the thick white powder on his face cracked.

However, when Julyans stood up in front of him, an invisible pressure fell on him——he just noticed that his cousin had grown taller during the two years in Gaul, A head taller than him.

His figure looks straight and slender, and the exposed jaw line is handsome and masculine. If he doesn't know that he has been disfigured, anyone who looks at his appearance will be overwhelmed by him as before.

If it wasn't for his innate notoriety, even he himself would not be able to resist accepting his cousin as a favorite. You must know that this kid's appearance was better than any male favorite in the court.

He even wondered if there was really a devil-like face behind that mask.

But now is not the time to speculate on this.He turned his attention to the distinguished guests of Armenia who came from afar to seek their protection.The legendary Prince Arshak was half covered by a mask made of beaded chains, revealing only a pair of blue eyes with drooping eyelashes, obviously a gentle and humble demeanor, but there was a kind of aura between his brows. Inviolable glamor and sharp color.

It seems to be a frozen lake, tempting people to step on it, wanting to see if there will be an intoxicating blue wave under the ice.

He had to admit that, as a plaything to please himself, this Prince Arshak had surprised him unexpectedly.It's not a vulgar thing --- Armenia's sincerity is evident.

For this, he was very satisfied.

After receiving the crown of laurel branches presented by the ceremony officer beside him, he raised his head haughtily and walked towards his tribute.

The moment Constantius turned around and walked towards me, I clearly saw the smile on the corner of Yuriyans' mouth quietly withdrawn, and his eyes were as sinister as a poisonous scorpion.

Anyone can see that these two brothers are entrusted by Xu Snake.I sneered, and went up to the driver on the opposite side, stretched out a hand in front of my shoulder, and bowed to salute him: "Great and holy Oskudu, noble king of a country, seeing you, let me Arshak was terrified."

"Welcome, welcome, my distinguished guests from Armenia, may the grace of God and the radiance of friendship wipe away the tiredness of your long journey." Constantius smiled amiably, and he held up his laurel crown , I lowered my head in cooperation and let him put it on my head.A man who looked like a bishop came forward and sprinkled water from a white porcelain bottle all over my body with an olive branch, which I knew was a symbol of blessing.

After the envoys led the ceremonial team to pay tribute to Constantius, we were finally able to follow the guards through the Oskudu Square and into the sacred palace.

Yulyans rode past me before re-seating in the sedan chair.

He bent his body, approaching my ears like poisoned red lips, his voice was hoarse and low, but it was like a cursed magic sound piercing through the noise, tightly hooking my hearing.

"When you sit on a high place, you can see the palace facing the sea in the south...Your Highness, I will wait for you there after the banquet tonight. Please...be sure to come to the appointment."

My spine felt a chill, and I got on the elephant sedan chair without looking back.

When I arrived late at night with my skirts in hand, the torturous welcome ceremony finally came to an end, and the banquet officially kicked off when we entered the Daphne Palace, the largest among the Roman palace complexes.

The guards were naturally left outside the palace, and the envoys, close maids, and the eunuch pretended to be Ishkad accompanied me into the hall of the king's palace.Crowds of Roman nobles and bureaucrats dressed in colorful costumes, either with arms folded, or surrounded by three or five, walked with us through the long colonnade that seemed to have no end, and bypassed one after another like a series of labyrinths. Like a pavilion.

Light and shadow are intertwined between the exquisite sculptures and the painted windows of angels, creating a layer of illusory light and mist, blending with the changing shadows projected on the wall, which dazzled me as if I had stepped into confusion The domain, even his own shadow was swallowed up in it.

Feeling more and more uncomfortable, I glanced at Ishkad next to me. He looked very calm, with his hands neatly placed in front of his abdomen, his posture was rigid and rigid, and he didn't look like a warrior at all.Ah, I almost forgot that Ishkad is not only a soldier, but also a well-educated gentleman of a family, which is fundamentally different from a wild boy like me.

Heaving a sigh of relief, I touched my neck, which was uncomfortable by the high collar, but suddenly remembered Yulyans' obscene joke, and my skin was covered with goosebumps. Search for that guy.

Oddly enough, as if sensing my gaze, I actually saw Julyans' head move, and he really had a tendency to turn his face sideways.I quickly turned my head aside, but bumped into another pair of eyes.The pair of brown eyes are shining brightly in the brilliant lights, like a pair of lion's fierce eyes, and its owner has curly and dazzling blond hair like a lion's mane and a beastly heroic face to match it .He looked at me suspiciously.

I recognized it right away, the man looking at me from the opposite side was the red-robed general who confronted Julyans on the roads of Rome, wasn't he Tyrion?There was an alarm bell in my heart --- he wouldn't recognize me, would he?

I quickly lowered my head, and I quickened my pace anxiously. Even though I was wearing a mask, I still felt very guilty.But at this time, Ishkad who was beside me grabbed the hem of my clothes: "This is not polite, Your Highness, that is the emperor's adopted son and one of the candidates for the crown prince. You can't deliberately ignore him like this."

"What should I call him?" I whisper nervously.

"Are you His Royal Highness Prince Arshak of Armenia?"

Before walking out the door of the promenade, a tall figure approached me.

I raised my head with a stiff neck as if I were dead, leaned slightly towards him, and said dryly: "Ah, I must be, this is the honorable one...Your Majesty Tyrion, you are really rude."

He raised his stubbled chin in a pretentious gesture, and smiled silently.There was a clearly identifiable disdain in his eyes, but it made me feel relieved from the bottom of my heart.Because of my fake identity, he will naturally despise me --- few nobles with status will look down on a plaything used to flatter and flatter, especially if he is a man.

Even though it wasn't really me in this ugly state, I still felt uncomfortable because the look reminded me of my childhood.

"The banquet is about to begin. I hope you, a distinguished guest from afar, will not be disappointed by Rome's hospitality." Tyrion stretched his arms and politely moved out of the way.

I nodded and stepped across the high marble threshold.

I came to an open-air semi-circular high platform.

In the center of the terrace was a table made of precious red marble, and on the seat on the high platform was a golden armchair with carved lion claws on the handle, which undoubtedly belonged to the emperor's throne.

Looking around, you can see the magnificent Constantine Arena lying under the palace. It is a few sizes smaller than the huge amphitheater in the center of Rome, but it is very gorgeously built, full of walls. gold inlaid.A three-legged altar supported by three tall snake-headed pillars stands in the center, with flames burning on the top, like a fire-breathing python that will wake up at any time.

Under the light of the fire, one can see blood splattered vertically and horizontally on the walls and iron gates surrounding the arena. It is not difficult to imagine how cruel the show was once staged on this gorgeous stage of death.And I know that this bloody and violent performance of corporal punishment is precisely the most fanatical entertainment of the barbaric Romans.

Judging from this scene, the owner of the empire must be very, very enthusiastic about it.

Although Constantius was very kind, he was by no means a wise king.Although not as appalling as the atrocities committed by Nero 2 and Caligula 3, in order to stabilize the throne in his early years, he massacred all the offspring of his half-brother lineage, and persecuted those who dared to die in the empire. The Christians and pagans who refuted his Arianism 4 tried to portray themselves as the reincarnation of the Holy Spirit. These actions have shown that he is an arbitrary and cruel dictator.

Recalling the information I saw in the court records of the battle in my mind, I raised my vigilance a little more.I have to take every move very carefully, and in such a dangerous enemy territory, I must not make a single mistake.

Under the guidance of the attendants, I sat down at the banquet table facing the emperor.Unfortunately, on my right is the emperor's adopted son Tyrion, while on the left sits the perverted Julius --- it's really in dire straits.But fortunately, this is a public place, and with Constantius around, Julyans can't take care of himself, so he can't threaten me for the time being.

But I can still feel his gaze lingering on my face, thinking about something, which makes my scalp tingle.I tried not to pay attention to his existence, and carefully observed the guests at the banquet.They are all high-ranking officials, their status should not be underestimated, any one of them may become a stumbling block to our plan.

Those faces appeared brightly or darkly in the light and shadow, with different expressions, and each of them must have a dark heart.They don't wear masks, but their faces look even more artificial than those of the actors on the stage.The funny thing is, I'm one of them too.I knew I had to fit in and be comfortable with it and not always rely on Ishkad.

If you deal with these high-ranking officials and eunuchs well, you may have more chances of winning and a few more retreats.But how easy is it?On the battlefield, I am like a fish in water, but in the crowd, above the court, I am struggling.

tbc

[xxx] teasing under the table

The sterling silver candlesticks were placed on the long marble table by the attendants, the cups containing the wine were presented to everyone, and the slaves came up to clean the hands of all the people on the banquet table—this seems to be the traditional custom in Rome .

A bishop with a cross in his hand walked up to Constantius and whispered something to him mysteriously.

The emperor clasped his hands together, showing a pretentious demeanor, as if the cross was a magic wand, with a single click, he became a flesh body possessed by the Holy Spirit.

I reluctantly followed the group of Christians in their pre-meal prayers, naturally muttering another scripture.

Bronze plates full of exquisite snacks and fruits were presented one after another, mixed with strange-looking small fish with golden stripes.Judging from its bright color, it must contain toxins, and I became vigilant instinctively.When one of them was caught on my dinner plate, I stared at it for a while, and was more sure of this judgment, and subconsciously gently pushed the plate aside.

"Cats...why don't they want to eat fish?" There was an inaudible chuckle in my ears, which made my breath tight.

A series of malicious low laughs swallowed in Yuriyans' throat.

"Fork tooth bream 1 is a very rare snack, only the nobles with prominent status can eat it, it has a magical effect that makes people feel ecstatic... eat it, and you will feel extraordinarily happy."

I ignored him with a cold face.

And at this moment, I felt a hand poke from my waist, go straight under the tablecloth in front of me, and hit my thigh.Like being struck by a bolt of lightning, I was shocked and froze on the spot.

"You...what are you doing..." I gritted my teeth, suppressed my voice, and glared at him fiercely.

Yuriyans turned his face sideways, didn't look at me, picked up a fork and put a piece of fish into his mouth, pretending nothing happened.He even rested his chin on one hand, and a purple jewel on the ring