Hyperdimensional Player

Chapter 76 The Emperor's Thigh! Duncan
Chinese military camp.

Duncan glanced at the elite guards at the door. He didn't know if it was his illusion, but now these people didn't dare to be alone with him in the same room. When he had a secret conversation with the Visigothic Prince Thorismund before, the other party was accompanied by several noble knights to strengthen his presence.

There were candles lit inside the tent, and there was a mixed smell of oil, spices, and a deliberately concealed smell of alcohol.

Aetius must have drunk a lot last night.

The famous Protector of the Realm looked at Duncan in front of him with a slightly dazed expression, as if he was intimidated by Duncan's heroic spirit. He said with emotion: "When I was your age, I was still a hostage in the tent of the King of the Huns."

After all, he is an old man in his sixties and his time is running out. Now that the "afterglow of the empire" has faded, it can be said that his last bit of energy is almost exhausted.

Duncan's eyes were calm as he said calmly, "Is that when Lord Aetius met Attila?"

This answer made Aetius slightly stunned. He stared into Duncan's eyes and saw a hint of unwillingness in them. He was too familiar with this look. After he persuaded Prince Thorismund to leave, both the barbarian chief and the Roman officer showed a very obvious unwillingness.

But he also had his own difficulties. Without Attila to suppress the Germanic barbarians, the empire's territory would become increasingly riddled with holes.

What's more, deep down in his heart, he didn't want Attila to die here.

After all, we have been friends for decades.

Aetius slowly sat down, looking much older in an instant. He shook his head and sighed, "Yes."

"I joined the army at the age of eight and became the youngest soldier in the regiment."

"Followed my father in his battles."

Aetius seemed lost in memories, his voice hoarse as he spoke, "The empire was in dire straits at the time. The Visigoth leader, Alaric, led a barbarian army invading. My father tried his best to gain the barbarian leader's trust, and he sent me to the barbarians as a hostage."

"Later, when the Huns grew stronger, my father sent me to the Hun king's tent as a hostage."

"It was also at that time that I met Attila, the nephew of the King of the Huns."

A few words.

Duncan then understood how difficult the Roman Protector's childhood was. He was first held hostage by the barbarians and then by the Huns. His father was cruel enough.

Aetius didn't mind recounting some old stories. He stared at Duncan and said, "When I was thirty-four, the empire was in turmoil. I seized the opportunity, borrowed sixty thousand soldiers from the Huns, and led my army back to Rome."

"However, the general I supported was quickly defeated. After his death, I could only rely on the Hun army in my hands to force the emperor and the regent Placidia to reconcile, and I was awarded the position of cavalry governor of the province of Gaul."

A heroic aura came over him, and Aetius's eyes gradually became sharper.

He was the only one who could be so successful as a hostage. He was able to borrow tens of thousands of soldiers from the Huns, which was truly remarkable.

"Later, with the help of the Huns, I defeated the Visigoths."

"Defeat the Germanic invasion at Noricum."

"The Queen Regent, Placidia, wanted to get rid of me, so I led an army against Boniface, who was supported by them. We fought a battle near Rimini."

"Boniface won, but he was seriously injured and died a month later."

"I fled to Sarmatia at the time, and later, with Attila's help, I forced Placidia to restore my power and became the commander of the Western Empire."

Speaking of which.

Aetius smiled, a smile that was both heroic and bitter. He looked at Duncan and said in a deep voice, "Many people at that time said I was a 'running dog of the Huns.'"

"You want to get rid of me!"

"Some thought I would raise an army and declare myself king, while others thought I would sell out the interests of the empire to curry favor with my Hun master."

"But more than a decade later, they're calling me 'the hero of the Romans.'"

He fought on the battlefield all his life and made great achievements.

Aetius maneuvered between many forces, and when the empire was already in a state of irreversible decline, he relied on external aid to fight force against force and managed to stabilize the dying and ruined empire.

All the doubts and criticisms at that time turned into respect, and Aetius became the de facto supreme commander of the empire.

The hero dies.

Duncan looked at the elderly Aetius before him and said slowly, "The Duke of Protector has indeed devoted his life to his country and has made great military achievements."

This is indeed not black.

The last rays of light of the empire rest on him. It can be said that he alone shoulders the fate of the Western Empire.

He used war tactics and strategies to divide and deal with the various barbarian tribes, gradually quelled the border troubles on all sides, and restored the prestige of the Western Empire in Gaul and Spain. He used diplomatic skills to sign a peace agreement with the Vandal leaders, and did not invade each other, thus maintaining peace in the Italian mainland where the empire was located. Then he defeated the Franks and Suvids by force, forcing them to ally with the Western Empire and become important allies and helpers.

He fought on the frontiers, appeased the barbarians, and dealt with the Huns. It can be said that he devoted his life to the cause. Now, in his old age, he broke off a war with Attila. At the critical moment, no one would doubt his loyalty to the empire.

But these were not reasons for him to let Attila go.

Aetius stared at Duncan before him, then slowly stood up, turned his back to him, and said in a deep voice, "You are the most talented Roman I have ever met."

"My son is a good-for-nothing."

"If you wish, I can adopt you as my son and appoint you as the cavalry governor of Gaul."

See the picture poorly.

Aetius said so much, but his real purpose was to win over Duncan. He was the governor of the British province appointed by Emperor Valentinian III. If he recognized Aetius as his adoptive father, he would be on his side and draw a clear line between himself and Valentinian III.

The bargaining chip offered by Aetius was also extremely generous. According to the Roman tradition of adopting heirs, he intended to train Duncan as his heir and directly inherit his political and military legacy. After all, he started his career as the governor of the cavalry of the province of Gaul.

Gaul is not a remote corner like the British Isles. The province of Gaul is an administrative region. It used to be divided into provinces such as Intramountain Gaul, Transalpine Gaul, and Belgic Gaul. It also included Upper and Lower Germania, which is almost equivalent to appointing you as the second-in-command of the French army in later generations.

Even my own son doesn’t get such good treatment!

This is an arrangement to directly train a successor, which is equivalent to announcing to everyone that Duncan is the future military and political successor.

Aetius was truly amazed by Duncan’s military command ability!
Of all the great generals he had ever met, Attila was once the strongest. He commanded the Hunnic cavalry like the wind, galloping and moving with the force of the wind. His army pressed forward like a raging storm, unstoppable. The second greatest was the deceased Visigothic King Theodoric I. His cavalry was like a mountain. A single movement of his heavy cavalry could cause mountains to collapse and the earth to crack, crushing everything before him. His might was so overwhelming that even the Hunnic cavalry dared not stand up to him.

The feeling Duncan gave him was like a 'surge', one wave after another, hitting everything on the battlefield, finding the enemy's weaknesses, and then drowning the enemies in front.

This young man is like a natural born 'god of war'!
He could not only break through the entire area with a single point and defeat the army in front, but also divide and encircle and expand local results, just like the waves hitting everything and swallowing up the enemy in the turbulent waves. What was even more incredible was that the more he fought, the greater his advantage became, and finally formed a torrent that swept everything on the battlefield.

This is no longer a talent, this is a God-given battlefield god!

I'm afraid it won't be long before he becomes the most famous general on the battlefield in the world.

Of course, he hopes to train such a talent to become his successor.

Aetius offered the best bargaining chip he could, then looked at Duncan in front of him with expectation, but his mood soon became depressed.

Duncan remained unmoved. He simply said calmly, "Thank you for your kindness, sir. I still hope to become the governor of the British province."

Whatever he wants, he will go to the battlefield to get it.

The empire was already in a state of despair. By accepting Aetius's legacy in its entirety, it also inherited this mess. It was really rotten, so it would be better to tear it down and rebuild a new empire.

Besides, he didn't want to acknowledge his adoptive father. Even though Aetius was the last famous general, he had no interest in being an adopted son.

Again.

A true man conquers the world immediately! A kingdom must be won righteously! Only in this way can it last!

Duncan had to be a paperhanger after taking over the mess of the empire. He had to deal with barbarian invasions from outside and clean up corrupt and decadent imperial bureaucrats from within. It would be better for him to start anew and sweep them all into the garbage dump of history.

Moreover, Duncan was secretly supported by polytheists, so if he entered the ruling class of the empire, he would have to face the issue of faith.

Aetius's legacy, to him, was just that.

Duncan's attitude at this time had already revealed everything, but Aetius did not think so deeply. Instead, he felt that Duncan might support Emperor Valentinian III more.

Young people are concerned about their reputation.

It is impossible that he would change his allegiance and recognize Aetius as his adoptive father just after being appointed governor of the province of Britain by Emperor Valentinian III.

In fact, he didn't know that the governor of the British province was appointed to Duncan by Emperor Valentinian III, and he didn't even know that Duncan had given him such a big surprise.

Now, not to mention showing up in front of the Roman people, Valentinian III could even regain his power and compete with Aetius for some power.

The news had not yet reached Rome, but as soon as Valentinian III learned about it, his court attendants would immediately rush over to win him over.

He placed a bet!
This time it's a win without any effort.

He also invested money, provided talents when needed, and sent some equipment and supplies when needed, but not much. Valentinian III was fond of luxury and pleasure, and he was a little short of money.

Let's say that.

After this battle, Duncan became Valentinian III's most powerful supporter. With Duncan around, he felt more confident when shouting loudly in the imperial court!
Duncan is also a true Roman hero!
He led a solo expedition to the British province, defeated the Saxons, killed the two brothers of the King of Kent in battle, saved the oppressed Britons, and restored the empire's prestige and influence in the British Isles.

Scourge of God - Attila invades Gaul.

At the most critical moment of the empire, Duncan, the governor of the British province, stepped forward and led his army on a cross-sea expedition to rescue the imperial coalition forces. He made the final decision on the battlefield and defeated the legendary invincible Scourge of God with his outstanding military exploits.

One man propped up a collapsing building, single-handedly mended the cracks in the sky, and saved the empire from danger!
To put it bluntly.

Duncan’s current strength is indeed not as good as Aetius’s, but in terms of fame and status, it is estimated that they will soon be on par with each other.

This is the prestige of the legendary Whip of God!
Whoever defeats him will be the hero of all Europe and will play an important role in history.

Duncan was fully qualified to stand up and speak loudly to Aetius, because he was also a local lord, and he made his way to power by relying on his own strength!
Even in the imperial court, he sat in the front row.

The two were destined to part ways on bad terms.

Aetius did not want to kill Attila, while Duncan wanted to eliminate the threat once and for all. Both camps had supporters. At this time, with the strength of the imperial coalition forces, they were completely unable to attack the chariot formation. If Aetius' army did not make an effort, they would not be able to hold the siege, and the main force of the Huns might break through at any time.

But this is what Duncan wants.

What he was waiting for was Attila to break through, because he had secretly contacted other people and was learning from Aetius to borrow troops and win the support of some people.

Duncan is now using Aetius as a teaching material!
do not forget.

He had just saved the Visigoth prince Thorismund a few days earlier. At that time, the enemy, in a frenzy of killing, had rushed to the Hun camp, and it was Duncan who saved him at the critical moment. He also knew Merovingian, the leader of the Franks. As mentioned earlier, the Franks were divided, and the Scourge of God had a group of Frankish vassal troops under his command.

Merovice dreams of unifying the Franks!
He was the one who absolutely wanted Attila dead, as only when the Scourge of God died could he unify the Frankish nation.

This battle.

Merovice was very cunning and there were only a few Frankish paladins on the battlefield.

………………

(End of this chapter)