Hyperdimensional Player

Chapter 96: God-killing Plan! Grand Strategic Layout!

Southampton.

When the envoy of the emperor of the empire arrived, Duncan did not go to receive him in person, but asked Anya to deal with it.

His attitude was very clear. He nominally supported the emperor, giving people the feeling of strong foreign aid, but there was no need to think too much about the substance, and it was even more impossible for him to stand on the side of the emperor and confront the Protector Aetius head-on.

Aetius was now at the height of his power, with the vast majority of the imperial legions supporting him.

Duncan is now just building up his reputation, staying away from the center of the empire, but he has great influence. He does not participate in the political struggles of the empire, but he will help whoever is weaker.

The main focus is to develop well and first enrich and strengthen your own foundation.

"Aetius being too strong is not a good thing. The Emperor of the Empire being overpowered by the Protector of the Realm is also not a good thing."

Duncan watched from the sidelines and did not take part in the battle himself, mainly to support Valentinian III, strengthen his influence, and let the old nobles of the empire compete with Aetius for power themselves.

With his attitude, Aetius couldn't target him and could even gain a lot of benefits.

For example, now, Emperor Valentinian III has raised the stakes.

port area.

Quintus, dressed in a gorgeous toga, walked out surrounded by his followers. Seeing Anya coming to greet him from afar, he took the initiative to step forward. Before he got close, he bowed slightly and greeted her, "Long time no see, Lady Anya."

It’s different in the past.

When Anya wanted to ask Quintus for help, she had to bleed heavily, because this guy was extremely greedy and had a big appetite.

But this time, Quintus took the initiative to spit out the meat in his mouth, and generously added a hundred slaves. It was obvious that Anya's status rose after following Duncan, and Quintus had to take the initiative to bow his head and show goodwill.

Anya was secretly happy at this moment and warmly welcomed Quintus.

This is a scene of pretending to be cool but then getting slapped in the face.

She loves it so much!
Duncan's refusal to greet him was an attitude. Quintus couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart, probably knowing that this British governor was also a vassal lord.

But it doesn’t matter. Quintus’s mission is still to gain Duncan’s support openly.

We are all old foxes, why play Liao Zhai? We can't see any tangible benefits. Not to mention Duncan, even the emperor of the empire would not pay attention to the remote British Isles.

Further cooperation depends on the attitudes and bargaining chips of each party. Quintus is just testing Duncan's intentions.

Quintus' ancestors were large slave owners in Capua, who mainly ran the Colosseum. Later, when the family fell into decline, they bet on the young Valentinian III and rose to power by relying on the status of a jester.

Anya was more than capable of handling him.

Duncan was also observing the group brought by Quintus from a God's perspective at this time. It must be said that Valentinian III did use some ruthless tactics this time.

Talent.

A large number of talents.

Valentinian III also knew that the British province was very backward, so he waved his hand and sent dozens or hundreds of professionals marked as followers.

- Agricultural experts, leather merchants, armorers, astrologers, surgeons, dancers, gladiators, historians, local administrators, etc.

There are even some units marked with asterisks that are worth checking out specifically.

Skilled Craftsman (1 star): This era's master craftsman is not only skilled in crafting military weapons, but also in forging siege engines. He can even reduce the cost of troop reorganization and recruitment, lowering the expenditure on various types of military equipment to a certain extent.

——"Mathematician (1-star gold): As followers, they can assist in management, improve the efficiency of the territory's operations, and cultivate potential talents. Greek, Archimedean school."

——"Military Engineer (1 star): A professional talent of the Empire, capable of crafting engineering equipment such as catapults, ballistae, and scorpion crossbows."

——"Mining Engineer (1 star): A professional talent of the empire, capable of mining minerals, and a rare talent within the empire."

——"Philosopher (1 star): Strengthen management, but philosophy is not accepted by everyone."

——"Greek Sculptor (1 star): Strengthens influence and can build some magnificent buildings, even wonders of this era."

hiss.

What a generous act.

These followers are actually a bit like retainers, but they are not combat talents. You have to support them and assign them positions, otherwise they will abandon you.

Quintus was also introducing the professionals on this trip. He pointed at one person and said proudly, "That's Aslam."

"Once worked in the gold mines of the Iberian Peninsula." (Spain)
"He's a professional mining master."

"I heard that there are some minerals on the British Isles, so His Majesty sent him here specially."

If you want to win over Duncan, you have to be willing to spend a lot of money.

The Spanish region is rich in minerals, and the empire's best mining talents are there.

Lord's residence.

Duncan showed up at this time, warmly welcomed Quintus' arrival, and ordered people to prepare a sumptuous dinner to entertain the envoy of the imperial emperor.

Once the money is in place, Duncan has to welcome the guests with a smile.

The sky is high and the emperor is far away.

As a provincial governor, he held immense power, not to mention prestige among the people of the empire. Quintus didn't dare to be careless. Before he even approached, he took the initiative to salute, his attitude extremely humble, and said attentively, "The British province is in ruins, and the governor probably doesn't have many people around him to serve him."

After saying this, Quintus clapped his hands, and more than a dozen young and beautiful female slave dancers were sent up. He chuckled and said, "This is a personal gift from me."

"It can also be used by the Governor-General's attendants at banquets."

"They are all very docile."

These young female slaves all have a special follower mark: 'docile female slave'.

Quintus is really a shrewd man and a qualified jester. No wonder he can please Valentinian III so much.

Duncan accepted it with a smile.

Come here.

They all came to his door, and Duncan accepted them all and would make arrangements for the future.

The dinner was a great pleasure for both the guests and the hosts.

Duncan didn't mention any serious business, and Quintus was not in a hurry. He just talked about some interesting things in the imperial court. This man was good at chatting and was suitable to be a servant to kill time.

Night falls.

Duncan sent someone to see Quintus off, and when he sat back in the hall, there was not a trace of drunkenness on his face.

Severus came hurriedly and nodded slightly, saying, "No one from the church."

"Most of them are the emperor's entourage."

"The Iberian Peninsula was occupied by the Visigothic Kingdom, and some people lost their livelihoods and fled back to Italy."

Duncan narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded, "Then take it."

"He's a talented person."

"Never too much."

Anya was sitting next to Duncan. Her pretty face was flushed from drinking so much. She chuckled and said, "This guy is not simple."

"News has been sent from Rome."

"He returned the estate to me and generously gave me a hundred slaves."

Duncan nodded slightly and said thoughtfully, "This kind of person can be used. With him as an informant, we can also better understand the changes in the situation within the empire."

Severus hesitated and said in a deep voice, "How should Valentinian III deal with this?"

Duncan smiled.

He stood up and looked at everyone. He knew he had to express his position. After all, those present were all core members. He said slowly: "The imperial decree cannot leave Italy."

"Of course we have to support him openly."

"As for the rest, we will do what we should do step by step, first unifying the British province, and then solving the threat of the Picts."

Duncan tapped the upper left corner of the map, the Scottish region, with his scabbard and said solemnly, "Find a way to conquer them and make them submit." "Establish the Kingdom of Britain."

"Then we will march south to compete with the Franks in Gaul."

"Conquer Gaul."

"We will then have a firm foothold on the European continent. We can advance westward to seize the Iberian Peninsula (Spain), or occupy Upper and Lower Germania. Going east, we can advance into Italy through Transalpine Gaul at any time."

Duncan's gaze finally fell on the map of the Eastern Empire. He pointed to the location of Constantinople and said in a deep voice, "If we can reach here."

"The empire is reforged in our hands!"

For an instant.

Anya's breathing became rapid, and even the alcohol had sobered up. She was so excited that her legs rubbed against each other slightly.

Duncan's ambition is fully revealed at this moment!
The Raven Queen - Triss was also slightly stunned. If Duncan could really conquer this vast empire, he would be fully capable of using his royal power to interfere with secular beliefs.

Duncan looked around at everyone and finally finalized the strategic plan for next year. He said in a deep voice, "This year we will rest and recuperate, develop agriculture, and restore the economy."

"Next year we will unify Britain and march straight to Hadrian's Wall."

"It's time to clean up King Uther as well."

The Picts in Scotland can be fought or not, because that place is a bad land with mountains, forests, swamps, etc. If we can make them surrender and stop invading Britain, it can be regarded as achieving the goal.

But if he conquered Ireland and Scotland, Duncan would have completely unified the Celtic faith.

In one of the future prophecy clips, Duncan obtained the Spear of Greed, which probably means he strategically conquered that place.

If you want the rear to be completely secure.

Then Duncan would have to cut down mountains and destroy temples, directly exterminate other gods of the Celtic faith, support the belief in Avalon to take the lead, and directly let the guardian fairy become the main god of the Celtic faith!

But doing so would certainly delay the attack on Gaul and the capture of the Frankish region.

He himself is still considering it.

The first formal court meeting ended and the others left.

Those were said to others. The real internal discussions still had to be discussed with Duncan and the Raven Queen - Triss. Severus was not qualified to do so.

Because it involves gods, beliefs, supernatural beings and other existences.

Candlelight flickers.

Triss, the Raven Queen, seemed to have guessed something. She stared at Duncan and said slowly, "You want to destroy other Celtic beliefs?"

Cut down mountains and destroy temples!

Destroy the Holy Land!
Kill the faith!
Suppress the Celtic gods!
With the authority of the King of Britain, he could indeed try to do so.

But the risks are huge!

Duncan was also lost in thought. He stared at the Raven Queen before him and spoke his truest thoughts, saying slowly, "That's right."

"If the Celtic faith is not unified!"

"Avalon is simply unable to withstand the power of the Church."

"If we destroy other Celtic beliefs, support Avalon as the core belief, and make the guardian fairies the main gods of the pantheon, then our power will be able to enter the realm of mythology!"

"In the future, whether we are facing the church or the Nordic pantheon."

"We can all fight."

Augustus?

No.

Duncan's ultimate goal goes far beyond this.

However, Scotland and Ireland are also tough nuts to crack.

beat.

It doesn't have much economic value in the real world and may be a losing deal.

But other aspects are immeasurable!
"What are you talking about?" Anya looked a little confused.

Why do I feel like I don’t quite understand?
But she was smart and reacted immediately. She trembled with excitement and muttered, "Are you trying to kill God?!"

At first, she thought Duncan wanted to ban mortal sacrifices and make others convert to the faith of Avalon.

I didn't expect him to play so big!
day!
He is worthy of being the man she has chosen!
Killing God.

Such a thing was something she had never dared to imagine in the past.

If they do so, they will not only have to face the real barbarian coalition, but also the mythical Shadow Kingdom. The Green Knights of Avalon may not be able to defeat the Shadow Kingdom of Celtic belief.

The Raven Queen, Triss, was also trembling slightly with excitement. She pondered for a long time, then said apologetically, "There's something I just discovered recently."

"The Knights Templar I recruited secretly set up shrines dedicated to Roman and Greek gods."

"Sorry……"

Before the Raven Queen Triss could finish her words, Duncan reached out and pulled her into his arms, saying calmly, "No need to say sorry."

"I've noticed it a long time ago."

"It doesn't matter."

Some people privately worshipped one or two small shrines, which were not even altars. The Raven Queen would never notice them, and Duncan had his own plans.

The shrine is just a little bigger than the tablet, and neither can be considered a proper sacrifice.

A hand reached in, warm and soft in the arms.

Raven Queen Triss blushed slightly, but said in a serious tone, "If you really want to do this, we must gain the support of the Norse pantheon."

"You must also personally discuss important matters with the guardian fairies of Avalon."

"in addition."

"I'm afraid that's not enough. On the British Isles is Minerva, the sacred place of Athena..."

The Raven Queen's meaning is self-evident.

For the sake of the overall situation, she did not mention Diana and Artemis, but mentioned Athena, because she was the most powerful among the later Roman and Greek gods!
Duncan wanted to destroy other branches of Celtic faith.

No one can come.

Among the ancient Roman and Greek gods, only Athena still has the strength to fight!
As long as the city of Athens is immortal, Athena will always possess a trace of divine power.

The capital of the modern Greek Republic is Athens, and the echoes of history are destined that Athena will not disappear easily.

She simply disconnected the signal.

Now the Raven Queen - Triss has absolute trust in Duncan and is willing to follow him to fight to the end of the world, whether facing the secular church or the legendary gods!
If the ancient Roman and Greek pantheons were restored.

Athena must be the first god to be resurrected!

If I can’t defeat God, can I defeat you?

——Goddess of wisdom and victory-Athena (Minerva's face) (Greek pantheon) (Twelve main gods)!

What the Raven Queen - Triss is worried about now is, with the great decline of mythology, can the pantheon camp really be successfully restored?
Can Duncan summon Athena back into the real world's belief system?
Take this step.

The whole world will undergo earth-shaking changes. What kind of chain reaction will there be in the Norse pantheon and the monotheistic camp?
Is it possible for the myth to make a small-scale revival?

No wonder Duncan wanted to subdue Merlin.

Merlin's role in unifying the Celtic faith was extremely appealing, after all, his other identity was a Celtic prophet.

………………

(End of this chapter)