Hyper-Dimensional Player

Quintus eventually returned.

But after meeting with Valentinian III, he walked out of the palace with a bruised face. It turned out that the news he brought back greatly displeased the Emperor, and an enraged Valentinian III couldn't contain his anger, directly hurling a silver goblet at Quintus's head.

This instantly caused Quintus's head to bleed profusely.

"Sir, are you alright?"

Seeing the blood on Quintus's forehead, a palace guard, who had benefited much from him, came over and supported Quintus as they walked out of the palace.

When you eat from someone's hand, your mouth is soft; when you take from someone's hand, your hand is short.

Quintus had been feeding those below him plentifully for some time now, and many came quietly to check on him seeing him in such a sorry state today.

Quintus wiped the blood from his forehead and shook his head, saying, "It's nothing."

The palace guard nodded slightly and softly said, "Lord Maximus came again this morning."

Oh?

Quintus squinted upon hearing this, and casually pulled out a pouch of coins and handed it over.

It seems Maximus already has plans to take action.

However, this matter cannot be accomplished by Maximus alone, as the Imperial Senate has already placed its people within the military. Without convincing other members of the Senate to support him, there simply won't be an opportunity to act against Valentinian III.

When the Emperor travels, he is always surrounded by a large number of the Forbidden Army for protection, Maximus will need to bribe many.

Quintus had just returned to his residence when he summoned his trusted subordinates and said solemnly, "Divide your forces to keep an eye on the residences of the Senate members."

"Have others closely watch those mid-ranking officers recently promoted by the Senate."

"See if they exhibit any unusual behavior."

Maximus needs to link many people to find the opportunity, but since he has to bribe so many, there will inevitably be traces that surface.

Days passed by one after another.

Quintus soon discovered a clue, Maximus was continuously visiting other members of the Senate for several days, and he secretly met with the current Attendant Officer, who is Hercules's deputy. That guy has also been spending lavishly recently.

This is putting in a lot of resources.

As for the people to execute the plan, Quintus's spies spotted traces of the Huns but couldn't learn more; they just observed a few who had Hun characteristics secretly entering Maximus's villa at night. Maximus kept two mistresses at that villa, which he rarely visited, but lately, he's been going more often.

"They are likely to act within these few days."

Quintus looked at Kulin in front of him, and with a grave expression said, "At that time, I'll head to the palace first to find a way to get the Empress and the two princesses out."

"You will be waiting outside to assist me."

"Be ready for combat at any time, Maximus must have already bribed the palace guards, they will likely try to obstruct us."

During this period, Maximus has been secretly interacting with two types of people: one is the old noble members of the Imperial Senate, and the other is the legion commanders who have recently been promoted to fill the vacancies left by Aetius's followers.

Kulin slowly nodded upon hearing, "Just focus on getting them out."

"Leave everything else to me."

He spoke very confidently, as the Gaulish Oath Warriors Battle Group could storm the enemy lines even in large-scale battles. These palace guards, who haven't even been on a battlefield, are not a match, despite their better equipment.

Quintus replied in a deep voice, "Then I'll leave that to you."

"I'm going to make arrangements for manpower now."

Three days quickly passed.

Perhaps due to not receiving a clear response from the Governor of Britain, Duncan, Valentinian III, who had been lax for a while, became industrious again. However, he was not busy with state affairs, but rather went to inspect the troops at Mathias's camp.

Valentinian III knew very well one thing: that by controlling the army, he controls the power and possesses the capital to confront the Senate.

Early today, several hundred fully armed Forbidden Army members escorted the Emperor to the camp inspection.

Quintus received the news early and arrived quickly as well.

But Valentinian III only glanced at him coldly, then turned away with a frosty demeanor. Ever since the last matter wasn't accomplished well, the Emperor had been growing colder towards Quintus, as if he had completely lost the former favor.

"Your Majesty."

Quintus attempted to approach and pay respects but was directly blocked by someone sent by Maximus. This haughty Senate official glanced at him disdainfully, then waved him away dismissively.

Such a jester and sycophant, without the Emperor's favor, is nothing.

A grand procession quickly left.

In the swirling dust, Quintus quickly glimpsed at the Forbidden Army's commander ahead, and immediately summoned his trusted aide, saying sternly, "Send someone to follow them immediately."

"Report back any news right away."

After all, he is of low status and has limited influence within the palace, where he can still bribe some people. However, within the military camp, he has no foothold and can only seek information through other means. Fortunately, among the Forbidden Army departing today, there are guards and servants whom he has bribed.

About half a day later.

A trusted attendant rushed over and, after dismounting, said breathlessly, "Sir."

"The Imperial Guard has been left outside."

"The Emperor took only a squad inside to observe the archery practice. I bribed the camp guards and saw the personnel we had placed; the Emperor has been in the camp for a while now."

What?

He took only one squad inside?

Quintus's expression changed immediately, and he said to those around him, "Gather the men and head to the palace immediately!"

"Notify Duncan and the others to prepare for support."

Valentinian III's daily outings were always accompanied by hundreds or even thousands of Imperial Guards. At this critical moment, most of the Imperial Guards were stationed outside the barracks. He took a team to inspect the troops, and Quintus had already keenly sensed something amiss.

This is a gamble.

Gambling correctly, he could seize the initiative; if wrong, he wouldn't be able to survive on the Italian Peninsula and would have to flee entirely.

Quintus hurried to the palace, handed a bag of gold to a bribed guard, and said in a deep voice, "I must see Empress Lysiniya."

Soon after.

A female attendant arrived, quietly leading Quintus to the rear hall of the palace.

Mathias' camp.

Valentinian III was in good spirits today, having rested for several days, finally with the energy to go out of the city to inspect the troops. At his side was Hercules, the Empire's newly appointed military commander, trailing half a step behind was Maximus, whose expression was extremely humble, but occasionally, he would raise his eyes and reveal a hint of viciousness.

The barracks were holding an archery competition.

The Emperor's figure sat on high, with Hercules beside him, but at some point, Maximus' figure had disappeared.

In the distance, a Roman archer consecutively shot three arrows hitting the bullseye, quickly drawing loud cheers.

Valentinian III watched with fascination, preparing to rise and reward them to gain favor, but suddenly, two burly Huns appeared behind him.

Naturally, beside the Empire's Emperor, Hercules was the first to react.

After all, he was once an Attendant Officer and thus had some skill. But before he could take action, the two burly Huns pounced, and with a clang, a sharp sword pierced Hercules' chest. Swiftly, they cut his throat with a reverse swing, and the newly appointed Imperial Commander clutched his throat, blood gushing, and slowly fell under everyone's gaze.

Valentinian III's reaction was much slower.

Not until the Hun reached behind him and stabbed his back did Valentinian III react. The shocked Empire's Emperor turned to see who was attacking, but the Hun assassin delivered a second stab, piercing his heart, and directly ended the life of this Empire's Emperor.

Throughout the process.

The entire barracks full of soldiers silently watched from the sidelines; not a single one stepped forward to save the Emperor, just watched as he was stabbed to death indiscriminately.

Even those nearby Imperial Guard sentinels from the Forbidden Army accompanying the Emperor watched coldly without intervening; over ten guards did not step forward to stop the two Hun assassins who crossed the crowd and stabbed Valentinian III and Hercules on the spot.

This scene was utterly ironic.

At the rear of the crowd, Maximus displayed a cruel, cold smile. He had long known Valentinian III lost the people's hearts but did not expect such hatred for this incompetent Empire's Emperor.

Maximus had only bribed a portion, mostly recently promoted military officers. It was impossible for him to buy everyone, let alone buy so many soldiers in the barracks.

Originally, his plan had other contingencies; if those Hun assassins did not succeed, he had bribed Imperial Guards ready to act.

But things went unexpectedly smoothly.

Everyone watched silently, except those leaders he bribed; others were indifferent to the Emperor's death, without even needing to use the planned contingency.

Too smoothly!

Both Hun assassins who assassinated the Emperor and Hercules managed to escape without anyone intentionally stopping them.

This is the backlash of murdering Aetius.

These soldiers were once Aetius' subordinates, Valentinian III eventually paid a terrible price for his actions.

In the training ground, only two bodies were left, the two highest-ranking figures in the Empire. Their bodies remained unburied until the Imperial Guards outside hurriedly burst in, only then did someone lift Valentinian III's body.

But his body had already turned cold; the second stab pierced his heart, killing him swiftly and cleanly.

Dust flew up.

A rider sped towards the palace on the road, abruptly reining in the horse upon nearing the palace, swiftly dismounted, and said gravely to Duncan dressed as an Attendant Officer, "The Emperor is dead!..."

"The Forbidden Army is in chaos."

Act!

Duncan's eyes instantly narrowed, flashing with murderous intent, signaling left and right, leading men to charge towards the palace gates.

Soon after.

Behind Quintus, several panic-stricken figures emerged, boarding a carriage escorted by the crowd.

"Enemies!"

A British Legion veteran dressed as an attendant raised a crossbow, firing indiscriminately with over ten men towards the gate, promptly killing the pursuing guards cleanly. Duncan on horseback led the way, and upon reaching Ravenna's city gates, seeing a squad of Imperial cavalry rapidly approaching from behind, he immediately drew his weapon and shouted angrily behind him, "Follow me!"

Clang.

The sound of swords unsheathing.

More than a dozen riders charged at the enemy, and with a brief clash, bodies fell from horses. The merciless slaughter terrified the nearby Roman citizens, their screams echoed, while the figures inside the carriage covered their mouths in fear.

"Go!"

Duncan didn't hesitate, delivering the killing blow to a severely wounded companion, swiftly stabbing the heart, then said to the others, "There's cavalry support from Gaul!"

"Do not delay! Keep moving!"

Only by this time.

Did the turmoil begin to gradually spread, and some news quickly flowed in all directions; there were too many people in the barracks to contain the news.

The Emperor is dead!

The entire Italian Peninsula is in chaos.

.........