The dark shadow that penetrated from outside the camp flickered on the ground, blending with the shadow cast by the sun on the wooden fence.
The guarding soldiers walked past Juma at the entrance of the camp without realizing that someone had invaded the camp, which was built on the original coastal fishing village.
The true form of the black shadow is Animusfia, who uses illusion to disguise herself as a shadow.
The camp, which is enough to accommodate the entire legion of about 10,000 people, actually covers a large area. By the standards of Japan during the Warring States Period, this is already a "city" through and through.
In fact, Caesar's original purpose was to operate this place as a semi-permanent fortress to maintain a series of military activities he would carry out in Rome in the future.
It's a pity that Caesar, who died before leaving the army, could no longer complete the grand idea in his mind.
His wish to be fulfilled even at the expense of Rome may have to wait until later.
But the camp and the legion Animusphia that Caesar left behind would not be wasted.
As usual, he will collect all the last legions of Caesar.
Tiberius sat in the tent, cleaning his dagger and armor.
In order to distinguish himself from ordinary soldiers, Tiberius, as the commander of the legions, wore a huge red half-moon-shaped plume on his helmet.
Although it is understandable that it will be depressing to be the main target of the enemy's attack, it can also make your own soldiers realize that their commander is still on the battlefield without falling into panic.
Compared with the risk of becoming a target of fire, it is more important to ensure morale.
Of course, if he was killed directly on the battlefield, the battle would probably be lost.
It is far easier for the soldiers to disperse than to annihilate the entire army.
Therefore, Tiberius's armor is more gorgeous and thicker than that of ordinary soldiers. In addition to the muscle armor that symbolizes status, there is also a layer of silver-plated scales.
In a cold weapon war, there is no need for advanced combat skills, just such a suit of armor can defeat ten.
If the craftsmanship of armor is allowed to develop for another thousand years, I am afraid that being able to block a hundred with one armor will really be nothing more than a legend or a myth.
Brass-like metal fingers gently placed on both sides of Tiberius' neck from behind.
"What----?"
Before Tiberius could turn around to see who was holding his neck, the huge force from the metal prosthetic limb directly broke his neck.
It's not so much "twisted" as "crushed".
With doubts and confusion, Tiberius fell into darkness forever.
Animusphia walked out of the shadows behind Tiberius with an expressionless expression.
Although he didn't have the ability to block the aura, he could still be considered a servant for now and had no problem sneaking into a camp filled with ordinary people to assassinate an ordinary legion commander.
Tiberius's body was directly crushed into dust by the released magic power.
The dark magic power continued to surge, and another Animusfia appeared in the tent, and then turned into the appearance of Tiberius before.
"Tiberius" and Animusfia looked at each other and nodded, then put on the armor and helmet that symbolized the identity of the legion commander, and walked out of the tent.
Animusfia continued to carry the objects she had prepared before arriving.
If Nero could see now, he would be able to recognize at a glance what exactly Animusfia was holding.
That was Caesar's head.
Although Animusfia used magic to forge it, Caesar was indeed dead.
It's a pity that Caesar was a servant and would not leave a body after his death, otherwise Animusfia would not have bothered to forge one.
But I guess ordinary soldiers don't have the knowledge reserve about such things as 'servants'.
If Caesar died, it would be natural for him to have his head.
"Send the order, all troops must assemble!"
"Tiberius" who walked out of the tent said directly to the soldiers around him.
**********
Caesar's head was thrown to the ground by one hand, spinning on the dirt.
The dirt and dust were covered with the previously shiny hair, and it was difficult to imagine that this was the... strong Lord Caesar from before.
But that appearance was exactly that of Lord Caesar, who was standing in the camp giving orders the day before.
Everyone was impressed by Caesar, who was two meters tall and two meters wide.
"Caesar is dead——————!"
Animusfia's voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by every soldier in the camp.
The soldiers turned their heads and looked at this man whom they had never seen before in the army.
Seeing the weird costume and weird left hand, it was obvious that he was not the person who followed them across the sea from Gaul.
Both the spear and the dagger were aimed at Animusfia.
"And I hope you don't end up like him."
However, Animusfia did not panic at all.
Regardless of whether these ordinary people could hurt him with their swords, just the fact that an entire legion began to approach and surround him outside the camp was enough to make Animusfiya invincible.
"This camp has been surrounded. What's worse is that you have no ship and no way to retreat."
Animusfia said calmly.
"Caesar's purpose in keeping you here is to defend this fortress, but——————"
He slowly walked forward and came to the front of Caesar's head, and then stepped on "Caesar's" head as if he were stepping on a stepping stone.
"Even Caesar is dead, so why do you have any need to resist? Is one dead man worthy of being buried by an entire legion?"
Animusfia kicked Caesar's head in front of the soldiers, and "Caesar" stared straight at the soldiers with his unblinking eyes.
"Besides, you should also know what you are doing, right? You dare to start the war against the city of Rome. This is out-and-out treason."
The arms of the soldiers holding spears and daggers began to waver.
"Of course, I also know that it was Caesar who seduced you, but the fact that you rebelled has been overturned. Caesar and the two legions he took away have paid the price and been punished. But do you still have a chance?"
Before, Animusfia was still confused about what drove these soldiers to willingly become enemies of Rome.
After meeting Caesar he felt he had the answer.
Just as Caesar incited the Senate and the Roman people to attack Gaul, Caesar could also incite Gaul to attack the Senate and the Roman people.
"I am Animusphia, the governor of Romagna appointed by His Majesty Nero. His Majesty Nero is in the army outside the camp at the moment. As long as you put down your weapons and be loyal to His Majesty Nero, you will be guilty of treason. It can be written off in one stroke!”
Animusfia slowly floated in the air and shouted loudly to every soldier in the camp.
"Are you willing to serve your Majesty Nero, the real Augustus?"
Words like thunder falling from the sky echoed in the ears of the soldiers.
"We are willing to serve His Majesty Nero!"
As the legion commander, "Tiberius" was the first to drop his weapon and half-kneeled in obedience to Animusfia.
"We are willing to serve His Majesty Nero!"
Seeing that the legion commanders all chose to surrender, more and more soldiers dropped their weapons.
Eventually, as if it spread among the crowd, the entire camp almost surrendered.
There were also a small number of very few people who chose to remain loyal to Caesar, but they were all turned into dry and charred corpses by lightning in the next moment.
Animusfia didn't give them a choice.
*********
Under the rocking of the ship, Octavian once again saw the Italian coastline in front of his eyes. However, when he came here before, Caesar was still traveling with him.
This time he was the only one left.
A large-scale camp has been built where the fishing village used to be.
Octavian squinted at the camp that had just risen from the sea level.
Large numbers of people and horses were confronting each other inside and outside the camp.
Hey, it's still a step too late.
Octavian had long expected that the opponent would directly attack the remaining troops after defeating Caesar, but he did not expect that the location of the stronghold would be exposed so quickly.
However, now that things have happened, his top priority is to rescue the besieged legion.
Fortunately, he came before it was too late.
"Get ready to lower the drawbridge!"
