"Master Justinian, are you going to release them all like this?" After learning that the prisoners in Epirus would be released, Sarius, who was very shocked, immediately rushed over to stop them.

It should be noted that if all these thousands of prisoners of war are released, they will definitely help Ducas, who fled back to Rusnina, to recover. This means that the previous victory will be in vain. In his opinion, such stupidity

The decision should not have been made by Justinian.

"You must not do this, Your Highness! Forgiving them for the atrocities they committed in Macedonia and staying under your command is enough to show your kindness, but letting them go back to Rusnina is tantamount to letting the tiger return to the mountain." Point out the interests and consequences.

Salius implored Justinian to withdraw his orders.

But Justinian did not respond. Instead, he stood on the slope with his horse and looked at the thick smoke rising in the wilderness. A long and profound chant came from the distance. It was Sergius

The monks and the Agrinion Order were praying for the rest of the dead. In order to avoid diseases, the remains of those who died in the battles of Epirus and Moria were cremated.

I don't know how long it took before Justinian finally said: "The dead are dead, the people are living in great hardships, and the families of these captives are still in Epirus. How can they be willing to serve me regardless of the lives of their wives, children, parents?"

Like the Himion we captured on the banks of the Akmon River before, he was still unwilling to surrender to me despite having some connection with me. People like him are not a minority among the people of Epirus. After all, Miha

Ildukas has already become 'Noah' in their eyes. Rather than detaining them here and wasting our little money and food, it is better to let them go back to reunite with their families."

Justinian expressed his thoughts calmly. Thessaloniki, which was in desperate need of help, could not support too many troops. A prisoner was just a mouth, so it was better to let them go back to win people's hearts. But in Salius

It seemed to Us that it was no joke to release these thousands of prisoners. He gritted his teeth and decided to persuade the young master in front of him. "Your Highness, what you said may make sense, and I can understand why you want to do this, but now

Extra kindness is unnecessary at this time."

Salius was also present at the speech just now. Even he was moved by it and understood Justinian's true intention. However, in today's empire, the idea of ​​​​focusing on attacking the heart is somewhat ideal.

Everyone present more or less agreed with what Justinian said and was proud of being a Roman. However, in the empire where dignitaries gathered, people had already been divided into people.

Ruthless estrangement, no one would abandon the noble Dukas Hippogriff and support a fox in the Moria countryside because of a mere impassioned speech.

"There is no need to be merciful to them. Only the cold rainstorm that treats the enemy can break the unyielding pine trees." Sarius suggested in a vague way, and the implication of what he said was already very obvious.

"But Caesar forgave his enemies before he crossed the Tiber, Sarius." Justinian said softly.

"So he exchanged it for the dagger in the Senate. Your Highness, do you want to be Caesar or Augustus? I understand that you really don't want to be stained with unjust blood, so please leave it to me. I would rather poach them."

His eyes made them wailing back to Epirus together, but we couldn't just let them go back. This is how Bashir II conquered the Bulgarians." Sarius' eyes were cold, and Justin said these cruel words.

Nidu was a little surprised.

"So in the end, Bulgaria was permanently separated from the empire's territory. The land and people were lost, and both people and land were lost. I don't want to see Epirus become the second one." Justinian rejected the other party's proposal and ordered

The subordinates completed their tasks according to their instructions.

"Do as I say, Sarius, release the captives, and let them decide whether to stay or stay according to their own wishes. If they want to stay, arrange a place to stay, and if they don't want to stay, pay them travel expenses." After that, he checked without looking back.

Stinian then rode straight away, completely ignoring the dissuasion of Salius behind him.

…

…

…

In Thessaloniki, this white city has washed away the stench caused by the blood of war. People can only hear people ringing the bells of St. Demetrios Church and walking lightly past Galerius.

The Arch and Aristotle Square came to the north gate.

The city gate covered with traces of trauma suddenly opened, and Moria's new army, which had been waiting outside the city for a long time, entered the city in order to receive a warm welcome from the people. Although after a day of bloody battle, everyone in this group of soldiers who had rested was happy.

The military appearance was neat and tidy, as if they were being inspected by the emperor. Even the wounded completed their own triumphal ceremony with their heads held high. Such a new Morian army undoubtedly left a deep impression on the Macedonians.

They were deeply impressed. They had not seen such a vigorous Roman army for a long time. This is what the army of the king should look like. Some old people standing by the roadside could not help but burst into tears, because this scene could

It made them feel like they had returned to the era of the empire's revival when they were young, and the shocked women and children in front of them threw fragrant petals at the marching army in front of them, using this method to express their inner excitement and admiration.

.

For a time, the whole city was filled with an atmosphere of celebration. The citizens supported Moria's new army guarding the city all the way to the main square of Thessaloniki, where Princess Eudocia was leading a group of soldiers.

All the Macedonian nobles were waiting for their arrival. At this time, some citizens who were walking out of the joy noticed something strange. This army did not have a leader leading them from beginning to end, only the two Mo Mo

General of Leah, but the governor Justinian, the restorer and savior of Thessalonica, was not among them.

At this moment, Justinian had quietly entered Thessaloniki from the gate on the other side. Deliberately avoiding the people marching on the street, Justinian turned left and right on his horse.

Arriving at the waterfront pier area, you can see the white Thessaloniki stone tower in the distance. And there, someone is waiting for you.

"Sure enough, you're here too..."

A long-lost and familiar voice sounded in his ears. Justinian raised his eyes subconsciously. A long white dress first came into view. His waist flashed past his eyes, and he walked briskly for a moment.

She attracted the attention of everyone who came and went, but what caught the eye more than the girl's creamy appearance was her radiant golden hair, which looked like the rising sun on the side of the dilapidated pier. Only Antonia could be seen.

She was staring at him quietly with her emerald eyes, as if she had been waiting here for a long time.

"Long time no see." Looking at the Genoese girl, Justinian nodded tacitly with a smile. They knew who each other came here to ask for, and they couldn't help but think of the meeting when they officially met.

Justinian remembered that Antonia was wearing this long white dress woven from linen at the noble banquet in Rusnina.

"Are you ready?" Antonia glanced at Justinian angrily.
Chapter completed!