Chapter 820
When the citizens saw this turn of events, they immediately panicked. Thankfully, there were soldiers maintaining the order in the courtyard. Top
Point
However, Dyvers and the others were already prepared. The guards behind them quickly rushed forward and protected Dyvers. At the same time, they also surrounded the priest and the attendants. In the blink of an eye, all of them were captured. They didn't even shed a single drop of blood.
Amyrius pretended to approach the criminals and pretended to ask them a few questions. Then, he stood in front of the stairs and shouted at the citizens of Rome in the courtyard, "Everyone, these people are the patrons of the nobles. They have imprisoned a few priests and attendants of the temple in an attempt to assassinate the king of Diónia! Now, who is willing to follow me to the rear of the temple to rescue the imprisoned priests and attendants? "
The citizens were skeptical, but someone volunteered to follow Amyrius to the rear of the temple. After knocking open the tightly locked door, they indeed saw the bound priests and attendants.
It turned out that the Devers's sudden announcement that they would be heading to Mount Silio to pay respects to the temple had given the citizens of Rome who were hostile to Diónia an opportunity. As they were pressed for time, they didn't have the time to slowly plan. All they could do was use the opportunity of Diónia relaxing its control over the southern district of Rome to secretly barge into the Diana Temple. They requested the priests and attendants in the temple to cooperate with them and attack the king of Diónia.
However, apart from an elderly priest who came from a noble family expressing his approval, the other priests and attendants expressed their opposition. After all, regardless of whether the assassination succeeded or not, it would be a disaster for the Diana Temple. Furthermore, committing murder in the temple was a great blasphemy against the god.
Therefore, in a moment of desperation, these people decided to lock them up, strip them of their clothes, and pretend to be attendants … However, they didn't know that all of this was under the surveillance of Amyrius's subordinates.
Now that the truth had been revealed, the citizens of Rome in the courtyard began cursing at the criminals who had been captured. At the same time, they felt uneasy seeing the unsheathing of their swords and surging killing intent.
Therefore, the Devers stood in front of the temple and announced loudly, "Citizens of Rome, this assassination was planned by the nobles of Rome in an attempt to instigate a bloody feud between us, Diónia, and you. Once they succeed, it will be a huge disaster for both us and you! From this, it can be seen that these high and mighty nobles in Rome have never treated you as fellow citizens of the city. Therefore, they have been constantly repressing and exploiting you all these years, abandoning you at the critical moment! This assassination has nothing to do with you, but how do you think we should deal with these lackeys of the nobles who blaspheme a god and attempt to bring disaster to you? "
The citizens in the courtyard were infuriated by the Devers's words. Before they could make up their minds, a voice shouted from the crowd, "Let's hack them to death!"
Another voice immediately shouted, "Yes, let's hack them to death! Hack these lackeys of the nobles to death! … "
Many people couldn't help but shout along.
The Devers nodded with a solemn expression. "Alright! We'll do as you suggested. Tie these people to the crosses outside the temple and let you vent your anger on them with your swords! "
With that said, he immediately got the guards to drag the criminals, who had their hands and feet bound and mouths gagged, out of the temple.
Many citizens of Rome also left the temple under the lead of certain people. As for the citizens watching outside the temple, they didn't know what had happened as they asked.
Therefore, the citizens who knew what had happened began to unconsciously add fuel to the fire.
The Devers comforted the frightened priests and attendants of Diana. They led Caldis, Heniboris, Martius, and the others to solemnly worship according to the ceremony of the Temple of Diana under the gaze of the citizens of Rome.
When they stepped out of the temple, they saw that the gangsters hanging on the cross were already covered in bruises and on the verge of death. There were still Roman civilians stabbing the gangsters with the short swords given by the legionnaires guarding them.
The Devers continued to go to the temples of Vesta, Kelly, Libel, and Libella. Everything was much smoother. Not only did they not encounter any accidents, but the priests of each temple also actively cooperated with them. Even the citizens on the roadside looked at them with more kindness.
Of course, the Devers returned the favor. He saw that the three temples of Kelly, Libel, and Libella were not only small in area, but the statues were also crude and crude (after all, the temples were built with money from the citizens). They were even made of wood. He immediately said, "When this war is over, the Kingdom of Diónia will spend a lot of money to rebuild these three temples. Not only will the area be doubled, but the statues will also be covered with ivory skin and gold foil.
The priests and attendants were overjoyed when they heard this. They immediately said, "We will proclaim the kindness of the King of Diónia to the people of Rome who have always been worshiping!"
… …
While the Devers were worshiping the temples of Rome, the army of Rome had arrived outside the city of Rome.
There were about 1,500 cavalrymen in this army. After Camillus saw the power of the Diónia cavalry in the battle of Wolsey, he tried his best to gather them from Rome, the colonies, and various allies. They played a certain role in the war to conquer the Hernici.
Now, Camillus dispersed the cavalry to drive away and pursue the scouts of Diónia. At the same time, he sent troops to quickly capture the river port and the granary outside the city of Rome that were not guarded by any soldiers. However, they were already empty.
Then, Camillus ordered the whole army to start building a camp.
The desire and resentment in the hearts of the soldiers of Rome was very strong when they saw that their homeland was right in front of them, but it was occupied by bandits and they could not enter it. In order to let the soldiers vent their emotions and other purposes, Camillus also allowed the troops to take turns to send soldiers to the city to hurl abuse.
Although most of the soldiers of the Legion of Dionysia at the top of the city did not understand what they were saying, they knew that it was not a good thing. They all requested to attack the Rome army and teach them a lesson. However, they were strictly stopped by the officers.
The Dionysian Army retreated into the city and let the Rome army run amok outside the city. Meanwhile, the soldiers of Rome were busy building the camp. Other than talking nonsense, they did not attack the city for the time being. For a time, both sides were at peace.
Not long after, Camillus, who had assigned all the tasks and arranged everything properly, arrived at the south of Rome with his guards in front of the city gate of Sirio.
An attendant rushed to the city gate with a token in his hand and shouted in Greek, "The dictator of Rome, Camillus, wants to talk to your king! The dictator of Rome, Tamilus … "
"Legion Commander, what do you think …" The officer of the second legion asked Matonis for instructions.
"Go and tell His Majesty!" Matonis said to the messenger without hesitation.
The Devers had just finished worshiping at the temple and were on their way back to the square. When they heard the news, they immediately decided to meet the famous dictator of Rome.
… …
Lucius and his guards were waiting anxiously. He could not help but persuade his father, "The people of Diónia have not replied for so long. Obviously, they are deliberately humiliating us. Let's go back!"
"Lucius, don't worry. It's okay to wait a little longer." Camillus said calmly, "For the sake of Rome, this little hardship is nothing. Besides, we can also let the soldiers see the hard work we have been doing."
His words left Lucius in deep thought.
Suddenly, a soldier shouted, "Sir Dictator, look at the top of the city gate!"
Two large flags were erected on the top of the city gate of Sirio. They shone brightly in the midday sun.
At the same time, the Diónia soldiers on the top of the city gate burst into cheers.
Camillus's expression became serious, and he said softly, "The king of Diónia is here."
The attendant who shouted at the front also rushed back to report, "Sir Dictator, the king of Diónia has agreed to talk to you."
"Let's go," Camillus said and walked forward.
When Lucius saw the enemy soldiers on the top of the city gate, he suddenly became worried. He grabbed Camillus's arm and said, "Father, don't go yet …"
Camillus smiled and said, "Don't worry. Didn't I say it before? The king of Diónia, who created the Kingdom of Diónia and won countless victories, and is known for keeping his promises, would not risk his reputation to deceive an old man like me!"
After saying that, he continued to move forward. Lucius had no choice but to follow him with the guards.
The Devers had to rush back to the Senate to change into their military attire because they wore plain robes to worship the temple. Hence, they were delayed for a while. At this time, when he saw the group of people from Rome coming down the city gate, he suddenly said, "Let's go out of the city and meet the dictator of Rome."
"Your Majesty, this is too dangerous!" Matonis, Martius, and the others were shocked when they heard this and hurried forward to dissuade him.
"Even the dictator of Rome dares to come to our heavily guarded city alone. We, the people of Diónia, dare not to go out and meet him in our own guarded area!" The Devers shouted resolutely, "We, the citizens of Diónia, are not cowards!"
As soon as this was said, the people around him could not dissuade him anymore.
"Your Majesty, please allow me to go with you!" Matonis said immediately.
Seeing his determined expression, the Devers had no choice but to nod.
Matonis solemnly ordered his officers, "All of you, open your eyes and look carefully. Once you see any movement from the enemy, attack immediately!"
The Devers turned and went down the city gate. The people who accompanied them looked serious, only Heniboris seemed a little excited.
Other than Camillus, the people of Rome who were advancing were shocked when they saw the two flags on the top of the city gate disappear. Then, the drawbridge was lowered, and the city gate opened.
Surrounded by the guards, the Devers rode out of the city gate with the flags behind him. After crossing the drawbridge, he stood in front of the moat.
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