CHAPTER 196: CHAPTER 95: GODSLAYER’S SCHEME! GRAND STRATEGIC DEPLOYMENT!

Southampton.

The emissary of the imperial emperor arrived, but Duncan did not receive him personally; instead, he let Anya deal with him.

His attitude was clear: nominally supporting the imperial emperor, giving the impression of a powerful foreign ally, but in reality, there was no need to think too much, and it was certainly impossible to side with the imperial emperor against Protector of the Realm Aetius head-on.

Aetius was now at the peak of his power, with most of the imperial legions supporting him.

Duncan was maintaining his reputation, staying far from the imperial core, yet wielding great influence, and not participating in the imperial political struggles but helping those who appeared weaker.

The key strategy was to steadily develop and first solidify the foundation of his power.

"Aetius is too strong; it’s not a good thing. Even the imperial emperor overshadowing the Protector of the Realm is not good either."

Duncan was watching the battle from the sidelines, not entering the fray himself, mainly showing support for Valentinian III, enhancing his presence, and letting the old noble houses of the empire contend against Aetius for power.

With his stance, Aetius had no target against him, and Duncan still managed to reap considerable benefits.

For instance, now, the imperial emperor Valentinian III had raised the stakes.

Port district.

Quintus, dressed in a luxurious toga robe, came forward surrounded by his attendants. From afar, seeing Anya among the crowds that came to greet him, he stepped forward proactively. Before getting close, he slightly bowed, greeted, "Long time no see, Lady Anya."

Times have changed.

Back then, if Anya wanted to ask for Quintus’s help, it required a hefty price, for this man was insatiably greedy with a huge appetite.

But this time, Quintus willingly gave up all he had gained and even added a hundred slaves generously, clearly indicating that Anya’s status had risen significantly since following Duncan, forcing Quintus to bow and show goodwill.

Anya felt secretly delighted at this moment as she warmly welcomed Quintus’s arrival.

Such a face-slapping, pretentious situation.

She utterly loved it!

Duncan not personally receiving him was an attitude in itself, making Quintus slightly nervous, realizing that the Governor of Britain was akin to a regional warlord now.

But it didn’t matter; Quintus’s task was still to openly gain Duncan’s support.

Everyone was a wise old fox; what’s there to see in "Strange Tales"? Without tangible benefits, neither Duncan nor the imperial emperor would pay attention to the remote and backward Great Britain.

Further cooperation depended on each other’s attitudes and stakes; Quintus was just probing Duncan’s intentions.

Quintus’s ancestors were major slave owners in Capua, primarily operating gladiatorial arenas. Later, when the family declined, they bet on the young Valentinian III and rose through the ranks using his jester status.

Anya had more than enough capability to handle him.

Duncan was also observing the entourage that Quintus brought from a god-like perspective. It must be said that Valentinian III was serious this time.

Talents.

A large batch of talents.

Valentinian III also knew that the British Province was very backward, so he generously dispatched dozens to hundreds of professionals marked as attendants.

— Agricultural experts, leather merchants, armor craftsmen, astrologers, surgeons, dancing girls, gladiators, historians, local administrative officials, etc.

Some units even had star marks, worthy of special attention.

— "Skilled Artisan (One Star): The master craftsman of this era, not only adept in making military weapons but also in creating siege machines, and can even reduce forces restructuring and recruitment costs, decreasing various military expenditures to some extent."

— "Mathematician (One Star Gold): As attendants, they can assist in management and improve the operational efficiency of the territories, nurturing reserve talents. Greeks, Archimedes School."

— "Military Engineer (One Star): Imperial professional talent, capable of making catapults, ballistae, scorpio crossbows, and other engineering equipment."

— "Mining Engineer (One Star): Imperial professional talent capable of extracting minerals, rare talents even within the empire."

— "Philosopher (One Star): Enhances management, but philosophy is not acceptable to everyone."

— "Greek Sculptor (One Star): Enhances influence, capable of constructing some magnificent buildings, perhaps even wonders of this era."

Hiss.

It was indeed a grand gesture.

These attendants were somewhat like household retainers, but they were not combat talents; you had to support them and assign them proper duties, or else they would abandon you.

Quintus was also introducing the professional talents on this trip, proudly pointing to one person and saying, "That is Aslam."

"He once worked in a gold mine on the Iberian Peninsula." (Spain)

"A professional mining master."

"I heard there are some mines on Great Britain, so His Majesty especially sent him over."

If you want to win over Duncan, you have to be willing to pay.

The mineral resources in the Spanish region are abundant, and the empire’s best mining talents are there.

In the lord’s residence.

Duncan appeared at this moment, warmly welcoming Quintus’s arrival, and ordered a sumptuous banquet prepared to entertain the emissary of the imperial emperor well.

When the money was in place, even Duncan had to greet guests with a smile.

The emperor is far away.

As a Governor of a province, Duncan wielded substantial power, especially with the prestige he held among the empire’s populace. Quintus dared not be careless, and before getting close, he humbly saluted, saying, "The British Province is in a state of disrepair, and there should not be many people serving around you, Governor."

After speaking, Quintus clapped his hands, and over a dozen young, beautiful female slave dancers were presented. He chuckled softly, saying, "This is a little private token of mine."