CHAPTER 325: CHAPTER 163: WHEELS LAID FLAT! THE PSEUDO EMPEROR MUST DIE! (9,000 WORDS)

Pecking between weaklings.

Can’t defeat the Huns, can’t defeat the Franks, can’t defeat the Western Goths, but can they not defeat the local garrison and North African natives?

Maximus really seems to be desperate, even daring to bring in the Vandals. Aren’t they afraid that these barbarian nomads will loot Italy?

The situation now resembles the late Tang Dynasty, because back then nomadic tribes were brought in to assist in combat with promises of looting Chang’an, then changed to Luoyang, where they plundered and set fires that burned for dozens of days without extinguishing, turning the entire Luoyang City into ruins.

The empire has always had a tradition of using barbarian armies and promising to loot places, but Maximus has gone to extremes.

In fact, Duncan’s guess wasn’t wrong.

Because the Vandal armies immediately began looting nearby towns upon entering the Italian peninsula, an old tradition of nomadic tribes—acquiring military funds and supplies on the spot.

The war hasn’t officially started yet.

The Roman populace was first robbed, and the Vandals didn’t care about that. Back when they migrated from around Sarmatia to the west, they looted wherever they went. Had they not lost to the Western Goths back then, they would have settled in Spain in later years.

As for seizing North African Carthage, they really had some luck.

At the time, the city of Carthage was hosting a grand horse racing event, with all city residents gathered at the racetrack watching the competition, leaving the city defenseless and with minimal guards.

When the townspeople were completely unprepared, a sudden clamor arose outside the city as Gaiseric led the Vandal army that appeared suddenly. The outcome was almost inevitable; the Vandals conquered Carthage bloodlessly without losing a single soldier.

The fall of the Western Empire was not without reason—such a crucial military place as Carthage being taken in such a laughable way caused the Vandals to rise rapidly.

Duncan has fought many battles and realized these ascendant barbarians seem to be favored by fate.

Their luck is exceptionally good.

Of course, it could also be due to the empire already being rotten to the core.

Almost concurrently with the Vandal army entering Italy, the British Legion was closing in on Ravenna, preparing to take the current empire’s capital in one fell swoop.

This battle’s Pseudo Emperor is not a concern, but the Vandals are a bit troublesome.

.........

The Italian Peninsula, Capua.

This is where Spartacus once launched an uprising, and now the Vandal armies have arrived here.

Currently, the empire’s army here has been marked as rebel by the pseudo emperor Maximus. Relying on Mediterranean sea routes, Anya and Quintus secretly provide them with material aid, and although besieged for over a month, Capua’s city walls have yet to fall.

The Vandal armies just arrived in Italy and looted locally to obtain their supplies.

At this time, several miles outside of Capua, a convoy is escorting a few carriages to a local grand estate. The empire had formed early feudal estates, even with high protective walls built.

The convoy guards were mainly foreign barbarians, private militias belonging to local nobility’s armed forces.

These people are well-equipped, with a higher combat capability than regular empire legions.

A sound of galloping hooves rang out.

As the leader of the private militia showed a trace of panic, hundreds of cavalry suddenly appeared not far away. Leading them was a man with a bristly beard and fierce gaze, evident features of nomadic tribes. He looked ahead with interest, then suddenly raised his palm, causing the fierce cavalry to halt.

Only then did the private militia see their horses packed with supplies, even some of the barbarian riders’ mounts carrying captured women.

Panicked female voices echoed from inside the carriage.

Immediately, the leader of the private militia approached ahead, mustering courage to say, "These are relatives of the imperial senator Banaklauf."

"The empire is currently allied with the Vandal Kingdom."

"Please let us go."

The fierce Vandal commander sneered, casually waving his whip, and then tugged the reins, leading dozens of elite personal guards toward the spacious and luxurious carriage. This should be nearby, attempting to avoid turmoil, noble family members.

The curtain of the carriage was lifted by a long knife.

The Vandal commander saw a beautiful noblewoman inside, her face frightened, wearing a luxurious long gown adorned with exquisite jewelry, her fair skin smooth like milk, soft and tender—not comparable to nomadic women, must have lived a pampered and affluent life from birth.

Even the slave maids beside her were beautiful, similarly soft and tender, tempting.

The Vandal commander’s breath quickened, eyes showing lewd greed.

Quickly.

Hoofbeats resounded, and the private militia was directly surrounded.

"Take them away!"

Faced with nomadic cavalry raising their war bows and long knives, the leader of the private militia could only put down his weapons amidst strange jesting laughter and cries from all around, even some personal guards rushing into the carriage to seize the young pretty maids, tearing their dresses, forcibly placing them on horseback.

An uproarious laughter erupted around.

The beautiful noblewoman inside the carriage was already crying with fright, her pitiful appearance further fueled the Vandal commander’s lust, as he glanced left and right and suddenly waved his hand forcefully.