CHAPTER 333: CHAPTER 165: ASCENDING THE THRONE AS AUGUSTUS (UNIFICATION)

The fierce personal guards almost all bore wounds and injuries, yet this did not affect their upright posture as they faced the Roman citizens’ inspection, simultaneously shouting the name ’Augustus’.

As Duncan fought further, the instances of forcing through enemy lines grew less and less.

Because he realized that too many of those generals and guards who had followed him on Great Britain had already fallen, with the survivors mostly crippled. From the defeat of the Western Goth Kingdom to his advance upon the Italian Peninsula and the decisive battle with the Vandals, Duncan sought to concentrate his advantage in numbers whenever possible to fight.

He knew that on the battlefield, those generals and guards who fought to protect him also yearned to return alive. At first, Duncan had no choice, but later he could not afford to be so reckless.

Duncan might not die, but what about those generals and guards willing to shield him from blades and arrows with their own bodies?

In the decisive battle with the Vandals, he opted to wait until the main troops arrived from the rear before engaging in battle.

Risking a battle might indeed lead to an epic battle and earn a bit of legendary level, but how many of those generals and guards who followed him would fall?

In just a year or two, there were hardly any familiar faces left among the generals and guards he brought from Great Britain.

Duncan would rather use other methods to strive for legendary level, at least allowing some people to survive until the day when the empire was reborn.

Charging through enemy lines with personal guard cavalry resulted in shockingly high casualties.

Flags fluttered in the wind.

As the most core generals and guards passed through the Triumphal Arch, the sound of hooves came from the rear, revealing the figures of Lager heavy cavalry, Sarmatia riders, Frankish Dragon Knights, and others. The Roman citizens even saw two or three hundred Hun riders in the distant crowd. They proudly lifted their heads, clenched their fists, and offered loyalty to the great emperor of the empire.

The cheers from the crowd boiled over again.

For some saw the eagle banner waving in the distance, and the cheers spread toward the Triumphal Arch like a tidal wave.

"Eagle banner!"

"It’s the legion eagle banner!"

"The golden eagle banner of the twentieth legion!"

A retired imperial veteran trembled with excitement, pointing to the pure gold eagle banner held high in the distance, shouting to the surrounding citizens: "It’s the imperial legion stationed in Gaul Province."

"I also served in little Germania."

Balton and a group of imperial legion leaders did not ride horses. He walked in front of the team in a Roman-style general’s armor, followed by banner bearers and trumpeters. In front of the fluttering flags, a tall and burly soldier was temporarily selected to hold up the pure gold legion eagle banner high. He appeared very excited, unable to control his expression, forced to step firmly with a stiff face.

The Roman citizens naturally greeted the empire’s own military with even more enthusiastic cheers.

As the empire’s eagle banner legion passed through the Triumphal Arch, soon the British Legion, Barbarian Race Foreign Legion, Gaul Warrior Battle Group, Frank Heavy Infantry and other such troops appeared one after another. The imperial legion was more disciplined, marching in perfect unison, while the rear troops were somewhat scattered. When the Celtic warriors appeared with indigo tattoos on their bodies, the entire formation could no longer maintain the phalanx.

But the Gaul warriors still held their heads high, and the Roman citizens greeted them with enthusiastic cheers.

Duncan only dispatched part of the elite to be reviewed through the Triumphal Arch, while some troops were not disciplined enough, so they stayed stationed outside.

After many legions passed the Triumphal Arch, the crowd gradually fell silent.

For they saw squads of wounded soldiers, most able to walk, though many were missing limbs, yet it still did not affect their receiving the attention and cheers from the empire’s citizens. The sight was quite shocking, causing many to gradually fall silent, and some quietly covered their faces in tears.

The turmoil lasted too long.

The suffering was not only endured by them but also by the warriors fighting far and wide.

Imperial reconstruction also requires sacrifice!

Even the invincible Duncan could only lead them to victory, unable to ensure who could survive in the end.

With the final legion crossing the Triumphal Arch.

Countless imperial citizens directed their gaze at Duncan on the distant high platform. At this moment, he was already standing on the uppermost steps, watching the Roman citizens before him, raising his palm slowly in acknowledgment.

"Augustus!"

"Your Majesty the Emperor!"

"God bless Rome!"

The waves of cheers spread far and wide.

Crow Queen Triss appeared in an ornate High Priest’s robe. Behind her, many Polytheism priests showed excitement, while not far away, the Monotheism priests and bishops displayed complex expressions.

Everyone involuntarily held their breath.

It was Crow Queen Triss’s first appearance under intense public attention, and she was appearing as the empire’s High Priest. Step by step, she came before Duncan, then slowly knelt on one knee, presenting the crown she held to Duncan.

This did not conform to ancient tradition, but many felt it was warranted.

Duncan treated Monotheism and Polytheism equally.

Upon seeing the High Priest of the empire’s Polytheism kneeling on one knee before Duncan, presenting the Augustus crown, the Monotheism bishops and priests nearby sighed softly. They also knew the moment when royal power completely overshadowed divine authority, unless a True God descended, no church could shake the royal power.