It is common knowledge that an outsider parachuted into a leadership position will inevitably breed resentment, especially among those who were next in line for the role.
And Gorin Varus was no exception—he was the one who had been comfortably seated in the commander's chair before being unceremoniously kicked out by Sakatsuki.
That said, he didn't actually harbor much personal hatred. After all, he had stood atop the city walls and witnessed Sakatsuki lead a few hundred Praetorians to crush a thousand enemy cavalry.
Though human affairs were always rife with deception, in the military, a strategist of unmatched brilliance was always worthy of respect.
But alas—his loyalties lay with the Senate.
When Nero had been encircled, the Senate elders had already prepared a puppet emperor to replace her. Even if the Empress had escaped, intending to retreat behind the city walls, Gorin Varus would have deliberately delayed opening the gates, buying time for the enemy.
Who could have predicted that a young man would fall from the heavens—a general capable of defeating superior forces with inferior numbers?
As if Romulus, the Divine Ancestor, sought to punish his treachery, not long after Nero welcomed Sakatsuki into Rome, Gorin was demoted to deputy commander under this white-haired youth.
The Senate had invested untold resources and committed countless underhanded deeds to secure his position as commander. And now, all their efforts had been undone by a nobody!
Upon receiving the news, the elders had flown into a rage, ordering him to find an opportunity to overthrow the new Legate—preferably by having him torn apart by horses, as catharsis for their fury.
And so, with great reluctance, Gorin accepted the task. He immediately began rallying his old allies, biding his time.
Now, on just the second day, his chance had arrived.
Between a strategic stronghold guarded by 500 and an enemy base manned by 2,000, the former was clearly the more valuable and easier target.
Yet this new Legate had chosen to attack the larger force!
Of course, Gorin could guess the young man's reasoning—with some creative reporting, defeating 2,000 men would look far more impressive than crushing 500. Moreover, resolving the threat too quickly would diminish the general's perceived value.
Which sounded more glorious in the annals of history?
- "The enemy shattered in a single battle, their foolishness laid bare."
- "Victory after victory, the enemy trembled at his very name, not daring to advance an inch."
The answer was obvious. After all, Gorin himself had risen to power by repeatedly hunting down a weak tribe over dozens of campaigns.
'Heh... In a way, this young superior of mine is quite shrewd.'
'Too bad his legion isn't on his side.'
"I understand your thinking, young man." Gorin sneered, locking eyes with the white-haired youth. "But as your deputy, I cannot condone this decision."
As if ensuring the entire camp could hear, he raised his voice.
"Will you sacrifice thousands of your brothers-in-arms for personal glory, Legate?!"
Beside them, Rosario's face flushed red, but before he could speak, Sakatsuki silenced him with a casual wave.
"I appreciate your concern, Deputy." Not bothering to remember the man's name, Sakatsuki replied with disinterest. "But I must remind you—the United Roman Empire's forces are not as foolish as you. If they stationed only 500 men, they have their reasons."
Had this man forgotten who Nero was up against?
Caligula, her uncle. Julius Caesar, the Conqueror. Romulus, the Founder of Rome.
This was a team of legendary figures—did Gorin truly believe they would leave such an obvious weakness unguarded?
Yet the word "foolish," uttered so casually and contemptuously, had already ignited Gorin's fury. Staring into Sakatsuki's crimson eyes, he saw nothing but undisguised mockery.
In his rage, he failed to notice the mountains of corpses and rivers of blood swirling around the young man. Nor did he catch the stench of slaughter that clung to him—no, perhaps the illusion was so overwhelming that it shattered the seasoned commander's composure entirely.
**[Slughterer of Men: A+]**
Throughout China's long history, countless generals had risen to fame. Yet only one had earned the epithet "Butcher of Men."
His spirit was unyielding as steel, immune to mental interference.
His mere presence exerted crushing pressure on enemy morale while bolstering his own troops—a twisted form of Charisma.
Though humanity was quick to forget, this Avenger never would—he had come pursuing the shadow of fallen kings.
And precisely because Gorin Varus was a commander, he could sense the true horror lurking beneath the surface.
How many must one kill for the stench of blood and resentment to linger so thickly?!
What kind of resolve does it take to retain human reason after wading through an ocean of slaughter?!
"Damn you! Don't get cocky just because you climbed your way up using a woman!" Realizing his lapse, Gorin took a deep breath, forcing his tone to steady.
"If you're so confident, why not settle this with a wager?"
"A wager?" This time, Sakatsuki couldn't suppress his amusement.
He had barely begun digging the trap, and this fool was already measuring himself for a coffin.
"By all means, Deputy. Name your terms."
Hours later, the legion marched out, splitting into two forces the moment they left camp.
One was led by the white-haired, crimson-eyed youth, commanding one cohort (2,000 soldiers).
The other followed the former commander, Gorin Varus, with the remaining 2,000+ troops.
Gorin, clad in scaled armor and a red cape, yanked sharply on his horse's reins and bellowed:
"The rules are thus—each side shall take half the legion and assault one enemy stronghold! The victor shall be whoever secures their objective fastest while preserving the most strength! Let the gods bear witness!"
With a final provocative glance at Sakatsuki, he drew his ceremonial sword.
And so, two thousand soldiers began their grand march. Behind them, the crimson-eyed Legate watched their departure like a man bidding farewell to the dead on the road to the underworld.
"Farewell. I won't be seeing you again."
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