"Has it become useful?" The noble girl murmured to herself, recalling what Justinian had just said to her, and couldn't help but have a thoughtful look on her face. Yes! She really wanted to rely on her body like this.

For other people? Is this what her mother expected when she sent her away? No, absolutely not. She secretly denied it in her heart, and without saying a word, Irina Ducas gently put down the medicine bowl in her hand.

Looking at the subtle changes in Irina's expression, Justinian said: "Now I think your body is fine and you can take care of yourself. There will be a small village about thirty miles ahead.

, I will send someone to stay and take care of you until you recover." It is very inconvenient to march with a girl. Since Irina's illness has almost recovered, there is no need for me to take care of you with you.

But the stubborn girl grabbed the belt around Justinian's waist who was about to stand up, looked at him with firm black eyes and begged: "I hope you can take me with you."

"Military affairs are not a child's play. I have made an exception to save you. What happens next will be much crueler than now. I can't protect you like your parents. Now you are no longer Miss Irina, but Miss Irina."

The future prince of Pirus has been deprived of his willful rights." Justinian said, looking at the girl intently.

And Irina answered equally decisively: "That's why I want to take revenge on those who deprived me of my original rights. I will not be a burden to you. Besides, if I die, the whole of Epirus can return to the world justly."

All yours." Without hesitation

After provoking the naked relationship between the two people, Irina Ducasse's words made Justinian couldn't help but look at this sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl. Although she was still as immature as when they first met, she was so mature.

The accident has obviously transformed her.

After much hesitation, Justinian finally nodded and agreed to the girl in front of him: "I will take you to Agrinion together. Although our purpose is the same, when you go to the battlefield, what will really happen to you?"

The only one you can rely on is yourself. We are allies in terms of interests. Once the other party becomes a burden, we must make a choice immediately. I hope you can understand this. Welcome to join the new army of Moria, Her Highness Irina Dukas!

"

…

…

…

Starting from the fourth foothills of the Pindus Mountains, the originally endless trail ended abruptly here, because the rugged terrain further forward has stopped ordinary people, and is almost inaccessible. But for the ultimate strategic purpose, Justin

After Ni sold out all the remaining food in surrounding villages and towns, he led his army and set off.

Near the front of the team, Moria's new army is marching while adding countless footprints to this desolate land. Behind them, the newly joined Albanian mountain people are slowly following, and they are walking on the narrow mountain road.

A long and continuous procession formed on the ground. If someone could observe this scene from above, they might not be able to distinguish the difference between them and the march of ants.

"Huh...huh...huh..."

As the fatigue in the lower body continued to accumulate, Irina Ducasse, who had just recovered from a serious illness, tried her best to maintain a certain breathing rate. Due to the terrain, she, like everyone else, could only choose to walk, even though the soles of her feet were bleeding.

But this stubborn Greek girl still gritted her teeth and persisted.

Although he said that he would not take special care, Justinian, who was leading the army, would still pay attention to Irina Dukas from time to time. After all, for a noble lady, marching on the mountain road was still too harsh a task.

But Justinian could only do this. During these days of travel, he did not let the army rest halfway. Now they have to race against time with the army sent by Emperor Mikhail from the north. They can only reach the border wall quickly.

, and further defeat the enemy.

"These barbaric guys!" A very dissatisfied complaint suddenly came from behind him. Justinian turned around and saw Phocas, who had just returned from the rear team, with an angry face.

"What's wrong?" Justinian asked. He asked Phocas to be responsible for the follow-up matters of receiving the Albanian mountain people. It seemed that the two parties were not getting along happily.

Seeing Justinian's question, Phocas, who was originally full of resentment, had to restrain his expression and replied: "Sir Justinian, it's like this. I distributed the food and baggage to the barbarians according to your instructions, but they

He was actually very picky and his words were correct.

You are very disrespectful. I argued with them, and they actually said that I was a sissy mountain man. It was really unreasonable. I think we should not listen to that crazy monk and take in these barbaric guys and give them those sophisticated equipment.

It’s just wasted.”

"Sir, I promise that my group of barbarians will make the best use of your equipment." Before Justinian could speak, Brother Sergius, who had just closed his eyes just now, smiled at the angry man.

Phocas said.

"And they are not simple barbarians. Before coming here, they served the major nobles in Epirus, so they are familiar with war and are not simply brave villagers. It's just that they are more sensitive to needs than ordinary warriors.

Just be respectful, after all, I reminded you before, these people are competent helpers, not cheap cannon fodder."

"But it's not cheap at all," Phocas muttered in a low voice.

"Okay, okay, just do what Brother Sergius said." Justinian comforted his subordinates. This was an old problem of Phocas. After marrying into the Papadoros family,

He was born in a humble background, which made him

It is inevitable that he cannot change his habit of spending every penny. Before, when he told Phocas to allocate some weapons and armor to equip the Albanian mountain people, Phocas's pain in the flesh still made Justinian secretly laugh.

"That's what you say," Phocas frowned. "But I got angry when I met that barbarian from the Qingshigang tribe today. The guy insisted on taking two battle axes, even though she had one hanging behind her.

Those are tempered high-quality goods, they are really a bunch of greedy guys." When he remembered that the Albanian named Bogdani mocked him for being a sissy, Phocas became very angry.

Justinian shrugged and joked half-jokingly: "I think what the other party means is that three axes are definitely better than two. After all, those guys have a lot of strength. I saw their strength in the valley. It is indeed

A group of ragtag people, but what they lack is equipment they can rely on and equally reliable equipment.

He's just a commander." Justinian raised his riding crop and pointed to the north: "The difference between victory and defeat often depends not on you and me, but on whether the soldiers can work together as one. Since we have accepted them, there is no need to treat them differently. We sincerely

Treat each other, I believe those mountain people can also become our strong sword and shield."

Justinian also spoke on the side of Phocas, who was closer to him. In just a few days of getting along with him, he realized that the Albanians were not unhuman and barbaric warriors, but they were just used by Roman nobles.

Their bottomless enslavement makes them always wary. Just as Brother Sergius said before, the way to conquer these mountain people is not by force, but by tasting their food and wine on an equal basis and praising them.

Their children are in love with each other, so that they can gain their support.

Just as he was talking, the rapid footsteps of the scouts in front interrupted the conversation of Justinian and others. The nervous scout soldier panted:
Chapter completed!