Banihal, the winter capital city of the Sniestein Empire-

  King of Kings, Hamadi the 4th, a powerful man with deep and stable eyes, sat on his throne, listening to the test report.

  "Important news! Emperor Galerius Septimius Paetinus has died of natural causes! In his pce, two co-emperors, his adoptive sons, now rule New Rome." A messenger reported while kneeling.

  Hearing this, the King of Kings, who was in his prime, only 32 this year, and having ruled for 14 years over his dynasty, narrowed his eyes.

  "You said two? Not one?"

  The messenger solemnly nodded.

  "Yes, King of Kings! The spies have reported that the older Emperor is Aulus Fvinius Clement, while the younger Emperor is Herius Caesetius Dacian. From the reports, the older one is popur and wise, and was supposed to rule alone. However, due to filial piety, he begged the Senate to allow Dacian to become Emperor. However, the younger Emperor is noted to be frivolous, young, and mediocre. And more importantly, Emperor Dacian will govern and rule over the Eastern part of the Empire... which borders us."

  The messenger didn't express any personal opinion, merely giving what was reported by the spies. However, the message was clear.

  "Good." Hamadi's eyes flickered with ambition and old hatred.

  He didn't forget the humiliation the Romans brought by conquering two whole provinces and sacking their capital over 40 years ago, during his father's reign.

  However, his advisor, who remained silent, calmly reminded him.

  "My King of Kings, the Roman Empire is a hibernating bear. Although their leadership is weakened, attacking them now would undoubtedly trigger a rge counter-offensive..."

  Hamadi the 4th quietly looked at his advisor and then lowered his head while closing his eyes.

  "Over 40 years ago, the Romans wronged us, taking away our nds and sacking our cities... My father, Hamadi the 3rd, may he find peace, carried this burden to his grave..."

  The King of Kings then slowly got up, opening his eyes filled with iron resolve.

  "Summon the war council. We make ready to settle old feuds..."

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  Four months ter-

  Camp Prefect Canus Lucius Primanus had a meeting with Legate Tertius Pomponius Fastidius, along with the tribunes and 1st Cohort Centurions, in the command room.

  "The nomadic steppes didn't attack us," Primanus said with a grave voice.

  "Isn't that a good thing?" Fastidius frowned and asked.

  "On paper, perhaps... but this isn't like them. Would a starving wolf not attack the fat sheep behind a fence? Even if it risks fighting the shepherd and the shepherd's dog, it will still attack. It just can't help itself." Primanus slowly said.

  Primanus knew that it was uncharacteristic of them not to attack, especially since they had a small famine and needed to raid for food. Having experienced numerous battles with them, even losing his previous protege, who died along with an entire cohort, Primanus guessed something was off.

  "Then what do you suppose is occupying them, then? It is not like we have a strong spy network in the steppes." Fastidius slowly said.

  "Nothing good, that is for sure. Either they are fighting someone else... or someone solved their food crisis." Primanus squinted his eyes at the regional map on the table and pointed at the southeast.

  "Are you suggesting that the Sniestein Empire hired them?" Fastidius had an ugly look.

  All the others present in the room also changed their expressions. The Sniestein Dynastic Empire was the cousin of the steppe nomads... and they were much stronger, too. Their cataphract Heavy Cavalry was infamously powerful in the open field, and they often employed the aid of the Steppe Nomads as mercenaries during war, providing manpower, light cavalry, and horse archers.

  Moreover, they didn't forget that they conquered two provinces from the Sniestein Empire over 40 years ago, and even sacked their capital! While they didn't join the fighting, Primanus did, and he famously lost half his ear and almost died from a neck wound during the chaos, miraculously missing his artery by an inch.

  "Yes. They are likely going to settle old grudges now." Primanus solemnly nodded.

  "We have beaten them so badly st time. Would they dare?!" The young Senior Tribune, Agaptus, excimed, face pale.

  The men in the room looked at the young and inexperienced man, but they didn't chastise him. It was something all of them partially thought but didn't express.

  Primanus gave him a side gnce.

  "Under the rule of our now-deceased emperor, bless his soul, they certainly won't... But what if they sensed a weakness? Say, the death of an emperor, and the crowning of two new co-emperors with assumed low competence? Meanwhile, they have been under a stable ruler for over a decade, and have had several decades to recover, at the peak of their power... And an old grudge to settle."

  Agaptus's lips shook, not knowing what to say. He wasn't stupid. He tried putting himself in the shoes of the King of Kings of the Sniestein Empire.

  "If I were at peak condition, and I sensed my opponent is weak... I would attack, especially if I have a grudge! And I would attack hard!"

  Primanus saw Agaptus's expression and knew that he conveyed the point. Then, he looked at the rest, who only fared slightly better.

  "I brought this up so you can all mentally prepare for a coming, rge-scale war," Primanus said before looking at Fastidius. "I trust you know what must be done, Legate."

  Fastidius slowly nodded. Although he was not as adept as the professionals when it came to battle tactics and strategy, he was an expert in the political side of things.

  "I shall send word to the provincial governor and the neighboring provinces, giving them an early warning. At the same time, I will inform the eastern emperor of the possibility of war. Hopefully, they will listen..." Fastidius said.

  "But I don't have high hopes... Those governors have grown arrogant, and the new Eastern Emperor... Herius Caesetius Dacian is... inexperienced. He will likely only react after an invasion starts." Fastidius added in his heart.

  Soon, the meeting ended, and Primanus went for a routine inspection, checking the training of the troops.

  "The 1st cohort is as good as ever... 2nd legion is fine... 3rd is fine... 4th is fine... 5th is fine... Okay. At least they are fit for battle. But what of the local recruits? How is my protege doing, teaching them?" Primanus wondered.

  The 10th, 9th, and 8th cohorts were not the only ones who went to recruit and train new legionaries. The permanent fortress of the 17th legion also recruited soldiers from the surrounding town and vilges. In fact, many recruits were unofficial sons of the legionaries.

  Being the sons of serving legionary veterans, they were obviously preferable to those born in other professions. And thus, around a quarter of all new legionaries came from the locales.

  As they were usually of a higher quality than other locations, they were directly assigned to the 5th Cohort for training, but would be reassigned once their training was completed.

  And starting four months ago, Apollox was the weapons instructor and breathing technique teacher of the squad assigned to the 6th century of the 5th cohort. After all, Apollox was comparable to a Senior Centurion in strength and skill, far eclipsing a regur Optio. After all, being as good as he is, he surely wouldn't do much worse than experienced instructors, especially when teaching merely 8 young men.

  At first, he paid attention to how he trained them, but seeing him do well, he only occasionally asked. After all, he was preparing for a potential nomadic invasion. Now, it seemed the situation would switch from passive defense to mass mobilization, so he needed to check the recruits.

  As he arrived at the 6th century, the Senior Centurion noticed him and quickly approached him, saluting.

  "I have seen the Camp Prefect, Sir!"

  "At ease. I merely came to observe." Primanus lightly waved his hand.

  "By all means, Sir. Please feel free to inspect them." The Senior Centurion respectfully said.

  Primanus merely nodded, looking at the soldiers.

  "Hm... they are OKAY, not too good, not too bad... Hm?"

  Suddenly, his eyes were attracted to a corner. He noticed a short and average-looking young man, wearing a somewhat high-end segmented armor that was not in his pay grade, training eight young recruits holding training equipment. Obviously, that was Apollox.

  Of course, what really drew his attention were the recruits he trained. With his sharp eyes, he noticed that they all reached the General Warrior Realm. If one, two, or even three were General Warriors, he would only regard it as impressive. But when all eight were General Warriors... it either meant that Apollox was extremely lucky, or...

  "Apollox helped them all break through?!" Primanus's eyes lit up.

  He also noticed how the eight recruits swung their swords. Although they were not masters, their basics were very solid! He knew that this could only mean one thing.

  "Apollox is also a genius instructor! He is likely comparable to a Senior Centurion, or maybe better!"

  Being a good training instructor was a crucial skill for a Centurion. If Apollox proved that he was better than an Optio in this, then he could directly promote him to Optio without any opposition.

  "Great! Perfect! As expected of my protege!" Primanus shamelessly took credit for this in his heart.

  He then turned to the centurion and asked.

  "How were the recruits initially in your eyes?"

  The centurion guessed what Primanus was thinking, but still honestly replied.

  "They were as average as they come, Sir. But Acting Optio Apollox has done a miracle, transforming them into top-tier recruits. A few of my men also took some notes from him, and they saw some improvement."

  "Hoh..." Primanus's wrinkly face smiled more and more. "Tell me, do you think he is qualified to be an Optio?"

  Hearing this, the Centurion gave a wary smile.

  "Sir, he is more than qualified to be an Optio..."

  However, the Centurion held back in his praise, fearing the Camp Prefect would think he was boot-licking.

  "The uncrowned prince almost feels like Centurion Erock of the 1st Cohort. I am honestly afraid of comparing myself to him... Would he fit as Optio under the Pilus Primus himself?" The Centurion warily thought.

  Oblivious to the Centurion's thoughts, Primanus left the training ground, feeling satisfied. As he walked, he also made up his mind.

  "I will officially promote him to Optio when he finishes training those recruits in three days. And then, I will introduce him to Antia. If I drag things for too long, he might find someone else..."

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  Near the borders of the conquered eastern province of Findirhan-

  Legate Proculus Loreius Bestia read a letter sent by a messenger pigeon. And after he finished reading it, he frowned in indecision.

  "Is that Fastidius becoming an armist now? Would those Sniestein barbarians dare attack us? Are they not still licking their previous wounds?"

  After thinking about it, he decided to wait and observe. Anyway, his legion was stationed in a highly defensible, low-priority location, so even if the Sniestein Empire attacked, he wouldn't suffer the brunt. He would let the local governor-king of Findirhan suffer the brunt first.

  "Maybe I should also consult with an oracle and see what the omens say?"1DONT!

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  In Rome, the capital of the New Roman Empire-

  A 30-year-old handsome man with a stylish beard was pying dice, drinking wine, and listening to music performed by several beautiful sve women while reading a report from his advisor.

  "My Emperor, Legate Tertius Pomponius Fastidius's concerns might be a bit armist, but perhaps it would be wise to prepare several legions for mobilization to the eastern front? They do have reasons to invade, and if the Sniestein Empire unches a full invasion, our losses will be severe..."

  The new Co-Emperor and technically the governor of the eastern part of the empire merely scoffed.

  "Just some weak, wounded dogs. That Fastidius is too armist. If those dogs dare come barking at our doorstep, we will show them our might."

  After that, the Co-Emperor returned to gambling.

  The advisor could only sigh and quietly leave. Rumors at the edges of the empire did not concern this frivolous emperor unless they truly invaded.

  "I just hope the losses wouldn't be too severe."