Return To Roserun

______________________________________

Grand Duchy Of Latinium Tech Tree [2] -35

[Civil Tech] Stage 1; 

Theology [1/3] +1

Civil Service [1/5] 

Currency [1] 

Engineering [2/3] 

Metal Casting [3/5]

______________________________________ 

[Military Tech] 

Siege 

Management

 Logistics *New*

 Manipular Organisation *New*

Tactics

 Physical Conditioning *New*

______________________________________

The upgrade having be chosen Julius rounded out the rest of his day with a simple packing of his travel pack, a highly nutritious meal and a rather early nights sleep since this would be the last time for a couple days he'd be resting in a bed while they were on the road.

The morning came in a flash and while he and Yuri were mounting their horses the retainers and servants all came out to send of their lord and the lady.

Many times already Julius had to order the Praetorians not to mount up.

With a simple speech about their diplomatic visit to their neighbour, his belief for the city to continue it's growth so much so that he'd not recognize it upon his return, and of course a simple message about praying for their safety under the sun thanks for the gods.

Julius's chosen god to represent was Sol Invictus the sun on high, with his own healing mana art allowing him to glow slightly he could fabricate a living god on earth to his own people further galvanizing their zeal and loyalty to his reign.

The pair wasted no further time and kicked their horses into a run, taking off from the Eternal city, towards the western reaches the path Julius had used before was a mountain crossing but this time around since they didn't need to beat a retreating army, they could go the regular route.

Julius himself was amazed at the pace they were traveling, the tech upgrades were one thing but actually seeing the difference in person was amazing.

The power level gain was great but didn't affect horses, that's where the 10% movement bonus came in, the breeds they had available right now would allow them to ride around 50-60Km per day and that would mean thanks to the tech increase they'd travel an addition 5km on top of that.

The maneuverability of the army would be the one who'd be boosted the most as the soldiers could march for longer and far outpace the other armies of the time, and as shown with Rome it was mobility that was amonst the most important factors in a war.

The Princess was an easy travelling companion in comparison to Serena, as Yuri had live a few years in secret as an adventurer travelling the lands until her fathers death to avoid a political marriage.

No complaints were held about sleeping on the ground, or taking watch, and her skills at campfire cooking surpassed Julius's who might have superior food knowledge but lacked at skills on an open flame that needs to be managed.

The first day passed by and they camped out at the border, Julius gave a pass through the garrison providing words of encouragement, while Yuri reconnected with the men she was commanding before the invitation arrived.

Julius used a paltry number of build points to further upgrade the border defense for if things went as he expected them to these border defenses won't be required for much longer.

Once the night passed the pair remounted their steeds and crossed over, the Roserun garrison allowing them to pass however among the soldiers there were a few less than friendly gazes while the others cheered at their victorious princess's return.

"Should we ride straight for the capital?" <Yuri >

"No, it's best if we did a tour of the nation first, the deadline in the invitation won't be missed so we can take our time, and you'll get to see your home in the process." <Julius >

"Is that so?" <Yuri >

She clearly sensed their was something hidden in Julius's words but it wasn't until they passed through the first territory that she knew what that hidden something was.

The city one which had fallen to the Kingdom of Bridget, was virtually a ghost town.

Their was a handful of soldiers atop the walls but within there were hardly a few dozen civilians just enough to keep supporting the soldiers.

The city itself even months later was still showing signs of the conflict with Bridget, and in some places heaps of bodies still lay decomposing under the hot sun.

Yuri could only tremble in shame at the blatant disrespect shown to her people by the nobles and her brother, not even bothering to bury the dead they had abandoned.

Julius sensing her altered mood moved first and after covering his mouth and nose, got to work building a mass grave and disposing of the bodies littering the city streets.

Thanks to his increased power level the digging did not bother him much and before the day was done the job was completed, those living in the city began to join in once they saw what the pair was up to.

That night a wake was celebrated in the tavern where everyone praised the princess for her mercy on the people.

As the next morning rose they moved on to the next city, and similarly it was the exact same as before.

Barely any people existed within the abandoned territory.

Pestilence was beginning to fester within, and limited signs showed that the people left to live here were doing all they could to maintain their own lives while doing the extra mile to try and right the wrongs within.

Once they entered the more interior parts of Roserun things changed, these territories had surrendered without resistance to Bridget and their populace had been allowed to survive however since the victory, the people had been exploited.

Forced double labour hours were enforced and high taxed were employed.

The surrendered lands were hardly damaged but the nobility were squeezing the populace for all they were worth.

Hiding amonst them as commoner travellers Julius and Yuri question some people in passing and found that since their Princess was driven out the new king had doubled the tax rate, and granted the nobles even greater forms of autonomy to mange their territories.

The border lands that had been razed were now know as the crownlands which further incensed Yuri as they were abandoned lands, her brother had done nothing more than lay claim to those lands under the crown and left the people to their own devices.