Quintus did not like this fellow.

Though the emperor of the empire was surrounded by demons and ghosts, he was, after all, a low-class man who climbed up from the bottom. Without the emperor's favor, he could never have come this far. Therefore, deep down, although he must grab what he can, he still somewhat considers the interests of the imperial emperor.

He's a bit like the eunuch of the Ming Dynasty. Quintus is greedy, yet he remains loyal to the emperor, serving him the leftovers.

The other people around gradually withdrew.

Maximus glanced at Quintus with cold eyes, seeming somewhat displeased, and turned to look at Valentinian III, indicating that this servant should also step down.

But Valentinian III shook his head slowly and said, "Quintus is my confidant, don't worry about him."

Those words made Quintus feel grateful and decide to leave more loot for the emperor next time.

Maximus paused for a moment and decided to give the emperor a favor, then looked around and said in a deep voice, "Aetius is gravely ill, and has only recently begun to recover."

"Your Majesty."

"Now is our opportunity to remove him."

The words made Quintus's heart skip a beat, feeling his palms tremble slightly.

Emperor Valentinian III also shivered, his expression showing a trace of fear and a hint of excited anticipation, as if uncertain: "Now?"

"Wouldn't it be too rushed?"

This emperor has always lacked assertiveness, otherwise, he wouldn't have been manipulated by so many people: first his mother, then the Protector of the Realm, followed by the dignitaries of the Imperial Senate.

But he also wanted to prove himself, and he had ambitions of his own, with visions that exceeded his capabilities.

Quintus dared not speak a word, but he remembered every word they spoke, ready to send someone to inform Anya immediately upon leaving.

Maximus glanced coldly at Quintus and said slowly, "Aetius has always wanted to press Your Majesty to fulfill the marriage contract soon."

"You have only two daughters."

"And his prestige in the empire is like the noon sun. If his son marries your daughter, wouldn't it be..."

He left the statement unfinished.

Everyone present understood that if Aetius's son married Princess Praxidica, he would have a certain right to succession, which Valentinian III feared most: someone wanting to replace him, so he stalled the marriage contract.

There have been many events in the empire recently.

After the Battle of Sharon, Aetius was praised as the 'pillar of the empire'. This Protector of the Realm held great power, seemingly like the "Father of the Emperor" and "Father of the Nation." Envoys from the provinces reported directly to Aetius rather than visiting the emperor.

Many military and political officials were his subordinates and close friends, and his son Gordon planned to marry the emperor's daughter, the young Princess Praxidica.

In Eastern eyes, this was already a path to disaster, things a subject should never do.

No matter who was the emperor now, they were anxiously guarding against the powerful Aetius. They've wanted to kill the Protector of the Realm for days on end, and the empire had the ancient tradition: the Senate assassinated Caesar.

Maximus, as a senator, merely wanted to do his old job.

In the original history.

He indeed went on to do his old job, surpassing the expectations.

As per the original historical trajectory, Maximus incited the emperor to entertain the idea of murdering meritorious officials.

Shortly after, Aetius heard that Valentinian III intended to break the betrothal, so he entered the palace alone to meet the emperor, resulting in a violent quarrel.

Unexpectedly, as Aetius did not foresee, the emperor suddenly drew his sword and stabbed it into his chest; in an instant, the emperor's confidant ministers and palace officials followed suit, attacking and stabbing him with swords.

Aetius suffered over a hundred sword wounds, and this last hero of the Roman Empire died on the spot!

After killing the empire's commander, the emperor quickly sealed the news, then tricked and killed Aetius's confidants holding vital posts in the Imperial Army and military circles, causing a huge loss to the troops and plummeting the combat capability of the imperial legion to the bottom.

Of course.

Under the tide of the empire's collapse, these were just appetizing starters, as even harsher and unbearable things awaited after that.

Maximus hoped to replace Protector of the Realm - Aetius, to control the empire's military and political power, but didn't expect the emperor to reserve a hand, promoting others, and his ambitions were usurped by another close minister.

Thus, to take revenge decisively, he arranged for two Hunnic Personal Guards of Aetius to assassinate Emperor Valentinian III and the rivals.

Ultimately, during a military inspection, the two Huns assassinated the emperor on the spot, with other soldiers indifferent, none saving him, watching as the emperor was stabbed dead amid chaos.

That's the end of the appetizer.

Maximus began his grand show, first usurping the throne to become emperor, then immediately forcing Empress Lysiniya-Eudoxia to marry him, while his son took in the emperor's eldest daughter, Princess Eudoxia.

The two divided Valentinian III's estate left behind between mother and daughter, and immediately prepared to control military and political power.

But unexpectedly, the furious Empress Lysiniya secretly sought help from the Vandals.

For her eldest daughter was betrothed to the Prince of the Vandals.

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