The sun is grazing behind the hill over Pressburg, and the caravan with new supplies is ready to depart from Kontinien. In Noric Rome, the caravan runs along the Danube until it follows a river branch named Trauna in Lentia. The journey takes a full five days, and they arrive in a mountain town named Iuvavum on the Sale.
The caravan marches on a path into the Germanic territories of Western Rome to Munica and, after eight days over the mountains, they reach the mighty lake Brigantinus Acronius. The lake barely allows visibility to the other side, and the caravan travels around the northern tip of the lake, known as Lacus Bodamicus, to the Roman city of Constantia in the Teutonic region.
The city by the beautiful lake is a strategically important place in Western Rome. Built in the Roman style, with baths, entertainment buildings, and administrative buildings, it is the capital of the Teutonic region of Western Rome. Many stone houses with large gardens make this Germanic province resemble an Italian province. However, many traditional Teutonic and Helvetic stilt houses are also visible. The inhabitants are mostly Germanic, and a Chalcedonian chapel adorns the city center with its stone grandeur.
A large and broad wooden bridge spans the Rhine, and the old torn SPQR banners of Roman times hang in tatters by the old bridge. Western Roman troops attempt to stop the caravan, shouting something in Roman. They hold their spears towards the bridge but continue to retreat as the caravan advances unperturbed.
Anton walks at the forefront beside Frijja as Thorismund Turciling catches up from the rear and shouts: "FUTHARK! A STRONG ENEMY APPROACHES FROM THE WEST!"
Anton looks over the bridge railing and sees a small, poorly equipped militia with a general marching towards them. The militia seems to be severely reduced in numbers and shows signs of exhaustion and continuous weariness.
A German in Roman armor approaches them. He has gray hair with short curls and a similarly short gray beard. A medieval chainmail adorns his torso, and a long red fabric robe with a gold brooch in the shape of a lion holds it in place. His gray-brown pants and brown leather shoes look simple and inexpensive.
Anton notices that the Romans are wearing a mix of medieval-looking and old Roman equipment. 'No tower shields and sandals, but round shields and sturdy footwear. Maybe this change is due to the high number of Germans in the Roman military? Or perhaps these are the effects of budget cuts?' Anton thought as he looked at the equipment.
"I am Christian Harald Baier! I am the signum of the Lord Christ and the ruler Marcus Aurelius Caesar. You barbarians will not set foot further into the empire!"
"SOLDIERS!... FORMATION... PHALANX..."
Despite their small numbers and weariness, the soldiers run disciplined in three small groups. Their formations force the caravan back and block the exit of the wooden bridge. Christian looks at the front of the caravan and sees a witch, a barbarian, and a mighty warrior. Christian points at Thorvik and asks, "You are the leader, aren't you?"
Without waiting for Thorvik's answer, Christian jumps with his iron sword towards his neck as Anton's eyes glow green and he disappears into the ground. Thorvik takes a defensive position as a dome of vines protects Thorvik and Anton. Thorvik says, "You rely too much on your rune, Anton... I'll smash him to pieces and You cover me."
Anton replies, full of adrenaline, "He is extremely dangerous!"
Two hands tear through the vine wall and Christian's face becomes visible.
"Heretic magic! THE LORD WILL JUDGE YOU!"
A golden glow emanates from his body and his eyes shine with yellow light. Christian begins quoting the Bible and strikes at the roots. Anton is visibly disturbed, filled with fear, and watches as the roots slowly give way.
"FOR WE ARE NOT FIGHTING AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD"
-BAM-
"BUT AGAINST THE DARK, AGAINST THE DEVIL"
-BAM-
"AGAINST THE POWERS OF THIS DARK WORLD"
-BAM-
"AND AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS!"
The roots burst under Christian's fists, and he throws his dented sword inside.
"Your roots have saved this man's head!"
Christian strikes Anton, and he flies against the vine wall. Christian continues and goes for Thorvik. A fist flies towards the big warrior, and like the bison in the Past, Thorvik holds Christian's fist firmly and is pushed against the dome.
Outside the dome, a mighty battle rages. Göll shoots an arrow into every Roman's eye, and they have started primarily protecting their heads. Anton and Thorvik stand outside the dome, and Christian continues quoting from the Bible:
"THEREFORE, TAKE UP ALL THE WEAPONS GOD GIVES YOU!"
-BAM- Anton takes a punch to the face and immediately feels dizzy.
"ONLY WELL ARMED CAN YOU WITHSTAND THE FORCES OF EVIL!"
-BAM- A second blow is blocked by Thorvik.
"I TAKE NO PLEASURE IN YOUR SUFFERING; I AM SAVING YOU, THAT YOU MIGHT BE UNDER THE LORD'S GUIDANCE" A blow from Thorvik interrupts Christian's monologue, and he stumbles back three steps.
"YOU DARE INTERRUPT MY SERMON" Thorvik chokes him with his left hand, glaring into Christian's eyes. Christian punches Thorvik's face, each blow releasing a shockwave. The fighting on both sides stops as everyone watches Thorvik effortlessly lift Christian into the air. Thorvik says emotionlessly, "I'll smash you to pieces... Again...."
"OH REALLY?! OH LORD IN HEAVEN, HAVE MERCY ON THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR WAY, THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO."
Christian starts to glow, and Anton screams. "LET GO, THORVIK, HE'S CRAZY!"
As Thorvik releases him, a vine pulls him back, and a golden sphere with incredible heat forms. It's so hot that the grass turns brown and dry. Both the Romans and the settlers flee, one of the Romans shouting: "Non mercedem pro hoc!" (I'm not paid for this!)
Gerald sees the burning Heat around Christian and has an idea. He goes to Giorgius and shouts:
"Help me with the flour sack."
He looks at the sack and smiles:
"This will hold him back for a bit!"
Giorgius and Gerald, carrying a sack of flour to a tree, while Frijja and Göll evacuate both Romans and settlers to the Helvetic side of the Rhine.
Gerald climbs a nearby oak tree with the flour sack, and Thorvik tries to strike the Signum, but the heat intensifies, and the grass catches fire. Thorvik can't get close to Christian, who stomps on the ground, sending a wave of flames across the field. He looks like a wild beast.
Wheat fields and vineyards ignite, the fire spreading dramatically. Anton shouts:
"SEI PAZZO?? IDIOTA, STAI BRUCIANDO LA COSTANZA"
(Are you crazy?? Idiot, you're burning Constantia) gesticulating wildly at the burning town of Constantia.
Christian slowly loses his mind and screams:
"SPEAK EITHER ROMAN OR GERMAN! I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOUR PEASANT DIALECT!"
He tries to hit Anton as a flour sack hits his face, causing a dust explosion.
Gerald rejoices at the hit and shouts, "YES!"
Christian falls to the ground, glaring at Gerald, and screams: "WITCHCRAFT!"
Gerald shouts back: "NO! SCIENCE OLD MAN!"
Christian looks hurt and shouts: "I'M NOT OLD, BRAT"
Anton, visibly confused, lets vines grow around Christian, but they burn away.
Christian sprints toward Gerald, only to get a blacksmith's hammer to the face:
"BWAHAHAHAAAA, DO YOU THINK YOU CAN TURN YOUR BACK ON ME? I WILL FORGE YOU LIKE HOT IRON."
Unfazed by the heat, Georgius continues striking him with the hammer toward the Rhine.
Each time the Signum tries to hit back, a vine holds him back but it burns away immediately.
A centurion arrives at the scene and shouts:
"SIGNUM, THE CITY IS BURNING!"
Christian ignores him, continuing to fight everyone, until finally, Anton makes Christian trip, sending him splashing into the water. The water boils for a while, and dead fish float to the surface.
Christian is woken up by the centurion, lying on the riverbank with a view of the burning city of Constantia. The fire gently reflects in his eyes, and the cries of people who have lost everything fill the air.
Christian grimly smiles and laughs at his humiliation of being defeated by barbarians. Christian's veins are black, and his bloodshot eyes stare blankly into the distance. "Find out where they went and bring me the medicine... I have wasted too much strength."