"Is there any other questions or duty which you must do Commander?" Asked the calm Emperor.
"Yes, as a token of friendship. Caesar, our Emperor, urged me to give this to the mighty Emperor of Ch'in." Civis then nodded to Titus, who in turn rushed out and nodded to Radko.
A suit of richly decorated armor, purple signalling that it can only be worn by the Emperor. Together with a jar of olive oil of the very top quality, were brought in front of the boy emperor.
"Ah ha!" The boy's eyebrows raised in surprise, whether the emotion is true or not, Civis couln't tell.
"We humbly offer this suit of armor, The Armor of the Emperor. And this jar of olive oil, which is the very best found in our Empire. As a gift to your majesty."
"Very good, Roman Commander. Please take my words of gratitude to the great Caesar. But, what is 'olive oil'?"
"Well, olive oil comes from olives, which is some sort of plant. Olive oil can be used to cook, but this jar of oil is richly scented with all sorts of top quality aromatic and fragant substance, and is used to rub on bodies."
"Ah ha, I see. I happily accept the great gift offered by the Roman Emperor."
Perhaps the gifts were unexpected, the Emperor whispered to one of the officials, who dashed out like Titus did.
After a couple of minutes, the official returned with a couple of servants.
"The gifts were truly unexpected my dear Roman guest. In return, and because of the haste of time, we Ch'in could only offer this. And we sincerely wish the great Caesar can forgive our recklessness."
The gifts were then brought before Civis.
"The first one is a yellow silk robe." The stern old man who looked like a chief advisor began to introduce the gifts, "It can only be worn by an Emperor, just like your purple armor."
"Aw... look at the decoration." Sin Ying couldn't help supressing her astonishment.
"Yes, anything belonging to the Emperor must be richly decorated."
In fact, what attracted Civis' attention was the dragon weaved on the silk robe. It reminds him of the tough situation, perhaps there's some purpose of the Ch'in by offering this.
"The next one is a calligraphy. It's a real one, written by the great calligraphy master Yim."
Civis couldn't understand what was written on the paper scroll, but by merely looking at the characters, he could feel the integrity of that Yim.
"I think you're interested in that calligraphy, Roman Commander." The Ch'in Emperor knew the trick worked once more. Foreigners are obsessed by calligraphy.
"Yes, it's truly magnificent. But what is written on it?"
"Well, the details are of little importance. We don't care what is written when we admire a calligraphy, but in case your Emperor askes, tell him that it is an article about a building in one of the Southern provice."
"On behalf of Caesar, I accept the gifts with great gratitude."
Seeing that his duty was done, Civis bowed to the Ch'in Emperor and was permitted to leave.
Back in his house, Civis couldn't calm his mind.
With a quite swish, Septi materialized in front of the troubled Roman.
"What's troubling you my friend?" Septi said, only to find the Roman greeted him with a look of slight annoy in his eyes.
"Oops.. sorry, I should've knocked. I was just... em... practising."
Civis let out a long sigh, "How can I trust my son to you if you behave this way Septimus."
"Well, you know that is not the main point."
Indeed, Civis knew. Civi would be safe with a man like Septi. Even safer than going all the way back, going across the battle worn middle East area, going across the hostile Partian Empire.
"I'd like to know, after ten years. Who's gonna take my son back to me?"
"I will, if he can't by himself."
"I don't understand."
"Well, if he can't 'swish' by himself, then I can 'swish' him to you. Is that OK?"
"I hope you're keeping your promise Septi."
"That means you allow your son to go with me??" A flow of happiness widened Septi's eyes.
"No, I still have to consider it more." Civis poured cold water on the young mage. "What about Sin Ying then?"
"Ha ha~" Septi laughed in mischief, "You should ask your son then~"