Three days passed, and the aftermath of the chaotic fall of the city of Rome was still visible.
The corpses had disappeared, but the bloodstains still remained, providing proof of the terrible deaths that had occurred days earlier.
The siege of the city of Rome had ended, but the clone army maintained its vigilance within the wooden walls of the camp.
Sulla intentionally ignored Septimus's army and tacitly denied them entry into the city of Rome.
On the other hand, the clone army maintained solid vigilance, and Septimus showed little interest in entering the city.
The clone army had looted enough money, and entering the city for a bit of glory was not necessary.
The clone legions had been reduced to 5, with three legions almost completely wiped out during the siege.
A normal army would have collapsed due to the heavy losses suffered.
In comparison, the clone army went into battle with an unbreakable will comparable to a zombie army.
Septimus would be cautious until he could replicate more clones and recover the three lost legions.
In the silent camp of the clone army, only the faint groans of pain from tortured prisoners could be heard.
The clone soldiers who were on the wooden tower of the camp were able to observe a carriage with a group of nobles and slaves approaching the camp.
A young man with a clean toga got out of the carriage and shouted from afar to the soldiers, claiming that they were friends of Septimus.
The clone soldiers on the wooden wall were surprised by the man's claim.
Did he have friends in Rome?
Septimus did not remember having made friends during his stay in the city of Rome.
Later, with his terrible reputation and his indifference toward socializing, there were not many nobles who wanted to gain his friendship.
What did these nobles want?
Septimus's curiosity to discover the purpose of those nobles was awakened.
The clone soldiers opened the gate of the camp mechanically, letting the noble's carriage enter.
Septimus inside his tent prepared to receive the guests.
Six clone soldiers from Septimus's personal guard prepared for a possible assassination attempt.
Shortly after, two unknown young men and two extravagantly dressed women entered.
"General Septimus, you must save us!"
As soon as they entered, an exceptionally beautiful and seductive woman lunged toward Septimus, and a clone soldier reacted quickly and delivered a kick that threw the woman to the ground.
The clone guards drew their swords into an offensive stance against the group of visitors.
"We have no bad intentions, do not attack us," said one of the young men, raising his hands nervously.
The other young men in the group also became nervous and raised their hands in a sign of surrender.
The situation had developed quickly.
Septimus observed the group and realized that the woman on the ground, who had lunged at him at the beginning, did not seem to be an assassin.
The woman sobbed while lying on the ground; she was a classic seductive beauty.
With a gesture of Septimus's hand, the clone soldiers sheathed their weapons and, like statues, returned to their original positions.
"Who are you? And what do you want?" Septimus asked with a calm expression as he sat down in a chair.
The woman lying on the ground stopped crying and slowly stood up; she had an expression of resentment, as if Septimus had betrayed her.
Septimus observed the woman's gaze and considered tearing out her eyes; he was completely sure that it was the first time he had seen that woman.
"General Septimus, I am Appius Claudius Purchel, son of the elder Purchel. This is my brother, Publius Claudius Purchel, and these two are my sisters," said the young man who was in front.
"Ah, so you are the son of the elder Purchel. What brings you here?" Septimus said calmly.
Septimus had known the elder of the Purchel family, but their interactions had been minimal, only mere greetings.
It could be said that Septimus and the Purchel family were completely strangers.
Septimus suddenly realized that this family was quite infamous in history. Not only were the siblings incestuous, but the entire family had an incredibly licentious tradition. Both women married consuls, but neither remained faithful and eventually divorced.
Julius Caesar was deceived by this Pulchel, and even Pompey suffered at his hands.
Thinking about this, Septimus could not help but look at these two young men.
"Great General Septimus, because of the friendship you had with our father, we seek your refuge," said Appius Purchel with an honest expression on his face.
Septimus observed the group indifferently; he quickly understood the situation and the motive of these young people.
The friendship with the elder Purchel was practically nonexistent; they did not even know each other.
The two Purchel brothers looked at Septimus with apprehension. They also despised and feared him, but the situation forced them to feign friendship and seek his protection.
The Purchel family needed Septimus's protection, and if possible, they could win him over through marriage.
The situation of the Scipio family with Septimus discouraged many nobles from offering Septimus a union to their families through marriage.
On the other hand, the temptation that came with forming a marriage with Septimus continued to attract many ambitious families seeking to rise again in politics.
Having Septimus as a son-in-law meant obtaining legions and money.
"Marius the Younger sent men to kill our father. But after Sulla entered the city, one of his wicked servants confiscated our properties and is arresting my brother everywhere. I hope you can intercede for us," said the seductive woman who had previously been on the ground, with tears in her eyes.
At that moment, the group of brothers and sisters of the Purchel family could not help but look at Septimus pleadingly.
"What happened? If Marius sent men to kill your father, why did Sulla's men confiscate your properties?" Septimus asked calmly while pouring himself a cup of wine.
"This… this…"
Appius hesitated for quite a while before being able to speak.
Septimus was somewhat dissatisfied. You ask me for help, but you do not tell me the whole truth. How can I help you like that?
"In reality, it is nothing serious. I only said some bad things about Sulla before," at that moment, Publius said coldly, and then looked at Septimus with a gaze slightly filled with resentment.
Saying some bad things probably meant more than just a few bad things.
Otherwise, how could the power of his family have forced them to the point of having their properties confiscated and being hunted?, thought Septimus.
"I see. You will stay in the camp for the next few days. I guarantee that no one will dare to arrest you here. I can guarantee your safety within my military camp, but I will not interfere in other matters," said Septimus indifferently.
Helping the Purchel family would not be very difficult, but Septimus did not wish to owe a favor to Sulla for a group of strangers.
The Purchel siblings inside the camp would serve as new toys that would bring some entertainment to the gloomy military camp.
As commander of eight legions, Septimus trusted his authority; Sulla's soldiers would not have the courage to come and arrest people in his military camp.
"Thank you very much, General!" said Appius Purchel gratefully.
"We also have some servants and slaves. I want revenge; I want to kill Marius the Younger myself," said Publius Purchel angrily.
"You can look for some influential figure in Sulla's circle to propose your request," said Septimus indifferently.
The Purchel brothers left disappointed upon hearing Septimus's words.
Septimus accommodated them. After meeting them, he learned that they had several hundred soldiers.
This gave him a new understanding of the power of some of the great nobles of Rome.
Two days passed.
During this time, the Claudia sisters spent most of their time in Septimus's bed.
These sisters were too proactive; Septimus enjoyed the pleasure of the two women.
Suddenly, Septimus realized something: the marriages of the Claudia sisters with the son of Metellus and Sulla's favored general, Lucullus, were actually political marriages to help their families escape their troubles.
Perhaps that was not their true intention; now they had placed him in the spotlight, probably because they saw his strength.
But, was he the kind of person who lacked women? How could that be!