Lucullus' ambitions could not be hidden from the watchful eyes of Crassus and the other surrounding nobles, who were observing him with particular attention.
Lucullus' changing expression and the glimmer of cunning in his eyes did not go unnoticed.
Lucullus considered himself the leader of Sulla's faction, but he had forgotten that he did not possess the prestige that Sulla had.
The meeting progressed quickly, and many nobles, senators, and equestrians stood up to propose different ideas to win Septimus over.
Winning Septimus meant controlling Rome and the Senate.
The power and influence of Sulla's former faction and Septimus were enough to maintain control over all of Rome.
Half a day passed quickly.
The members of Sulla's former faction were not the only ones who gathered.
A group of senators who opposed Septimus or had conflicting interests met to discuss the possibility of a civil war.
Unlike the meeting at Lucullus' mansion, the senators' meeting was filled with tension and panic.
The expressions on all the nobles' faces showed concern and fear for the uncertain future.
All of Rome was discussing the arrival of Septimus and his ten legions.
On the other hand, Septimus did not expect the senators to reach an agreement and advanced with all of his legions.
The eight days passed quickly.
Ten kilometers from the city of Rome, a great army was forming like a black tide with no end in sight.
The dust raised by the ten legions could be seen from the walls of the city of Rome.
The astonishing sight amazed many militiamen who were guarding the walls of the city of Rome.
The city gates descended into complete chaos.
Hundreds of wagons took the opportunity to seek protection inside the city's walls or flee.
Regardless of whatever prejudices the senators who opposed Septimus held, it was undeniable that ten legions were forming in disciplined ranks outside the city of Rome.
With a single thought from Septimus, the clone legions halted and split into small groups to build a camp.
A delegation approached Septimus' camp, which was still under construction.
Lucullus, Catulus, and a group of nobles who maintained a good relationship with Septimus approached to within three hundred meters of the clone legions.
Inside a luxurious tent, Septimus sat in a chair while watching Lucullus and Catulus, who were seated in two chairs, while the other senators and nobles remained outside the tent.
"Hahaha, your ten legions have completely terrified that group of shortsighted senators," Catulus said with a smile on his face.
Lucullus nodded in approval. "Well done. Now all those senators in Rome will think twice before opposing us."
Septimus looked at the two men with an expressionless face as they tried to ingratiate themselves by taking advantage of their previous closeness.
The Roman Senate was made up of six hundred people, but only between five hundred and five hundred fifty senators had been present during the vote that approved the previous proposal to provide support for eliminating the pirates.
The vast majority of the senators belonged to Sulla's former faction, but not all of them held the same position.
Lucullus did not have the prestige or the ability to keep all the senators united, much less influence their decisions or ambitions.
Since Sulla's death, a large number of senators, nobles, and equestrians had shown signs of forming their own political circles.
Sulla's former faction maintained a façade of unity, one that was easy to use to deceive outsiders but was crumbling internally.
Many senators from Sulla's former faction secretly opposed Septimus and would naturally cast their votes against any proposal that benefited him.
The votes of the senators who supported the exiled nobles, together with the votes of the senators who despised, envied, or simply held a grudge against Septimus, were enough to influence the decision of the entire Senate and cause an incident that could trigger another civil war.
Septimus did not know all the intricate social dealings among the senators of Rome.
The strength and influence of Rome's important figures had always been measured by the number of legions they could lead.
Ten legions were enough to terrify Rome and demonstrate incredible military and financial strength.
On the other hand, Septimus' silence caused the atmosphere inside the tent to freeze.
Septimus' lack of response caused a trace of unease to appear in Lucullus and Catulus.
Septimus turned his gaze toward the two men, who were waiting for his answer.
"My army will rest for one day and give the Senate of Rome time to reconsider its previous decision," Septimus said in a slow, measured voice.
Lucullus and Catulus changed their expressions dramatically and nodded in understanding.
Septimus' indifferent and serious attitude was well known.
A man of few words who often acted arbitrarily or on impulse perfectly defined Septimus' personality.
Unfortunately, Septimus had money and enough loyal legions to make many nobles and senators nervous.
The two men withdrew from the military camp.
Lucullus abandoned his earlier ambitions of controlling Septimus.
During Sulla's lifetime, his relationship with Septimus had been closer to a cooperation based on mutual interests and had been far from one of subordination.
Lucullus' current influence could offer nothing to Septimus.
The delegation quickly returned to the city of Rome.
---
*Sigh,* another war. What's happening?" Back in Rome, upon seeing the atmosphere of war, even Crassus could not help but feel saddened.
How had the great Rome become this, constantly on the brink of civil war?
"Father, I've heard that many senators are giving speeches in the square, urging the citizens to support confronting Septimus, while others are urging them to oppose the Senate. They've even started arguing," said Marcus Crassus, Crassus' eldest son.
He was a handsome boy, around eight or nine years old.
"I understand," Crassus said with a trace of pride as he looked at his eldest son.
"What should we do?" Marcus Crassus asked.
"Don't worry about them. Take care of your own affairs," Crassus said, patting him on the head. "It's better if we don't get involved."
Young Marcus Crassus looked at him suspiciously, and Crassus sighed.
This matter was far too dangerous; it could mean certain death and the annihilation of their clans. It was better to remain neutral.
Septimus was an unconventional figure who had easily demonstrated the ability to gather enough legions to deter many senators and nobles in Rome.
On the other hand, a new dictator would mean a reorganization of political power and the resulting massacre of the great family clans.
The city could gather five legions and rely on its walls to defend itself against a siege.
But inevitably, Rome would face another tragic outcome of massacres.
"By the way, have house prices gone down lately?" Crassus asked with interest.
"Yes, they've gone down a little more," Marcus Crassus replied.
"We should buy a few. I heard the other day that many noble families are preparing to move to the provinces," Crassus said with a contemplative expression.