Money in Rome could finance political offices and raise armies.
For example, no one knew exactly how much Septimus earned each year, but everyone knew it could never be less than twenty million denarii.
This figure was exasperating, almost equivalent to Crassus' entire fortune.
Septimus' immense wealth was spent on the construction of the Campania region, and dozens of nobles who had business ties to mines benefited enormously.
Curiously, the construction boom in the Campania region boosted the Roman economy.
The demand for slaves increased, and the various related industries prospered.
Owning a quarry meant secure and substantial income.
Crassus also took advantage of the situation and acquired several quarries and cement workshops through various means.
The imminent civil war would have an economic impact on Crassus and would shut down the trade in construction materials with the Campania region.
Rome was facing an uncertain situation, and the atmosphere of impending war hung over the entire city.
The Senate quickly convened to discuss Septimus' proposal.
The heated debates were deafening, and the senators who supported peace clashed with the senators who demanded war.
The dignity of Rome and the Senate was at stake.
A large group of Roman senators felt dissatisfied with Septimus' uncontrolled actions.
On the other hand, no senator wished to openly oppose Septimus.
The cause of a civil war had obvious disadvantages for any senator.
The citizens of Rome did not understand the complex political intricacies, and everyone's simple understanding came down to this: Septimus wanted to eliminate the pirates of the Mediterranean, and the Senate disagreed.
Everyone detested or hated the pirates of the Mediterranean.
The Roman citizens would not fight for a Roman Senate that protected the pirates or prevented their extermination.
The uproar within the Senate was intense, but a conclusion was quickly reached.
Even the most stubborn senators had no intention of being associated with the idea of protecting pirates.
That very afternoon, a delegation of senators headed to Septimus' military camp to deliver the news.
The immense military camp stretched across a vast valley.
Septimus made no additional demands, and the clone army began preparations to return to the Campania region.
The enormous psychological pressure weighing on the Roman Senate quickly subsided, and many people within the city celebrated.
---
At a military camp north of Rome, Pompey listened to Demetrius' report in disbelief.
Septimus had easily deployed ten legions and confronted Rome.
The formation and maintenance of a Roman legion was estimated to cost millions of denarii.
The power displayed by Septimus was comparable to that of Sulla.
Fortunately, Septimus showed little interest in Rome, and his attention was almost always directed toward the Campania region.
Pompey quickly abandoned the idea of comparing himself to Septimus and focused his attention on the region of Hispania.
General Sertorius had proven to be a difficult opponent to defeat, and defeating him would bring glory.
---
The Roman Senate's decision quickly spread throughout all of Rome. Many breathed a sigh of relief, while many others cursed it, but none of that changed the final outcome.
In the Senate, a heated debate broke out over Septimus' actions in raising numerous legions.
They were not concerned about the expedition to Hispania; land warfare had always been one of Rome's strengths. Although Sertorius had caused Metellus many problems, they believed they could defeat him.
The greatest controversy was the suppression of the pirates. The pirates were scattered throughout the Mediterranean, and their territory was unimaginably vast.
Furthermore, the pirates were highly mobile; if they were suppressed in one area, they could easily move to another, returning only after the suppression had ended.
Septimus was the only person in all of Rome capable of gathering the necessary manpower.
The only thing he lacked was ships.
The Senate of Rome granted Septimus command over the fleets of all allied nations and over all civilians and soldiers within a radius of fifty Roman miles from the coastline of all allied nations.
His power and authority were comparable to the rights of a dictator.
Many senators felt uneasy and suspicious.
Septimus already had a great deal of power, and granting him even more authority could lead to the rise of a new dictator.
---
One week passed quickly.
"Ah! Ah!"
A bloodcurdling moan echoed through the room, followed by a sharp cry.
The two Claudia sisters hugged Septimus tightly, with satisfied smiles on their faces.
"Septimus, this time you did a fantastic job! I never imagined you would challenge Rome with ten legions," said the elder Claudia, with a fascinated expression on her face.
The two sisters snuggled up beside Septimus while showing him affection.
"You are the most powerful person in all of Rome," said Claudia, the younger sister, with a seductive expression.
The two sisters took turns flattering Septimus.
The sisters' constant praise caught Septimus' attention.
"You said you had a favor to ask of me," Septimus said slowly while his hands played with both sisters.
The two women had left the city of Rome and followed Septimus.
Septimus did not believe he was irresistible enough to be pursued by two beautiful sisters.
They had to have a purpose.
Neither sister hesitated and generously made a request.
"Our two brothers want to go hunt pirates," said Claudia, the elder sister.
Septimus frowned slightly.
In the original history, Lucullus had taken them with him on his expedition to Pontus, but Publius, believing that Lucullus did not give him the recognition he deserved, spread harmful rumors about him throughout the camp, causing many soldiers to disobey his orders.
It should be remembered that, in the original history, Lucullus was Publius' brother-in-law, yet Publius betrayed him without hesitation, proving himself to be a petty man.
"Is there a problem?" the elder Claudia asked as she observed Septimus' expression.
Septimus set aside his prejudices. The clone army was different from other armies.
Trying to spread malicious rumors among the clone soldiers could be considered almost certain suicide.
"I'll arrange for them to serve as lieutenant commanders of the legions," Septimus said indifferently.
"You are so kind!" both Claudia sisters exclaimed, showering Septimus with kisses and hugs.
Thirty minutes passed.
Septimus got out of bed and slowly walked to the balcony.
An enormous harbor and dozens of anchored ships formed a spectacular view.
After leaving Rome, the clone army headed to the port city of Puteoli.
With the authority to mobilize ships, Septimus was preparing an enormous fleet to thoroughly cleanse the entire Mediterranean Sea.
Communication was not very efficient, and gathering a large fleet would take time, so the city of Puteoli would serve as the meeting point.
One month passed quickly.
The ships in the harbor of Puteoli accumulated, forming an enormous fleet of more than four hundred ships.
The news of the Pulcher brothers joining Septimus' army spread among the nobles who were interested in gaining military and political merit.
Although Septimus had an extremely poor personal reputation, his military achievements were considered unquestionable.
Victory against a disorganized group of pirates was almost guaranteed.
Many senators and nobles sought the opportunity to place their sons or young relatives within the clone army.
Septimus felt somewhat annoyed by the situation.
The clone army was not the same as other ordinary armies, and adding a bunch of spoiled nobles meant creating unnecessary problems.