Three days passed quickly.
In the square of the city of Rome, a fat man in a white tunic loudly read the parchment he had in his hand to the surrounding crowd.
Esteemed regent (Interrex) Lucius Valerius Flaccus and people of Rome: As everyone knows, the country is in a very dangerous state. To better face the current situation, extraordinary measures must be adopted. If the usual consular system is not sufficient, a special dictatorship system is necessary, and the mandate of the dictator cannot be the usual six months, but must be indefinite…
Septimus understood in broad terms the meaning of the letter. Roman law stipulated that the mandate of a dictator was only six months, but Sulla wanted to be dictator for life.
As for the regency (Interrex), it meant that when two consuls died or were exiled for various reasons, the leading senator would automatically be elevated to regent and would preside over the election of consuls.
Roman citizens gathered around the fat man while they listened attentively to Sulla's declaration addressed to Regent Valerius and to all the people of Rome.
The crowd in the square boiled with commotion at the sudden news.
The news that Sulla would become dictator for life spread quickly throughout the city of Rome, and Regent Valerius announced it officially, deciding to convene a citizens' assembly three days later to discuss the matter.
This news caused great upheaval in Rome, where Romans had always been extremely hostile to monarchy.
Would Sulla become a monarch?
Even among Sulla's generals, the tension was palpable; at least Septimus noticed that people were inquiring about his attitude, to which, of course, he remained indifferent.
What was there to worry about?
According to the original history, Sulla would retire the following year and die within a few years.
Dictator for life? What nonsense!
Sulla was an idealistic old man with few years left to live.
Now, the entire city of Rome was plunged into chaos. Sulla sent a large number of soldiers to various regions to suppress possible disturbances and further repress the plebeian factions.
On the other hand, Septimus mobilized a large number of clones with Roman citizenship.
The advantage of controlling the entire region of Campania was shown by being able to legitimize a large number of clones by giving them the identity of Roman citizens with the respective rights that it entails.
Septimus controlled the assembly of citizens of Capua through his clones.
A dictator has unlimited administrative and military power, but is still subject to the restrictions of the Assembly of Citizens. However, the Assembly of Citizens of Capua is entirely controlled by Septimus.
Without the need to hold the office of prefect of Capua, Septimus controlled the entire city.
On the other hand, Sulla also mobilized thousands of Roman citizens, and his previous preparations took effect.
For three days, the city of Rome became lively due to the large number of Roman citizens arriving from outside.
The reason why most Roman politicians tried to gain fame and the approval of the Roman people in the city of Rome and in its surroundings
And because it is rare to see city officials near the city of Rome exploiting the population with high taxes as in the provinces outside Rome.
It is explained because citizens near the city of Rome are closer to the city and can exercise their right to vote when choosing a noble to occupy a position in the republic.
Bad reputation among the proud Roman citizens of the capital means ostracism when being elected to any public office.
Sulla lowered his guard against Septimus because the terrible reputation he had among the population meant that Septimus could not gain sufficient support from the Roman people and, consequently, would not be elected to any official position in the future.
It would be easier for Sulla to become King of Rome compared to Septimus winning elections to occupy an official position.
Septimus was too young, and even if he met the age requirements to hold a position, his bad reputation meant that he would have to spend large amounts of money to buy the votes of Roman citizens.
Roman citizens were not foolish, and their pride in living in the most important city of the republic meant that Septimus would have to spend millions of denarii to gain their support.
On the other hand, the reputation of Septimus as a sadist was widely spread among the Roman population.
Many nobles who envied Septimus's wealth or looked down on his background did not want his influence within Roman politics to be strong, and even the Scipio family detested Septimus.
A second Marius was not beneficial for many Romans of the noble class.
The three days passed quickly, and the disorganized voting within the city of Rome concluded with songs, dances, and religious ceremonies.
The city of Rome recovered its lively and disorderly atmosphere.
In the city square, Regent Valerius observed Sulla and, with a complex expression, announced the result.
History did not change, and Sulla became dictator for life of Rome.
Sulla smiled and delivered a speech before all the citizens.
The citizens watched with varying degrees of discontent, apathy, or fear, finally placing this murderous tyrant on the throne.
From what Septimus knew, even Sulla's own subordinates were deeply dissatisfied; they hated a dictator for life.
After assuming office, Sulla quickly organized a great triumphal procession.
Sulla's procession was magnificent and splendid. He sat in a chariot, with a laurel crown, followed by a large number of people previously exiled by Marius, who shouted "Savior!" and "Father!"
Septimus noticed that many Romans liked to call others "father." For example, during the Second Punic War, a cavalry commander who had acquired immense power called "father" with great admiration after being rescued by the dictator Fabius.
Sulla actively promoted reforms, while Septimus remained making preparations for the African campaign and the protection of the region of Campania during his absence.
That same day, Sulla urgently summoned him to his residence.
"I need you to accelerate your preparations to attack Africa; the king of Numidia is supporting the rebels," said Sulla with a gloomy face.
Septimus nodded without giving further explanations and withdrew to his residence.
The African campaign did not represent a great challenge for Septimus.
In the original history, Pompey ended the African War in 40 days; if it were Septimus, about 30 days would be sufficient.
On the other hand, on this occasion, Septimus's enemies not only included Roman soldiers, but also the powerful Numidian cavalry.
The latter was a formidable force that repeatedly defeated Roman cavalry in the Punic Wars and several times in the Jugurthine Wars, leaving a deep mark on the Romans. Moreover, it was the favorite allied cavalry of the Romans.
However, on this occasion they opposed Rome again, choosing to support Sulla's enemies and consequently became enemies of Septimus.
Septimus decided to deploy 10 legions in the African campaign with the purpose of destroying the enemy and forming a clone tribe dedicated to cavalry.
The greatest weakness of the clone soldiers is concentrated in the lack of decent riding skills.
Due to the lack of stirrups, the creation of a clone cavalry is a very difficult task, and cavalry can only have an auxiliary role in battles.
The heavy cavalry of the Parthian Empire trained its riders from a very young age to manage to form a heavy cavalry soldier.
Septimus had the replication ability and a connection with all the clones, allowing learning to be faster.