Two weeks passed quickly.
At the port and on the outskirts of the city of Puteoli, a large number of clone soldiers and farmers gathered in an orderly manner to board the ships anchored in the port.
The ships mobilized by Septimus and Sulla totaled more than 200, including transport ships and enormous warships (triremes) used to protect the fleet.
From a three-story house with a view over the entire dock, Septimus was observing the enormous fleet in the Mediterranean Sea stretching as far as the eye could see.
All the legions and the provisions would be transported in two or three trips in order to cross the Mediterranean and land in Africa.
Before departing from Rome, Septimus was visited by priests with the intention of asking about the organization of a sacrifice to bless the military expedition.
In the Roman Republic, religion was an essential part of war, and no serious general began a campaign without prior religious rituals, but few generals had an army as loyal as Septimus.
Septimus was not superstitious, and as a consequence a religious ritual would not affect the morale of the clone army during the expedition to Africa.
In Rome, priests were more a position than a profession. Beyond divination, they did not differ from the plebeians or from officials.
Even Caesar, who once served as High Priest (also translated as Chief of the Priests), was no different from common people, even morally inferior, after seducing the wives of other men and contracting enormous debts.
Septimus's contempt for religious traditions and superstitions caused his bad reputation in Rome to intensify.
On the other hand, Septimus commanded an army made up of his own clones; otherwise, a normal Roman army would not take long to desert upon learning that their general was disrespectful toward the gods.
Without giving much importance to religious matters, the clone legions gathered at the dock of the city of Puteoli to embark on ships that would cross the Mediterranean and land in the city of Utica.
Hundreds of soldiers advanced in an orderly manner and boarded the transport ships.
Large quantities of grain were loaded onto the transport ships along with weapons and various materials for war.
After an entire morning, the fleet departed with Septimus and half of the army.
Septimus stood at the bow of the ship holding a rudimentary telescope while looking at the enormous fleet advancing slowly across the Mediterranean.
As early as 1500 BC, Mesopotamia produced glass.
Then, the center of glass production moved from Syria to Alexandria, and as Rome became more powerful, glass workshops also emerged there.
However, they did not know how to blow glass or create complex shapes, so it was still far from practical use, although producing containers of simple shapes was not a problem.
Septimus manufactured the rudimentary telescope as an accessory to make money among the Roman upper class.
The telescope in ancient Rome would become the new source of income for Septimus to rebuild the region of Campania into the ideal territory for Septimus's plans.
After much effort and errors, Septimus's diligence bore fruit, and he was able to manufacture rudimentary telescopes but with a commercial perspective that would be highly valued throughout Rome.
From nobles, priests, kings, and etc., they are very superstitious about the gods, causing the telescope, a device capable of allowing a man to observe clearly from long distances, to become a ceremonial object.
The telescopes in the city of Campania were manufactured slowly due to the lack of technique, but Septimus trusted that they would bring a great source of income.
The region of Campania had become the foundation of Septimus and his clones, and to prevent a possible attack from Sulla, more than half of the clone legions were protecting it.
The city of Capua was a city with a highly developed road infrastructure for its time and was considered a route of vital importance.
The geographical location of Capua was of vital importance for the movement of Septimus's trade caravans in Rome.
The Romans preferred to use cement made from volcanic mud to build the main roads, thus facilitating the rapid movement of their armies and merchants.
Capua, at that time, was a crucial communications hub, providing direct access to Rome and, therefore, a vital strategic location.
On the other hand, Septimus trusted in being able to defend the city against possible surprise sieges.
Septimus was confident in resisting 10 Roman legions within the city of Capua and the city of Decapitadora.
Historically, Sulla had failed in his attempt to conquer the city of Capua, not to mention that the clone legionaries were a veteran army hardened in combat.
Ten days passed quickly.
The city of Utica, which was once the second largest city of Carthage, is now in Tunisia.
Two thousand years ago, this was a port; 2000 years later, due to the retreat of the tide, it has become solid land. This is a clear example of how the sea can transform into land.
A gentle sea breeze blew, the sails dotted the horizon, and the citizens of Utica were busy with their tasks. Suddenly, a fleet appeared on the distant horizon, growing larger and larger until it reached more than two hundred warships and transport vessels.
Panic seized the city of Utica; people scattered and fled in panic.
Throughout the Mediterranean, only one nation possessed such a powerful fleet: Rome.
Its purpose was clear: to subdue the rebels of Utica.
The brutality of the Romans still lingered in their memory; Carthage had been destroyed, 50,000 Carthaginians sold as slaves, and their land, sprinkled with salt—a curse of the gods—remained barren to this day.
As he looked at the distant port, Septimus's expression was grave. This time, his troops landed in the city of Utica, and after conquering it, the rest of the army and supplies would follow.
The landing had to succeed regardless of the casualties because failure would mean a heavy blow to the entire expedition.
To Septimus's surprise, the city of Utica seemed impassive.
A dozen warships docked quickly, and a large number of black-armored soldiers stormed the port, forming a Roman infantry phalanx.
Just then, a military tribune approached slowly, raising his hands to indicate that he was unarmed. After communicating with the soldiers, they took him aboard Septimus's ship.
"What did you say? You want to surrender?" Upon hearing this, Septimus could hardly believe what he was hearing.
It was no wonder that Pompey had conquered Africa so easily; this was practically a simple challenge.
"Yes, the vice-general Manlius has always been loyal to Rome, but he was forced to oppose it. We hope that you accept our surrender, general," said the military tribune with a humble expression.
"How many troops do you have?" asked Septimus calmly.
"More than 5,000 guards," replied the military tribune humbly.
"Very well, I accept your surrender," said Septimus with an impassive expression.
Of course he had to accept it; would he not be a fool if he did not do so?
"I will allow your crimes to be judged by the Senate; I believe you understand that I do not have that authority," said Septimus indifferently. The military tribune's decision to surrender saved his life and the entire population of the city of Utica.
The military tribune nodded, understanding.
Shortly afterward, Manlius and his military captains surrendered, reassuring Septimus.
"That is how things are," explained Manlius to Septimus, recounting the situation in Africa.