Septimus left the residence while leading a group of clone guards.
Sulla had been the Dictator of Rome and had wielded absolute power. As a result, he was a very domineering person who rarely gave way and relied on his power and reputation to enter other people's residences.
The small conflict between the clone guards and Sulla's Roman guards had originated from a minor misunderstanding caused by Sulla's arrogance.
Septimus made a gesture, and the clone guards, who had been maintaining formation at the entrance, withdrew in an orderly manner.
On the other hand, Sulla observed the clone guards' actions with clear appreciation in his eyes.
The discipline of the clone guards surpassed that of any veteran legion, and Septimus's training methods were remarkable for achieving such an outstanding result.
"Welcome to my residence," Septimus said with a serious expression.
"Hahaha. Septimus, I heard that you're the one who runs *The Roman Daily*?" Sulla said with a false smile on his face.
Sulla was displeased with the clone guards, but he could not show hostility toward Septimus at the entrance to his residence on a busy street.
A small crowd of curious onlookers watched from a distance, and any confrontation with Septimus would quickly be exaggerated by Sulla's enemies.
"A small business that I used to boost paper sales," Septimus said while gesturing for Sulla to enter the residence.
Inside the luxurious residence, Septimus and Sulla sat down while drinking a cup of wine.
"*The Roman Daily* will become an important source of news, and that hypocrite Lepidus will be exposed for his actions sooner or later," Sulla said with a subtle hint.
Septimus understood Sulla's purpose as soon as he heard those words.
To use *The Roman Daily* to discredit the consul Lepidus.
"That despicable scoundrel bought so many properties at ridiculously low prices, and now he's pretending to be the good guy. It's a complete disgrace! I heard he's decided to formally convene a citizens' assembly to discuss this matter," Sulla said indignantly.
Septimus looked indifferently at the angry Sulla, unconcerned by the news. After all, many of Septimus's properties in Rome had been acquired through the purges and looting of exiled nobles.
Trying to reclaim Septimus's lands would mean civil war.
Lepidus could rely on the authority of Rome and the Senate to confront Septimus.
But Septimus could mobilize dozens of legions and confront all of Rome.
On the other hand, Republican Rome was a society forged upon deeply rooted laws and customs.
"He's planning to officially announce this matter in a few days, and he's been giving speeches about it the whole time," Sulla said with an indignant expression.
Septimus watched the elderly Sulla complain like an aggrieved child without showing any expression.
"We must stop him by every means at our disposal," Sulla said.
"I've contacted many people, including the consul Catulus. I hope you can do your part as well. Don't you have many guards and tenant farmers in the Campania region?" Sulla said, finally revealing all of his intentions.
Septimus could not help but laugh.
"Didn't you divide up all of my guards? Where are these guards supposed to come from? Back then, you were more eager than anyone to disband my legions, yet now you suddenly remember them," Septimus said with a mocking expression.
"Misunderstandings of the past, haha," Sulla said awkwardly.
Septimus ignored Sulla's reaction and took a sip from his cup.
"By the way, I have good news for you. I'm getting married in a month," Sulla said with a cheerful expression.
"Who's your bride?" Septimus asked, although he had already guessed.
"Valeria."
Sure enough, it was her.
The young woman who had flirted with Sulla during the gladiatorial games.
Time passed, and the conversation between Sulla and Septimus revolved around Lepidus, the upcoming marriage, and the articles in the next newspaper.
The fearsome Roman general who had once spread terror throughout Rome became a talkative old man in front of Septimus.
Sulla was a man who had held power for years, and very few people dared to speak to him as an equal.
Septimus was one of the few people capable of speaking to Sulla as an equal, and he showed him no fear, causing the old man to see him as his peer.
After their conversation, Sulla left Septimus's residence.
Sulla did not mention any punishment for the guards who had stopped him. Offending Septimus over such a trivial matter was not worth it.
On the other hand, *The Roman Daily* would begin reporting news about Lepidus over the next few days.
*The Roman Daily* published news every three days.
Gathering news took time, and it was necessary to allow enough time for news collection.
Four days passed quickly.
"Damn it! What is this *Roman Daily*? How dare they write such nonsense about me? Do they have a death wish?" Consul Lepidus shouted furiously after seeing the newspaper in his hands.
"I don't know," the slave steward said.
"Hurry up and investigate. If you find out who's behind it, banish him!" Lepidus shouted at the steward with a grim expression.
"Yes, my lord," the steward replied hurriedly.
The next morning, just at dawn, a small building on the western side of the Civic Square was already bustling with activity.
Several newspaper vendors arrived carrying bundles of newspapers, then began loudly hawking them.
Most of the newspaper vendors were ordinary people.
Septimus considered it a waste to use clones as newspaper vendors, so the task was entrusted to a group of impoverished Roman citizens.
"What's in today's newspaper?"
Before one of the newspaper vendors could leave, a wealthy-looking merchant stopped him.
"An interview with Sulla, the former Dictator of Rome, about his conquest of Greece and the Middle East. It also mentions his upcoming wedding. Would you like a copy?" the newspaper vendor said, glancing at the newspaper.
"An interview with Sulla? What important news! Give me a copy!" the merchant exclaimed.
A slave stepped forward to pay, and the merchant took the newspaper and began reading it.
Sulla's account of the war in Greece and the subsequent civil war seemed quite exciting.
By comparison, the despicable actions of Consul Lepidus—buying the properties of exiled nobles at ridiculously low prices and then attempting to promote a citizens' assembly to force his political enemies to return the properties acquired during the war—provoked outrage over Lepidus's hypocrisy.
The merchant's attention shifted to the news of Sulla's marriage to Valeria.
"The former lifelong Dictator, Sulla, is going to celebrate a wedding. A truly grand event in Rome!" the wealthy merchant commented, wondering whether he had even received an invitation. If he had, it would be something he could boast about endlessly.
He discreetly glanced through the newspapers before heading toward the editorial office, as he intended to publish a few articles.
"How may I help you?" a serious-looking man asked.
The guards at the entrance stopped him as soon as he approached the office.
"I'd like to publish a few articles and speak with your boss," the merchant said.
"Follow me if you wish to publish articles."
The guard was about to leave when his expression suddenly changed. He saw twelve attendants carrying judicial warrants approaching, with Lepidus following closely behind them.
Seeing this, everyone quickly stepped aside, including the merchant.
"Is this the editorial office of *The Roman Daily*?" Lepidus asked solemnly.
"Yes. What do you want?" a clone guard asked with obvious annoyance on his face.
The clone guards protecting the newspaper gathered together with weapons in their hands.
Previously, Septimus had killed Roman consuls, and he had no reservations about adding Lepidus's name to his list.
Upon seeing the guard's attitude, Lepidus felt that his dignity as a Roman consul had been insulted.