The Mad Tycoon of Rome

< 258. Rome 2 >

Marcus and Caesar entered through the entrance that led to the VIP seats.

Since there was still some time before the event started, they waited without going outside.

In the meantime, the senators came and praised them with flattery, trying to lighten the mood.

“Everything is going according to plan.”

Brutus’s voice was low, but a subtle heat could be felt.

He looked around nervously and expectantly.

“Everyone hopes that you will become the leader of Rome.”

“Are you not anxious?”

“What is there to be anxious about? You have never broken your word so far.”

Marcus smiled with satisfaction at his unwavering trust.

“I won’t betray your expectations. I’ll show you with my actions rather than whispering sweet promises. Watch carefully.”

“Yes.”

Brutus bowed his head deeply and took a deep breath.

Then he raised his voice to the senators around him.

“This is the first time in Roman history that dignitaries from various countries, leaders of Rome, and citizens have gathered in such a large scale.

We are witnessing a great historical moment. We, the Senate, must renew our vows on this occasion.

Today, Rome will be reborn! It is a moment of farewell to the old past and transformation into a new future. In this wave of drastic change, there are only two people who can lead us without losing our center!”

The audience naturally quieted down at Brutus’s passionate appeal.

Everyone’s eyes were focused on Marcus and Caesar.

At that moment, Brutus continued with a thunderous voice.

“The only ones who can shoulder this heavy task are the great Marcus and Caesar. We should be grateful for this fortune. We can observe how the two geniuses build the new foundation of the Republic right next to us.”

“Right!”

“Brutus speaks well.”

The VIP room was filled with cheers from all sides.

When the atmosphere was fully ripe, Marcus led the senators and entered the stadium.

The sight of them following him looked like a royal procession.

It was not an exaggeration to say that he was literally a king.

But strangely enough, no one thought so.

It was because of Brutus’s presence.

He was the one who opposed monarchy and shouted for the protection of the Republic more than anyone else.

But now he was supporting Marcus more fervently than anyone else.

His symbolism was still valid even if his political influence was not great.

Since Brutus openly claimed that Marcus was the protector of the Republic, who would doubt him?

Of course, Brutus was not fooled by Marcus.

He knew Marcus’s true intentions and how the reforms would unfold in the future.

He agreed that a near-dictatorial power was needed to control the wave of change that would hit Rome.

Otherwise, Rome would have a high chance of self-destruction because its social development could not keep up with its system.

Wasn’t that what happened to Rome after the Punic War?

Rome, which had become the loser of the Mediterranean, could not cope with its rapid growth.

That’s why various social problems arose and no proper solutions were found for over a hundred years.

If Marcus was right, the changes that would happen in the future were not just that.

Brutus was shocked as if he had come to another world when he saw the printing press that Marcus showed him.

He said that in ten years, such things would be seen as natural in Rome.

He could not imagine what Rome would look like then.

‘The only one who can lead the Republic to last for thousands of years is Marcus.’

Brutus was convinced that this was the only way for Rome to prosper.

After making up his mind, his previous weakness disappeared as if it were a lie.

He was now a warrior fighting for the future of the Republic and a follower of Marcus as loyal as Spartacus or Surenas.

He bowed politely at the stairs where he could see the crowd at once.

“Please ascend. You are the great leaders of the Republic.”

Marcus climbed up to his seat with Caesar, followed by the senators.

When he waved his hand to cheer up the crowd, a roar erupted from the stadium that shook it.

But when Marcus began his speech about the upcoming game, it became quiet as if nothing had happened.

Everyone held their breath and listened to his words.

The speech was short and concise.

Marcus expressed his gratitude to the Senate and the citizens.

He also encouraged the gladiators who would compete.

Finally, he promoted the major policies that would be implemented from next year.

The citizens were most excited by the news that the amount of food coming into the Italian peninsula would increase.

It was thanks to the land reclamation in Gaul, Britain, and Germany.

In the northeast, Bosphorus had been completely reorganized as a Roman territory, and the Black Sea Plain, which had become a no-man’s land after the Huns fled, was also being smoothly incorporated into Rome’s territory.

Of course, not all the food produced there was taken to Rome.

That would cause resentment among the locals.

Marcus enacted and enforced laws to avoid giving the impression of plundering food.

The gist of the bill was that only surplus food could be exported in normal times, and exceptions could be applied only when Italy suffered a severe famine.

It was an exceptional period when the production rate increased much faster than the population growth rate, so there was still some room left.

Everything went smoothly like a ship sailing with a favorable wind, and Marcus sat down with a carefree expression.

Caesar also enjoyed the gladiator fight with a liberated feeling for a long time, interacting with the citizens.

The cheers were so loud that they couldn’t hear each other’s voices even though they were sitting next to each other, so they had to exchange notes.

When Marcus tried to write down what he wanted to say next, an even bigger cheer erupted.

It seemed that the main event of today had begun.

“You’ve waited long enough! Finally, the long and long fight is coming to an end. Who will be the strongest gladiator in Rome, no, in the world? Give a generous applause to the two champions who have made it to this stage without being eliminated. The champion of Hispania, Lionelus Messi!”

“Huh?”

When he heard the name of the gladiator, Marcus unwittingly made a surprised sound.

When Caesar gave him a curious look, he smiled awkwardly and shook his head, writing an answer on the paper.

“No, it’s nothing. It just sounds like a name I’ve heard somewhere.”

“He’s said to be one of the best gladiators lately, so you must have heard it somewhere. He’s quite skilled.”

Along with the explosive support of the audience, a small gladiator entered the stadium leisurely.

Then, following the loud voice of the announcer, the guides in the seats recited the same phrase.

“Next is the champion of Dalmatia! Lucius Modric enters. Who will Lady Fortune smile upon?”

Marcus’s attention naturally shifted to the fight between the gladiators who seemed familiar and unfamiliar.

Spartacus, who was standing behind him as a guard, also watched the game with an interested look.

“Who do you think will win?”

The beginning of the duel was evenly matched.

Neither of them relied on their superior physical strength, but displayed a breathtaking skill show.

After Marcus’s reform, gladiator fights became more entertainment-oriented, and fighting also pursued more flamboyance.

Perhaps for that reason, the duel between the two masters of skill was like watching a martial arts movie.

Spartacus finally opened his mouth after watching the duel that continued without a decision.

“I think Messi of Hispania will win.”

The result was as Spartacus predicted.

At the end of an incredibly long bloody battle, Messi’s sword grazed Modric’s waist.

Then Messi’s neat back kick exploded on Modric’s chin, who was staggering behind him.

Messi, who seemed to have exhausted his strength, gasped for breath and raised his weapon toward the audience and roared.

His sword was followed by fists from all spectators rising to the sky.

“Messi! The world’s strongest gladiator!”

“Wow! The god of gladiator! Messi!”

The final match was undoubtedly splendid.

Marcus personally went to the stadium and awarded Messi, who had become the god of gladiator, a trophy carved with an eagle.

If it had been an ordinary gladiator fight, it would have ended here, but today was different.

The real main event was actually starting from now on.

Hundreds of senators lined up around Marcus and Caesar who were already in the stadium.

The kings and nobles of various countries also stood up from their seats and paid their respects.

Piso and Brutus, who were chosen as representatives of the Senate to give speeches, stepped forward and offered words of praise to their leaders.

First Piso went with a laurel wreath and respectfully put it on Caesar’s head.

“You who conquered Gaul, Britain, and Germany, and saved the country from the crisis of the Huns. The Senate honors you, the great one who is also the highest priest of Rome. We bestow you the title of ‘Agent of the Gods’. May you always protect Rome with your strong hand and cut off the enemies of the Senate and the citizens.”

“I gladly accept this honorable duty.”

When Caesar stood up with the laurel wreath, the heads of state and citizens clapped and cheered with all their might.

Next was Marcus’s turn.

Brutus approached with a laurel wreath and bowed his head politely.

“The Senate honors you, the great one who deserves dignity. You not only defeated Rome’s enemies in Parthia and Arabia, but also made the lives of Romans more prosperous than ever with the wisdom of the gods.

And your grace will continue to spread throughout the territory of Rome. Who else is a patriot who has devoted himself to Rome more than this? The Senate praises your merit. To Marcus Mesopotamicus, the first citizen and ‘the best Roman’, we offer praise and honor.”

“I will not be unworthy of this glorious title and will work harder in the future.”

When Marcus stood up with the laurel wreath, the cheers became even louder.

It seemed that the stadium would collapse from the thunderous sound that spread throughout Rome.

Marcus was right.

He was not a king.

He was a more honorable and valuable being than a king.

The only one among all Romans.

The supreme hero of his era.

That was Marcus Crassus, the first citizen and the best Roman.

< 258. Rome 2 > End