Chapter 807
Of course, Valkries didn't understand how precious this position was, but he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Just two days ago, he had been a lowly slave, but in the blink of an eye, he had become a mid-level official that the commoners of Rome envied. This sudden pie that fell from the sky made him dizzy, and he began to panic, "Your … Your Majesty, I … I've never held a public office before. I'm worried … worried that I won't be able to do it …"
The Devers comforted him gently, "Don't worry, no one is born to do things. I'll send someone to help you, but of course, you'll have to work hard yourself."
Valkries nodded repeatedly.
"Can you read?" The Devers asked.
Valkries shook his head, a little ashamed.
"That's not a problem." The Devers encouraged him, "There are many slaves in Diónia who didn't have the chance to read before they were liberated, but they used their time and opportunities to study hard. Not only did they become literate, but they also passed the examinations and became officials of the kingdom. I'm sure you can do the same! When you have enough knowledge and understand the laws of Diónia, you'll be able to make more contributions to Diónia. You might even be elected to the Senate of Diónia! "
Become a senator?! Valkries' breathing quickened. This was something he hadn't even dared to dream of. Hence, when he left, he felt as if he was walking on clouds, and his whole body floated in the air.
Seeing Valkries in such a state, Heniboris couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Your Majesty, will he be able to do well?"
"I don't expect him to do well as the adjutant of Rome's governor, but he will be a role model! His deeds will tell all the commoners of Rome that Diónia can give them the rights that they couldn't obtain from the Senate of Rome even if they had to sacrifice their lives. That's enough! "
The Devers smiled, and then said seriously, "Also, Heniboris, don't underestimate these people of lowly birth. Once they are freed from their shackles and given a chance, their determination to change their fate will burst forth with unimaginable power!"
"I'll pay attention to his performance. I hope he won't let you down, Your Majesty!" Heniboris said seriously.
At this time, Devers rubbed his stomach. "It's time for dinner, I'm a little hungry."
Henepolis hastily sent for the servants to prepare dinner.
When the Devers sat down at the table, he noticed that one person was missing. "Where's Clotho?"
"Oh, Your Majesty." Martius, who was at the side, quickly replied, "His Highness has gone to the plaza to have a meal with the soldiers of the 2nd Army Division. I asked the guards who fought with him to accompany him."
Devers was taken aback for a moment, then smiled in relief. "It seems that this child has begun to adapt to the battlefield."
Just as the Devers took a bite of the bread and took a sip of the watered wine, a guard hurried in. "Your Majesty, scouts have come to report that there are less than 10,000 Roman troops marching towards Rome from the southeast of Rome."
Hearing this news, the Devers looked calm. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Southeast … We've just defeated the reinforcements of Latin City during the day. The army that has appeared now can only be the vanguard of the army led by the dictator of Rome, Camillus. It's a distance of hundreds of kilometers from Helniki to here. It's really not easy for this army to arrive in just over a day. Inform the commanders to hold the city walls. Wait until the enemy's morale is depleted before we eat them up! "
After giving the order, the Devers took a big bite of the crispy bread.
… …
The Capitoline Hill, one of the Seven Hills of Rome, became a holy land for the people of Rome because of the temple of Jupiter, the patron saint of Rome, the temple of Juno, and the temple of Janus, another god of war worshiped by the people of Rome. The temple of this god with two heads had two gates. The gate would always be open during times of war and closed during times of peace. But since the second king of Rome, Numa, the gate of the temple had almost never been closed.
The Capitoline Hill was the highest of the Seven Hills of Rome. Although it was only more than 50 meters high, three of its sides were steep cliffs. The narrower side was slightly flatter, and there was a road up the hill. Because the area at the top of the hill was too small, no one chose it as a place to live when Rome was first built. Later on, only a few people lived on it, including the Manlius clan. It was not until Marcus Manlius Capitolinus was executed for "attempting to be a dictator" that the Senate of Rome issued a new resolution: "No one is allowed to live on the Capitoline Hill." For this reason, the Manlius clan had to move.
More than a decade ago, when the Celts invaded, the senators of Rome retreated to the Capitoline Hill with some of their citizens. They held on for more than half a year, preventing the entire city of Rome from completely falling into the enemy's hands. It also encouraged the people of Rome to fight back. In the end, Camillus led the army to drive away the Celts. This made the Capitoline Hill even more sacred in the hearts of the people of Rome.
This time, the people of Rome were confident that they could hold on until Camillus led the army back to Rome. However, as the battle reports came in, the ferocious and strange way the Diónia attacked the city made the defenders feel that the situation was not good. These nobles of Rome who had lived for hundreds of years naturally had the experience of avoiding disaster. They secretly began to ask their people, relatives, and friends to prepare in advance. So when the Senate made the decision to retreat to the Capitoline Hill, they quickly took their families and supplies and fled to the hill.
The Capitoline Hill, which was usually bustling except for festivals and ceremonies, suddenly became crowded and noisy. After the high priest Ulysses prayed to Jupiter and Juno for forgiveness, the people were allowed to enter the temple to take refuge. As a result, the courtyard of the temple was filled with frightened people. Even the main hall, which was usually off-limits to people, had become the temporary residence and meeting place of the senators.
Ambutus and Scipio The Great walked into the hall quickly. The senators who were discussing nervously immediately looked at them.
Potitus asked, "Have you counted the number of people who went up the mountain?"
"A total of 5,642 people," Ambutus replied.
"This is several times more than the number of people on the mountain last time!" The old senator, Lucretius, sighed.
Everyone knew what he was talking about. Many of them suddenly looked gloomy.
Someone quickly asked, "Is there enough food?"
"About a month," Ambutus said. "I have already sent a patrol team to collect the food and send someone to guard it."
The so-called collection was actually forcing the people who went up the mountain to hand over the food in their hands, and then evenly distributing it every day. However, the senators did not object to this. It had only been ten years since the Celtic invasion. Some of the elders had even personally participated in the battle to defend the Capitoline Hill, so they were already familiar with the task.
"How many soldiers can fight?" Maruginense asked.
"Only 650 people. I have already selected them and formed six squadrons," Scipio The Great replied with a gloomy expression.
"Only 650 people!" Someone exclaimed, but then realized that his voice was too loud and had alarmed the gods in the hall, so he quickly shut his mouth.
"Including the patrol team, there are more than 800 people. The number of soldiers on Capitoline Hill has doubled compared to the last time. We can completely hold on until Camillus returns and drives the enemy away. You don't have to worry at all!" Potitus comforted everyone.
"Scipio, after a discussion just now, we have decided to let you be in charge of the defense of Capitoline Hill," Maruginense said.
"Me?" Scipio The Great was a little surprised. When he fled to the mountain, he was criticized by some of the senators. They thought that it was because of his cowardice that the city of Rome was breached so quickly.
"Ten years ago, you once stubbornly resisted the Celts on this mountain and defended it with other warriors for more than half a year. You are already very experienced in this. Previously, you have fought hard against the Diónia for so long, so you have some understanding of them. Apart from you, who else can take on this important responsibility? "
At this point, Maruginense glanced at the crowd and said in a serious tone, "The fall of Rome has nothing to do with you. After the battle began, you handed over the command to us … Oh! We did not expect the Diónia to be so strong in attacking the city! "
"The main reason is that the young and strong citizens in the city of Rome are not there!" Pleonius said loudly. Obviously, he wanted to blame the fall of the city on Camillus.
This time, no one spoke up to defend Camillus. Even Potitus chose to remain silent. The fall of Rome made the senators more or less dissatisfied with Camillus. If it were not for the dictator's proposal to 'concentrate all our forces and conquer Helniki first', Rome would not have suffered such a disaster!
However, the senators had apparently forgotten that Camillus's proposal had received their strong support. They had even thought of getting many benefits from this military operation.
At this critical moment, Scipio The Great did not refuse and accepted the appointment. However, as he had just fought with the Dionysian Army, he expressed his concern about the upcoming battle. "Elders and newcomers, since I came up to the mountain, I have been paying attention to the performance of the Dionysian Army in the city of Rome. They did not kill the people of Rome who stayed at the foot of the mountain, bully … the women of Rome, nor did they loot or burn down the buildings. They did not even get into conflicts and fights over property and women.
What are they doing? They drove the people of Rome back to their homes. They are actually cleaning the streets, setting up tents in the square, and patrolling the city walls … The performance of the Dionysian Army in Rome is completely different from that of the Celts ten years ago! You have high hopes for Camillus, who is about to lead the army back, but I hope you are also prepared for the worst … Camillus may not be able to recapture Rome in a short time! "
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