Augustus Road

"I think it would be better for you to return this ring from the Lepidus family of Sardinia in person." In front of the Holy Fire Altar, Lisilia handed King Numa's ring and the enamel pendant to Calabis. .

Calabis hung the pendant around his neck again, "This, I think, maybe in the future, it can be returned to its original owner." Then he raised King Numa's ring, "But this, forgive me for being rude, the expedition is about to begin, I I’m afraid I won’t have time”

"No, go to Sardinia immediately, because this is the arrangement in the Sibyl prophecy, and it is God's will." Li Xilia said clearly, and then she suddenly held Calabis's hand and asked Calabis to There was an electric current running through Si's body. The chief virgin placed his palm in front of the blazing holy fire. The fire light imprinted a strong halo on his palm, "Calabis, what do you think in the prophecy book? Is it nonsense that there will be three kings named Cornelius in Rome? No, the prophecies of the Sibyl witch have never failed. Purple clouds rained blood, and rats swallowed gold and threw themselves into the Tiber river. , twelve aegis flew down from the sky to protect the safety of Rome, etc., etc., the only thing that failed was the soothsayer's interpretation of the prophecy - since you are the third Cornelius, this is a fate that you cannot escape, Going to Sardinia is part of it.”

"But the man named Cornelius in Rome is not me?"

"The first Cornelius had thin legs, the second Cornelius died at the hands of the most ill-tempered man, and the third Cornelius was not Cornelius." Lisilia said, "This is the Sibyl prophecy In the content, "thin legs" refers to Sulla, the French emperor who got his name from the physical characteristics of this iconic surname inherited by his family; and another emperor, Cinna, because he could not afford the bribe, Died at the hands of a rebellious centurion. Anyone who has served in the Roman army knows that the coach usually chooses the bravest and most bad-tempered guy to serve as a centurion; third, you are getting Cornelius Has the name been related to this family before? Let me reiterate, Sibyl can't make mistakes, she has already stated the history and future of Rome. "

When Karabis heard this, he stared at the holy fire and his palms for a long time. To be honest, before he traveled to this world, he was a staunch atheist, but now he is in this world that believes in gods and destiny. What is the difference between belief and disbelief? Did he believe that he could come to this era before?

At this time, Li Xilia actually quickly put the Emily family's King Numa ring on Calabis's index finger, "This ring is your food. If you return it, you will definitely own it later." Then , the chief virgin left the altar with Zeno behind her, and dropped a sentence: "After you go out, under the steps of the temple, a messenger of destiny is waiting for you."

Calabis, who was confused, carefully took off King Numa's ring, put it in the box, and walked out of the long and narrow Temple of Vesta. Then he saw a guy sitting on the steps, from Sardinia. Habaruka, the "debt collection slave" of the Lepidus family on the island, was staying there with a sad look on his face.

"Habaruka, you should be at the Thirteenth Legion's camp outside the city at this time. Our commander-in-chief will soon accept the eagle flag and will set off - yes, your mistress Yulia is still waiting. With your return, it is difficult for me to pay off the debt of twenty talents for you at once. I will give you ten thousand dinars first to help you and your mistress get through this winter or the next one, yes , it’s hard for me to guarantee when I will return to Rome, so it’s only 20,000 dinars.” After saying this, Karabis realized something and asked Habaruca, “You are going to Sardinia. What kind of work did you do before Ya Dao?”

"I worked as a postman in Utica," Habaruka answered.

A small ship left a white and comfortable route on the clear blue ocean. The island of Sardinia was only included in the rule of the Roman Republic one hundred and fifty years ago. When the legions conquered this place, At that time, tens of thousands of the indigenous people on the island were all sold, and immigrants came one after another. There were attractive places such as saltwater lakes, grain-producing plains, and lead mines. The original traces were quickly wiped out. The scenery flourished again. The port city of Cagliari, a standard Carthage-style city, is located in the southern bay of the island. Various milky-yellow buildings are faintly hidden between an oak hillside and a golden long beach.

On the deck, a young man dressed as an aristocrat, about the same age as Calabis, kept vomiting, and there was water under his body. The kind-hearted Calabis handed him a long bottle of mint water and asked him to apply it on his temples. And on the palm of his hand, "Thank you, friendly knight." Although the young man was about to burst out of gall, he still smiled gently with tears and thanked Calabis for his kindness.

"Marchus Brutus" Calabis saw the inscription on his ring and couldn't help but read it.

"In addition to this, you have to add the title of son of a traitor to the Republic." Brutus wiped the corners of his mouth and said with a self-deprecating tone.

"You are Cato's nephew!" Calabis remembered, and also remembered that Brutus's mother, Cato's sister Seville, was the mistress who had a passionate relationship with Caesar. (one). If he is really the son of Seville, then his late father was the old Brutus who joined forces with the old Lepidus, and had a grudge against Pompey for killing his father.

A very proud expression immediately appeared on Brutus' face, "Yes, I am my uncle's nephew. This is the thing I am most proud of." Then, while cruising on the shore in a boat and preparing to dock, The two quickly became familiar with each other. They talked about some Greek philosophy and language topics and had a lot in common. The curious Calabis asked Brutus about the purpose of going to Sardinia.

"My mother is now remarried to the consul of next year. According to the rules, I will soon become an official. To be honest, I am a descendant of the Brutus family, the stepson of the consul, and the nephew of Cato the Younger. I will not be needed in my future career. Thank you very much, your mint water is very curative, but I still need a marriage that can sharpen my virtue. This time I came to Sardinia to propose to Yulia, the granddaughter of old Lepidus."

Hearing Brutus's words, Calabis and Habaruka, who were sitting next to them, slowly turned their heads with surprised expressions and looked at the young man. After a long time, Habaruka asked: "Although I The mistress is nineteen years old this year, but not only has she been married, but she is also heavily in debt. Why are you doing this, nobleman?"