The four legions of Septimus took four days to reach the outskirts of the city of Rome.
Sulla and his generals were waiting for Septimus from a distance.
The clone army raised a cloud of dust during its march that stretched for kilometers.
The clone soldiers were like machines with synchronized movements.
Fortunately, the dust from the ground obscured the full view of the entire clone army.
The sight of such inhuman discipline would have astonished Sulla and all his generals.
Septimus led his personal guard to meet Sulla.
Septimus's military equipment had a modern style that created an imposing impression.
Sulla observed the young general and his guards, clad in black armor and black cloaks like the darkest night, holding standards with an ominous symbol.
The generals accompanying Sulla were also surprised.
"Welcome, young General Septimus," said Sulla as he introduced himself.
The generals accompanying Sulla also introduced themselves cordially.
One of Sulla's generals cast Septimus a look of displeasure.
"I bring a total of five legions. I hope to settle my troops first before coordinating strategy," said Septimus with a calm expression.
"Very well, we have already arranged accommodations for your legions," Sulla replied seriously.
Sulla and his generals greeted Septimus superficially, showing little closeness between the two sides.
Septimus's first interaction with the great General Sulla was ordinary. Septimus was not a flatterer and had no intention of praising Sulla.
The clone army headed toward the camp that had been assigned to them.
Sulla's military tribunes were curious about the reinforcements marching silently.
Sulla and his generals rode horses as they guided Septimus and his personal guard through the military camp.
A sudden shout startled everyone.
"Blasphemy!!!"
"How dare you!!"
Sulla and his generals were startled by the shout and turned to look at the source of the curses.
Septimus was also startled by the sudden shout.
The person shouting was General Metellus.
Metellus stared in horror at a carriage.
The carriage displayed a ragged man without arms or legs, tied to a wooden post.
The barely living man was the former consul Lucius Scipio. The Scipio family and Metellus had maintained a friendship for decades.
Metellus easily recognized the son of his old friend. Lucius Scipio was the son of Nasica Scipio, the patriarch of the Scipio family.
Although the details of Septimus's cruelty toward the Scipio family had spread throughout Rome, many Romans of the upper class believed them to be exaggerated rumors.
Sulla and the generals were able to guess the identity of the disabled man by observing Metellus's reaction.
Most of Sulla's generals frowned upon witnessing the humiliation of the Scipio family.
Some military tribunes and nearby soldiers also recognized Lucius Scipio.
The clone soldiers paid no attention to the reactions of Metellus and the generals.
The clone army marched steadily toward the barracks assigned to them.
Septimus and his personal guard headed to Sulla's camp to coordinate battle strategy.
Metellus was assisted by two of his personal guards as he headed toward Sulla's camp; his anger had clouded his judgment.
The news spread quickly throughout the military camp, and many Romans truly learned about the condition of the former consul Lucius Scipio.
An important member of the Scipio family had been tortured and turned into a standard.
Sulla's soldiers became agitated.
He was a former consul of the Scipio family—how could he be humiliated and tortured?
Most of these soldiers had grown up hearing stories about the Scipios, both young and old; many of their ancestors had participated in the three incredibly brutal Punic Wars.
They knew how the once-mighty Hannibal had defeated legion after legion, killed consul after consul, and massacred and captured more than 50,000 Roman soldiers and 20,000 allies in a single battle.
He ravaged Italian soil, displacing the Roman people, yet the Roman dictator Quintus Fabius, commanding four legions, only dared to follow him, never daring to face him in battle. Fabius was ridiculed as the "Delayer," mocked by everyone from Roman senators to common people.
However, after the Battle of Cannae, this dictator was reelected.
The Roman people had realized that delaying tactics were the only correct strategy. Quintus Fabius transformed from the Delayer into the shield of Italy, and then into a Roman hero, revered by the entire nation.
At that time, Hannibal was seen as a demon, and the entire nation agreed that the Romans could hardly defeat him on the battlefield.
But the Battle of Zama changed everything. Scipio Africanus emerged, finally defeating this demon head-on at Zama in North Africa.
He was like the savior of Rome, ending this epic war and restoring the confidence of the Roman people.
In the eyes of many, Scipio Africanus was their god of war, Mars.
But now, an important descendant of Scipio Africanus was humiliated and turned into a standard! Countless myths were shattered.
Sulla was also somewhat uncomfortable but quickly regained his composure.
One of Sulla's main motivations was hatred and revenge. The Scipio family opposed his revenge and had to suffer the consequences.
Although Sulla's expression was serious because of Lucius's situation, he did not truly care.
The clone soldiers organized themselves within the military camp.
Almost the entire city of Rome was surrounded by a wall of wood and earth guarded by soldiers.
This was a common Roman tactic. When facing a fortified city, the Roman army would dig trenches and build walls outside the city, then surround it and besiege it for a long time.
The generals and Septimus gathered in a tent.
Before the meeting began, an enraged Metellus entered the tent.
"You damned bastard of humble origins!" shouted Metellus furiously as he pointed at Septimus.
Septimus was surprised by the sudden insult.
Sulla frowned.
"How dare you humiliate the Scipio family? If you have any honor, I advise you to kneel and beg forgiveness from the gods!" shouted Metellus with a furious expression.
"Enough!"
"Metellus, that is enough," shouted Sulla with a serious expression as he realized the situation was getting out of control.
Septimus looked coldly at the old general.
Sulla did not want to offend Septimus over the defeated Scipio family.
Septimus had wealth, legions, and military talent. His victory at Capua had been decisive for winning the war.
It was not worth offending Septimus.
"The young General Septimus is a valuable ally with meritorious service," said Sulla seriously as he looked at Metellus.
Metellus could only restrain his anger and sit down with a bitter expression on his face.
"Our main objective is to conquer the city of Rome and execute Carbo, Marius the Younger, Norbanus, and the one-eyed man," said Sulla seriously to the group.
The one-eyed man was none other than the private advisor Sertorius. In Rome, senior advisors had the authority to command troops, and Sertorius was a famous general in Roman history. After Sulla's victory, he fled to Hispania and fought alone against numerous Roman generals.
Even with the almost unlimited support of Rome, Pompey and Metellus, among other generals, fought for five years to suppress the Hispanic rebellion.
Moreover, it cannot be said that Pompey and his men truly suppressed the war, since Sertorius died at a banquet at the hands of his own men, who later surrendered voluntarily.
Otherwise, who knows how long the struggle would have continued. This demonstrates the extraordinary military talent of this man.
On the other hand, after the Battle of Capua, the position of consul was handed over to Carbo.
The current consuls of Rome were Norbanus and Carbo.