"Thank you, Your Honor, Consul Lepidus. Do you agree that the villa is worth 300,000 denarii?" Cicero said with a smile, enjoying for the first time this advantage of having total support during a trial.
"I agree, but…" Lepidus said with a grim expression.
"Wait, you only need to answer my question; you do not need to say anything else," Cicero quickly interrupted him.
"I object! I believe the consul should be allowed to finish speaking," the plaintiff's lawyer hurriedly said.
"Objection overruled. Counsel for the defendant, please continue," the dignified Judge Longinus proceeded.
The plaintiff's lawyer could not help but roll his eyes. Could he possibly be any more biased?
"Furthermore, you also purchased…" Cicero continued.
With the help of the Great Judge Longinus, Cicero asked Lepidus more than a dozen questions.
All of them were based on facts and solid evidence.
The plaintiff's lawyer constantly objected, but all of his arguments were rejected.
The lawyer was furious, while Lepidus watched them with a grim expression.
"In conclusion," Cicero slowly said, "Lepidus purchased 12 properties valued at 1.5 million denarii for 350,000 denarii, obtaining a profit of at least 1.15 million denarii. All of this is fully documented. Therefore, I believe that the statement made by the Journal of Rome is completely truthful and without errors. On the contrary, it exposed the wrongdoings that the high-ranking officials were attempting to hide, and such behavior should be encouraged."
"I object! All… The properties were entrusted to Consul Lepidus for their administration by the original owners. We have handwritten letters from the original owners or their heirs of 12 properties as evidence," shouted the defense lawyer with an indignant expression.
"Objection overruled!"
"I want everyone to see it for themselves…"
"Objection overruled!"
Although the presiding judge Longinus roared incessantly, the plaintiff's lawyer completely ignored his warnings and finished speaking.
The trial quickly turned into a meaningless farce and a spectacle with the aim of publicly attacking Lepidus's reputation.
From his seat, Septimus watched the farce orchestrated by Sulla with indifference.
The defense lawyer ignored Longinus and addressed the observing crowd.
"People of Rome, the Journal of Rome has damaged the reputation of the Consul. Although Consul Lepidus purchased the properties at a low price, his character is beyond reproach, not the hypocritical villain described above. Therefore, I insist that the Journal of Rome retract its statement and apologize to Consul Lepidus and finally stop publishing slander against his reputation."
"I object, Your Honor. May I ask the Consul a few questions?"
"Of course."
"…"
The two sides continued their heated debate, but Septimus was somewhat absorbed in his thoughts.
Septimus knew that Lepidus did not intend to win the trial, but the attempt to initiate a trial and lose drastically would mean a severe blow to his reputation.
On the other hand, regardless of how the defense lawyer performed, the chances of winning were slim.
The real decision in this case was not made by the Supreme Court judge or the defense lawyer, but by the 50 jurors.
Everyone knew this, even Lepidus knew it; so why did Lepidus insist on initiating a lawsuit?
After a heated debate, the time finally came for the jury to deliver its verdict.
"Now, I invite the esteemed jury to issue its final verdict in this case," Longinus announced.
Septimus looked at Lepidus, who smiled slightly, apparently unconcerned.
The 50 senators deliberated for a while, and soon the result was announced.
"I hereby announce that 48 senators believe that the Journal of Rome should not apologize to Lepidus, and 2 elders believe that the Journal of Rome should apologize. Therefore, the Journal of Rome wins this case," Longinus said with a smile.
A murmur of discussion arose among the crowd.
Septimus, however, felt that something was wrong. Even with the support of all the senators of Sulla's faction, it should not have reached 48 votes.
"Honorable citizens of Rome, I deeply regret today's case. But I was prepared for this. I am a consul of Rome, but my enemies are much more powerful, for it is General Sulla. I am not facing the defamation of the Journal of Rome, but the entire faction of Sulla," Lepidus said in a loud voice.
"Lepidus, do you know what you are doing?" Sulla roared.
Lepidus looked coldly at Sulla and continued: "I, as consul, am subjected to such humiliation. And you, powerless and without influence? If this continues, where is justice? Where is the law?"
The Civic Square fell silent. Lepidus's words resonated within them.
Even Lepidus could not win a lawsuit; what hope did they have?
"Just four years ago, a horrible massacre occurred in Rome. Countless knights and nobles who had made extraordinary contributions to Rome were declared enemies of the State without trial. They were killed, their properties confiscated, and their families exiled. This was the greatest tragedy in the history of Rome. Now it is time to rectify this tragedy…"
Sulla looked at him furiously, as if he wanted to devour him. That damned bastard practically treated him like an idiot.
Septimus could not help but roll his eyes. Did the exiled nobles enjoy the benefits during the massacre that Marius instigated? You speak as if they were all saints.
"I have decided to convene a citizen assembly. After six market days, I will propose in the assembly to call back all the exiled nobles and return their properties to them. Restore the Grain Law so that everyone can eat cheap food. Fully restore the powers of the tribunes of the plebs. Citizens of Rome! The future of Rome is in your hands. Please, act…"
Upon hearing this, the crowd gasped in surprise. The Grain Law was a law that had previously been passed.
Roman citizens were allowed to purchase grain from Syria at local prices, and all transportation expenses were covered by the state treasury.
Previously, Sulla believed that the law had gained too much popular support among the people, so he abolished it. Unexpectedly, Lepidus intended to restore it.
Many senators looked at Lepidus in astonishment, never expecting him to act and challenge Sulla to the very end.
Sulla's expression became grim, and his aged eyes showed an unsettling coldness.
After speaking, Lepidus gave a disdainful look at the nobles and senators who supported Sulla and left, surrounded by his entourage.
The scene was left in a deathly silence; one could hear a pin drop. The Roman citizens looked at Sulla with fear, at the butcher of old.
"Let's go," Sulla said, barely containing his anger.
The crowd of nobles and senators nodded and followed him toward his villa.
Septimus watched the spectacle with interest.
Lepidus knew from the beginning that he would lose the trial, and he also did not wish to create a deep enmity with Septimus.
Lepidus's main enemy had always been Sulla and his faction.
By skillfully using the trial, Lepidus mobilized public opinion against Sulla and managed to portray himself as a victim before the Roman people.
The Journal of Rome could not reverse the situation either and publish more articles discrediting Lepidus, or they would be labeled malicious and the credibility they had gained would be lost.
The blow to the credibility of a newspaper that had only just begun would be very devastating.
Septimus would also not risk the newspaper's credibility to benefit Sulla or help him with his petty political intrigues.
On the other hand, Sulla's group withdrew, and Septimus led a group of guards toward his residence.
Inside a luxurious house in Rome.
"Bastard! Bastard! Bastard!" Sulla shouted, smashing countless things.
He deeply regretted not having killed that bastard earlier.
And Pompey too!
"We must stop him with all our strength!" Sulla exclaimed.