The slave trader was furious and trembling—!
Although he wanted to ignore that badge, he didn't have the courage to do so.
Finally, Night spoke: "Your prices are too high. Let me give you a new price.
Five Aulis for an Italian, six Aulis for a Thracian, eight Aulis for a Spartan."
With each word he said, the slave trader's heart trembled fiercely.
Finally, with a gentle smile, Night said: "I'm not taking your slaves for free. Let's recalculate at these prices.
If you have any issues, go discuss them with the Julius family. If you're dissatisfied with the price, feel free to use my name and ask the Julius family for the difference."
Slave Trader: …#$%&…!
Would he dare?
Asking the Julius family for money? Was he suicidal?
Despite the Julius family's servants' poor performance during the assassination, if the slave trader dared trouble the Julius family, even Aurelia's few attendants would be enough to cut him down.
In Rome, there were only two kinds of people—nobles and ordinary Roman citizens.
The latter could easily transition from citizens to slaves.
Absolute power represented absolute justice, and even Roman law would side with the nobles.
In the end, amidst the Slave owner's face more sorrowful than crying...
Night left with his slaves, satisfied, having paid less than half the market price.
By now, all the slaves—trained Thracians, Italians, and even initially defiant Spartans—were behaving very obediently.
They had all witnessed their master's god-like power firsthand.
Under the admiration of strength, even half the Spartans had already recognized their new master.
Halfway along, Night found the iron chains on the three Spartan slaves too cumbersome and slowing them down.
He tossed a key to one of the Spartans.
Night: "Unlock the shackles. A warrior shouldn't be burdened by such things. The only burdens he should carry are his armor and shield."
"…! You… you're unlocking our restraints? Aren't you afraid we'll take the opportunity to escape or even rebel and kill you?"
The Spartan who received the key hesitantly asked, his mouth agape.
Night: "If you think you can manage that, go ahead. I look forward to your challenge…"
As he spoke, a faint smile played at his lips.
Seeing such a confident and powerful smile, the Spartans recalled Night's ferocity and speed in battle.
The thought of fighting this monster made even these Spartans, who had grown up battling beasts and honing combat skills, feel hopeless.
It was foolish to ask such a question.
The Spartans fell silent, feeling a hint of gratitude toward such a strong master who respected their rights and unlocked their restraints, despite the slave trader's warnings against releasing them.
Seeing the Spartans were slow at unlocking, Night even stepped in to help, breaking the shackles and tearing off the chains with his hands.
This scene made the other slaves shudder, bowing even lower in submission.
That grip strength, capable of breaking iron shackles easily, explained why the necks of the unlucky Italians had been snapped so quickly earlier.
With the shackles off their hands and feet, Night's gaze lingered on the chains around their necks.
Not just the Spartans, but the other slaves too had these neck chains, a standard for slaves of the time, to quickly capture any who tried to escape.
Night disliked these chains but decided to wait until they found a place to stay.
Releasing so many slaves' neck chains in public would attract a crowd and possibly unnecessary trouble.
He decided to return to the inn first and see if Haruman had returned to help with purchasing an estate.
Luck was on Night's side.
As he returned, Haruman was already waiting and greeted him excitedly at the inn's entrance.
"I was looking for you. You were amazing today, Night…"
"I've already heard about your heroic deeds at the slave market.
Seeing you return with so many slaves, I knew the one who saved young Caesar must be you!"
"Lucius Caesar asked me to thank you on behalf of the Julius family… and to invite you to tonight's private dinner."
Night: "No problem, but I'm planning to buy an estate first to settle my slaves.
Haruman, did you sort out my identity in Rome?"
Haruman: "Of course…
You're now a freedman of Rome, Night.
Apart from not having the voting rights of Roman citizens, you can enjoy all the other rights of a commoner.
This is thanks to Lucius's help; otherwise, the approval process wouldn't have been this fast."
...
Hearing this, a gleam flashed in Night's eyes.
He had just saved young Caesar, and the elder Caesar had already investigated his identity.
Of course, it could also be that Haruman had informed him.
But the swift response and the resolution of his undocumented status in Rome demonstrated an efficiency and goodwill fitting of a man who once held the highest office in Rome.
Haruman: "You don't need to worry about the estate. After learning you didn't have a place to stay, Lady Aurelia instructed me to prepare an estate near the city for you. I have the keys and the deed with me, and I'll take you there now."
Night: …
Impressive.
Such efficiency and a sweet deal—tch~! Even he was finding it hard to resist.
Though he was destined to have wealth, fame, and power in the future, having just started from scratch and being penniless, suddenly being given an estate was a windfall.
A free estate?
No reason to refuse!
Though accepting it also meant aligning with the Julius family, which might label Night as part of their faction in the future, it didn't matter—
No problem…
He would take the sweets but return the cannonballs.
Those unaware of Night's true potential and limitless future could never understand that from the beginning, they were never on the same starting line.
As he rapidly grew, the so-called power struggles would soon become child's play in the face of true strength.
He was never one to rely on anyone; from the start, Night alone represented a force, even a nation, or a world, standing alone at the top!
By the time his future enemies and temporary allies realized this, it would be far too late.
At that time, Night had already fully spread his wings!