Protecting Family, Caesar—Not Bad

Of course....just kidding, Crassus likely wasn't that superficial to judge people only by their looks.

He wouldn't support Caesar solely for that reason.

Caesar represented an ancient divine family, and Crassus liked to invest in young talents.

However, one dared to borrow, and the other dared to lend.

Equivalent to Athens' entire treasury, if the debt wasn't repaid, Crassus might end up crying in despair.

"It seems I can also seek some funding from this Roman "ATM" later.'

The helpful Crassus would surely be happy to hand over the money… hehe—!

If things didn't go well, he'd use his fists to make that ATM recognize his excellence.

As Night was observing Caesar, Caesar's gaze also turned towards him.

Seeing Night's strong and handsome figure reminiscent of Apollo, the little bot was momentarily stunned.

Were there such outstanding young nobles in Rome?

But he didn't recognize him at all.

If he was just a commoner, that didn't seem right either!

At that moment, Night sensed the hidden killing intent behind him growing stronger.

He realized the hidden assassins were targeting Caesar and his mother.

Should he intervene or not?!

Was this a butterfly effect of the unresolved Social War?

He didn't recall young Caesar facing any life-threatening assassination attempts.

Maybe he was always well protected by his guards.

In just a breath or two, Aurelia had already brought young Caesar closer, with several slave traders stepping forward to greet her, eager to do business.

They were far more enthusiastic than when Night arrived.

Well...even though Night's appearance and demeanor were impressive, no one recognized him. But Aurelia Cotta and the Julius family were well-known.

This old aristocratic family, one of the few residing in the market district, was frequently seen on the streets.

Many knew the identity of this distinguished guest.

A dead camel is still bigger than a horse; no one doubted the Julius family's purchasing power.

"Madam, what kind of slaves are you looking for?

I have everything here. Let me show you."

"Madam, choose me. My slaves are more diverse than his."

"What did you say?! Damn it, Marcus!!! My slaves are the most varied!"

The slave traders began to argue.

The slave trader with Night stayed to handle their transaction and couldn't join the fray.

Seeing the intense competition, he gave up.

Although he envied the potential winner of Aurelia's business, he was content with the twenty-plus slaves Night bought.

At this point, the slave trader had brought all the slaves, including the three Spartans, though he hadn't dared to unbind them.

"I'll give you three extra chains.

These Spartans are difficult to tame. I hope you don't unbind them easily until they're fully tamed," the slave trader said to Night, who didn't respond.

The three Spartans heard this and glared angrily, feeling disdainful—could this Apollo-like, handsome young man really tame them?

They resented their lack of freedom but agreed with the slave trader.

Even bound, they could fight and easily overpower a "weak" noble like Night.

After all, seemed all show, no substance.

If freed, they wouldn't be subdued.

But as the Spartans and the trader looked at Night, they noticed he was frowning, seemingly unaware of their conversation.

As the slave trader was about to speak again,

suddenly—

whoosh~!!!

Close!

Aurelia had just arrived with young Caesar near Night.

When, Suddenly, a cold arrow shot out from the Shadows.

"Madam, watch out!!!" A guard rushed forward but was unable to block the arrow, and was shot in the chest with a scream.

"Eliminate them—!!!!" With a roar, seven or eight burly men suddenly appeared from nowhere.

They surrounded Aurelia Cotta and Caesar from all sides.

"Kill these damned Roman nobles—!!" One shouted as he charged with a sword.

The glint of the cold blade made young Caesar, facing such a life-and-death crisis for the first time, feel his hair stand on end.

Aurelia's face turned pale with fear.

No matter how noble, intelligent, and commanding she was, she was still a woman who had never been on a battlefield.

It was natural for her to be scared in such a situation.

However, as the mother who raised the legendary Caesar, Aurelia quickly regained her composure and immediately gave an order—

"Protect Caesar!!!! Prioritize his retreat!" Aurelia Cotta commanded.

However, reality soon delivered a harsh lesson.

Being in the capital of Rome, she hadn't brought many guards after all, she had never expected an assassination attempt there.

With so few guards, breaking through the attackers was impossible.

They couldn't even form a defensive circle.

The guards were quickly halved.

Seeing the situation turn extremely dire, young Caesar, after the initial panic, quickly picked up the sword of a fallen guard.

He drew the sword and stood in front of his mother, determined to protect her!

Seeing this, Night couldn't help but show a look of admiration.

To face danger unflinchingly and protect one's family in such a crisis demonstrated commendable courage.

This fit perfectly with Caesar's character.

He remembered a scene from a Roman film—though unsure if it was historically accurate—where, after Marius's fall and Sulla's rise to power, Sulla issued a proclamation against Marius's supporters in the Roman capital.

While the proclamation was being posted, Sulla's men were already taking action.

Instead of fleeing, Caesar went to warn his uncle and others, only to be captured.

Risking his life to save others despite being in grave danger himself.

If not for Pompey and others repeatedly pleading for Caesar, the last male heir of the Julius family, he might have been killed during Sulla's purge.

Even at such a young age, the future Caesar's courage was already evident.

Protecting family, Caesar—Not bad!