Chapter 929
"Can my father and the others really be cured?" Stolo asked worriedly. There was doubt in his voice, but more than that, there was hope.
Asistes continued to comfort him, "Since you have been studying Greek culture and knowledge since you were young, you may know that the most famous plague doctor in Greece, Hippocrates, is now in Turií. Although he is old and did not follow the army to Latin this time, many of the doctors accompanying the army are his students. They will do their best to save your father and the other Roman soldiers who have been infected by the plague. And you people in Rome often say that the plague is a seed sown by the God of Death. Our Patron of Diónia, Hades, is the Lord of the Underworld, and His Majesty the Devers is his descendant. Since the Roman army has surrendered to us, His Majesty will definitely give them the blessings of Hades! … "
Stolo calmed down a little and suddenly remembered something. He asked, "My Lord, my wife's mother and sister are still imprisoned. May I ask … what will happen to them?"
Asistes thought for a moment and said, "Since Servius has surrendered, his wife will follow him to settle in other parts of the kingdom. Of course, Servius will have to survive the plague first. As for your wife's mother, if Ambustus also surrenders, they will also settle in other parts of the kingdom. But if your father-in-law refuses to surrender, according to the current decree of the kingdom, your mother-in-law will be classified as a slave of the kingdom. However, she will have you and Servius as her son-in-law. That will depend on whether she wants to live with your family or Servius' family in the future. "
"I will go up the mountain tomorrow to persuade my father-in-law," Stolo said decisively.
… …
The next day, Ambustus watched Stolo's back as he staggered down the mountain. Two lines of tears flowed down his old cheeks.
A hand was placed on his shoulder, "What, do you regret it?"
Ambrosius wiped away his tears and turned to look at Potitus. He shook his head and said, "I don't regret it. I'm just a little unwilling …"
When Potitus heard that, he was silent for a while. Then, he pointed at the foot of the mountain with his walking stick and said in a low voice, "Sigh … Think about Alba Longa and Venus that we destroyed … In my opinion, every race and force has to go through a process from weak to strong, and from strong to weak. Today, it's Rome. One day, it will be Diónia's turn …"
"Lord Potitus, it seems like you're not satisfied either!" Ambustus sighed and looked back at the solemn Temple of Jupiter. His face was shrouded in a layer of doubt. "I just didn't expect that the one who dealt us the final blow was not the people of Diónia, but the plague! It took the life of our dictator and destroyed the morale of our soldiers. Is this the punishment that Jupiter gave to Rome?! "
"So, there is no need for this temple to exist anymore. Who asked Jupiter to give up Rome?!" Maruginense walked over with a face full of resentment. He reminded them, "Sirs, everything is ready. We … should enter the temple!"
Potitus and Ambustus looked at each other with determination in their eyes. "Since everything is ready, let's go in."
"Sirs." Scipio The Great, who was following behind Maruginense, said, "Some of my soldiers don't want to leave quietly. They prefer to fight their way down the mountain and die under the enemy's spears."
Potitus furrowed his wrinkled eyebrows. "Haven't we already discussed this matter? Since we've already failed, let's not provoke the Dionians for no reason, lest they vent their anger on our families."
"Your Excellency Scipio, your soldiers are still very young. If anyone is willing to surrender, just let them go down the mountain," Ambustus suggested.
Scipio The Great looked solemn. "They are the true warriors of Rome. No one will choose to surrender!"
Half an hour later, the senators of Rome gathered in the main hall of the Temple of Jupiter. Hundreds of Roman soldiers either stayed in the back hall or sat in the courtyard.
Potitus looked around at the more than 100 senators of Rome crowded in the main hall. They had been trapped on the mountain for a few months. In the end, they ran out of food and water. So, not only were they emaciated and covered in dust, but their clothes were also tattered. They did not look like the vigorous and imposing manner they used to have in the Senate. But at this moment, they were all sitting upright, looking solemn, making the already solemn Temple of Jupiter look even more solemn. Only Apuleius, who had just been released from the back hall, was lying on the ground with his back hunched, his lips moving non-stop.
Finally, Potitus looked at Maruginense next to him and said in a deep voice, "You will say the last words."
Maruginense smiled freely. "I have been fighting with you for decades, and this is the first time you are being modest to me. Forget it, I am used to it. You can do it. But when we go to another place … I will not give in to you again. "
Potitus nodded silently, then looked at the crowd and said solemnly, "My lords, 20 years ago, when the Celts attacked the city of Rome, Bulerius, Vibias, Tidus, Emilius, and the other Senate ancestors blocked the way into the city and sacrificed their lives bravely! Today, Rome has fallen again. We must not let down the prestige of the senators of Rome and the nobles of Rome. In order to defend the city that our ancestors had gone through countless hardships to build, we will sacrifice our lives. Even if Rome no longer exists in the future, our heroic deeds will be remembered and sung by future generations. At the same time, we will constantly remind future generations that in the center of Italy, in the Latin region, on the banks of the Tiber River, there used to be a great city called Rome! … "
When the senators heard Potitus' words, they subconsciously raised their heads and sat up straighter. Their eyes that were originally filled with despair were now filled with vigor.
After Potitus finished speaking, he slowly looked at his colleagues with an encouraging gaze. Then, he glanced at them one by one. First, it was Maruginense, then Ambrosius, then High Priest Ulysses, and finally Old Senator Lucitius …
Potitus slowly sat down and gently put down his crutch. He flicked the dust off his clothes, closed his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Light the fire!"
There was a moment of silence in the hall.
Scipio The Great shouted, "Light the fire!"
The soldiers outside the hall seemed to have woken up from a dream and threw the torches in their hands at the temple that had been splashed with olive oil. In an instant, the temple was set ablaze …
Apuleius, who was originally lying on the ground, seemed to have been awakened by the fire. He jumped up, picked up a small stone from the corner, and threw it at the tall statue in the middle of the hall. With a "pa" sound, it hit Jupiter's head.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! " Apuleius laughed loudly and stomped his feet at the same time. "Damn Jupiter!" he cursed. Damn Camillus! Damn Rome! Hahaha! Damn Rome! … "
Apuleius's crazy laughter and the screams of the senators and soldiers became the last echo of the fire on top of Capitoline Mountain.
… …
The self-immolation of the senators and soldiers of Rome meant that the resistance of Rome had completely disappeared. Other than the nobles and their families who had surrendered in Rome, and a few civilians like Storlo, who were sad, most of the civilians only felt sorry for the burning of the main Latin temples of Jupiter and Juno. They even cursed that these self-immolating senators destroyed the temples on top of Capitoline Mountain just to prevent the civilians from worshiping them.
Of course, the arrival of the celebration of Hades quickly dissipated their frustration. Although the celebration in Rome was held in a hurry, the large-scale theatrical performance about the establishment of Diónia in the square was temporarily transferred from the Dionysian Army stationed in Rome and lacked professional training. Not only were they poorly dressed, but the performance was also full of mistakes. However, it was the first time that the people of Rome had seen such a large-scale performance, and they found it very interesting.
After that, in front of the simple altar of Hades, under the leadership of the priest, the believers performed a pious sacrifice to the Greek Pluto. After that, the priest solemnly announced, "From now on, Hades will protect the city of Rome!"
The cheers of the believers did not move the onlookers of Rome. But then, they saw a huge stone tablet engraved with the names of the reserve troops of Rome who died for Diónia. The soldiers of Diónia in full military uniform carried it to the altar. The priest blessed it and announced, "When the temple is completed, the stone tablet will be carried into the Hall of Valhalla to receive the worship of the people of Rome. Their souls will continue to guard Rome!"
This move shocked the people of Rome. Many people who had lost their loved ones shed tears.
In the afternoon, in front of the altar of Hades, the governor of Rome, Asistes, read out the order signed by the King of Devers in the name of Hades, granting freedom to many slaves of Rome who had performed well during this period.
The freed slaves cheered and thanked Hades and the King of Devers loudly. At the same time, many slaves who heard the news were looking forward to joining the new kingdom.
On the second day, the football match began.
The curious people of Rome, some Vikings, and Ferdians poured into the arena with their families. Soon, they were attracted by the game. Although the teams were basically composed of most of the newly migrated citizens of Diónia and a few of the people of Rome, and the level of competition was not high, it was novel and exciting enough for the people of Rome who were watching the game for the first time.
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