"Lista Night, unless you really intend to oppose the entire country of Rome… now order your people to let us go.
There is still room for negotiation. You wouldn't dare to kill us.
If you attack us, have you considered how you'll handle the wrath of the families behind us?" an elder suddenly calmed down and spoke coldly to Night in the front.
After hearing the elder's words, many of the other elders gradually regained their confidence and composure.
That's right—
Since Night doesn't dare to kill them, there's nothing to fear.
Even if the people riot, this man will protect them instead.
Don't be intimidated by what's happening before you.
It's all an illusion...
Even if Lista Night doesn't understand the terrifying power of the forces behind us, doesn't Tiberius Gracchus and others understand?
Many old nobles even mocked Night for rising up at night, feeling he was no match for their seasoned tactics.
They saw him as a commoner-turned-noble, one unworthy of their respect, especially after this complete fallout between them.
However—
"I appreciate your stubbornness. I hope you can continue to be just as stubborn later on."
Night wore a smile on his face, and his confident expression caused some of the calmer, more perceptive elders to sense something was wrong.
These clowns think too highly of themselves...
They were underestimating the power Night held in his hands right now.
As the elders of the Senate were forced to act, they kept shouting and cursing, frustrated and furious.
Finally, the last group was led to the central square of Rome…
In front of the familiar twelve statues—
Night's gaze lingered on the statues for a moment…
In this place and time, he wondered if the Roman gods could still intervene in the mortal world.
But it didn't matter—this was a simulated universe after all. If things went south, he could simply reset and restart, a thought that filled him with confidence.
And in the open-air square, a special civilian assembly was about to be held.
Because the Senate was present, the scene resembled a Citizens' Assembly; however, in a true Citizens' Assembly, civilians had limited say, with only tribunes holding real authority.
This assembly at that moment was not so much an invocation of an ancient law used during times of existential crisis…
It was more akin to a public trial of the senators, roasting them under the blazing sun.
As the midday sun shone on the statues in the square, the radiant sunlight had a significant effect on people's mentality. They seemed to spontaneously feel a sense of justice and courage, inspired by the warmth.
Later research would show that exposure to sunlight improves physical and mental well-being, stabilizing emotions, while people who often stay up late experience the opposite effect…
Their moods would often become gloomy and irritable.
However, the elders had no such relief as they stood under the sunlight.
Not only were they not feeling calm, they even felt an urge to curse. The current situation was pure torment for them.
Many elders secretly vowed to themselves how they would punish and torture Lista Night once they regained control.
However, these clowns did not realize at this moment that their threats and confidence in their own safety were completely unfounded.
It's truly pathetic—
Night had no intention of indulging these old clowns.
The greatest lesson history has taught mankind is to never think that giving in or bowing your head can earn the respect and mercy of your enemies.
Submission only emboldens them to be more ruthless.
True strength is gained through resistance.
When your power instills genuine fear and respect in others, only then will they understand honesty.
As everyone followed to the central square…
It was as if a magical force calmed everyone's emotions.
They knew the Civilian Assembly, dormant for hundreds of years, was about to be held once again.
This was a rare opportunity for people to exercise their rights and fight for their own happiness.
The crowd quieted down, and the elders stopped resisting, curious to see what Lista Night intended to do.
At that moment, in full view, Night, who had become the tacitly accepted civilian leader, walked slowly to the statue of the twelve gods, raising his gaze to meet the gods' faces.
Suddenly he took a deep breath, raised his left hand, and saluted the statues.
A left-handed salute to show respect to the gods.
If he had saluted with his right hand, it would signify a military salute. In ancient Rome, cavalrymen would raise their visors when meeting on horseback to show their faces, reducing the risk of accidental injury by a fellow Roman.
By the 11th century, most knights in European countries had removed their visors, transforming the gesture into a hat-tip.
The right hand, symbolizing a military salute, was also waved when declaring war, making it somewhat disrespectful in front of the civilians gathered in the central square of Rome.
At that moment, Night wasn't focused on these details…
Sometimes, inspiration simply strikes him, and he acted without regard for Roman etiquette, nor did he intend to follow it.
It was simply a subconscious gesture that came to him.
Lista's simple salute under the sunlight, though not entirely traditional, was natural and dignified.
There was a hint of sanctity in the elegance, as if a devoted saint was praying to God, seeking inner peace.
Of course, people did not realize that, although Night might have a "god" in his heart, that god was probably himself alone.
People may pursue spiritual beliefs and seek inner peace, creating an illusory place for their spirits to rest.
But this "God" should never exist in the material world as a tangible entity, nor refer to any specific, powerful person or life form.
In the eyes of the Roman citizens watching, Night at that moment appeared tall, just, and sacred. His natural stance under the sunlight, that single gesture, calmed people's hearts.
No one doubted his devotion to the gods at that moment.
Such a righteous and kind person surely couldn't be the ambitious figure the Senate claimed, blinded by greed and out to manipulate them...
While they were thinking this, they suddenly heard—
"Everyone—before holding this meeting, please listen to me." Facing the statue with his back to everyone, Night suddenly raised his voice.
He took two deep breaths, then a faint smile spread across his face as he slowly turned to face the eager and confused crowd.
All the Roman citizens listened intently, as if they were about to witness a sacred speech.
"I'm not sure how to say this. In fact, I'm not as eloquent as Tiberius…"
"But these eyes can still see a lot, and now I just want to express what I see.
Perhaps these shallow insights can help you and make you more aware of the sacred and undeniable importance of our presence here and of convening a civilian assembly here!"