"I've never been a person of great faith, not at all.
But I admire such people. I don't have the courageous and fearless pioneering spirit of the great Roman ancestor Romulus.
My own strength is far from enough to protect this changed Rome, so we need more people to have the courage to stand up and walk with us.
If our great divine ancestor were here, I think he would probably tell you that the Rome here, the Rome of this era, is not the Rome he once loved and swore to defend.
I think he would say that Rome is now more prosperous, powerful, and rich, but at the same time it is also cruel, cold, and narrow-minded!!"
Every time Night recited a word, his hoarse voice, as sharp and cold as if swallowing a knife, resounded in everyone's hearts, making them tremble.
That tangible, knife-like gaze swept across the Roman senators.
Every elder caught under his gaze could not help but lower his head, look away, and tremble slightly...
They felt that the last few words Night repeated in an increasingly intense tone were describing them.
They knew they were part of what had made Rome so cruel and corrupt.
At this time, the elders were already discussing anxiously.
Some even shouted at Night to shut up... to stop speaking.
"Scaremongering… this is alarmist, our Rome is still bright, strong, and republican.
The great god Romulus would never punish—"
"Do you dare to swear before the twelve gods and to our great ancestor Romulus that every word you say is true?
If you lie, may you be condemned to hell forever!" Night suddenly took two steps forward and shouted at the elder.
His expression became as fierce as a roaring lion, his gaze as fierce as a hungry wolf.
The elders, confronted with the horrifying oath, immediately fell silent.
The Romans still believed in the existence of the gods, and they dared not take such a dire oath, especially involving their revered ancestor Romulus...
Swear an oath to the man who founded Rome? No, no, no—they knew in their hearts that Rome was not worthy of that, and they didn't have the courage to say otherwise.
How could they be unaware of Rome's current state?
"You...!" an elder pointed at Night, his face flushed with frustration.
Night said loudly, "I know that the greatness of Rome in the mind of the god-ancestor Romulus must be greater than you can imagine.
With a broad vision and mind, everyone could express their opinions freely."
The elders tried to interrupt—
But their voices, even when combined, could not drown out Night's lone voice.
The civilians in attendance also began to stir with agitation.
"If he saw Rome today, he would surely ask what happened to Rome...
In just a few decades, our civilians lost their husbands, fathers, and sons, followed by their families, land, and freedom—the very foundations of their survival.
Our free people have gradually become slaves...
The soldiers and heroes who fought bravely on the front lines have lost hope and faith in the future. Our army no longer has morale...
The Roman army, once invincible, now struggles even to suppress small Spanish rebels or slave uprisings.
Is it because they are old?
Or is it because they are tired, disillusioned by the darkness of Rome and a lack of hope for the future, that they've lost the will to fight?
I think the most urgent task is to awaken the soul and will of Rome.
Our army needs a new spirit to be reborn from decay.
And this—everything begins by ensuring that they receive the respect and treatment they deserve!
Answer me, soldiers! Can you tolerate your free souls and the nobility in your hearts being tainted by such corrupt and dirty things?"
"NO!!"
"NO!!!"
"No!!!!" When loud, unified roars erupted from countless directions in the central square of Rome.
These were the voices of countless retired soldiers, even the Roman guards.
As the roar that shook the air and sky penetrated the clouds—
In that moment, as this will gathered, a terrifying force began to rise.
Night's pupils suddenly contracted, and his powerful perception once again sensed an astonishing, invisible force gathering from the soldiers and even from the countless Roman citizens who were watching at this time.
Finally, it gathered in the sky above the city of Rome, and suddenly the blessing of Apollo within his body began to emit a faint glow...
Even the statue of Apollo behind Night was faintly glowing with a white light, though the light was so subtle that no one noticed.
And in the next moment, the "will of Rome"—seemed to have awakened.
Momentum truly exists.
When the energy of countless life forces clashes, even the weakest individuals, when gathered together in numbers as vast as the stars, can become incomparably huge and powerful.
It was not surprising that Night, with his heightened five senses, could feel this shift in momentum, but—he also felt something else.
It wasn't simply momentum, but the powerful voices of the people and the blessing of Apollo within him that seemed to resonate with the land itself, causing subtle changes.
And so, in the next instant—
A long-lost feeling arose...
[ Before the Plebeian Assembly, you delivered a speech in the central forum of Rome.
Countless Romans were moved and shamed by your words, and their deepest emotions were stirred.
They roared hysterically, expressing their inner resistance.
At this moment, there was only one voice and one unified will in everyone's mind.
Through the resonance of their thoughts and the faint light of hope radiating from you, a subtle miracle occurred.
It was a miracle that shouldn't have been possible in this land where mystery had long faded.
Then—
In this place, the will of Rome stirred slightly.
Blessed by the native spirits, the Roman Earth Mother has turned her gaze upon you. Your actions are revitalizing Rome, causing decayed lands to sprout fresh shoots once more. In recognition, your power has received a new blessing.
From now on, when fighting on lands that were once part of the Roman Empire, your base combat strength will multiply several times over. The more powerful the enemy you face, the greater the strength boost you will receive.
As long as your feet stand upon Roman soil, you will never fall.
You have gained "Eternal Roman Continuation EX", granting enhanced immortality on Roman lands—an award for continuing the destiny of Rome.
Your heel's vulnerability is currently being corrected, and with sustained activity on Roman soil that has a positive, lasting impact, there is a chance this weakness will be permanently removed..]
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