Rome, in the real world—
Perhaps because this simulated universe was closely tied to Night's real world, when he caused significant changes during a critical historical moment, the events were automatically saved and began to influence the reality in Rome.
While Night and the others were fighting for their lives…
In the Subura district, the Roman slum, near where young Caesar's family lived, an elderly retired soldier, who was laying in front of his home, basking in the sun, suddenly opened his cloudy eyes, and tears trickled from the corners.
"I think… I had a dream—?!"
A distant dream, as if it took place in another world.
In the dream, he was young again, fighting in that same Spanish war.
But unlike the terrifying battlefield memories etched in his mind, the version of himself in the dream was fearless and brave, charging alongside 43 comrades against thousands of Spanish troops.
The mouth of the Ebro River was stained with their blood.
But unlike in reality, where he was ransomed as a defeated soldier, in the dream, he and that monstrous man fought through the Spanish rebel encampment and leapt into the Ebro River.
Until the freezing waters engulfed his soul and body, leaving him powerless, gasping for breath, forever trapped as a specter within the river.
But even then—
That burning determination in his chest, blazing until his final breath—was that really him?
Though he died on the battlefield, he yearned for that version of himself.
A self that lived more vibrantly, more human than the hollow shell he had become.
A self that defended his dignity and freedom with his own hands.
Ah—
If such a world truly existed, why couldn't he have died there, in that dream, at the Ebro River?
The retired soldier looked down at his missing leg.
He had lost it in the Spanish war.
But Rome hadn't given him the compensation he deserved.
A man who had fought all his life returned home only to become a burden on his family, now living in this slum.
He desperately wished…
In that vivid dream, in those seemingly lived-through memories, if there was any decisive difference between the dream and reality, it was the presence of an unbeatable man.
A figure like a Greek war god, reminiscent of the demi-god hero Achilles from the Trojan War—invulnerable.
Why was there no such man in reality?
Why?
…
...
Meanwhile, in the simulated universe…
After days and nights submerged in the river, almost losing their way several times, but guided straight by Night's strong instincts, the group swam tirelessly forward.
They took turns dragging the landlubber Tiberius along, unaware of how many had perished, forever left behind in the Ebro River due to exhaustion.
"If I die, please take care of my wife and the daughter I've never met…"
"Carry my will forward…
Make sure to return to Rome. That's where our families wait for us.
Take care of them for me!"
"Leave me behind. I'm the one holding you back. Without me—" Tiberius wept.
But his tearful cries were soon drowned out by a furious roar—
"Shut up!! Do you want all our efforts to be in vain?
Listen, Gracchus!!
We're saving you because you can ensure we die like heroes, forever engraved in the hearts of Romans.
Not as disgraceful deserters.
You can do it…
You're the only one who can redeem us, cough, cough~!!! For all our names!" Carl, struggling to support Tiberius, bellowed.
His face was ashen, his eyes sunken into darkness showing clear signs of a man nearing death.
Anyone could see that he was in dire condition.
But even so, he hadn't given up on saving Tiberius.
And neither had anyone else.
But who would have guessed that these men, so frail, clinging to life by a thread, could still muster such a powerful shout?
No, to be honest, his roar was faint, hoarse, and weak, but the will behind it roared like a lion, silencing Tiberius.
Tiberius fell silent…
At that moment, he understood that if he truly respected these men, he needed to keep quiet and let them sacrifice themselves for him without a word.
For the first time, he felt the immense weight of the burden on his shoulders.
Now, his life was no longer just his own; it carried the lives of countless fallen comrades.
No matter how painful, no matter how much he cried and mourned inside, even if every second of being alive was torment, he had to keep living, proud and unyielding…
Because this was the dignity that heroes had gambled everything and sacrificed all to reclaim.
At that moment, Night spoke:
"Don't lose hope—I can see land ahead."
Boom~!!!
His words immediately reignited the fighting spirit in everyone, who were on the verge of losing consciousness.
Land?!!
Finally—!
They could finally see land?
No one doubted Night's sight, even though they couldn't see any land themselves, but that man would never lie to them.
Like a final surge of strength, everyone desperately swam towards the direction of land.
It was hope!!
They laughed heartily, cried tears of joy…
Finally, after swimming for who knows how long, someone saw the horizon.
'We're saved!' This was the only thought left in everyone's mind.
They struggled forward, heedless of anything else, towards the shore.
When they finally felt solid ground beneath their feet, after what felt like an eternity in the water, their bodies felt unbearably heavy as they emerged.
But after taking a few steps, it was as if they were reborn, feeling light and free.
Everyone greedily inhaled the fresh air; some cried, some laughed, and some even crazily fell to the ground, kissing the earth beneath them.
"It's freedom!!"
"Rome!! We're back on Roman soil!"
"Magnus—Night!!!
Magnus—!!
Night—!!"
Suddenly, someone shouted fervently.
The next moment, like a tidal wave, everyone echoed that heartfelt cry.
"Magnus Magnus!!!
Night—Magnus!!"
In Rome, the name "Magnus" held special significance.
It symbolized greatness, courage, strength, and loyalty—the epitome of manliness.
At that moment, the soldiers spontaneously bestowed this crown of honor upon Night.
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