Sarah withdrew from the room with a reluctant expression.
Septimus shook his head. He did not know why, but he felt that Sarah was a very peculiar person.
Shortly afterward, the guards brought Caesar.
Julius Caesar looked tired from the journey. Although Caesar was still very young, Septimus suddenly noticed that his hairline was receding and tended to grow backward. Signs of hair loss.
"You must have had a difficult journey, Caesar," Septimus said calmly.
"It was really very difficult, but I obtained a lot of information. Tigranes rejected our request and is preparing for war," Julius Caesar said while holding back his anger.
Just as Septimus had imagined, a war with Armenia was very likely to happen.
Caesar informed Septimus that the guides sent by Tigranes had led him and his men astray on numerous occasions. If it had not been for a Syrian slave who told Caesar the truth, he might still have been wandering through unknown lands.
"Tigranes was cruel to many peoples. He hated the Greeks and forcibly relocated many Greeks from Cilicia and Cappadocia to Mesopotamia, where he marginalized them. He also felt an aversion toward barbarians. King Chabinus of Gordyene and many others sent me messages saying that they would be willing to join our ranks as soon as our army arrived," Julius Caesar reported seriously.
Septimus nodded. Although the King of Kings had conquered many countries, little time had passed and a stable government had still not been established.
"Then who supports Tigranes?" Septimus asked.
"Besides the Armenians, the Arabs were his greatest supporters. Tigranes had a great appreciation for the Arabs and valued their business acumen, so he relocated them to Armenia. In addition, there were the Assyrians, the Albanians…" Julius Caesar replied calmly.
Septimus listened to him for quite some time and came to generally understand the situation in Armenia.
Armenia currently had a diverse population, with various ethnic groups, among which were numerous barbarian chiefs who called themselves kings.
This situation was also convenient for Septimus because it allowed him to claim that he had captured a large number of kings.
After listening to Caesar's report, Septimus immediately decided to depart with his army toward Armenia.
Speed is fundamental in war.
---
The vast basin of the Euphrates River was once the cradle of human civilization, where the ancient Mesopotamian civilization was born.
This is the true source of Western civilization, which has deeply influenced both Greek and Jewish civilization, but which now seems somewhat desolate.
Wherever you look, a vast desert stretches out, with an endless immensity. If it were not for the irrigation of the Euphrates River, this place could have been a forbidden zone for human civilization.
After a long and arduous journey, which included a difficult crossing of the Euphrates River, Septimus's clone army finally entered Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq.
This place was already within the Armenian sphere of influence. In a small settlement, after learning that the outskirts were occupied by Roman troops, the city gates suddenly opened and a group of Greeks came running out, laughing.
Upon seeing this, Septimus observed calmly; he had already encountered this situation many times before.
Along the way, many people came out to welcome them with food and drink. They were all slaves from Cilicia and Cappadocia who had been forcibly relocated there after Armenia destroyed their kingdoms. They felt no sympathy for Tigranes and Armenia.
They were very hospitable toward the Romans. Compared with the evil Tigranes, the Romans were known for having a great deal of goodwill toward the Greeks, and there were even many Greek sympathizers. Faced with this situation, every Greek knew how to choose.
"Great Roman general, you are the messenger sent by Zeus to rescue us. All the cities controlled by Greeks welcome you with the greatest respect," said the city's municipal official with an expression of satisfaction.
"You have suffered. After this battle, you can return home, wherever you wish to go," Septimus said calmly.
As soon as he finished speaking, an ovation erupted among the Greeks.
At last they could go home; they were already tired of that horrible and desolate place.
"However, during the war, I hope that you will accept my orders and obey the orders of the officers I assign to you," Septimus said seriously.
"There is no problem. Please come to our city to rest. We can provide you with all kinds of provisions," the municipal official said with a smile.
Septimus nodded and then led his soldiers into the settlement.
"How far are we from Armenia?" Septimus asked.
"Your Excellency, General, you will have to cross the Tigris River and pass through the Taurus Mountains to enter Armenia, which will take you at least seven days. Tigranocerta is located south of the Taurus Mountains," the municipal official replied with a flattering expression.
Tigranocerta is a city founded by Tigranes, the King of Kings, and also a fortress in Armenia.
Currently, Tigranes was drinking and enjoying himself in this fortress that he had built himself.
"Seven days? It seems it will be soon," Septimus murmured calmly.
---
The arrival of Septimus's Roman army could not be kept secret from the Armenians, and they soon began causing disturbances in Armenia.
Inside a mansion in Tigranocerta, a dignified-looking middle-aged man was arguing with a noblewoman.
"Why are you getting involved in this? Are all those ministers blind? Do they not know that Septimus's Roman army is approaching? But did you see any of them go and report it? Those who reported it were beheaded!" the nobleman shouted angrily.
Yesterday, a scout informed Tigranes of the arrival of Septimus's Roman army, but Tigranes did not believe him at all and immediately ordered him to be taken away and beheaded.
Faced with this situation, all the ministers gave in and decided to pretend that nothing had happened, but only this middle-aged man insisted on informing Tigranes about the matter again.
"His Majesty has been incredibly kind to me. I owe my current position entirely to his rise. Do you think I could disappoint him?" the noblewoman said with a dissatisfied grimace.