Chapter 15 The Last Supper (Part 2)

"Protect this little crown with your life, and negotiate with the city of Utica to deliver this treasure to Lepidus. Remember, even if your father is still alive, don't follow him, because you won't survive. Stay in Utica and wait for Lepidus or Caesar to come. From my experience, this is the safest way. Madam, always remember that what is needed now is to endure humiliation." This was Demetrius's previous instruction. Now he sat in a pool of blood, staring at Cornelia, until his head tilted on his shoulder and he took his last breath, "Carabis, you will be happy to see my body, right? ? Well, Pompey was the most unsuccessful but also the most successful person I have ever served. That's it... Goodbye, Carapis... Keep going. The end of your journey may still be far away, but mine has come to an end. "

At the trench at the edge of the city, Scipio's cavalry rushed over. Cornelia even saw her father. His helmet was gone. The people around him were obviously the defeated stragglers, wielding swords to kill and plunder the Utica citizens running around. She remembered the Jew's reminder before his death, hugged the box tightly, and was pulled all the way to the Acropolis by Galba's men. "You said that the treasure in your hand belongs to the Roman cavalry commander?" Galba asked in surprise when Cornelia was brought to him. "He is also an old friend of mine. When I was pursuing Catiline in Rome, I was saved from danger thanks to his help with the Jewish slaves."

>.nsbnbsp;?? "The Jewish slave has just been killed by your men. In order to protect this small crown, can I give it to you? I personally think that this treasure should be placed in the hands of an elder like you. It is safest. Please hand it over to the Roman cavalry commander. And convey my wishes." After saying that. Cornelia shed tears and directly handed the small crown to Galba. The other party took it solemnly and ordered all the slaves who had previously violated the noble lady's house to be scalped and executed.

"I will definitely take care of your safety and negotiation issues, noble lady. But your father is now outside the city"

Hearing this. Cornelia sat down heavily and tiredly, and made a casual gesture to Galba, indicating that she could no longer care about so much. After nightfall, the city of Utica was full of burning flames. Scipio and King Juba were committing violence at the last moment. Their cavalry killed people indiscriminately without asking about each other's identities and robbed as much property as possible. However, the people of Utica resisted on the Acropolis. When a cavalry captain of Scipio rushed to the warehouse below to rob, he was hit on the head by a stone flying from the tower and died. Scipio, who was furious, immediately brought his guards. He also came to the Acropolis, but his other monkey "Plato". was also killed by the stones flying from the city.

"Enough, you bunch of murderous thugs, I have already robbed more. If you don't want me to raze the whole city, prepare ten ships for me, four with decks, with all the supplies and oarsmen, otherwise I will kill all the captured nobles." Scipio stroked the small body of "Plato", and shouted angrily to the tower in grief.

In the end, the city of Utica agreed to his request and sent the ships and oarsmen to the port. Then Scipio and Cruz were ready to board the deck and escape, but King Juba refused. "My kingdom and family are in this desert. If I abandon them, what kind of king am I?" Then, King Juba took most of the cavalry and continued to move towards the city of Zama, while Scipio boarded the ship in panic and sailed away at night.

Cornelia leaned on the battlements of the Acropolis, looking at the bay covered by moonlight and the shadow of her father's ship leaving. Her tears had already dried up. In this state, she knew that Pompey had basically lost hope of survival.

Around noon the next day, the two legions of Itasus arrived at the devastated city of Utica first. The general politely appeased the emotions of the Chamber of Commerce and the Council of Elders in the city, and sent troops to protect the city. Then he replied to Galba that the former cavalry commander was leading the other two legions behind and would arrive in about three hours. After that, he continued to chase King Juba without stopping.

In the evening, Lepidus really came to the surrendered city of Utica on horseback, surrounded by his entourage, guards and countless flags. When he saw Galba bowing respectfully in front of the city gate, he hurriedly jumped off his horse, saying that Caesar had given the city full freedom and no one had to worry about Caesar's revenge.

"The fine is not fair. I heard that the city of Tapsus was fined 200 million sesterces." Lepidus said to Galba on the street to the Acropolis, "But I will do my best to mediate and try to reduce the fine to the level that the city can bear now." Then, on the steps in front of the town hall, he saw a slave holding a small crown. Lepidus was silent for a while, and then said to Galba, "If I am not mistaken, this should be all of Pompeii's belongings. By the way, how is his wife now?"

"What about Pompeii himself?" Galba asked back with concern.

"Dead, drowned in the Mykonin Salt Lake." Lepidus said with his head down.

Then, in Galba's team, a man fell down with his forehead in response to this sentence.

In the burned-down house of Pompeii, the body of Demetrius was still there. His face was pale, and his clothes were covered with blood. His eyelids were half closed, and he leaned against the wall. Lepidus walked in silently with Alp and several guards. When he saw the body of the Jew, he took off his cloak and wrapped him up. Then he wiped the blood and dirt on his face with his own hands, and then said to Alp, "Go to the inner courtyard to find some decent clothes, wash him and put him in, and bury him in the cemetery in the backyard." Then, Lepidus slowly took off the slave nameplate on Demetrius' neck, wiped it clean and placed it at his feet: This thing, bury it with you!

"We continue to pursue, leaving the guards to protect Cornelia's safety, and give her appropriate money to sustain her life." After that, Lepidus walked out of the yard, mounted his mount, and went to the camp outside the city.

At this time, outside Zama, the Eighth Legion that Afranius had put together temporarily had been defeated by Hitius's troops. The remaining soldiers and the general all retreated to an old camp somewhere beside the trench, and then the remnants of King Juba also arrived.

"Has this shameful and despicable city finally betrayed me?" King Juba, who was still wearing the Lion King's crown, said in despair after hearing the unfortunate news. Then he asked all the remaining soldiers to take out all their assets and food to hold a banquet.