Forum Romanum
The roar of the crowd still echoed like thunder against the white stone colonnades, even as Julius lifted his hand once more — not for silence, but to gather the moment before he forged it into history.
"Let all who hear my voice know this truth,"
he declared, eyes scanning the masses.
"Rome is an Empire not of walls, but of roads. Roads that lead from every corner of the world back to this heart — this fire-forged core of civilization."
The wind caught his cloak as he raised the imperial signet for all to see.
"And no road shall be barred to those who walk in peace. Whether their tongues speak the common tongue or any of the regional dialects… whether their temples wear the star or the cross!"
A stunned hush fell over the crowd.
Even the senators behind him shifted.
They had expected mercy.
They had not expected elevation.
"As of this day,"
Julius continued,
