The man leading the group, dressed differently from the imperial guards following him, wore a snow-white Lieutenant Colonel uniform, adorned with exquisite golden dragon embroidery at the collar and cuffs.
"Deputy Captain of the Roman Imperial Guard, in charge of searching all passersby and merchants about to enter Rome City." The words of the male soldier startled both Number Zero and Klaao seated in the carriage.
Here they were, Octavian's inspection soldiers, arriving faster and more unexpectedly than anticipated.
Behind the curtains designed to shield from the sun and dust, the two blue and red venomous snakes in Klaao's hands flicked their tongues. Tongue flicking, like cocking a gun, was a signal of readiness to attack. Klaao wished she could immediately burst out of the curtains, as the indifferent voice of that man had caused Antony's death.
