After negotiating with Sulla the conquest of the region of Campania, Septimus's five legions began to prepare.
Five legions and 3,000 horsemen, a total of 28,000 soldiers, marched out of the Decapitator City toward the city of Capua.
The geographical location of Capua was extremely important, and the Romans loved to build various roads.
The ancient Romans already knew how to use volcanic ash to make cement for the construction of roads, in order to allow rapid deployment of troops.
After two days of marching, Septimus's troops arrived on the outskirts of the city of Capua.
The current prefect of the city was a noble named Metellus Sergius. The father of Atilia had already completed his term as prefect and was considered a great noble within the city.
The competition for the prefect of Capua follows that of the consuls. Although they would be elected within one or two months, they would not officially assume office until the following year.
Many official positions in Rome lasted only one year and, in order to prevent anyone from taking power, they could not even be reelected. For example, a consul could only hold office once every ten years.
Septimus decided not to attack the city because his legions had the purpose of pretending to help Rome and attacking the legions of the consul Scipio.
Septimus's confidence in victory was unquestionable; the clones had an advantage in military equipment and combat skill.
On the other hand, the current legions of Rome only had basic training of less than one year.
The arrival of a large number of soldiers caused surprise and fear among the upper class of Rome.
Many nobles recognized Septimus's banner and were surprised by the large number of legionaries that Septimus had kept hidden.
A great army that simply appeared without giving any sign of its recruitment.
The clone legionaries, like disciplined machines, devoted themselves to cutting trees and building a military camp outside Capua.
The guards on the walls of the city watched with panic the large number of soldiers like a black tide from afar.
Some newly recruited guards could not endure it, and a yellow liquid began to spread beneath their legs.
The prefect Metellus Sergius frowned when he saw the numerous army in black armor. As the administrator of Capua, he should have been the first to know about the news of a large recruitment of soldiers.
Metellus also had some fear of Septimus and occasionally kept spies watching near the Decapitator City.
Since Marcus completed his term as prefect of Capua, the subsequent prefects of the city of Capua had maintained surveillance over the movements of Septimus.
Septimus's reputation was terrible, and many nobles were cautious in order to avoid offending him and facing bloody methods as revenge, but Septimus's wealth was a great attraction for human greed.
Although Septimus was ruthless and had a reputation for killing without considering the consequences, the upper class of Capua despised Septimus's humble origins.
The upper class of Capua feared Septimus and could only overcome their fear by despising his origins as a simple baker.
"Call Marcus," said Metellus with a solemn expression.
After 10 minutes, a middle-aged man with gray hair approached.
"Metellus, old friend, I understand your intentions in calling me," said Marcus with a look of helplessness.
Marcus understood Metellus and knew that he was the only one capable of approaching Septimus without being affected by his madness.
Other nobles could be killed by the madman Septimus.
Marcus, together with a few nobles, approached the camp that was under construction.
The camp advanced quickly in construction due to the high efficiency of the clones.
It was a common military camp with a robust wooden wall and watchtowers that were being built quickly.
Marcus and the nobles accompanying him observed carefully the legionaries in black armor moving with great discipline without complaining.
There were no centurions shouting orders and beating lazy or slow soldiers.
The construction advanced smoothly.
Septimus had already noticed Marcus and the nobles who were visiting him.
Two clone horsemen escorted Marcus and the nobles toward Septimus's tent.
Septimus wore an exquisite black general's armor with the symbol of severed heads decorated on the chest of his armor.
Septimus's tent had a large map and four banners with symbols of decapitated men in the corners.
Septimus and the nobles observed the decoration of the tent and were surprised by the unique and imposing style.
The entire military camp gave the impression of being composed of a completely equipped and disciplined elite army.
Many nobles and elites of Rome had always been curious about the origin of Septimus's soldiers and slaves.
Using various methods, the mystery had not yet been solved.
Marcus was not interested in the origin of the soldiers; his daughter was Septimus's lover.
"What do you want?" asked Septimus with a serious look.
"We have come with the intention of asking what your intentions are," replied Marcus with a cautious look.
Marcus did not trust that he could leave unharmed if he caused Septimus's anger. He also feared his irascible son-in-law.
"I intend to receive Consul Scipio," replied Septimus with a cold smile.
Septimus would receive Lucius Scipio with a great slaughter.
The nobles and Marcus felt more relieved after hearing Septimus's answer.
They considered Septimus a mad murderer, but the great power he had demonstrated could serve to defend the city of Capua from a possible attack by Sulla.
Marcus and the nobles did not realize Septimus's true purpose.
Septimus planned to confront Scipio's legions outside the city of Capua.
The scene of a great battle that would shock all of Rome would begin on the outskirts of the city of Capua.
Marcus's delegation headed toward the city of Capua after obtaining an answer.
The prefect Metellus was filled with joy at the large number of reinforcements.
With Septimus's troops and the army of the great Consul Lucius Scipio, the city of Capua would be completely secure.
The defeat of Sulla and his allies would only be a matter of time.
While Septimus mobilized his legions in the construction of a military camp,
on the borders of the region of Campania a total of ten Roman legions were advancing slowly.
The consul Lucius Scipio was leading his legions toward the city of Capua.
One of the most important roads was the Appian Way, which extended from Rome toward the south.
Capua was a crucial point on the Appian Way, providing direct access to Rome.
In addition, it was a fortified city, extremely difficult to capture; Sulla had never conquered it in history.
Lucius Scipio was full of confidence about victory.
A rider approached, riding quickly.
"Consul Lucius, I have an urgent report," said the Roman rider while delivering the message.
Lucius Scipio began to read the message with a serious expression that gradually relaxed and ended in a smile. He was happy because the prefect of Capua had informed him that Septimus was commanding five legions of reinforcements and was waiting for him in Capua.
Lucius Scipio was pleased to hear the news.
The newly appointed consul, Lucius Scipio, honestly had doubts about victory at the beginning.
Sulla's achievements in Greece were astonishing; he undoubtedly deserved to be considered a renowned general of his time. In addition, his performance in resisting the invasion of the Germanic tribes was outstanding, even surpassing that of Marius, who had been consul seven times.
That was Marius, whom some called one of the three greatest men since the founding of Rome, which made him sense that the mission would be difficult.
However, his combined strength with that of Norbanus far exceeded that of Sulla, and if the five legions of Septimus were added, he even trusted that he could defeat him alone and claim the honor of victory.
Thinking about this, Lucius felt extremely eager.
But the prerequisite was obtaining command of Septimus's five legions.