As a modern person, Septimus understood the influence of the media on a society.
The creation of a newspaper would increase Septimus's soft power throughout Rome, and his political prestige would be unmatched.
The *Roman Daily* was officially inaugurated in 78 BC.
Branches of the new newspaper were established in all the major Roman cities across the Italian Peninsula.
On a commercial street in the city of Rome, two young men stopped while setting down on the ground the bags they were carrying on their backs, filled with newspapers.
"Newspapers for sale! Newspapers for sale! The first issue of *The Roman Daily* has been published!"
"The Civil War continues in Hispania, and Sertorius repeatedly outmaneuvers General Metellus."
"General Metellus possesses overwhelming military superiority, so why can't he defeat Sertorius? This newspaper will explain it in detail."
"Uncovering the dark history of the Scipio family and their sexual scandals."
The next day, as soon as dawn broke, the cries of the newspaper vendors echoed throughout Rome.
Many curious Roman citizens stopped the newspaper vendors, asking them what those newspapers were.
"What a waste! Such good paper used to print news!" said an angry Roman merchant after reading the newspaper.
The newspaper vendor could not help but sneer.
"Are you going to buy it or not?"
"Do you know where I can buy this newspaper?"
"How much do these newspapers cost?"
People asked one after another.
"Two sesterces (one denarius = four sesterces) per newspaper. If you want to buy one, you can only go to Septimus's sugar shop," said a clone newspaper vendor.
Many people were left dumbfounded. Two sesterces for a thin newspaper was truly too expensive.
But the news in the newspaper was genuinely attractive, and Rome was full of wealthy people who did not care about the price.
"Give me one."
"Me too."
In a short time, all the newspapers the vendor was carrying disappeared.
The clone vendor took the money back to the newspaper office.
A Roman elite bought a newspaper from the vendor and found it divided into four pages. In addition to the news about the war in Hispania, the newspaper contained about twenty more articles, including political news and anecdotes about senators' scandals, which he greatly enjoyed.
However, after reading about the scandals of the Scipio family, he felt a wave of disdain. He could not believe that the famous Scipio family was so corrupt and full of acts considered vulgar even in open-minded Roman society.
Just at that moment, he saw an advertisement for Septimus's bakery and sugar shop hidden in the newspaper.
"The best bread in Rome can be found in Septimus's bakeries."
"White sugar, the most exquisite food, offering heavenly pleasure..."
Upon seeing the advertisements, an idea occurred to the Roman merchant. Those who could afford to buy newspapers were undoubtedly wealthy and among the biggest spenders.
This included senators, nobles, and even some foreign princes. If only he could advertise his own businesses there!
Soon, the Roman merchant noticed a small line beneath the advertisements: "If you are interested in advertising your business, visit our newspaper office and we will offer you the best advertising service, price negotiable, location: west of the Piazza Civic, *The Roman Daily* newspaper office."
Filled with anticipation, the Roman merchant headed to the indicated address.
*The Roman Daily* quickly became popular in every city where it spread.
The price of the newspaper was not very affordable for all Roman citizens, but the first day's sales exceeded Septimus's expectations.
This novel way of informing Roman society quickly attracted the attention and interest of the entire Roman upper class.
On the other hand, Septimus also had his own purpose in keeping the prices inaccessible to the common population of Rome.
Not everyone knew how to read, and those capable of buying a newspaper either knew how to read or could afford to purchase slaves with the ability to read.
Education in Rome was a privilege reserved for people with sufficient economic resources.
Septimus also planned to publish interviews with important figures in the newspaper to attract the attention of Rome's entire upper class.
Roman society, with its limited entertainment, would find it very novel to read an interview conducted with a noble or a famous figure of Rome in the newspaper.
Outside Septimus's residence, a carriage accompanied by guards came to a slow stop.
Sulla stepped down from the carriage with a group of guards protecting him.
The clone guards watching the gate blocked the advance of Sulla and his group.
Sulla frowned as he observed the indifference of the guards while preventing him from entering.
Sulla's status throughout Rome was unique, and no guard dared to stop him.
Sulla's reputation was well known in Rome, and many purges of nobles had been organized under his direction.
Sulla admired the courage and discipline of Septimus's guards, but he had a reputation to maintain.
With a wave of his hand, Sulla's guards stepped forward.
"Are you blind? You're blocking Sulla's path!" shouted one of Sulla's guards with an angry expression.
"We need to wait for General Septimus's authorization before allowing you to enter," snapped the clone guard indifferently.
Sulla was somewhat angered by the clone guard's dismissive response.
Previously, the clone guard's indifferent attitude could have been justified by his lack of knowledge regarding Sulla's identity, but after the identity had been revealed, the clone guard's attitude remained unchanged.
As an important figure in Rome and a former dictator, Sulla could not allow the clone guard's disrespect to go unpunished.
A blatant act of disrespect against Sulla without consequences would cause his political enemies to show fewer scruples when attacking him.
Sulla knew he had many enemies in Rome and could not afford to show weakness when facing disrespect from a mere guard.
With a gesture from Sulla, the Roman guards stepped forward with the intention of detaining the clone guard.
The clone guards showed no weakness and drew their weapons.
The scene quickly developed in an uncontrollable direction.
"Stop!" shouted Sulla with a gloomy expression.
The guards of Septimus's residence showed no hesitation in drawing their weapons in Sulla's presence.
Sulla carefully observed the clone guards with great scrutiny.
Septimus was feared by the nobility because he possessed the ability to train and recruit legions that were completely loyal and willing to die for his cause.
On the other hand, the guards of Septimus's residence preferred to confront Sulla's guards rather than disobey the military discipline of Septimus's residence.
Sulla also had no desire for a direct confrontation with Septimus.
Sulla's most powerful ally was Septimus, and a confrontation at his residence would become news throughout Rome.
After calming his anger, Sulla slowly stepped forward with a grim expression.
"I have come to visit your master. Announce my arrival," said Sulla with a serious expression.
The clone guards nodded without showing any intention of sheathing their weapons.
Sulla's Roman guards were also angered by the behavior of the clone guards.
Sulla was a notorious figure in Rome, and many Romans avoided earning his enmity.
Sulla's guards were accustomed to leading the way arrogantly without encountering any obstacles.
No one would dare block Sulla's path, much less draw weapons to stop him.
At that moment, a dozen clone guards emerged from the residence while protecting a person in their midst.