Simulate the universe, starting with speedrunning Greek.

In the normal Roman system of promotion, the only way for a commoner to become a nobleman was through marriage with a nobleman or by achieving sufficient military merit.

Furthermore, Roman law now explicitly prohibits nobles and commoners from marrying.

Unless you first achieve some political success—

But then another problem arises: most of those who manage to achieve political success are newcomers supported by the major noble families, creating a vicious cycle.

Ordinary people are not without the possibility of promotion, but apart from the military route, other routes are basically blocked. Even if they take the military route, they are likely to be suppressed if they do not align themselves with a political party.

but now--

Night: I'm not pretending anymore!

I, Lista, Night—the heir to the bloodline of the heroic Aeneas family, have remembered the great password of the Roman ancestors.

Having a noble status makes many things easier.

If before we had to rely on the Caesar family's influence and cooperate with them to some extent, now we can go it alone.

However, the connections of the Caesar family can also be utilized.

Although the God Family has declined, it's still a force to be reckoned with. If we can absorb its talents and make them our subordinates, they'll surely become quite useful dogs.

No, it's—good brother!

No matter what, the Lista family and the Julius family are half-brothers, both inheritors of the Aeneas bloodline!

Just like the connection between the Julius family and the Caesar family.

If we separate the main family and the branch family, and then put the Lista family above the Julius family, would that be a problem?

Chapter 144 Devil's Temptation: Can Gods Be Transformed from Humans?!

"—Absolutely no problem!" Lucius Caesar said with awe.

At this point, time can be fast-forwarded to when Ye awakens and obtains the pass to the highest point of the empire.

They already possessed the power to stand firmly at the top of Rome and conquer all Romans to serve them.

If he were a foreign power, no matter how strong he was, the Romans, as native citizens and bound by mythology, would find it difficult to accept being ridden on by a foreigner.

but--

Do you understand the significance of "The Last Hero of Rome"?

That night, he visited Caesar's family for the second time and met Lucius.

He simply unleashed a magical ability, releasing this newly learned technique.

For this land where myths and legends still circulate, but where they are not yet qualified to come into contact with the mysterious Lucius Caesar, the sight of his crimson lightning had already left him dumbfounded and his incomprehensible worldview shattered—he felt that his common sense had been greatly challenged!

At this moment, Lucius Caesar was like Scipio the Younger when he first saw the great red dragon take to the sky.

Lucius even recalled the legends he had heard from Scipio many years ago.

—A red dragon soaring out of Carthage, and crimson lightning flashing in the sky.

This lightning bolt looks exactly like the one in that mythical legend...

Have fantastical elements from epic tales become a reality?!

His expression was utterly dazed. Even though he had been a governor and consul, and had witnessed countless wars without changing his expression, his dignity had vanished at this moment, which was incomprehensible.

As for what Ye told me not long ago—

There is no doubt about the connection between the Lista and Julius families.

The dialogue can be summarized as follows:

Night: Brother, I heard your family is a family of gods?

Lucius Caesar proudly: Of course!

Night: I say I am. (He conjures crimson lightning with his hands, instinctively releasing his dragon-like aura, and simultaneously reveals his Lister family identity document.)

Lucius Caesar was under immense pressure, his feelings were complex and shocking, and he finally managed to speak: I said...you are too—!

They can't even conjure up a miracle like dog poop by hand, yet they dare to call themselves a family of gods?

At this moment, Lucius truly doubted whether the title of "family of gods" that his family bore was a lie, and that the other party was the real one.

He even blushed, feeling that his family's boasting was just empty bragging, while the other family's was genuinely impressive.

Isn't thunder supposed to be something only Jupiter, the king of the gods, can wield?

Although the color of the lightning was a bit off; it was crimson.

But humans can wield the power of heaven and earth, turning natural disasters into their own strength as if they were their own arms. Based on this alone, Lucius Caesar dared not utter a single word of dissent, but sincerely admired the magnificent and powerful appearance of the crimson lightning before him.

He had served as Roman consul for many years, and although he had seen powerful, inhuman, monster-like humans, he had never seen one who could wield such a supernatural phenomenon as thunder, and whose power was incredibly terrifying, yet unlike any other creature he knew.

This is also why Lucius Caesar genuinely believed in the night.

Having such a level of miracle, Lucius can obtain whatever he desires sooner or later, even if it's deception or manipulation.

He didn't know what Ye really wanted this time...

Is it to reclaim the name that belongs to the family of gods?

This made Lucius Caesar somewhat worried.

He didn't want to anger this strange and powerful force, but it would be hard for anyone to accept that they would lose their family name, their pride, and their glory, which they had been proud of for generations.

Not to mention that the divine family brought their family not only honor, but also countless intangible benefits.

However, Lucius Caesar soon breathed a sigh of relief.

Night did not express any intention to seize the title; he only hoped that the Julius family, Caesar's branch, which were also from brother families, would be used by him in the future.

Night had no interest in personally subduing the other families under the Julius family.

Ultimately, the only people in this era who caught his eye were a handful, such as Little Caesar.

Night: "What do you think about merging the Caesar family into Lista?"

Lucius Caesar looked troubled and said, "..."

If this is your idea.

I need to discuss this with the rest of my family.

Night: "Heh—just kidding."

Lista will one day become the head of Caesar, and even the entire Julius family, but not now…

Lucius... I will soon go to the Senate to restore my title.

I need you to do this…

As the night's words continued to fall, Lucius Caesar accepted the order.

At this moment, Ye didn't actually intend to bring the Julius family under his control. He had only said that to see how far Lucius's bottom line would go.

The simulated journey to Carthage in the universe, and the divine power he sensed from the statue in the central square when he first arrived in this world, all made Ye realize that this world was not simple.

A tall tree catches the wind!

The fact that he already possesses so many identities is already powerful and prestigious enough. Exposing himself to more danger for the sake of the glory of a nominal divine family would be a thankless and arduous task.

In any case, it's the same as having the Caesar family working for us.

Looking at Lucius, whose expression wasn't very pleasant, Night knew that the other party hadn't truly submitted in his heart.

Anyone who's doing a good job as a father would feel uncomfortable if suddenly forced to be someone's dog.

As one of the most privileged people in Rome today, who would willingly accept having a father suddenly appear above them?

However, Night seemed completely unconcerned. A slight smile played on his lips as he said, "You made the right choice, Lucius—"

Follow me, and you will see a wider world, where even growing into a hero like those in ancient myths and legends is not impossible.

When an individual's power is so great that they can conquer an army, destroy a country, and even grow in lifespan to be infinitely close to that of a god.

So, tell me—were humans of that time heroes, or gods of this era?

He left behind these last words that night, and gave Lucius a faint look.

That gaze seemed to see right through Lucius's heart, yet it remained blind to the rebellion within him—

No, it's not ignoring it, it's utter contempt.

There was absolutely no indication that it was a threat.

Night finally left, but before he did, he made a silent gesture—

Lucius's pupils contracted; he understood the last words of the night—

You are welcome to bring your people to challenge my authority at any time, if you feel resentful—but be prepared to taste the bitter fruit of failure!

Do you have the courage? Lord Lucius, let's wait and see.

Bang! After leaving at night, Lucius clenched his fist and slammed it down on the table beside him. His expression was unpredictable, sometimes angry, sometimes dazed.

Finally, he calmed down and remembered the devilishly tempting words he had spoken the night before.

To become a hero, or a god of this era?

God—could also be a human being transformed?

Chapter 145 The Caesar Family's Unique Feature: Selling Daughters! Even a niece is a daughter (or son)!

Give a beating, then give a sweet treat.

Suppressing with force alone is not enough; to get subordinates to work wholeheartedly for you, you naturally have to offer them some incentives.

For ordinary people, power and wealth are perhaps the ultimate limits they can imagine.

But for those who already possess the world's highest power and wealth, the greatness of individual strength and longevity are what truly matter, and they are even willing to give up everything they have accumulated before for the latter.

Night painted a rosy picture for Lucius, but for Lucius, who had witnessed Night even displaying the power of lightning—a power only a god-king could wield—it was all too much for him to bear.

That was enough to give Lucius a glimmer of hope and desire.

Perhaps the night really can grant him those things.

If that power can also be given or shared.

Even if they don't have the power to fight an army or destroy a country, or the lifespan to last a lifetime, the mere thought of wielding thunder is enough to ignite their boundless desire.