Strabo Pompey, the pride of the Pompey family and considered one of the most outstanding young talents of this Roman generation, had lived a life that could be described as smooth sailing.
His background, abilities, and accomplishments gave him an overwhelming sense of self-respect and pride.
But that look in Night's eyes, the pity, as if he were looking at a clown, cut deep.
Strabo could feel it wasn't fake.
Not only Tiberius, but even "Rome's Last Hero" seemed to believe he would lose.
Why?!
'Damn it, do they really hold me in such contempt?'
'Or do they think I'm not even worthy of being considered Tiberius' rival?'
What Strabo could never imagine was that from the very beginning, this so-called rivalry existed only in his own mind.
Neither Tiberius nor Night had ever truly regarded him as a serious opponent.
For them, the tribune election was merely a stepping stone.
Their true objective was far greater: shaking the foundations of Roman law and initiating sweeping reforms.
Compared to that grand goal, the election was small and insignificant.
The central square, in their eyes, wasn't even the real battlefield.
At that moment, overcome by emotion,
Strabo blurted out in a questioning tone,
"This must be Lista Night, correct?
I've heard you've been granted a noble name, becoming one of the new nobles.
I wonder from which small family that name comes—care to tell me?
I might know a thing or two."
He sneered, then suddenly switched tactics, trying to recruit Night instead of questioning him.
"But honestly, with your talents, inheriting a small family's name is a waste.
If you're willing to marry into the Pompey family, I can personally arrange for my sister to marry you."
Originally he intended to confront Night, but then pivoted at the last moment, attempting to lure him in.
After all, although the man before hom had lost favor with many nobles in the Senate due to his controversial statements, his military prowess was undeniable.
With wars looming on Rome's horizon, binding this lion to the Pompey family through marriage could bolster Strabo's military campaigns and smooth the way for his political ambitions.
However—
After making his offer, Strabo noticed that both Night and Tiberius were staring at him as if he were an idiot.
Tiberius cleared his throat and said, "Ahem, don't take offense, Night. Strabo probably didn't think through what he was saying."
Then, turning to Strabo, he added, "You just addressed my friend by his full name.
And I don't believe it's just the name of some small family.
The names of heroes who have shed their blood for Rome should be remembered and respected."
His words made Strabo's face flush with embarrassment.
Night, however, was less polite. "You already called out my name, Strabo. It's Lista Night."
Then, without a second thought, he made it clear he had no interest in the marriage proposal.
This enraged Strabo.
Though he realized it was foolish to have made such an offer in public, being rejected so flatly and humiliated in front of everyone felt worse than death.
Strabo didn't believe he was at fault.
So, his anger rose and hr lashed out: "Heh—so you think Tiberius has already won, don't you?
You look down on the Pompey family, I see.
Are you planning to marry into the Gracchus family instead?
Well, let me tell you,
Tiberius has only one sister, and she's already married to Scipio Africanus.
Or perhaps you've—"
...
"Shut up…!!"
Before Strabo could finish his sentence, Night's cold, emotionless voice cut through the air, accompanied by a piercing gaze that silenced him.
"Strabo Pompey… you are bringing disgrace and shame to the name of the Pompey family," Night said, his voice filled with icy authority that made Strabo stunned.
The look in Night's eyes was like that of a predator—a lion surveying its prey.
For the first time, Strabo felt he had provoked a true beast.
Out of pride as an old Roman noble, Strabo had always looked down on Night, a newly minted noble with plebeian roots.
Offering his sister in marriage had been, in his mind, a great honor.
But to be rejected without hesitation, and in front of everyone, wounded his pride deeply.
Trembling with anger,
Strabo clenched his sweaty fists, trying to compose himself.
"What do you mean? How am I shaming my family? Lista Night, if you can't give me a reasonable explanation for that insult, then I—"
But before he could finish, Night interrupted again, this time with an even more commanding tone.
....
"An explanation?!
In the sacred Roman Forum, you openly slandered not just two noble families, but also insulted Scipio Africanus, a man who is revered as a god of war by the Roman people.
No, let me correct that—three noble families.
Me, the Gracchus family, and the Scipio family.
Strabo, I mean no disrespect to your family, but I must question your character and your conduct."
...
Strabo was left speechless by his words, "What?!"
As his face turned red with anger at such "outrageous accusations."
He was furious at having his character and integrity questioned.
"What gives you the right to question me?"
...
Night calmly responded,
"According to the Law of the Twelve Tables, Table VIII, Articles 1 and 5—
Anyone who defames a noble or another person in writing, or publicly sings songs that insult others, shall be sentenced to death!
And for accidental harm caused to others, compensation must be paid.
You have, in a public space, falsely accused me of having an affair with Scipio Africanus' wife, deeply damaging our honor.
According to the Law of the Twelve Tables, Strabo…
I am fully within my rights to question you.
The fact that I am not demanding you be sentenced to death is already a great mercy from us.
However, you must compensate all three of our noble families with substantial amounts for emotional distress, damage to our reputations, and a personal safety protection fee, considering the public slander could incite violence or even aggression from the people."
....
As Night boldly declared this, his voice carrying, he calmly stared down at Strabo with a cold, emotionless gaze.
The immense pressure from that chilling look made the latter feel as if he was sweating from every pore.
The Law of the Twelve Tables?!
Damn it—!
That law was something the nobles had long manipulated and redefined to serve their own interests, rarely taking it seriously.
However—
....