There was no need for Jae-hoon to compete with Caesar, even if he changed his approach slightly.
Sulla, who was 38 years older than Caesar, died before Caesar became prominent in politics. The age difference between Caesar and Marcus was less than twenty years, so Jae-hoon couldn't simply wait for Caesar to die of old age. However, Jae-hoon knew Caesar would be assassinated.
Caesar was 56 when he was assassinated, and by that time, Marcus would be on the cusp of his political rise. According to history, after Caesar's death, the struggle for succession was narrowed down to Antony and Octavian. Eventually, Caesar's adopted son, Octavian, prevailed and became Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome.
Historians agree that this marked the transition from a republic to an empire.
This was the point where Jae-hoon could make his move.
Isn't it enough to build power under Caesar and then take over Rome after his death?
The idea was both sensible and feasible. Jae-hoon would have ample time to rise to prominence while everyone was focused on mourning Caesar's death.
If everything played out as expected, Caesar's immense ambition and the power he amassed would enable Jae-hoon to gain control over the nobles. Caesar's reforms, which he introduced historically, could help Jae-hoon consolidate power.
With enough influence, Jae-hoon could potentially prevent Caesar's assassination and become his right-hand man, although that wasn't his primary goal.
The broader plan is clear. The key now is to refine it. How should I proceed?
Jae-hoon had studied Western history as a liberal arts subject and was familiar with the main historical events. However, this general knowledge was not sufficient.
Knowing the major events was advantageous, but it wasn't comprehensive. While understanding the big picture was helpful, detailed knowledge was necessary for a precise plan. Jae-hoon was not an expert in Roman history, and relying solely on fragmentary knowledge could lead to significant setbacks.
"I need more information to develop a perfect plan... This is giving me a headache."
Even with a general direction, refining the details required considerable time and effort. Jae-hoon tossed and turned in bed, eventually falling asleep.
Upon waking, he asked, "How many hours have I been asleep? No, maybe I just fell asleep."
He opened his eyes to find himself in the library, a space reminiscent of the best university libraries from his past life.
The only difference was that the library was completely empty, with no one else around.
"What is this? Did I come back to where I started?"
Jae-hoon tried to leave the library but found, oddly, that he couldn't locate the entrance.
As he looked around, he noticed a vast number of books on various subjects. Initially, he thought he was dreaming, but he realized it would be impossible to remember all those book titles.
He quickly searched through the books and picked up the largest and thickest one on Roman history from the end of the Republic. Since the book was extensive, he focused only on the most relevant parts.
Unfortunately, there was little information about Crassus II, the person Jae-hoon was currently inhabiting. After the deaths of his father and brother, Crassus II had remained pro-Caesar, and his son later joined Augustus.
Jae-hoon thought to himself, "Alright. For now, I need to focus on learning about the key figures of the Republic." Understanding the influential people around him was more urgent than knowing details about himself.
He decided to carefully study the list of important figures he needed to know.
**
Jae-hoon awoke and found himself back in his bedroom.
As his consciousness cleared, he recalled the contents of the book he had read in his dream with vivid clarity. Convinced it wasn't just a dream, he forced himself to smile.
"What's going on? Is it because I chose to change my path, or is there something else?"
If the consciousness from the dream was still connected to that library, there's nothing to fear. If I can access the necessary knowledge whenever I want, there's no limit to what I can achieve.
I could gain control over Rome and even bring about technological advancements hundreds of years ahead of their time.
Exaggeratedly speaking, I could become a god in this world.
However, his excitement was short-lived. Jae-hoon's elation faded by the end of the day.
He fell asleep again and entered the dream world, but this time something was amiss.
All the books were gone, leaving only one. The remaining book was the same one Jae-hoon had picked out in his previous dream.
He had hoped to create a technological revolution by accessing all sorts of books, but it seemed futile.
Still, he was relieved that he could continue with the first book he had chosen.
Is it fortunate?
"Could it be that I can only read one book at a time?"
Thinking rationally, it was unlikely that such an extraordinary ability could be used indefinitely.
Jae-hoon reflected on his situation.
I should have anticipated that there might be a limit on the number of books or the frequency with which I could use this ability before making a decisive choice.
But having only one restriction... that's absurd.
Of course, the ability to know all the details of future history would be a cheat-level advantage. This alone could propel someone to the top of Rome.
Still, I would have been much more cautious in selecting the first book if I had known it was a one-time opportunity.
No. I can't believe it's limited to just one book. There must be some conditions or rules I'm not aware of.
Jae-hoon had reviewed the situation but couldn't verify anything at the moment. He woke up from his dream and returned to reality, offering a bittersweet smile.
He felt regret for not having used the opportunity more wisely, but there was nothing he could do now.
Despite the setback, he still held an overwhelming advantage over anyone else.
What's left now is entirely up to me.
If I act impulsively, I'll achieve nothing. I need to be resolute and confident in my ability to change this era.
It may seem like everything is possible, but in reality, nothing is straightforward.
With no clear path to follow in an open future, Jae-hoon decided to see what impact his initial actions had.
"Septimus, where is the girl I brought?"
"She was very tired, so she bathed and is now resting."
"Good. May I see her?"
"Yes, I think it's a good idea. The girl seems unsettled because she doesn't understand why she's here. In fact, others are also confused since there are no guidelines on how to handle her. It's important to address this."
Jae-hoon nodded calmly. "I'm still assessing the situation."
He then went to see the girl alone. She was sitting up on the bed with a confused expression, as if she had just woken up.
Despite having just been washed, Jae-hoon could immediately recognize the girl.
Thanks to the proper nourishment, her skin, which had once looked lifeless, was now showing a healthier, though still pale, hue. She wore a long, white tunic that reached her ankles.
"The bruises on your body will heal with time, so don't worry. Can you understand me?" Jae-hoon asked.
The girl suddenly stood up and knelt before him. "I wasn't feeling well, so I was just lying down. I didn't mean to offend."
"There's no need to worry. I didn't mean to startle you."
"Thank you, merciful master."
"Forget about calling me merciful master. Just call me 'young master.'"
The girl spoke Latin with a decent, though somewhat rough, accent. Her eyes, filled with fear, gratitude, and anxiety, were fixed on Jae-hoon.
Clasping her trembling hands tightly, she gathered the courage to speak.
"Well, I'm good at cleaning and following instructions. Please don't hit me. I'll do everything you ask." She seemed to shrink back reflexively.
Did she think she would be punished for simply asking for a favor?
Jae-hoon, not knowing her full history, couldn't guess. He spoke softly, trying to reassure her.
"No one here will hit you. As the eldest son of this family, I guarantee it. Most of my family's slaves are professionals and are treated better than anywhere else."
In the girl's eyes, fear was replaced by a glimmer of hope. Her previously lifeless brown eyes began to show signs of life.
"Really... Thank you..."
"What's your name, by the way?"
"I was called Danae in my hometown. Here..."
"Then I'll call you Danae. It's a Greek name. Is your hometown west of Thrace?"
"Yes. It was almost on the border with Greece. I was captured as a slave there and... until now..." Tears welled up in Danae's eyes. While cases of being freed and then enslaved were common, they were deeply personal and painful for those affected.
"Do you have any desire to find your family again?"
"My parents are dead, and my younger brother, who was captured with me... He's probably dead by now. He was very weak."
"I see. So, how do you want to live in the future?"
"Yes? Of course, as a slave to my master... I never harbored any disrespectful thoughts. I really have no desire to escape or return to freedom!" Danae's face went pale, as if she feared she had been tested.
She had witnessed, and endured, the harsh treatment of slaves who desired freedom.
"Calm down. I asked because I want to know what you want to be."
"What kind of question is that? What do I want to be?"
"In this world, a slave is merely the property of their owner. But you must have been a person before. Now you refer to yourself as a tool."
"Because we are tools... right?"
Jae-hoon looked into her eyes. Her response was genuine, reflecting her true feelings rather than a forced answer.
The laws of this world were unyielding: the strong dominate, and the weak suffer.
In Rome, the hegemon of the Mediterranean, it was natural for the powerful to subjugate weaker countries and peoples. If the balance of power were reversed, those now suffering would likely act similarly.
"Do you really want to live like that? I'm offering you a choice now. Do you want to remain a slave, giving up your own thoughts and living only as you're told, or do you want to become someone who can seriously question the world?" Jae-hoon asked.
"Are you saying that if I want freedom, I can be freed...?"
"Not exactly. The truth is, you're at a crossroads right now. Your choice will determine your path."
Danae, puzzled by Jae-hoon's words, tilted her head. But that confusion was expected; he wasn't trying to make her understand just yet.
What Jae-hoon sought was to gauge her willingness to embrace his vision for change. He needed to see if people of this era were ready for the reforms he envisioned. There was no point in attempting change if those enslaved were resigned to their fate, ingrained with fear.
"What you choose to do doesn't matter as long as it keeps you safe and satisfied," he continued. "If you wish, I can provide you with the same education as the men. If you prove your worth, you could earn your freedom. But remember, you are a freed slave from Thrace and a woman. As you gain knowledge and broaden your perspective, you might find the world's harshness more difficult to bear. You might even wish you had stayed ignorant and comfortable."
"..."
"I'm not inclined to help those who simply wait for change to come from the sky. But if you want to become more than just an object..." A resolute declaration flowed from Jae-hoon's mouth. "I will change Rome. I'm not just talking about freeing slaves."
He didn't believe complete emancipation was feasible, nor did he have the intention to attempt it. His goal was to ensure that people were treated as human beings.
Changing how people were treated was only one part of the transformation Jae-hoon sought for Rome.
It is an undeniable truth that Western civilization leads the world in modern times, with Rome as its foundation. Whether in economy, politics, or society, if Rome changes, the world will follow.
"I-I am..." Danae's voice trembled.
Jae-hoon's words had shaken the very foundations of her world.
It wasn't mere bravado; the light in her eyes, which had been dimmed by cruel reality, returned. Her lips quivered as tears welled up and streamed down her face. Her sobs were a mix of emotions.
She cried out of resentment for her fate and the people who had enslaved her, relief at finding hope, and a deep yearning to live with dignity.
Jae-hoon gently patted her on the back. "I understand your response."
"I'm sorry... and thank you very much."
"I'll let you know what to do once you feel better. For now, focus on learning and expanding your horizons."
Danae hiccuped a few times and gradually stopped crying. "Um... I haven't heard your name yet. Everyone just calls you 'young master.'"
"My name?"
Jae-hoon slowly stood up, the blinding sunlight from the courtyard illuminating him.
He spoke his new name with a sense of resolve.
No longer Lee Jae-hoon, he had chosen a new identity for himself.
"Marcus Licinius Crassus. That is my name."
He abandoned his old name and embraced Marcus, resolved in his new identity. As he turned and left the room, he left behind a deep, burning resolve in Danae's heart.
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