Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

"However, I can't just let you go for nothing. In return, you need to do something for me..."

"I will never betray my companions or abandon us, the people of the mountains!"

"Don't worry, it's just a simple message for me on the way back."

"…Um?"

“Tell the old man of the mountain that there is an old friend of Uruk who misses him very much…”

Samael spoke in a low, slow tone, his eyes darting around, his expression meaningful.

"...!"

Upon hearing this, Jingmi's eyelids twitched, and a tidal wave of emotion surged in her eyes.

"Alright, that's all. You can go now. The door's open. You should know the way back, right? I don't need to personally escort you, do I?"

After saying this, Samael waved his hand dismissively and tossed the bone mask to the little girl by the bedside, as if to say, "See you out."

After a moment of hesitation, Jingmi got out of bed and carefully walked towards the open door. However, just as she was about to step out of the door, a deep male voice suddenly came from behind her.

"Wait, we can't let you come all this way for nothing. Put this on!"

The moment the short-haired purple girl turned around instinctively, a jet-black snake scale, strung together with a thin rope, engraved with runes, and emitting a ghostly glow, was thrown into her arms.

The moment this thing touched my skin, a wonderful coolness flowed through my whole body, and the pent-up frustration in my chest for many years seemed to be washed away. The inexplicable feeling of comfort made Jingmi involuntarily let out a pleasant murmur.

When the purple-haired girl realized her lapse in composure, she immediately tensed her face, lowered her head, and hurriedly turned to run away.

However, he stumbled and almost tripped over the threshold.

You, the future Hassan, do you kill by adoring your opponent to death? No wonder Old Wang had to take action personally; it seems your entire class is utterly incompetent.

Samael suppressed a laugh, sighed helplessly, and then put on a stern face to give a reminder.

"That snake scale is imbued with a trace of my poisonous power, and the runes on it also have a purifying effect, which can effectively suppress the uncontrollable toxins in your body."

When we first met, I could smell the poison on you from afar. Assassination is a skill; don't learn the wrong way from those who like to go all out. Before you draw your weapon and are confident you can kill with one blow, learn to conceal and master your weapon, lest you expose yourself before you even harm the enemy.

Quiet as a chick pecking at rice, she nodded repeatedly involuntarily, unconsciously feeling as if she were facing not an assassination target, but a teacher who had carefully guided her.

A strange sense of familiarity made the purple-haired girl linger at the door for a long time, her hesitant gaze frequently glancing at Samael at the table, and she hesitated several times before speaking.

"What is it now? Just say what you want to say, I'm not going to eat you!"

Samael glanced up at the assassin and gave a curt snort.

After a moment of quiet hesitation, she mustered her courage, raised her little head, and slowly opened her mouth, her eyes full of hope.

"Can I...can I hug you?"

ha?

Samael was stunned upon hearing this.

Chapter Fifty-Six: The Explosive Elephant Tribe

As night fell, Samael, standing before the gate, subconsciously touched his left cheek, which still retained a trace of warmth. Gazing at the high wall at the end of the palace, he couldn't help but shake his head helplessly.

Does she see me as a friend? What an immature little girl.

But thinking about it, it's understandable. A little girl growing up in the twisted environment of an assassin group, limited by her own toxins, is alienated and rejected, so she always longs to be loved and close.

Sure enough, those who had just discovered the ability to resist her poison couldn't help but flock to her. This level of control could be considered easy or even impossible. If one could survive being touched by her once, with a little effort, they could be subdued.

But then again, such an overly emotional child is not really suited to be a cold-blooded killer.

Old Wang, I don't know about your teaching methods, but your eye for choosing successors is definitely problematic!

Well, this little girl isn't qualified to be an assassin of Hassan's caliber, but she's more than capable of being a messenger.

Samael muttered a few words. Having not slept all night, he felt a little tired. He then went out onto the porch, stretched his muscles, and invigorated himself as the sun rose above the horizon.

"Your Highness, the troops have assembled and are stationed at the military camp outside the city, awaiting your inspection and orders."

However, Samael didn't have much time to spare before a messenger rushed in to report.

"Very good, I'll be there right away. Have the legion commander prepare the list of personnel and supplies to be counted. I need to review it immediately. Also, notify the Pantheon and give them two hours to have 500 priests and 1000 magicians assemble at the military camp outside the city and await orders!"

The ancient serpent nodded in satisfaction, handed the signed warrant to the messenger, and then hurriedly returned to the council chamber to complete the handover of government affairs and bid farewell.

Two hours later, Samael, holding the gun of nation-building, arrived alone at the military camp.

As for Brunhilde, Samael deliberately kept her by Nero's side, along with Boudica's eldest daughter, to guard against any unforeseen events.

After all, the Roman Empire was now besieged on three sides. In order to maintain the various fronts, Samael not only mobilized the resources of the whole country, but also drew most of the more than 100,000 garrison troops guarding Rome from the four provinces directly under the Pantheon.

Now, the city of seven hills is quite weak, so to be on the safe side, he naturally had to leave Nero some reliable personal guards and bodyguards.

In the event of an attack, Nero could at least retreat calmly and await his return.

After reviewing the details that needed attention and the problems that could be thought of, Samael was relieved to have done his best. He then picked up the register from his tent and began to assess the entire army.

After a thorough inspection, both overt and covert, Samael was quite satisfied with the quality and morale of the troops.

The hastily assembled force numbered approximately 50,000, comprising two reinforced legions, all rapidly drawn from two provinces near Rome.

Because of long-term warfare with foreign tribes and the imminent threat of external enemies, a strong army is the foundation for the stability of the country. Therefore, even in relatively stable garrison units, there is no significant shortage of troops. Most soldiers are well-trained, fully equipped, and their words and actions exude a sense of competence.

However, when Samael noticed the legion commander's name, he slapped his forehead, his eyes revealing a sudden understanding.

Pompey! I almost forgot about him!

This was a famous Roman military and political leader, known for his bravery, integrity, and historical achievements. He conquered Africa, eradicated Mediterranean pirates, and conquered Turkey and Syria.

Syria? Türkiye?

Isn't it perfect that we're both in Mesopotamia? It's a perfect match for my skills, you're the one!

Among the outstanding heroes of early Rome, Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus are known as the First Triumvirate, while Mark Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus are known as the Second Triumvirate.

Crassus suffered a defeat in Parthia, where he was killed in battle and his head was cut off, filled with gold, leaving him utterly disgraced.

Lepidus lost to Pompey's son, Pompey the Younger, in Sicily, and Octavian seized power from him.

Therefore, the military achievements of these two were somewhat lackluster, while the other four, except for Caesar who was far away in Greece, Pompey, Mark Antony, and Octavian were all assigned to positions according to their respective specialties.

At this unexpected joy, Samael's frustration was slightly relieved, and he summoned the future renowned Roman military general to inquire about the military strategy for this battle.

Fortunately, this general was nearing middle age, and his military talent and energy were at their peak.

His fair and rigorous analysis and advice, along with his familiarity with the Persian Empire, led Samael to immediately decide to entrust Pompey with full command of the army.

He was responsible for providing backup, and could serve as a backup plan if necessary.

After all, war skills are largely dependent on talent.

Samael was quite adept at using small units, but when it came to large-scale battles involving hundreds of thousands of troops, his skill level was only so-so, certainly not as good as those veteran generals.

Moreover, not to mention factors such as geographical environment, military organization, and enemy-friend analysis, these Roman generals, who had fought against foreign enemies for more than a decade, completely overwhelmed Samael, this god.

It is important for people to have self-awareness. In such a national war that determines the life or death of Rome, it is best to leave it to those who are more qualified.

By noon, when Pompey had skillfully assembled his troops and was marching methodically toward the eastern defense line, Samael, who was sitting in a carriage and quietly hiding, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He had done all he could; the rest was up to the Romans' own fate.

Hopefully, it's not too late...

The ancient snake peered through the doors and windows, gazing into the distance for a moment before lowering the curtain, leaning against the carriage, closing its eyes to rest and recover its energy.

With the magician's assistance, the army marched day and night, advancing rapidly, and in just seven days reached the border wilderness bordering the Persian Empire.

Click!

Dozens of miles away, the outer fortress of the tenth province, built according to the terrain, had its dimly lit magical barrier shattered under the baptism of a series of ritual incantations, revealing large gaps in its walls.

Boom!

In an instant, the sky turned fiery red, forming a magic circle that stretched for hundreds of meters. Then, like a meteorite from outer space, a burning boulder flew out and slammed into the wall. Amidst the violent tremors, large chunks of rock crumbled, and half of the two connected bastions collapsed.

Soldiers who couldn't escape were buried under rubble and bricks in the billowing smoke and dust.

In an instant, wails filled the air, blood splattered everywhere, and twisted limbs and mangled human figures were everywhere.

The centurions, who had been huddled under the battlements to avoid the magical bombardment, immediately shook off the dust and ran around calling to the surrounding soldiers to reorganize their lines once the roaring stopped.

The equally disheveled magicians and priests squeezed out their last bit of strength to heal the wounded and repair the magical barriers.

However, before the defenders on the city wall could recover, the ground trembled violently. From the vast, dark Persian army, war elephants with black bodies covered in red and black magical runes, driven by the soldiers, roared furiously, bared their large tusks, and charged towards the city wall.

The hastily assembled Roman garrison fired two scattered volleys of arrows, which were easily deflected by the tough hides of these hundreds of monsters. Even the magician's spell bullets could only leave white marks.

Meanwhile, several Persian soldiers on the elephant saddle returned fire from the same height, causing considerable trouble for the defenders and further complicating the situation.

boom!

In an instant, hundreds of roaring war elephants, amidst the tremors of the earth, marched with heavy, powerful strides, like high-speed land tanks, and with a flash of red and black runes on their bodies, crashed heavily into the city wall that had previously been cracked by the meteorite.

Boom boom boom!

Instantly, the towering, solid walls collapsed in sections under the onslaught of the elephants, creating huge gaps that stretched across the defensive line, leaving the city's gates wide open.

War elephants charged into the city, their tusks sweeping across, shattering defensive fortifications like chevaux-de-frise and deer antlers. Several fearless hundred-man squads, having rallied to advance, were trampled and sent flying one by one before these ferocious behemoths. Crimson blood flowed freely, and shattered limbs and scattered organs flew everywhere, turning the area below the city into a bloody slaughterhouse.

Meanwhile, the 100,000-strong Persian army gathered at the forefront roared with cheers like a landslide and a tsunami, pressing forward cruelly and resolutely.

A drizzle of arrows rained down on the Persians outside the city, but the leading soldier, dressed in black armor, masked, and wielding a scimitar and iron shield, remained unfazed even after being hit by several arrows. He simply pulled out the arrows and continued advancing as if nothing had happened.

The Undying Army!

The Roman soldiers guarding the city walls were pale-faced and their eyes showed despair.

This fortress is finished...

Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Roar of the War God!

At this moment, outside the city fortress.

A burly, dark-skinned man, over three meters tall and with a fierce and imposing appearance, sat atop a black war elephant. His magnificent golden armor and gold ornaments accentuated his noble and extraordinary bearing.

Seeing that the Roman defenses had been breached by the magician troops and war elephants, and that the enemy was now in chaos, the burly leader, his eyes gleaming, was moved. He waved to the black-clad, masked, and solemn-looking troops in front of him, and they advanced.

"Your Majesty, why trouble your personal guards? We have plenty of brave warriors willing to be your vanguard and conquer territories for you!"

The older general, Meng Nong, spurred his warhorse forward, pounded his chest with his right fist, and generously volunteered for battle.

"No need. The Romans' will to defend the city has not been completely broken. The quality of our ordinary soldiers is far inferior to that of these well-trained Roman legions. Throwing them into fierce street fighting would cause a lot of casualties. In that case, it would be better to let my personal guard completely crush their hopes."

Darius III, the Persian king in charge of leading the army, looked at his trusted general under the war elephants, patiently explained, and tactfully declined his request to fight.

Upon hearing this, the old general moved his lips, but ultimately sighed helplessly in his heart.

In war, people inevitably die. Being overly concerned about the survival of each individual soldier can actually hinder a commander's control over the overall situation.

After decades of getting along, he had basically seen through this emperor. He was gentle and kind, and although he was physically imposing and had a fierce appearance, earning him the reputation of a warrior, he was not a person who was good at fighting.

As a monarch, he was fair and compassionate, and exceptionally sincere and loyal to those who supported him. He was a responsible and loving father-like leader.

However, as a military commander, he was easily exhilarated and easily discouraged, and was easily influenced by his emotions. He was too compassionate and weak towards both the enemy and his own people, which were undoubtedly fatal flaws.

For example, General Meng Nong did not quite approve of the radical and somewhat risky move of deploying the Undying Army into the city ahead of schedule to reduce the pressure of the assault.

The Immortals, as one of the few elite forces that Persia could muster, played a role in stabilizing morale and mobilizing troops, serving as the backbone of the army.

Now, in order to reduce so-called casualties, it is really a waste of resources to disperse most of them into street fighting with the Romans defending the city. It will only increase the instability of the army outside the city and may even put ourselves in danger.

After all, a veteran who had spent a long time in the military knew better than anyone the level of the ordinary Persian soldiers below him.

They relied too much on the power of the immortals and the gods, and were inferior to the Roman legions in both fighting spirit and combat skills.

This explains why, despite possessing tens of thousands of elite immortal soldiers and training a large number of magicians, the Persian Empire could only fight the Roman Empire to a standstill.

There's no way around it; we have too few elite soldiers and too many mediocre ones.

Surely Persia couldn't possibly conquer and rule the entire Roman Empire with just a few tens of thousands of Immortals?

Forget it, since the higher-ups have already made a decision and issued military orders, forcibly changing things on the spot would only create chaos.

In this battle, Your Majesty's premature deployment of the Immortals and heavy elephants was somewhat hasty, but with the Roman fortress already breached and our army holding a decisive advantage, this minor flaw in the final stages is insignificant.

"Woo!"

Just as the old general was pondering and gradually calming down, a series of desolate bugle calls suddenly echoed, and a large amount of eerie blood light shot straight into the sky, dyeing the sky a tragic crimson. The twisting and changing clouds gathered into a giant wearing armor and holding a spear, roaring and howling towards the battlefield engulfed in flames.