[49] A new proposition

Senator Marcellus's invitation led Sophie and me to an opulent villa on the outskirts of New Rome, the site of a lavish party that catered to the city's elite. The villa was a decadent display of wealth and excess, with guests indulging in every imaginable luxury.

As we entered, the scene that greeted us was one of unrestrained debauchery. The air was thick with the scent of expensive wine and perfumes, while the sounds of laughter, music, and less discreet noises filled the space. People lounged on plush couches, some engaged in passionate embraces, others simply enjoying the company and the extravagant surroundings.

Sophie stayed close to me, her eyes wide at the spectacle around us. "This is... overwhelming," she murmured.

I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. "Stay close. These parties can be unpredictable. We're here for a reason."

We were quickly ushered into a private room, away from the hedonistic revelry. The room was elegantly furnished, a stark contrast to the chaos outside. Seated behind a lavish desk was a man who exuded authority and confidence.

"Welcome," he greeted, standing up. "I'm Senator Drusus, leader of the reform faction. I've heard much about you, the leader of the Sea Wolves mercenaries."

His introduction was courteous, but there was a calculating look in his eye. I cautiously declined his offer for a handshake, citing a minor injury as an excuse.

Drusus seemed unfazed by my refusal. "No matter. Let's get to the point. I require your cooperation, Mr. Wang."

I raised an eyebrow. "My cooperation? For what exactly?"

Drusus leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "The New Roman Empire is at a crossroads. The current regime is... lacking. My faction seeks to implement reforms, bring about change. But we need support, power that comes from outside the traditional political sphere."

I crossed my arms, assessing the man before me. "And you think the Sea Wolves can provide that power?"

"Precisely," Drusus replied, a hint of eagerness in his tone. "Your reputation precedes you. You have influence, capabilities that could be very useful to our cause."

Sophie glanced at me, her expression wary. I gave her a subtle nod, signaling that I was in control of the situation.

"And what's in it for us?" I asked, playing along.

Drusus smiled, a shark sensing its prey. "Wealth, of course. And influence. Align with us, and the Sea Wolves will have a powerful ally in the Senate. You could shape the future of the empire."

"So, you're planning a fking coup against the emperor?" I asked, keeping my voice level despite the bombshell he had just dropped.

Drusus nodded, a look of grim determination on his face. "Exactly. The current regime has led the New Roman Empire to the brink of collapse. It's time for a change, and I intend to be the catalyst."

"But players can respawn after 24 hours," I pointed out, trying to gauge the feasibility of his plan. "Killing the emperor won't solve your problem long-term."

He leaned back, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Ah, but there's more to it than just killing him. The moment the emperor falls, I will declare independence from the NRE and establish my own nation. I have enough support to get over 100,000 members to join me within a day. We'll break away the entire western part of the empire."

I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows at the audacity of his plan. "Your plan is insane. You realize that, right?"

Drusus let out a short laugh. "Insanity and genius are two sides of the same coin, my friend. I've been planning this for over a year. The empire is ripe for division, and I intend to capitalize on that."

"You've got balls, I'll give you that," I admitted. "But the Sea Wolves are only a thousand strong. The NRE army, on the other hand, is over a million."

He waved his hand dismissively. "Numbers can be deceiving. Only about a tenth of them are online at any given time. Plus, the soldiers are disgruntled due to low pay. I've managed to sway about 100,000 to my side. The rest are scattered and won't be able to mobilize quickly enough."

Drusus leaned forward, his eyes locking onto mine. "And let's not forget your ties with the Pirate League. With them on board, we could tip the scales in our favor."

I rubbed my chin, mulling over his words. "You're asking for a lot. This isn't just some power play; it's a full-blown revolution."

"Exactly," Drusus affirmed. "And revolutions are not won by the faint-hearted. They require bold moves, decisive action. With the Sea Wolves and the Pirate League, we can change the course of history."

I stood up, feeling the weight of his proposition. "I need to discuss this with the rest of the Sea Wolves. This is a massive undertaking, and I can't make this decision alone."

Drusus stood as well, extending his hand for a handshake, which I once again politely declined. "Of course, take your time. But remember, opportunities like this are fleeting. We must act while the iron is hot."

I remained noncommittal, weighing my words carefully. "It's a tempting offer, Senator. But the Sea Wolves don't align with just anyone. We'll need more than promises."

Drusus nodded, understanding the game. "Of course. I'm prepared to offer a substantial down payment as a show of good faith. Consider it a... retainer for your services."

I considered his proposal, aware of the potential risks and rewards. Aligning with a political faction in the NRE could be a powerful move, but it also came with its own dangers.

"We'll need to discuss this further," I said cautiously. "The Sea Wolves don't rush into agreements."

Drusus stood, extending his hand again, which I politely declined once more. "Very well, take your time. But don't take too long. Opportunities like this don't come around often."

"They sure don't." I said getting up. "You will have your reply in 24 hours. Good luck to us both."

"We'll need more then luck, Wang." Drusus's eyes narrowed as me and Sophie made our way to the door.

I opened the door then said: "We sure do."

I close the door.

Q: Would you take the risk in this situation?