"Please convey to my son the final words of an unworthy father—
'My son, the name Lista is a symbol of our family, passed down only to the eldest sons through generations.'
'My son, even though our family has fallen from the blessings of the ages, I can die as a warrior without regrets.
If Gracchus hasn't deceived me, the honor and name of our family will be restored in this generation.
You are my pride and my last concern.'
'My son, take up my weapons, inherit it all, and live well.
This is all I can leave you.'"
But in the end, in reality, the boy never accepted his father's final wish.
He abandoned the honor and simply wanted to return to an ordinary life.
Perhaps that wasn't such a bad thing…
Finally, the boy's gaze grew complicated as he said, "No one would reject Aureus (gold coins).
Forget about the honor, but I'll gladly accept the money.
If it hasn't been embezzled by you lot…
That's all there is to it. You can leave now. There's nothing here worth your attention anymore."
With that, the boy slammed the door shut.
With the loud bang, Night knew that a father had been abandoned by his child forever.
But that father, in his own way, continued to shine and protect his child even in death.
However—
The honor that man treasured, the honor he spent his whole life trying to reclaim for his family, was now discarded like worthless trash.
Will it all just be buried forever in the sands of time?
Perhaps in the original timeline, Carl never managed to fulfill his final wish, and even though he did in this one, it ultimately became nothing more than a fleeting dream.
Night murmured, "…Lista, huh."
He remembered that Carl mentioned one last thing—apparently, the name originated as a title granted by a god to a hero.
It symbolized someone who had conquered the storm and loneliness.
Now, as someone who stood alone, there was nothing more fitting.
'I won't let this name disappear…'
For Rome in this era, my original name feels somewhat out of place.
So let 'Night' become the family name, a name that will become the most respected in future Rome.
From now on, I am Night…
Lista Night Magnus!
Translated, it means the great one who has conquered the storm and loneliness! If everyone has forgotten you, then let them all remember it anew through me.
Years from now, when someone mentions Night's full name, they'll think of…
The 39 souls who roared and raged at the Ebro River! Fighting for freedom and dignity—that will be enough.
Soon after, Night reunited with Tiberius at Night's new residence in Rome—a villa arranged using Tiberius's personal assets.
After dismissing all the servants, leaving only Night and Tiberius alone…
After learning about the situation from Night,
Tiberius said, "...I see. The Senate was already considering whether to grant you a noble title."
"Their proposal is for you to directly marry into an established noble family.
I know you dislike those hypocritical, decaying old men.
Since that child has abandoned the 'Lista' honor, he has also avoided the dangers that come with bearing that name.
Perhaps that's not such a bad thing…
He's already lost his father, and without anyone to look after him, entering the power struggles of Rome's upper class would be extremely dangerous.
At the next Senate meeting, I can suggest making you the child's godfather in name, so you can smoothly inherit the name of Lista."
....
Tiberius Gracchus made this proposal, thinking it might be a good solution.
He knew that Night wasn't interested in the nobility's status.
And with his strength and achievements, Night would soar to the top eventually, even without relying on anyone.
On the contrary, inheriting the name Lista would not only protect Carl's child but also continue an honor that would otherwise be lost.
....
Night: "A godfather… fine.
But let's not talk about my issue anymore.
Tell me about the preparations you've been making lately."
...
He had let Gracchus use his family's influence and take action over the past few days…
He knew what Gracchus was planning but had no intention of stopping him.
Tiberius was surprised.
"You already know what I intend to do?"
But given how composed and sharp Night always seemed, it wasn't surprising after all.
He had no intention to hide anything, or rather—after going through that breathtaking adventure together and being one of the only two survivors, Tiberius had absolute trust in Night.
The kind of trust where you could entrust your back to someone…
What he was about to do was extremely dangerous, so dangerous that anyone could betray him at any moment, putting him in a situation from which there would be no escape.
But Tiberius felt no fear; just as he had once said, there are things more terrifying than death;that is, when heroes are forgotten.
To ensure that such things never happen again, he was determined to completely change Rome.
And the real reason he made this decision wasn't because of anyone else, but because of those brothers who shared hardships with him at the Ebro River.
It was Night and Carl who gave him the courage.
Because of that adventure, Tiberius became even more determined and radical.
At this, moment, there was a fire burning in his chest, a fire that would set Rome ablaze.
And so,
He took a deep breath and suddenly said something astonishing to Night:
"I want to implement reforms! Completely reshape Rome's laws!"
Straight to the point, dropping a bombshell right from the start.
However, after saying this, he noticed that Night didn't seem surprised.
Tiberius was momentarily taken aback—why did it seem like Night had already expected this?
A strange feeling rose in his heart.
But, never mind… that didn't matter anymore.
He needed Night's help.
For that, he had to convince Night to join him in this massive reform.
He knew what he was about to do was incredibly naïve and dangerous, and emotionally, he didn't want to drag Night into this madness with him.
But rationally, he desperately needed a powerful person to stand behind him as a shield.
So—
Taking a deep breath, having already prepared himself for either rejection or acceptance,
Tiberius Gracchus continued, "Do you remember the Third Punic War, Night?"
"Of course. Are you saying the idea for such bold reforms came to you during that time?"
Tiberius nodded and then began to slowly explain everything.
....