The Epic of Victor: Reborn as a Slave of a War Goddess.

The agreement with the siblings had gone smoother than expected, but it was Amalia's fiery intervention that truly left Victor with lingering thoughts. Her sharp insights into business revealed the gaps in his own approach. "Why should I assume all the debt myself?" he mused as the wheels of his plan began to turn. "Why not renegotiate for better terms, save funds for urgent needs, and maximize short-term advantages?"

The ideas unfurled like a map in his mind. "If I modularize the shipbuilding process, spreading tasks among carpenters and apprentices, I could accelerate production and still complete the first ship by month's end." With this clarity, Victor made his decision. He would go to House Cinna. But not unprepared.

Victor summoned his cohors familiaris, the elite guards of the Dominatus household. Their entrance from the villa was nothing short of theatrical. Clad in violet-red tunics embroidered with black wolves encircled by laurel wreaths, their black paludamenta cloaks billowed in the wind. Polished iron armor gleamed under the sun, bearing the household motto: Sanguine et Gloria!

The guards marched in perfect formation, their feathered crests swaying in unison. Recruited from the finest legions, these men had seen battle, earning both fear and respect in Mariana. As their boots hit the cobbled streets, silence followed them, the townsfolk stepping aside in awe.

Riding at the center of the formation, Victor turned to Vesperus, his trusted retinue.

- I'll need you to act as my spokesperson once again. 

Victor said, his tone firm yet contemplative.

- Our family holds no sway over the Cinnas; my father and uncle kept them at a careful distance. They're clever but cautious. I'll observe during the first half of the meeting, then step in when I've gauged their position. At a minimum, we aim to renegotiate the debt down to 250,000 sestertii. Ideally, we'll secure a long-term contract to repay it through ships at production cost.

Vesperus hesitated, then nodded, though his expression betrayed unease.

- I will do as you command, but tread carefully, Victor. Livius Cinna is no fool, nor is his daughter. They are calculating and ruthless, true predators in the political arena. Their reputation is well-earned; some say they prefer their meals served cold.

Victor chuckled, amused by his companion's solemnity.

- We're going to negotiate, not wage war, Vesperus. Don't be so grim. 

But Vesperus, his gaze fixed on the distant Cinna villa, muttered under his breath,

- When has business in Rome ever been separate from war?

Victor adjusted the clasp of his dark purple cloak as his horse came to a halt before the gates of the Cinna villa. Perched on a hill overlooking Mariana, the estate radiated an aura of dominance. From here, one could see the sprawling city below and the glistening expanse of the sea beyond.

The gates, towering and wrought of black iron, bore the crest of House Cinna: an eagle with wings outstretched, clutching a thunderbolt in one talon and an olive branch in the other. A silent declaration, peace or destruction, as they saw fit.

Victor dismounted, his boots crunching against the gravel. Two guards flanked the gate, their bronze cuirasses gleaming, each etched with the eagle emblem. Their stoic silence added to the tension until a centurion stepped forward to announce him.

- Here I present Victor Dominatus, seventh son of the Dominatus House, Sword of Mariana, and apprentice to the mad wolf of corsica. He seeks peaceful negotiations with the esteemed House Cinna.

With a synchronized clang of spears, the guards stepped aside.

The path to the villa was a testament to power and wealth. Cypress trees cast dappled shadows on the marble walkway, while statues of Roman gods lined the path. Mars seemed to glare at visitors, Minerva's shield tilted in readiness, and Jupiter loomed as if poised to strike trespassers with his thunderbolt.

Victor smirked at the display, murmuring,

- Religious fervor or an elaborate intimidation tactic?

Regardless, the villa itself was breathtaking. Its ivory-white marble walls shone brilliantly in the sun, crowned by crimson tiles. Corinthian columns stretched skyward, their intricate capitals resembling waves frozen mid-swell.

At the portico, Victor paused to examine the mosaic embedded in the floor: an eagle descending upon a coiled serpent. The imagery was clear, dominance through intelligence and force.

The bronze doors groaned open, revealing an interior that was no less grand. The air was cool, scented faintly with cedar and myrrh. Frescoes of naval victories and conquests adorned the walls, while mosaics of gods and ships spanned the floors.

A servant in muted grey approached, bowing deeply.

- The Cinna family awaits you in the atrium, Dominus Victor. Please follow me.

Victor adjusted his cloak, his mind sharpening. Every step deeper into the villa was a step closer to the lion's den.