The Sun Sets (2)
I sent the soldiers back to their respective legion bases to rest before launching the offensive.
But an unexpected problem held us back. The culprit plaguing us was a plague that had come from the east.
In every legion, the number of patients infected with the contagious disease surged rapidly, with dozens dying each day. We did our best to provide the troops with as much medicine and medical support as possible on short notice, but it wasn't enough to stem the epidemic.
With our legion's strength dwindling fast due to this nameless eastern plague, we had no choice but to postpone the planned offensive.
It was the perfect opportunity to punish the Sartia Tribe and Goti Tribe, but it was impossible to do anything with the army in such disarray.
I decided to report this situation to the emperor in the east.
Your Majesty,
As per your command, we prepared for a punitive war against the bandits who plundered the empire. However, an unforeseen pestilence has severely afflicted our troops. This does not seem the time to punish the barbarians.
— Ain
I wrote the letter with a heavy heart.
But before I could even dispatch it, ill tidings arrived from the east.
"What? His Majesty has... what?"
"His Majesty has passed away."
The news hit me like a bolt from the blue in the dead of night. I was stunned.
The emperor was dead.
The courier said the cause was "overwork," but I couldn't believe it. Marius was old, yes, but healthy enough to lead a campaign in person. Things had been busy lately, but how could this happen?
I was dumbfounded, and at the same time, gripped by fear. With defeats on the battlefield and barbarian incursions throwing the entire empire into chaos, a power vacuum now emerged. One misstep, and power struggles could erupt within the empire once more.
I hurriedly summoned Rikius.
"You called for me, sir?"
He assumed I had some task for him, his face as composed as ever. But that composure shattered soon after hearing my words.
"Rikius, listen carefully. His Majesty has passed."
"Pardon? The emperor has... died?"
"Yes."
"How could such a thing..."
"I don't know the details. But the empire is in crisis now—that much is certain. What do you think our enemies will do if they learn of His Majesty's death?"
Rikius swallowed hard.
"We must crown a successor emperor quickly, before the empire descends into chaos."
"Is there a suitable candidate?"
I bit my lip.
"No one I consider the best choice."
"Then perhaps Your Excellency should ascend the throne."
"That's out of the question."
I shook my head.
One thing was certain: I could never become emperor. If I did now, it would doom the empire.
As the head of the Praetorian Guard, becoming emperor would force me to favor the Guard politically. Such favoritism would breed discord across the empire.
Of course, treating the Guard well might solve that.
But if their leader became emperor and they gained nothing from it, the Guard would grow resentful. Human nature demands reward for such loyalty.
Eventually, someone would exploit that resentment to challenge me. Was unstable rule like that beneficial for the empire's future?
Better for me to remain behind the throne as an advisor.
Rikius stared at me squarely after my refusal.
"Do you intend to hand the throne to the Senate?"
I shook my head.
"We can't give it to the Senate. They lost the right to choose an emperor when they elevated Velius."
"Then what do you plan to do?"
"I intend to elevate one of Emperor Marius's blood kin."
"His blood kin... You don't mean his cousin Alexius, do you?"
"Exactly."
"Sir! Alexius is barely out of boyhood—he hasn't even undergone his coming-of-age ceremony."
"I know. But he's still better than anyone the Senate might crown."
"No one will accept a boy like that as emperor."
"We'll make them accept it. Circulate manifestos to the northern legions in the troops' name, proclaiming Alexius. The Senate won't dare refuse. The Guard will follow my lead."
"Sir, is it really necessary to go that far?"
Rikius looked baffled, unable to comprehend.
Even now, if I wished, I could seize the throne.
But I didn't want it. Not unless it served the empire's future—and right now, it didn't.
"That's my decision. Will you stand with me?"
Rikius bit his lip for a moment.
"Rikius."
As I called his name again, he bowed his head.
"I will follow Your Excellency's will."
"Thank you."
I clapped his shoulder.
The next day, I summoned Erenia and informed her of my intent to place Alexius on the throne. She looked a bit angry at my decision.
"You promised to consult me on important matters."
"I did. But this concerns the empire's fate. Forgive me."
Erenia lightly pushed my arm off her shoulder.
"Let go."
"You're upset."
I was at a loss how to soothe her pouty lips.
"How can I not be, when the man I trust speaks out of both sides of his mouth?"
"What will it take to make you forgive me?"
"Make a promise. Two this time, not one."
"Two?"
An ominous feeling stirred in me.
Erenia spoke in a slightly curt tone.
"If you don't like it, forget it."
"Very well. I promise. Now tell me what they are."
"First, let me decide Lucrecia's future."
Lucrecia?
I recalled the orphan girl we'd taken in at Bellgorod. Erenia had been looking after her.
Not a difficult request.
"Agreed."
"Not just decide—make it happen, whatever I choose."
I swallowed dryly.
"For example?"
"If I say make her empress, you do it."
"That's a bit much, isn't it?"
As I protested mildly, Erenia crossed her arms.
"You broke the promise first."
Ugh.
I hesitated, then gave conditional assent.
"Fine. But I can only promise to help—success isn't guaranteed."
"Good enough."
Erenia conceded a step.
"And the other?"
"Publicly recognize me as your wife."
I smiled bitterly.
It was only right.
Politically, a barbarian wife offered no advantage, of course.
"So be it."
"You really promise?"
Surprised by my ready agreement, Erenia beamed as if her anger had never been.
"Yes."
Her mood lifted; she kissed my cheek and hummed a tune.
Thanks to my promise to Erenia, the throne felt even more distant. An emperor with a barbarian wife? The empire's people would never accept it.
Erenia, unaware of their prejudice against a barbarian empress, hadn't considered it deeply. But I knew better.
In the capital, at least, they might pelt me with eggs at my coronation.
I finished my meal of bread and soup Erenia brought, then prepared to depart for the capital. To enthrone the new emperor, I had to return as swiftly as possible.
I mounted my horse amid Erenia's farewell.
The emperor's death was a top-secret matter, known only to a handful: his secretary and guards from his side, the Eastern Army commander, a few provincial governors, and some slaves who attended him. Rikius and I were now added to that list.
I informed the northern legions' key commanders of the death and ordered strict secrecy until my signal.
If word leaked before preparations, the already chaotic legions and borders—plagued by disease—could collapse.
With measures in place, I set off for the capital with a small retinue. I brought no separate army because the Praetorian legions were stationed nearby. As their commander, a word from me would suffice.
Most of the Guard had deployed east with Marius, but the garrison left behind was enough to overawe the capital.
With no active legions on the empire's heartland, a few hundred men could enforce my will.
Upon arriving at the Praetorian camp near the capital, the Guard soldiers knelt to greet me.
"The empire's black eagles salute Commander Excellency!"
I dismounted and saluted across my chest.
"It's good to see you too. Battalion commander!"
"Yes, sir."
"To the barracks for now."
"Yes, sir."
The sole Praetorian battalion commander left in the capital, Riktus, a veteran frontier officer turning forty this year, hurried after me.
He had transferred from the Briton legions during my Praetorian reorganization and risen meteorically.
As I took the commander's seat, Riktus stood before me.
I lowered my voice.
"You may not have heard yet, but His Majesty has passed."
"What? His Majesty has...?"
"Keep it down."
"S-sorry."
Riktus looked flustered. Even a stern soldier of stone-faced discipline couldn't stay unmoved by the emperor's death.
"Since you didn't know, the news hasn't reached the capital yet."
"Or the Senate may be keeping it secret."
"Possible."
It might seem odd not to inform the Guard right away, but sensitive news spreading instantly would be stranger. Hadn't Emperor Baccus's death been delayed too?
I interlaced my fingers.
Riktus glanced at me before speaking.
"Perhaps Your Excellency intends to—"
"No such plans."
"But when the news breaks, the Guard will acclaim you."
Of course they would. The northern legions too. But I didn't want that.
"Instead..."
"I plan to elevate Alexius."
"Alexius—His Majesty's cousin?"
"Yes."
Riktus's face hardened.
The teenage novice inspired no confidence as emperor.
He'd held posts like capital magistrate and consul young, thanks to imperial favor, but those were brief hats—hardly real experience.
Only ignorant slaves would count them as credentials.
"Crowning him will cause uproar."
"I know. That's why I've acted ahead. The northern commanders will begin acclaiming him on my order."
"Using northern army backing?"
"Exactly."
Riktus pondered briefly.
"What then for us?"
"March into the capital on my command. Give the Senate's old men a hint before they start squirming to crown someone."
"Yes, sir."
"One more thing."
"Your orders."
"Secure Alexius before word leaks. If assassins learn I'm backing him for emperor, they might strike."
"Understood. We'll prepare thoroughly."
Riktus saluted across his chest.
I nodded and leaned back in the chair. I'd moved coolly, feigning calm, but my heart was leaden. The emperor I'd trusted and relied on.
He wasn't just a puppet I'd enthroned—he was a comrade who understood me and strove to defend the empire. No green boy I crowned could match Marius in insight or support.
Heavy.
So unbearably heavy.
The burden of the empire's tomorrow now rested fully on my shoulders.
As Riktus left, I closed my eyes and shed silent tears.
(To be continued)