Chapter 109: Intrigue (5)
The whale was widely known as a monster created by Poseidon, the god of the sea. Its overwhelming size and strength were more than enough to inspire awe in anyone who beheld it.
Splash!
As the crowd drew closer, the whale trapped in the shallow water thrashed its tail with mighty force.
“Whoa!”
The spectators who had come to see the whale gasped in admiration as the spray drenched them.
I felt a shiver of awe myself at the sight of the ten-meter beast. The black-and-white killer whale looked like the incarnation of death itself. Just gazing at it made my gut clench. If I encountered one of those in open water, I wouldn't even dream of trying to take it down.
Orca—a large dolphin measuring 6 to 10 meters.
The creature was even more formidable than the tales had suggested.
But even this monstrous brute was now confined to a tiny puddle, helplessly awaiting man's judgment.
I stared at the whale for a moment before turning to my soldiers.
“Throw the harpoons.”
The men hesitated, then hurled their harpoons at the whale's body. But perhaps overawed by the beast, they kept missing. Even with all their strength, the spears barely pierced the whale's thick hide—if at all. A casual toss was utterly useless.
Praetorian Battalion Commander Riktus finally lost patience and stepped forward himself.
Thud-thud.
He dashed across the mud-slick tidal flat exposed by the receding tide and flung his harpoon with full force.
Thwack!
This time, it sank deep.
Bang! Bang!
Pain-wracked, the whale thrashed wildly in the cramped pool. Crimson blood poured out like a man's.
“Keep throwing.”
I ordered the soldiers to rain harpoons on it relentlessly.
As the whale convulsed in frenzy, the emperor spoke up.
“Do we really have to kill this monster?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. This beast is the sacrifice offered to the gods on your behalf today. Just like the wild animals that die in the arena.”
“Ah.”
The emperor seemed to grasp it from my brief explanation.
While we talked, more harpoons embedded themselves in the whale's flesh. It bucked madly, spraying blood and water in all directions.
In the chaos, several onlookers abandoned their soaked clothes.
I waited for the whale to tire.
“This one's unusually huge compared to the beasts we see on land.”
“Indeed. It's far larger than lions or elephants could ever be. If Your Majesty claims the honor of slaying it, the empire's people will rethink their views of your courage and majesty.”
“But...”
The emperor still seemed frightened by the dying monster.
Of course, a whale was a whale even in death. It wasn't easy for a teenage boy to face one head-on.
But this was political theater.
One thing was non-negotiable: the emperor delivering the killing blow at the end.
I persuaded him.
“I understand your fear, Your Majesty. Even I'm trembling, my legs heavy at the sight. But the troops have already done the hard work. No matter how mighty the beast, when it's down to its last breath, how could it stand against you?”
“Still...”
“If it worries you that much, I'll stand right beside you. The Praetorians will wait behind. If it so much as twitches, I'll shield you and call them in to finish it.”
At my promise, the emperor hesitated, then nodded.
He was an ordinary boy riddled with fears, yet he harbored a boy's ambition to achieve what his peers could not.
With his consent, I ordered the soldiers to pace their harpoons. If they drained too much blood and killed it outright, the spectacle would fall flat.
I watched the whale gush blood, timing it perfectly.
Pffft!
Bloody froth erupted from its blowhole at last.
It was on the brink now.
I drew my sword and offered it to the emperor.
“Deliver the final strike, Your Majesty. Show the empire's citizens your triumph over the monster.”
“Alright.”
The emperor took my blade.
To ease his nerves, I positioned myself at his side.
As we approached, the beast was all but spent, faintly spraying diluted blood with each breath.
The emperor paused before it, then mustered his courage and stabbed at its forehead.
But the tough hide blunted the boy's strike. When the whale twitched, he jumped back.
“Aim for the eye, Your Majesty.”
I advised quickly.
Cautiously circling to the side, the emperor thrust at the tiny eye with all his might.
Wham!
Suddenly surging with strength, the whale flailed. The startled emperor stumbled back. Blood streamed from its eye as it writhed a few more times before going still.
I approached and pressed a hand to its body, confirming it was dead.
Guiding the emperor closer, I hoisted him up and set him atop its back.
Then I bellowed,
“His Imperial Majesty has slain the monster sent by the gods, the orca! Salute the courage of our emperor, who has offered Poseidon a worthy sacrifice!”
“The Praetorian Guard salutes His Majesty's courage!”
The guards dropped to their knees in unison.
The crowd followed suit, one by one.
Seeing this, I shouted louder,
“Long live Emperor Alexius! Glory to the empire that honors the gods!”
As I knelt, a triumphant gleam lit the young emperor's face. Standing over the monster that had terrified him moments ago seemed to bolster his confidence.
He patted the blood-soaked back, then signaled he wanted down.
To let him dismount with dignity, I summoned slaves.
They bent low beneath the whale, forming steps, and the emperor stepped down on their backs.
“How was the monster hunt?”
“Not bad.”
“That's all we need. Now the citizens will remember your majesty and valor.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
I led the emperor away from the mud.
As we reached solid ground, Riktus approached.
“What shall we do with the dead whale?”
“Strip the flesh, render the oil, and send the bones to the palace. We'll use them as ornaments symbolizing Your Majesty's majesty.”
“Understood.”
I assigned the task to Riktus and escorted the emperor back to the palace.
The political impact of the whale hunt was immediate. Rumors undermining the young emperor's position evaporated overnight. It was as if the gods had sent the beast to solidify his throne.
The capital's tense atmosphere, stirred by plague and countermeasures, began to shift. I felt some relief at the change but didn't let my guard down. Dark currents still targeted me in the capital.
Back at my residence, Rikius was waiting.
“Sir, we've found one of the culprits behind the bathhouse arson meant to shake your political standing.”
“What?”
“From digging around Drassus's circle, as you ordered.”
“Go on.”
“As you directed, we investigated Drassus's associates and found four gladiators freed without serving their full terms. He gave them gold, female slaves, and freedman status. The issue? They were at the bathhouse on the day of the incident.”
“How do you know?”
Rikius twisted a finger.
The mark of torture.
I sank into my chair.
“Good. And?”
“They colluded with bribed freed slaves at the bathhouse. They lit the fire using braziers, barricaded the doors, and slaughtered the slaves inside. Then they set the woodpile ablaze.”
“Deliberate arson.”
I scowled. I'd suspected as much, but confirmation turned my stomach.
“Yes, sir.”
“Their doing that escalated the casualties?”
“Yes. When they started the fire, freed slaves blocked the exits. The citizens inside had no chance against the smoke.”
I ground my teeth. Resorting to such depravity just to pressure me politically. The urge to unleash the Praetorians and sever their heads surged.
“Outrageous. The gladiators?”
“They're broken—won't last long. Still in custody. Shall we finish them?”
“No. Keep them breathing. Arrest Drassus and the senator. If they learn the gladiators are gone, they might bolt. We grab them and handle this properly.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do it now. You have full authority on this.”
Rikius saluted across his chest and strode out.
I pondered briefly, then called a servant.
“You summoned me, master?”
“I need to meet Senator Crusio today. Tell him an urgent matter has arisen and ask him to visit my residence.”
“Yes.”
The servant bowed.
That day, I summoned three of the capital's power players to my chamber.
The capital prefect, Senator Crusio, and the empress dowager's chief secretary.
Excluding me, they were the empire's heavy hitters.
Yet they came running at my single command.
I gathered them and quietly revealed what Rikius had uncovered.
They tensed as I spoke calmly, fearing I suspected them. With good reason— if I willed it, I could send them to their deaths.
Of course, going that far would have repercussions for me too, but the mere fact I could was what mattered.
Senator Crusio ventured cautiously,
“Do you believe the Senate is involved, General?”
“No, I don't think so.”
I drew a line.
I knew the Senate's old guard wouldn't pull such a reckless stunt. The young ones might, but still.
Crusio visibly relaxed.
“Then who do you suspect?”
The chief secretary asked carefully.
“We'll know for sure after investigation. But Cato the senator tops the list.”
“Cato.”
The prefect swallowed hard.
Cato was a rising star in imperial politics. Not yet thirty, from the prestigious 'Old Imperial' house, he had countless allies.
Pulling him in risked implicating hundreds, thousands.
“Is Cato definitely involved?”
“We have evidence.”
Crusio glanced around before speaking.
“Implicating Cato will stir the Senate.”
“That's why I called you here. His Majesty and I have no desire to clash with the Senate. We want to resolve this quietly if possible.”
Crusio pondered.
I gave him a moment.
Finally, he said,
“If Cato's involved, how far does the responsibility extend?”
He feared it spreading to the entire Senate.
I approved of his caution.
“I'd prefer not to punish senators if possible. We'll consult the Senate on punishments.”
Crusio eased up.
I didn't want to undermine the young emperor or the regime either. Chopping heads indiscriminately would make the public think, Did so many oppose him? Politically disastrous.
I struck a deal with the power brokers: punish Cato and his ilk while minimizing fallout.
(To be continued next time)