Intrigue (7)
Cato offered up movable and immovable property worth 30,000 solitus as the price for his life. It was an enormous sum that provided substantial relief to the empire's precarious finances.
I didn't just capture Cato—I took Drassus as well and subjected him to torture. As a senator, Drassus had no privileges; he could be dealt with without the emperor's approval.
So this time, I prepared a particularly infamous form of torment.
As I paced in front of Drassus, I said,
"In our empire's legions, we sometimes handled captured barbarians with very primitive methods. That way, even the toughest bastards would get scared and spill their guts."
"P-Please, spare me."
"We haven't even started yet."
I clicked my tongue, hands clasped behind my back.
Three meters in front of Drassus, through the iron bars, starved dogs bared their teeth and growled fiercely. For Drassus, suspended at just the height where they could snap at his ankles, there was no escaping the terror.
"Wh-What do I have to do?"
I stopped walking.
"It depends on you. What can you offer me to survive?"
I gazed calmly into Drassus's eyes and asked.
"A-Anything. I'll offer the brick factories if you want."
"That's not enough."
Drassus swallowed hard at my words. What the hell does he want? I could read it plainly on his face. He pulled out another card he held.
"I-I'll offer the gladiator training grounds too. J-Just say the word."
I slowly approached Drassus.
"I'm not after your wealth, Drassus. Offer yourself to me. Dedicate everything you have."
"Y-Yes?"
"Pledge your loyalty to me."
I gave Drassus a choice.
A mere slave who had gained freedom, started a business, and amassed enough power and wealth to deal with senators. For a man like that, the true value lay not in what he'd built, but in the abilities that made it possible.
"Y-You mean serve loyally under you, sir?"
"Exactly. Do that, and I'll bury this incident. Obey me completely. Work for me. I'll not only spare your life but become your patron."
Drassus trembled violently, then nodded.
"Y-Yes, sir. I'll do as you say. Yes, I'll serve loyally as commanded."
"Rikius!"
At my call, the young officer approached and bowed.
"Yes, sir."
"Let him down."
Rikius pulled the rope, and Drassus's feet touched the ground. He immediately prostrated himself before me.
Rikius leaned in slightly and whispered to Drassus,
"The lord has given you a chance, but you'd better watch your step. Any funny business, and you'll be dog food."
Gulp.
Drassus swallowed hard.
An hour later, Drassus stood before me in clean clothes.
"You actually look like a proper citizen now."
"Thank you, sir."
"Good. Now let's set aside the barbaric methods and talk like civilized men. Why do you think I demanded your loyalty?"
"Money... sir?"
Drassus asked cautiously, gauging my reaction.
"Senator Cato already paid plenty. Your wealth is tempting, sure, but that's not the reason."
"Th-Then?"
"Your abilities."
I cracked my knuckles.
"My abilities, sir?"
"Yes. I want the grit and ambition that took a slave like you this far—the capabilities that made it happen. More than your money."
A fierce blue flame flickered in my eyes.
Gulp.
Drassus swallowed again upon seeing it.
"Pledge loyalty to me, and you can wield your talents freely, without kowtowing to senators. You could rise as high as you want—senator, consul, even."
"A worthless ex-slave like me, sir?"
I smiled at his words.
"Slaves aren't worthless. Those who look up and relentlessly whip themselves into shape are noble. I learned that from a slave. A friend named Maximus taught me."
"Maximus."
Drassus mulled over the name.
"So I don't look down on slaves. Dreamers who aim high qualify as comrades. Drassus—do you have dreams?"
"My dreams, sir?"
"Yes."
"I..."
Drassus thought for a moment, then spoke.
"I wanted to join the empire's knightly class."
The knightly class.
He wanted to ascend to the privileged elite among citizens.
"To shed the stigma of being a freed slave."
I asked with a smile.
"Yes."
"I'll make that dream come true. In return, dedicate everything to me. I'll be your protector and comrade."
At my promise, Drassus slammed his forehead to the ground.
"Lord! To bestow such grace on a wretch like me who harbored treacherous thoughts. From now on, I'll devote my life to your service."
"I accept your pledge. Rikius!"
"Yes, sir."
"Drassus is under our protection from now on. Clear and bury all suspicions against him."
I decided to spare Drassus and use him under my command. Of course, this was far from just enforcement of the law. Drassus was involved in deaths from the bathhouse fire and other incidents.
But I valued the stability of the imperial system over justice and fairness.
I approached the bowing Drassus and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Drassus's gladiator training grounds were the largest in the capital. Over seventy professional gladiators trained there, plus two hundred apprentice slaves preparing to become ones.
A massive armed force that could act within the capital if needed. I followed Drassus as he toured the facility.
He led the way, explaining the setup.
As I walked with him, I noticed most slaves were black, which struck me as odd. Recent war captives were mostly white.
"Why so many blacks here?"
At my question, Drassus beckoned a slave. Two black slaves approached the bars; he grabbed one's jaw and pried open its mouth.
"Blacks have strong teeth and eat anything. That's why we buy them despite the high price."
"I see."
I glanced at the black slaves in the cage, then moved on.
Passing the slaves, we reached the training ground where professional gladiators practiced. At Drassus's arrival, instructors and overseers bowed.
"Master, you've come."
He accepted their greetings smoothly, then bowed to me.
"Sir, these are the men I train."
I surveyed the gladiators he pointed to. They recognized me late and knelt, but their eyes weren't those of cringing slaves.
Each was a battle-hardened warrior. They'd be useful on the battlefield too, I thought.
After inspecting them carefully, I said to Drassus,
"Any standouts among these men?"
"Plenty of powerhouses. But if I had to pick the best, I'd recommend Gordo here. Gordo!"
"Yes, master."
The giant called Gordo stepped forward.
Big guy.
Gordo reminded me of Griham.
Nearly two meters tall, a monster who treated legionaries like children. Gordo didn't quite match him, but his build and muscles were comparable.
I eyed Gordo briefly, then told Drassus,
"I'd like to take a few of these men for myself. That alright?"
"It would be an honor, sir."
Drassus bowed.
"Then give me Gordo and six with top martial skills. I want them as instructors in the Praetorian Guard."
"Understood."
Drassus accepted readily.
Professional gladiators were worth far more than ordinary slaves. The ones he gave me easily topped five hundred solitus.
After touring the grounds with Drassus, I bathed at his villa. Bathing was a form of social interaction among imperial elites—perfect for deeper talks.
We conversed while soaking in the hot water.
"One thing I want to ask. Don't you procure beasts for Colosseum games?"
"Yes, from across the sea."
"Expensive?"
Drassus calculated briefly and nodded.
"Yes. Catching them isn't too bad, but transport costs are astronomical. Feeding them on ships is a chore, and seasickness kills many—only two or three out of ten arrive. So the price is sky-high."
"That's a problem."
I smacked my lips.
I'd considered using elephants against Ersia, but if transport alone cost this much, it was off the table. Add training effort and expense, and it was impossible.
As I shook my head, Drassus asked,
"Why do you ask, sir?"
"Thought about deploying elephants against Ersia. But sounds impossible now."
"What about camels?"
"Camels?"
Drassus quickly elaborated.
"Camels survive long without water. Tough, and easy to source from the east."
"I've heard logistics use them. But can soldiers ride them into battle?"
I recalled camels I'd seen in the east.
"Absolutely, just like horses. Slower, but far superior in endurance."
"Interesting. Oh, and since we're on animals—easterners use pigeons a lot. Any counter to that?"
"Hawks. Rich folk use them for hunting; I've seen a few. They'd handle pigeons fine."
"Can you get trained hawks?"
"You'd need a falconer specialist. Hard to manage otherwise."
"Get one, then."
"Yes, sir."
"Oh, and if you have favors to ask, speak up."
I made requests while dangling a carrot. Drassus was now my subordinate, but this bond was coerced and temporary.
To truly bind him, like with barbarians, I needed proper rewards.
"Then, shamelessly, one request. You know I acquired those brick factories. I want to expand—buy a few ships, but need shipping permits."
Shipping rights.
I nodded.
"Approved. Rikius will handle the paperwork."
"Thank you, sir."
"No need. Serve me loyally, and I'll guarantee your dreams, future, and ample profits."
"Yes."
"But stray, and prepare yourself. Heard my northern nickname?"
"Empire's Guardian?"
"No."
I grinned, baring my teeth.
"Skewer King."
Drassus gulped at my chilling warning.
(To be continued)