Those Who Seek Freedom (1)
The retaliatory strikes against the barbarian tribes lasted two days. I stayed on the north bank of the river and thoroughly crushed four tribes.
We burned their villages to the ground, massacred the inhabitants, and rescued over two hundred provincial citizens who had been dragged off as slaves. In the ruins of the destroyed villages, we scattered salt to ensure they could never be rebuilt.
Once we completed our scorched-earth operation and withdrew, the barbarians' attitudes turned compliant once more.
Upon returning to Bellgorod after the operation, I found envoys from the imperial government and Eastern Libitus waiting for me. One represented the emperor, the other the governor. I decided to meet the emperor's envoy first.
The envoy turned out to be none other than Marius, who had once served as consul. Now a senator, it was surprising they'd send someone who'd commanded the entire homeland front. I greeted him courteously, puzzled.
"Didn't expect to see you so soon after the homeland front wrapped up. What brings you to this backwater?"
"His Majesty said breathing the fresh border air would be healthier than sniffing the stale odors back home. That's why I'm here."
"Fresh, sure—but the facilities here are too shabby for a senator to stay comfortably. Planning to lodge here? I can prepare a room."
"No. I'm here to inspect the frontiers and meet briefly with the governor. From here, I head straight to patrol the entire northeast border."
"I see."
From the fact that a senator like Marius was handling border inspections, I gathered the emperor was at least paying some attention to the frontiers.
But for a heavyweight like Marius to tour the borders personally? Unexpected.
"By the way, Governor. The Senate submitted a list of Praetorian Guard commander candidates to His Majesty, and your name was on it. He's curious about that."
Ah. Was that why?
But lending one's name was something frontier generals did occasionally.
I pondered the senator's cautious probing before responding.
"The Senate asked to borrow my name, saying it would help with frontier defense. I cooperated a bit, but that's all—no other intentions."
"Is that so? His Majesty pondered your name quite a bit. Do you know who else the Senate recommended?"
"No idea. Stuck out here on the frontier, it's hard for me to know all the big shots who'd make a Guard commander candidate."
"Governor Severus, this time. He's served two terms as senator and is currently a governor—deep ties to the Senate. He knows His Majesty too, but isn't family, which is His Majesty's concern."
"Makes sense."
"Once the Senate borrows names from you and a few generals to push their recommendation, His Majesty has to consider Severus. Personally, I don't like the guy."
"Is Governor Severus problematic?"
"No—quite the opposite. Spotless, like you."
"Then isn't he a good man?"
"That's not it. You've stayed clean by sticking to the frontiers, but he managed it even in central politics. Know what that means?"
"No."
"He curates his reputation. In the capital, even the cleanest get rumors. But Severus? Not a whisper. Takes serious ambition to maintain that. That's why he scares me."
I nodded at Marius's words.
Someone that meticulous about their image? Definitely suspicious.
"I've caused trouble for His Majesty and you consuls."
"Not necessarily. I've confirmed your intentions now, so when His Majesty trusts you with a request later, support him."
"Understood."
I agreed easily. Whatever the reason, backing the reigning emperor was the legions' fate.
Only after confirming my pledge did Marius clap my shoulder and depart for his inspections. Then I met the Eastern Libitus governor's envoy, Gaius.
Gaius looked gaunt, as if worry had whittled him down. Not the pampered young noble I'd imagined.
I took him to my office. Marius had stood for a rushed talk, but Gaius needed comfort.
I had a maid bring tea and seated him. Only after a sip of the cool drink did Gaius get to his point.
"Your Excellency. Remember the barbarians betraying the 16th Legion back in Sian?"
"Of course. How could I forget?"
Gaius smiled bitterly.
"We caught the ringleader."
"Ringleader? I beheaded them all myself."
"The barbarians, yes—but not the legion ones."
"No way."
"Yes. Centurion Garin was arrested in our custody."
I couldn't hide my shock. Garin really betrayed us? But if he did, why show up in Eastern Libitus? What the hell was going on? Confusion swirled.
Gaius sensed my doubt and continued quickly.
"Recently, we learned imperial natives were mingling with merchants from Heigirt's territory. Many had married barbarians. Worried about spying, we spot-checked on a set date. Caught three men.
All imperial, reported dead or missing. Two soldiers, one centurion."
"So you tortured them."
Standard procedure. Survivors must report back to their legion or governor. Skipping that and lurking with barbarians? Suspicious as hell.
Gaius nodded.
"Of course. Water torture, non-scarring. They confessed—from Sian to spying in Eastern Libitus."
"Heigirt ordered it?"
"Circumstantially."
I couldn't believe it. If Heigirt was involved, it wouldn't be this sloppy. His son Briginsa neither.
They moved boldly when committing, but vanished like shadows beforehand. No way they'd act so openly.
I crossed my arms, deep in thought.
"Not Heigirt, in my view. Someone else is behind it. Garin's personnel files burned, but traces remain.
I'll investigate within the 16th Legion. Tell your governor not to link this to Heigirt—probe separately."
"Understood."
I sent off the envoy and grimaced.
Garin.
A comrade who'd crossed death lines with me.
And he'd betrayed us. Circumstances suggested it. But too murky for Heigirt loyalty—his movements, everything unclear. What was he after?
Complicated thoughts churned.
But his timing wasn't good.
I summoned Rikius and ordered every record and testimony on Centurion Garin gathered.
Briton is an island province northwest of the empire. Conquered twice after imperial founding and annexed, but parts still resisted rule.
To block northern untamed barbarians, the empire built a massive wall and stationed three legions.
Thus began Briton province.
Like most frontiers, it was poor—barely covering legion upkeep. No one from there ever rose high in the empire.
Garin hailed from Briton. Local blood, started in the provincial legion. Testimony said he'd served longest there.
Briton.
I pondered the link. Native-born, longest service there. Hard to dismiss.
But a mere native? Worse origins than me—unlikely ties to governors or legion commanders.
No connections meant limited reach. Nor did he build soldier loyalty there forever.
So Briton link seemed unlikely.
Then what?
Heigirt after all?
No—that bastard wouldn't send a guy like Garin openly into imperial territory. He's no fool.
Reviewing the report only muddled my head more.
My head hurts.
I stood and headed to the garden. Walking lightly when troubled often cleared my mind. A squirrel grabbing unripe fruit fled nimbly up a tree at my approach.
Then rustling from the bushes.
"Hm?"
A dirt-smeared little girl hid inside.
Lucrecia, was it?
Her nice clothes were hole-riddled. The maids would freak.
But I chuckled. I'd gotten similar beatings from my father as a kid.
"What're you doing there?"
I asked idly.
She offered a tiny mushroom. Poisonous or not, I didn't know—but she'd gotten filthy digging them.
I took it. Up close, fool's mushroom. Looks edible, but deadly.
I set it gently on the ground.
She stared, eyes asking why discard it.
"You can't eat this."
Still, she pocketed it.
Kids are incomprehensible.
"Lucrecia!"
A maid called from afar. She bowed quickly and dashed into the bushes.
The maid rushed up, spotted me, and knelt hastily.
"It's fine. Go watch the child."
"S-sorry!"
She straightened and vanished into the foliage searching.
Watching them, a thought struck. The dirtied fool's mushroom—distant, I hadn't recognized it.
Close up, I knew for sure.
So, viewing this case from afar?
If not Briton or Heigirt, something else?
I expanded the mental map.
North of Briton: Caledonia. West: barbarians. East sea: more barbarians. Possible links.
Slim chance for local Garin, though.
I needed deeper Briton history study. Clues to his motives might lurk there.
And I should meet him once.
Comrade through life and death. Even enemies now, old bonds linger.
But not yet.
After Eastern Libitus interrogation.
I sorted my thoughts on Garin.
(To Be Continued)