Those Who Harbor Ambitions (1)
Our return to the imperial heartland had succeeded, but our war was only just beginning. I let the army rest in a small border village and dispatched a messenger to the capital to report the circumstances that had brought the legion into the "homeland." At the same time, I inquired about future directives.
I stayed here for a few days, waiting for a response from the imperial government. Five days later, an imperial messenger arrived from the emperor.
"Governor Ain of Bellgorod, receive this personal letter from His Imperial Majesty."
I showed due respect to the emperor's messenger and accepted the letter he proffered. The emperor's missive stated that Praetorian Guard Commander Velius's army would soon march north, and I was to join them.
Velius.
The unfamiliar name felt a bit strange to me.
Though my time at the top of the legion had been short, you inevitably hear about most of the key figures through various channels. Yet I'd never heard of this Velius. Which meant he wasn't from the military.
So, perhaps a legitimate noble from the Senate?
I recalled how I'd once lent my name to Tersio. If he and the Senate had elevated this new Praetorian Guard commander, it wasn't impossible he was from the legitimate noble faction.
Still, Tersio had seemed like the type who understood the Guard commander couldn't be an idiot.
I couldn't form a clear judgment on Velius.
Something feels off.
Being placed under a commander whose abilities were unknown stirred unease.
Well, preconceptions aside, he might be different in person.
I tried to reassure myself like that.
I informed the troops of the approaching new commander and allied forces, then returned to my tent, where Erenia was humming while studying a map. Curious what was so amusing, I quietly approached from behind.
"You got fooled, didn't you?"
Erenia turned over with a laugh.
Oh boy.
I chuckled and sat down in front of her. This barbarian girl, who had once feared and trembled before me, turned out to be full of curiosity and mischief. She'd simply been too unfamiliar with me to show her true nature until now.
"You're in high spirits. Not uncomfortable in the camp?"
"Do you think living among rough men since childhood would bother me that much?"
Fair point. She hadn't grown up like some delicate imperial lady. Though, given her status, she was practically a princess.
I took off my cloak and hung it on a chair.
"True enough. But if you need anything later, just say so. I can arrange a maid or whatever."
"Got it. Then let me carry a dagger around."
"A dagger?"
Her sudden request caught me off guard.
"I've noticed some soldiers staring at me oddly while wandering the camp. They wouldn't dare touch the governor's woman, but a dagger would make me feel safer. Back home, I even slept with one under my pillow. Without it, I'm a bit anxious."
"Fine."
I granted permission without hesitation.
Truth be told, if she really wanted to do me harm, she wouldn't need a dagger. Poison in my food or on her lips would do.
"Really?"
"I wouldn't lie about something like that."
Satisfied, she leaned in and kissed my lips.
We savored the sweet moment briefly when the tent flap rustled open.
"S-sorry."
The officer, entering to report, hurriedly backed out.
"What is it?"
"Commander Rubiot's forces have sent word—they're ten kilometers out."
"Rubiot? They've arrived already?"
I rushed out, overturning the tent. Sorry, Erenia, but I was an imperial commander before I was a man.
I stepped out of the camp onto the open plain.
Something faint was visible in the distance across the field. Not yet clearly identifiable, but the legion standards they held high were recognizable even from afar.
The dazzling golden eagle.
My 16th Legion, which I'd defended with blood and sweat.
The knowledge that my legion was approaching filled one corner of my heart with solidity.
"Sound the drums! Our brothers are coming."
"Yes, sir."
I had the legion's drummer welcome our comrades with a mighty beat. Thinking of reuniting with brothers-in-arms separated for so long swept away the fear and anxiety I'd felt moments before. Right—one united 16th Legion had nothing to fear.
I thumped my chest with my fist.
The legion assembled. All units except the minimal garrison left to defend Bellgorod rushed here—even those dispatched to neighboring provinces. Bofiadus, Boruman, Rubiot, and most of the officers who'd fought under me appeared.
Of course, a few like Riti stayed behind commanding the Bellgorod garrison. Still, the forces were impressive. Even after I left for Briton, the legion had bolstered its strength, maintaining 4,000 troops excluding the expeditionary force. Adding barbarian auxiliaries pushed it over 6,000.
With 4,000 brought here, the assembled 16th Legion's total strength exceeded 7,500.
A truly formidable force. It was more than a full legion—I was surprised myself at ordering the assembly.
Add the Atillca Legion and Velius's army, and...
We might stand a chance against Heigirt.
"Sir! We heard—you smashed the barbarians in Briton and crossed the continent to return!"
"It just worked out that way. And you?"
"What trouble could we have? Thanks to your halo, we lounged in warm barracks, ate, trained, and burned through pay."
"Good. Now you can earn your keep."
"We were all itching for action anyway. Except maybe Commander Boruman."
Boruman grinned, baring his teeth at Rubiot's words.
"Harsh words. In this situation, rest would have pissed me off. You agree, Commander Bofiadus?"
"Better than guarding the frontier."
I nodded.
None of the officers feared battle. Not Boruman, fresh from constant barbarian fights like us, nor Rubiot, who'd spent days in garrison routine.
I was pleased my subordinates showed no trepidation at Heigirt's name.
"Excellent!"
"By the way, who's commanding this campaign? Hope it's Consul Marius again."
"Marius stepped down. The current consuls are probably greenhorns the emperor elevated for credentials. We'd refuse if they sent those."
Everyone burst into laughter.
"Then the supreme commander must be the new Praetorian Guard commander, Velius."
"How do you know him?"
Rubiot scratched his head at my question.
"The emperor sent word to Bellgorod about the appointment. Don't know details, just that he's a thirty-something kid."
"Isn't that too young?"
Rikius started to say, then caught my eye and looked awkward. By age, I was a fresh-faced thirty-something too. Everyone chuckled.
"Age doesn't matter. Results do. I've never heard of Velius. You?"
"Same here."
"Then he's some pampered young master. Hard to follow confidently."
So said Boruman.
I shook my head.
"We'll know when we see him. If the Senate backed him despite the emperor's failed pick, there must be reason."
"Some bookworm who buried himself in tomes at home?"
"Hahaha!"
Rubiot roared with laughter.
I thought it possible. Surprisingly, the imperial elite didn't value frontline command experience much.
A culture born from the emperor not leading campaigns personally. Though so far, supreme commanders had frontline backgrounds.
If he's truly clueless, it'll be stifling.
I clinked cups with my comrades.
Two days later, we received orders from the new Praetorian Guard commander to march south to the Line River—the empire's northern lifeline—with the Atillca Legion. Heading to the Line River likely hedged against a mountain crossing ambush like what happened to Sextus.
More cautious than expected.
Well, better than a foolhardy idiot charging like a wild boar and dooming the army.
"Sir, that's the imperial field army."
"Indeed."
Across the plain Rikius pointed to sprawled tens of thousands of troops. Countless banners and multiple legion standards fluttered. Most were legions wiped out in the recent civil war, but some were new to me.
A bit daunted, I spotted the emblem under a new standard and recognized it.
Newly formed Praetorian Legion.
I nodded.
The fresh field army was vast indeed.
Combining with the Atillca and our legion put the total around 35,000. You could feel the empire's desperate resolve not to be outnumbered, mindful of past defeats.
But most soldiers were slaves or starving paupers sold for food. Seeing the hollow-eyed recruits, I realized the field army lacked substance.
One barbarian cavalry shout and they'd all rout.
Still, grateful for the numbers.
Even scarecrow troops with sticks en masse would intimidate on the plain.
I slowly rode into the camp.
"Governor Ain of Bellgorod and field army commander of the Drvina, entering!"
Trumpeters blared my arrival.
Troops knelt as per custom.
I crossed the camp toward the tent flying the emperor's banner. Officers had gathered outside, drawn by the trumpets.
Seeing them salute chest-high, I dismounted swiftly, handed the reins to Rikius, and approached. Senior officers came forward with greetings.
"New 11th Legion commander, sir."
"New 12th Legion commander. An honor."
I shook hands. After a few, a strikingly young man extended his hand first.
Handshakes usually start with the senior. Here, only the Praetorian commander outranked me.
I eyed him briefly. His uniform matched legion commanders', but the diadem on his forehead was beyond a mere commander's.
I took his hand smoothly.
"Governor Ain of Bellgorod."
"New Praetorian commander, Velius."
He smiled. First impression: affable and likable. Though that said nothing of his generalship.
"Come inside."
Velius gestured me in.
Inside the tent loomed a massive imperial map dotted with toy soldiers.
As I glanced around curiously, Velius offered a seat. We exchanged cautious words at first.
Hard to speak freely without gauging the man. Both governor and Guard commander were top imperial posts—not to be trifled with.
After ten minutes, we could finally broach real talk.
"Frankly, this is my first official command. You think so too, Governor?"
"As you say."
"Not anxious about it?"
"Honestly, yes."
"Expected that. But our imperial government isn't entirely foolish, General. I've got unofficial command experience."
Unexpected.
Velius chewed a grape from his cup and continued.
"Fifteen years ago, as Emperor Cotellius's cousin, I was sent as a hostage to Ersia to guarantee peace between our realms. Regrettable personally, but right for the empire. There, I got caught in Ersia's civil war."
"Civil war?"
"The so-called war of succession. I helped install old Prince Parsis. Funny, huh? A mere youth tipping a kingdom's throne."
"No one would admit it. But the provincial governor and some senators remembered me. Whenever tensions rose on the Ersia border, they took me as military advisor."
"Crudely put, my imperial blood makes me a threat to the current emperor the more I achieve. So I couldn't shine openly or get chances."
"And now?"
Velius crunched another grape at my question.
"I just created the opportunity. If none's given, make one. Right?"
His blue eyes fixed on me.
In that instant, I knew intuitively.
This man.
This nobody who popped up from nowhere harbored massive ambition. A transcendent talent seizing the empire's crisis. Tersio seemed ambitious, but paled beside him.
Perhaps Tersio was merely his tool.
I swallowed dryly.
(To be continued)