Chapter 85. Praetorian Prefect (4)
The capital's slums were seething with discontent.
In the empire's golden age, the government had coffers overflowing enough to shower them with bread, circuses, and coin without stint. But now, in these declining days, that was no longer the case.
Bread and spectacles came only on special occasions, so it was no wonder the slums weren't content with their rulers.
In principle, the right move was to provide them with enough jobs to keep them busy.
But with the frontiers laid waste and the economy contracting, creating those jobs was impossible.
Given the situation, the slum dwellers were just waiting for a spark to ignite their fury. A minor chariot race riot was a prime example.
And once such disturbances erupted, they rarely died down quickly.
"Slum dwellers are out in the streets protesting. They're demanding an official apology for yesterday's violent suppression. Some are throwing stones and setting fires. Reports say thieves are rampant across the capital, taking advantage of the chaos."
I frowned.
"What does His Majesty say?"
"His Majesty said to take all measures necessary to restore order in the capital."
So the emperor was backing me.
That simplified things. I wasn't the sort to climb the throne on the back of slum popularity, so there was no need to go soft.
"Good. I'll command the suppression myself."
"Your Excellency?"
"Yes. You take the cavalry. Go ahead and prepare."
"Yes, sir."
Rikius saluted across his chest.
As I swept out of the office in my black cloak billowing behind me, the Praetorian Guards dropped to one knee. I addressed the battalion commanders already assembled.
"We're launching an operation to crush the rioters. No mercy for bandits challenging the capital's order and safety. You're authorized to use all equipment except swords."
"Yes, sir."
I led the commanders out of the residence. In the barracks parade ground, Praetorian soldiers stood in perfect ranks and files, having assembled on orders.
Having endured months of grueling training, their discipline was ironclad.
I scanned the troops lightly, then spotted the legion standard-bearer.
"Legion standard-bearer!"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"We're marching into the city. Take the lead."
"Yes, sir. Praetorian Guard! Advance into the city. Follow me!"
The standard-bearer took point with the black eagle legion standard aloft, and the soldiers fell in behind in review formation. I mounted up and followed the Praetorian column into the streets.
By the time we reached the forum, crowds had surrounded the seven hills, howling in rage.
It had started with fury over a chariot race, but now it was a torrent of grievances against an imperial government that neglected them.
I watched the angry waves of the crowd, then raised my hand.
"Form suppression lines!"
At the Praetorian officers' orders, the soldiers swiftly split into two long lines facing the crowd.
As the legionaries stretched out in a lengthy formation, the mob seemed to shrink back, hesitating.
I spurred my horse forward.
"In the name of His Majesty the Emperor and the empire, I order you to disperse immediately."
"We want to hear from His Majesty!"
A few shouted back.
They actually believed the emperor would give them what they wanted in this mess. Unbelievable.
Even if their complaints had merit, no emperor ruling an empire could grant demands under duress without losing face.
The moment he yielded, his position would crumble. Marius wasn't a fool; that wouldn't happen.
Of course, a few dim-witted emperors had bowed to raging mobs and sealed their own doom, but it never ended well.
I snapped my fingers.
"Praetorians, advance!"
The Praetorian battalion commander bellowed.
The Guards raised shields and marched forward in lockstep, forcing the crowd back step by step.
The citizens outnumbered us vastly, but against a trained legion, their unarmed rabble meant nothing.
As the crowd retreated, cavalry appeared from one side of the forum.
"For His Majesty the Emperor!"
The horsemen charged with a roar, and the mob scattered in panic.
That was the signal. Praetorian soldiers gripped shields and followed, swinging weapons mercilessly. Brutal suppression.
Truth be told, this wasn't right.
Trampling sovereign citizens with military violence—where was the justice in that?
But the world couldn't survive on ideals alone. Today's empire demanded order over justice.
I personally directed the Praetorians' ruthless crackdown, scattering the citizens. I hoped this would crush any future notion of rebellion in the slums for good.
I hated staining my hands with citizens' blood, too.
From New Year's dawn, my tenure as Praetorian Prefect was already being tested. Arena riots, angry mob uprisings—none of it easy.
"What a headache. If I'd known Praetorian Prefect came with this much grief, I'd have confronted His Majesty and stayed on the frontier."
Erenia paused mid-application of powder to her face.
"Do you miss the frontier that much?"
"Don't you miss home?"
"Screaming at my father every day, rough warriors, the stench of rotgut ale. Sometimes I do. But I like it here better."
"I'm in my homeland, you're in a foreign one, yet our feelings are reversed."
I swept my hair back.
"Is it that tough?"
"Tougher than the frontier. Dealing with barbarians was easier."
Erenia laughed at my grumbling and sidled up beside me.
She cradled my head against her breast.
"But you won't go back to the frontier. Your emperor wouldn't allow it."
"True."
I smiled wryly.
In moments like this, I was grateful for Erenia's understanding. If only she didn't egg me on toward power.
I stroked her hair gently with my thick hand.
But the very next morning, as dawn broke, fresh troubles assailed me.
"Your Excellency! Message from the Eastern Army."
"What message?"
I replied indifferently.
"The legions have refused their oaths of loyalty."
"What?"
My half-lidded eyes snapped open. Legion refusal of loyalty oaths! This was grave.
Every New Year's Day, January 1st, legions across the empire swore fealty to the emperor.
Refusal was unthinkable. It was tantamount to treason.
Yet word came that the legions had refused!
My mouth went dry as I asked, "The entire Eastern Army refused?"
"Yes, Your Excellency. All eight legions refused the oath."
"Has it been reported to His Majesty?"
"Probably just now."
"Those mad bastards. Fetch my cloak. We're going to the palace now."
I summoned Rikius to ready the guard escort, donned my cloak, and strode out without helmet. Armed soldiers already awaited on horseback.
"Let's go."
I led the mounted guards straight to the palace at a gallop. We nearly trampled pedestrians on the avenue, but this was an emergency.
We reined in before the palace and dashed up the stairs.
Praetorians at the entrance recognized me and knelt.
I sprinted down corridors to the audience chamber. The emperor sat grim-faced with senators, consuls, and secretaries.
"Your Majesty!"
I dropped to one knee upon entering.
"I'm sorry to bring you only vexing news from the new year."
"How is this your fault? It's the disloyal ones at issue. Rise."
I thanked him and took position beside his throne. As I crossed the room, Consul Antonio spoke.
"The problem is all eight legions refused the oath. No overt moves yet, but if left unchecked, they could acclaim their own commander emperor and openly rebel."
"Worst is the Eastern Army commander. He's sitting it out, claiming illness. We'd be none the wiser without the governors' reports."
The chief secretary added.
"Then we must relieve the Eastern Army commander first to resolve this."
The emperor steepled his fingers.
It was predictable. Appointing me Praetorian Prefect had always risked pushback from types like the Eastern commander.
In a way, it was the fruit of the emperor's favor toward me.
But dereliction of duty couldn't be excused. Tolerating oath refusal disqualified him alone.
I agreed with the emperor.
"Wise words, Your Majesty."
"Then I'll appoint Governor Carssus as his replacement."
"An excellent decision."
"A prudent judgment."
Consuls and secretaries chimed in. I concurred; it was sound.
Carssus governed the largest eastern province, second in Eastern Army seniority.
He could assume command without major backlash.
But it wouldn't solve the oath refusal. As an Eastern Army man himself, Carssus might handle it tepidly.
This was borderline treason; it demanded severity.
"As a follow-up, I'll dispatch my personal envoy to the Eastern Army. We must confirm their loyalty that way."
"Whom will Your Majesty send?"
the chief secretary asked.
The emperor's envoy.
To soothe disgruntled legions and secure oaths, it couldn't be just anyone.
Consuls? Laughable.
Today's consuls were senators padding resumes; they held no sway with soldiers.
Chief secretary (prime minister)? A civilian bureaucrat at the empire's administrative peak. Expecting him to wring oaths from troops was like quenching thirst with seawater.
If possible, senators would run all military provinces.
So who?
The emperor looked at me.
I stood blankly, felt the gaze, and glanced around.
Every secretary, consul, and senator watched me.
Me?
The emperor spoke.
"There's no one I trust but you, Prefect Ain."
Good lord.
The impossible had happened.
Suddenly, I was bound for the distant east.
Logically, no alternative existed.
In the capital, I alone could rally frontline troops.
The eagle of unbroken victories. The emperor's favored minister. Empire's second-in-power.
No one matched my prestige or name for appeal.
A figure like me hearing grievances directly could secure those oaths.
"Am I fit for such a grave task?"
I asked, cornered as I was.
"No one else fits. Forgive me, but I must ask your service."
The emperor nailed it shut.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
For the empire, a frontier jaunt was no hardship.
Yet heading to an unfamiliar eastern hinterland overnight gave me pause.
I forced out words.
"If it's what Your Majesty and the empire desire, how could I refuse even the scorching deserts? I'll gladly hasten east and claim the legions' loyalty."
The emperor rose from his throne and embraced me fiercely.
"Thank you."
My throat tightened.
(To be continued)