Oath of Loyalty (3)
In imperial history, the Eastern Army hadn't always functioned as a single field army from the start.
Initially, individual legions and provinces operated under separate command structures to deal with the petty kingdoms in the east.
But when we shared a border with the eastern powerhouse Ersia, the need arose to unify command of the legions, leading to the creation of the Eastern Army.
Thus born, the Eastern Army commanded nearly a third of the empire's military might independently, granting it immense influence within the empire.
Its stature was such that even the emperor couldn't treat it lightly.
But in the face of this unprecedented refusal of the loyalty oath, such status meant little. I spurred my horse toward Antica, the Eastern Army headquarters.
My goal, before securing oaths from these legions, was to strip current commander Cranus of his authority and install Governor Carssus in his place.
The legions' oaths were crucial, but dealing with Cranus—whose intentions were inscrutable—was just as urgent.
"That's Antica up ahead."
A soldier from Egypt spoke up.
Beyond the barren wilderness rose walls dozens of meters high, dotted with over a hundred towers. This was Antica, the jewel of the imperial east.
True to its prosperity predating the empire's conquest, Antica boasted a population exceeding two hundred thousand. The massive walls built to protect its wealth and people hinted at the city's grandeur.
I led my escort toward the city's south gate. Positioned on the route linking the northern and southern eastern provinces, the south gate served as the "main gate."
As we approached, guards on the walls rushed to the gate.
When Rikius raised the golden eagle, they dropped to their knees in salute.
We acknowledged their courtesy and galloped straight through the south gate onto the central avenue.
Sensing something amiss from our reckless charge, the city's citizens lined the streets to watch.
Passing the square, we soon halted before the Eastern Army headquarters.
I confirmed the fluttering imperial banner and dismounted with a leap.
"Who might you be?"
"We come from the capital on the emperor's orders."
As Rikius raised the golden eagle standard, the sentries fell back. I entered the building with my escorts.
Inside, officers lounged leisurely, sipping coffee and the like.
Some eyed our Praetorian black cloaks curiously, but most assumed we brought imperial missives and showed no suspicion.
I glanced at them and bounded up the headquarters stairs. Commander Cranus was in his third-floor bedroom.
When I flung open the door to the commander's bedroom, Cranus lay naked on the bed.
The slightly pulled-down sheet bulged tellingly—no need to ask what hid beneath.
Cranus stammered in panic.
"Who the hell are you?"
I held up the sword granted by the emperor, still sheathed.
"I am Ain, Praetorian Prefect, here on His Majesty's orders to investigate the loyalty oath refusal."
"P-Praetorian Prefect?"
Cranus's eyes darted over my uniform. The black uniform and cloak exclusive to the Praetorians, emblazoned with the emperor's golden eagle emblem. His gaze darkened.
"More importantly, what are you doing here right now?"
"……."
Cranus swallowed dryly. He'd reported illness to the capital, but this scene shredded any such excuse.
Energy for bedding a woman, but none for the loyalty oath crisis? This was blatant treason.
Pathetic—speechless.
I signaled Rikius.
"Drag him out."
"Yes, sir!"
As Rikius and two Praetorians advanced, Cranus bellowed.
"Don't touch me! I'm the Eastern Army commander! Idalca! Idalca!"
The momentarily flustered Eastern Army commander roared.
A burly black man burst in from the office, soldiers in tow.
"Yes, sir."
"These men falsely claim the emperor's orders to arrest me. Seize them at once."
I bellowed back.
"You dare defy the Praetorians?"
Idalca and his men hesitated at my words, glancing at their commander upon hearing "Praetorians."
"They're imposters faking the emperor's orders. Idalca, trust me!"
As the commander shouted, Idalca's hand went to his sword hilt.
Has this fool lost his mind?
I was stunned by Cranus's desperate thrashing.
Even if they killed us all, they couldn't hide that the emperor's representative had come. This was a wild boar charge to save his own skin.
Things could turn bloody. And that might spark a full Eastern Army revolt. To avert it, I drew my sword, strode to Cranus's bed, and pressed the blade to his throat.
"Lower your weapons. All of you."
Idalca and the Praetorians sheathed theirs at my command.
"Rikius!"
"Yes, sir."
Rikius snapped to attention.
"We're taking Commander Cranus into custody. Clear the way."
"Yes, sir."
With their commander captured, his men were powerless.
Sword to the commander's throat, we exited the office. As we descended the stairs slowly, officers spotted us and shouted.
"Intruders kidnapping the commander!"
They grabbed weapons and surrounded us—mostly high-ranking officers in rooster-plumed helmets.
I glared and roared.
"I am Praetorian Prefect Ain. Your commander is under arrest for dereliction of duty. Block this path, and you'll face treason charges. Do you wish to become the emperor's enemies?"
My shout gave the officers pause.
Praetorian Prefect—drawing steel on me was blasphemy. They'd seen our imperial eagle standard. Numbers mattered little; swinging swords was no easy choice.
Then Cranus opened his mouth to speak.
This boar again?
I sensed it and drove my elbow into his gut.
"Guhk."
Before he could spout more, Rikius gagged him with prepared cloth.
Surrounded by Eastern Army officers, we slowly exited headquarters. As we emerged, waiting escorts rushed up.
They encircled us, leaving the officers frozen, staring helplessly.
Too late for attack now—the escorts were too much.
I addressed the officers.
"Governor Carssus will soon be appointed new commander. His Majesty holds the officers' corps accountable only through one man for this failure.
Stay silent, return to headquarters, and perform your duties—no punishment will come. This is the emperor's promise, and mine as Praetorian Prefect."
They hesitated, then spoke.
"What will become of Commander sir?"
"Commander Cranus will be relieved for dereliction. Out of respect for the Eastern Army, no further punishment. Your fears won't come to pass."
I assured them of mild handling to avoid provoking the Eastern Army.
Finally, the officers sheathed weapons and knelt on one knee.
"We trust your promise, sir."
"Good."
I nodded, relieved to pass the crisis.
We rode straight to the governor's mansion with captured Cranus. Having arrested and relieved the sitting commander on-site, we needed to appoint his successor immediately.
The officers might stay quiet with assurances, but the rank-and-file? No guarantees. I aimed to install a new commander swiftly to contain the issue.
Fortunately, Governor Carssus agreed to assume command upon hearing our tale.
Perhaps terrified by our dragging the sitting commander like a dog.
Thus, we cleanly severed the Eastern Army's head.
With its unified command structure, it was a headless snake without its leader.
Of course, with legions still refusing oaths, embers remained.
I demanded Carssus first secure Antica's oath. An administrative hub of the eastern provinces disloyal to the empire was a grave issue.
Carssus complied, acting at once.
That day, he toured Antica's barracks, extracting loyalty oaths to empire and emperor.
As results showed, had the Eastern commander merely engaged, today's crisis might never have happened.
I realized anew how Cranus the boar had escalated things.
Undoubtedly, this wretch, lusting for power, had egged on and ignored the oath refusal to pressure the capital in a game with the emperor.
Infuriating.
Anyway, with the new Eastern commander cooperating, the legions swiftly pledged loyalty—no need for my involvement.
Unlike the west, the east was sensitive to power shifts. Word of the top commander's alignment with the capital prompted legion commanders and officers to rush oaths.
In under a week, oaths from all eastern border legions arrived.
The capital-shaking crisis ended absurdly.
Relieved I wouldn't tour every legion, I still needed follow-up for the non-compliance.
From Antica, I summoned eastern legion commanders, investigated, and as warning, stripped their cloaks before sending them back.
This should deter troublemakers for a while.
I trusted the eastern legions wouldn't dare antics under Marius.
Dispatch Praetorian Prefect at crisis outbreak, sack Eastern commander on-site, secure oaths, reprimand legion commanders!
They must've been stunned by the bold, swift handling. Normally, mass refusals prompted capital concessions.
But Emperor Marius didn't yield.
Who'd foolishly repeat it and fall from favor?
Fools exist everywhere, though.
I hoped never to return east for a decade.
Finishing up and preparing to depart with escorts for Alepa, white-flagged heralds galloped through Antica's south gate. One clutched a black-sealed dispatch.
Black seals meant top-secret info for the emperor.
Intrigued, I halted.
"Whoa. Rikius."
"Yes, sir."
"That urgent courier—head to headquarters and check the dispatch."
"Understood."
Rikius wheeled and galloped back down the avenue.
I endured the blazing sun at the south gate, gazing skyward. With the empire-threatening issue resolved, the sky was clear blue.
If only peaceful days continued tomorrow and beyond.
I removed my helmet, placing it on my horse's head.
The courier nags, but can't be bigger than the oaths.
Of course not.
What could top sixty thousand auxiliaries and legionaries defying the empire?
That eased my worries.
As I drank cool water from my canteen, hoofbeats echoed from the avenue.
"Sir!"
Rikius.
I lowered the canteen.
"What is it?"
But Rikius's face was grim.
"The king of Ersia is dead."
"What?"
I stared in shock.
(To be continued)