Chapter 224: Marcus’s Fury 2
Chapter 224: Marcus’s Fury 2
The news that the Huns had retreated to their territory was naturally delivered to Rome as a top priority.
The Roman citizens were ecstatic about this news and, more than anything, sincerely relieved that they had escaped the threat.
The confusion of the allied nations, who had almost doubted the power of Rome due to the defeat at Larissa, also subsided.
The Senate continued to work to minimize the chaos and discontent.
For the stability of Rome, the trust in Rome must never be shaken.
The defeat in battle was firmly attributed to Sextus’s faulty command.
As evidence, it was constantly emphasized that Caesar and Marcus did not lose to the Huns.
Especially Marcus, who fought a battle with fewer troops than Sextus, was highlighted for pushing back the Huns.
Marcus could not change this trend even though he wrote a letter to prevent Sextus’s honor from being tarnished more than necessary.
It was decided to sacrifice Sextus’s honor as a scapegoat for the sake of Rome’s stability.
The citizens also found it easier to blame and curse one person for this tragedy.
Sextus had some unfair aspects, but what could he do about the dead?
The only family who could speak up for Sextus’s honor was his sister Pompeia.
Unfortunately, Pompeia had no power at all, as her husband Faustus Cornelius Sulla had also died with Sextus at Larissa.
All she could do was accept Marcus’s kindness and stay in Greece until the heat died down.
Anyway, Rome quickly began to stabilize and most people returned to their daily lives.
Then, gradually, other complaints began to pop up.
The human mind is different when going to and coming out of the toilet.
At first, they said they had no wish if only they could drive away the Huns, but they gradually began to demand additional measures.
“Don’t you know when they’ll come back?”
“This time, 200,000 soldiers’ lives have disappeared. Where is the guarantee that we can stop them without damage next time?”
The Huns became the worst threat that Rome had to deal with as a top priority.
Senators were asked such questions every time they spoke on the rostra, but it was impossible to present a fundamental solution.
They had no clever way either.
They wanted to shout out that they would root out the Hun bastards once and for all, but if they couldn’t present a concrete plan, they would only face backlash.
As the senators were unable to do anything and avoided answering, salvation and another big threat appeared in Rome.
Caesar, who was in Dalmatia, decided to attend the assembly in person and announce his future policy.
As this news spread, the atmosphere in Rome became uncontrollable.
The Senate also watched Caesar’s move with half anxiety and half expectation.
“A commander with I'm perium only returns to Rome when the war is over… He is now blatantly ignoring tradition.”
There were those who raised their voices of criticism led by Cato, but this was easily silenced by the public opinion of the Romans who wanted a real solution.
Eventually, Caesar’s speech was confirmed as a form of him answering questions from senators in front of the citizens.
Caesar did not lead a splendid procession like a triumphal ceremony, considering that the war was not over yet.
But he didn’t need to do that either.
There were so many people who came out to see Caesar’s face that the city was paralyzed.
It was already a welcome crowd that compared with any decent triumphal ceremony.
Caesar, who had never had a proper triumphal ceremony, felt a strange impression at the sight before him.
‘I must have a proper triumphal ceremony when this war is over.’
Come to think of it, Pompey and Marcus had both had triumphal ceremonies, but he still had zero triumphs.
The conquests of Gaul, Germany, and Britain were all worthy of triumphs even if they were separated into three parts.
If he added a victory in the war against the Huns, he could have a massive triumphal ceremony for four days in a row without anyone complaining.
‘Of course, someone like Cato would surely whine.’
Caesar climbed onto the platform and glanced at the senators who were seated below him.
He felt various gazes focused on him: expectation and longing, hostility and anger.
His move was undoubtedly unprecedented.
No Roman general in history had ever returned to Rome during a war and took his seat like this.
It was not strange that principled people like Cato showed their discomfort.
Of course, Caesar did not expect this to happen either.
Rather, this was a thoroughly planned move.
‘You asked me to play the villain role one last time… You are quite demanding son-in-law.’
Caesar smirked as he imagined Marcus’s reaction, who would be waiting for news from Rome by now.
The contents written in the letter he received through Surenas were things he hadn’t even expected himself.
“Did you know what these words mean?”
When Caesar asked him at that time, Surenas shook his head calmly and answered.
“I have no idea. He just told me to say this if you seem hesitant.”
“······?”
“Tell them that I ask for their generous support so that my beloved son-in-law and grandchildren can achieve all the glory that awaits them.”
“This son-in-law has become quite shameless. So he wants me to take all the bad reputation for him.”
“If you say that, then you are already familiar with this role… That’s what he told me to reply.”
“Haha, hahaha!”
Caesar burst into laughter.
He liked Marcus’s proposal.
“Good. Let’s get along well until the end.”
Caesar said so and crossed over to Rome.
He opened his mouth in an elegant tone toward the people who were waiting for his words.
“Dear senators and citizens. I am overwhelmed with emotion to see your faces and talk to you after such a long time. I am Gaius Julius Caesar.”
“Woah!”
“Caesar! Caesar! Caesar!”
The citizens’ explosive cheers shook the Forum Romanum as soon as Caesar’s greeting was over.
The faces of the senators hardened in this atmosphere.
They could not ask or say anything negative about Caesar, even if they were Cato.
Caesar skipped any formalities or lengthy explanations and went straight to the point.
“I came here to explain the matter that you, the citizens of Rome, are most curious about.
As a commander who is responsible for the lives of the Roman citizens on the front line, I want to give you accurate information without any lies.
I know that some of you are suspicious of why I came here without sending a lieutenant. But there are some matters that I have to explain myself and get the permission of the Senate.”
Caesar’s words continued like a clear stream.
He revealed many facts that he had not been able to write in his report.
Various information about the Huns, who were only rumored, such as their actual size, combat power, and behavior patterns, came out.
And finally, the fundamental countermeasure against these threatening enemies, which the citizens wanted to know most, came out of his mouth.
“I had a lot of conversations with Marcus Mesopotamius, who took over the responsibility of Greece instead of Sextus Pompeius.
And thanks to him, I was able to come up with one conclusion. We have repelled them this time, but the threat of the Huns is not completely over.
If we leave them in the vast black soil plain, we will continue to suffer from their threat. This is incomparable to Gaul or Germania.”
“But didn’t we successfully repel them? We are already investing enough resources. It would be too much of a burden to pour more support than this.”
Cato cut in with a sharp voice.
He didn’t want to give Caesar any more legions or positions, even if it was wartime.
If he asked for additional troops, he would stop him by any means possible.
He showed a strong will.
Caesar did not show any reaction to Cato’s and his sympathizers’ hostile eyes.
Rather, he shrugged his shoulders and spoke in a calm tone.
“Of course I won’t recruit any more troops here. The forces concentrated on the front line are enough to stop them.
But it’s not efficient to just defend. The border we have to protect is too wide. We have to block all directions of Gaul, Greece, and Asia Minor. It would be too much of a burden to pour resources endlessly on such a wide border. Think about it. How much manpower and resources would be wasted on deterring the Huns if this stalemate continues for ten years, or twenty years, or even a hundred years?”
“Then what is your alternative? Do you want to uproot those bastards?”
“That’s right. The best way is to make sure they never look down on Rome again.”
The citizens’ reaction was explosive.
It was natural, since they heard what they wanted most.
On the other hand, the senators frowned and racked their brains fiercely.
Cicero stood up from his seat with a suspicious face and asked.
“You seem very confident, but are you sure you have solid evidence? You are much more knowledgeable about the military than me, Caesar. You should know how hard it is to attack nomads.”
“Of course. Of course, it will require a different level of preparation than before. But I have already discussed with Marcus Mesopotamius and devised a perfect plan. I assure you here. If you trust me and entrust me with this important task, Rome will be free from their threat forever!”
“Woohoo! Caesar! Caesar!”
The citizens shouted Caesar’s name almost breathlessly and stomped their feet.
The Senate had no choice but to approve it.
“Do you really mean that you can subjugate the Huns without any additional reinforcements?”
“The forces led by me and Marcus Mesopotamius are 200,000 each, for a total of 400,000. This is enough to uproot them. All you have to do is give us some definite rights.”
“···What rights do you want?”
“Give us all the rights. The right to dispose of the Huns and the tribes and countries that cooperated with them as we please.”
“That’s what the expedition commanders usually do anyway, they handle it on their own and report it later… No, do you mean you won’t even report it later?”
Caesar nodded.
Before Cato could raise his voice and say that it was unacceptable, Caesar opened his mouth first.
“This is not a simple war! It’s a struggle for the survival of Rome and a revenge for the grudges of the Roman citizens who have died so far.
200,000 of our compatriots were brutally killed by them in Greece. The brave three legions defending Germania were also slaughtered by them.
I and Governor Marcus will make them pay for this. So I beg you here. Give us all the authority over this war! Give us the absolute right to punish them!”
“That means… It doesn’t sound like you just want to repel them. Did we understand you correctly?”
Caesar’s eyes, staring at Cicero’s shaking eyes, were filled with chilling killing intent.
He nodded slowly again and answered.
“That’s right. I’m going to erase them from this land.”