Chapter 19: The Hidden Son
Chapter 19: The Hidden Son
“Grandmother, Great-Aunt…”
“I know.” Grandmother patted my back. “She returned in a most miserable way. But we will carry on her will. The Severan dynasty is not finished.” Grandmother cupped my face with both hands. “You’ve truly grown. You’re now a real warrior. And soon… you will become emperor.”
“Grandmother…”
“Do not be surprised. That is your destiny. And it is the destiny of all of us.”
She said I would become emperor so directly?
Did Gannys really propose some plan to her in the meantime?
Grandmother looked at Comazon.
“General, are the preparations complete?”
“Of course, Lady Maesa. It’s confirmed the Third Legion is firmly on our side. All thanks to your efforts.”
“Good. Then it is time to put the plan into action.” Grandmother’s eyes hardened with resolve. “Macrinus will soon realize what a grave mistake he made when he exiled us to Emesa.”
The sun completely set, and darkness descended.
Torches in the Temple of Elagabal lit up one after another.
Within that light, I felt a new era beginning.
The real battle that would change the empire’s fate was about to begin here in Emesa.
[Judging by what Grandmother said, did she already devise a concrete plan to make us emperor?]
“That’s right. While Grandmother struggled because there was no good method, Gannys came up with a scheme.”
[What method? No matter how much I think, I can’t come up with a good idea.]
“That’s why Gannys is clever. He suggested using the eldest grandson as a card.”
[Us? How exactly are we supposed to be used?]
“He proposed spreading rumors that Varius, the son born to Mother Julia Soaemias, is actually Caracalla’s hidden son.”
[What? Caracalla’s hidden son…? What kind of absurd idea is that?]
“Whether it’s true or not doesn’t matter. Besides, you do resemble Caracalla and Geta, don’t you?”
[Well, that makes sense. I’m their nephew, after all.]
“Not all nephews resemble their uncles. Even real brothers often look completely different.”
[That may be true… but will people really believe it?]
“The messengers already told us. Emesa is close to Roman legion bases among Syrian provincial cities, and nearby military camps still strongly long for the Severan dynasty and Caracalla… So if a legitimate successor appears, they’ll switch sides instantly…”
[So people might accept it as some sort of revelation? Most people believe what they want to believe anyway.]
“Exactly. Even Roman soldiers will likely be shaken. Discontent with Macrinus is already becoming openly visible.”
[Hmm… so all we need is to wait until rumor ripens into belief and truth? Gannys really is impressive.]
“We can’t just sit and wait for it to ripen. Grandmother and General Comazon must move aggressively. They’re probably already acting. Since Macrinus froze all of Grandmother’s property in Rome anyway… the plan is to liquidate all assets here in Emesa and donate everything to the legions stationed in Syria.”
Their family had been a native royal house of Syria for generations.
They possessed enormous wealth in Emesa alone.
[That… sounds convincing just hearing it. Her political judgment really is remarkable.]
“Of course. No matter how clever Gannys’s scheme is, it’s not easy to accept and act on it immediately. And on top of that… she’s betting her entire fortune on elevating a grandson who may or may not succeed as emperor.”
[It’s a gamble with her life on the line. Even a great heroine would struggle to make such a decision.]
“Now I’ll follow Grandmother’s will and move together with her.”
[Huh? How exactly are we moving?]
“I’ll contact the senators and officers from Greece, Anatolia, and Syria in the eastern Mediterranean whom Grandmother cultivated over the past twenty years… and propose we make a surprise visit to the Third Legion in Syria with me—the subject of the rumor—in person.”
[Ah… so Julia Maesa and her associates appear before the soldiers and claim that her grandson Varius is Caracalla’s legitimate son and Emperor Septimius Severus’s real grandson?]
“Exactly. Varius is Caracalla’s nephew and looks very similar, so won’t the Third Legion support Grandmother’s request once they see it themselves?”
[That’s an incredible move. Showing people the reality they want to believe right in front of them. Excellent!!]
**
As expected, Grandmother acted swiftly.
She seemed to have finished all calculations.
She secretly gathered core figures—myself, Comazon, and senior officers of Legio III Gallica—for a meeting.
“Everyone is here.” Grandmother sat and spoke. “Now it’s time to begin in earnest.”
“What exactly is the plan? Comazon asked.
Grandmother spread documents across the table.
Land deeds, property inventories, and various certificates.
“Our family has long been native royalty in Syria. Even in Emesa alone, we possess immense wealth.” She pointed at the documents. “Land, buildings, shops, mines… converted into silver, it amounts to at least fifty million denarii.”
Everyone fell silent. The wealth exceeded imagination.
“We will dispose of all of it.” Grandmother spoke firmly. “And we will distribute that money among the legionaries stationed in Syria and the soldiers who join us.”
The meeting room erupted in murmurs.
“Lady Maesa, you mean your entire fortune?” A senator from Syria asked in shock.
“Yes. Macrinus already froze our property in Rome. It’s money we can’t use anyway. But the assets here are still ours. If we give them to the legionaries…”
“You mean we can secure the legion’s loyalty.” Comazon understood.
“Loyalty isn’t something you buy. You win their hearts.” Grandmother corrected him. “Macrinus bought the Praetorians with money. But we are different. We will face the legions with legitimacy, honor, and sincerity.”
From the next day, property liquidation began under her orders.
Merchants and wealthy landowners in Emesa flocked in.
Land and buildings were sold, and silver coins piled up.
“Are you really giving all this wealth to the soldiers?” The steward lamented.
“Yes.” Grandmother was resolute. “Money can be earned again. But the chance to change the empire’s fate exists only now.”
Before long, most assets were converted into cash.
An enormous amount of silver was stored in the temple treasury.
Guards watched it under heavy security.
“It’s time to move with this now.” Comazon said, looking at Grandmother.
“Yes, we’ll give them a surprise gift. Varius, you are the star.” Grandmother smiled at me. “As you advised, I contacted many acquaintances built over the past twenty years in the East.” She continued with a smile. “The rumor that Varius is Caracalla’s hidden son is spreading across Rome.”
Comazon reported the situation. “That’s why we sold off all property and decided to donate it to the legions. We’re going all in.”
Grandmother pulled out a document.
It was a list of names.
Dozens were written on it.
“All of them are connected to the legions. Many officers of Legio III Gallica are already on our side. Through them, the rumor spread among the soldiers. In politics, what people want to believe matters more than truth. Varius is Caracalla’s nephew and closely resembles him. It’s also true that Severan blood flows in him. That alone is enough. Then it’s time to drive in the final nail. Just as we were considering that, Varius made a bold suggestion—to make a surprise visit to the Third Legion with our delegation.” Grandmother’s eyes gleamed.
**
Three days later, we headed to the Raphanaea camp where Legio III Gallica was stationed.
It was a day’s journey north of Emesa.
The procession was splendid.
Grandmother, myself, General Comazon, five senators from the East, and senior officers of the Third Legion.
And most importantly, dozens of wagons loaded with silver coins.
“Nervous?” Grandmother asked me.
“Yes, Grandmother. Will I really be able to handle what lies ahead?”
“You’ve already proven yourself. You fought on the Rhine for a year and became a real soldier. Soldiers know such things. They know you’re not a noble on paper but a comrade who bled beside them.”
As we approached the camp, Comazon looked at me.
Now his gaze treated me like the central figure.
“Look there. The soldiers are gathered.”
Thousands of legionaries stood assembled in the plaza.
They had been waiting for us.
Legate Sextus Avila must have informed them beforehand.
When our procession arrived, trumpets sounded.
The soldiers snapped to attention.
Grandmother stepped down from the carriage and climbed onto the platform.
I followed with Comazon and the senators.
“Brave warriors of Legio III Gallica!” Grandmother’s voice echoed across the plaza. “I am Julia Maesa, sister-in-law of the great Emperor Septimius Severus and aunt of Emperor Caracalla!”
The soldiers murmured.
“You served the Severan dynasty and shed blood for Rome’s glory. You are Rome’s true soldiers!”
Cheers erupted.
“But now the empire lies in the hands of a usurper! Macrinus assassinated your emperor and made a humiliating peace with Parthia! He trampled your honor!”
Angry shouts grew louder.
“But today, I bring hope!” Grandmother beckoned me forward. “Behold this young man! Varius Avitus!”
Thousands of eyes focused on me.
“My grandson Varius is the son of Emperor Caracalla! The legitimate heir of the Severan dynasty!”
The senators shouted in unison as if supporting her claim.
“Look at his face! His gaze! Does he not resemble Emperor Caracalla?”
Murmurs spread among the soldiers.
Indeed, he looked similar to Caracalla.
The same Syrian lineage, and the Severan family’s characteristic thick eyebrows and intense eyes.
“Varius is not merely royalty!” Comazon stepped forward. “I fought beside Varius on the Rhine for a year! He endured dozens of battles, defeated enemies countless times, and shared life and death with his comrades! Varius is a true soldier!”
The soldiers’ expressions began to change.
“Waaah—!!!”
Cheers finally erupted.