“We have arrived!”
Julia’s excited words came as if from Gaius own mouth. After so many days at sea, Rome really did feel like it, and not at all undeservingly so. He spent countless hours in his empire’s capital when playing Impera, as his position demanded. It was his home in all but name far before he woke up in this world. As his niece got off the ship and into the harbor, Gaius followed, “It’s good to be back.” He said.
Gaius’ thankfulness was headed to the undead sailors who managed to keep the mission alive. The operated the positions left idle by his casualties on the account of the Sirens. Had Discordia not already had such a large contingent of servants at her disposal, then supplying Rome with a maritime shipment delivery link would be impossible. Such creatures weren’t useful for too complicated tasks, but they could row and help in menial labor. Expanding in their potential, Gaius could place them as the farmers who would get Cilia’s farming back in shape. It was an interesting prospect, but one that could only be pondered on for the moment. They were needed to get what little surplus food there was to the capital, and that was enough.
The skeletons and zombies carried the cargo off, the strength of past lives still hanging in their bony arms. The boxes were mostly filled with those disgusting bananas. Hopefully, the citizens would forgive Gaius for not finding a better alternative, but he was semi-sure they would. A bad taste in the mouth is preferable to an empty one in the stomach. While he couldn’t indulge them with exotic fruits, expensive sweets and high-quality bread like in the triumphs of old, his celebratory gift would be based on keeping their lives going.
Many of the citizens had gathered to receive his arrival. They watched from afar as the few guards Rome could spare formed a perimeter. Their faces were hopeful. Mothers hugged their children, sons laughing with their fathers, friends bantered over who would get to eat first. Gaius had returned with enough provisions to keep Rome alive for a good while, and such news was as pleasing to their ears as a thousand foreign conquests. Rome was no longer at the brink of death. It got back on its knees, and Gaius’ next step was to get it on its feet.
“Apollo, over here,” Gaius commanded.
“Y-Yes, Princeps!” Said the Undead Divine Legionnaire, clumsily running out from the deck and into the harbor, “What is your command?”
Gaius gestured towards the people, “Lead the effort in distributing the supplies fairly. Start with the worst-off children, and go up from there based on age, sex, and health. Maximize the people you can keep fed, avoiding unnecessary suffering due to mismanaged allocations.”
“Very wise of you.” Apollo nodded, “I appreciate being trusted with such an important task.”
“You may start immediately.” Gaius said, lowering his arm, “Try to get them used with the bananas…” he remarked with a sour taste.
“Understood.” Apollo saluted. He faced the servants behind him, “With me.”
They followed him out of the harbor, hundreds of containers to open and make use off. Whether or not it was ethical to use the bodies of deceased men to perform these things was a hard one to address. The very problem involving if they were conscient of their state was deeply disturbing. The undead did not interact or show any signs of personality, except for Apollo, whom Discordia dedicated to bringing out fully from the afterlife. Using them served a good cause, yet how much was too much? If he knew they indeed were aware and suffered greatly from being tools, would he keep it up? Necromancy was a morally ambiguous magic to use for most players in Impera, but it had never bothered the emperor before. It was only right to make use out of bodies when possible. They were, after all, just AI he would tell himself, but are they still? Was Apollo and AI? Or Minerva? Or Julia? It was too wrong to accept. As his brother once said, he couldn’t tell them apart. This situation only grew truer with his isolation. Was he to believe all around him weren’t real people would be the edge to insanity. The ever-growing wish to return home all he cared for, and everything else be damned. It would be not only self-destructive but deeply harmful to all around him. When men of absolute power stop caring for their friends, family, and compatriots, they drag their surroundings down their own ruin. If such a thing was to happen, and this world was to be real, Gaius could not forgive himself, not again.
A whole week passed since his awakening. If his body was leftover in his flat, he would already be dead. If his real self-was taken hostage to playtest this new version of Impera, then what was the point of keeping him going? If this was an inexplicable new world, then what was he to make of it? These were all questions which haunted the emperor’s mind, yet never came close to a satisfying answer. A torturous fate it is, for one who knows nothing of his reality. Gaius slowly breathed, crossing his arms and looking over the sea’s dawning horizon. Of all the possibilities, which one was the most preferable? Was it to acknowledge his simulated imprisonment and hope to be free, or to accept the new world, and bring forth a new life? In the case of the latter, what was that new life to be? He was the World Conqueror, a legendary figure even by his days. Was another go at wars, conquests, and endless death what he wanted? Would it be what Brunus would want?
Gaius chuckled. Of course, it wouldn’t. Brunus would give up the position immediately, settling for a quiet life in a peaceful corner of the world. He lacked his elder’s ambition, and so his curse as well. His little brother was happy with who he was. To project his will and influence on others was unthinkable. Be it on campaigns, administration and social interactions, Brunus never cared for power.
It was a lie. His brother, much to Gaius’ surprise did, in fact, assume the position as emperor, and according to Minerva, he ruled a wise and involved state, looking to further the Empire's objectives. It wasn’t the person he was, but the one he pretended to be. Brunus sacrificed himself in favor of Rome, in favor of Gaius’ legacy.
But why? He was so selfless about everything, unquestioning of burdens others placed on him. Why was he like that? How could Gaius become more like that? Should he even try to? How does one reach true happiness not through any achievements of triumphs, but by letting life dictate your fate? How did he bear it, consumed by no goals other than doing good? Brunus always preached about not being cruel or evil, but what constituted those things for him? What was it that defined who he was?
Gaius sighed, shaking his head. Had he cared for asking such things before, it wouldn’t be such an issue. Was he not so single-minded on his worldview, then perhaps he could understand his brother’s own. Beyond saving the empire, what was Gaius’ core motivation? Was it to save his people and creations, or his legacy and property? A mixed bag of answers poured on his neurons. It was a bit of both, but none of them as well. Gaius wanted to be happy, but the way to do it wasn’t any more set in stone. First, he wanted to conquer the world, then to restore his empire, but now what?
In his last mission, he put a proposal to test. When the Sirens attacked and killed his men, Gaius’ intended outcome was to kill all of them. He still thought it was the right thing, but the test held him back. By letting the sirens go, was he being good? Is it being good that which drove Brunus’ happiness? The act only made Gaius question himself, and nothing more. Mercilessly letting the sirens go didn’t sound right then, nor did it now.
Something was lacking. It could be more tests were required, more experiments to be ran. Gaius couldn’t keep going without actively seeking it.
It was decided. The only way he could truly understand his brother and himself was to think as he did, to apply his considerations when possible and emulate his actions. Were they able to grant Gaius’ his happiness, then once again he would be owning his brother greatly. Not only the source of his smiles from outside but inside as well. Gaius would need to die, and a new one to be reborn. As Brunus’ carried on his legacy, he would return the favor, or at least give a chance to try.
The sun finally set, bringing forth the ever-colder night. His job had been done, and new objectives assigned. A good sleep was necessary for the future campaigns yet to happen. While Rome had been saved, it was still under threat. Be it Lupus, Dragons or Sirens, they would all need to be dealt with eventually. An emperor’s work is never done, but his energy and patience sure are.
“You are so quiet over here…” said Julia, standing beside Gaius.
“… I was thinking.” He replied.
“About what?” asked the ever more curious child.
“Important things.” He concluded.
Julia gave him a mildly annoyed look, “Right…” she sat down on the harbor, playing with the sea water with her feet, “So, where are we going next?’
Gaius looked at her, “… Pardon?”
“Our next adventure! When will we go? Where will we go?
“We aren’t going anywhere for now.” He affirmed strongly, “Minerva apparently still hasn’t returned, we must wait for her.”
“Yeah, but after that I mean. Will we go to Tioch? I heard it’s a great city!”
“We aren’t going anywhere. More precisely, you won’t” Gaius affirmed, uncrossing his arms, “You weren’t supposed to go with me to Cilia in the first place.”
“But… Didn’t I help?” Julia asked with great concern, “I thought I made myself useful…”
“… You did. I’m thankful, but it doesn’t change the truth.” Gaius gestured to the horizon, “This broken world is no place for a child to wander. You need to stay in Rome where you are safe.”
“… Safe…” Julia whispered, “People have been telling me to be safe all my life. I listened to them, and even then, just last week not even Rome was safe anymore!” she got up, her feet still wet, “I want to participate in things! I want to help people, not be shut in a dark palace, being told to look after myself!”
Gaius couldn’t retort her. She might have inherited Brunus’ kindness, but her passion to be involved in the world an actively resolve problems resembled none other than himself. Gaius smiled, knowing Minerva raised his great-niece well.
“… You will become a great Empress one day.” Gaius remarked, looking back to the vast ocean, “… One day, but not today.”
Julia was visible englamoured by the compliment at first, but his addition sharpened the resolved in her words, “Why not today?” she asked.
“Think about it. Had the sirens brought enough of their own to overtake me, what would have happened then?”
“… You…” Julia’s eyes fell to the wooden dock, glancing at the footsteps of water she was leaving.
“I would be dead.” He finished for her, “You would be dead too. What then do you think would happen to the empire?”
She twisted her neck and eyes away, unwilling to face Gaius when he said “It would fall, and everyone in it would die, be enslaved or exploited by foreign invaders. Our line has stood for a millennium and now stands at a knife's edge. We are the true rulers of the empire, and without us no legitimate authority can be agreed on. Minerva herself has problems putting her own sisters under control, so what do you think an unlawful usurper would cause?”
Julia didn’t respond, taking in the emperor’s lecture. It was an important one, so Gaius didn’t stop, “We can’t afford to risk your life while I’m already at risk in missions. It is simply a chance we cannot take.”
Julia nodded slowly, her head still low, “… I understand.”
“You are still so young… You have much to learn and practice before embarking on such tasks. Focus your time and energy on improving yourself. It is the best way to fight that dreadful sense of unproductive idleness.”
“… Improve myself?” she asked, eyeing Gaius’ visor, “Minerva taught me everything I know. I can’t learn anything while she is gone…”
“That’s incorrect.” Gaius put his arm up, “You can learn from me.” He said, casting a fireball in his hand. It was the same one he used to scare off the Sirens but on a far smaller size.
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“That’s… That’s an Obliteration Spell…” Julia took a step back, “I don’t want to learn those…”
“Is that so?” Gaius asked, extinguishing the flames, “What is it that you know, then?”
“Manipulation Spells only. Shields, telekinesis and other minor magic.”
“I see, It seems that training under a Manipulation Magic Master did influence you a lot.” Gaius cast a simple shield in his hand, “These spells are quite useful, but they won’t solve your problems.” He brought his other hand up, casting the previous fireball on it, “I made Minerva be the best defensive magic caster in the Divine Legion, so it only made sense to make her specialize on it…However…” Gaius threw the small fireball against the shield. It dispersed, forming cracks in the surface, “… They say the attack is the best defense, and I’m inclined to agree. See how even though my left hand is doing it’s best to defend itself, my right hand is the one better of right now. It will continue shooting until the other one breaks.” Gaius dissipated both spells, lowering his arms, “I understand you might not like hurting others, but they won’t feel like you do. Your enemies will do whatever they can to bring you down, and so you need to prepare to fight fire with fire.”
The girl’s eyes squinted, following her lowering eyebrows and shoulders. Julia was paying attention to his demonstration, but whether she understood and accepted his message was another matter. Gaius tried to replicate an example that remembered her of her situation against the Lupus. It could have been a mistake in his part. While his intention was to teach her, it might have triggered some unhappy memories. If Gaius was to emulate his brother, he needed to stop doing things like this.
“… Anyway, what I’m trying to say is…”
A child’s scream sounded from the city’s interior. Gaius gazed at the source, along with his startled niece.
“What happened!?” she asked.
“… It came from the crowd.” Gaius looked around. There was some commotion over where he sent Apollo. The families who were supposed to receive the food were getting away from him and the undead servants. The children of the families cried and often screamed in horror as the skeletons tried to hand them food.
“… Dammit, I should have considered this…” Gaius walked away from the dock.
“Wait!’ Julia followed him to the problem.
It was the same for the thousands present. None would take the food except for the most desperate, and even them did so reluctantly, snapping the items from their hands.
“… Please, everyone, calm down!” pleaded Apollo, trying to calm some nerves.
“Why are they so scared?” asked Julia.
“… Well… If I had to guess…” Apollo scratched his helmet.
“They are afraid of the undead.” Gaius stepped to Apollo’s side.
“Yes… I believe that’s the case…” Apollo tried to sigh, but due to having no lungs was unable to do so, “We can’t near the hungry children with them or their parents freaking out. Not counting the lone men courageous enough to approach us when they do eat the bananas they mostly spit them off, unable to take their foul taste…”
Gaius facepalmed, “It’s my fault for not predicting this… Also, I hoped they could endure the fruits…”
“You should talk to them.” Julia said, calling for his attention, “Explain to them these undead are our allies. They will believe you!”
“… Will they?” asked Gaius, “I know there have been legends about me, but these are illiterate plebs. They don’t know me... Beyond my current title as emperor, that is. I had only a week to consolidate my position, never mind I did so mostly away from the city. I can force them to listen, but I doubt they will truly…”
“… You should still try.” She insisted, “You are the only person they will believe in!”
Julia spoke with a lot of conviction. It was his time to be lectured, it seemed. Sharing a quick glance, Gaius nodded, “Very well.”
Gaius walked away from the two, closing the distance to the people. He passed by the zombies, getting to a point the crowd began to recognize him from his past stroll in the city. He raised his hand in the air, casting a medium sized fireball. He needed to act fast, lest they fought it was intended to them. He shot it far upwards. It exploded in the night sky, roaring like the fireworks from his world of origin. The spectacle claimed the wondered eyes of all the easily impressed masses.
“… Citizens of Rome.” Gaius spoke out loudly, his deep voice needing an extra push to be heard from afar. He lowered his arm, “… I am Emperor Gaius. I ask for your ears.”
The undead followed a command given by Apollo, distancing themselves from both Gaius and the people. They could easily see him, and more importantly, listen to him. He pointed to the servants, “These undead beings are our allies. They assisted me in bringing food to Rome. I ask of you, do not fear to take their offerings. They seek only to help you.”
Gaius gave them a moment of silence. They whispered in each other’s ears, likely afraid to attract the emperor's direct gaze. While it is better to be feared than loved, the saying sure didn’t mean from the perspective of sociability.
“… Is he telling the truth?” a woman asked, “He looks so scary…” a child commented, “He can’t expect us to trust these monsters…” a man said with a grunt.
“Those bananas are terrible!” a man shouted to Gaius. He followed on his courage to address him, “They must be either spoiled or poisoned… We can’t eat them!”
Gaius shook his head, “They aren’t.” He cast a telekinesis spell, getting a batch of the fruits from one of the open boxes, “I’ll prove their safety for consumption.”
He took off his helmet, hanging it on his waist. His eyes glowed ever stronger in the darkness surrounding the harbor at such hours. His gaze was more illuminating than the nearby torches for some.
“… His eyes…” many of those present said in unison, “Is that purple?” the ones further back asked, “… It’s… It’s so beautiful!” some young woman remarked.
Gaius peeled off the banana. His face contorted a little, knowing what awaited him. He suppressed his disgust, eating with apparent enjoyment, “… They might not be pleasant to eat, but they will save you from starving.” He said after finishing.
His example set, some of the younger kids emulated him. They ate the fruits, and while some still spat it out, especially the girls, they did so far less than before. The kids from further back, hungry and now willing to eat asked their parents for it. The sentiment spread, and soon the crowd became far more accepting of the undead. They were still distrustful, committing to grabbing the items as fast as possible, but it progressed. The citizens re-engaged with the servants, the supplies spreading throughout.
“See? I knew you would do it!” Julia said from a distance, rushing to him.
“Indeed, most impressive!” Apollo followed in an orderly manner, “You have made my job far easier, Princeps.”
Gaius turned back from the crowd, and spat out the pieces still in his mouth, “… Don’t mention it….” He said, trying to hide the remains from a broader view. Putting back his helmet, he looked at Apollo, “Once they are done, collect all undead capable of performing the Disease Cure Spell. The worst cases are still contained in the hospital. It should start from there.”
“I shall do as you say,” Apollo affirmed.
“If there are any major problems, you can find me in the Imperial Palace. I’m rather tired, so I would appreciate if you didn’t bother me with trivial things.”
Apollo nodded, saluting and then leaving to undertake his assigned tasks.
“You are going to sleep?” asked Julia, “Won’t you wait until Minerva returns?”
“She might only get here at midnight, I can’t stay up until then…” Gaius yawned, “… Roads have a way to deviate one’s path. She should be here by tomorrow morning at best.”
“Ok… I think I’ll wait for her in the…”
“Princeps Gaius!”
A loud shout echoed through the harbor. The man ran through the dock as fast as he could.
Gaius turned to it’s source, “…. What now?” he asked.
A legionnaire charged their position. He came not from the crowd but from the city’s interior. Judging by his armor set he was part of the wall sentries. Rome could barely afford to keep it’s men well equipped, so it fell to the first line of defense to get whatever they could spare. Gaius didn’t doubt he was one of its members. Had he anything to say, it would be related to external affairs. He stretched his legs and arms, his chance to relax gone.
“He looks very nervous…” Julia pointed out, “Do you think it’s really important?”
“It must be.” Gaius said, trying not to sound too tired, “He wouldn’t come directly to me at such a time if it wasn’t…”
The legionnaire de-accelerated a little, “I have a report from…”
An explosion filled the gap between them. The flames spread far and wide through the dock. The legionnaire fell on its pace as Gaius and company were left befuddled as more events conspired to steal their attention.
“How rude!”
Discordia was pointing a fuming open palm towards the legionnaire. She got off from the ship, finally awoken from her trip’s slumber, “To near the presence of the Princeps so inelegantly… Who do you think you are? Apollo?” she walked down the ramp connecting the ship. Standing between Gaius and the soldier, Discordia electrified her fingers, “What ya got there? Better be some antidote to hangover… My mind is DAMN fucked right now….”
Watching this unfold, Gaius fell on an interesting tangential thought. Not only could undead feel pain, such as in the case of Apollo, but they could also suffer from alcohol poisoning. The laws of this world seemed less predictable the more he learned from it. He would never think of giving drinks to his Divine Legionnaires back then, therefore knowing whether this phenomenon was a new thing or a consistency from the game was unknown. He dismissed his considerations, an important issue to attend at hand.
“Let him be, Discordia.” Gaius walked to her, His intrusion is permitted, granted the message is important.”
“Oh! What if it isn’t!?” she asked, opening the same sadistic smile he saw on her in Cilia, “Will we torture him? Hah! That would drive my headache away! Nothing cures a hangover like the painful screams of a man getting his eyes plucked off…”
The soldier, still on the floor shook underneath his armor set. Gaius couldn’t blame him for showing such fear, even considering he was a soldier. Discordia had all the features which provoked the wrong feeling in one’s mind. It sure didn’t help she was saying such nonsense.
“No one is getting tortured.” Gaius reprehended her, “Go put down the fires you started.”
“But… Daaad…” she tilted her head.
“Do it before it gets out of control.”
“… Fiiiine…” She sighed, walking off and casting blizzard spells to calm the blazes.
Gaius was getting used to it. Reprehending the Divine Legionnaires, especially Discordia was no different from what he expected it was to be a father. Minerva was perfect and dutiful, and Discordia the messy and disobedient one. For now, the dynamic worked, and due to it’s implied truth Gaius wouldn’t complain about her calling him so affectionately.
Gaius extended his hand to the legionnaire, “Get up.”
“… Yes… Sir.” He took his hand, getting back in his feet, “Thank you for saving from your… Daughter?”
“That was no issue.” Gaius gestured to the scroll he carried, “What news do you bring?”
“Ah… Yes…” he pulled the scroll from his leather bag, “A mysterious messenger got to our gates. He wore imperial armor, but wasn’t like the ones we used… He meant for you to read this.”
“It was a Roman soldier, then?”
“Most likely, sir.”
Gaius took the scroll, “You are dismissed, soldier.” Gaius said.
“Yes sir.” He saluted, running away as fast as he got there.
As he tore off the seals, he considered the situation. For a Roman soldier to deliver this he would have to be part of Venus’ legion. Could it be a message from Minerva? He opened the report and read it attentively. His grip on the paper tightened as each line finished. Discordia cleared the remaining flames from the harbor, allowing Julia to get closer.
“Ugh… It almost burned me…” she carefully tried not to step where small flames still persisted. Finding her great Uncle reading the document she took a peak on the scroll.
“What’s the report about?” she asked, “Is it from Lady Minerva?”
“… No…” Gaius sighed, “… It’s not from her… But about her.”
Julia’s merry mood vanished as Gaius’ almost dead voice rocked against it, “How so? What happened?”
“Venus has betrayed us….” Gaius closed the scroll, “She has allied herself with the Lupus and taken Minerva hostage.”
“… What!? Julia shouted, “Minerva is a hostage!?”
“I know it might not sound right for someone so strong to be taken captive, but in this context it makes sense. Venus Elagabalus is a master at Illusion Magic. It’s not hard to conceive the ways she could have fooled Minerva… Invisibility and Paralysis spell being my guess…”
“That’s… That’s horrible… What can we do to her back?”
“… That’s the part that concerns me. In this report, they state the time and place they will meet with the Lupus contingent… ”
“Wait… Why would they do that?”
“It’s a trap, albeit an obvious one… Too obvious…”
Julia’s eyes shifted directions as fast as she blinked. She was likely even more nervous than Gaius himself, “… A trap… Then… What can we do?”
“… Fall for it, I’m considering.” Gaius said without a hint of sarcasm.
“Fall for it!?” she asked, expressive her outrageous reaction, “Are you going suicidal again?”
“… Perhaps, but I don’t have a better choice. Venus wouldn’t have given us these coordinates if she didn’t mean us to use them. If I decline it… Minerva’s fate will be certain….”
Julia’s eyes began to form tears, “… No… I can’t lose her… Not another mother…”
“… Agreed.” Gaius nodded, putting the scroll strapped on his armor, “I will go and face Venus.” He began to walk off.
Julia grabbed Gaius’ arm, not letting him go further, “I’m going with you!”
Gaius got her grip off him, “No, you are not. We already discussed this…”
“I don’t care!” she screamed, “I need to go help Minerva! I need to…”
Gaius patted her head, “I’m sorry Julia, but it’s not happening…”
“What are you… Eh?” Julia looked down, a green illuminance claiming her legs. She tried getting it off but her muscles wouldn’t obey. She was paralyzed on her feet.
“I will dissipate the spell after I’ve left.” Gaius released her head, “In case I don’t return, you are the Empress. Do not be afraid to act in any way necessary to serve the empire’s best interest, even at the cost of my and Minerva’s lives.”
Julia’s singular tears gave way to a fully dedicated and sorrowful cry, “…G-Gaius… Don’t say things… Like that…” she cleaned her face, her upper body still free for movement.
“Goodbye…” Gaius turned around, trying to go for good. Once again, Julia halted him. This time not with a grab, but a hug. She held dearly to his chest plate, leaning in his armor to cry, “I-I don’t want to lose you too…”
“… Julia…” Gaius looked back on her.
She met his visor, “Tell me you are going to come back! Promise me!”
Her eyes were the saddest thing Gaius ever saw in his life, be it in the real world or Impera. He could never be sure he would die or not, but to say so to her at that time and place was beyond his powers as the legendary World Conqueror.
“… I… I promise….”
Julia’s wet and reddened eyes widened as her typical smile reappeared. Gaius used the pretext to break off the hug, and finally get going.
“Discordia!” Gaius shouted.
“… Yeah?” Discordia replied, getting off from putting down the fires.
“Take care of Julia while I’m gone. Protect the city as well as best you can.”
“Alright! It will be fun!” she jumped, hugging Julia, “We are gonna have the best time of our lives, little Julia! We will go to the best bars, destroy anyone who… Why are you crying?” she asked, distancing from her.
“Apollo will oversee the general administration while I’m gone. Inform him I’m off the city.”
“No problem, dad! We’ll wait for ya to come back anytime!”
“… Well then, I’m off.”
“… Good luck!” Julia said, “Do your best!”
“… I will.” He replied, getting away from their portion of the harbor. They were left, as he went down his way. Gaius’ problems kept mounting, and for every time he solved one another took its place. At one point or another, some people or person depended on him. The world had conspired to steal his life and brother away, but he wouldn’t let them take anything more. Gaius would rescue Minerva, no matter what it took.