< 246. The Future of Ro 6 >
Marcus left Caesars residence and headed straight to where the assassins were imprisoned.
On his way, so citizens approached him and asked for his opinion on the attempted assassination.
I have already discussed this with Caesar. The punishnt for this matter will be decided entirely according to Caesars will. I think that is right.
The citizens were greatly satisfied with Marcuss firm answer and dispersed.
They naturally expected Caesar to sentence them to death, but even if he did not, they would accept it if it was Caesars intention.
Rather, they might praise Caesar for choosing exile according to the Roman law, even for the assassins who aid at his life.
The assassins who ignored the Roman law and wielded weapons in the sacred Senate House.
And Caesar, who punished even those according to the legal procedure.
Even a three-year-old child could tell who was right, as the difference was so clear.
Perhaps when the sentence was announced, the citizens would change their minds as if they had never demanded the death of the assassins, and comnd Caesars rcy.
In fact, what Caesar feared most was that the assassins would sacrifice their lives while insisting on their legitimacy.
Although the angry citizens would now actively demand death, such things always received re-evaluation over ti.
If the assassins really gave up their lives for the restoration of the republic, this could pose a political burden for Caesar in the future.
It would be inevitable that so would say that executing them all was a bit too harsh.
Caesar had always claid that the final decree of the Senate was illegal, but he could also be criticized for using it himself.
If the aristocrats really intended to stop Caesar by sacrificing their lives, they should have used this point.
But Caesar and Marcus were confident.
There was not a single one among the assassins who had such a spirit.
And their expectation was right on target.
Until Marcus arrived, the assassins had been in a state of panic.
They had no idea of restoring the republic or killing a tyrant in their minds anymore.
Although they were imprisoned, they could still hear the news of Ro from the soldiers, and the angry shouts of the citizens echoed in their ears.
Cassius and Decimus, who had confidently led the assassination, sighed repeatedly with their heads in their hands.
Trebonius was no different.
He leaned his forehead against the wall and lanted how things had gone so wrong.
Where did we go wrong?
Cassius lifted his head weakly and answered.
We followed the plan exactly. The traitor is definitely Brutus.
Trebonius glared at Cassius with a sharp look and shouted.
You were the one who brought Brutus in! Dont forget that. If its Brutuss fault that our plan failed, then its all your fault!
My fault? Didnt everyone here agree when I suggested bringing Brutus in? If there was anyone who said we should think again, I would admit it was my fault.
Thats because you were so confident that you could bring Brutus in. It would be symbolic to have soone from the bloodline of the one who opened the door of the republic join us! But look at this ss!
Decimus, who had been quietly lanting his fate, muttered softly.
How could soone who inherited Brutuss blood betray the republic? I cant understand
Everyone nodded as if they agreed with his words.
It seed clear from the circumstances that Brutus had betrayed them, but they still couldnt easily believe it.
Trebonius gritted his teeth and spat out a hateful conjecture.
Maybe its true that his father is Caesar. Then hes not from Brutuss bloodline. Hes from Julius and Serviuss bloodline.
Trebonius, thats just a rumor
Its not a rumor if were in this situation because of him!
Its not over yet. Cicero is still outside. Hell contact Marcus and co up with sothing.
Decimus tried to calm Trebonius down by patting his shoulder.
It was right then that Marcus entered the room.
Trebonius, who was about to say sothing more negative, rushed to Marcus as soon as he saw him and grabbed his hem and fell down.
Marcus! Weve been waiting for you. Whats the situation? You can save us, right? Huh?
Calm down. Let explain whats going to happen next.
Marcus gently removed Treboniuss hand and looked around.
The assassins looked at him with hopeful eyes, waiting for him to open his mouth.
First of all, I wont ask why you did such a thing. Its already a past matter and theres no point in arguing about it. But the situation outside is not good. As you may have heard, the citizens are demanding your imdiate execution. There are also many people who are protesting in front of the consuls house, asking him to invoke the final decree of the Senate.
The final decree? What the
Cassius opened his mouth wide.
He was stunned by the fact that the extraordinary weapon to protect the authority of the Senate could be used against them.
And he had no choice but to realize that they were completely marginalized.
Trevonius asked with an anxious expression.
Do you think the final decree will be activated? I an, will Caesarallow it?
Decimus added sarcastically.
Why does Caesar need to allow it? He just needs to watch the consul activate the final decree.
But Caesarhealways criticized the illegality of the final decree.
Oh, so you an Caesar will stick to his political beliefs and not stop the final decree that is aid at us? Dont be ridiculous. He doesnt have to kill us himself, he just has to pretend to be helpless and watch. Why would he refuse that? Hes a master of politics, Caesar is.
The assassins faces were filled with despair at Decimuss cold analysis.
They realized that Caesar had no reason to spare their lives.
It was a golden opportunity to uproot the pillars of the aristocratic faction, and he wouldnt miss it.
Marcus quickly intervened in the conversation before the assassins fell into panic again.
Dont worry too much. Thats why I ca.
?
Ive already talked to Caesar. He said he would give you two choices and let you do as you please.
He gave us a choice? Really?
Yes. First, if you want to act as the guardians of the republic until the end, he said he would let you stand in the court. But how it will endIm sure you all know.
The assassins eagerly shuffled their feet, as if to tell him to say the next option.
Who would be crazy enough to go to trial?
It was obvious that they would be executed without even choosing exile.
No one would listen to them even if they shouted that they did it for the republic.
There was no one who cared about the assassins lives right now.
The only thought that dominated their minds was that they wanted to live.
Marcus knew that very well and opened up the only escape route for them.
The second option is permanent exile. Of course, all your assets will belong to the Roman treasury. I suggested Greece, but Caesar seed to think that would be more like a vacation than exile. The destination was decided to be the Arabian Peninsula south of the Nabataean Kingdom.
The Arabian Peninsula? Where is that?
Its an area I subjugated before. Its an area that you can reach by crossing the Red Sea east from Africa.
The assassins exchanged glances with mixed emotions.
But there was a common light of relief deep in their eyes.
They felt like a ray of hope had shone on them when they thought they were dood.
It was humiliating for them as senators to be banished to an unheard-of region, but they could save their lives.
Most of the people gathered here were satisfied with that alone.
Rather, what they regretted now was whether they could take so of their assets with them.
Trevonius grinned almost ear-to-ear as if he had never been in a dire situation.
Youre amazing, Marcus! I knew you could persuade Caesar! But how did you do it?
I convinced him that executing prominent nobles was not humane and could also be politically burdenso in the future. Fortunately, he was quick at calculations and agreed easily.
Of course. It must have been quite a burden for him to execute us patricians. Not one or two, but more than twenty.
But do we have to go to Arabia? I think Egypt would be better
Cassius asked.
They only had the impression that Arabia was a region where naked barbarians road.
South Arabia has so decent kingdoms. Its hotter than Ro, but you wont lack anything there.
Oh, really? Thats good then. As long as its civilized, I can bear it. Can you bring us back to Ro after a few years?
It might be difficult for Ro, butmaybe I can change your exile location to Syria.
That alone satisfied the assassins greatly.
They had heard rumors that Antioch had undergone trendous developnt and beco a city comparable to Ro.
If they could live in Antioch, they could endure exile life.
Then go and tell Caesar right away. Well gladly accept exile and go to Arabia. And make sure he doesnt change his mind.
Youll have to sign a docunt stating that you wont stand in court and accept exile.
Of course. Well do it right here.
The assassins rushed to sign and stamp on the paper Marcus handed out.
They gambled their lives on this.
The assassins who escaped safely sat down and sighed with relief or laughed out loud, enjoying their joy in their own ways.
Trevonius thanked Marcus several tis by holding his hand.
Decimus and Cassius were no different.
They had killed Caesar and restored the order of the republic, but that had long disappeared from their minds.
They had to save their lives first, whether they wanted to rebuild the republic or not.
The most important thing for them was to get out of here safely, and the restoration of the republic was the next problem.
Theres no need to thank . Its quite a distance from Ro to Arabia, so youll have to prepare well. I wish you good luck.
Marcus said casually and left his seat.
Thats right.
It was a long way from Ro to Arabia.
It wasnt just the physical distance, but they had to ride a ship for a long ti.
So who knows what will happen.
< 246. The Future of Ro 6> End
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