20demayo Chapter 247: The Future of Rome 7
Chapter 247: The Future of Rome 7
Chapter 247: The Future of Rome 7
< 247. The Future of Rome 7 >
The would-be assassins finally agreed to be exiled without exception and even signed a pledge not to renege on their decision.
Caesar wrote a document stating that he would respect this decision and made it public to the Roman people.
Of course, Caesar did not stop there.
Curio, who acted as his spokesperson, gave a passionate speech at the rostra about why Caesar did not execute the assassins and why he settled for exile.
Caesar thinks that even the most heinous assassins are still Romans. Of course, some of you may wonder why we need to respect some wicked criminals who broke the law. I thought so too at first. I wondered why we should not do what the Senate did, suspending the rights of citizenship with their ultimate decree whenever they felt threatened.
Right! We dont need to pity the assassins!
Just execute them! Exile is too lenient a punishment!
As the citizens began to shout, Curio slowly raised his hand and added more force to his voice.
We can make that claim. Because we are angry. How can we not be furious when those who would have been trampled by the barbarians hooves if it werent for Caesar dared to try to kill him?
But Caesar decided that he should not do that. He thought that a person who bears the heavy responsibility of leading Rome should follow the principles, not be swayed by emotions.
Do you think he was not angry? It was his own life that was in danger. I am sure that Caesars anger was greater than anyone else here.
As the citizens calmed down their emotions, Dolabella followed Curio and praised Caesars decision.
In fact, the right to trial, and the right to exile instead of death, are rights that every Roman has. And this is obviously a clause that assumes when a crime is committed. If we deprive these rights from a malicious criminal, wouldnt it be too prone to abuse in the future? Caesar took that into account and made this decision.
The populist senators then criticized the illegality of the Senates ultimate decree one by one.
In fact, this incident marked the downfall of the Senates ultimate decree as a relic of the past.
The Senate had lost another powerful weapon that they had wielded as they pleased until now.
With the enthusiastic support of the citizens, the exile process of the assassins proceeded smoothly.
The enormous wealth of more than twenty patricians was first transferred to the national treasury, and then their ships and escorts were arranged.
The assassins were detained and did not dare to try to smuggle out their assets.
But they did not despair either.
As long as they had their lives, they thought they would have another chance to start over.
Even if their wealth was confiscated, they were former senators and patricians who still had many connections in the aristocratic faction.
They could recover as soon as the situation favored them.
And Caesar and Marcus knew that fact all too well.
After finishing all the procedures for exiling the assassins at the Senate meeting, Caesar invited Marcus to his mansion.
I did everything you wanted. Is this really it?
Yes. Didnt I tell you? Thats all we or Caesar have to do. We shouldnt do more.
I thought you had something more up your sleeve. I didnt expect you to be satisfied with just confiscating their wealth. Of course, I dont think they will live comfortably in the hot desert land
Thats what they deserve. They made the wrong choice even though we gave them many opportunities. They have to pay for it.
Caesar asked with a gleam in his eyes at Marcuss meaningful words.
By the way, I heard that the person who handled this matter was Octavius? He said he was related to me?
Yes. He is about your distant nephew. I have been taking care of him since he was young in Antioch.
He must be barely an adult now, but he did a very neat job. He seems to have a lot of talent. What do you think?
As you expect. No, he is probably more capable than you think.
Then you must be thinking of making him your son-in-law.
Marcus answered with a smile instead and turned his gaze to a large map.
The people of Rome still hardly knew who Gaius Octavius was.
Its thanks to him that we could end up with exile in the first place. And Egypt is also his territory as well. The journey will be comfortable. I did some research, and his word has more authority than the king in Arabia as well. He must have already told them to treat us well.
The assassins who had recovered from the shock tried to enjoy their inevitable voyage by imagining their bright future.
Nothing happened for a few days after the ship left the port.
The weather was sunny and the waves were not high, just like when they departed from Brundisium.
The weather seems to symbolize our future. Its comforting.
Was that a jinx?
Suddenly, fog enveloped them and it became hard to see even an inch ahead.
What is this? Whats going on?
Cassius anxiously grabbed a soldier and asked him.
Oh, dont worry. This area is prone to fog. Its a sign that we are on the right track. Just relax. The sea is fickle.
The soldier answered calmly as if telling him not to worry, so Cassius calmed down and went back inside the ship.
They say this area is often foggy. Theres nothing to worry about.
The assassins who heard his words relaxed and lay down on blankets on the floor.
Theres nothing to see on a day like this anyway. Its better to just stay here.
But I went to Alexandria once before and there was no fog like this?
Of course it doesnt fog every day. Didnt the soldier say it often does? Maybe when you went there, it was just a day without fog.
Cassius shrugged off Trebonius words casually and found a spot to lie down like the other senators.
Fortunately, there was plenty of wine stored inside the ship.
There was so much wine that it was more than water, so the assassins drank it less diluted than usual.
The outside was foggy and the voyage was getting longer, so they felt bored and drank more alcohol.
They also felt depressed about losing everything they had enjoyed in Rome and maybe never being able to go back home again.
Eventually, they all got drunk and fell into a deep sleep without exception.
Ill show you This is not the end for me. I will surely succeed in restoring the Republic by overthrowing that bastard Caesar
Cassius also fell into a pleasant sleep with a fuzzy head.
How much time had passed?
Bang!
The assassins who were snoring in their sleep woke up with a start at the sudden loud noise.
What the hell, what was that?
Decimus, who had spent a long time on the battlefield, reacted the fastest.
Did we hit a reef or something?
Cassius groped around in the dark to find his way to the deck.
In the process, his hand touched something wet.
What Did we spill some wine yesterday
Cassius could not finish his sentence because of the intense nausea he felt.
There was too much liquid for it to be spilled wine.
He reflexively brought his fingers to his mouth and tasted it.
His face turned pale.
Its seawater. Seawater is coming in!
< 247. The Future of Rome 7> End