Chapter 415: A New Council Member

Julius sat on the stairway leading up to the top of the wall. Positioning himself on the steps higher, he looked down at the few soldiers whom he decided to join. Taking Octavius’ advice to heart, he had spent the last few days mingling with the coliders. At first, it was awkward with him taking a seat and staring at them silently, listening as their conversation died.

It was obvious why they stopped talking. The Emperor had just taken a place next to them and silently stared. It felt like a polite way to ask them to leave, and as most of them were commoners, they didn’t question it.

Julius learnt a lot from his first few attempts and would politely introduce himself before taking a seat. After a while, the news spread that Julius liked to talk with the soldiers. When it spread amongst the men, they had opened themselves up more to him, not going silent when he approached.

"Your Majesty, what are the plans for when this war’s all over?" The soldier took a large gulp from his mug, the beer inside falling past his lips. Right now, they had a large supply of alcohol, but as the war raged on, every soldier knew it would become a rare luxury. Because of that, it seemed to become a race for who could drink the most, with the commanders having to stop anyone from getting too drunk.

Julius wore a fake smile, seeing the way the soldier drank and brought his own beer to his lips, carefully drinking. He hid the hate he had for the drink, showing no reaction as he thought about the soldier’s question.

"Well, first, I must have a child. Then, I have to rebuild what will be destroyed by Magnus." Sighing, Julius clutched his forehead, "I’m going to have too much work." Looking at the men who listened, he smiled, "What about you all?"

The soldiers all smiled, "I’m going to see my boy and take care of my wife." Some nodded in agreement, whilst a few smirked and shook their heads.

"Forgive me, but when this is done, I’m going to the whore house. A soldier shouldn’t have a wife and children. We live on the border of death each day. It is cruel to leave a widow." The man gulped the rest of his beer, some of it missing his mouth and rolling down his chin. Wiping his chin, he smiled, "When I ain’t fighting, I want to have fun. That’s all that matters."

’Disgusting.’Julius internally said to himself, but smiled and nodded, "Life is meant to be enjoyed." The soldier smiled, hearing Julius reply, and nodded as if he had said something wise. The men around could see that Julius was disgusted with the way the man lived, but said nothing.

"Well, Your Majesty. Even with my brats and wife, I will be there to help rebuild. After all, this is their home aswell."

"You all are the pillar that keeps the Empire standing." Julius smiled and took another light sip of his beer. The men all chuckled, hearing his words, and raised their mugs, finishing the rest of their beer. Looking at them, Julius sighed and looked into the sky. He had received news that Magnus was a day’s march out from the city, and he wondered how many of the soldiers he had spoken and drank with would survive the end of the war.

He had heard many of them talk about their families, dreams, and lifestyles. It made him realise the disconnect and vast difference between their respective lives. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and realised a simple truth. He didn’t care about it. Sure, he interacted with them and heard all their stories, but Julius struggled to actually care about it.

When he spoke to them, it was like talking to a wall. One day it might break and vanish, but it could easily be replaced. The men he drank with had families and lives, but none of it really mattered to him. All he wanted was to end the war and enact his revenge on those who betrayed him.

Taking another small sip of the beer in his mug, Julius watched as the men he sat with spoke happily to one another, unfazed by the looming battle. It was quite amazing how easily they could push off the thought of battle, something they all knew could be their last. Their words blended into one as Julius politely listened and nodded occasionally. His thin smile was friendly, but never reached his eyes.

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Bardas stood in the Palace and looked down at the body of Petrus. A soft white sheet was draped over his body, hiding his pale white skin. By his side, Janus and the Archbishop of the church stood motionless, as they silently whispered a prayer for their fallen comrade.

"Did we find the cause of death?" Janus looked at the two men. Bardas sighed and grabbed the end of the table that Petrus lay on.

"I found no foul play. From my discoveries, it seemed he passed due to the change of weather." Janus frowned and looked at the archbishop.

"My investigations were the same as Lord Bardas’. Lord Petrus succumbed to the change in weather. It is strange but not unheard of. Many in the Holy Seat have suffered the same tragic fate."

Janus closed his eyes and sighed. Although he suspected Bardas of causing Petrus’ death, he had nothing to prove it. He didn’t even know who he could have to investigate other than the Archbishop. In the whole Empire, Bardas was likely the one with the most knowledge on poison now that Cato was dead.

Even if he wanted to summon someone with a vast knowledge of it, the poison would have left Petrus’ system by the time they arrived. Shaking his head, Janus stepped back and didn’t on the body any more. He would secretly summon someone who understood poison at a letter date, but for now, he had another crisis.

"We need to replace Lord Petrus. Right now, we can’t risk the council being disorganised." Bardas and the Archbishop nodded as Janus left to summon an emergency meeting of the council.

After ten minutes, the men arrived at the council. Some were dressed in light robes, not expecting the sudden summons, whilst others managed to throw on something that at least made them look respectful to their colleagues.

Janus took a seat at the head of the table and sighed, "Petrus is dead. We must find a replacement." The room broke out into hushed voices, stopped with a raise of Janus’s hand. "We have discovered no foul play with two separate investigations. It seems he passed due to the change of weather, so I want you all to be prepared for the winter that is coming."

With reassuring nods from everyone, Janus looked around. "Suggestions, please?"

"Lord Colchis." One of them quickly said. Janus noticed it was a noble of the southern lands and shook his head.

"Whilst Lord Colchis has sworn himself to the throne, His Majesty does not wish for more Southern lords on the council. He believes it will send the wrong message to the other nobles of the land." Janus looked at the rest of the men.

"Duke Clemens?" Another mentioned the Duke of the north, making Janus fall into thought. After a while, he shook his head.

"In normal circumstances, that would be fine, but he is too far to respond to the summons in a reasonable time. No, we need someone close and well respected." Bardas smiled to himself and leaned forward.

"What about Duke Elias?" bardas said confidently getting the other without their own plans to nod in agreement.

’What is your plan?’Asking himself, Janus fell into thought and tried to think of a way to shoot down Bardas’s plan. But he thought he realised that he couldn’t find a good excuse. Elias was close enough to respond in a reasonable time; he hated Magnus, meaning he definitely wouldn’t be an enemy of Julius, and he was respected enough across the lands that no one would doubt his place.

Tapping the table with his bony finger, Janus realised he had fallen into a trap.’Has Bardas and the Duke formed an alliance, or does he have something on him?’It was a question he could get the answer to without investigating.

"Does anyone have any opposition to Duke Elias sitting amongst us?" Janus asked, hoping that someone would give him something reasonable. But when silenced, he followed his question, he internally sighed and nodded.

"Send word to the Duke. Tell him he is being summoned to serve on the council." The men nodded and stood up, resuming their previous activities. Bardas smiled at Janus and walked off, leaving the old regent alone.

’What had Bardas got on the old man. Elias would never willingly ally himself with Bardas. He hates those like him. I need to find out.’Getting up, Janus strolled through the halls. He didn’t have a large information network like Bardas, but he knew enough people who did.