For the Glory of Rome: Chronicles of an Isekai'd Legion B3 Chapter 70: King of the Gods

B3 Chapter 70: King of the Gods

Tiberius strode through the streets of Novara’s capital flanked by Legionnaire guards on either side. Although technically, that wasn’t accurate. Now that Novara had been conquered, the city could be better known as Ro’s capital, until such ti that he deed another city more fitting, of course. But the place had many benefits as a seat of power for now. Though it would perhaps need a new na.

“Long live the emperor!”

The shout echoed in countless throats as the local populace cheered on his passing. Crowds grew to fill the newly broadened streets before him, held back by the preemptive barriers and cordons the Legionnaires had erected. It was not nearly as raucous as a true Roman mob. But then, these people were still assimilating. Such things would co with ti.

Managing the crowd still took more n than he would have liked—n that could have been put to use in other contexts. But it was necessary. Traversing the streets without such asures would quickly find him overwheld. Besides, being seen in public like this served to strengthen morale and his image among the people.

Tiberius waved to the crowd, projecting his [Regal Bearing] outward. From working with the remaining Novaran nobility that hadn’t been executed or jailed, he gathered that the skill both inspired confidence and loyalty in those affected by it. Even now, he heard the cheers amplify in his passing. Yet another reason for him to walk amongst the commoners.

He felt a ripple through the air as Lucius activated a privacy skill of his. The cheers of the crowd muffled, and the aide’s quiet words carried easily to his ears. “Sir. There is word from Habersville that the first elven delegation has arrived at the border. The High Priest and a handful of historians are among them.”‘

Tiberius spoke quietly despite the bubble around them. “Historians?”

“Yes, sir. They claim to bear tos on their people’s history, copied and preserved for centuries and retrieved at your request.”

He humd thoughtfully. The fact that the elves had even mobilized this quickly was a small miracle. Apparently, his emphasis on haste had not gone unremarked. And the historical tos… those would prove quite useful indeed. Any knowledge of the last empire would prove invaluable. He was particularly curious about how closely its laws and customs mirrored the ones he was familiar with—and how it had fallen. The parallels and differences between Ro in this world and his would undoubtedly help him to refine the frawork they were already making.

“A few centurions have reported strange cases of missing Novarans they are looking into. I will inform you when we have more information, should it continue to be an issue. There are also several suggested laws the nobles have put forth for your review,” Lucius continued. “Most are clearly attempts to undermine your authority or carve out comfortable niches for themselves in Roman society. Yet so have at least a speck of rit to them.”

Tiberius’s most trusted aide continued to brief him as they walked, interrupted only by the orders Tiberius issued in response. Fixing the economy, replacing outdated laws, and implenting new ones that best suited this world's unique environnt—given the ever-growing pile of work on his plate, even this ti could not be wasted.

Already, he'd gained so inspiration from the elves during his brief visit. Seeing how they'd integrated Roman law and customs into their own civilization had given him quite a bit of insight into the matter while also serving as a cautionary tale. Blindly trying to apply all of Ro’s old practices to these people was a recipe for failure.

The service requirent for citizenship was one particularly prominent example. In his old world, twenty-five years of auxiliary service was a reasonable expectation for one to beco a Cives Romanus. Yet not all citizens had completed such service. Many were born to cives Romani parents instead, enjoying the benefits and rights earned by their forebears.

In his opinion, the practice had introduced too many problems. Even in his ti, much of the empire's citizenry grew complacent. n who were generations removed from service often lost their appreciation for their rights and the responsibilities that ca with them. To the point that he considered making service a requirent for anyone to maintain their citizenship.

Yet that brought more issues. The knowledge that such benefits would not be passed down to children could indeed be taken poorly. Additionally, to be a Legionnaire, one traditionally had to be a citizen. Anyone else who wished to serve would be funneled into the auxiliaries, as they had done in Habersville. However… could they really afford to continue that practice?

Even if the auxiliaries appeared to confer more System benefits than initially expected, they were still nowhere near the strength of a full Legionnaire. And Tiberius could neither afford to wait for those auxiliaries to complete their service nor for his n’s future children to be born and trained. Most Novarans were currently peregrini, free subjects of the empire with far more limited rights. They would not be able to vote or beco Legionnaires until they beca cives Romani… Unless he changed things.

It was a complication that needed to be sorted out sooner rather than later. Especially before he began reinstating the Senate. The last thing he wanted was for Ro's governing body to be overrun by those who held no loyalty to her. Yet at the sa ti, ensuring that the populace had so sort of representation would do much to stall potential unrest, especially from a populace that outnumbered them. Though numbers hadn’t done much to save them from being conquered, n’s mories were all too short-lived.

Perhaps he would need to add another tier of citizenship to their system. One below the cives Romani, but above the peregrini. It would be the bare minimum to reconcile the property ownership of the remaining nobles with old Roman law, as he had absolutely no desire to confer citizenship upon them or seize the territory outright from those who managed it well. He dared not cheapen such things by casting weighty rights and responsibilities before these people like candy. And he would almost certainly need to do away with the citizenship requirent for Legionnaires, if only to replenish their numbers.

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He considered the matter at length all the way until they reached the Temple District. A broad plaza ringed by various temples greeted them, their construction a mishmash of styles. Most of the older temples boasted gaudy ornantation weathered by ti and topped with ornate divine crests that Tiberius did not recognize. The newer ones, however, bore far more resemblance to what he was used to. Impressive pedints perched atop grand columns. Before them stood braziers of brass lit with fla, as well as impressive statues depicting the forms of the deities worshipped within.

Not all of the temples were in one piece, however. Many of the Roman gods were worshipped in houses that remained under construction, their faces and limbs peeking out of rough-hewn blocks of stone. It was work interrupted by more pressing matters across the empire—though it would be completed once the n in the west returned. That was what he’d promised the more devout of the n, at least.

The crowd of onlookers halted at its edge, apparently unwilling to bring their celebration into the place’s hallowed grounds. Though that was not to say the place was empty. Plenty of priests and worshippers walked and prayed within, so even practicing their crafts under the watch of their deities. A woman danced in front of a temple composed of stone that flowed like silk, and nearby, a collection of black-cloaked figures stood vigil before a foreboding black structure.

Many of the temple district’s inhabitants noted Tiberius’s entourage with interest, though others seed too involved in their own business to care. He watched his n take careful note of those who seed a little too disinterested or who darted into buildings at their passage.

He intended to head straight for the temples of the old gods, those native to Novara and this world. The temples of Kona and Arashim, two deities who had given the Legion trouble in the past, were of particular interest. But he found himself drawn in a different direction, first toward one of the few new temples that was actually complete.

As he approached the front steps of the temple, he found a priest already waiting. The man bowed his head. “Emperor Tiberius. We have been expecting you. Please, follow .”

The priest turned and began to ascend without waiting for a response. Tiberius eyed the man a bit dubiously before following. The statent was likely an attempt to maintain the mysticism of the gods by suggesting they’d influenced him sohow. Whether or not that was actually true, he didn’t know. But given the fanfare his passing had stirred up, his arrival wasn’t exactly hard to predict or plan for.

They climbed the steps and stepped inside the temple. The air slled different here, distinctly sharp and clean despite the smoke put out by the lit braziers. The interior combined aspects of both Roman architecture and the less flamboyant motifs of so of Novara’s temples to lend it a grandiose, yet reserved air. But the main attraction sat further back, presiding over all.

At the back of the room towered a handso, wise figure seated on a throne. Above his head sat a resplendent eagle, its golden feathers glimring in the sunlight as they splayed grandly to either side. One of his hands gripped a glasslike staff that crackled with contained lightning, while the other rested casually on one arm of the throne. A carved cape draped modestly over the man, yet displayed his pri physique for all to see.

Tiberius looked on at the larger-than-life statue of Jupiter. The sculpture was so well made that he half expected that the stone would feel warm to the touch. So of the precious tal for its construction had been supplied by his own n willingly, while the rest… Well, that was a matter he hadn’t looked too deeply into. Such things had a habit of appearing among the n. Though all knew the consequences of stealing from Ro and her coffers.

The priest led them to the statue and the large brazier resting by its feet. Then, he turned and bowed to the emperor once more.

“Jupiter has seen your works and approves,” the priest smiled, straightening. “A wise ruler shall be needed to guide Ro back to its forr glory. Yet wisdom alone cannot protect from all dangers. Should you desire his blessing… All you need to do is ask.”

Tiberius looked at the man. It was subtle, but he thought he saw flickers of blue occasionally light his grey irises.

He’d never been a particularly devout follower of any god. Even now, when they took a far more active hand in worldly matters, he hadn’t taken up prayer or offerings as regularly as many of the Legionnaires had.

And yet… was it wise to continue in such a manner? True, they had struck blows against gods who sought to destroy them before. But even that was accomplished with the aid of Mars. If he spurned such an offer of help due to his pride, would Ro suffer?

He stepped toward the brazier, contemplating the figure before him. It made him feel… small. Not just physically, but in the grand sche of things.

Yet he refused to let himself be cowed. He had no intention of prostrating himself before this figure as the priests did. A god Jupiter may be, but even he had limits. Desires. Things that he wanted. And that ant he could be bargained with.

Jupiter, he silently prayed. I co to you with an offer. Grant aid as I lead Ro and its people to glory. Give wisdom and protection against those foreign influences who would seek to destroy the empire. In exchange, I shall grant you what you desire most—followers. Expansion. Growth beyond even that of the first Roman Empire in this world. Lead the gods to victory against your foes, as I shall lead Ro’s legions.

Tiberius’s hands removed the laurel crown from his head. Jupiter was the god of justice, the one who oversaw oaths and sacrifice. Given that, he felt it only fitting to offer the symbol of his station in this bargain. Given the priest's words, he doubted the god would spurn him by destroying it.

Without showing any of the hesitation he felt, Tiberius tossed the laurel crown into the brazier. A few of the people who had followed him into the temple gasped as the golden circlet landed amidst the flas. It began to glow a cherry red from the heat. Yet rather than lting as he’d expected, the circlet remained whole.

Jupiter’s eyes glowed a bright blue. A deafening crack sounded as the statue's staff flared, an arc of lightning striking the brazier and the crown both.

His vision went white. It took everything Tiberius had to avoid cowering like the other onlookers, and even then, he couldn't help but flinch.

When his vision cleared, he saw that the fla had been extinguished. Thin trails of smoke curled up from the blackened brazier. At its center sat the crown, seemingly untouched despite everything.

Tiberius stepped forward to retrieve the circlet. It humd in his grasp. As he placed it back atop his head, Tiberius felt the thrum of boundless energy course through him like lightning in his veins.

Raising his head high, he nodded to the statue once. Then, he gestured to his retinue. “Co. It is ti for us to et with these high priests of lesser gods.”