Chapter 82 Restoring an Empire

The battle was over, and the usurper was captured. Now within the custody of Marcellus, Constantine found himself well guarded and protected. He was a valuable prize, one that Marcellus planned to march through the streets of Ravenna, much like how Aurelian had done to the Queen Zenobia after he had defeated her, and her breakaway empire.

As for the control of Gaul and Britannia, Marcellus immediately dispatched four legions to secure the regions. With Constantine’s forces annihilated, a few garrisons would mostly protect the area. Leaving them open to Germanic conquest, something that Marcellus did not plan to let happen.

Four Legions, two for Gaul and two for Britannia, would depart from their army under the command of Ordius, who would secure Gaul for his emperor, until a proper commander could be placed in charge of the region. As for Britannia, it was to be led by Primus. In the current state of affairs, Western Rome had turned into a military dictatorship where the different provinces were led by military governors.

As for Marcellus, he would lead the remainder of his troops down the Pyrenees and into Hispania, where he planned to meet with Tasius and negotiate the region’s reincorporation into the Empire. Thus, after saying his farewells to his Generals, Marcellus did just that.

Tasius was not far behind Constantine and his army when the battle took place, and in reality, he had posted his soldiers at the bottom of the foothills when he realized that the battle was over. The message was clear: Marcellus would not advance into Hispania without his permission.

Upon seeing this, Marcellus knew their alliance had come to an end, and either a new one would have to be negotiated, or one army would have to be defeated. Naturally, Marcellus had the upper hand, as his army was larger, better equipped, and better trained. However, such a battle would be a costly affair, and would diminish his overall military strength, which he needed to deter the Eastern Roman Empire from attacking him.

With this in mind, he decided to at least attempt a peaceful negotiation. The two men met up in between their armies, guarded by their own elite troops. Tasius gazed upon Marcellus with a hint of disdain in his brown eyes.

He knew who Marcellus was, and how he ruled. Marcellus was a military dictator, a despot who had overthrown the rightful emperor, and now commanded his territory through the might of his legions. Under an all-powerful and brutal dictator, Rome had no chance to flourish. Or so Tasius thought. Thus, he did not bow to Marcellus and instead uttered his contempt for the man.

“So the despot of Ravenna who rules with an iron fist has finally entered my people’s lands. To what purpose do I owe the displeasure?”

Marcellus sneered at the man, it was clear that neither of them had very much respect for one another, thus the emperor spoke with venom as he addressed the man’s question.

“A lowly bootlicker dares to question my benevolence? Truly amusing. I’ll have you know I have come to Hispania to reincorporate it into the Empire. With the capture of Constantine, and the demise of his army, Gaul and Britannia now fall under my control. I am here to ensure that the last piece of the puzzle comes together.”

Tasius scoffed when he heard Marcellus’ demand. He did not very much care for the man. He decided to make his demands then and there.

“You will hand over the girl Placidia, so we can ensure her safekeeping until she can be safely shipped to her family in Constantinople. You will recognize Hispania as a part of the Eastern Roman Empire. For this, I will allow you to continue your facade of being an emperor in Ravenna.”

Marcellus immediately broke out into laughter when he heard these words. He could hardly believe what he just listened to. Was this man daft? What kind of ego was this? How could he possibly make demands of Marcellus with such a paltry force behind him? Marcellus instantly pointed back towards his army and scolded the man for his arrogance.

“You see that? That is an army of thirty thousand legionaries under my command who will not hesitate to cut you and your pathetic army into pieces should I give the order. I suggest you realize the position you are in. Hispania is a part of the west, as decreed by Constantine the Great. You have no right to depart from my rule and swear fealty to the boy emperor and his cunt of a mother.

I suggest you recognize the position you are in, and spare the lives of your soldiers. Because I will not give up Hispania. You will kneel before me and recognize me as your emperor, or you will die fighting for a dead man. It is your choice.”

Tasius spat on the ground in disgust and spoke the words most prominent in his mind.

“I will not bow before a despot, we will fight you until the e-“

Before he could finish his sentence, a member of his host unsheathed his blade and stuck it through the back of the man’s neck, killing him on the spot. He died with shock in his eyes, and a sense of hatred for Marcellus. The killer kneeled before Marcellus and stuck his bloody blade into the ground as he lowered his head in submission.

“The legions of Hispania kneel before you, Emperor Marcellus.”

Marcellus wiped the blood from his face as he gazed upon the soldiers with amusement. One by one, they all kneeled before him. Whether it was fear that compelled them to submit, or admiration Marcellus did not know. Perhaps gazing upon the army he had mustered sent those who were more interested in military matters than politics to turn against their master.

After all, what Marcellus represented was a military strength that the West had not seen in some time. There was also another possibility, and that was the soldiers beneath Tasius’ command thought his demands were equally unreasonable as Marcellus. Either way, with the old fool out of the way, Hispania was now in Marcellus’ grasp, and thus the Western Roman Empire was restored. Marcellus gazed upon his new troops and issued a speech unto them with a passionate glare in his olive green eyes.

“The Western Roman Empire is now unified. I know many of you have questions about my leadership, but I promise you, should you follow my orders and defend the lands of the Empire, I will restore to you all a world which we have lost as Romans. Tasius was a fool, incapable of seeing the necessity of my rule. I vow that I shall reign as the supreme authority in the west until a time where such centralized control is no longer necessary.

Like Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus before me, I am fully willing to give up the power I currently have, once I have ensured this crisis that befalls our lands pass us by, and the Empire is stable, peaceful, and prosperous once more. Though the west is reunified after years of conflict, there are still many barbarians who trespass on our lands and wreak havoc across the realm.

Take up the sword for me, and I promise to drive the Germans, the Huns, and any other barbarian group who threatens our Empire from our lands. After I have done that, and secured the West for future generations, I will march on the East, and force them to unify with the West once more.

Stay with me, and I promise you all, a brilliant future for not only your children, or your grandchildren, but your Great Grand children and all their descendents. I fight not for myself, or my future offspring, but for all of Rome! Now rise, sons of Rome, and reclaim your destiny!”

After hearing this speech, the tens of thousands of soldiers, both from Hispania, and Marcellus’ own forces, rose from their knees and unsheathed their blade shouting battle cries in to the air. Marcellus’ speech had convinced a fair deal of those who were hesitant to follow him, that he was the right man to rule over Rome during this time of crisis.

Though they were not yet aware of the transformation that was occurring in Italia, his words fired them up. Each man standing in the foothills of the mountains was willing to fight and die for this dream to become a reality. For too long, Rome had been declining without any hope in sight. Yet in this time of darkness, a light had shone through, and won over the hearts and minds of every man present.

With Tasius’ death, Marcellus would have a hard time finding a replacement for him, that could rule the region in his stead. But that was a problem for another day. Now he just wanted to celebrate his victory, and the reunification of the Western Roman Empire.