Curia Nat, Raecum, capital of Oriens
End of the third week of the first month of 576
"Lanato Arcadio Agrícola, you will no longer be basileus."
The words of Tricosto Rufo, recently appointed princeps senatus to guarantee his position as head of the senators, resounded throughout the room. Arcadio, who was standing in the center, paled as he heard it.
'My nation falls, my family is far away, my best friend has betrayed me... And now this?' His breathing grew heavy.
His eyes darted to the dagger at his belt. The urge to want to unsheathe it and slit his throat came to him like an intrusive thought.
'May the Nintu forgive me... I'm sure Philipart and Nazly will know how to take care of them.'
"Now you will be princeps."
His thoughts hushed, his eyes widened. And with his hand halfway to the dagger, he turned his gaze to Tricosto.
"So-Sorry?" He swallowed. "Co-Could you repeat what you said, ple-please?"
Tricosto sighed, and clasping his hands behind his back, approached Arcadio.
"I said that you will be named Prince of the Principality of Oriens."
Arcadio let out a choked cry, retreating a few steps, being invaded by the applause of all the senators.
And Tricosto, seeing that Lanato did not quite understand, explained to him:
"We can neither call ourselves empire nor call you basileus if the nation has been divided into three. That's why we have decided to change our titles to differentiate ourselves from the rebels until we manage to contain them."
"And why Principality?" Arcadio regained his composure a little, breathing calmly to relax completely.
"A title that frames the respect for traditional institutions, such as the Senate."
Those present supported his words with light applause.
"You," Tricosto took a few steps towards Arcadio, "will be the restorer of our empire!"
"Eh?! Goes, and why me?!"
After his aggressive way of answering the leader, a dozen soldiers entered the room, surrounding him completely.
"It was just a joke…" He raised his hands with open palms, directing his trembling gaze at Tricosto. "How do you think I'm going to restore the empire?
The leader smiled at Arcadio's typical submission.
"We will give you the powers of imperium proconsulare and tribunicia potestas."
Lanato twisted his head: it was the first time he had heard those terms.
And once again, Tricosto, seeing that it was difficult for him to understand, explained:
"You will have supreme military command of the entire Principality and total authority over the laws, and, the people."
The senators rose from their seats, applauding Arcadius euphorically. Hiding behind their smiles the fear they felt at a possible reprimand from Lanato now that he had become powerful.
"But I don't have military experience..." He ducked his head. The idea of having such privileges was tempting to him. However, he sensed that, if he did not mention his limitations, he might be punished for not having delivered the expected results.
To his surprise, the senators laughed at his words.
"Please, Agrícola!," Adino Lenas intervened. "We have been informed that, although you had certain difficulties, you managed to move the army given to you to Circe successfully! Thanks to that you now have soldiers who are loyal to you!"
Arcadio could not believe his ears. Were the senators really encouraging him, or was it just another form of manipulation? Be that as it may, the idea did not entirely displease him. He ended up agreeing, once again being overrun by applause.
"We will spread the news of your appointment throughout Oriens. So now go, Arcadio, to your home, so you can process all the information." Tricosto pointed to the door.
Lanato, somewhat stunned by the congratulations and the sudden changes in the form of government, nodded his head.
He turned toward the exit, and, retreated.
"Tricosto." Amarico approached him. "Do you think that inexperienced man will do any good? Won't we run the risk of giving him full military power?"
Rufo turned to Amarico, squinting his eyes, thinking of a good way to answer him to take away his worries.
"The result of what Arcadio is going to do will be in favor of the will of the Nintu. And regarding the military... I understand your fear, however, you must remember that, although there are soldiers who have a certain loyalty to him, we have what every legionary loves, something that Arcadio lacks: money."
Departure from the Curia
'I still can't take it in, it was so sudden... Just a few months ago they had me for a son, and now I'm the most powerful man in all of Oriens.'
Arcadio stopped his walk on the second to last step of the Curia to descend to the normal level of the street, directing his eyes towards the night sky, where the moon was shining brightly: it was a happy night. Too bad he didn't have Ivette, his wife, to share his happiness.
"Basileus Arcadio!" A messenger approached the aforementioned man, sweating and with accelerated breathing. "Until I found you!"
Lanato leaned the man on his shoulder to let him rest a little.
"Calm down, you're very agitated, what's wrong?"
"I'm bringing news…. from Afriki...."
Arcadio was careful at these words, now what had happened?
"We don't know anything about his son, but his wife has been imprisoned!"