8 Gladiator, Conqueror and Emperor
After that, they continued the conversation that they had left off previously.
Burrus was trusted by her because of the important information that he had given to her.
When he was bribed by Nero's mother, Agrippina, he confessed to her about it and sent her information about who among the Praetor Guard was loyal to her and who was disloyal.
She took note of them and planned to execute them one by one after she got rid of her mother. She didn't want to become the second Aurelian, who was executed by his own Praetor Guard.
For the sake of her survival, they should die, consigned to their eternal damnation.
Nero would rather be cruel than dead.
After she took control of the situation, she would lead an expedition to the Parthian Empire and fully conquer them, leaving her name in history.
Moreover, this was how a Roman Emperor should rule: the more they participated in conquest, the more her people would respect them.
They respected strength, and this was an undeniable fact.
It was also for this reason that she was grinding so hard in gladiator matches and absorbing every piece of knowledge she could for her future conquests.
Her place was on the battlefield, not listening to the complaints of senators and nobles.
She would take full responsibility as Emperor in court after she purged them one by one, leaving none behind.
She didn't fear leaving infamy in the future, as long as she won; that was all that mattered.
"So... What response did they give when they became aware of my absence in court, Burrus?" Nero inquired.
"They are angry and feel humiliated, Caesar," Burrus answered cautiously.
"Do you know why none of them took drastic action despite feeling that way?"
"Why?" Burrus asked in confusion.
"It's because of fear and ambition, Burrus," Nero explained.
"They fear me, and at the same time, they want to rule in my stead. They feel that without my presence, no one could stop their ambition."
"Unfortunately, mother wouldn't let them do so. They hate her passionately for it and will do everything possible to get rid of her, yet they are not strong enough. Those old men are not strong enough to get rid of her," Nero elaborated.
Burrus grasped the meaning of his monarch's words.
They feared her because she held absolute power in Rome, with military power in her hands.
Unless she made a grave mistake, none of those present dared to accuse her of anything.
As for the ambition she mentioned, it was simply that they felt that in the absence of the emperor, decision-making was left in their hands while the emperor busied herself with her own pursuits.
Unfortunately, Agrippina's regent position hindered them from getting what they wanted.
Although she never sat on the throne or appeared in court, she heard every move from her spies, Burrus, her mentor Seneca, and her trusted maid, Acte.
"So, what's next, Caesar?" Burrus inquired. "I don't think it would be wise if you kept watching."
"Be patient, Burrus. The greater the chaos, the greater the chance I can pull the order back."
"I want you to spread rumors about my mother's control over the outside regions of Rome, spreading the fact that there are traitors among them and that she would use them for rebellion if anything were to happen in Rome."
"This would make it easier for me to call them back to Rome in the name of an expedition to the Parthian Empire later if they don't want to be accused as traitors."
"As long as they disobey my orders, it means they are guilty and will bear the crime of treason whether they like it or not."
"At the same time, make them know that I don't have any interest in decision-making over Rome; my only interest lies in art and games."
"Spread the fact that my mother is the one who rules, while I am just her little puppet. Make others aware of her wickedness and treachery, especially regarding her responsibility for my stepfather's death."
"Only limit it to rumors, Burrus. I still don't have evidence of her crimes, but it should be enough to make the other senators shift their hostility toward my mother," Nero instructed.
"Are you sure they will buy it, Caesar?" Burrus asked with a hint of doubt.
"Don't underestimate how far people are willing to go for power, Burrus. As long as there are potential profits, people will trample all rules, moralities, and codes of ethics for the sake of power. They will fight my mother for the chance to snatch control over me for themselves."
"Everyone condemns Caesar for crumbling the republic, but deep down, who doesn't want to become the second Caesar and replace him?"
"They want to become emperor, and to do that, they will do everything possible to weaken my mother and seek control over me. After all, who doesn't want to control the emperor and rule from behind the shadows? Especially when that emperor has no ambition, no interest in decision-making, and leaves everything to you to handle?"
"So, they will fight my mother over me as a prize. That is the path they will take."
"Let dogs bite each other, and they will regret underestimating me," Nero declared.
"I understand, Caesar. I will send your message to them," Burrus replied.
"Wait a minute, Burrus. There is something I want to give to you," Nero said.
Acte handed Burrus a book that Nero had written over the past week.
It's the chronicle of detail Nero Claudius's childhood and exploitation of her mother, Agrippina, the detail of them even included sexual manipulation toward children and any other disgusting that Agripinna did toward her own child.
The book contained an exposé on young girls being exploited by adults for their own agendas, undoubtedly causing outrage among the masses.
This book was a great weapon for Nero against her mother.
It contained witnesses and evidence that would undoubtedly make people hate Agrippina.
In the book, details were included about the Emperor's antisocial behavior and difficulty forming connections with others because she perceived them as malicious and distrusted them.
The book not only served as a great weapon to state her stance that she and her mother were not on the same side but also made it difficult for them to accuse her of anything without appearing insensitive.
This was how political correctness was born.
"I want you to make copies of this, Burrus, and spread them in every library in Rome," Nero instructed.
Burrus, unaware of the book's content, accepted the commission that his monarch had given him and respectfully bowed his head before leaving.
He knew it was a risk, but it was also an opportunity.
Born into a poor family and rising through the ranks purely on merit, he had never participated in bloody politics for fear of offending any party.
He feared neither death nor the destruction of his family; he only feared dying a meaningless death like his friend or dying at the hands of poison or some other scheme.
His poor family and connections couldn't afford to gamble, but his ambition was not limited to becoming Praetor Guard Commander.
Burrus wanted his death to leave a mark in history and always sought the right opportunity and the right people to serve.
He bet on Emperor Nero Claudius, believing that she was the monarch he had been seeking.
It seemed his bet was right.
His monarch was a gladiator at heart, a conqueror in the making, and a ruler who gave no damn about whiners—Nero in all her unapologetic glory.
Having such a monarch to whom he had sworn allegiance, what more could he ask for?
The die is cast, and Burrus is all in.
