Chapter 238: Conspiracy 2
< 238. Conspiracy 2 >
Cicero looked around without giving any answer.
He and Cassius were the only ones in the room, but he knew that this kind of talk could leak out at any time.
Even after checking several times that no one was nearby, he lowered his voice to a whisper and asked.
Do you realize how dangerous what youre saying is?
Of course I do. But dont you also know that we have no choice but to do this, Cicero?
No choice, you say? Listen here
Ill be honest with you, Cicero. Even if you dont join us, Im sure you wont stop us from doing this. We already have many comrades who have agreed to share our cause. We have concluded that the only way to restore the purity of the republic is to cut off the root of the problem.
Cicero noticed the word we that Cassius used.
He had thought it was just a bluff at first, but he began to think that there might be some merit in hearing it out if it was a somewhat organized plan.
How many people are involved in this reckless no, brave plan?
Dont be surprised. If you join us, well have twenty-one people. And almost all of them are active senators, and half of them are patricians who have served as senior magistrates.
Ciceros mouth dropped open.
Considering that the senate had 600 members, twenty people were not that many.
But if they were all from noble families that were famous in Rome, it was a different story.
Whether they succeeded or failed, they would inevitably bring a huge shock to Rome.
Wait, wait. Youre saying that youre going to kill Caesar that are you sure thats possible?
Ciceros voice grew smaller and smaller until it was barely audible.
Cassius nodded confidently.
Youll think so too when you hear whos participating.
Let me hear it first and then decide.
Trebonius and Basilius, Rabeo, Caecilius and the Servilius brothers, Sulpicius Galba, and Maelius, and even Decimus Brutus.
Decimus? Wasnt he Caesars man?
Thats why Im so confident. If even Caesars close associate is on our side, how easy would it be to find an opportunity?
Cicero still looked suspicious.
The joining of Decimus was too shocking for him.
Decimus was a distant relative of Caesar and a talented man who had been active under his command since the Gallic War.
He couldnt easily believe that he was involved in Caesars assassination plot.
What if hes a spy? If you trust people too easily and the plan gets to Caesars ears, that will be the end of the optimates.
That wont happen. We thoroughly checked before we accepted him into the group. Youre the first one weve tried to persuade by revealing our purpose from the start.
Why does Decimus want to betray Caesar?
Well there are some personal reasons involved. But hes not someone who would betray us. I guarantee that for sure.
There were various reasons why Decimus joined the assassination plot, but one of them was his insecurity that Caesar didnt treat him fairly.
But Cassius kept his mouth shut about this, fearing that it would make Decimus look like a petty person.
It was better to emphasize that he was acting for the sake of defending the republic by killing his superior.
Cicero was somewhat convinced, but he still didnt have confidence in the assassination.
For one thing, he didnt think highly of the people who participated in the plan.
To be honest, I dont see more than a handful of competent people among the twenty.
But they are all comrades armed with conviction. In this kind of plan, nothing is more important than keeping secrets. And the fact that you didnt know anything until now proves that they are tight-lipped.
Fine. Ill give you that much. But have you thought about what will happen if this plan fails?
Well never be able to set foot in Rome again.
Thats not all. If Caesar survives an assassination attempt, hell use it as an excuse to completely dismantle the optimates. He has the power to do that, and assassination is enough reason for him to do so.
Cassius sighed and nodded.
He wasnt ignorant of how risky it was to assassinate him in reality.
But their hearts were so desperate that they thought there was no other way.
Cicero. If we go on like this, the optimates will be nothing but a name. Wouldnt it be better to try something? If Marcus goes back to Antioch, no one will be able to check Caesar. We have to settle this before then.
Okay. Lets assume that the plan succeeds and we get rid of Caesar. But youre overlooking one important fact. Do you think the people will welcome us if we assassinate the most popular hero in Rome? If you give me a naive answer that they will, I cant join you.
We do have some thoughts on that.
Cassius stuttered a bit.
So there was some talk among us about that. Its good to assassinate him, but what are we going to do after that?
Thats what I want to hear. Youre talking about assassinating the greatest hero in Rome, who has overwhelming popularity among the people, not impeaching him.
Thats why we need you, Cicero. We need someone who can calm the chaos after the assassination and persuade the people. Someone who has the ability to do that.
You want me to play the role of calming down the angry citizens?
Cicero let out a sarcastic laugh.
He clicked his tongue and spoke sharply.
Think about it, Cassius. What are we going to say to the people after we assassinate Caesar? We cant prove it, but Caesar wanted to be king, so we gave him the judgment of justice? You dont expect the people to believe that, do you?
Of course not. Were not that naive. The people will think that we killed Caesar to gain power.
Right. And you can see clearly what Caesars supporters will do to you in their rage. Youll be lucky if you dont die from being stoned without a trial. Id say theres a ninety-nine percent chance of that happening.
That would happen if we assassinate Caesar right now. But what if we can expose his clear ambition to become king? Wouldnt that change the story?
Thats why were focusing on that part right now. Well provoke Caesar and reveal that hes hiding his ambition to destroy the republic. Then well condemn Caesar and claim our legitimacy to the people.
It wasnt a completely unreasonable plan.
If they could prove that Caesar had the ambition to be king, they could secure a reason for assassination.
But there were still problems.
Judging by how long youve been talking, you havent made any progress in getting evidence.
I wont deny it. But thats because we dont have enough people who can make a detailed plan for us. Thats why Im asking for your wisdom, Cicero. If you join us, we can definitely succeed.
But will Rome go back to the way it was before if Caesar disappears?
Cicero couldnt give a definitive answer.
In the original history, Cicero didnt directly participate in Caesars assassination, but he strongly supported the assassins.
He thought that Caesar, who became a dictator for life and ruled Rome as he pleased, had to disappear in order to preserve the purity of the republic.
But now he didnt have that confidence.
Caesar was not a dictator yet, and he had contributed too much to Rome.
Young and hot-blooded people like Cassius tended to oversimplify the cause of the problem.
He seemed to sincerely believe that everything would be solved if they just got rid of Caesar.
Of course. First of all, the populares will lose their power if Caesar is gone. How can they have any say when they supported someone who wanted to be king?
The senate will be reorganized with the optimates as the main force. All of Caesars plans to increase the number of senators will be abolished.
And well be able to send governors to Gaul, Britain, and Germany again. Marcus will also give up the many powers he took to check Caesar. The order of Rome will be restored by the senate again.
Have you talked to Marcus?
We didnt think it was necessary. He said he was going back to Antioch soon anyway. And besides, its a bit awkward to tell him that were going to assassinate his father-in-law.
Its not in Marcuss nature to assassinate anyone anyway. If he decides what to do with Caesar, hell probably use legal means. Youre right not to tell Marcus.
Cicero looked around in agony.
To join or not to join.
In fact, his true intention was to stay out of this matter.
He didnt like the method of assassination either, and the path to success seemed too perilous.
But there was one problem.
Would they stop if Cicero refused to join?
Looking at Cassiuss face now, he was sure they wouldnt.
And judging by the faces of the assassins, things didnt look very good.
Even if they succeeded in assassinating him, they would probably be swept away by the angry crowds.
And most likely, it wouldnt just ruin them, but the entire faction of nobles.
As Cicero, he couldnt just sit back and get burned by sparks.
He might end up being buried under a landslide.
And there was also a risk of being criticized as a coward who refused to participate in a righteous cause if they succeeded by any chance.
It was a difficult situation either way.
Then maybe it would be better to sneak into the plan and try to control it in his favor.
He made up his mind and nodded slowly.
Fine. But on one condition. You have to listen to my opinion in carrying out the plan. If not, Ill think you have ulterior motives and leave immediately. No complaints, right?
Of course not. Even if you suggest something I dont understand, Ill trust and follow you.
And one more thing. I dont trust this level of personnel at all. We need more people who can exert influence externally and who can draw out Caesars ambition blatantly.
Weve discussed that several times. Of course, we have some candidates in mind. After convincing you, we were planning to bring in Cato and Brutus.
Cicero smiled with satisfaction.
They were both people that Cicero couldnt fault.
Brutus was the heir of a family that symbolized the defense of the republic, and he also inherited the bloodline of the Servilius family, one of the most prestigious families.
And Cato was a debater who could best scratch Caesars temper, even if he lacked popularity.
If they could bring in these two people, the assassination plan would become much more realistic.
Cassius and Cicero decided to strike while the iron was hot and headed straight to Catos mansion.
Cato, who was choosing a book in his study, welcomed the unexpected visitors warmly.
What brings you here? The meeting was over long ago. But Cassius, you dont look very happy.
How can I be? Caesar is steadily advancing his ambition to become the king of Rome.
Cato frowned and sighed deeply.
But what can we do? We have to keep trying to stop him.
Is that all?
All? What else is there?
We have a duty to protect this glorious republic that we inherited from our ancestors. Yes, killing Caesar is the only way to fulfill this duty.
Killing Caesar is the way to protect the republic?
Catos mouth opened wide in disbelief.
Cassius expected Cato to raise both hands and welcome him.
There was no one in the senate who hated Caesar more than Cato.
On the other hand, Cicero looked anxiously at Cassius and Cato, alternating between them.
As expected, Cato threw his wine glass and stood up with a red face.
Assassination? What nonsense are you talking about? Youre like shameless villains. Get out of my house right now!
Cassiuss face turned pale.
< 238. Conspiracy 2 > End
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