Chapter 142: Ministry of Audits

January 27, 222 AD.

Lugdunum, Roman Gaul.

That exact evening, Lucius hosted a banquet in the central hall of the praetorium.

Since the Syndicate had not only extracted Prefect Flavius but had also annihilated a cohort of elite Praetorian executioners and captured a Tribune, it marked their first unprovoked, offensive against Consul Valerian’s Inquisition.

As the five elite operatives who had executed the Alpine ambush walked into the hall, the assembled industrial officers and military engineers erupted into applause.

Even Lucius drained two goblets of imported Parthian wine.

Although it was only a localized triumph, the dark months of the Gallic winter were long and taxing, and the Forge Master wanted to utilize this opportunity to relieve the mounting stress within his high command.

When Lucius stumbled into his private study the next morning with a throbbing headache, Aurelia was already waiting for him, sitting on the edge of his desk.

"Do you not require additional medical rest for your fractured tibia?" he asked, massaging his temples with a smile.

Ever since he had formally authorized her to execute the assassination of the Imperial Envoy, he had been calculating the horrific probabilities of failure.

Even knowing she possessed unparalleled stealth geometry and heavy firearms, he had fretted over chaotic tactical variables.

After all, intercepting an Inquisition death squad was not a controlled training exercise; it was a brutal slaughter.

Now, confirming she was energetic, a massive weight lifted from his chest.

Aurelia swallowed a mouthful of the hot Arabian coffee he had left for her and stated, "I do not. The coagulant paste stabilized the tissue."

As soon as Lucius slumped into his chair, Aurelia smoothly slipped off the desk, walked behind his chair, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders in a profound embrace. "Every single hour spent recovering in the medical wing is an hour without observing your command."

"I wanted to execute this gesture yesterday in the courtyard... but the logistics were inappropriate. Now is a acceptable window," Aurelia whispered near his ear.

She did not release her grip until they both heard the clatter of hobnailed boots echoing outside the study door.

Aurelia instantly melted backward into the shadows of the room.

"Dominus." A heavily armored *Custodes* shouted from the corridor. "The Lord of Noricum, Prefect Flavius, formally requests an audience."

"Send him in." Lucius cleared his throat and adjusted his posture.

Flavius walked into the study, offered a respectful Roman bow, and sat in the chair opposite the desk.

"What are your exact conclusions?" Lucius asked, pouring a cup of hot water for the noble.

While Aurelia, Boduoc, and the others had been slaughtering the Praetorians in the Alps, Lucius had been incredibly busy escorting the Prefect through the sprawling industrial sectors of Lugdunum and negotiating the future.

Lucius had outlined the fatal economic crisis the Roman Empire faced, the corruption of the Senate, and his blueprint for a republic.

When Flavius had witnessed the roaring blast furnaces and comprehended the scale of the Syndicate’s weapons manufacturing, his eyes had widened to their limits...

If not for the undeniable proof of the steam engines and the thousands of emancipated plebeians operating them, he would never have believed that a society could exist without slave labor.

His attitude had shifted after that industrial tour.

"Repealing all Senatorial monopolies, universalizing the legal and administrative institutions, prohibiting the inheritance of Patrician estates... I can accept these terms, but..." Flavius paused, taking a slow sip of water. "I am curious. Do you genuinely plan to enforce this across the entire Italian peninsula?"

"If the Syndicate does not execute this centralization, the Roman Republic will remain nothing but a fractured liability," Lucius stated. "Before Consul Valerian launches his spring offensive, we must consolidate every single ounce of power available."

"Your centralization will offend the Roman nobility," Flavius said, "especially the specific mandate prohibiting the inheritance of estates... the title of Prefect is itself an inherited monopoly. Enacting these laws will cement your reputation as a demonic, rebel tyrant."

"That is exactly why I do not expect the Patricians to surrender their power voluntarily," Lucius said, knocking his knuckles against the desk. "I do not necessarily have to execute them all, either. As long as these aristocrats fully submit to my laws, they may even be permitted to manage their lands as state administrators, just stripped of their sovereign feudal power. I firmly calculate they will make the correct decision when facing artillery fire."

The absolute centralization of power was effective only when capacity was directly subject to the control of the state apparatus...

If local Roman lords retained their legions and independent taxation, they would threaten the supply lines and destabilize the republic.

Unlike a year ago, Lugdunum now possessed the military capital required to undergo a full-scale continental revolution!

"You seem to have finalized your decision." Flavius sighed. "If I do not accept your terms, your heavy infantry will overturn my ruling in Noricum regardless."

"I require educated administrative manpower for my expansion," Lucius said, "especially a Patrician with extensive experience in governing an iron-producing province. As I stated, you will not lose your residence, and you can operate the magnetic forges without the constant, fear of Valerian’s Inquisition."

The Prefect was silent for a long moment. "I have a specific counter-condition."

"After your infantry reclaims Noricum for me, I do not want my administrative structure to change immediately," Flavius said bluntly. "I can only offer my support when Consul Valerian is dead."

"The conditional agreement is accepted." Lucius did not care much about the noble’s cowardly hedging.

If his massive artillery bombardment in the spring executed perfectly, obliterating Valerian’s primary legions would be easier than negotiating with paranoid bureaucrats...

"Oh, by the way, Forge Master." Flavius hesitated slightly. "The young engineers are attending an advanced class in the academy tonight, and I am curious if I could audit the lecture..."

Lucius was genuinely surprised. "You likely will not understand the terminology."

"I am intrigued by their alien methods," Flavius said, shaking his head. "I have never witnessed proofs or equations like them in my entire life."

"Of course, as long as you are willing to integrate into the Ministry of Engineering."

...

Shortly after the midday meal, Chief Auditor Aulus brought him a satisfying report.

"The Tribune is already willing to confess?" Lucius was slightly taken aback by the speed. "That rapidly?"

"Few men possess a will of forged steel, Dominus," Aulus replied, adjusting his spectacles. "The Ministry of Audits employs methods that leave the flesh untouched, yet dismantle the mind entirely... until execution begins to look like mercy. He actually held out longer than most magistrates."

"Take me to his cell," Lucius said, standing up. "He knows things about Valerian’s spring campaign that I need to hear."