‘It’s not like I’m going to abuse this,’ the pegasus though to himself as jars of water were being poured on him by servants, splashing his mane and running over his hooves. ‘Using this power of belief on them, I mean. I wonder if this is what it’s really like for the Royal Sisters. I have all this authority because everypony thinks I’m a god, so in a way, I’m literally the king of kings, Emperor of Emperors.’
Lightning Bolt spread open his wings and let the jars of cool water cascade over them. ‘But on the other hoof, as tempting as all of this is, everypony also thinks that I’m still off my rocker. Even if they do see me as sane, will I become corrupted like Sombra or that Changeling Queen? It all seems so simple now, all I have to do is convince them that I’m cured, declare that I’m their Jupiter in the flesh, and whatever I say becomes the law of the land. Yet, what would Celestia think about this?’
“My Lord,” one of the servants asked, “do you wish to have a message?”
“Why not? Let me get dry first.” As the Captain stepped out onto the mosaic floor, towels were immediately wrapped around him. While they were drying him off, another thought came to him. ‘On the other hoof, these Romans have never heard of Equestria, so I might very well be the very first pony they’ve ever met. So until Celestia or somepony finds me, I’m pretty much an ambassador to these creatures.’
After a quick shake to get the remaining water off, the Solar Guard hopped onto the table and lied down, allowing the nearby servant to work. “Don’t touch the wings.”
“Yes, Jupiter,” the servant said as his hands started rubbing the pony’s neck.
‘On the other hoof,’ Bolt hummed in approval, ‘I think I could get used to this. If it wasn’t for some of the disturbing offerings, I wouldn’t mind staying here too much. But as interesting as this place can be, I don’t want to stay here for long. Midnight is probably worried sick, and I bet even little Lilac is missing me. That, and I have no idea how Roman politics works here. Or its' history. Or even its culture for that matter.
‘Still, as long as I just follow that oath to serve and protect everypony, what can go wrong?’
_*_
“This is not good.” Titus paced behind his desk. “And even worse, there’s no guide to turn for advice.”
“Please remind me, my Lord, what exactly it is that troubles you?” his advisor asked as he walked in, noticing that Senator Cato was sitting down in front of the desk.
“It’s about the Pegasus,” Felix informed him, “and frankly, I’m beginning to find this rather disturbing myself.”
“And that being?”
“He practically has more power over me,” Titus ran his hands through his hair. “I’m not sure what he meant with his observation. Should I be worried that I might be overthrown any day now?
“Calm yourself, Caesar,” his adviser told him. “I need to know what he said that has you concerned.”
“He said that as long as we believe him to be the very King of the Gods himself, anything that I say that goes against his will would also go against the will of those who worship him. To go against him is to go against the people of Rome. With so many people believing in Jupiter, especially with him here in the flesh, the citizens will recognize that he has more power than the Emperor or the Senate. In other words--”
“You think he realizes that he has absolute power?” Zenous inquired.
“Exactly,” Cato interjected, “and that’s what scares me. We’re now in completely different territory, unlike any of the nations we’ve had to face before. What’s more frightening is what his intentions may be now that he realizes this.”
“I thought that he didn’t want to stay in Rome, to begin with,” the adviser asked as he walked over to Titus. “That he wants to return to wherever he came from.”
“Yes, but as the old saying goes, ‘give a grub royal jelly and it will turn into an Emperor Butterfly in an instant.’ When he realizes how much power he truly has, he will become the most powerful being in the world. As of now, until he announces to his followers that he doesn’t want power over the Empire, absolutely no one is safe.”
Zenous put a hand underneath his chin and hummed in thought. “Perhaps it’s best, now more than ever, to make friends with Jupiter. Remember, the people also believe that he isn’t quite himself ever since he hit his head. You can help remind him of who he really is while also developing a friendship with him. You said you want to spend time with him. This would be the perfect opportunity to get him on your good side, all the while showing him who the Emperor is.”
“I see,” the Senator nodded. “So we just continue with what we have in plan for today, and convince him that both Caesar and the Senate should be the only ones to rule.”
“Speaking of plans,” the adviser turned to the Emperor, “what are you going to do with him anyway?”
“Do what I do best, show off. He was interested in the races at the Circus Maximus, so perhaps what he needs is some good entertainment.”
“And I’m going to need it, too. I haven’t been to a race in ages.” All three men jumped when the pegasus reentered. “Forgive me. I wasn’t interrupting anything, was I?”
“Oh no,” Titus walked over to Lightning Bolt. “I was just informing my adviser Zenous of what we’re going to be doing today.”
The pegasus glanced over at the human in a robe that reminded the color of sand. Zenous placed a fist over his heart and bowed a little. “Your Majesty.”
Bolt shook his head. “I’ve already told you, I’m not Jupiter so there’s no need for you to do any of that.” The pony’s stomach growled. “By the way, aren’t we going to have lunch first before we go see the race?”
“Of course,” the Emperor said, turning to Cato. “Perhaps it is a good idea to have something beforehand.”