Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

Chapter 456: The Return of the King

The Council had already taken action with strategos Gorkes stationing a thousand soldiers along the coast to keep a watchful eye on enemy ships on the sea. However, Roscianum was, after all, only a small city with too few men. Thus they couldn't fully monitor the coast, and the sly sailors often slipped over from either the Theonian territories or Roscianum territories, leaving them defenceless.

Today, several strategoi such as Amikles and the statesmen of the council continued their emergency meeting, discussing how to settle the Syracusan naval attack once and for all.

“Ask the Theonians for help!” One statesman exclaimed.

“Ask them for help?! Theonia is already having trouble on its own! Have you forgotten that they wanted to recruit our sailors earlier?!!” Another statesman said discontentedly.

As they all argued and were at a loss, a guard opened the door in a panic, “Milords, a passenger ship, has arrived from the port, saying they are Syracuse's messenger. They have brought a letter from Dionysius, Syracuse's supreme commander, asking for a…friendly…friendly discussion with us.”

As an ally of Theonia, Roscianum was not allowed to conduct diplomatic natters with other city-states, especially during a war, where they could not even meet and negotiate with the enemy on their own.

But after the guard finished his words, only eerie silence shrouded the room. There was not even a single angry voice that shouted, “Drive out those Syracusans!”

Everyone began looking at each other with a complex mood.

After a moment of silence, a statesman said with caution, “I think..it's alright to meet…”

Even though there was a sound of coughing and gulping, no one spoke loudly.

Even the expression of the polemarchos – Amikles, who everyone was watching, was also clouded with uncertainty.

But just then, someone once again opened the door of the meeting place.

A guard rushed in and shouted excitedly, “The archon of Theonia – Davos, has returned!”

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

On the first morning of December, the Syracusans struggled with their accommodation as it continued to rain in Crotone. Thurii, on the other hand, was sunny, and the people of Thurii had their anxiety swept away as they gathered outside the north gate of the city with the line extending towards the west. It is a huge crowd that also included Kunogelata, Cornelius and other statesmen.

However, it wasn't because of the good weather that everyone was in a good mood and went outside the city for a get-together. But it was because the archon of Theonia Union, the grand legatus who led them to victory, and the descendant of Hades, who Hades' deeply cared for, was coming back soon. Thus everyone looks forward with excitement!

At this moment, a reconnaissance cavalry rushed from the west and shouted, “Lord Davos with the first and second legions are only more than a kilometres away. And they would be here soon!”

Hearing these words, the Theonian crowd became excited that many ran westward, hoping to see their returning archon and loved ones earlier.

As the sun in the east broke away from the sea and began to show its light, the union’s bright red flag was the first thing to appear to the crowd. And the only red flag in the union was a flag with a striking design of black hair twisted around a bident. The next thing to appear was a military flag, but at the top of it was a large golden statue of Hades, with the name of "DAVOS" in bold golden letters engraved on the black flag.

These two flags, one red and one black, are particularly dazzling in the sun.

And as the majestic and fervent?March of Victory? rang out from the oncoming team, the crowd became excited…

Along with the flag came the 300 guards of the archon, followed by Archon Davos. Usually, Davos should be in the centre of the group to be easily informed of the situation of the whole team in time. However, after discovering the Theonians movements, he chose to walk at the front to ensure that they did not hinder the army’s advance.

As the crowd poured in like a tide, the soldiers of the patrol team couldn't stop them at all. Hence the guard immediately formed a defensive line to protect Davos, who was surrounded by the crowd trying to hold their hands high as if touching Davos would be the only way to comfort their anxious hearts.

“Lord Davos, you are finally back! We have been waiting for you for so long!!”

“Lord Davos, the union has been in a terrible situation since your absence!”

“Milord, did you know that we have lost to Syracuse and suffered thousands of casualties!”

“Lord Davos, those damned Tarantines have gone back on our agreement and betrayed us! They have invaded and captured our allies and plundered our lands! They even destroyed our farms in Amendolara!”

“Milord, we have taken care of the Bruttians so much, yet they have betrayed us at our most difficult time! Please do something about it and punish those rebellious Bruttians!”

“Lord Davos, I am from Krimisa, and those foreign cavalries hired by Syracuse burned down our villages and slaughtered our citizens who failed to hide in the city. They are a group of man-eating beasts! When will you drive them away and bring peace to Krimisa?!”

“Lord Davos, I live on the south bank of the Crati River. And these days, the Syracusan fleet often land on the coast and raid the villages! And due to its close proximity to the coast, the Syracusans had sacked our village, killing many of my neighbours…please, avenge us!”

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

These shouts containing their situation were like a crying child rejoicing at their mother’s return, while their plea filled with expectation was like a child in trouble seeking help from their strict father…

As Davos listened, his expression became gloomier with his eyes grew teary as he emotionally said aloud, “People of Theonia, my brothers and sisters, follow me to the square! I will give you my answer there!”

After hearing this, the people actually reminded each other to quiet down while shouting in unison, “Go to the square!! Follow Lord Davos to the square!!!…”

The thousands of people quieted down and no longer blocked the road as they followed the army into the city…

‘This is our archon!’ Kunogelata felt emotional at this sight: Even though the statesmen work hard for the union every day, the first thing the people would think of and look for when faced with difficulties is the young archon in front of them! And Davos was the only one who could appease and calm the uneasiness and anger in the populace's hearts, completely overshadowing the statesmen! Thus, he thought it was only fitting that Davos should be made king…

Kunogelata felt a mixed emotion as he watched Davos approach them.

“Lord Kunogelata, Lord Cornelius…you've all worked hard these days!” Davos, mounted on the horse, sincerely greeted and thanked the statesmen.

“Milord Archon, thank you for repelling the Samnites. We were all looking forward to your return!” Kunogelata and the other statesmen returned his greeting with respect.

As it was not convenient for either side to continue their discussion in such circumstances, thus they all entered the city.

Even though Davos led two legions to great victories, the Senate did not hold a triumphant ceremony for them, nor did Davos apply for one as it was still a time of war and the union was still in a troubling situation. But as they passed through the first Arc de Triomphe, the soldiers raised their heads and straightened their chests to the sound of rousing music.

And the people began to notice something unusual in this triumphant return of the army. In the centre of the marching line, dozens of carts laden with spears, javelins, shields and armour…of a style somewhat different from that of the Theonian army. Behind the carts were soldiers escorting thousands of naked men who looked different from the several races within the Theonian Union…

This reminded the uneasy and anxious people about the current situation. They all hoped that this army that their Lord Davos led that had defeated the countless Samnites in the north, which the Lucanians feared, could protect them!

Thus the anxiety of the people was temporarily relieved, and they began to cheer for the soldiers…

As Davos rode his horse, his mind ran fast… In fact, when the troops came out of the mountain pass last night, he had already learned everything that had happened in Theonia from the men sent by Aristias. Before leading the troops away, he had already planned to be elected as the king because the assassination had made him realise that his own life and his family were in grave danger. Thus, to protect his family, he had to break away from the populace by sanctifying himself as a royal and becoming above the others.

Only that Davos did not expect things to go so well and so quickly, and it was all thanks to their mortal enemy – Syracuse. Although Davos had paid enough attention to Dionysius, he had still underestimated the tyrant of Sicily, who had concocted a massive plan to keep the borders of Theonia at war to disperse the powerful troops of Theonia Union while leading his own army throughout the war, placing Theonia on the verge of destruction.

Whether it is to let himself sit on the throne smoothly or to save the people, Davos must quickly come up with ways to break the crisis created by Syracuse and give confidence to the people!

At the front is Nike Square.

Davos then look at a pillar in the middle of the square, pointing straight up to the sky. At its top was the statue of the goddess of victory holding her sword, with her wings spread and a solemn expression.

As Davos looked at it, his frown gradually smoothed out…