Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

“The soldier holding the kingdom's flag should be a Messapian, right?”

“The announcement mentioned that his name was Lakares, a soldier of the Ninth Legion(the Ninth Legion was mainly composed of Messapians). When capturing the city of Lucera, he rushed to the top of the city wall and killed four enemies while getting stabbed several times. However, he kept fighting until his comrades managed to rush to the top of the city wall…”

“It's no wonder bandages are still wrapped around his body. Such a brave soldier is naturally worthy of the honour of being the flag bearer of this Triumphant Return!”

“Lakares is a famous warrior in our city of Rudiae!” Someone interjected with broken Greek.

In such a festivity, everyone became open-minded as they all put aside the conflicts and disputes of the past. Then the man said happily, “Both Greeks and Messapians are Theonians. And with you Messapians joining Theonia, our army became stronger!”

“Victory to the Theonian Legion!”

“Victory to the Ninth Legion!”

“Bravo, Lakares!”

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

The marching column then reaches the first Arc de Triomphe, the starting point of the northern outer area of the city of Thurii.

This Arc de Triomphe was built after the South-Italian War. The four carvings on the arch showed the four soul-stirring battles that determined the fate of Theonia in the South-Italian War. They are the Battle of Poseidonia, the Battle of Thurii, the Battle of Crotone, and the Battle of Megalos.

The soldiers passing through the Arc de Triomphe became more eager to make more achievements and be remembered by the history of the Kingdom of Theonia…

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

Audiences filled up the seats around Nike Square. Unlike those on the road, the audiences here have different statuses, such as foreign delegates, invited dignitaries, kingdom officials and officers, and their family members…

Of course, this also includes Davos' family, who sat on the viewing platform beside the Grand Senate Hall with the statesmen's families and the soldiers surrounding them.

“Giada, you shouldn't stretch your neck too much. The parade would still take some time to get here. Unlike before when it only takes three kilometres to reach the inner part of the city from the outer – ouch!” A young girl knocked the head of the quirky girl while rebuking her in a soft voice, “Eunice, don't be so rude! Giada is older than you; you should call her sister!”

“Fine, sister Giada!” afterwards, Eunice's big eye glimmered with guile, “You don't have to find him hard. After all, Sthephilos is the flag bearer of the Eighth Legion and should be walking at the front of the column, so you don't even need to stretch your neck to find him.”

When the petite and beautiful Giada heard this, a blush appeared on her face as she hurriedly withdrew her body from the railings. Seeing the two sisters sniggering, Giada hurriedly explained, “I am not searching Sthephilos. I was just helping…Cynthia find Patroclus.”

“My sister would soon be engaged to Patroclus, so she isn't as anxious as you!” Eunice blurted. Although her voice wasn't loud, it still caused the people around them to exclaim.

Cynthia became shy and immediately knocked Eunice, “Stop talking nonsense!”

Eunice didn't care and said with a smile, “Sister Giada, as you can see, my sister is getting married. So when will you and Sthephilos get married?”

“Ah?…”

“Eunice!”

“Ouch!”

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

Alexius was riding in an elegant chariot drawn by four black horses. Today, the kingdom of Theonia is no longer as poor as it was at the beginning, so it is now easier for them to find four tall and beautiful pure black horses.

Behind him was Leotychides, also riding a chariot drawn by four horses.

Next were the several legatus, such as Amintas and Olivos, who was somewhat uncomfortable as they each rode chariots drawn by two horses.

Leotychides stood on the carriage with his chest straight as he welcomed the cheers and praises of thousands of people. Although he had participated in numerous Triumphant Returns, this would be the first time he would participate as an army commander. Thus the attention he received in a leading role was naturally different from that of the past, making him quite excited that he would occasionally wave to the audience.

When their carriage entered the Nike Square, thunderous cheers rang out even more overwhelmingly.

After circling the square, the carriage stopped in front of the Senate Hall.

Alexius, Leotychides and several legatus got out of the carriage and walked up the stairs solemnly.

On the viewing platform at the end of the steps stood the esteemed statesmen of the kingdom, and in the middle was King Davos.

“Your majesty!” Alexius, the first to reach the top of the platform, saluted with respect.

Davos returned his salute and said, “Alexius, thank you for working hard! Thank you for adding new territory and people to the kingdom!”

“That is my duty as the military commander!” Alexius replied.

With a smile, Davos took the golden sceptre of victory from Henipolis and handed it over to Alexius. The sceptre was one-foot-long, made of gold, and topped by a beautifully carved statue of the goddess of Victory, which is a reward for commanders returning from victory. Nowadays, the kingdom no longer gives verbal recognition to the victors but more substantial prizes.

And this prize is the highest reward for the strategos of the kingdom who commands the war. Therefore, Alexius, who usually doesn't pay much attention to wealth, receives the sceptre with emotion as he presses it tightly on his chest.

“Your majesty!” Leotychides also gave a neat military salute.

“Prosous, you've done a good job!” Davos smiled more, “You've lived up to my expectations and even exceeded the expectations of many people!”

Davos said, handing over the sceptre of victory. After Leotychides received it, Davos gave him a powerful pat on the shoulder as he said, “I look forward to your next victory!”

Leotychides became excited as he understood that King Davos valued him very much. Thus for a moment, he didn't even know what to say and just repeatedly said, “Yes! Yes!…”

Davos then handed silver sceptres to Amintas, Olivos and the other legatus.

When he was about to put on the Cerberus medals made of gold to the several flag bearers, Davos saw Lakares from Messapi wrapped in bandages. Soon, emotion overwhelmed his heart as he remembered the sight where he gave the flag to Drakos, who was also covered with wounds more than ten years ago in Amendolara. Thus he gave the brave soldier a strong embrace, grabbed his hand and raised it high.

Seeing that, the soldiers in the square cheered loudly, especially those from Messapi and Peuceti.

After putting on the medals for the flag bearers one by one, Davos strode to the platform and shouted to the thousands of soldiers under, “O brave soldiers of Theonia; O loyal citizens of the kingdom!…”

“All hail, Theonia!!!…”

“All hail, king Davos!!!…”

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

With that, the Triumphant Return ended with the cheers of the soldiers.

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

The day after the end of the Triumphant Return, Patroclus received a notice from the Ministry of Military asking him to go to the palace immediately.

Although he had learned about it from Cynthia last night, Patroclus was still worried while on his way. After all, this would be the first time he would meet King Davos alone.

When he reached the door of the king's office on the second floor of the palace, Henipolis came out without the guards having had the time to go in and report. Seeing Patroclus, the court clerk who was once the ‘youngest statesman’ looked at him with interest. He then smiled and said, “Congratulations, young man!” Afterwards, he turned around and went back inside.

After a while, he came out again, bringing the two scribes out. But when passing Patroclus, he comforted him by saying, “Go in, don't be nervous.”

Patroclus then said gratefully, “Thank you, Lord Henipolis!”

Patroclus then went in quietly. Inside, only one person remained.

The founder of the kingdom of Theonia, the supreme commander of the Theonian army, the descendant of Hades and also the father of Cynthia – King Davos. He was sitting behind his desk, more than twenty metres away, as he gazed at Patroclus calmly.

The usually daring Patroclus couldn't help but feel his heart beat rapidly.

“Your majesty…I have arrived.” Patroclus tried to control his body and saluted Davos.

Davos just looked at him with scrutiny and kindness. Seeing Patroclus' nervousness, Davos said gently, “Patroclus, take a seat.”

“Yes!” Patroclus sat on the chair beside him. It was only when his mind calmed down a little that he felt his mouth dry, causing him to swallow his saliva unconsciously.

Davos smiled and said, “If you are thirsty, I'll get you some water.”

“No, thank you, your majesty!” Patroclus hurriedly waved his hands.

“Before the Triumphant Return, I reviewed the list of candidates sent by Alexius to serve as the flag bearer of the legion. But I deliberately removed your name from it.” said Davos slowly, “You must have complaints, right?”

“No, your majesty,” Patroclus said without thinking.

“Do you know why I did that?” Davos asked further.

“It's…to avoid suspicion,” Patroclus answered in an uncertain tone.

“Yes, to avoid suspicion,” after affirming it, Davos said, “You have quite a great talent in the military. But once you marry Cynthia, you will be shrouded with the background of the royal family, and others will think that everything you achieved is a result of me taking care of you. Hence there will be many more things like this to avoid suspicion in the future, and you probably will not become the ‘youngest legatus’, nor ‘the youngest army commander’ like Prosous…”