Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

Davos’ last sentence brightened Cheiristoya's eyes, who then said with a smile, “Your majesty, why are you taking it so seriously? I am just kidding. Didn't I do all the things you asked me seriously?!”

After saying that, she used her hands to support her upper body, then leaned towards Davos' kline, almost snuggling into his chest. Then she said softly, “You've been busy with the drought these past months. Now that it finally rained, you should also relax and have my sister and I accompany you tonight…”

“Sister!…” Although Cheiristoya's voice was low, Agnes, who was nearby, still heard her and caused her face to turn red.

Davos became excited hearing that. He really needed to relax as the drought and the possibility of war put him under a lot of pressure.

But just as he was about to tease the shy Agnes, a female slave hurried through the curtain of rain and said, “Master, a guard came to report that statesman Amintas insisted on coming to see you!”

‘It's already so late, yet Amintas still wants to see me?!’ Davos became curious, so he gently rubbed Cheiristoya's fragrant shoulders and smilingly said, “I'll first meet Amintas while you two wait for me in the bedroom.”

Then, he got up and went out of the room.

After seeing Davos leave, seriousness replaces the delicate smile on Cheiristoya's face. Then she said, “Agnes, don't you find it strange?! Although the rain had come for the first time in eight months, his majesty didn't even feel happy about it. And even though it's already late, Amintas still came to ask for an audience! Something important must be going on! And I fear that it's war, I think!!!”

“War?!” Agnes became started and began showing some worries.

Cheiristoya stood up and said loudly, “Morina! Bring the children inside quickly; they've been exposed to the rain for so long now that they would easily catch a cold.”

After saying that, Cheiristoya looked at Agnes again and said decisively, “Sister, come to my bedroom later as we sisters will accompany his majesty well.”

“…alright…alright.” In the end, Agnes hesitantly nodded as her concern for Davos outweighed her shyness.

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

“Your majesty, I have come to request you to send the First Legion to help the Volsci defeat the Romans instead!” In Davos' residence, Amintas straightforwardly told his intention.

“Amintas, my old friend, Rome is but a minor enemy to Theonia. While you, who are the most experienced commander of the army, and your First Legion being the most powerful legion, must be sent to face our real enemies in the south, in Sicily and Africa. Once Carthage declares war on us, the first to be sent to Sicily would be your first legion to fight Theonia's most powerful enemy since its founding, Carthage! I hope you understand that we must use the First Legion wisely!”

Amintas became hesitant after hearing those words. But a while later, he decisively said, “Your majesty, the Second, Fourth, Fifth and even the Sixth legions are no longer weaker than the First, and they can completely repel the Carthaginians. But independently leading an army to the north to fight against the Romans is a rare opportunity, so I hope your majesty will bestow me this opportunity!” Although Amintas said that in a rather dull tone, that was his style of speaking.

When Davos saw Amintas' determination, it suddenly dawned on him that this comrade of his that had followed him from Persia to Magna Graecia and had given his full support had never asked for anything in return over the years. Not only had he stayed stuck in the army, but he had also carried out his orders resolutely and became a sharp sword for him to swing at the enemies. But that does not mean Amintas didn't have any misgivings.

Antonios had independently led an army to conquer Syracuse in Sicily; Alexius led an army that conquered Compsa, Irna and later Dauni; Hielos, who was somewhat younger than him, had led an army to conquer the Locri region; Even Prosous (Leotychides), who became a citizen of THeonia only after Theonia Union's establishment, had independently led an army and conquered Sikeloi. But more recently, Litom, a Lucanian by birth, led the Third Legion and the Campanian league's force to crush the Caudini utterly.

But Amintas, who is older and have more battle experience than them, must have held a grudge. As a general, there isn't anyone who doesn't want to independently lead an army, defeat the enemy and win honour for himself.

‘I guess I neglected him too much!’ Davos tapped his finger as he thought, ‘Should I refuse Amintas' request? But that would undoubtedly hurt my old friends and might make them feel I have alienated their concern after becoming the king. Grant Amintas' request? But I am worried that Amintas would endanger the First Legion because of his eagerness to make contributions!… What to do?’

Davos pondered. Then his eyes gradually brightened as he said, “Amintas, I can inform the Ministry of Military to send the First Legion to Volsci instead. However, you must promise me something!”

Amintas, who thought Davos wouldn't agree after seeing him becoming silent for a long time, immediately became overjoyed hearing that and said, “Don't mention one request; I would even agree to ten requests as long as you let me go!”

Davos laughed and said, “My request isn't difficult. On the contrary, it might even be helpful to you. You should know Phryntor, right? The one who has assisted Alexius in capturing Compsa and Irna and had just recently helped Litom defeat the Caudini. As someone who knew the north quite well, I believe he would be helpful to you! So I will send him to assist you in defeating the Romans.”

“Your majesty, I would gladly work with Phryntor and certainly get along well with him!” Amintas immediately promised.

Davos nodded and said, “Go back and have a good rest. Tomorrow, you will be busy preparing for the expedition since it would be best to depart the day after.”

“Roger!” Amintas immediately stood up and gave a solemn military salute. But feeling that he hadn't expressed his excitement and gratitude enough, Amintas went forward and gave Davos a firm hug.

As Davos watched him leave excitedly, he began feeling that he had somewhat ignored the feelings of his old comrades recently and thought to consider them more.

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

After seeing off Amintas, Davos began to think of going to Cheiristoya's bedroom immediately to see if his two wives were really waiting for him there. After all, Cheiristoya's teasing proposal made him quite tempted.

Just then, a slave came to report that Sostratus had come to ask for an audience.

Davos was taken aback and began thinking, ‘Why has this guy come so late?’

Kunogelata spoke of his eldest son to Davos several times before his death. Kunogelata described him as someone with a playful and lazy personality who likes to daydream.

But in reality, Aristias' investigation showed that Sostratus had a surprising talent in commerce. Especially after the South-Italian War, where Sostratus used the money he had earned to build a large fleet to continuously transport Greek immigrants from the eastern Mediterranean and seize business opportunities from Theonia acquiring a lot of lands but lacking people and supplies. He then opened maritime trade routes to Carthage and Egypt, rich in grain, and bought a large amount of low-cost food. Thus, while contributing to Theonia’s stability in its new territories, Sostratus earned a lot of money for himself.

Since then, Sostratus continued opening up new trade channels, such as the Celtic region north of the Iberian Peninsula and the Illyrian region on the north side of the Adriatic… He would then exchange Theonia's common commodities and wines for the unique goods in those regions, such as gold, silver, iron, zinc…and rare goods such as amber, onyx and furs…which once again made his fortune soar.

At the same time, he loves helping other Theonian merchants, often subsidising them and cooperating with them by carrying out maritime trade… And now, he has become a renowned merchant in the kingdom and is particularly influential among the merchants of the Thurii region.

Thus Davos wouldn't look down on him, even if it wasn't for his father's sake.

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

“…Your majesty, I know Aeonis. He always did things cautiously, so how would he dare have the audacity to run to the land forbidden by the Carthaginians and privately acquire silver ore? That is clearly a false accusation made by the Carthaginians! For the Carthaginians to suddenly try them without our officials and execute them must mean they have something to hide! Aeonis and the fifty sailors hope they can return home with money to support their parents, wives and children, but they have been wronged and died in vain, and their families were left crying in tears… Your majesty, please do what is right for them, clear their names and make the Carthaginians pay!” As soon as Sostratus entered, he complained to Davos about how the Carthaginians wronged Aeonis and the others.

“Aeonis was a slave of your household, wasn't he?” Davos asked without giving his reply.

“Yes, your majesty. Aeonis was formerly a farmer from Samos. But since he couldn't repay his huge debt, he sold himself into slavery and was later sold to my family, where my father granted him freedom because of his diligence. Two years ago, he became a citizen of the kingdom and was in charge of selling our Thurian wines to…to the Celtic regions to the west and the Greek city-states on the Iberian Peninsula. But I didn't expect that this time…they…those damn Carthaginians!” Sostratus let out a long sigh and wiped the tear from his eyes, which were filled with regret and resentment.