Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1030: Roman Senator in Thurii (2)

Tibullus quickly said, "We will leave right away! Right away!"

"Wait! Where are you from? What is your business in Thurii City?!"

Facing the patrol officer's stern gaze, Tibullus quickly produced the official travel documents issued by the Roman Municipal Office and handed them over.

The patrol officer looked over the documents in surprise. "You are officials from the City of Rome, here to attend the Kingdom Assembly?!"

"That is correct. The administrative officer of Rome, Lord Asistes, initially did not plan to attend this assembly due to his busy schedule. However, considering that the Senate and the town councilors might be eager for a detailed update on the current situation in the City of Rome and the Latium region, he sent me to attend in his place. Also representing Rome is the newly appointed Senator Publius. Because this decision was made late and the journey is long, we only arrived in Thurii today."

As Tibullus finished speaking, the patrol officer struck his right fist against his left chest in a military salute and said solemnly, "My apologies, my lords! We are currently at war. To ensure the safety of the assembly, the Senate has ordered our Patrol Department to strictly inspect any outsiders entering Thurii, which is why we had to delay you."

"It is your duty, and we should cooperate," Tibullus said, unbothered.

"You sly dog, Tibullus!" Asicalus pointed at him, shouting in surprise and dissatisfaction. "You get to attend the Kingdom Assembly, yet you kept it a secret from me!"

Tibullus explained sheepishly, "Lord Asistes is far too busy to attend the assembly, and officials in the other departments are overwhelmed with work. Only the Roman Ministry of Agriculture had some breathing room. Since the land distribution is complete, labor is plentiful, the citizens are very cooperative, and the spring sowing is progressing smoothly, I was relatively free. That is why they entrusted this task to me."

"You cannot compare them like that," Tibullus hurriedly consoled him. "You are responsible for a Demos in Thurii, the central city of the kingdom. In terms of rank or influence, Rome cannot compare to it."

Hearing this, Publius felt slightly uncomfortable.

"Forgive me, my lords," the patrol officer loudly interrupted their conversation. "Thurii City Hall issued an announcement this morning. To ensure the smooth convening of the Kingdom Assembly tomorrow, the inner city gates will close early at sunset. There is not much time left." As he spoke, he pointed toward the sky.

Tibullus immediately grew tense and cast a reproachful look at Asicalus.

Asicalus defended himself at once. "Don't blame me! I went outside the city early this morning to supervise the slaves. When would I have had time to read any announcements?"

"There is no need to panic. If you mount your horses and speed up, you can still make it in time." The patrol officer returned the documents to Tibullus and advised, "If you run into another Patrol Unit on the way, show this to them immediately. Also, please make absolutely sure to control your horses so you don't injure any pedestrians!"

Tibullus thanked him, then instructed Asicalus, "Go back and tell my parents that I have to head to the inner city for the assembly first. I will return home to see them once the meeting concludes."

"Don't worry, I will pass on the message. Hurry up and go."

After bidding farewell to Asicalus and their other attendants, Tibullus and Publius immediately mounted their horses, merged into the center of the main avenue, and rushed toward the inner city.

Ordinarily, pedestrians walked on the sidewalks on either side, leaving the main road relatively clear for carriages, wagons, and riders. However, during special festivals, not only did foot traffic increase, but the volume of vehicles also surged drastically, causing heavy congestion. That was why Thurii City Hall always deployed extra Patrol Units before various celebrations and holidays. For this year's Kingdom Assembly, the traffic in the outer district of Thurii was noticeably better than in previous years, with far fewer carriages and wagons on the avenue—an effect of the prolonged war. Had it not been for the constant stream of victorious news arriving recently, which steadily bolstered the confidence of the kingdom's citizens and merchants and rapidly revived the commercial markets, Publius and his companion would have been looking at a scene of bleak depression.

Publius and Tibullus finally reached the inner city's west gate just before sunset. After the city guards verified their documents, the two were allowed inside.

While hurrying through the outer district, Publius had only managed a cursory look, yet it still left a profound impression on him. Thurii City was massive and densely populated, but its streets were remarkably clean and tidy. The various buildings and residences were methodically planned out. The old City of Rome could not even begin to compare. It was no wonder that after occupying Rome, the Theonians had so swiftly begun to reconstruct the urban districts; they clearly could not tolerate the filth, cramped spaces, and overcrowding of Rome's streets.

However, when compared to the inner city, Thurii's outer district was still a step behind. As Publius rode down an avenue wide enough for eight horses, paved with perfectly uniform, square stone slabs, he saw that the ground was incredibly level and so spotless that not a single speck of garbage was in sight. Towering shade trees and vibrant green plants lined the sides, accompanied by the gentle murmuring of water in the adjacent drainage ditches. There were not many pedestrians on the road, but all of them wore expressions of relaxed leisure, chatting in low voices as they strolled. This single street was enough to shock Publius. It embodied a civilization far more advanced than Rome's, making him involuntarily feel a strange sense that Rome's subjugation by Daionia was only natural.

"That is our kingdom's Main Temple of Hades. It is a dual-temple design, which is exceptionally rare across the entire Mediterranean Sea. Inside, the temple enshrines Statues of sages and heroes who have made tremendous contributions to our kingdom, as well as the heroic spirits of warriors who died in battle. You must find some time to go up the hill and pay your respects...

"And over there is the Daonian Royal Palace! Let me tell you, a year ago I actually accompanied Commander Bulcos to the Royal Palace and was granted an audience with His Majesty...

"This here is the Elevated Aqueduct. It funnels clear river water from the Sybaris Plain directly into the urban district so the citizens can have fresh water without leaving the city. Word has it that its original design came to King Davos through a divine revelation from Hades..." Tibullus proudly and endlessly introduced the inner city's sights to Publius as they rode.

Ever since entering the city, Publius had been taking in the inner city's scenery without a moment's rest, the astonishment on his face never fading for even a second.

"Look, that is the Kingdom Grand Assembly Hall!" Tibullus's shout tore Publius's gaze away from the towering Elevated Aqueduct that cut across half the urban district.

A colossal, circular white building stood majestically ahead, instantly capturing Publius's full attention.

"How about it? Magnificent enough?!" Tibullus said with both envy and pride. "That is where the Kingdom Assembly will convene tomorrow! That is also where you will be working in the future, Lord Publius!"

"It is certainly far larger than the Roman Senate!" Publius steadied his nerves and strode forward.

Even though the sky had already darkened, the Grand Council Hall's main doors were still open and candlelight flickered from within. After the two men proved their identities to the guards at the side door, a soldier led them to the duty room in the central hall. Seeing a man hunched over a wooden desk writing, Tibullus hurriedly stepped forward and bowed. "Respected Lord Antaoris, Tibullus, the Roman agricultural officer, pays his respects!"

The Senate had received the news from a Roman messenger a few days prior, so Antaoris stood up and looked at the two men without the slightest hint of surprise. "You are finally here. We were only missing you two! You must have had a grueling journey!"

With that, he looked toward Publius and smiled. "You must be Senator Publius from Rome. It is a pleasure to meet you! My name is Antaoris, one of the five Rotating Chairmen of the Senate of Daionia."

Over the course of their journey, Publius had learned quite a bit about the political affairs of the Kingdom of Daunia from Tibullus. He had a rough idea of what the position of Rotating Chairman of the Senate entailed, so he hurriedly bowed his head and said, "Greetings, Lord Antaoris!"

Sensing the Roman's nervous restraint, Antaoris dialed back his enthusiasm and assumed a more serious tone. "I initially wanted to have a proper chat with you both to get a detailed understanding of the current situation in Latium. However, considering you have rushed all this way on such a long journey, you must be exhausted and famished right now. You need to rest well and recover your energy so you can participate properly in tomorrow's Kingdom Assembly. I won't hold you up any longer. We will find time for a detailed talk during the assembly."

Before the two could respond, he immediately called out, "Prosanus!"

"My lord, your orders." A Senate order officer appeared at the doorway.

"This is the newly appointed Senator, Lord Publius! And this is Tibullus, the Roman agricultural officer attending the Kingdom Assembly in place of Lord Asistes! Take them to the Kingdom Guest House and make sure they are well accommodated!"

"Right away."

"Lord Publius, we truly welcome you to Thurii! This place—" Antaoris pointed upward, speaking with utter sincerity, "—will be your new home. I hope we can work well together in the future!"

"Lord Antaoris, Thurii is a beautifully magnificent city. I have already come to love it!" Publius said solemnly before bowing to bid Antaoris farewell.

On their way across Victory Square toward the Kingdom Guest House, the order officer Prosanus formally introduced Publius to the site where Hades had once displayed his divine miracles—the Fountain of Thurii.

After listening to this miraculous tale, Publius even went out of his way to spend a little time walking a full circle around the pool.

The Kingdom Guest House was a lodge funded and built by the Kingdom of Daunia. True to its name, it was used to host guests of the kingdom, such as visiting envoys or dignitaries from other nations.