Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1073: Mersis's Dying Wish

Davos listened carefully before finally nodding. "At the next executive meeting, your words will serve as a vital basis for our tax rate discussions."

"What is there to discuss... Your Majesty should just mandate it directly," Mersis muttered.

Davos acted as if he hadn't heard. Seeing that the effort of speaking had left the man even more drained, he said gently, "Get some proper rest. I'll come visit you again!"

"Your Majesty, won't you stay a little longer? The next time you come... I'm afraid you won't see me," Mersis murmured, his voice low and heavy.

A pang of sorrow struck Davos. Just as he was about to offer a few comforting words, Mersis said softly, "Your Majesty, do you remember the first time we met? ... Back then, you had just invented the Smoked Sausage, temporarily solving the mercenaries' food storage crisis... As soon as I found out, I went straight to Menon and demanded you be transferred to my Supply Camp... I still remember you telling us the story of the treasure that night... With your help, that was the easiest march I ever made through Persia... Even then, I had a faint feeling you would become an extraordinary figure... So when Menon clashed with you, I firmly took your side...

"Time has proven just how right my choice was! ... For a bankrupt little merchant from Ionia to ultimately become the Minister of Finance for the most powerful kingdom in the western Mediterranean, controlling massive amounts of wealth... what incredible fortune! I have no regrets left..."

Davos was momentarily at a loss for words. Forcing a smile, he replied, "Actually, you're mistaken. You saw me once before I was transferred to the Supply Camp... I had wandered over to the camp and bumped into you. Suspecting I was hungry and trying to steal food, you specifically ordered the guards to chase me away."

"That actually happened? I have no memory of it at all!" Mersis's eyes widened in surprise before he broke into a laugh. "It's a pity I'm only finding out now. Otherwise, I would have constantly bragged to Antonios, Hylos, and the others... boasting that I was the only person to ever scold Your Majesty!"

"I only just remembered it myself. Otherwise, do you really think your last dozen years under my command would have been so easy?" Davos teased with a smile.

Listening to them reminisce from the sidelines, Henipolis could hear the deep camaraderie of old brothers-in-arms in their laughter, filling him with a sense of envy and yearning.

"Your Majesty," Mersis said, his smile still lingering but his voice turning grave. "After I die, I want to donate the majority of my assets to the kingdom..."

"Oh? A miser like you is actually willing to part with his gold?" Davos teased with a smile, assuming he was joking.

"I am serious. This is my will! I am donating eighty percent of my estate to the kingdom, leaving only twenty percent to support my family!"

Seeing Mersis's serious expression, Davos immediately dropped his smile. "Are you truly willing to let it go?" he asked solemnly.

"I don't even have children. What is there to hold onto?" Mersis muttered, his gaze growing somewhat distant. "The Kingdom of Daionia is something Your Majesty led us to painstakingly build... In a way, it could be considered our child..."

Deeply moved by those words, Davos sat on the edge of the bed and gently patted Mersis's swollen hand. "On behalf of the kingdom, I thank you for your generosity," he said with emotion.

"Your Majesty... could donating this money earn me a Statue... a place in the Hall of Sages?" Mersis's next words left Davos stunned before he burst into involuntary laughter. This was the true Mersis!

Davos's first instinct was to reprimand him: a place in the Hall of Sages was no commodity to be bartered over!

But seeing Mersis's pallid face and hopeful gaze, Davos's heart softened. "Even if you didn't donate a single coin, your immense contributions to the kingdom over the years grant you an indisputable right to enter the Hall of Sages. Beyond that, I plan to erect a Statue of you in front of the Ministry of Finance. Every future financial official will have to look to you as an example—they must cherish every single Obol of the kingdom, never squandering it, and certainly never embezzling it!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty... Thank you..." In that moment, muddy tears spilled from Mersis's dimming eyes.

Stepping out of Mersis's estate, Davos stopped and looked back. Thinking of Cornelius, who had passed away a few years ago, and of Mersis, who might depart for Elysium at any moment, a heavy weight settled in his chest. The loyal companions who had helped him forge Daionia were, one by one, entering the twilight of their lives.

As he mused, he turned his head and caught sight of Martius standing perfectly straight. Yet, the gray in the man's beard betrayed his age. Davos sighed inwardly. "Martius, you've grown old too..."

"Your Majesty, I can still easily defeat the young guards! I can still serve as your protector!" Martius answered forcefully.

"Good... Good..." Davos absentmindedly stroked his own beard, then turned to Henipolis. "Did you remember everything I just said to Mersis?"

"I remembered," Henipolis replied immediately. "Lord Mersis is to enter the Hall of Sages, and a Statue is to be erected for him at the Ministry of Finance."

"Good. Go back and draft a proposal. We need to discuss it at the next executive meeting as soon as possible... I fear Mersis won't hold on much longer..." Davos let out a long sigh.

...

Over the past few days, a sudden rumor had surfaced in Thurii: Envoys from Etruria had come to the kingdom for aid. Furthermore, given the frequent native raids along the borders of the Southern Iberian Region, King Davos was preparing to approve his ministers' proposal. He intended to dispatch one or two legions to both the southern borders of Southern Iberia and the northern borders of Etruria to build fortresses and fend off native incursions. According to leaks from the Ministry of Military Affairs, every legionary would be required to stand guard at their post for at least half a year...

This news rapidly spread throughout Thurii City before sweeping into neighboring cities. Legion officers, regular soldiers, reserves, and all their family members and relatives discussed the matter daily. Considering they made up a massive proportion of the kingdom's population, this naturally triggered a massive uproar across the entire nation.

Before long, another rumor broke out: these defensive fortresses would be constructed on the absolute front lines. There would be no towns or markets nearby, only the constant threat of native raiders. For the soldiers' safety, the stationed troops might not be granted leave to rest and relax in rear towns, much less return home to visit their families...

The release of this information caused even more anxiety among the legionnaires who were citizens. Throngs of anxious Citizen Soldiers gathered and marched to their respective military camps to demand detailed answers from their high-ranking officers. "We do not fear fighting powerful enemies, shedding blood, or even laying down our lives," they declared. "But we do fear being trapped in a fortress like criminals, stripped of our freedom for over half a year, completely unable to take care of our families..."

Some of the more radical Thurii citizens even organized and marched to the Senate, petitioning the Senators in hopes that they would oppose the proposal and strike it down.

Many of the Senators themselves were confused, repeatedly asking the Rotating Chairmen, "Does such a proposal actually exist?"

Lysias and the others responded with a unified front: "A minister did indeed put forth this suggestion, but His Majesty did not agree to it immediately. He is still carefully considering the matter."

While the outside world was in an uproar, Davos sat steadily in his office within the Royal Palace. Having listened to Aristiras's investigative report on the entire situation, he pondered for a moment before saying, "The water has reached a boil. Now, we must toss a few things in and see if we can brew up anything good."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Aristiras understood his meaning perfectly.

"Is there any other news?"

"Your Majesty, we have gathered all the evidence of the attempted treason by Servius, Furius, Aurus... and the rest of the former Roman Aristocracy," Aristiras said, respectfully handing over a thick stack of records.

Davos read through them carefully, then said coolly, "Quite a few of them. While the public's attention is entirely focused on the border deployments, transfer this evidence and the list of names to the Thurii Patrol Department. Let them handle the arrests."

"Yes." Aristiras hesitated for a moment before adding, "Your Majesty, secret reports from Iberia indicate that Hasdrubal and a handful of Magonid family members have been gathering frequently to drink heavily and curse the kingdom..."

Davos didn't so much as furrow a brow. "Are there any other suspicious activities?"

"None discovered so far."

"Venting their dissatisfaction openly is far better than acting normal on the surface while plotting in the shadows," Davos said dismissively. "Keep observing them."

"Yes."

At that moment, three heavy knocks rang out on the door.

"Enter!" The moment Davos spoke, Aristiras naturally melted back into the shadows of the corner.

"Your Majesty, Priest Praxinas requests an audience!" Henipolis said as he strode in.

"Send him in."

Praxinas did not come alone. Two other priests followed behind him, each carrying several wooden boards.

"Your Majesty, the design selection for the colossus on the summit has concluded. We've brought the winning entries for you to make the final judgment on which design will be cast for the mountain's idol."

"The results are out already?" Davos's interest was piqued. "Lay them out on the table. We will examine them slowly, one by one."

Catching sight of Henipolis craning his neck to peek from the side, Davos waved to his left and right. "Both of you, come take a look as well. Give me your thoughts."

Henipolis and Aristiras immediately hurried over.