Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1082: Crotocatax and Dido

After the Western Mediterranean War, Davos issued two military reforms: first, unit officers seeking promotion to general rank had to pass learning assessments; second, officers who met the requirements and were successfully promoted were not guaranteed an immediate active command. The Kingdom of Daunia had a limited number of general positions. Without an open vacancy, they had to wait, often serving as instructors in the military camps for several months or even a year before receiving an actual posting.

Clearly, neither Patroclus nor Sextus had expected such good fortune. Try as they might to suppress it, their joy was evident.

Davos stepped forward. Taking a brand-new Legion Commander Helmet adorned with a purple-and-red crown from Martius, he placed it on Patroclus's head and spoke in a solemn voice. "Congratulations, Legion Commander Patroclus! You will head to Rome to assume command of the Fourteenth Legion. The Gauls are currently launching frequent raids against the northern border of Etruria, and they could march south in full force at any moment. Whether or not the kingdom decides to send reinforcements to help the Etruscans defend their borders, the Latium region is extremely likely to become the front line! Therefore, once you arrive, you must not only intensify the soldiers' drills alongside the Military Training Officers, but also maintain constant vigilance and actively develop defensive strategies against the enemy. If war breaks out, I expect the Fourteenth Legion to be the primary force that defeats the Gauls!"

"Rest assured, Your Majesty!" Patroclus gave a sharp military salute, his expression grave. "I will lead the Fourteenth Legion to secure the kingdom's territory and protect our people from harm!"

Davos nodded and turned to Sextus. Receiving another Legion Commander Helmet, he placed it on Sextus's head and said, "Congratulations, Legion Commander Sextus! However, as the new commander of the Eighteenth Legion, your task will be far from easy. The Southern Iberian Region is the most volatile area in the kingdom. There are many natives around the borders who harbor ill will toward the kingdom, and many locals within the territory have yet to truly submit to us. Once you arrive, you must cooperate with the local officials while also actively traveling throughout the region to investigate and understand the people's conditions, so that you can form your own independent judgments.

"While reinforcing the legion soldiers' drills, you must also fully utilize the time spent in military training to use various methods to deepen the Citizen Soldiers' loyalty to the kingdom. Under your leadership, I expect the Eighteenth Legion to become the pillar of the Southern Iberian Region! Naturally, the kingdom is keeping a constant eye on the situation there and will not leave you to fight alone."

Davos's words placed a heavy weight on Sextus. Still, he forcefully slammed his right fist against his left chest and said with iron conviction, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will fulfill my mission and hold the Southern Iberian Region secure!"

...

Crotocatax emerged from the Roman Municipal Office. The gentle breeze brushed against his face, reviving his somewhat exhausted spirits. He nodded to the Palace Guard flanking him before descending the steps.

Because of this, he was beloved by the Roman people. Passing pedestrians called out warm greetings to him, and he patiently and warmly returned every one.

Naturally, under normal circumstances, the citizens never approached him. This was because Crotocatax had survived an attempted assassination two years ago. When the matter blew up, the wider Roman public finally learned that this mild-mannered, approachable young official was actually the eldest son of King Davos, which explained why he was always accompanied by a group of guards. In the aftermath of the attack, Crotocatax had asked the inspectorate and the courts not to expand the scope of the case too widely during their investigation, and not to harass the culprits' families. This approach had further deepened the citizens' love for him.

Crotocatax's estate was not far from City Hall. Situated at the peak of Mons Palatinus, it was separated from the other residences and guarded by the Palace Guard.

The moment Crotocatax stepped into the estate, his wife Dido immediately emerged from the main building to greet him.

Looking at his radiant, smiling wife, a flurry of memories surfaced in Crotocatax's mind. Several years ago, when he first learned that his father had arranged an engagement for him—and to a Carthaginian woman several years his senior, no less—he had been quite resistant in his heart. But having always obeyed his father's decisions since childhood, he never explicitly voiced his opposition. During the early days of their marriage, his attitude toward his wife had been cold. Over time, however, constant interaction changed his perspective. He deeply felt that his wife was not only beautiful, but also highly cultured and caring. Furthermore, she was a woman of immense intellect and capability. While the women of Daionia were much more open than traditional Greek women, outstanding figures like Dido were still incredibly rare in the kingdom. It was precisely these unique traits that strongly attracted Crotocatax. Gradually, her weight in his heart even surpassed that of his older sister, Cynthia.

"You're back! You must be hungry, dinner is all ready!" Dido noted her husband's exhaustion as she stepped forward and linked her arm through his, speaking with concern.

"Mm... what delicious food do we have tonight?" Crotocatax asked casually, holding his wife's hand.

"There's your favorite pan-fried beef, as well as some cod your mother had delivered," Dido replied.

"Salt-cured cod?" Cod was delicious, but scarce in the Mediterranean Sea and not easy to catch. Once taken out of the water, it also spoiled rapidly in a short amount of time, making it hard to preserve and turning it into a rather expensive delicacy. Even on a fast ship with a tailwind, the voyage from Thurii to Rome took three or four days at best. If the fish hadn't been salt-cured, it would have reeked long before arriving, which was why Crotocatax asked.

"Not salt-cured." Seeing her husband's surprised expression, Dido explained, "Your mother packed the cod into clay jars, filled them with ice cubes, and sealed them shut. She then had them wrapped in several layers of cloth and kept them in a cool place at the bottom of the ship. By the time they arrived, the ice still hadn't fully melted, and the cod was relatively fresh, so I had the chef fry it up..."

"This is far too extravagant. Going through all that trouble just to send a few fish!" Crotocatax frowned.

"It isn't like the fish was sent for you to eat." Dido rolled her eyes at him. Resting a hand against her abdomen, she said, "After Chris was sent to Thurii, your mother heard from Peloia (Dido's trusted female servant) that I was pregnant again, so she sent over a lot of things to show her care—it wasn't just this cod!"

Crotocatax immediately changed his tune. "Then she should have sent it! She definitely should have! You see, my mother still cares about you!"

Dido fell silent for a moment before saying softly, "It would be even better if they hadn't taken Chris away..."

"My parents simply miss their grandson! Besides, with Chris pestering you and making a fuss every day here, you couldn't get any proper rest, which isn't good for the baby in your belly. Have you forgotten how the physician warned us last time!..."

"You're right, I shouldn't bring it up again. Let's go eat first, otherwise the food will get cold." Dido dropped the matter decisively and walked into the dining room with her husband.

"Here, eat another piece." Crotocatax skewered another piece of cod and placed it onto Dido's plate.

"I'm already full. I can't eat anymore." Dido skewered the cod on her plate and returned it to Crotocatax.

"Full so quickly? You're pregnant now; you should eat a bit more," Crotocatax urged with concern.

"I'm only a little over three months along, I don't have that big of an appetite. You eat, you barely ate anything just now."

"Then you should hurry and take a stroll in the courtyard, it's good for your health."

"Mm." Dido nodded in response. She watched her husband eating his fish with his head bowed, her eyes brimming with love. When she first agreed to King Davos's proposal to marry Crotocatax, it was entirely forced by circumstance. At the time of their wedding, she was fully aware that her husband was just as dissatisfied with the marriage. But knowing that Crotocatax had become the reliance for herself and the entire Magonid family in the Kingdom of Daunia, she had tried every means to make this young husband fall in love with her. In the process, she had gradually fallen in love with him as well—not just because of his status or his looks, but because of his gentleness and his respect for women. In this era, whether in Daionia or Carthage, men who truly respected women were vanishingly rare. This was also one of the reasons why the proud and independent Dido had remained unmarried for so long. Yet, having grown up under Davos's influence, Crotocatax had internalized this habit to his very marrow, so Dido felt extremely lucky.

Of course, a sliver of unease always lingered in her heart. She was, after all, several years older than Crotocatax and was now approaching thirty. Furthermore, her mother-in-law, Christoya, had never seemed to have a very good impression of her. Therefore, Dido not only cared for her husband meticulously in their daily life but also did her best to assist him in his career. She reasoned that this way, even when she grew old and her beauty faded, Crotocatax would be unwilling to leave her.

"Conia came to see me today," Dido said softly.

"Conia?" For a moment, Crotocatax couldn't recall who this person was.

"The wife of the Roman demarch judge, Gaius Licinius Stolo."