Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1111: Sacred Kingdom of Daunia

Hearing this, Okriton immediately tried to retort, but Haca raised his voice, cutting him off sharply. "The Magonid family has already paid a tragic price for that war. But has your Hanno faction faced any punishment?! So far, none!"

"Especially after Adrusbal died of illness, your Hanno faction seized total control of the Carthaginian Senate. You forced many Senators from the Neutral Faction to defect. And the year before last, you had the audacity to declare that man 'Hanno the Great'! What a joke! The chief culprit behind our defeat—the sinner who reduced the once-mighty Carthage to an ordinary city-state living at the mercy of others—has the gall to call himself 'Great'!"

Haca let out a contemptuous laugh; Okriton remained silent.

Staring at him, Haca lowered his voice. "It seems you still have objections to Hanno's shameless conduct. The gods have finally granted me the authority to ensure those who wronged us receive their due punishment! I told you, you're lucky to be dealing with me. If my brother Hasdrubal were here, he'd kill every single Senator in Carthage to vent the hatred he still harbors from his defeat. If Dido were here... she believes no citizen of Carthage is innocent in the death of her father, Mago. She would see everyone punished!"

Haca paused deliberately.

Okriton felt a chill of genuine dread. He didn't think Haca was bluffing. Dido and Hasdrubal were key members of the Magonid family, and Okriton understood them well enough to know such vicious retaliation fit their personalities perfectly. Neither was currently in Thurii, but one had become a Theonia Legion Commander, regaining the authority to lead troops. The other was now the sole princess consort of the Daunian Royal Family; having borne two little princes, she was fiercely protected by the royals. If those two still harbored hatred toward Carthage, the consequences would be terrifying.

"As for me," Haca declared with firm resolve, "I merely demand that the Carthaginian Senate exile the main leaders of the Hanno faction—men like Hanno, Tepanco, and a few others, along with their entire families. Let them taste the agony we endured. Do this, and I guarantee the grievances between my siblings and the Carthaginians will be wiped clean. Oh, and you aren't included in that purge. His Majesty thinks rather highly of you."

Okriton found no joy in being spared. His expression remained grim as he replied, "I'm sorry, but the Carthaginian Senate won't exile highly prestigious Senators over a few threats—"

"They will!" Haca countered with absolute confidence. "When the citizens of Carthage realize that the East Numidian raids are growing more frequent, when Carthaginian merchants find themselves barred from trading within the Kingdom of Daunia and its allied states... and when they learn the Hanno faction is to blame for it all, don't you think they'll march on the Senate and demand those culprits be driven out? Just as they protested against our Magonid family all those years ago!"

"I haven't violated anything." Haca met his gaze boldly. "As long as Carthage exiles Hanno's lot and joins the Kingdom of Daunia, I can promise the Carthaginians will live far better than they ever did. And that is exactly what our family hopes to see!"

As a Senator renowned in the Carthaginian Senate for his diplomatic skill, Okriton felt an overwhelming sense of powerlessness for the first time. Nothing was under his control. The sheer helplessness left him panicked. He lowered his head, staring at the steaming bathwater, and muttered, "I will consider your suggestions after my audience with King Davos."

Haca chuckled. "Lord Okriton, do you still not understand? His Majesty won't see you at all. He has granted me full authority to handle all diplomatic affairs regarding Carthage."

Okriton shuddered violently. When he looked at Haca again, his eyes held despair, but above all, a silent plea. He opened his mouth, yet no words came out.

Haca offered a look of sympathy. "I know this decision is difficult for you," he said softly. "But no matter how hard it is, if you want the Carthaginians to survive—if you want your family to keep living on the land you know so well—you must make a choice quickly. Time waits for no one. Once September passes, the north winds will blow, signaling the bitter winter..."

Okriton's heart turned to ice.

Watching Okriton leave in a despondent daze, Haca felt an indescribable surge of gratification. He poured himself another cup of wine, raised it high, and said with absolute sincerity, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for giving me this chance for revenge!"

With that, he drained the cup in a single gulp.

...

Over the next two days, Okriton tried every possible channel to secure an audience with King Davos, but he failed at every turn. Although the festival was about to begin, he no longer had the heart to remain in Thurii. Burning with anxiety, he boarded a ship back to Carthage and immediately began secretly contacting allies to discuss countermeasures.

On September 9th, the Festival of Hades began.

Citizens from every town and city across the kingdom crowded both sides of the main avenue in Thurii City. They tossed flowers and cheered as soldiers marched in formation from the northern military camp toward Victory Square for inspection. These were elite soldiers and officers drawn from the various legions, fleets, and cavalry units—veterans who had fought in numerous battles and earned great merit. Proudly bearing the banners of their respective legions, battalions, and companies, they marched in succession through the three triumphal arches of Thurii.

Carved upon these triumphal arches were the most pivotal battle scenes from the Crotonian War, the War of Southern Italy, and the Western Mediterranean War. These represented the three most critical eras Daionia had experienced since its founding: the war to forge the alliance, the war to establish the kingdom, and the war to solidify its power.

The grand parade of legionaries passing beneath them symbolized that it was precisely this mighty army, composed of its citizens, that had allowed Daionia to grow from weak to strong, ultimately forging it into a powerful kingdom.

Trailing behind the military forces was a parade of civilians gathered from over a dozen regions across the kingdom. Compared to the disciplined, uniform ranks of the soldiers, their formation was completely loose, but far more lively. They interacted enthusiastically with the crowds lining the streets, elevating the joyous, bustling atmosphere of the festival.

With colorful flags fluttering and ceaseless cheering, the entire procession marched all the way into Victory Square.

On the rostrum in front of the Senate's Grand Council Hall, Davos led the important ministers and prominent Senators of the kingdom. Dressed in grand ceremonial attire, they stood perfectly straight, smiling as troop after troop passed before them.

Meanwhile, on the viewing stands flanking the stage, envoys and honored guests from allied and friendly states bore mixed expressions as they witnessed this unprecedented celebration. Some, like the Volscians and Hernicians, were genuinely happy for Daionia. Others, such as the Etruscans and Samnites, rejoiced that they had managed to join the Daonian Alliance in time. Still others, like the Sidicini, felt nothing but apprehension and fear.

After all, as the parade completely filled Victory Square and dense crowds of spectators surrounded the plaza, the center of the Inner District was transformed into a veritable sea of humanity. A full seventy or eighty thousand people were gathered here—a number surpassing the population of an entire city-state and rivaling that of a major tribe. Yet, this was merely a drop in the bucket compared to the massive population of the Kingdom of Daunia.

The roar of voices within the square was deafening, almost suffocating.

But the moment Davos stepped to the front of the rostrum, a profound silence swiftly fell over the square and its surroundings. Only the voices of Davos and his criers echoed through the air above the plaza:

"Citizens of the Kingdom of Daunia! Today, we gather here to celebrate the festival honoring Hades. Over the past twenty-plus years since the founding of Daionia, we have encountered many hardships and setbacks. But under the protection of Hades, and through our united struggles, we have overcome one crisis after another.

"Today, we can throw out our chests and declare to the entire world that Daionia has become a mighty kingdom. We do not fear the challenge of any enemy, and we will offer our support and protection to any nation or faction that wishes to befriend us!

"The divine Hades is incredibly pleased with all the achievements Daionia has made. He has sent down an oracle: not only will he continue to protect the people of our kingdom, but he also permits the Kingdom of Daunia to be crowned with a sacred title! Any enemy who dares to offend our kingdom will be treated as if they have directly invaded the territory of this great deity, and they shall suffer his punishment and curses!

"Citizens, give your thanks to the great Hades! Cheer for the Sacred Kingdom of Daunia!"

The moment Davos's voice faded, cheers erupted from within and outside the square like a roaring tsunami: "Victory to the merciful Hades!!!"

"Victory to the Sacred Kingdom of Daunia!!!"

...

A fanatical fervor brimmed on the face of every citizen raising their arms to shout. From this moment onward, they firmly believed they would be provided for in life and cared for in death. They no longer feared any danger or hardship, for they were now the earthly subjects of that great deity.

Amidst the feverish atmosphere, the personnel of the Patrol Department tasked with maintaining order began to arrange for the parade to gradually exit the area. This was immediately followed by grand theatrical performances.

The actors in the plaza performed with all their might, and the audience watching from the sidelines was completely engrossed, erupting into applause and cheers from time to time.

By the time the final play,