Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1140: The Resolution to Declare War on Sparta (3)

"Then notify the administrative magistrates of those two towns. Have them arrange for the prominent kingdom citizens of Messenian descent to come to Thurii as soon as possible. They are to gather at the Royal Palace to discuss how to rebuild Messenia together. Lord Lysias, you will be responsible for making these arrangements."

Although Lysias opposed Daionia getting involved in the Greek war, he did not dare disobey Davos's command. He forced out a reluctant, "Yes."

Davos looked at him, then turned his gaze toward a man who had remained silent until now. "Prosous, as the kingdom's ever-victorious general and a native of Argos, you should be quite familiar with Sparta. What advice do you have for the kingdom's upcoming military operation?"

Leotychides looked briefly surprised, but his expression quickly turned indifferent. "Your Majesty, I have no advice," he said.

Davos knew that while Prosous was usually a man of few words, he would become quite talkative and insightful whenever military matters were discussed. His behavior today was somewhat unusual.

Davos studied him for a moment before saying, "After the meeting ends, you need to have a thorough discussion with the Ministry of Military Affairs. For this expedition to Greece, you will serve as the army's commander."

Alexis and the other generals were not surprised by the appointment. Since His Majesty Davos had specified that the First Legion would join the expeditionary force to Greece, its Legion Commander, Prosous, was undoubtedly the best candidate. In the current Daionian Army, the only man who surpassed him in combat achievements, seniority, and multi-legion command experience was Alexis himself, but as the Minister of Military Affairs, Alexis rarely took the field in person.

As for Amyntas, not only was he retired, but the citizens of Thurii still harbored complaints against him, largely because the First Legion had suffered such heavy casualties under his command during the Western Mediterranean War.

Meanwhile, the rising stars in the military, such as Patroclus and Sextus, each had heavy responsibilities of their own. Furthermore, with the veteran First Legion in the expeditionary ranks, it was impossible to put junior officers in overall command.

Davos gave him another look, then stood up. His deep gaze slowly swept across the room as he spoke with a solemn expression, "Gentlemen, since we have definitively resolved to launch this expedition to Greece, regardless of any personal objections or how the situation across the sea develops, you must pool your efforts. Work together and meticulously prepare for this momentous campaign!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

...

After the ministers dispersed, Davos summoned Aristiras, head of the Intelligence Department. (Not long after utilizing a major dispute to reform the Senate and completely strip it of its administrative decision-making powers, Davos had established the Kingdom Intelligence Department. This formally brought Aristiras's spy network, which had previously served him in secret, out into the open. The rank of its highest position, the Intelligence Chief, was capped at the very top of the mid-level officials without crossing into the senior ranks—a minor compromise Davos made to appease his other ministers.)

"Has something happened to Prosous recently?" Davos asked casually.

Aristiras thought for a moment before answering, "Lord Prosous is the same as always. His routine remains disciplined and monotonous, with no unusual activities... Things are completely peaceful at home."

"Hmm..." Davos tapped his fingers lightly against the desk. Recalling the meeting, Prosous had clearly been distracted. It was the first time he had ever seen such a lapse from the ever-victorious general. "Assign a few more people to observe him closely over the coming days. I want details on his diet, his sleep schedule, everything..."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will arrange it immediately," Aristiras replied.

"We are about to launch the expedition to Greece; there cannot be any mistakes," Davos muttered. He looked up at Aristiras again. "Have there been any recent reports from the Border Legion?"

"Yes." Aristiras had come prepared, immediately pulling two Papyrus Scrolls from his robes. One was noticeably thicker than the other.

Davos took the thicker Papyrus Scroll but did not unroll it right away. Instead, he asked, "Is this one from the Po River Region?" (After Cisalpine Gaul was conquered, the Kingdom of Daionia had established the middle Po River Region there.)

"Yes."

Davos opened it with interest and read through it carefully. Sure enough, the writing retained its usual style. Not only did it chronicle the daily words and deeds of Legion Commander Hasdrubal and the core officers of the Border Legion, along with the unit's deployments and sorties, but it also meticulously tracked the consumption of food and supplies. It even offered detailed descriptions of local customs throughout the Liguria Region where the troops had marched. Furthermore, the author included their personal perspectives on defending against and counterattacking the Ligurian tribes, alongside suggestions for interacting with and ultimately assimilating the Ligurians.

As a strict surveillance report, the document was clearly unqualified. Yet the intelligence it provided was extremely valuable to Davos, which was why the king had stopped Aristiras from ordering the agent to correct his reporting style early on.

"I recall this informant is named Maximus, a Roman who used to serve as a municipal magistrate in Rome..." Davos carefully rolled up the Papyrus. "He became a Daonian Official Citizen last year, didn't he? What position does he currently hold in the Po River Border Legion?"

"Your Majesty, it was due to your special approval last year that he transitioned into a full citizen. He is currently a Supply Officer in the Border Legion and has earned Hasdrubal's deep trust."

"A Supply Officer... That is no low-ranking position within a legion." Davos looked down at the Papyrus Scroll and murmured, "Leaving a man like him as an ordinary agent in the Intelligence Department is a waste of talent. Once the Ligurian rebellion is pacified, find someone to replace him. I have other important uses for him."

"Your Majesty," Aristiras said, offering a hurried bow. "The Intelligence Department is newly established, and we are in desperate need of someone like Maximus—a man of profound knowledge who can coordinate and organize!"

"If that's the case..." Davos pondered for a while before replying, "Then transfer him back as soon as possible. Have him assist you in properly reorganizing, planning, and managing the Intelligence Department. After all, your agency is now a formal administrative branch of the kingdom, and it needs to look the part. I don't want the Ministry of Inspection filing complaints against you every other day!"

"...Understood, Your Majesty." Aristiras bowed once more, feeling a cold sweat break out across his back.

After Aristiras left, Henipolis walked into the Assembly Hall. He saw Davos standing with his hands behind his back, staring intently at the map of the Mediterranean Sea on the wall.

"Your Majesty, I am here," he said softly.

Davos did not turn around. "Heni," he asked slowly, "how many years has it been since Croto left Thurii?"

Henipolis's heart stirred, and he answered immediately, "I believe it was in the fourteenth year of the kingdom, when Your Majesty led the army north to attack Rome. His Highness Croto accompanied you, and he has remained in Rome ever since. That was thirteen years ago. He has been away from Thurii for a very long time."

"Yes, a long time!" Davos sighed softly. He turned around and added meaningfully, "Even though he has done quite well in Rome, serving as its administrative officer for nearly three years, staying away from Thurii for too long makes it easy for people to forget you."

Henipolis's eyelids twitched. Unable to help but recall what Ansitanos had said in this room earlier, he immediately stood at attention and remained silent.

"Take up your pen," Davos ordered.

"Yes." Henipolis immediately sat at the wooden desk and readied his pen and paper.

"Issue a directive to the Ministers of State. Tell them that because Crotocatax has been away from Thurii for many years, Queen Cheiristoya has fallen ill from missing him. Therefore, he is permitted to step down from his post early and return to Thurii to serve his mother. The choice of successor for the administrative officer of Rome will be left for them to discuss and decide..." Just as Davos finished his dictation, Henipolis completed writing and prepared to hand the directive over.

But Davos continued, "Issue them another order. Tell them I have approved Ansitanos's request to step down as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and that his successor will be Tapirus. I expect them to complete the handover as quickly as possible to avoid affecting the upcoming military operation against Sparta."

Henipolis's pen hand trembled slightly. A moment later, he softly replied, "...It is written, Your Majesty."

...

It was already dusk by the time Leotychides left the Ministry of Military Affairs and set out on the journey home.

Originally, Leotychides's home had been in the Port District of Thurii. Later, when he became a legionary soldier and a Daonian Official Citizen, his allotted land, along with the subsequent estates he earned through military merit, was mostly concentrated in Crimisa. He had built a house there, but he rarely lived in it; by that time, he was already the Legion Commander of the Eighth Legion and spent all year stationed at the military camp in Catania. Eventually, after he entered the Senate and accumulated a brilliant combat record, the kingdom awarded him a residential plot in Thurii's East Outer District, not far from the Temple of Hera. His entire family had resided there ever since.

Senators who lived in the inner city mostly walked home, as they were very close to the Grand Council Hall and Victory Square. Senators who lived in the outer districts, however, typically took sedan chairs due to the longer distance and to avoid being disturbed by pedestrians. Only a few chose to ride horses, all of which had to be registered with and approved by the City Guard. Leotychides was one of those few. He also kept four mounted attendants flanking him to ensure his safety.

(End of Chapter)