Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1193: Leotychides's New Mission

"Yes," Aristiras acknowledged. He had given the warning; whatever measures King Davos took next were no longer his concern.

"By the way, have the Macedonians joined this alliance?" Davos asked casually, suddenly recalling Thessaly's close neighbor—that legendary nation from his past life's history.

"Oh, I heard Athens also sent envoys to Macedonia, but the Macedonian king is gravely ill. Word is he cannot even leave his bed, so he refused their request. Macedonia's internal affairs are currently somewhat chaotic, and they face the threat of the Thessalians to the south. Under these circumstances, their king wouldn't dare risk sending an army south to fight."

"Macedonia is still a weak nation at this time..." Davos murmured with a sigh.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

"Come in."

Henipolis stood in the doorway. "Your Majesty, Prosous has arrived."

"Your Majesty, I will take my leave then," Aristiras said tactfully.

"Thank you for your hard work. Once you return, continue to closely monitor the movements of the various Greek city-states on the Greek Mainland and report to me at any time," Davos ordered earnestly.

After the kingdom's intelligence chief departed, Davos deliberately straightened his attire before turning to Henipolis. "Heni, go and escort him here personally."

"Understood." Henipolis nodded knowingly.

The moment Leotychides stepped into the office, Davos went to greet him warmly.

"Your Majesty." Though not wearing armor, Leotychides still offered a very formal military salute.

Davos returned the salute and gestured for him to sit. He then sat down on the wooden chair opposite him, smiling as he asked, "How have you been resting these past few days?"

"I am going mad with idleness. I still hope I can find something to do." A hint of pleading broke through Leotychides's somewhat wooden expression.

"Actually... neither I nor the Ministry of Military Affairs cares about your past identity. There are many in the Senate who were once kings of various factions, chief generals of certain city-states, or chieftains of certain tribes. Many were even our enemies, yet now they are all Daionian Citizens, contributing their strength to the kingdom. Not to mention the many great merits you have earned for the kingdom over the years!"

After finishing his emotional remark, Davos dropped his smile and spoke seriously. "However, you consistently concealed your true identity, and this concealment had a major impact on the recent military operation. That is the reason I decided to recall you, and why the Ministry of Military Affairs has temporarily suspended you."

"Consistently hiding my true identity was indeed my fault. I have no objections to the punishment handed down by the Ministry of Military Affairs," Leotychides replied with equal seriousness.

"Now there is a question." Davos gently patted the armrest. "In the future, should I call you Prosous? Or Leotychides?"

Leotychides did not hesitate, answering immediately, "Leotychides is a thing of the past. I am now Prosous, a Daionian Citizen, and Prosous will also serve as my family's surname, to be passed down through the generations."

A smile tugged at the corners of Davos's mouth. "Two days ago, an envoy from Egypt arrived in Thurii and brought me some news: the Persian army is massing in large numbers within Eastern Phoenicia, with the intent to invade Egypt. Pharaoh Tanis of Egypt hopes that when the Persian army launches its massive invasion, Daionia will be able to send reinforcements to their aid..."

Hearing this, Leotychides subconsciously gripped the armrests tighter.

"Furthermore, Persia views Daionia as an enemy. During the Western Mediterranean War, they dispatched reinforcements to help Carthage, and over these past two years, they have incited the city-states of the Greek Mainland to unite against us... Therefore, aiding Egypt and striking at Persia serves two purposes at once.

"The Kingdom Council of Administrative Ministers has already passed the resolution to rescue Egypt. After discussing it with the Ministry of Military Affairs, I believe you are the most suitable candidate to serve as the commander of these reinforcements. Are you willing to accept this appointment and travel far to wage war against Persia?"

Having been idle for some time, Leotychides was naturally willing to accept the appointment, but he suppressed the impulse in his heart and asked first, "Your Majesty, which legions will the kingdom be sending as reinforcements?"

Davos felt a sense of approval that Leotychides could maintain his calm under such circumstances. He said loudly, "Currently, we are considering having the three legions in Sicily serve as the main force of the reinforcements, with the 2nd Fleet providing support at sea. Furthermore, considering that Egypt's terrain is vast and flat, making it ideal for cavalry, we are preparing to have the African Light Cavalry Legion participate in the expedition. Given that the Persian army relies heavily on projectiles, we will also recruit two thousand Balearic Slingers... How about it? Are you satisfied with this arrangement?"

"Your Majesty, I am willing to accept your appointment," Leotychides responded decisively.

"Persia is not Daionia; their military mobilization will not be that fast. It will likely be quite some time before they truly attack Egypt, so there is no need to rush. Go to Sicily first and thoroughly familiarize yourself with the legions you will be commanding.

"Among these troops, the Eighth Legion possesses the strongest combat power. As the former commander of the Eighth Legion, having once led it to win many honors, I believe that taking over these reinforcements will allow you to earn the soldiers' support much quicker...

"However, do not assemble the army on a large scale just yet, to avoid consuming military rations prematurely. After all, the army in the Peloponnese is also consuming quite a bit of grain."

Hearing this, Leotychides could not help but ask, "Once I lead the army to Egypt, how will the military rations be supplied?"

"The Egyptian pharaoh, Tanis, has already made a promise in his letter that he will supply all the military rations for the reinforcements," Davos said unhurriedly. "Egypt has always been a major granary of the Mediterranean. Its political situation has been relatively stable these past few years, and it is said that their grain reserves are quite ample, so you need not worry. Of course, the Ministry of Military Affairs will also deliver some supplies to you at the appropriate times as a supplement."

Leotychides nodded, remaining silent for a moment.

Looking at him, Davos continued, "I heard that when you left Messenia, you warned Crotokatax, 'Do not lower your guard against the other Greek city-states besides Sparta; they have always been fickle...'

"Now, your concerns have become reality. Many Greek city-states, led by Athens, are forming an alliance against Daionia. This will undoubtedly bring great difficulties to our strategy of controlling the Greek Mainland. Furthermore, if our war in Greece cannot be concluded in a short time, and we also have to reinforce Egypt on this side, we will undoubtedly fall into the predicament of fighting a war on two fronts... You understand Greece quite well; what do you suggest?"

As he listened to Davos, Leotychides pondered the issue in his mind. Having just been appointed commander, he naturally did not want the war on the Greek Mainland to affect the reinforcements for Egypt.

A moment later, he said, "Your Majesty, a few years ago, the Gauls of Italy were viewed as a terrifying scourge by the people of Etruria, the Latins, and other races to the north. They were numerous, fierce, and bellicose, and even the kingdom viewed them as a mortal threat.

"However, Your Majesty mobilized an army of a hundred thousand in one go and crushed the Gauls in mere months. Now, their territory has been annexed into the kingdom."

Leotychides only briefly mentioned the conquest of the Gauls. After all, he had been the commander of the northern expedition against them at the time; saying too much would undoubtedly carry the suspicion of boasting.

"The war on the Greek Mainland is actually somewhat similar to the Gallic War. It may seem like there are many city-states, a complex situation, and citizens who are skilled in combat, but in reality, even if you add up the Peloponnese Peninsula, Central Greece, Northern Greece, and even the Ionian Islands, their total land area falls far short of the kingdom's vast borders. Their population size is even further behind, not to mention their weaponry, equipment, and logistical supplies...

"Your Majesty can do exactly as you did when conquering the Gauls: concentrate the vast majority of the kingdom's armies and launch a full-scale offensive with a military force that far exceeds anything on the Greek Mainland. You can definitely complete the conquest of the Greek Mainland in a short time."

"Mmm..." Davos stroked his chin, lost in thought.

After seeing Leotychides off, Davos had Henipolis fetch a wooden map of the Greek Mainland. Left alone, he stared at the map, sinking into deep contemplation.

................................................

Acidamas walked into the city lord's mansion in Pherae and saw Tagus Jason of Thessaly pacing back and forth at the entrance of the drawing room. Stepping forward, he asked, "My lord, for what matter did you summon me?"

Jason snapped out of his thoughts. With a fair degree of respect, he supported Acidamas's arm and led him into the drawing room. Only after inviting him to sit did Jason speak with a solemn expression, "I just received news. The Daionian Army has defeated the thirty-thousand-strong army that Sparta assembled with Persia's support at Tegea!"

"Sparta has suffered defeat in a pitched battle yet again?!" Acidamas was shocked by the news. For a politician who had spent more than half his life in an era where Sparta reigned supreme, this was somewhat difficult to accept in the moment.

"Yes. I heard the Theonians not only defeated the Spartan army but also occupied their camp and captured many soldiers, driving the routed Spartans into the mountains. They even took the opportunity to conquer Tegea..." Jason said, his emotions running high.

Acidamas exhaled softly, sighing as he spoke. "From this, it is clear that even with Persia's backing, the Spartans are no match for the Theonians. Their decline is inevitable... What are your plans, my lord?"

Taking a seat in a nearby chair, Jason said, "I want to hear your advice first."