Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1249: Davos's Wish

"Well said! The foundation of the Sacred Kingdom of Daunia truly lies in the western Mediterranean, in Italy!" Davos did not show any displeasure at his son's opposition to starting a war against Persia. Instead, he laughed heartily, his eyes filled with gratification as he looked at him. "Crotokatax, I hope you remember the words you just spoke, and ensure your descendants remember them as well. Only by focusing our efforts on governing the western Mediterranean can the Sacred Kingdom of Daunia enjoy lasting peace and stability!"

"Yes!" Crotokatax replied respectfully.

"However, Daionia's impending attack on Persia isn't driven by greed for its wealth and land. Rather, it is to seize the initiative. We must take this opportunity while its national strength is waning to utterly defeat it. When the time comes, depending on the situation, we can either prop up a few puppets within Persia or splinter the empire into several smaller nations to reduce its threat to our kingdom. Compared to directly annexing their territory, these methods will be far more effective and require much less effort."

Davos's expression remained calm as he continued, "As for the difficulties you mentioned regarding the invasion of Persia—which war has Daionia ever fought without facing hardships and unexpected turns? The challenges of facing Persia are simply greater. And why have we Daionians emerged victorious every single time, defeating our adversaries? It is because we take every opponent seriously, planning and preparing meticulously to secure a greater advantage.

"From the founding of our kingdom until now, Persia is the only formidable enemy left in the entire Mediterranean. Artaxerxes and I both understand that a war between us is inevitable. That is exactly why he previously incited the city-states of the Greek Mainland to unite against us. When the rebellion broke out in Asia Minor, I actually considered dispatching troops to strike the Persian mainland. However, the Greek War had only just ended, leaving our rations and military supplies heavily depleted. The newly formed Greek League needed consolidation, and the recently conquered Thessaly still required time to be fully assimilated. Because of all that, I had no choice but to shelve the idea.

"But the Ministry of Military Affairs has always kept its sights on Persia. For the past few years, it has been conducting military drills and improving weapons and equipment specifically for a war against them, building up the numerous advantages we hold today. Therefore, our plans to invade Persia can be delayed no longer!

"I firmly believe that, with the blessing of Hades, we will ultimately secure victory!"

Hearing Davos speak with such absolute certainty, Sedoromus understood completely: the invasion of Persia was indeed His Majesty's own intent. He had merely arranged for the Ministry of Military Affairs to propose it. He had probably even consulted with Bagulas and Asistes beforehand, staging a performance for everyone in the Royal Palace's great hall.

Sedorum swept his gaze over Oliphus and Plintors, then glanced at Bagulas and Asistes before lowering his eyes in silence.

"He told me that, having gone from a destitute refugee to a high minister of the Mediterranean's most powerful kingdom, he holds few regrets in this life. His only regret... is that he might not live to see the Daionian Army invade Persia, to retrieve the remains of our mercenary brothers who died in that foreign land, and to take vengeance on the Persians who hunted and herded us like cattle..."

At this, Davos sighed deeply once more. "...Amyntas's words moved me deeply! I still clearly remember how we endured untold hardships to escape Persia and rest in Byzantium. Bulcos, do you remember? You traveled thousands of miles to Byzantium, seeking to hire us to go to Thurii and fight the Lucanias, and I agreed—"

The Minister of Agriculture, Bulcos, stood up with a tremble, his voice thick with emotion. "Your Majesty, of course I remember! I had heard that a Greek mercenary company had fought their way across thousands of miles in Persia and successfully returned to the Aegean Sea. I firmly believed that if we could hire this army, we would definitely defeat the Lucanians. But the mercenary leaders rejected my invitations one by one. Just as I was on the brink of despair, it was you, Your Majesty, who agreed to my request without hesitation, giving me hope! Yet who could have imagined that such a small invitation would forge a mighty kingdom and alter the entire landscape of the Mediterranean!"

Davos recalled the past, overwhelmed with emotion. "Indeed, no one can predict the world decades into the future. That was why the Spartan army and the Byzantines, fearing that we might use Thurii's invitation as an excuse to cause trouble, imposed a harsh demand on us. 'Unless we stripped off our armor, laid down our weapons, and entered Byzantium naked, we would not be allowed to go to the port to board ships and leave.'

"Our former mercenary leaders had been brutally murdered in Persia because they blindly trusted a Persian general and entered his camp unarmed to negotiate. As a result, the mercenaries were deeply suspicious of such demands. I had to exhaust every ounce of my effort just to convince them... Then, on that day, we laid down our weapons and walked into Byzantium, only to suffer endless humiliation from the Spartans and Byzantines. That road to the port was truly an arduous one to walk..."

"Your Majesty, I remember that day clearly as well!" Oliphus said through gritted teeth, his eyes growing damp. "They cursed us as lowly mongrels, telling us to get out of Byzantium and stop staining their land. Some even threatened that if we didn't run faster, they would chop our bodies to pieces and feed us to the dogs... They didn't just curse; they threw all kinds of filth at us!

"I was standing right beside you, Your Majesty. I saw with my own eyes how you were struck by rotten fruit, leaving your face swollen, yet you endured it silently... After we boarded the ships, many of us were seething with unquenchable anger, swearing by the gods that one day we would pay the Byzantines back for that humiliation!"

This was the first time Crotokatax had ever heard his father speak of the bitter hardships from decades ago. Feeling a shared sense of indignation, he clenched his fists, ready to speak.

However, Davos's gaze swiftly swept past the grief-stricken and indignant faces of Oliphus and Alpens, looking toward the solemn expressions of the others. His tone was heavy as he said, "It was those battle-worn, universally despised mercenaries who staggered into Magna Graecia, fought bloody battles, and endured tremendous hardships to build the mighty Sacred Kingdom of Daunia we have today! They are the founders of this kingdom, yet we still owe them a proper accounting!

"Mersis, Zipit, Xanthiparis... they have already departed from this world. And Amyntas, Alexis, Philesius... in a few short years, they will likely follow in their footsteps. Are we truly going to let these great heroes of the kingdom take their regrets with them to Elysium?

"What's more, among the Daionian Army, they are the ones most familiar with the combat styles of the Persian forces, as well as Persia's geography and customs. Shouldn't we launch a timely offensive against Persia while some of them can still just about don their armor? By doing so, we would simultaneously eliminate a hidden threat to our kingdom and fulfill their lifelong wish!

"Elites of the kingdom, whether you agree or disagree, state your opinions at once!"

After a brief moment of silence in the great hall, Crotokatax, Asistes, Cyprolus, Antaoris, Haca, Bagulas, and many other ministers scrambled to answer loudly, "Your Majesty, I agree that the kingdom should declare war on Persia after the games!"

"Good! Good! Good!" Davos looked at the impassioned faces of Oliphus, Asistes, and the others, then abruptly stood up and declared loudly, "Since everyone is in agreement, then our invasion of Persia is settled!"

He paused for a moment before continuing, "I've reviewed the report from the games organizing committee. Every city-state in the Greek League that accepted our invitation will send their most important government officials to attend. We can take this exact opportunity to hold a high-level summit of the Greek League, reach a consensus, and form the Allied Forces to fight Persia together! Tapirus, I am entrusting you with these arrangements."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Having settled the most critical matter, Davos looked toward his son again, his voice lowering into a grave register. "Crotokatax, the issues you raised earlier regarding the Persian expedition—the distance being too great, the kingdom being unable to receive the latest news from the front lines or relay new orders in time, the commanding generals perhaps not daring to act on their own authority in complex situations, and so on. These concerns definitely merit our attention. However, the solution to these problems is actually very simple: I will personally lead the army into battle!"

Everyone was shocked.

Sedorum blurted out, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely out of the question—"

"Why is it out of the question?" Davos interrupted him stiffly, his face brimming with absolute confidence. "Ever since I arrived in Magna Graecia and personally led our forces, I have successfully conquered Lucania, Crotone, Syracuse, the Messapii and Peuceti, Rome, and Carthage. Through victory after victory, I helped the kingdom endure its hardest times and gradually grow into the powerhouse it is today...

"The upcoming war against Persia is undoubtedly of paramount importance to our kingdom. It dictates the life and death of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and the very rise and fall of our realm. Aside from me, who else could possibly shoulder such a monumental mission and possess the absolute confidence to seize final victory?!"

Several of the more astute ministers immediately heard the underlying implication in Davos's words. Daionia was about to pour the entirety of its military strength into the invasion of Persia. Placing such a massive army in the hands of a single general inspired a certain unease. Furthermore, if they won, the immense glory bestowed upon that commanding general would only amplify that unease... Therefore, having the King personally lead the expedition was the safest and most reliable course of action.

Crotokatax naturally realized this issue as well, but he still offered a worried suggestion. "Persia's environment and climate are completely different from the kingdom's. This will be an expedition spanning thousands of miles, which will undeniably be far more exhausting. Your Ma—Father, you are advanced in years. You shouldn't undertake such a grueling campaign. Let me go in your stead!"