Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 935: A New Order in Central Italy

Davos smiled, his voice carrying clearly across the hall. "If you study the history of Daionia's founding, you will find that we have never launched an unprovoked invasion against another city-state or tribe. Others always strike first. Some have even broken their word, suddenly tearing up our treaties to flagrantly invade our lands and slaughter our people. Only then has Daionia unleashed its wrath, striking back to destroy them."

"This shows that Daionia is not the Rome of old. We are not tyrants, nor do we covet the lands of others. On the contrary, we love peace and wish to live in harmony with our neighbors. Here in the Latium region, Daionia will continue to uphold our long-standing diplomatic stance. We will live peacefully with any faction that desires friendly relations with us. We will sign friendship agreements, foster broader trade and cultural exchanges, and even provide mutual aid..."

"I make this solemn promise to you all here and now: Daionia has not come to Latium to bring more war to a land already plagued by conflict. We are here to end wars and usher in peace and prosperity. This applies not only to the Romans and Latins under our rule, but also to you—Rome's neighbors who share our desire for friendship!"

Although some factions had already received similar assurances from Daionian envoys, hearing the King of Daionia state this personally undoubtedly put the ambassadors further at ease.

Then, the Sabine ambassador asked, "Can we Sabines also become allies with Daionia?"

"Of course!" Davos said with a smile. "As long as you Sabines wish to be our friends, Daionia is naturally willing to forge an alliance with you. Once the banquet concludes, you may seek out our diplomat, Tapirus, to discuss the terms."

As he spoke, Davos pointed to Tapirus, who was seated at the banquet.

Tapirus immediately stood up and offered the Sabine ambassador a smiling nod.

The Sabine ambassador hastily returned the greeting, exhaling a long breath of relief. With Daionia occupying Rome and Fidenae, and Crustuerium submitting to their rule, Daionia's sphere of influence now bordered Sabine territory. Among all the surrounding factions, the Sabines were now the closest to the City of Rome, Daionia's central stronghold in the Latium region. For over a decade, Rome had oppressed the Sabines to the point of suffocation. The arrival of Daionia—a power even greater than Rome—had left them terrified. But now, with the king's promise of an alliance, their fears were finally put to rest.

Davos agreed to each of them in turn.

"Your esteemed Majesty, I have a question," the Marsian ambassador called out. "What happens if two of Daionia's allies go to war? For example, if we Marsians ally with Daionia, but later clash with the Hernicians and war breaks out, and both sides ask you for aid... will Daionia help the Hernicians, with whom you have closer ties? Or will you help your new Marsian allies?"

"We Hernicians are busy rebuilding our homeland. Why would we ever clash with the Marsians who helped us?" Nemeri grumbled, though he, like the other envoys, eagerly awaited Davos's response.

"Central Italy is home to many factions with complex relationships. Conflicts and wars frequently occur. In recent years, it was only the immense pressure of Rome's rapid expansion that forced the surrounding powers into a temporary coalition." Davos offered a faint smile, his voice quiet but unyielding. "As I said, Daionia has come here for peace and prosperity. We will first put a stop to any ongoing wars, bring both sides together to discuss the root of the conflict, and find a resolution so that peace can be restored."

"I believe the people of all tribes yearn for a peaceful life, rather than being dragged into wars where their lives are forfeit. If there truly is a tribe that survives purely on war and plunder, then they are a threat to us all and will face our united crusade! Wouldn't you agree?"

"You are absolutely right, Your Majesty! If the Volsci ever clash with another tribe, we are willing to let a Daionian envoy help resolve the dispute!" Katamentalus was the first to declare his stance.

"We Hernicians will also abide by any decision from a Daionian envoy!" Nemeri chimed in.

The other envoys, the Marsians included, understood perfectly: King Davos was establishing a new order in Central Italy with Daionia at its core, and he expected the other tribes and factions to fall in line.

To them, this was not necessarily a bad thing. From what they had gathered, the Daionian Army had annihilated the terrifying Romans without suffering heavy casualties. Since the Daionian king promised not to unleash such horrific military might, opting instead to resolve disputes through negotiation, they felt much more at ease. One by one, they voiced their agreement with Davos's decision.

Just then, a loud voice rang out. "Esteemed King Davos, the Celts to the north are exactly the kind of terrifying force you speak of—one that lives on plunder. Twenty years ago, they invaded the Latium region, and now they are stirring in the north once again. It is said that before his death, the former Celtic king, Brennus, could never forget his defeat at Rome. He repeatedly urged his chieftains to avenge him and wash away the shame. In a few years, the Celts may return in full force. I fear we must all prepare for this. What are your thoughts on the matter?"

As soon as the words were spoken, a hush fell over the envoys. Though the Celtic invasion had occurred two decades ago, the war had raged for a full year, affecting nearly every faction in Latium to some degree. The memories were still painfully vivid.

Davos followed the voice and saw the ambassador from the city of Fufluna. Fufluna was a member of the League of Twelve Etruscan Cities. He had come to Rome representing the Northern Etrurian City-States, which had yet to ally with Daionia. Because these northern states were separated from Daionia's Latium territories by the Southern Etrurian City-States—such as Tarchna and Vulci, which had just allied with Daionia—there had been no prior contact or conflict of interest between them. Davos had been silently guessing their motives for attending, but now everything clicked into place.

"I have already made myself clear: no faction shall disrupt the peace and tranquility of this land!" Davos declared without hesitation. "Should the Celts dare to invade the lands of Vulci or Tarchna, Daionia will gather a grand army, cross the Tiber River, and aid our allies in driving them back!"

The Fufluna ambassador froze, then blurted out, "But what about northern Etruria? If the Celts attack the north and Daionia ignores it, the situation will turn dire! The Etruria region is largely flat. For years, our northern city-states have barely managed to hold off Celtic raids by relying on the continuous mountain ranges along our northern border. But if the Celts gather a massive army and march south, the northern city-states will be unable to stop them. Once the Celts secure a foothold in the north, attacking the south will be far easier and far more devastating! When that happens, those brutal Celts will march on Rome and Latium once more to avenge their old king, Brennus!"

Davos put on a troubled expression, hesitating before he spoke. "Your words hold merit, but Daionia has no diplomatic ties with your Northern Etrurian City-States. Even if we wanted to help, we would not dare march our army recklessly into your territory. The people of Etruria might mistake Daionia for invaders, no different from the Celts."

Catching the underlying meaning in Davos's words, the Fufluna ambassador immediately stood up, bowed respectfully, and said, "As long as Daionia is willing to help Etruria fend off the Celts, the Northern Etrurian City-States are willing to ally with Daionia!"

Davos gave a slight nod and addressed the room in a loud voice. "The Northern Etrurian City-States' willingness to ally with Daionia is a wonderful thing, and I welcome it wholeheartedly! After the banquet, you may join the other envoys in discussing the terms of our alliance with our diplomat, Tapirus. As I have said, Daionia is here to make friends. We are more than willing to join hands with our new friends across the Latium region, Etruria, and beyond to repel foreign enemies together! Together, we shall defend the peace of our homes!"

"Brilliantly said, Your Majesty!" Katamentalus of the Volsci stood up again, raising his wine cup. "I propose a toast to the honorable King of Daionia, in gratitude for bringing us peace!" he shouted with genuine excitement.

The other envoys immediately echoed Katamentalus's proposal.

Smiling, Davos raised his cup and drank with them.

Tapirus joined in the toast, his heart racing with excitement. Though he would be incredibly busy in the coming days, this exact busyness was the true measure of a diplomat's worth. After half a year in the Latium region, he could finally put his skills to full use.

As the Fufluna ambassador sat back down, he let out a long sigh of relief.

What he had just claimed was not entirely true. In the twenty years since the massive Celtic invasion, the strength of the Etrurian city-states had been severely depleted, with the northern cities suffering the worst. Though the Celts had not marshaled a grand army to march south again, smaller border raids had been incessant. At first, the northern city-states had helped each other and maintained a united defense, but repeated defeats eventually forced them to fight isolated battles, barely scraping by. When Rome attacked the Southern Etrurian City-States, the north could only watch helplessly as the south was forced to submit. They had been too overwhelmed defending their own borders to even think about sending reinforcements.