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“At first I didn’t know what the ‘West of the Mediterranean’ meant. But today, when the Thurian came to find me, I then understood that the dream had come true!” Davos gave a brief introduction about Burkes with a little excitement.

“Thurii wants to hire us to fight the aborigines?” Asked Kapus.

“Yes, I heard that the whole Magna Graecia is threatened by the aborigines, and Thurii is the city-state that have suffered the most.” Explained Davos.

While everyone were still thinking whether to accept the invitation, Antonios stood up and said, “Persia is far away from us, and so is Thurii. There is no difference between going to war in Thurii and in Persia!”

Davos secretly cast a look of appreciation towards Antonios, because he put forward their doubt on the surface, which made it convenient for Davos to explain it further. Davos seriously said, “If we follow Sparta to fight Persia. If we win, Sparta will reap the profits and we will only get a meager payment. If we are defeated, we will die on a foreign land, and even our soul will not return to hell(T/N: Underworld, Hades’ place, etc.). While going to Magna Graecia will be different-”

Davos looked at everyone and said with a slight excitement, “First of all, as I just said, the payment Thurii will give us is 2 daric gold coins per person per month, which is much more than what Cyrus the Younger gave us. Secondly, Magna Graecia is the same as us, Greeks, fighting for them on the land of the same race not only we will not lack support, but also receive consideration and concern. Thirdly, Magna Graecia is different from the barren mainland Greece, there are many rivers, fertile land, and each city-states are very rich. Does anyone here knew how many people lived in Athens during the time of Pericles?” Davos asked while he looked at Alexius, because this hoplite captain from Megara had studied in Athens for 2 years when he was young.

Sure enough, he lived up to Davos’ expectations, he pondered about it for a bit, and said, “Around 300,000 people.”

“Yes, 300,000 people, an amazing number! But do you know? A few decades ago, there were also 300,000 people in Syracuse, Magna Graecia! And in Thurii, Crotone, Locri, Taranto(Taras), Lijim(t/n: not sure about this one, maybe it is Rhegium?), Agrigento, and so on are all big city-states like Syracuse (Davos learned this information from Cheiristoya)! Therefore, the place we are going to is not a remote and backward land, but a prosperous city, where there are many opportunities waiting for us!” Davos spoke highly about the prosperity of Magna Graecia.

“Leader Davos, what opportunity? Defeating the Lu…Lucanians and receiving a lot of rewards, or there is still something else?!” The sharp Epiphanes notice the ambiguity in Davos’ words and asked.

“Good question! What I’m about to say is the last and greatest benefit of going to Thurii-” Davos put up a finger and said it briskly, “The messenger said, ‘Because of the large-scale invasion of the Lucanians and Bruttii, some small towns in Magna Graecia, especially in southern part, were occupied by the the native people.’ What does this mean to us?!”

Davos clenched his fingers into a fist and vigorously raised it in the air, “It means that once we get a foothold in Magna Graecia and recapture a small city, we will have an opportunity to become the master of the city! We will no longer be landless people who are looked down upon. We will be a city-state citizens who own a land! We will no longer be a mercenaries that can’t decide our own destiny, but instead be the master of a city-state! I think this is the mission ‘The man in my dream’ told me! No matter what your decision is, I have decided to go to Magna Graecia and fulfill my mission!!”

The meeting place fell into a strange silence, and only the sound of rapid breathing can be heard, and everyone’s gazes are fixed on Davos’ fist that was raised high, with full of utmost desire. For thousands of years, the Greek city-states have been fighting with each other for the small and sandy barren land of Greece. Wasn’t it all just for the land?! The Greeks became a seafaring nation, it was because they were force due to more people and less land! The mercenaries have no choice but wander places to places in order to live! Now, a hope to own a land is placed in front of them, how can it not make them elated, lest the flames of hope blow out!

At this time of silence, Cid weakly said, “But there are a lot of powerful native people there, and even the people in Magna Graecia can’t stop them, we-”

“We are not trash like those in Magna Graecia! The Lucanians will not be more powerful than the Carduchians! Don’t go if you are afraid!” Amintas shouted in disdain.

“Who said that I won’t go! Leader Davos, since this is the mission Hades gave you, then I will help you complete it even if I give my life!” Cid unclenched his hands and knelt to Davos.

“Davos, I’m your shield, how could you possibly go to Thurii without me!” Hielos raised his right fist and stood up.

“And I, Amintas, am your spear. It’s not enough to only have a shield without a spear!” Another fist was raised.

“Leader, please let me continue to help you deal with military affairs, so that you have more time to think about how to win the battle!” Philesius stood up.

“Leader, you naturally can’t do without a vanguard in Thurii!” Antonios stood up.

“Leader, let me take charge of the center for you!” Kapus also stood up.

“And I, Alexius, will always be your reserve force at the critical moments!” Another fist was raised high.

“How can you go to Thurii without us the peltast who can fight and shoot!” Epiphanes stood up smiling.

“Davos, don’t forget, you are still lacking an important supply unit officer!” A chubby fist was raised.

“My respected teacher, I will still continue learning medical theory from you, so wherever you go, I will follow!” Herpus stood up seriously.

“I’m your herald, you can’t leave without me! Asistes hastily stood up.

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

Davos looked at the more than 40 fist raised up straight to the sky, like a small forest rising to prepare for the baptism of the coming storm. He couldn’t help have his blood boil and he suddenly waved his right hand forward, “BROTHERS, FOLLOW ME TO THE WEST TO FIND OUR ‘ELYSIUM PARADISE’!”

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

After receiving a warm response from the officers, Davos discussed with them to keep the real purpose of going to Thurii a secret, else there will be many who will obstruct them.

Everyone immediately swore to the god of the underworld.

Afterwards, Davos told them to go back and to try every means to persuade the soldiers to go with them, and also to covertly go to the other camps and secretly persuade the soldiers to join. Davos doesn’t want to let go of these veterans with rich combat experience, so that they could once more fight together.

Davos then took Mariji back to the main tent and before he could spoke, Mariji said, “I would like to go to Thurii with you.”

Davos turned around and smiled, “You’re smart.”

“Isn’t that the reason why you allowed me inside?” Mariji said angrily, “What will you do if I do not agree? Kill me?”

Davos shook his head and said, “I’ll just tie your hands and feet, throw you in the cabin, and will only let you out once we get to Thurii.”

“Davos, I always thought that you are a cultured, knowledgeable and righteous Greek. I didn’t expect you to be a bandit like them!” Mariji said while gritting his teeth.

“Is this what a slave says to his master who had grace him with saving his life?” Said Davos while pretending to be surprised.

“Slave?” Mariji’s face was shocked, as he look at Davos’ expression.

Author’s Note: Elysium Paradise – In Greek Mythology, after the trial of the three judges of hell, the innocent will be allowed to enter Elysium Paradise, where it is beautiful and peaceful, without any worry about food and clothing. And it still part of the area controlled by Hades. It was once said that the heaven in Christianity was modeled after Elysium.

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