Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

The department of military training’s strictness made the soldiers of the Eighth Legion ensure that the soldiers could march and attack the city quickly. The logistics department’s preparation of rations and supplies before the war freed the Eighth Legion of worries. The Army Staff’s collection of information on the various tribes and towns in Sikeloi allowed Prosous to know himself and his enemy with a clear mind.

With Tolmides as the lubricant, Davos didn’t have to worry about the Ministry of Military. Afterwards, he turned his gaze back to the city of Enna on the sand table and asked, “How many days do you think it will take for the Eighth Legion to capture Enna?”

Philesius thought a bit and said, “Although Enna is located in the Sikeloi mountains and is considered a large city among the Sikeloi towns, they built it on flat terrain. Moreover, its wall is not made of stone but wood, so the engineering brigade of the Eighth Legion only needed to make a dozen ballistae and siege towers, and they should be able to breach this city. Thus my estimate…would be no more than six days.”

“Six days!” Davos turned to Kapus and said, “If so, the war in Sicily will end in about a month, and the logistics department will no longer need to organise people to transport supplies. ”

“Your majesty, this is just the estimated time for the battle to end. The Eighth Legion still had to say in these occupied towns for some time to stabilise the situation and wait for the Senate to elect the praetor and for the committee to assign officials to take over. With the Eighth Legion having to stay in Sicily’s Sikeloi region for some time, I am afraid their rations would be insufficient.” Kapus tactfully reminded.

“Kapus, you are mistaken. Once the Eighth Legion and its allied troops wiped out the Tanikian tribe and other hostile tribes, they would give up the cities and towns they occupied, such as Kephaloídion and Enna. Instead, they would support friendly Sikeloi tribes to take over.” Davos slowly stated his plan, “And we will only occupy two towns, Henna and Hebita, so that we can more directly influence and strengthen our communication with the Sikeloi.”

Since the two towns of Henna and Hebita are close to Catania and Naxos, the Eighth Legion wouldn’t need to station too many troops and won’t consume as much food.

Kapus then breathed a sigh of relief after hearing it.

But Hielos asked, “Your majesty, is it because you are worried about Carthage that you asked the Eighth Legion to abandon Kephaloídion and Enna?”

Davos praised Hielos’ keen political sense inwardly. After all, an excellent Chief Military Officer should be proficient in military matters and have a good political outline to control the development of the war. Thus Davos seriously explained to him, “That’s right, it is because I am worried about Carthage. Although the Carthaginian envoys came to Thurii yesterday and said they are willing to renew the treaty with us, we shouldn’t be too careless. Although Carthage’s focus remained on Numidia and Iberia, our rapid expansion in Sicily would arouse their disgust and vigilance, which would affect the relationship between our two countries! At this stage, maintaining our friendship with Carthage would be more favourable to the stability of the southern part of the kingdom and would greatly benefit our maritime trade. But once our relationship with Carthage falls apart, the first ones to come and protest would be Mersis and Marigi.”

Hearing that, several people smiled to varying degrees.

“Apart from that, unlike the fierce Samnites, the Sikeloi was deeply influenced by Greek culture and were happy to interact with the Greeks. Hence as long as we continue strengthening our influence on them, the Sikeloi will eventually become a part of the kingdom, so there is no need for us to rush.”

“Your majesty is right! A terrible relationship with Carthage would only affect our strategy of expanding northward.” Tolmides immediately responded.

“Yes, the northern part of our kingdom is our focus.” Davos took over the discussion and changed the subject, “How is our war with Dauni? Do you think we can end the war before this year ends?”

“Your majesty.” The Chief Military Officer, Hielos, replied after thinking about it, “Commander Alexius has led the Fourth and Fifth legions to surround the central city of the Daunis, Lucera. Originally, he planned to defeat these remaining Daunian forces in the field by attracting the surrounding towns to send troops to rescue the city they were besieging. However, the Daunians didn’t come to their rescue, so Alexius decided to concentrate on breaking through the city of Lucera, thinking that the morale of the Daunians would fall once they breached the city that they might even surrender in droves…” Hielos then hesitated for a moment, “Just that-”

“It’s just that the walls of Lucera are so high and thick that Alexius would have to throw everything he has to achieve his goal. But supposing the Daunian reinforcements arrives at the critical moment of the siege, not only will the siege fails, but it would likely lead to the defeat of the entire army.” Davos then said calmly and slowly, “So Alexius needs reinforcements?”

“Yes, your majesty. You have everything under your grasp.” Hielos replied sincerely.

Davos smiled. He then looked at everyone and said, “We can’t let the war with Dauni drag on! Which legion do you think is more suitable to send?”

“The Second Legion, because most of its soldiers are in Thurii, so it is easier to assemble them, and it is close to the battlefield.” Kapus suggested.

But Hielos showed his concern, “With some soldiers and officers of the Second Legion are players, I am afraid it would cause unnecessary panic among citizens if we transfer them to the battlefield now that we are holding the champions league…”

“If you want to send a legion nearest to the battlefield to support the battle against Dauni’s, then it should be the Tenth Legion.” Hieronymus interjected.

“But the Tenth Legion is the latest to be established, and its soldiers are almost composed of Peucetians. I am afraid…” Tolmides raised his objection.

“The Daunians are now citizens of Theonia.” Davos reminded and then turned to ask Hieronymus, “How is the training of the Tenth Legion? Can they be sent out to fight the enemy?”

“There is no problem!” The military instructor, Hieronymus, said concisely.

“In that case…” Davos touched his chin. After pondering for a while, Davos said decisively, “Sending both the Ninth and Tenth Legions into the war would be the easiest way to make them have a sense of belonging. If Bagul and the others could do it back then, the Ninth and Tenth Legions should be able to do it too! With these two legions, Alexius would have enough troops to implement his plans. However, the need for food would increase greatly.”

“Your majesty, you can feel at ease as our logistics department will handle this problem well.” Kapus immediately responded.

“Excellent!” Davos nodded. He then said to Philesius, “I remember the legatus of the Tenth Legion should be Melisander, right?”

“Yes.” Philesius answered lightly.

“Your son is talented in military matters. I look forward to his performance on the Daunian battlefield.” Davos said with a smile.

Philesius had remained silent about this matter to avoid suspicion, but he had no choice now but to say yes.

“At Melisander’s age, we were still working as mercenaries in Asia Minor while Melisander was already the head of a legion. Back then, we had to accept our employer’s demands to participate in some dangerous battles just to have enough food to eat… If it weren’t for you, your majesty, how could we have our current life?!” Tolmides’ words resonated with several officials of the military.

Davos smiled but didn’t participate in the conversion and just looked at the wooden model of Lucera in the centre of Dauni’s territory on the sand table. He then reached out to press it and said, “That’s all for today’s military council. Since it’s still early, I won’t keep you here for lunch.”

After Davos spoke those words, he found that the war room suddenly became quiet as several people looked at each other with odd expressions.

“Is there anything else?” Davos immediately asked.

Finally, Hielos said, “Your majesty, about Lord Antonios…we want to appeal for him!”

“Your majesty, Ladician is an audacious fellow who would often go to Antonios for help. You also know that Antonios is a man who values relationships. Besides helping him with all his strength in the South-Italian War, Ladician was also his father-in-law, so he couldn’t refuse him. But since he has already been punished…I hope you can give him a chance to reform!” With Hielos opening the subject, Philesius took the opportunity to speak earnestly.

Davos realise what they want. He then looked at their expectant expression and asked, “Did Antonios ask you to say that?”

“How could that be possible!” Tolmides hastily said loudly, “With Antonios’ self-righteous nature, how could he come to beg us?! It is because we believed he is a good guy as his comrade who fought side by side in Persia-”

“I know that.” Davos said lightly.

After more than ten years in a high position, a special aura began building around Davos’ body that even if he looked calm, Philesius and the others could feel a pressure that made them unable to speak more.

Suddenly, someone knocks on the door.

“Come in.” After Davos said that, the pressure Hielos and the others felt disappeared.

Aristias, the court herald, entered the room and handed a papyrus to Davos.

After Davos read it, he saw that the several people around him deliberately turned their eyes to other places to avoid suspicion. He then smiled lightly and said, “Sparta has sent Eudamidas to lead an advance to the Chalkidiki.”

“Who is Eudamidas?” Philesius asked curiously.

“He is Phoebidas’ brother.” Aristias replied. 

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter