Chapter 1050
Dido stole a glance at the Devers' expression and felt that there was hope. She immediately said in a clear voice, "We want to make southern Iberia a free city of Diónia, just like —"
The Devers interrupted her without hesitation and said firmly, "Southern Iberia can only be completely integrated into Diónia and be under the direct jurisdiction of the kingdom. There is no other choice! If that doesn't work, we would rather choose war! Whether southern Iberia is ruled by you or occupied by the Iberian natives, we will make it the territory of Diónia no matter what price we have to pay! "
Dido did not expect the Devers to directly seal her words. There was no room for negotiation at all. For a moment, she panicked and did not know what to say.
"It seems that you have nothing to talk about." Dyfoss sighed softly and said, "As a woman, you actually dared to come here alone to negotiate. You are indeed very courageous, and it is not easy. I will allow you to visit your family for a while, and then you can go back …"
At this moment, Heniboris, who was next to him, reminded, "Your Majesty, Sir Stesicodas said that Brother Margo's injury is serious and needs quiet treatment. He doesn't want anyone to disturb —"
"My father … He … What happened to him?!" Dido asked anxiously when she heard this.
"On the day of the battle of Serinus, your father, Margo, was shot in the face by a flustered Numibian with an arrow. When we found him, he was almost dead. Thanks to our doctors' all-out efforts to save him, he was out of danger, but he has been unconscious ever since …" Heniboris said softly with a sympathetic expression.
"Merciful King Devers, I want to visit … my father immediately! I hope you can approve! " Dido's eyes were filled with tears as she said with a trembling voice.
"… Alright." The Devers hesitated for a moment, then said to Heniboris, "Go and talk to Stesicodas. Tell him that I said to let this girl visit her father."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Heniboris stood up, walked to Dido, and said softly, "Come with me."
Dido wiped away her tears, stood up, and bowed deeply to the Devers.
About ten minutes later, Heniboris returned.
After listening to the scene of Dido visiting Brother Ma, Devers suddenly asked, "How old is Brother Ma's daughter?"
Heniboris was stunned. He looked at the Devers, his mind racing. Could it be that His Majesty has taken a fancy to her?
However, he quickly said, "Shero Finnis told me about her before. Let me think … Uh, she doesn't seem to be 23? It's 24 … "
"I'm a little old." The Devers' response stunned Heniboris again, but he saw that the King of Diónia was tapping his fingers on the back of his chair. His gaze was distant as if he was thinking about something, and there was no joy on his face when he fancied a woman.
… …
Dido visited her father, who was in a coma, but she did not ask to see Hasdrubal again. She knew her cousin's temper and knew that he would quarrel with her if he knew why she was here.
After a painful afternoon of thinking, Dido, who had made up her mind, asked to see the Devers again and received his approval.
Dido, who entered the living room again, was no longer as disorderly as when she left in the morning. She regained her composure and after expressing her gratitude to the Devers, she said straightforwardly, "Noble King of Devers, if I agree to your request and let the southern part of Iberia be completely incorporated into the Kingdom of Diónia, how will you settle the people and officials there? And … how will you treat the soldiers and generals from the southern part of Iberia who have been captured by you? "
The Devers did not answer immediately. He looked at Dido and asked seriously, "Letting the entire southern part of Iberia join the Kingdom of Diónia is a very important decision that concerns the future of the people of the entire southern part of Iberia. Will the people and officials there recognize the agreement you have finally signed?"
"The colonies in the southern part of Iberia are in fact ruled by the Magonid family." Dido raised her head with pride on her face and said in an unquestionable tone, "I can assure you that when I come to Diónia as a diplomatic envoy, I have all the authority granted by all the direct members of the Magonid family. Any decision I make here will be recognized by them!"
The Devers gently nodded and said seriously, "If you take the initiative to join the Kingdom of Diónia, the people of southern Iberia will immediately become citizens of Diónia and enjoy all the rights and obligations that a citizen of Diónia should enjoy. The Magonid family can recommend a few members, and after being examined by the Senate of Diónia, they will become senators of the kingdom.
The officials of the southern part of Iberia will continue to perform their duties, but at the same time they will have to learn the laws of Diónia and adapt to the system of the Kingdom of Diónia. After a year, there will be an assessment to decide whether they will stay in office or be promoted … This is just a general idea. The specific details will still need to be worked out through negotiations. But now there is a problem … "
The Devers looked embarrassed, "After your father led the army to land in Sicily, he successively burned the three friendly states of Diónia, Minoa, Agrigento, and Gela. These days, the remaining people of these states have sent representatives, demanding that the culprits who destroyed their hometown be severely punished.
To make matters worse, your father also let the army burn all the villages on the Catania Plain, the territory of the kingdom, and killed the people of the kingdom. Even after capturing the city of Paragonia, your father cruelly ordered all the captured Diónia soldiers to be tortured to death!
I once stood on the ruins of Paragonia, facing all the Diónia soldiers who went on an expedition to Sicily, and swore to avenge these soldiers who were tortured to death! And according to the testimony of the captured Carthage soldiers, Mago and Hasdrubal are the main culprits of this tragedy!
Therefore, according to the request of the friendly emissary and fulfilling my oath, even if southern Iberia becomes the territory of Diónia, and the other Iberian soldiers who were captured are released, the two of them will continue to be imprisoned until they are severely punished! "
When Dido heard that her father might be executed, she immediately retorted in a flustered and exasperated manner, "How can you blame my father for this! This is war! War! Didn't the Dionysian Army also wantonly destroy and kill civilians in western Sicily?! Your fleet even landed on Afrika, slaughtering and burning Hadrumentum! According to what you just said, as the commander of the Dionysian Army, shouldn't you also be avenged by the people of Carthage?! "
The Devers was not angered by her words. He touched his chin and said lightly, "Unfortunately, now Diónia is the victor."
Dido's words were immediately stifled, but she immediately roared even more furiously, "Since you don't intend to release my family, then even if the Magonid Family dies in battle, we will never surrender to Diónia!"
Dido glared angrily at the Devers, while Devers appeared calm.
At this moment, Henneboris interrupted, "Your Majesty, the Magonid Family of Carthage has already decided to pledge allegiance to the kingdom and become a citizen of Diónia. This will allow us to end this war earlier, which is a good thing. But why must you still punish the leader of the Magonid Family?! "
The Devers hesitated for a moment, then said softly with slight embarrassment, "I once made a promise to Hades in front of everyone, how can I go back on my word …"
Dido was a devout follower of the god of Carthage, Tanit. When she heard this, she felt even more despair, because she knew that Hades was the protector of the kingdom of Diónia. It was said that he had performed many miracles, so how could the king of Diónia dare to go back on his word?
However, Henneboris said, "Your Majesty, I have an idea that will allow you to release Margo and Hasdrubal without being punished by Hades."
The Devers immediately became spirited, "Oh, tell me about it!"
Dido also looked at the refined official of Diónia, hoping that he could really come up with a good idea to solve this problem.
Henneboris did not immediately reveal the solution, but smiled at Dido and asked, "May I ask if you are engaged?"
Dido was stunned. She did not expect him to say such a thing. Anger and embarrassment rose in her at the same time, and she was about to explode.
Henneboris then said with a straight face, "This matter is very important. It concerns your father's life and death. You better answer truthfully."
At the mention of her father, Dido nodded subconsciously, "No."
It was common knowledge that the leader of the Magonid Family of Carthage had an older daughter who was unmarried. Now that it was confirmed that she was not engaged, Henneboris was reassured, and immediately said to the Devers with a straight face, "Your Majesty, the only daughter of the leader of the Magonid Family of Carthage, Dido, is of noble blood, talented and beautiful. As your son, Prince Cloto Catax is young and promising, and is still unmarried. I am willing to be the golden arrow in Eros's hand, and act as a matchmaker for the two young people to marry.
In this way, Dido will become your daughter-in-law, and Margo will become your in-laws. You are the descendant of God Hades, and Hades should forgive you for breaking your oath on account of them becoming your relatives. "
At this point, Henneboris turned to Dido and said, "Moreover, if you become His Majesty's daughter-in-law, the people of Iberia and the Magonid Family will be more at ease to join the kingdom, because you, who have become a member of the royal family of Diónia, will be more able to care for them, and will not let them suffer injustice …"
The Devers rubbed his chin, and said rather excitedly, "Hmm … This method sounds good, and is very good for Diónia and the southern colonies of Iberia … I think that child Cloto Catax should not object …"
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