Chapter 1158
"Where is he now?" Devers asked with interest.
"He retired two years ago and returned to Amendarra. But he's a restless man, so he applied to the Ministry of Military Affairs to be Amendarra's military trainer …"
"Zantiparis is in his sixties, but he's still able to lead a legion and kill enemies. Ctessus is younger than him, so I think he'll perform just as well. But …" Devers asked with uncertainty, "He's rejected the position many times. Will he agree this time?"
"Your Majesty, this time is different from the past. The First Legion is facing a war at any time, and this is a huge crisis for the First Legion. As a veteran of the First Legion, Ctessus won't just stand by and watch. Plus, this is a temporary appointment. I don't think he'll reject it!" Alexis said with certainty.
"Alright, it's him!" Devers agreed without hesitation. "What about the candidate to replace Prososus?"
"What do you think of him, Your Majesty?" Alexis asked hesitantly.
"He's a fierce general. He'll have no problem charging into enemy lines, but he lacks the experience to command multiple legions. Plus, the political situation in Greece is complicated …"
Devers said tactfully, but Alexis understood. "What about Olivers?"
"Olivers is indeed quick-witted, but he also lacks the experience of commanding multiple legions in battle. Also, he is sometimes not decisive enough at critical moments. Now, the army is facing the Spartans …" Dyvers' words were equally tactful.
"What about Lizaru?"
"Did you forget that I specifically said not to send non-Greek citizens to battle? Not to mention, he's the commander of an army."
"Your Majesty, I was careless! Then … what about Hilos? "
"Why would Hilos suddenly abandon his duty as the chief executive of the Turís region and go to Peloponnesus to lead the army? Plus, he's been away from the frontlines for many years. I'm afraid he's rusty at commanding battles … Not only him, but Capus is the same." Devers was a little dissatisfied with the candidates he had proposed. He couldn't help but say, "What do you think of Patroclus?"
Alexis was prepared for this and immediately replied, "Patroclus is indeed a suitable candidate, but he is currently in the Wave River region and has to fight against the Agulians at any time. He also has to ensure the stability of the Wave River region, so it is not suitable to transfer him away at this time … Sextus is the same in the Iberian region, and although Calsidis is also very capable, he lacks the experience to command a large army …"
Devers looked at him and said in a more serious tone, "There are so many generals in the kingdom. Can't you find a suitable candidate?"
"Your Majesty, any of the generals mentioned above are qualified to be the commander-in-chief of an army. It's just that this is our first expedition to Greece. In order to better display the strength of our kingdom to our mother country, we have higher requirements." Alexis also tried to persuade him in a tactful tone. He paused for a moment and then said happily, "Your Majesty, I've thought of a suitable candidate. He should be able to meet your requirements!"
"Oh, tell me."
"Printos," Alexis said confidently. Alexis said confidently, "Although he is now the chief of staff, he was once the commander of the 14th Legion. He also commanded many legions during the Western Mediterranean War. His performance was outstanding. Your Majesty should know more about his achievements than I do."
"But he is now the chief of staff and has a lot of work to do —"
"We can let Tolmid or Felicius take over for the time being."
"Hmm …" Devers stroked his chin and said, "Wait for me to discuss it with Printos personally and listen to his wishes before making a decision."
After watching Alexis walk out of the conference hall, Devers said softly with some emotion, "Many of the old people in the Ministry of Military Affairs are not very willing to give more opportunities to the young. It seems that even Alexis is no exception."
At this time, Hennepolis said, "Your Majesty, I see that Lady Alexis and Lord Printos have a very close relationship."
Hearing this, Devers was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "They have been comrades for many years."
"Your Majesty." Hennepolis looked at Devers and mustered up the courage to say softly, "I also have a suitable candidate that I would like to recommend to you."
"Oh? You also have a candidate? "Devers became interested and said with a smile," Tell me about it. "
"I think Prince Cloto Catax is suitable to be the commander of the expeditionary army."
The candidate that Hennepolis mentioned was beyond Devers' expectations. He looked at Hennepolis and thought to himself, My son hasn't returned to Turií for long and hasn't had much contact with Hennepolis. Is this just Hennepolis' own idea?
Devers asked tentatively, "Clotho rarely goes into battle and has no experience in commanding an army. How can he be the commander?! This is a war of life and death, not a game! "
"Prince Clotho doesn't have any experience. Printos can assist him. Your Majesty, didn't you say before that you transferred Prince Clotho back from Rome to give him a greater responsibility?! Prince Clotho is your heir and the future King of Diónia. Although he can't be as victorious as you on the battlefield, he should at least have a certain amount of influence on the army. Otherwise, in the future, when facing military generals like Alexis and Amyntas who have decided the life and death of millions of people, will he be able to calmly refute their suggestions and put forward his own opinion? "Hennepolis said earnestly.
Devers looked at him for a long time and sighed gently, "In the entire kingdom, only you can think for me like this!"
… …
At dusk, the Devers returned to the mansion on the hill.
Dinner was the liveliest time for the Devers' royal family. The large round table was full of people: King Devers and his two wives, Cloto Catax and his two children, Mr. and Mrs. Abolx and their one child, Eunice and his wife (Eunice married the famous sculptor Arex of Tarantum last year), Briantes, Avriya, Cynthia and her two children, and Adoris's wife, Edu and her child.
Since a few years ago, when the children gradually grew up and began to have their own families and careers, the Devers and his wife had entered their old age and longed for the family to be lively and prosperous. However, the mansion was often lonely, so the Devers hired the best engineers in the kingdom to design the mansion according to the terrain of the entire hill. Then, Cristoya paid a huge sum of money to hire a large construction team to build many mansions on the hill according to the drawings.
The Hill of Kings was flat, and the hilltop and hillside were suitable for building a large number of houses. However, because of the Devers' noble status, there was only one mansion on the entire hill. Because of the sufficient funds, a few more mansions were built on the hill in just half a year.
Then, the Devers forcibly ordered Abolx and Antebris to move to the new mansion. Eunice also did the same after he got married. Although Antebris resisted, he had no choice but to give in in the end.
The Devers also requested that the whole family eat together as much as possible at night. Sometimes, Cristoya would also invite Cynthia and Adoris' families over for dinner. Since Cloto Catax and his family had just returned, Cynthia and Adoris's wife often came over for the gatherings.
"… The game is almost over. Our team is still one point behind, but we still have one last attack. We're only three meters away from the end line. Three meters isn't that far, right?" Antebris asked the children around him.
"Yes!!" A few of the older children answered, and the younger ones followed suit.
"But —" Antebris drew with both hands and said with a serious expression, "The opposing team's players formed a dense wall in front of us. There was no gap for us to pass through. What should we do?! After the referee blew the whistle, the game began. Our team's quarterback passed the ball to the left winger. After diverting the opponent's attention, he quickly passed the ball to the player next to him. The player who received the ball was me! "
The children gasped in surprise.
"There wasn't much time left. I held the ball, lowered my head, and arched forward with the help of my teammates. The opposing players tried their best to block me, and a few of them even fell on top of me. I used all my strength to carry them, and arched forward … There were feet in front of me, and I couldn't see where the end line was. It felt like time was passing by … Suddenly, I heard the whistle, and we scored! The game is over, our Turís team won the championship of the Kingdom Rugby Championship, and I, your uncle, became the best player in the final! "
"Wow! Uncle, you're amazing!! " Antebris was proud of himself under the admiring eyes of the children.
"Wasn't it just an outstanding performance in the final last year? Look at you, bragging every day!" Eunice could not help but say, "I've always thought that the reason you were able to succeed in the end was because of your identity, Udié's players did not dare to hurt you —"
"You're blaspheming the sacred Rugby Championship!" Antebris was so angry that his face turned red. He stood up abruptly, "Eunice, don't you talk nonsense —"
"Enough!" Cristoya slammed the table hard and shouted, "Be quiet, both of you! You're already so old, yet you quarrel as soon as you see each other. Why don't you set a good example for the children! "
"She said it first —"
"You're still talking!" Cristoya roared again.
Antebris had no choice but to shut up, feeling wronged.
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