Chapter 1162
Cloto Catax, who was entrusted with the task by the Devers, obviously did not have such thoughts. He first walked in front of Leotychides and solemnly saluted him, then said sincerely, "General Prosos, thank you for your meritorious service for the kingdom! As for your voluntary resignation as the commander, Father expresses his understanding and hopes that you will not be too bothered by it! He also asked me to bring you a letter written by him. "
After saying that, he took out the letter from his pocket with a slightly exaggerated gesture and slowly handed it to Leotychides.
This scene was seen and heard by the people around, especially the generals of the army. They immediately understood one thing, even though "Prosos was the prince of Sparta" had been proven, he still did not lose the trust of the King of Devers.
Since Agesilaus' visit, under the connivance of some people, some news had spread among the army, causing the morale of the army to be somewhat unstable. Even if Leotychides tried his best to rectify the situation, the effect was not too good, because there was a rumor that Prosos would be removed from his position as the commander and returned to his country to be investigated and punished.
Now it seemed that the rumor was only half right. General Prosos was still highly regarded by His Majesty, at least this could make the soldiers of the First Legion feel at ease.
Leotychides's stiff face had a slight change of expression. He took the letter and said, "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty! I hope that everything will go smoothly in the upcoming battle, Your Highness! "
"General has made outstanding contributions and is familiar with the situation of Peloponnesus. I still have many things to ask General!" Cloto Catax said sincerely.
"Sure." Leotychides nodded without hesitation.
Cloto Catax turned to the commander of Legio IV and said with the same sincerity, "Uncle Olivers, this is my first time as a commander, I hope to receive your help!"
After Agesilaus' visit, Olivers saw a glimmer of hope that he would take over as the commander, but when the envoy from the Ministry of Military Affairs arrived at Messenia before the fleet and announced the new appointment to everyone, this commander, who was a friend of the Devers, immediately understood His Majesty's intention and quickly adjusted his mentality. At this moment, he said with a smile, "Your Highness Clotho, please rest assured, I will do my best to assist you!"
"Thank you, Uncle Olivers!" After Cloto Catax expressed his gratitude, he turned to the Legio VI commander and said, "Commander Trotiras, it's a pleasure to fight alongside you —"
Before Cloto Catax could finish, Trotiras quickly saluted and said loudly, "Your Highness, please rest assured, I will strictly abide by military law and execute your orders!"
Although Trotiras was also one of the soldiers of Menon's mercenary army, he was not in the company that the Devers belonged to, so he did not build a deep friendship with the Devers like Hilos, Matonis, and Olivers during their time in Persia. However, he was very content. He felt that compared to his comrades who died in battle, were disabled, and retired, being able to have his current position was already the greatest blessing that Hades had given him. Even when Giogris retired and the Ministry of Military Affairs wanted to promote him to the commander of the Fifth Legion, he expressed his refusal and stayed in Sirityn. Now, he did not think too much about the position of commander. Even if the person who took over as commander was Cloto Catax, who had no military experience, he firmly believed that the King of the Devers, who had led them to countless victories, would not give this appointment randomly.
After getting the promise from the two commanders of the expeditionary army, it was much easier for Crotocatax to take over the army. He walked towards Tisias happily.
When Tisias saw Cloto Catax approaching, he immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Your Highness!"
Cloto Catax quickly held him up and said, "Sir Tisias, thank you for your hard work! Father asked me to bring him a message, and these are his exact words. "When you arrive in Messenia, you must pay a visit to Tisias. Tell him that he has completed the mission given by the Kingdom very well! I hope that he will continue to lead the other citizens of Diónia to work hard so that Messenia can develop faster and better. Not only will it become Diónia's strongest ally in Greece, but it will also become a very powerful ally! If they can do this, the Kingdom will not forget their contributions! "…"
Tisias turned around and said excitedly to the crowd, "Did you all hear that? This is His Majesty's affirmation of our achievements! His Majesty also encouraged us to build Messenia better! "
"Long live the King of Diónia!" The Diónia's councilors shouted excitedly, and the native Messenian councilors also followed suit.
While the Messenian councilors, led by Tisias, were enthusiastically reporting to Cloto Catax about the situation in Messenia, Olivers and Trotiras also met with Ctessus, Prothos, the commander of the First Cavalry Legion, Cucchius, and the commander of the Seventh Cavalry Legion, Tegtinos.
"Printos, I'll have to trouble you to assist His Highness in handling the military affairs." Although Printos was the Chief of Staff and was higher in rank than Olivers, Olivers considered himself a veteran of the army, so his tone was preachy.
Printos did not seem to be displeased by this. Instead, he said humbly, "No, Commander Olivers, I can't do it alone. We need everyone to discuss and work together to finally achieve victory in this expedition to Greece!"
Olivers was stunned, and his face turned slightly red. When he learned that the Chief of Staff, Printos, had become the temporary Chief of Staff of this army, he understood that His Majesty wanted him to escort Cloto Catax, so he could not help but feel a little jealous. However, this senior officer of the Kingdom's Ministry of Military Affairs, who was more than ten years younger than him, not only took the initiative to discuss with everyone, but also addressed him according to the requirements of military law to show respect. This made Olivers appear to be too petty.
Just when he was still hesitating whether to make up for it, he heard Printos say, "Although His Highness lacks experience in military affairs, he is very intelligent and cool-headed. He also has the protection of Hades, so he has the talent to become an excellent commander. Also, before I left, His Majesty repeatedly told me that I can provide various suggestions to His Highness, and even criticize and correct the orders he wants to give, but it is best not to exercise command on his behalf! "
Olivers' heart skipped a beat. After a moment of silence, he glanced at Printos and said to the person behind him, "Ctessus, I didn't expect that you would be the one to take over as the Commander of the First Army!"
"I also didn't expect that I would be called back by the Military Affairs Department to become the Commander of the First Army after I retired! Sir Olivers, you know that I don't want to be the Commander of the First Army. There are too many troublesome matters. Fortunately, it is only temporary. " Ctessus spread his arms and said with a teasing smile, "But I am still very happy to be the Commander of the First Army and be ranked ahead of you."
The reason why Ctessus dared to joke like this was because he had a good relationship with Olivers. In his early years, he was under Matonis' command. He was lazy by nature, which gave Matonis a headache. On the other hand, Olivers, who had always been against Matonis, would secretly send people to encourage Ctessus to continue doing this …
As expected, Olivers laughed and scolded, "Well done, Ctessus. A temporary Commander of the First Army is enough to make you arrogant! Do you think you can lead the First Army with your body after you retired? "
"You are two years older than me. If you can, of course, I can too," Ctessus retorted.
"You brat … You are so stubborn now. I will hold a feast for you tonight, and I will get you drunk!" Olivers laughed and scolded.
Ctessus didn't say anything because he couldn't hold his liquor well.
"Lord Olivers, will I be at the feast tonight?!" The Commander of the Seventh Army, Tegticus, interrupted.
In the war of the Western Mediterranean, Tegticus led the Ninth Army to conquer the entire island of Sardinia. Although the 3rd Fleet played a big role, Tegticus still played an important role. Therefore, after the war, the Devers had planned to transfer Tegticus to the Ministry of Military Affairs to replace the old Hieronymus as the Military Training Officer, but he refused. He preferred to stay in the army, so the Devers had to promote him as far as possible to the front of the army. According to the military tradition of the kingdom, the higher the rank of the Commander, the higher the position in the army. Of course, this did not mean that the combat power of the Commander was higher. At this time, the Commander of the Seventh Army, Zantiparis, died of illness and was replaced by Tegticus.
Not long after, Giogris was persuaded by the Devers to become the Military Supply Officer, and the position of Commander of the Fifth Army was vacated. The Ministry of Military Affairs sent another letter to Tegticus to replace him, but he refused. He said, "I have just arrived in Rockley, and I haven't even known the soldiers yet. If I am transferred away, it will be like a deserter. Let me be the Commander of the Seventh Army first."
In the end, the Ministry of Military Affairs had no choice but to let the former Commander of the Tenth Army, Melisande, become the Commander of the Fifth Army.
"Of course there is you. How can you not be a wine barrel!" Olivers laughed. He turned to Trotiras and said, "This is a rare occasion. The four Commanders gathered in Mersenia are all comrades from Persia. Tonight, the four of us will have a meal and drink together, and have a good chat about the past!"
Trotiras glanced at Cloto Catax, who was chatting with Tisias not far away, and said softly, "A meal is fine, but it is best not to drink. Although the army has not been fighting during this time, we are still in a state of war, and drinking is forbidden. Moreover, Your Highness has just arrived, and us Commanders are already drinking together, I'm afraid —"
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