Chapter 185
After a while, they could see the port by the shore and the densely packed ships in it, one after another, like a wooden wall.
"There are so many ships. They don't look any worse than Ephesus!" Zantiparis exclaimed. Agathia did not speak. He realized that after leaving Turií for more than a month, the port had changed significantly. Not only did it expand, but it also had more docks and a breakwater.
Just then, a patrol ship approached and signaled for them to stop.
"I'm Agathia, Senate Elder of the Tua Alliance. I want to disembark at the docks in Turií!" Agathia stood at the bow of the ship, looking majestic. The mercenaries were envious of him.
Anyone who could become the captain of the patrol had to be a citizen of the Alliance. Even if they had not met the elders of the Senate before, they would still have an impression of them. The captain signaled for the patrol ship to come closer. After careful inspection and confirmation, he saluted respectfully and said loudly, "Honorable Elder Agathia, Midolades, captain of the Alliance's patrol, pays his respects to you! You must have left the Alliance for a while, right? "
"Yes, I left for Ephesus nine months ago. I've only just returned."
"No wonder you didn't know that the Alliance has changed its name to the City States Alliance of Diónia, not the Tua Alliance!"
"What?! Changed its name?! Why?! "Agathia asked in shock.
"Because the Alliance has taken Neutum, and we have another city. The name Turií — Alliance of Amendola is no longer suitable. Not only that, but Laos has also become our ally! Master Devers, he's fulfilled his promise. We don't have to worry about the Lucanians' invasion anymore! "Midolades said excitedly.
Taking Neutum, Laos had become an ally, and the Alliance had changed its name! Agathia did not expect so many things to happen in just a month's time away from the Alliance. It was as if he had suddenly become a stranger. He could not wait to return to the city, but the patrol ship was still blocking his way. "Master, the Alliance is holding a triumphant ceremony in Turií to celebrate the victory of the generals and soldiers who have returned from Lucania! To prevent any accidents, the Alliance has stipulated that no ships are allowed to enter the Crati River. I'm afraid you'll have to disembark at the port. " Midolades tilted his head to look at the mercenaries behind Agathia and reminded him, "In addition, the Alliance has also stipulated that only Alliance citizens, preparatory citizens, and invited VIPs can enter the city to watch the ceremony. Foreigners and free citizens can only watch from outside the city. This is for safety!"
Although Agassia was disappointed, he knew that the Alliance had their reasons. He forced a smile and said, "Thank you. I'll get off the ship at the port right away. Has the triumphal parade already begun? "
"I don't think so. You should be able to make it in time."
As soon as the patrol boat left, the mercenaries swarmed over and surrounded Agathia.
"Agathia, you didn't lie to us. You really became a noble of the city!"
"Dear Lord Agathia, when can we be like you?!"
"Congratulations to the Diónia Alliance for capturing another city! Agathia, how powerful is the Diónia Alliance in Greece now? "
Agathia's vanity was greatly satisfied when he saw the envious and surprised gazes. He answered Timason's question proudly, "I've told you before that the Alliance has Turií, Amendolara, and now Neutum. We also have two affiliated city-states, Laos and Castellón. These are real big cities with subordinate towns and villages, especially Turií. Its land area is no smaller than Attica in Athens, but it's much more fertile. Besides, the Alliance has a lot of surplus land, but we lack people to farm it. As long as we have enough citizens, we'll definitely be unparalleled in Greece!"
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go see the Devers!" the mercenaries shouted anxiously.
The merchant ship entered the port according to the navigator's instructions and docked at the pier.
As soon as they left the pier, they were stopped by the patrol team. It turned out that Timason and the mercenaries had exchanged their loot for money. They carried their armors, shields, and spears on their backs. The patrol team thought that the dozens of mercenaries were armed, especially when the triumphal parade was about to begin. Even with Agathia's identity as a Senate Senator, they were still required to deposit their weapons. Otherwise, they could not enter the Alliance's territory.
The mercenaries had no choice but to put their weapons back on the merchant ship. Faced with the mercenaries' complaints, Agathia had to explain, "There are very few citizens in the Alliance now, and there are too many freedmen and foreigners coming into the Alliance. There are often fights and disturbances. This is for the safety of the Alliance!"
Some of the mercenaries were still complaining, but leaders like Timazon, Creano, Zantiparis, and the others were silent. They were used to being free and undisciplined, so Agathia reminded them many times along the way, "When you arrive at the Union, you must abide by the rules and don't cause trouble, because the laws of the Union are very strict!" Most of the mercenaries who followed Agathia were mercenary leaders and officers. They were relatively well-behaved. Before, they did not take Agathia's words seriously. Now, their excitement was doused with cold water. They realized that even Agathia, a Senate Senator of the Alliance, did not make a difference. One could imagine how serious the people here were when they carried out their tasks.
But in fact, they had forgotten that they were mercenaries. For a long time, even if they were recruited in other cities, they would not be allowed to enter the city.
The port had indeed changed a lot. Not only had it expanded, but there were also more docks, more houses, and a city wall with soldiers patrolling it. Agathia and his group had to pass through the checkpoint under the city wall before they could enter the Alliance's territory.
The guard at the checkpoint questioned them carefully and registered them before they were allowed to pass.
Timason frowned and said, "Agathia, you have strict requirements here. It's better for us to follow you, but I'm afraid it'll be troublesome for our brothers who will come later!"
"It's okay, I'll come here every day to pick them up," Agathia said straightforwardly. Three thousand people was not a small number. They all expressed their willingness to come with Agathia to welcome their other companions.
Turií's market was on the other side of the city wall. It had also expanded a lot. There were also a few more buildings beside the market: a weapon shop, a cloth shop, a vehicle repair shop, a boat and rigging workshop, a gold and silver workshop, a pack beast rental shop, a bakery, a hotel, a restaurant … But the market that was supposed to be bustling with noise and excitement now seemed a little deserted.
Agathia and his group went around the market and came to the side of the road. Dozens of drivers surrounded them. "Are you going to see the triumphal parade? It's about to start. Take the carriage, you can still make it in time!" The coachmen tried to persuade him one after another.
One opol was cheap. Although the market was only a few miles away from Turií, the mercenaries were willing to experience the feeling of riding in a carriage.
Galloping on the flat road, the carriage was fast and steady. While they were still intoxicated by the pleasure of this speed, a loud noise came from the front.
There was a sea of people in front of Turií, cheering thunderously. Only one voice resounded, "They're here!!! They're here!!! … "
To the west of Turií, facing the warm morning sun, a long golden dragon was marching toward them …
The drivers stopped driving. There were too many people to squeeze to the front, but they could still see the crowd from the carriage.
The flag bearer who walked at the front of the troop was the bravest and most outstanding soldier in this expedition. Lizaru did not expect to receive this honor, and his usually stiff face was smiling from ear to ear. When they were about to reach the crowd, he straightened his chest again and raised the army flag high up. Cheers, exclamations, and praises gathered together and rushed toward him. It was like a miracle drug that filled his body with energy …
Timason squinted and saw the majestic bronze statue of Hades holding a double-strand at the top of the flag. It reminded him of the rumor that "Devers were the favored ones of Hades".
Looking at the four golden words "First Army" and the four golden stars embroidered on the flag, Timason and his men could not help but feel a little lost as they listened to Agathia's explanation.
After the flag bearer, there was another flag. Under the statue of the Grim Reaper with its wings spread, there were eight golden words embroidered on the flag, "Second Brigade, First Company". Originally, the fourth brigade should have been the one with the most military service, but considering the perception of the people, Devers gave the honor of being the first to enter the city to the Second Brigade, First Company. After all, they had also worked hard and performed a lot of meritorious service. Just based on the meritorious service of guarding Rahe Fortress, no one would object. As compensation, the Devers gave the honor of being the army's flag bearer to the Lucarians.
The soldiers marched with their heads held high and entered the crowd, enjoying the cheers of the people …
The mercenaries watched them attentively. "Your soldiers are not bad," Zantiparis said to Agathia. "Their fighting spirit and vigor are not bad!"
"But they are still not as good as us!" Creano said unhappily.
Agathia did not know what to say, so he just smiled.
At this time, Tormid exclaimed, "Look at these soldiers, they don't look like Greeks!"
Agathia looked. The second army that entered the crowd was holding a flag with the words "First Army, Fourth Army" embroidered on it.
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