Chapter 187
The streets and rooftops were filled with people. They were shouting the names of their loved ones, interacting excitedly with the advancing soldiers, and proudly introducing their husbands or fathers to their neighbors. Every soldier felt like they had returned home in glory.
Felicius, who was advancing, subconsciously looked over when he passed by his own house. The young man who was shouting and jumping on the roof of his house was none other than Melisanda! In the noisy crowd, he could vaguely hear Melisande shouting, "That's my father! That's my father! Father! Father!! " Beside him, Delia was looking at him with a smile on her face …
Felicius smiled, a smile that came from the bottom of his heart …
The marching army turned to the west, and there stood a huge arch made of white marble. This was what the Devers called the Arc of Triumph. The arch was a statue of the Goddess of Victory, and on the lintel stone wall, according to the Devers' suggestion, were to be engraved: the annihilation of the allied Lucanian tribes, the capture of Amendolara, the surprise attack on the Crotone army, and the cunning capture of Neutum, which established the foundation of the Diónia city-state alliance, so that future generations would remember it. However, due to the lack of time, they had not found a good engraver, so the arch was temporarily blank.
After passing through the Arc of Triumph and marching west, the road gradually widened, and at the end of the road was the newly built square. Due to the lack of time, they did not even have time to name it before it was put into use.
Lizzam, who was holding the military flag, quickened his pace because he could vaguely see dozens of white figures on the platform of the square. According to his prior instructions, he knew that they were his respected Consul Devers and the senators of the Senate. They were waiting for their arrival.
"They're here! They're here! " Henepolis shouted excitedly.
"Be quiet, son." Avinogis held down the restless Henepolis and said to the Devers, "Sir, thank you for taking care of Henepolis during this period!" After Henepolis arrived in Turií, the Devers did not arrange for him to stay in a hotel, but let him stay in their house.
"Henepolis is very sensible! He also loves to learn! His teacher, Ancitanos, liked him very much! And after he came, my house became a lot livelier! "Devers said with a smile.
In the past two days, Avinogyis had learned from Henepolis that the Devers had taken good care of his son. He was not a person who would talk about gratitude. He secretly decided to repay the Devers' kindness when he had the chance in the future, so he changed the topic, "Sir, your warriors are here!"
"They are not only warriors of the Alliance, but also warriors of our Alliance. They protect the safety of the entire Alliance!" Devers said with a smile.
The chief general of Castellón, Amicus, nodded in agreement. As members of the Diónia Alliance, the higher-ups of Castellón and Laos were certainly invited to watch the ceremony, and they all gladly participated.
At this moment, seeing the long line of troops marching towards them in the distance, they did not feel that the Diónia Alliance was showing off its strength. Because the Diónia Alliance, as the leader of the alliance, would not be like Athens of the Delian Alliance, desperately exploiting the other allies and demanding tribute, nor would it be like Sparta of the Peloponnesus Alliance, arbitrarily meddling in the internal affairs of the other allies. As for sending troops to participate in the war, it was the duty of the city-states of the Alliance, but it was a sign of equality. Therefore, the stronger the Diónia Alliance was, the safer they felt as an alliance.
Devers looked at the troops walking towards the square, and his thoughts ran wild. The reason why he did not let the generals walk at the front like in Rome in his previous life, but let the soldiers take the lead was because he wanted to cultivate the soldiers' sense of honor and show the Alliance's concept of equality, which would greatly improve the morale of the troops. Secondly, he wanted to reduce the influence of the victorious generals on the people, so as to prevent accidents from happening in the long run. For this reason, he also placed Felicius in the most inconspicuous position of the troops, and at the same time, let the captains enjoy the honor of riding in the carriages. This was also for this purpose. Even so, for the soldiers, this novel celebration of victory, which had never been held in a Greek city-state, was a great honor.
The bronze trumpets sounded, and the war drums sounded. The soldiers began to enter the square.
"Oh, I can't believe it! The one walking at the front is Lizaru! "
"Which Lizaru?"
"The famous hunter in Bagoule's tribe!"
"Look! He's actually walking at the front, walking in front of the Greeks. The Alliance really has no prejudice against us Lucarians! "
"Look! Look! Bagoule! Bagoule is sitting in the carriage! I'm so envious! "
"When can I be like him?!"
…
In the crowd on one side of the square, Csima, Uraza, Hemont, and the other Lucanians who rushed over from Neutum were shouting and dancing excitedly …
Of course, it was impossible for Bagoule to see them in the dense crowd. The driver drove the carriage, circled the square, and then took him to the center of the square. His majestic figure was like a boulder that stirred up huge waves in the hearts of the Lucarian youth. A warrior should enjoy such glory like him!
When the drums and trumpets stopped, the square was silent. The soldiers looked up at the Alliance Governor standing on the platform in front of them.
The Devers took a step forward and said loudly, "Warriors of the Alliance, in the past 20 long days, you have left your loved ones and rushed to the unfamiliar mountains. You have fought tenaciously against the ferocious enemies and seized Neutum. At the same time, you have helped the Alliance to recover Laos and solved the problem of Turií being attacked by enemies from the mountains for many years. The people thank you! The Senate thank you! The Alliance thanks you! I and the Senate express our most sacred gratitude for your efforts and sacrifices! "As he said that, he took the lead and solemnly bowed to the soldiers in front of him with the senators behind him.
The square was instantly boiling.
"Victory!"
"Victory!"
"Victory!"
…
The soldiers cheered excitedly.
"It is because of your efforts that the Alliance of Diónia is officially established! After discussion by the Senate, today's triumphant celebration will become a festival for the whole Alliance to celebrate the birth of the Alliance! And your military flag will also become the flag of the Alliance, flying above the square! "
"Victory to the Alliance! Victory to the Alliance! Victory to the Alliance! … "
Listening to the cheers of the soldiers and the people, the Devers believed that the National Day and the national flag would unite the people from the various cities and races of the Mediterranean Sea under the Alliance and gradually form a new race, adding a lot of weight to the weight!
… …
In the afternoon, the Devers held a banquet at the mansion of Turií to entertain Timason, Zantiparis, Creano, and Tormid. Accompanying them to the banquet were Agathia, Felicius, and Hieronymus.
Eating novel and delicious food, drinking mellow wine, and recalling the scenes of fighting together in the past, the atmosphere of the banquet was quite warm.
At this time, Creano asked while burping, "Devers, look at such a beautiful courtyard, and you are a Consul and a Legion Commander. It's really enviable … Uh … When can we be like you?!"
Here comes the main topic! Agathia immediately perked up.
The Devers smiled and said seriously, "As long as you work hard and make your contribution to the Alliance, becoming a citizen of the Alliance, getting a share of land, and living like me is not a problem at all! In fact, there are many people richer than me in the Alliance … "
"Contribution? What kind of contribution?! I heard that it takes five years to become an official citizen of the Alliance, let alone to become a member of the Senate. That's even more difficult! "Creano complained.
"That's right, that's the law of the Alliance. All foreigners and free people follow this law, no exceptions!" The Devers said calmly but firmly.
"But …" Creano pretended to be drunk and pointed at Agathia. He said loudly, "Uh … Agathia didn't say that to us in Ephesus. He said, 'As long as we come to Greece, we will soon become citizens and get land! And even become a member of the Senate! ' It's because of what he said that we came to this faraway place. Now you're telling me that it will take another five years to achieve all this? Isn't this a lie?! I heard that the Lucarian soldiers on the Triumph Parade were slaves half a year ago, but they became citizens half a year later. Their leader even became a member of the Senate. Are you telling me that we are inferior to the natives?! "
The atmosphere in the living room suddenly froze.
Agathia clenched his fists angrily. In order to attract Timason and the others, he did say something to tempt them, but it was not as exaggerated as what Creano had said. He wanted to refute, but under such circumstances, it would undoubtedly make the atmosphere even more tense.
Agathia was hesitating. Felicius wanted to say something but stopped himself. Hieronymus frowned and looked at the Devers. On the other side, Timason, Zantiparis, and Tormid continued eating as if they did not hear anything. They pricked up their ears secretly …
The Devers's expression did not change. He cast a comforting gaze at Agathia and said slowly, "Creano, don't be anxious. Sit down and listen to me …"
Creano vented his anger, but it was as if he had hit a wet cotton cloth. It did not seem to have any effect …
He sat down resentfully.
"Tell me the truth. Why do some people want five years, while others only want half a year? It's all about benefits! " Dyvers looked at the mercenary leaders and said in a serious tone, "Because the Lucarians can help the Alliance pacify Neutum, and they can even help the Alliance conquer more of Lucania's territory. Not to mention, they have already contributed a lot to the Alliance. The road that you came from was built by them, and the army of Crotone was defeated by them. They are also actively learning Greek, understanding and abiding by the laws of the Alliance. For such a group of foreigners who are willing to integrate into the Alliance and can bring great benefits to the Alliance, the Senate naturally has to grant them citizenship in advance. The people have no objections, because they know that the Alliance will gain more than they pay!
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