Chapter 404
"From the looks of it, Carthage won't do anything, but don't let your guard down! Also … Gela, Leontini, Kamalina, Agrigento … Once these affiliated city-states discover any signs of rebellion, get Masias to send troops to wipe them out immediately! "Dionysius instructed in a low voice.
"Understood, sir." Philistos nodded with a focused expression.
Dionysius stared at him for a moment, then stepped forward and gave him a strong hug. "I'll leave everything here to you, my friend!"
Philistos was about to reply when he heard Dionysius whisper in his ear coldly, "This is a critical period. Once you discover any abnormalities in the city, immediately arrest and behead those traitors who want to disrupt this great expedition, understand?!"
Dionysius's cold words made Philistos' heart skip a beat.
At this moment, Dionysius happened to see Harolis, who was not far behind Philistos, talking to someone else. He added in a low voice, "Also, don't trust Harolis too much. Don't let him participate in any city-state affairs while I'm not around!"
"Uh … Understood, sir." Philistos was stunned for a moment, then immediately responded.
Dionysius, Phoebidas, and the rest boarded a three-tiered oar warship.
Dionysius waved at the people on the dock smugly. "Everyone, you will soon hear the news of my victory! Next year, I will bring Syracuse a great Greece whose wealth and land area are no less than that of Sicily! "
After saying this, he put on a purple cloak and took a golden helmet decorated with colorful feathers from his attendant. After putting it on, he looked even more heroic and extraordinary.
"Set off!" Amidst the cheers of his officials, he gave the order.
… …
On this day, almost all merchant ships sailing in the Strait of Messina witnessed this unprecedented spectacular sight: thousands of warships, merchant ships, and passenger ships sailed north. The length of the fleet stretched from the southeast corner of Sicily to the tip of the Apennine Peninsula, almost cutting off the eastern sea route of the Strait of Messina …
Every ship's sail was painted with an eye-catching "three-legged" pattern, so no ships dared to cross this seemingly endless fleet, lest they be treated as intruders and sunk.
Many experienced ship owners immediately sensed that something big was about to happen. They all turned around or took a detour, hurrying back to their cities to deliver this shocking news.
… …
Henepolis's messenger quickly returned to Laos and conveyed the order, "Diónia's army will pass through the port of Laos to go to Picossis."
Arobuma of the Devers's sudden change of route was really nervous. He immediately agreed and did his best to supervise this matter.
Therefore, by the time Dionia's army arrived at Dalaus, the few hundred merchant ships that had been temporarily requisitioned and the Dalaus army that accompanied them to the battle were basically ready.
"Lord Devers, welcome to Laos!" Arobuma led the important officials of Laos to welcome him at the city gate.
The Devers sat on his horse and saw Arobuma leading a group of people to salute him. He could not help but have an illusion that Arobuma was the master of this city, and the little guy beside him …
He glanced at Henepolis and suppressed this strange thought. He then jumped off his horse, took off his helmet, and handed it to the guard beside him, "Lord Arobuma, thank you for your help to Diónia!" He returned Arobuma's salute seriously.
"This is Laos's responsibility as an ally!" The man in his forties replied respectfully with his head lowered.
Henepolis shouted from his horse, "Uncle, I want to follow Lord Devers to Potentia this time!"
Arobuma lifted his head and looked at him with a complicated expression, "I have no objections to this, but you have to discuss this with your mother."
"Alright, I'll tell her now." Henepolis immediately rode his horse into the city.
At this moment, the Devers said, "Henepolis is still a child, he lacks experience in politics. He has caused a lot of turmoil in Laos recently. Thanks to you, Laos has been able to maintain its stability!"
"Henny is only a few years older than you, but look at him …" Arobuma blurted out impulsively when he heard this. When the Devers looked at him in surprise, he realized that his tone was a little harsh, so he quickly changed his words and complained, "Sigh, Henny has been a stubborn child since he was young! But managing a city-state wasn't something you could do as you pleased! All the officials have been holding a grudge against him recently! … "
"He's still young. He needs more time to slowly familiarize himself with the affairs of the city. That's why it's very important that you help him as an uncle! Of course, I'll also guide him during this expedition. " On the surface, the Devers seemed to be comforting Arobuma, but his words revealed his support and protection for Henepolis.
Arobuma, of course, could understand the meaning behind his words. He felt a little disappointed, and at the same time, the thought that had been suppressed in his heart slowly loosened.
"Sir Devers, I heard that tens of thousands of Samonai have invaded Potentia this time. Will it be difficult to repel them?" Arobuma suddenly asked.
The Devers glanced at him and said, "As long as the alliance is in trouble, no matter how difficult it is, Diónia will do its best to help! Moreover, for Diónia, defeating the Samonai is only a matter of time. "
"Yes, yes." Arobuma smiled and said, "Sir Devers, you're a general who has won every battle."
The Devers smiled and turned to see that the troops were ready. He asked, "Can we enter the city now?"
"Of course. "Six hundred cargo ships are already waiting at the port," Arbutus said hurriedly. "Uh … Lord Dyvers, you've had a hard time on this march. I've held a banquet at home to celebrate your arrival. Please have a meal before you leave. There's still plenty of time."
"Sir Arobuma, thank you for your invitation! However, the war is urgent now. I'll attend your banquet after I return victorious. By then, you'll have to prepare a more sumptuous meal. Not only will I be attending, but a few other commanders will also be attending. "The Devers rejected politely as if he was joking.
"Then I'll be waiting for you to return victorious!" Arobuma said with a smile. In fact, he did not mean to treat them to a banquet. He was just feeling inexplicably nervous standing in front of the Devers, so he said it casually.
The bugle began to sound, and the war drums were beating rhythmically. The Dionysian Army began to enter the city. At the front was a standard-bearer in bright armor, holding a large flag. In the center of the flag was a double fork with black hair entwined around it, surrounded by colorful gems. This was the flag that represented the City Alliance of Diónia.
Then came the cavalry. Since the Bruti region was incorporated into the Diónia Alliance, the number of Diónia cavalry had greatly increased. The establishment of the cavalry had increased to 2,000, and they were officially promoted from a cavalry brigade to a legion. Although the mountains of Potentia were not suitable for cavalry battles, and although it was said that the Samonai cavalry did not have many, the Devers still brought 1,000 cavalrymen. They were led by the commander of the cavalry legion, Ledes.
The cavalry at the front raised the "Pegasus" flag, and the following cavalrymen lined up in three rows. All of them wore black leather helmets and black leather armor. They held spears in their right hands and black leather shields in their left hands. They entered the city in a neat formation.
Then came the first legion …
Although the Diónia army had entered the city of Laos during the conquest of the Bruti region, a few years later, the people of Laos were shocked when they saw the soldiers of the legion in uniform. The whole army was almost black, and even the shields that the Greeks loved to display their freedom were painted with a "double cross" pattern. They were uniform, neat, and orderly. Coupled with their huge numbers and high morale, the Dionysian Army marched on the main road of Laos in a procession-like manner. Be it the nobles, officials, civilians, or slaves of Laos, all of them were dumbfounded and terrified, including Arobuma who accompanied the Devers.
He quickly excused himself with the excuse that he had to "make arrangements for Henepolis's expedition". He then hid on the roof of his mansion and watched the Diónia army marching towards the port with a complicated expression on his face. Throughout the long period of time, he kept thinking about one question: The Dionysian Army is so powerful, can Syracuse really defeat it?
He finally heaved a sigh of relief when the Dionysian Army finally left the city.
… …
The news of the invasion of Syracuse first reached Ligim. Not only did it cause panic among the people in the city, but the council in the city hall was also in a mess.
"Lord Atilykus, what should we do? The Syracuse army is coming!"
"According to the ship owners who reported the news, the Syracuse fleet has covered the entire sea! Oh, that's terrifying! I estimate that there are more than 100,000 soldiers being transported! "
"Lord Atilykus, you must immediately request for reinforcements from the Theolian Alliance and the Southern Alliance! Otherwise, when the Syracuse army enters Greece, Ligim will be finished! "
…
At this moment, a guard hurriedly came in to report, "My lords, urgent report from the port lighthouse. A fleet has sailed out of Messina. There are about 80 warships heading towards our port!"
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