Chapter 448
While Hieronymus was raiding Petaru's tribe, the Senate held a meeting early in the morning to have a heated discussion on how to deal with the three traitorous senators.
First, Cydorum objected: he believed that even if the three returned to Bruci without reporting to the Senate, it was not certain that they were defecting.
This was obviously defending them, and was immediately refuted by Scombras, Tritodemus, Strompoli, and the others. However, they could not produce any evidence to prove that "Petaru and the other two were traitors." In the end, the discussion turned into a quarrel.
It was not until Cosenza's messenger arrived and reported the capture of Khadurk, and presented the confessions of his men and slaves that Cydorum had nothing to say.
But by then, Scombras, Tritodemus, and Strompoli were really angry. They all proposed to sentence the three to death, and said righteously: "The laws of Diónia stipulate that the highest punishment for treason is death." When the Diónia Alliance was facing a crisis, as the senators of Diónia, Petaru, Khadurk, and Burgam did not think about how to lead the people to defeat the enemy. Instead, they took the lead in inciting the people to betray the Alliance, causing the country to fall into a great predicament and bringing great danger to the Alliance. Such traitors would not be enough to appease the anger of the people, and would not be enough to deter those who harbored disloyalty!
The Senate voted with a high vote to sentence Burgam, Petaru, and Khadurk to death. Cydorum, Bagylipi, and the other Bruti senators were distressed when they learned of this result, while Scombras, Tritodemus, and the others began to be wary of these Bruti senators.
At the critical moment when the army of Syracuse was pressing in, the senators of Diónia should have worked together to overcome the crisis. But now, they were suspicious of each other and estranged. This made Cunogorata and Cornelus anxious. But they had no better solution. They could only hope that the only Devers who could resolve the differences and unite everyone would return as soon as possible.
… …
When the news of "Senator Bruti leading the tribe to rebel" reached the Turís, it caused an even greater uproar.
The people had just heard the bad news yesterday that "Tarantum's army is approaching Amendola". The panic in their hearts had yet to dissipate, and today, they heard the bad news again. Since the start of the war, bad news came one after another. and finally, the people could no longer maintain their calm facade. They gathered in front of the Senate Hall to protest loudly: They wanted the senators to take immediate and effective measures to defeat the enemy as soon and restore Diónia to peace.
But such a request was not that easy to achieve. When Cunogorata and the senators were having a headache trying to appease the anger of the people, a messenger from Lucaria arrived just in time.
After reading the battle report, Cunogorata felt relieved. He stood on the steps in front of the Senate Hall and held the battle report in his hand high. He shouted excitedly at the noisy people below the steps, "This is the battle report from Potentia. The army led by Sir Devers has completely defeated the Samonians and is on the way back to Turís!"
In an instant, the noise below the steps disappeared and was replaced by deafening cheers.
"Long live Sir Devers!"
"Long live Sir Diónia!"
"I've said it before. The oracle of Hades has stated that only Sir Devers can defeat the enemy and ensure the peace of Diónia!"
"You're right! Sir Devers is a descendant of Hades. He has the blessing of Hades! "
…
Amidst the cathartic cheers of the people, a voice suddenly burst out, "Let Sir Devers be king!"
When the senators heard this, they were all stunned.
Not only did the people's cheers not stop, but they eventually merged into a thunderous roar, echoing in the ears of the senators, "With our blood as king, we protect the peace of the Alliance! … "
… …
When the Turís people shouted "Let Devers be king", the Devers led the army to the Ra River Fortress.
Yesterday evening, when he entered Neutum, the governor, Hemont, told him that the Southern Alliance had failed to stop the army of Syracuse from advancing north. They were forced to fight with the people of Syracuse in Sirityn and suffered a crushing defeat. Now, other than Crotone, Lijim, and Taorina who were still independent, the rest of the city-states of the Southern Alliance had fallen …
Hearing this news, the Devers was very surprised. He did not expect that the army of Syracuse, under Dionysius's ingenious and flexible maneuvers, could launch a series of attacks that were both fierce and sinister. He had only led the troops away from Turís for less than a month, and the situation south of Diónia's territory had already deteriorated to such a state!
Dionysius was not a simple person, but he had underestimated the enemy! After realizing this, while blaming himself, the Devers also declined Hemont's invitation to dinner that night. He locked himself in his bedroom to think about how to deal with Diónia, so he did not sleep well that night.
Early the next morning, he led the troops and set off again. After all, what Hemont told him was the situation of the war two or three days ago. With Dionysius's ability and the advantage of Syracuse, it was enough to turn the war into a situation that was even more disadvantageous to Diónia. Therefore, he had to lead the main force back to Turís as soon as possible.
Along the way, he was calculating the situation of the war in his mind, looking for a way to win.
Only after entering the Ra River Fortress did he stop to rest for a while.
At this time, he called for Henepolis and asked with concern, "Henny, are you sure you're not coming back, but going to Turís with me?"
"Sir, I've made up my mind! Diónia is now in danger. As an ally, Laos should lend a helping hand and help Diónia defeat the strong enemy! " Henepolis said vehemently, "I'll also send someone to inform Uncle Arobamas to send more soldiers to fight alongside the Legion of Dionysia!"
Upon hearing this, Devers narrowed his eyes. He knew that there was another reason why Henepolis was willing to go to Turís. The young man was tired of living in Laos like a cage, unable to make any decisions.
Devers thought for a while and said, "Alright, you can come with me. However, there's no need to ask Laos to send more soldiers. After all, Triene has fallen, Laos needs enough soldiers to prevent Syracuse from attacking Laos' port from the sea."
As long as Dyvers agreed to let him follow, Hennepolis did not really care if he needed to send more troops. He said happily, "Lord Dyvers, I have one more thing that I would like to ask for your permission."
"What is it?"
"I … Can I be your secretary during the war? I can write your orders and collect information …" Henepolis asked softly.
"Huh? Devers looked at him in surprise. "Why do you have such an idea?" It was too shameful for a Consul of a city-state to be the secretary of the commander of another city-state alliance. Those who did not know the inside story would think that he was humiliating his ally.
"My Lord, you see … the last time in Poseidonia, you asked me to lead an army to intercept the fleeing Sammonians. When I saw the ferocious-looking Sammonians charging at us, my legs trembled … If it wasn't for Izam's help, I would have fled …" Henipolis did not even try to hide his embarrassment. "So I understand now … I'm different from you, my Lord. I don't have the talent to lead an army. I do like reading and writing, but it's too boring to read and spend a lot of time thinking like my teacher, Ancetanos.
By staying by your side, not only can I help you, but I can also understand in more detail how you defeated the Sammonaeans, and how you will defeat the Syracuse people in the future … Such a glorious process. Not only do I want to know, the people of Dionysia … No! The people of Greece want to know about it! If I write about it, it will be very popular! " Henepolis became more excited as he spoke.
Devers looked at him in surprise. This little guy wants to be a biographer!
However, Henepolis's request moved him. According to what he knew from his previous life, there were scholars who followed Alexander during his crusade to the east and wrote monographs about him. When Hannibal invaded Italy, there were scholars who followed him and wrote about him, saying that he was the liberator of Italy. When Caesar crossed the Rubicon, there were scholars who followed him and wrote about him in the Spanish War … So, why can't I have them?
Devers smiled. "Henny, I agree to let you be my secretary during the war —"
"That's great! Thank you, Sir!" As soon as Devers agreed, Henepolis immediately waved his hands and shouted.
"Don't be happy too early. I still have a request. If you want to write a book about me in the future, the content must be reviewed by me. You can only publish it when I agree to publish it. Can you agree?! "Devers said with a serious face.
"Yes, I can." Henepolis nodded.
"Also … If you are my secretary, who will be in charge of your Laos troops?"
"Ariandos. He is usually in charge of the troops." As soon as Henepolis said this, an image of a person immediately appeared in Devers' mind. Ariandos was the right-hand man of Avinogis. His military ability was not weak. He led the Laos troops to march and camp in an orderly manner. It was obvious that he was loyal to Henepolis.
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