Chapter 462
The Devers turned to look at Cunogorata, Cornelus, and the others as they listened to the united cheers of the crowd. The senators also looked at the Devers, and no one spoke first …
However, the cheers in the square grew louder and louder. Cunogorata, Cornelus, and the others felt the entire platform shaking.
At this moment, the Devers said, "This is the voice of the people of Diónia!"
The senators understood that this sentence meant that the Devers had no intention of rejecting the request of the people, just like how he did not reject the people's request for him to be a lifetime consul in Amendola. With a little disappointment, after a brief moment of confirmation, Cunogorata, Cunogorata, and the other senators walked forward together. Cunogorata walked at the front. He looked at the Devers with a complicated expression and said with slight mockery, "Congratulations, Sir Devers!"
The Devers did not avoid his gaze and smiled.
Cunogorata grabbed the right hand of the Devers and raised it high.
The cheers in the square stopped abruptly. Both the people and the soldiers stared at the platform, looking forward to the arrival of that sacred moment.
"After the strong request and election of the people of Diónia, the Senate, after careful consideration, has decided to respond to your call and passed a new bill. Now, I announce …" Cunogorata looked down at the dense crowd in the square, suppressed the negative emotions in his heart, and said loudly, "The Consul Devers will be the king of the City Alliance of Diónia!"
The square was filled with thunderous cheers …
Zantiparis, the captain of the First Legion, looked at Dyvers, who was standing on the platform with his right hand raised high. He could not help but recall the young mercenary leader who shocked the whole army six years ago. It only took him six years to become the king of the powerful city-state alliance in the Western Mediterranean from an unknown and lowly mercenary. Hades really favored this Greek too much!
The two commanders of the First Legion, Antonios and Amyntas, as well as the mercenaries in the First and Second Legion who had fought with the Devers from Persia until today, cheered even more wildly. They had witnessed the Devers grow from an ordinary mercenary to the king of the powerful City Alliance of the Western Mediterranean. This was a miracle, and they were all proud!
At this moment, most people cheered excitedly for the Alliance of the Western Mediterranean Sea without worry and confusion. A few people fell into despair …
The Devers's heart was also surging with emotions. He even felt like he was in a dream. The king was in his hands just like that?!
He could not suppress the smile on his face. He did not even care that his hand was a little painful from Cunogorata's grip. He had successfully achieved his long-awaited goal, and he did not even allow others to vent their joy!
The Devers did not allow himself to be too proud. He took a few steps forward and came to the edge of the platform, closer to the people in the square. After the cheers died down a little, he said in a loud and sincere voice, "Citizens of Dionysia! Citizens of Diónia! Thank you for your trust in me!
We all know that the Greeks hate the monarchy because the king has supreme power, is above the law, and can oppress and humiliate the people of the city at will. But I, the king, was elected by you, and my power is given by you, so I, the king, will not ignore the laws of the Alliance. I am not a high and mighty king, but a king of the people, a king who has to abide by the laws of the Alliance like you! I want to make a promise with all of you here … "
The Devers slowly raised his right hand, palm outwards, and said very cautiously, "As the king of Diónia, I will promise to do the following. First, I must ensure the safety of the Alliance's territory and people, and not be bullied and invaded by external forces. Second, I must ensure the improvement of the citizens' lives, and not let them fall into poverty. Third, I must ensure the normal operation of the Alliance's laws, and not interfere with the law. Even if I break the law, I will also be punished by the law.
Hades above, if one day I no longer work hard to maintain any of these three promises, then please do not care for me anymore! And you, the people of the Alliance, do not need to support me as a king. This is the promise that I, the Devers, make as a king! "
At this moment, the soldiers and people in the square were moved by the sincere words of the Devers. They no longer regarded electing the Devers as a kind of spiritual comfort and a way to obtain the protection of Hades. Instead, they truly accepted the fact that the Devers was a king.
"Long live the Devers King!!!" The tsunami-like cheers lasted for a long time, expressing their feelings at the moment.
Even Cunogorata, Cornelus, and the other senators were relieved of their worries and disappointment. The Devers still made such a promise when he had obtained the greatest power in the Alliance, which was beyond their expectations. It also made them feel that perhaps their decision was not wrong. The new king of Diónia that they proposed would be the most unique king in the entire Mediterranean Sea!
… …
In the afternoon, Cunogorata and Cornelus left the city of Turií and went to the military camp in the north.
The camp, which was originally empty, was now overcrowded.
After the Devers was elected as the King of Diónia, he neither celebrated nor stayed to discuss the follow-up matters with the Senate. Instead, he led the First and Second Legions away from the bustling and comfortable city and came to the simple and cold military camp with the reason that the current situation was tense and they should focus on military affairs. Not only did the soldiers not go home, but the Devers also did not go home to take a look, even though his mansion was not far from the Senate, and even though his beloved wife had just given birth to a child. The strong self-control and endurance of the young Devers amazed Cunogorata, who had been in politics for a long time and had seen countless people. No wonder he could achieve such a career!
After getting permission from the camp guards, the two walked straight to the center of the camp.
The soldiers who were chatting leisurely on both sides of the passage greeted them in a friendly manner when they saw them. After all, the soldiers of the First and Second Legions were citizens of Turií and Amendola. They were very familiar with and respected the two senators who had made great contributions to the two cities.
"I can see that they are all very relaxed!" Cornelus said as he nodded to the soldiers in return.
"After all, they are the strongest troops in Diónia, and they have the most powerful commander in all of Greece. If they are all nervous, the Alliance will be in real danger," Cunogorata said calmly.
"You are right." Cornelus sighed. "It is all thanks to the Devers! But it is also his fault … "
Cunogorata was stunned.
Cornelus smiled. "Six years ago, when I was imprisoned in the Temple of Zeus and prayed to the gods, I never thought that one day Amendola and the Alliance would become the overlord of the Western Mediterranean, an enemy that Syracuse wants to destroy."
Cornelus, who only knew how to do things, actually cracked a joke. It was clear that the return of the Devers had a great impact on everyone's morale. Cunogorata could not help but think: If the Alliance really defeated Syracuse this time, what would Diónia's future development be like?!
Mercies walked towards them, looking dejected. When he saw Cunogorata and the others, he only nodded in greeting. He was not interested in talking.
Cunogorata could guess the reason for Mercies' rudeness. After the Devers returned with the army, in order to fulfill his promise to defeat the strong enemy and restore peace to Diónia, he had to gather more troops. This meant that he had to increase the investment in the national treasury and the consumption of food. How could Mercies, who valued money as much as his life, be in a good mood?
Even Cunogorata and Cornelus could not help but worry. Recruiting more troops to defeat the enemy was understandable. But if the war lasted for too long, what would happen to the Alliance, which lacked manpower and resources?
Then, the two of them saw a few weapon merchants led by Dios walking towards them. They also looked solemn, but when they saw the two elders, they still greeted them respectfully.
"Dios, what kind of weapons did Lord Devers ask you to make this time?" Cunogorata recognized him because he was mainly responsible for the equipment change of the Dionysian Army. Although a lot of the equipment was exchanged for new ones, he also made a lot of money, and would continue to make money because new citizens might buy the new army's equipment from his weapon shop. But he was smart enough to donate a part of the money he earned to the public buildings of Diónia. Not only did he quickly become a citizen of Diónia, he also won the favor of many elders and the majority of the people.
Because of this, Cunogorata asked casually, but Dios looked troubled. "Sir, Lord Devers … King Devers asked us to keep it a secret, otherwise …" He made a throat-cutting gesture, and the two elders felt a chill in their hearts.
Cornelus asked hesitantly, "Then it must have cost a lot of money, right?"
Dios and the other two merchants had a bitter look on their faces. "King Devers asked us to pay for it first."
Hearing this, the two elders felt relieved. Fortunately, the Devers still kept a clear head and did not go all out.
Seeing the two merchants leave, Cornelus reminded them hesitantly, "Lord Devers has become the king of Diónia. Should we change the way we address him?"
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