Chapter 500
"Your Majesty, you're not going to fight against Syracuse?!" Amyntas asked in shock.
The Devers looked at Amyntas, then at the others. He calmly analyzed the situation, "Amyntas, you must understand that our fleet has already defeated Syracuse's navy twice. Greece's coastline is now under our control. We have the initiative in this war! We can make full use of the fleet to land at any point on the coast behind the main camp of Syracuse's main army. We can attack their weakly defended cities, cut off their food supply lines, and return the tricks that the Syracuse people used on us before. Even if Dionysius has a larger army than us, he will still be exhausted by our maneuvering and will not be able to use his strength. It's because Dionysius is worried about this that Syracuse is so eager to fight us. They want to use this chance to turn the tide. They've even sent envoys to provoke us. Don't fall for the enemy's trick so easily! "
Although the Devers's words were directed at Amyntas, he was also informing the other Corps Commanders about his next step.
The tent regained its silence. Everyone was thinking about the Devers's words.
Amyntas scratched his head. He asked unwillingly, "Does that mean we won't fight against Syracuse?"
The question made the Devers ponder for a moment. He then said, "That depends on how the situation develops. We need to be patient and do what we need to do. Hieronymus's troops are still on their way. Hilos's troops are still encircling Laos. The spear brigade still needs more training … As long as our plan is carried out, we'll be able to weave a huge net. Syracuse will be the fish in the net. We can control their fate at any time. When that time comes, I'll use Dionysius's head as a sacrifice for Dracos and the warriors! "
… …
Dionysius listened to the envoy's report in Ciudad Crotone. He was puzzled by the Devers's last words, "Let him wait." Is the Devers going to discuss with his subordinates before sending an envoy to inform me of the date of the battle?
Dionysius tried his best to think in a positive direction. He decided to wait and see.
At that moment, the sentinel at the port reported, "Dozens of Diónia warships have passed Crotone and are heading south."
Dionysius's expression changed when he heard this.
… …
Following Dyvers' instructions, Therian assembled a fleet of 60 ordinary triple-oared warships and led them around the southern coast of Great Greece. He personally led the fleet around the southern coast of Greece, while Midolades led the main fleet of the Raven Warships to seal off the sea between Crotone and Syracuse to monitor the movements of Crotone's army.
This was the first time since the establishment of the Diónia Alliance that their own fleet had completed a voyage around the coast of Greece. Both Syracuse and every sailor was extremely excited.
Before they set off, they put on the sails. Even though it was only a weak south wind, the sails were all raised to the mainmast. The emblem of the alliance, "black hair twined around a double thigh", fluttered in the wind.
Syracuse's fleet sailed quickly. After circling the cape of Crotone, it only took them slightly more than an hour to reach the sea near Syracuse.
"Closer!" Syracuse commanded the fleet to approach the port of Syracuse.
At this time, Syracuse was no longer as busy as the port city that was the headquarters of the Southern Alliance. There were no Syracusans in the huge city, only Syracuse soldiers, freedmen, and slaves. The arrival of the Dionysian fleet made them extremely nervous. They immediately set up defenses and sent cavalry to inform the main camp in Crotone.
There were only slightly more than 3,000 soldiers in the city, but the food and other supplies for the entire Syracuse army were mainly concentrated here. There were also a few hundred cargo ships that had just delivered goods from Sicily and had yet to return. There was also a fleet that was specially responsible for transporting supplies from Syracuse to the main camp in Syracuse. However, these supplies would no longer be able to be transported by sea, and could only be transported by land. There were so many ships, but there were no warships. If the Diónia army forcefully broke into the port, it might cause a certain degree of damage to the port.
However, Syracuse's fleet had no plans to take action in Syracuse for the time being. After causing the defenders to break out in cold sweat, they continued to sail south and arrived at Corunya.
This time, Syracuse did not make a feint. Instead, he sent a fast ship and requested to enter the port.
The Corunyans had already heard the news that the Dionysian fleet had defeated the navy of Syracuse. Apart from being shocked, they were more or less looking forward to it. However, when the Dionysian fleet actually arrived, they were somewhat at a loss. In the end, it was Chief General Phrynris who made the final decision. "Yes! We must see it! "
In fact, there was no envoy from Diónia on the fast ship. Instead, the people who received them were handed an open letter from the Devers to the Corunya Council.
In the letter, the Devers did not criticize the surrender of Corunya to Syracuse. Instead, they apologized for the forced retreat of the Legion of Dionysia. They expressed deep condolences for the tragic fate of the Syracuse people and anger at the brutality of the people of Syracuse. At the same time, they expressed understanding and gratitude for the choice that Corunya had made in the critical situation at that time.
In the letter, the Devers also confidently stated that Diónia had walked out of its predicament and was gathering its army for the final battle against the people of Syracuse. They believed that the final victory would belong to the Great Hellenes! The hostages that Corunya was forced to hand over to Syracuse's camp would be safely rescued. They were assured!
Phrynris read the letter several times. When he handed the letter to the others, his heart was still filled with excitement. He could not help but ask the sailor who delivered the letter, "I heard that Master Devers has become the king of the Diónia Alliance?"
"Yes. All the citizens of Diónia believe that only Master Devers can have the protection of Hades to protect our homeland. So, we unanimously elected him as our king. On the second day after he became king, we miraculously defeated the navy of Syracuse, which far outnumbered us. This means that Hades has approved of our choice! "the sailor said excitedly.
The people around him were also affected and could not help but exclaim in admiration.
"A great man like Master Devers should be king!" Phrynris did not say these words perfunctorily. He was excited from the bottom of his heart. He said solemnly, "Please tell Master Devers that we Corunyans have not forgotten that we are Great Hellenes! If Master Devers has any request, as long as it is reasonable, we will do our best to fulfill it. We will not yield to the people of Syracuse! "
"Master Phrynris is right. We will not yield to Syracuse! As long as the Dionysian Army comes to the Opimia Plains again, we will immediately rise up and resist. We will drive these evil Sicilians out of Great Hellenes! "The others promised one after another.
After Phrynris discussed with the council again, he immediately wrote a reply to the Devers.
… …
In the temporary tent set up by the soldiers of Diónia on the north bank of the Neto River, the rest of the commanders had already left. Only Felicius remained in the tent.
"Your Majesty, I —" Felicius was so guilty that he wanted to apologize to the Devers.
The Devers had already guessed what he was going to say. He spoke first, "Felicius, I want to express my sincere gratitude to you! The plan I made in advance seems to be impossible now. Crotone, Triene, and Siletine are not city-states that have joined the alliance of Diónia. How could they easily listen to our command? Moreover, the quality of their soldiers and the level of military training are far inferior to ours. It is impossible for them to complete the mission of sealing the people of Syracuse in Corunya-South of the Ramato River in such a wide area in such a short time!
Moreover, we have all underestimated the army of Syracuse. This is also an army with a strong commander, strict training, and swift actions! Their usurper, Dionysius, is not simple either! Before the battle, he carried out a brilliant tactical deception, allowing more than 20,000 soldiers to move from Corunya-South to Hibernian without being noticed. Also, before the battle, he decisively appointed the people of Sparta as the general of the army, and successfully resisted the onslaught of your left flank. Finally, he seized the opportunity and sent in reinforcements. Your defeat in this battle is not to be blamed! "
The battle of the Ramato River had been over for a long time, and the entire process of the battle had already been heard by Aristiras.
Felicius understood this, but he continued to speak guiltily, "Your Majesty, if I … if I could stick to my own opinion, this battle could have been avoided! But I — "
"No, this battle is unavoidable!" The Devers said with certainty, "You think it can be avoided because you are thinking from the perspective of the people of Diónia. But for the people of Siletine and Triene, if they have the power to fight against the people of Syracuse, will they allow the people of Syracuse to loot and burn in their homeland instead of attacking? Of course not!
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