Chapter 620
He did not expect Cydorum to face such a complicated situation when he went to Samonae. Boret's words made Vesba sigh in his heart, while Hemont was filled with admiration. The suggestion made by the Devers in the Senate to 'let the Abenilum captives be the last to be released' was so wise!
"Although Gherni has become the leader of the Abenilum, this matter is not over," Boret sneered again. "Although the Hilpini had no choice but to sign the alliance agreement in the face of our powerful strength, Gherni has violated the taboo of the Samonae tribes by inviting outsiders to interfere in the internal affairs of the Hilpini. It is only because of our protection that Lescok does not dare to do anything to Gherni, but he can make the other tribes reduce trade, communication, and gatherings with the Abenilum. He has even made the tribes that originally moved in withdraw from the Abenilum region, trying to force the Abenilum, who have experienced the war and are weak, to take the initiative to exile Gherni in order to better survive in the mountains."
"Stupid Hilpini!" Hemont interrupted.
"Yes, the Hilpini still use the old ways to punish tribal leaders who violate tradition, but they do not know that doing so will only push the Abenilum towards our Diónia." Boret kept saying 'our Diónia', already seeing himself as a part of the Kingdom of Diónia, even though Potentia was actually a free city belonging to the Kingdom of Diónia. "The Abenilum has no choice but to strengthen contacts with Kopsa, us, Potentia, and Enona. In the past two years of particularly cold winters, most of the livestock of the Hilpini froze to death. The Abenilum relied on the aid of our Diónia to survive, so they have become more dependent on us. Even the temple of Hades was allowed to be set up at the border of the Abenilum.
However, it is said that the Beneventum and several other Samonae tribes have a lot of opinions about the Abenilum's approach. It seems that the situation in the Samonae region is now peaceful, but in fact, the two sides have been in constant conflict, especially this year. I heard a rumor that the high priests of the four Samonae tribes have collectively proposed to hold a Savone Ceremony for the entire Samonae. After the ceremony, they may discuss the blasphemy of the leader of the Abenilum, Gherni, with the four chiefs and other tribal leaders … "
"Blasphemy?" Vesba was a little surprised.
"Gherni allowed his people to accept the faith of Hades, and allowed the priests of Hades to operate in his territory …" Boret said with a slightly complicated mood. In Potentia today, most of the people no longer only believed in Mount Asenu, but the faith of Hades was also very popular.
"Did you mention this when you met His Majesty before?" Hemont asked.
"Do I still need to say it?" Boret pointed to the Abenilum team in the stadium. "I heard that Gherni has also come to Turií. I'm afraid he's not just here to watch the game!"
… …
Strompoli, who had returned to Turií, sat behind the rostrum, watching the teams from various towns enter the stadium. He sipped the wine mixed with water from time to time, looking quite satisfied.
When he saw the Naxos team pass by the rostrum, he applauded and cheered. Although he had retired as the chief executive of Naxos, he still had some feelings for Naxos after living there for several years. Looking at the Naxos players on the field waving happily, he suddenly thought of something and fell into deep thought.
At this moment, he saw Rafias change seats with someone else from the corner of his eye. Then, he heard a voice beside his ear. "Lord Strompoli."
Strompoli turned his head and nodded. "Greetings, Lord Tolilaus."
"Well … Thank you for taking care of the people of Naxos in the past few years!" Tolilaus complimented him a little unnaturally. He was not good at flattering people, but Strompoli and the Sicilian Senators rarely interacted. Although they were in the same Senate, they were strangers to each other. If he didn't do this, he would not be able to get closer to Tolilaus, and it would be easier for him to talk later.
"That's my duty." Strompoli did not smile because of his compliment. "To be honest, Naxos is not easy to manage."
Tolilaus was stunned for a moment. He then smiled awkwardly. "Sicily is not the same as Greece, after all …"
"What's the difference?!" Strompoli interrupted him and asked bluntly, "Does Naxos not belong to the Kingdom of Diónia?! Are the people living there not the people of Diónia?! "
Tolilaus was stunned again. He had heard the other Sicilian senators say that Strompoli was a stone in a pile of horse dung, smelly, hard, and not easy to get along with. Today, it was indeed the case. Tolilaus was also a man of character. He did not beat around the bush and asked directly, "Lord Strompoli, there are rumors these two days that after Lord Myron arrived in Naxos, he sent a patrol team to search Lord Laodisian's house and arrested some servants. Then he searched the mansions of Icadas … and several other senators. I also heard that Lord Cypros, the governor of Catanai, also searched Lord Laceperatus' house in Catanai. And … what the hell is going on?! Without the approval of the Senate, how can they break into the mansion of a senator, search, and arrest people?! "
Strompoli looked at him with a strange expression on his face. "The laws of Diónia do not state that you cannot search the mansion of a senator or arrest servants. Only when you want to arrest a senator, you must obtain the approval of the Senate. As a senator of the kingdom, have you not carefully studied the laws of the kingdom all these years?! "
Tolilaus was a little embarrassed. There were so many laws in Diónia that it was impossible for him to remember them all. He coughed and said, "Lord Strompoli, may I ask what crime Laodisian and the others have committed?"
Strompoli shrugged. "Myron did not send a letter to the Senate explaining the situation. Like you, I know nothing about it. But you can ask Lord Tritodmos. He may know something. "
Tolilaus said in a low voice, "Lord Tritodmos is in Sicily!"
"Oh … yes! Yes! I've forgotten. I'm old, and my memory is bad. I still remember that I invited them to the banquet in Naxos' city hall. " Strompoli patted his head and said, "Since Tritodmos personally went to Sicily, Laodisian and the others must have committed a serious crime!"
Tolilaus was silent. This was exactly what he was worried about.
"Lord Tolilaus, was your mansion in Naxos searched?" Strompoli suddenly asked.
Tolilaus shook his head.
"Then what are you worried about?" Strompoli said with some interest. "I heard that you and Laodisian have never been on good terms. You even scolded him several times in public, saying that he only knows how to eat, drink, and have no ability at all! The senators of Naxos, led by Laodisian, do not like to interact with you. Now it seems that you have made the right choice … "
Tolilaus' eyes lit up at Strompoli's words.
… …
The last team to enter the arena was the Amendolara team. Turií was the center of the Kingdom of Diónia, while Amendolara was the beginning of the kingdom. This was why the Devers arranged for the teams from these two towns to enter the arena one after the other.
There were many spectators in the arena, and most of the former mercenaries settled in Amendolara. In the beginning, Amendolara was the main source of soldiers for the First Legion. More than a decade later, the citizens of Amendolara accounted for nearly half of the senior officers in the First Legion of Diónia. This made the small city of Amendolara a very special town in the kingdom, commonly known as the "City of Officers". The citizens of other towns had served as soldiers under the Amendolara team. This made the entire stadium applaud and cheer sincerely for the team. It was even more popular than the Turií team.
When more than 50 teams stood in the middle of the arena, the eight priests carrying the statue of the god at the front chanted the song of the Hades in unison. Then, the players and the spectators also joined in devoutly. Even some foreign players, such as Abenilum and Pompeii, who did not believe in the Hades, were inspired and joined in.
When the solemn and majestic song ended, the Devers walked to the front of the rostrum and said in a loud voice full of passion, "Players from various towns in the kingdom, and players from friendly neighboring countries who have accepted the invitation, welcome to Turií for the seventh Rugby Championship of the Kingdom of Diónia!"
After more than a dozen telepathic messengers spread the words of the King of Devers to the entire stadium, there was a huge cheer on the field and the sidelines.
"You have gone through the test of many games. Today, you are able to stand in the Arena of Hades, which means that you are the best rugby players in your city this year! From today on, in Turií, under the watchful eyes of the Hades, you will continue to display your superb skills and brave and intelligent minds, unite and cooperate with your teammates, and through every fierce game, compete for the title of the strongest rugby team and the best rugby player in the Kingdom of Diónia this year! I wish you all the best in achieving excellent results! … "
The players listened with passion and could not wait to start the game immediately.
At this moment, the drums and trumpets sounded, announcing the official start of the finals.
The spectators let out thunderous cheers. They could not wait to watch the game.
The teams began to leave the field, leaving only two teams on the field. The game between Turií and Kopsa had officially begun.
… …
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