Chapter 640
"That soldier holding the flag of the kingdom should be a Mesapi, right?"
"The announcement said that his name is Lakelessis, and he is a soldier of the Ninth Legion (the Ninth Legion is mainly composed of Mesapi). When they seized the city of Lucenia, he rushed to the top of the city wall and killed four enemies in a row. He was stabbed several times by spears, but he kept fighting until his comrades rushed to the top of the city wall …"
"No wonder he is still wrapped in bandages. Such a brave soldier deserves the honor of carrying the flag of triumph!"
"Lakelessis is a famous warrior of our city!" Someone next to him interrupted in stiff Greek.
In such a festive atmosphere, the conflicts and disputes of the past would be put aside, and people would become open-minded. The person who spoke before said happily, "Whether it is the Greeks or the Mesapi, we are all people of Diónia. If you Mesapi join the Dionysian Army, our legion will be stronger!"
"Victory to the Legion of Dionysia!"
"Victory to the Ninth Legion!"
"Lakelessis is a good man!"
…
The parade came to the first triumphal arch, which was the starting point of the northern outskirts of Turín.
This triumphal arch was built after the Southern Italian War. The four reliefs on the arch respectively recorded the four thrilling battles that determined the fate of Diónia in the Southern Italian War. They were: the Battle of Poseidonia, the Great Naval Battle of Turín, the Battle of Crotone, and the Battle of Mejalo.
The excitement of the soldiers passing through the triumphal arch became a little more solemn. They were eager to make more contributions and be remembered in the history of the Kingdom of Diónia …
… …
The Victory Square was also full of spectators, but unlike the people along the way, they had different identities and statuses. There were foreign envoys, invited VIPs, officials and officers of the kingdom, and their families …
Of course, this also included the families of the Devers. They sat together with the families of the senators on the viewing platform on the side of the Grand Council Hall, surrounded by soldiers.
"Gidia, you don't have to stretch your neck so long. It's still early for the parade to reach here. Things are different now. It's five to six miles from the outer city to the inner city. Ouch!" The mischievous girl was knocked on the head by the dignified young lady beside her. The young lady reprimanded her softly, "Eunice, don't be so rude! Gidia is older than you, you should call her sister! "
"Alright, Sister Gidia!" Eunice's big, lively eyes flashed with a cunning light. "You don't have to spend so much effort to find him. Stefos is the flag bearer of the Eighth Legion. He's walking at the front of the team. You don't have to stretch your neck to see him."
When the petite and beautiful Gia heard this, she blushed and hurriedly retracted her body from the railing. Looking at the two sisters who were snickering with their heads lowered, she couldn't help but explain, "I didn't want to see Stefos, but I wanted to help … help Cynthia find out where Patroclus is."
"My sister isn't as anxious as you are. Anyway, it won't be long before she gets engaged to Patroclus!" Eunice blurted out. Although her voice wasn't loud, it still caused some people to be surprised.
Cynthia was also a little shy. She immediately patted Eunice and said, "Don't talk nonsense!"
Eunice didn't care at all. She giggled and said, "Sister Gidia, look, my sister is getting married soon. When are you and Stefos getting married?"
"Ah? … "
"Eunice!"
"Ouch!"
…
Alexis was riding on a gorgeous chariot pulled by four black horses. Nowadays, the Kingdom of Diónia was no longer as poor as it was when it was first established. It was easy to find four tall, handsome, and flawless black horses.
Behind him was Leotychides, who was also riding on a four-horse chariot.
Behind them were the two-horse chariots ridden by the Legion Commanders. This made Amyntas, Olivers, and the other Legion Commanders a little uncomfortable.
Leotychides stood on the chariot with his chest puffed out, welcoming the cheers and praises of thousands of people. He had participated in many triumphal ceremonies, but this was the first time he was participating as a war commander. As the protagonist, the attention he received was naturally different from the past. He was also very excited. It was rare for him to slightly wave to the surrounding people.
When their chariots entered the Victory Square, thunderous cheers were even more overwhelming.
After the chariot circled the periphery of the square, it stopped in front of the Senate's Assembly Hall.
Alexis, Leotychides, and the other Legion Commanders got off the chariot one after another. They walked up the steps with solemn expressions.
At the end of the steps stood the honorable elders of the kingdom. In the middle of them was the King of Devers, who was wearing a crown on his head.
"Your Majesty!" Alexis, who was the first to walk up the platform, gave a respectful military salute.
The Devers solemnly returned the salute and said, "You've worked hard, Alexis! Thank you for adding new territories and people to the kingdom! "
"This is my duty as the commander of the army," Alexis replied.
The Devers smiled as they took the glittering Victory Scepter from Henepolis's hands and handed it over. This was a foot-long scepter made of gold. The top of the scepter was an exquisitely carved statue of the Goddess of Victory. This was a reward for returning victorious commanders. With the current strength of the kingdom, it was no longer just verbal praise for the victors. There was a substantial reward.
For the commanders of the kingdom, this was the highest reward. Alexis, who usually didn't care much about gold and silver, received it excitedly and pressed it to her chest.
"Your Majesty!" Leotychides gave a neat military salute.
"Prososus, well done!" The Devers smiled even more happily. "You didn't let me down. You also exceeded many people's expectations!"
As the Devers said this, he handed over the Victory Scepter. After Leotychides received it, he patted Leotychides' shoulder and said in a deep voice, "I look forward to your next victory!"
Leotychides was also excited. He understood that this showed that the King of Devers valued him very much. He didn't know what to say for a moment, so he just said, "Yes! Yes! … "
The Devers then presented Amyntas, Olivers, and other commanders with silver scepters.
When he was about to put on the Three-Headed Dog Warrior Medal made of gold for a few flag bearers, he saw Lakelessis from Mesapi wrapped in bandages. He couldn't help but think of the scene when he awarded the flag to the wounded Dracos in Amendola more than ten years ago. He couldn't help but feel emotional. So he gave this brave soldier a strong hug, grabbed his hand, and raised it high.
The soldiers in the square cheered loudly, especially the soldiers from Mesapi and Puchetti.
After the Devers carefully put on the medals for the flag bearers one by one, he strode to the front of the platform, facing the thousands of soldiers below, and shouted, "Brave soldiers of Diónia, loyal citizens of the kingdom! … "
"Long live the Kingdom of Diónia!!! … "
"Long live the King of Devers!!! … "
…
The triumphant parade came to an end amidst the roaring cheers of the soldiers.
… …
Just after the triumphant parade yesterday, Patroclus received a notice from the Ministry of Military Affairs today: he was asked to go to the palace immediately.
Although he had received the news sent by Cynthia last night, Patroclus still felt uneasy along the way. After all, this was the first time he was received by the King of Devers alone.
When he arrived at the door of the King's office on the second floor of the palace, before the guards had time to go in to report, Henepolis happened to come out from inside and saw Patroclus. The court clerk, who was once the "youngest senator", looked at him with interest, then smiled and said, "Young man, congratulations!" After that, he turned around and went in.
After a while, when he came out again, Henepolis came out with two clerks and comforted Patroclus, "Don't be nervous, go in."
Patroclus said gratefully and softly, "Thank you, Sir Henepolis!"
Patroclus walked in quietly, and there was only one person left in the room.
The founder of the Kingdom of Diónia, the Supreme Commander of the Dionysian Army, the descendant of Hades, and Cynthia's father, the King of Devers was sitting behind his desk more than 20 meters away, looking at him calmly.
Even Patroclus, who was usually bold, could not help but feel a thump in his heart. Thump! Thump! Thump!
"Your Majesty … I'm here." He tried his best to control his body and gave a military salute to the Devers.
The Devers looked at him with a gaze that was both judgmental and kind. He saw Patroclus's nervousness and said in a gentle tone, "Sit, Patroclus."
"Yes!" Patroclus sat on the wooden chair beside him and calmed down a little. Only then did he feel his lips dry and tight, and he subconsciously swallowed his saliva.
The Devers smiled, "You must be thirsty, I'll give you a glass of juice."
"No need, thank you, Your Majesty!" Patroclus hurriedly waved his hand.
"Before the Victorious Return, I reviewed the list of candidates that Alexis sent to be the flag bearer of the Victorious Return Army, and I purposely deleted your name," the Devers said slowly, "You must have complained, right?"
"No, Your Majesty," Patroclus said without hesitation.
"Do you know why I did that?" the Devers asked further.
"Because … I wanted to avoid arousing suspicion," Patroclus answered softly with uncertainty.
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