Chapter 92
When Archita walked into the expeditionary army camp, cheers came from every tent he passed. The air was filled with excitement and happiness. Even he, who had a heavy heart, was infected. He could not help but sigh in his heart. This mercenary army is indeed a battle-hardened powerhouse that gave Persia headaches! During the day, he had seen with his own eyes how these mercenaries had used novel tactics and fierce attacks against the Lucanians. It was even more commendable that they could still maintain such high morale after the defeat of the battle!
Archita's desire to see the Devers immediately became stronger.
As soon as he arrived outside the tent, the young man whom he had a good impression of came out to greet him. The first thing he said was, "General Archita, we are preparing to attack the Lucanian tribal coalition tomorrow. We hope to receive help from the Tarantum reinforcements!"
Achetta couldn't believe his ears. "… You mean you want to attack the Lucania tribal coalition?"
"Yes!"
"It's the 15,000 Lucanian tribal coalition in the west and not the Lucanians in Amendolara?" Archita asked again with uncertainty.
"Yes, it's the Lucanian tribal coalition in the west!" The Devers nodded heavily.
After Archita got the affirmative answer, he stared at the Devers for a while and barely suppressed his excitement. He said, "… What are you going to do?"
"Come, let's talk inside the tent." The Devers hurriedly led Archita into the tent. They came to the map laid out and explained their plan in detail …
Archita held his chin with his hand and pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "I have to say that this is a very bold plan. It almost uses the military force to the extreme and it also has a certain degree of feasibility. It's very tempting to me …"
"Then, will the Tarantum reinforcements join?" The Devers asked.
Archita was silent and the Devers were not in a hurry. After a long silence, Archita saw that the Devers were still calm and could not help but say, "It seems that you are certain that I will agree."
"I heard that Heraclea is an ally of Tarantum. If we win tomorrow, Tarantum will no longer have to worry about the problem in the west and can focus on dealing with the Mesapi," the Devers said slowly. Actually, his words were quite polite. Heraclea was not just an ally of Tarantum. It was actually a subsidiary controlled by Tarantum. Twenty years ago, the person in power was not even an immigrant of Tarantum, but someone directly appointed by Tarantum. Although it was not almost a subsidiary state of Tarantum like it was in the past, Tarantum still had a strong influence on Heraclea. It regarded Heraclea as its western barrier. If the Lucanians occupied the Sybari Plain and Amendolara, which was next to Heraclea, the threat to Heraclea would be too great. It might even threaten Metapontum, which was further north. This was also an important reason why Tarantum had sent reinforcements.
Acita finally nodded. "The people of Tarantum are happy to fight alongside the Greek warriors in the expedition to Persia!"
"That's great! It's because of the Tarantum reinforcements led by you, Acita, that I dare to propose this plan because your combat power is also very strong! "The Devers said sincerely.
After the two discussed the details, Acita suddenly said, "Devers, I have a suggestion that I hope you will consider."
"Please say it." The Devers saw his serious expression and was taken aback.
"Regardless of victory or defeat in the next battle, I sincerely invite you to become a citizen of Tarantum! I will also fully recommend you to the Senate in the hope that you will take up an important administrative position! "Acita solemnly made a promise.
The Devers did not expect Acita to make such a request, which caught him off guard. "… Well … Well, I heard that it's very difficult for a foreigner to become a citizen of a large city-state."
"Yes." Acita nodded frankly, but then he changed the topic. "However, people with extraordinary talents like you will be warmly invited in any city-state in Greece! After all, this is not Athens, it's a colonial city. The key is that they must have the foresight to discover talents! "Acita proudly pointed to his eyes.
"Just me, excluding my brothers?" The Devers thought of a reason to refuse.
"With so many people joining Tarantum, it's not something that the Archons or the Senate can decide. It needs to be decided by collective voting in a citizens' assembly, which is very difficult." Acita said awkwardly.
"Thank you for your invitation. After tomorrow's battle, I will seriously consider this issue." The Devers pretended to be serious.
… …
Regarding the Devers' invitation, Adrianx, Sesta, and even Dracos came.
The Devers told them his plan, and the three were shocked.
In today's battle, they did not suffer as light losses as the Tarantum reinforcements and the Devers' mercenaries. The number of casualties was more than four hundred, especially Dracos' mercenaries. For them who only had two thousand people, it could be said to be a heavy blow. If they agreed to the Devers' request, the casualties would probably be even higher, so Adrianx and Sesta were a little hesitant.
"Leader Devers, I'm willing to participate in tomorrow's battle!" Dracos, who had been depressed, suddenly said, surprising the other two.
"The Lucanians are nothing to be afraid of. It's just that the Tuliyi have dragged me down today. I believe that if I fight with you tomorrow, I'll definitely make them taste defeat!" Drakos said unwillingly.
The Devers did not expect Dracos, whom they had fought before, to be the first to agree. It made them look at the big leader's desire to fight and tenacity in a new light. Seeing that the other two were still hesitating, he immediately said, "The attack on the Lucanians is not for the pitiful Turís' pay. After we defeat them, we will take back Amendolar and become the master of that place!"
The words of the Devers shocked the three again.
"Are you sure you can take down Amendolar?" Sesta asked in surprise.
"We have attacked many cities in Persia. A small mountain city is really not a problem!" The Devers said confidently. "When the time comes, we will invite you to become citizens of Amendolar, obtain the land there, and put down a foundation in the rich Greece! Of course, if you only want to return to the war-torn and barren Ionia, just pretend that I didn't say anything. "
"You … are you serious?! You will really let us get the land?! "Adrianx stammered.
"Of course, this is a decision that all of us have made together!" The Devers said with a straight face.
"But … but …" Adrianx slightly calmed down and asked, "Will Turís and Tarantum object?"
"Turís is heavily injured. They don't have the ability to object even if they want to." The Devers smiled contemptuously. "As for Tarantum, maybe they will be happy that we are doing this because we have the ability to defend Amendolar and protect the western border of Tarantum from the invasion of the mountain tribes."
The three of them looked at each other and said in unison, "We are willing to join you!"
"That's great!" The Devers said happily. "Now we are a family! Let us fight for our own future together! "
After the four of them finished discussing the details of the plan, the Devers reminded them to keep it a secret and not let the people of Tarantum know about it for the time being.
After sending the three of them off, the Devers prepared to let the freedmen who were returning to Turís go back and ask Burcos to quickly come to the camp. There was an urgent matter to discuss. Unexpectedly, a guard came in and reported, "Burcos is already outside the camp, requesting to see you."
The Devers were surprised and immediately thought of the urgent need that the Turís's city hall and parliament had for them.
As expected, the moment Burcos entered the tent, he asked impatiently, "Chief Devers, are you still going to continue with the original agreement?"
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