“Milon, the people of Crimisa are now citizens of the Theonian League!” Lysias sighed softly.

Milon’s roar stopped abruptly. Panting heavily, he kicked over a wooden chair by the window and strode out of the room.

***

News of Milon’s outburst quickly reached Antaoris’s ears, but he didn’t care in the slightest. Previously, when the envoy sent to contact Theonia returned with Davos’s demands, the generals of Crimisa had been hesitant about joining the Theonian League. It was the decisive Antaoris who insisted firmly, ultimately persuading everyone to agree to Davos’s terms.

“Orikepos, take a hundred citizen-soldiers to guard the temple. Prevent the Croton soldiers from looting our treasury when they retreat!”

“Plaedes, same for you. Take a hundred citizen-soldiers to guard the granary!”

“I’ll take the others to find Lysias and see if we can claim a portion of the supplies the Crotoniates piled up at the port. After living in Crimisa for so long, the Crotoniates ought to pay some accommodation fees!” Antaoris said fiercely.

“What about the people? Croton soldiers might go to their homes and cause trouble!” someone asked urgently.

“Hasn’t Davos already announced that Crimisa is incorporated into Theonia?! Tell every household to carve the words ‘I am now a Theonian citizen’ on their wooden doors. Let’s see which Croton man dares to risk provoking another war to rob a Theonian citizen!”

After Antaoris finished speaking, the faces of those around him turned awkward, and silence fell. Crimisa, independent for decades, was to be incorporated into the Theonian League. Theonia would manage Crimisa City directly, meaning most former members of the Crimisa Council would lose their power. If not for the compelling situation, they wouldn’t be willing. In fact, some Crimisans had already responded to Lysias’s call, willing to retreat with the army to Croton.

However, Davos’s promises, combined with the rapid rise of Thurii and Amendolara after their decline, swayed the majority. As citizens of a small state who had suffered enough bullying from great powers recently, most Crimisans were unwilling to continue such a life. They chose the victor of this war—the Theonian League.

“Everyone, please pull yourselves together and strive to do these things well!” Seeing the mood, Antaoris shouted to encourage them. “We are doing this not for others, but for ourselves! As long as we can hand over an intact, well-stocked Crimisa City smoothly to the Theonian League, making them fully recognize our sincerity and capability, more of us might be selected to enter the Theonia Senate and fight for more benefits for Crimisa in the future!”

***

In the afternoon, the first ships laden with Croton soldiers began to leave the port of Crimisa.

Compared to the somewhat excited soldiers, Milon’s expression was bleak. As Crimisa City disappeared from his view, he turned back and said to Lysias, “The treaty you signed has personally handed the position of hegemon of Magna Graecia to Theonia! From now on, Croton will have to act according to Theonia’s whims!”

Lysias was silent for a moment, then said, “And who caused all this?”

Milon’s mouth twitched, his face bitter.

“You’d better think carefully about how to answer the Council’s questioning when we return,” Lysias sighed.

***

As the Croton army departed Crimisa by ship, Davos led his army into the city. Originally, he had only intended to bring a few people in symbolically, but his subordinate officers objected. For safety’s sake, they insisted he bring half a legion. Antaoris, Orikepos, Plaedes… and other remaining members of the Crimisa Council went outside the city to welcome them.

From the Theonian camp, a light, rhythmic melody played by military trumpets and drums rang out. As the Crimisans were drawn to this unheard music, Theonian soldiers in neat uniforms, stepping to the beat of the melody, formed a long dragon of four columns. They marched toward Crimisa City at a measured pace.

At the very front was Martius, captain of Davos’s personal guard. He held high the military standard representing the Supreme Commander of the entire Theonian army, the golden statue of Hades, Lord of the Underworld, shining dazzlingly. Following him was a band composed of trumpeters and drummers from the entire army. Behind the band marched a procession of thousands—soldiers selected for outstanding performance from the First, Second, and Third Legions. Legion flags, battalion flags, and company flags were held high at intervals, making the long dragon of banners flutter and shine.

Every soldier wore a smile and carried himself with high spirits. To the Crimisans, it felt as if the Theonians weren’t there to parade their might or declare sovereignty, but to fetch a bride. Otherwise, the music wouldn’t be so joyous, nor the colors so bright. The Crimisans even noticed that the Theonian soldiers carried no shields or spears. This surprised them, but also touched them—it was a sign of Theonia’s trust in Crimisa!

Neither Davos, the other legion commanders, nor Avenogis rode horses. They walked in the center of the column, surrounded by guards with red cloaks tied at their shoulders, making them quite conspicuous.

The column halted before the city gates of Crimisa.

Antaoris and the others stepped forward to meet them, and Davos and his group walked out of the ranks under the protection of soldiers.

Antaoris walked straight toward Davos, recalling the young Archon he had seen in the Theonia Senate—sharp-tongued and rebuking them angrily. Although Davos wore a smile now, it made Antaoris and the others feel unconsciously nervous. It was an invisible pressure created by the immense prestige of two great victories over Croton.

“Lord Davos, former Chief General of Crimisa, Antaoris, and the former members of the Crimisa Council welcome your arrival!” After speaking, he bowed respectfully. Some behind him followed suit, while others stood silently.

Davos immediately returned the bow seriously and said, “Thank you for your trust and support of the Theonian League! Facts will prove your choice is absolutely correct!!”

“Oh, really?! Then what benefits will we get for fully supporting Crimisa joining Theonia?!” someone interjected.

“Of course there are!” Ignoring the strange tone, Davos spoke loudly and earnestly. “Become a Theonian citizen, and you will be respected in any city-state in Magna Graecia! If anyone dares to infringe upon your rights, the Alliance will seek justice for you, whether you are a noble or a commoner! If you are brave and skilled in battle, you can continuously gain land through military merit! If you have outstanding ability, you can pass exams to hold public office and eventually become a respected Senator of the Senate through your achievements! Even as an ordinary citizen, you will enjoy the conveniences the Theonian League provides for your life. Cheap hospitals with superb medical skills guarantee citizens’ health; flat roads and bridges provide speed for travel and trade; agricultural officers offer technical assistance for farming; commercial officers can help apply for low-interest loans for business. We also have battle-hardened, strictly trained citizen-soldiers to ensure the safety of the territory… So, when you become familiar with life in Theonia and understand its systems and laws, you will know how different it is from other city-states. You will be proud to be a Theonian citizen!” At this moment, Davos was clearly boasting with a touch of pride.

The eyes of Antaoris, Orikepos, and others flickered, seemingly moved, while others fell into thought.

“Oh… since Theonia is so good, will we have the chance to become Archon in the future?!” someone asked then.

At these words, Capus, Drax, Hieronymus, and even Avenogis widened their eyes. They all sensed the speaker’s ill intent, clearly targeting his criticism at Davos.

Most Crimisans’ faces changed color as well, fearing that angering Davos would be detrimental to Crimisa.

Davos, however, remained calm. This was undoubtedly the point most criticized by other Greek city-states about Theonia. He knew very well that Crimisa was different from Amendolara and Thurii. Those two cities had been saved by Davos from the brink of destruction; their people were grateful and needed strong protection, so they had little objection to Davos becoming the Archon for Life. Moreover, Davos had always abided by laws and discipline, discussing most matters with the Senate members rather than acting arbitrarily. His only act of autocracy was pushing for the pitched battle against Croton despite opposition, which ultimately resulted in victory. Thus, over time, the people had accepted it gladly. Niutum needed no mention; the Lucanians believed in power and would have no objections.

Only Crimisa, a former enemy conquered by Theonia’s power, would harbor unwilling hearts looking to pick faults with Theonia. So Davos naturally wouldn’t be polite. “Theonia has developed rapidly into a strong power in Magna Graecia in a short time, even defeating Croton, precisely because we possess a political system different from other Magna Graecia city-states. I heard some Crimisans have already left with the Crotoniates. If there are people who dislike Theonia, you are still free to leave now. But for those who stay and become Theonian citizens, please adapt to Theonia’s system and obey Theonia’s laws as soon as possible!”

The hidden edge in Davos’s words made some Crimisans who wanted to raise objections tactfully shut their mouths.

“Look, this is Theonia’s—Mmph.” The person who spoke earlier wanted to attack Theonia again, but his mouth was covered by two guards sent by Antaoris.

“Lord Davos, it is our fault to keep the Theonian soldiers waiting here for so long. Please, let us enter the city together!” Antaoris said apologetically.

“Good!” Davos gave him a meaningful smile.