Having just sent away the Crotoniates and now welcoming the Theonian army, the citizens of Crimisa were evidently somewhat numb to this eye-catching procession entering their city.

However, after reaching the square via the main street, the Theonian army disbanded immediately. Led by their officers, the soldiers used tools brought on pack animals to diligently sweep the trash-strewn streets, level damaged roads, and even help citizens repair their houses… working hard to clean up the city districts devastated by the great war.

The Crimisans were first surprised, then slowly attempted to converse with these “conquerors.” Eventually infected by the soldiers’ enthusiasm for labor, they guiltily joined the ranks of restoring their own homes. Women brought food and water to express their gratitude to the soldiers while sharing their household difficulties, hoping for help. The soldiers were naturally happy to contribute their strength and enthusiasm.

In just one afternoon, Crimisa—a city that had experienced the turmoil of war and felt somewhat lifeless—became vibrant again.

Seeing this scene, the former members of the Crimisa Council wore expressions of surprise, whispering and discussing incessantly among themselves.

As the former Chief General of Crimisa, Antaoris considered himself well-traveled and knowledgeable. Yet, he had never seen or heard of citizen-soldiers from one city-state helping the conquered populace restore their war-torn homes after conquering another! Like everyone else, the surprise and excitement in his heart left him at a loss for words. “Lord Davos, this… this is truly…”

“From today on, the people of Crimisa are citizens of the Theonian League. We are all one family! As a family, of course, we must help each other, right?” Davos said with a smile.

Watching the shocked expressions of those around him, he was very satisfied with the effect of this operation. Before coming, he had indeed issued the order for soldiers to act as “cleaners,” but orders alone couldn’t make soldiers work willingly. He had also told them: due to the victory and their heroic performance, the citizenship probation period for freedmen who fought in multiple battles would be greatly shortened; outstanding soldiers might even become full citizens directly! Furthermore, with this victory, Theonia would gain vast amounts of land. All participating soldiers would receive “allotted land” as a reward for their military merit, primarily located near Crimisa. Thus, Crimisa would become the new home for some of these soldiers. Additionally, due to frequent wars in the past half-year, Crimisa had lost many male citizens, resulting in more women than men. Davos encouraged single soldiers to win the favor of Crimisan women through their actions!

It was for these reasons that the soldiers showed no arrogance as victors but used practical actions to win the goodwill of the Crimisans—their future neighbors.

“And you—” Davos continued, “You protected the treasury and granary well, preventing them from being looted by the defeated Croton soldiers, and handed them over intact to the Alliance. Isn’t this because you identified with the Theonian League and considered yourselves Theonian citizens that you were so thoughtful?! I believe the Theonia Senate will surely recognize your efforts!”

Thinking they had received a hint from Davos, everyone’s face lit up with joy.

Davos saw this and smiled too, but he knew clearly in his heart: although the Theonia Senate was far from full, the Senate would act cautiously this time. They would send people to investigate secretly: Who has high prestige and appeal among the Crimisan populace? Among these people, only those truly willing to become Theonian citizens and work earnestly would be specially recruited into the Senate. Voting and elections were just a facade. As a territory just incorporated into the alliance, he and the Senate naturally had to control Crimisa firmly to prevent accidents.

“Lord Davos, please follow me to the port next to inventory a batch of supplies we intercepted from Croton.” It was rare that the former Chief General of Crimisa could maintain his composure.

This made Davos look at Antaoris with some appreciation. “Good!”

After inspecting Crimisa City, Davos immediately ordered a portion of the obtained grain and supplies to be distributed to the Crimisan populace to compensate for their war losses.

This generous act won the goodwill of the people. At the same time, he ordered Capus to lead 2,000 soldiers of the First Legion to garrison the city. Their tasks were to maintain order and stability within the city and continue helping the people repair damaged facilities. The rest of the army remained in the camp outside the city, filling in traps, pulling out iron spikes… restoring the environment around the camp to normal. Davos tactfully declined the banquet invitation from Antaoris and the others. Accompanied by Hieronymus, he led Ledes’s cavalry unit toward Aprustum.

Galloping across the broad, gently rolling Croton Plain, what greeted their eyes were either farmlands or villages, crisscrossed by canals. Although human activity was invisible and some villages still emitted thick smoke, apart from the occasional homeless hound barking hatefully yet timidly at them, everything was unusually quiet. This did not dampen the good mood of Davos and his group. They examined this newly acquired Theonian land with great interest as they rode.

Ledes said excitedly, “Although the terrain isn’t as flat as the Sybaris Plain, the soil feels no less fertile!”

“Looks like you want to swap all your land to here,” Davos joked.

“My Lord, I have no such intention. The Crotoniates are right next door; doing anything here would feel uncomfortable,” Ledes shook his head.

“Such fertile land, and you’re still picky. Truly, the rich don’t know the suffering of the poor,” Davos continued to tease him.

The cavalrymen took the opportunity to joke about their captain as well.

Just then, Hieronymus beside him said, “No matter how good the land is, without strong power, we can’t keep it.”

Davos paused, then seized the point. “Correct. We cannot be like Croton. We must continue to strengthen our training to defend our home! Especially your cavalry unit—you achieved great merit this time, but you cannot be proud. Continue following your captain to improve your riding skills and learn new cavalry tactics. I hope you can become a significant offensive force in the Theonian army, capable of deciding the outcome of pitched battles! Do you have that confidence?”

“YES!!!” The cavalrymen raised their spears and shouted excitedly.

***

Standing on the ramparts of Aprustum, one could gaze west at the endless mountain ranges capped with snow; look east down at the surging torrents and cliffs; and take in the panoramic view of the verdant, fertile fields of the Croton Plain. In excellent weather, one could even look southeast and catch a glimpse of the bustling traffic outside Croton City…

“This is truly a fine place! I can’t believe the Crotoniates handed it over to us!” Davos stroked the thick battlements, sighing with emotion.

“Of course the Crotoniates didn’t want to give it, but they simply couldn’t take it back!” Bagulos said confidently. “Aprustum City has excellent terrain, high walls, and deep moats. With just two thousand men, I can hold off an attack by twenty thousand enemies!”

Davos, having already inspected the city defenses in detail, nodded in agreement.

“Taking this city was largely thanks to Izam’s mountain reconnaissance unit!” Hieronymus’s words reminded Davos. He found the young Lucanian in the accompanying group. “Izam, your company achieved great merit this time. Every soldier who participated in taking the city shall be recorded with at least one major merit!”

“I thank the Commander on behalf of my brothers!” Izam looked excited. “My Lord, my reconnaissance unit can play an even greater role, as long as you can expand it to a thousand men!”

Hieronymus and Axistes looked at each other; this Lucanian was surprisingly direct with his request.

Davos didn’t mind. He smiled, “The role of the mountain reconnaissance unit is reconnaissance, harassment, and sabotage, not engaging the enemy head-on. With so many people, it would be inconvenient for you to command and easy for the enemy to detect…” Davos didn’t reject him outright but thought seriously for a moment. “Expansion isn’t impossible. I want to see you formulate an expansion and training plan first: how many people to add, how to organize and train this enlarged unit, how to make this new force adapt faster and enhance its special role in wartime… If your plan is feasible, I can discuss it with Philesius to expand the mountain reconnaissance unit and appoint you as Battalion Commander.”

“Wonderful! Thank you, my Lord!” Izam shouted happily without disguise.

“So you wanted to be a Battalion Commander! Should have said so earlier!” Axistes teased him.

“You all became Battalion Commanders; of course, I can’t fall behind,” Izam said self-righteously.

Everyone burst into laughter.

“Have the original residents of the city all left?” Davos turned back to overlook the city interior and asked.

“The Crotoniates came to the city, read the newly signed alliance treaty to the populace, and vigorously mobilized them to leave. They cried and fussed, but eventually, they all left; none remained. We allowed them to take their household items, but they wanted to take public property too. We refused—that’s our war booty!” Axistes said.

“It’s good that the residents of Aprustum are gone. It facilitates our immigration and allows us to firmly control this city in the hands of the Alliance!” Davos reminded them simultaneously, “You must inventory the property in Aprustum City as soon as possible and make a list so we can distribute shares to Laos and Castellum.”