Phoebidas accepted gladly. He was still a bit hungry, so he picked up another piece of bread, spread it with honey, and chewed it enthusiastically.

Agesilaus waited patiently until he finished eating before saying, “Can you tell me the details of your last mission to Magna Graecia?”

Phoebidas perked up. When he had returned and reported to the Gerousia, it was right after King Agis had died. The Gerontes were busy with funeral arrangements and electing a new king, so they paid little attention to other matters.

Just as Phoebidas finished giving a brief summary of his mission to Magna Graecia, the new Spartan king expressed concern about Theonia. Phoebidas immediately recounted his mission to Theonia again in detail, without any exaggeration.

Agesilaus leaned his head on one hand, his lame leg stretched straight out, listening carefully with a thoughtful expression.

When Phoebidas finished, Agesilaus said, “It seems the Theonians embarrassed you, and your impression of them isn’t very good.”

“I was angry because Theonia lacked the proper respect for Sparta, but personally—” Phoebidas paused for a moment, revealing a strange expression as he spoke honestly, “Actually, I rather admire Theonia…”

“Oh?” Agesilaus was a bit surprised. “Why?”

“Perhaps because of the toughness they displayed…” Phoebidas recalled the situation then and said with emotion, “Although I only stayed briefly in Thurii in a hurry and didn’t have deep contact with Theonian citizens, the feeling I got… Theonia’s soldiers are also very disciplined. I even heard the Theonia Senate holds celebratory ceremonies for victorious generals and soldiers returning from war. The feeling I got… the feeling I got…”

Phoebidas pondered, then blurted out, “Theonia is like the Sparta of Magna Graecia…”

Agesilaus was stunned for a moment, then laughed teasingly. “You actually compare a city-state alliance ruled by a tyrant to our Sparta of equal and free citizens.”

“Although Theonia has only one Archon, and he holds the position for life, they also have a Senate. And judging from my experience in the Theonia Senate, those senators seem able to influence Theonia’s legislation. The relationship between the Archon and the senators… uh… how should I put it? Anyway, it’s unlike Syracuse, where Dionysius decides everything alone!” Phoebidas said seriously.

“You seem to have a bad impression of Syracuse,” Agesilaus glanced at him and said.

“I think anyone who hears that Syracuse can mobilize such a massive force to attack Carthage wouldn’t be in a very good mood!!” Phoebidas said bluntly. “Those tens of thousands of infantry are one thing, but the key is he also has several thousand cavalry and a huge fleet not weaker than ours! Dionysius is an ambitious man!”

Agesilaus looked at him and smiled. “Phoebidas, I’m very glad you can see this! We only started paying attention to the West in the later stages of the war with Athens. It was through the alliance with Syracuse that Sparta could intervene in Western affairs. Carthage is the Persians’ ally in the Western Mediterranean. We need an ally in the Western Mediterranean capable of suppressing Carthage and protecting Sparta’s rear. This is why we support Syracuse, and it also allows Sparta’s power to gradually deepen its influence among the Greek forces in the West. However, some of Sparta’s past practices—blindly allowing Syracuse to expand and annex Greek powers in Sicily—might end up causing trouble for ourselves in the end. We don’t want our ally to be too weak, but we can’t let it become too powerful either.”

“Respected King Agesilaus, you are right! But now, Carthage still holds the advantage in Sicily, while our Spartan strength is concentrated in Asia Minor. At this time, we should temporarily continue to support Syracuse, right?” Phoebidas understood the subtle meaning in Agesilaus’s words, but thinking of the city-state’s interests, he spoke frankly.

“We don’t need to do anything. The force to restrain Syracuse’s expansion has already appeared.” Agesilaus didn’t feel displeased; instead, he smiled at him with relief and said, “It’s Theonia, which made you unhappy before.”

“Theonia?!” Phoebidas was surprised at first, then shook his head. “It can’t compare to Syracuse at all. Whether in territory, population, trade, or military strength, Syracuse is far superior.”

“That is true for now, but Theonia is expanding very quickly.” At this point, Agesilaus showed a complex expression. “I just received news from Magna Graecia. Theonia defeated Croton, forced Croton to cede territory, and signed an alliance treaty with it…”

“When did this happen?!” Phoebidas’s eyes widened. Not long after he left Magna Graecia, Theonia had actually defeated Croton again?!

Phoebidas had a look of disbelief. “Croton’s strength is obviously greater than Theonia’s, and this time the Crotoniates shouldn’t have repeated their previous mistakes. How could…”

“100 years ago, before the war between Sybaris and Croton, many Greek city-states thought the same, but the result was the weaker Croton winning!” Agesilaus sighed. “Chrysophus was indeed right. Davos is a military genius. Although Sparta regrettably missed him, letting him lead Theonia to contend with Syracuse isn’t bad either.”

“Will Theonia definitely come into conflict with Syracuse?” Phoebidas was still thinking about how Theonia defeated Croton and was a bit distracted, so his reply was inattentive and carried a tone of strong skepticism.

Agesilaus didn’t mind and said, “Syracuse has now occupied the eastern part of Sicily. With our support and its own accumulated strength, driving Carthaginian power out of eastern Sicily isn’t a big problem. It might even be possible… to completely expel Carthage from Sicily. Even if that can’t be done, Syracuse will definitely become the leader of the Greek city-states in Sicily. As you said, Dionysius is an ambitious man. Will he be satisfied with just this?” As Agesilaus spoke, he dipped his finger in oatmeal porridge and drew a simple map of Sicily on the table.

Phoebidas shook his head.

“Will he lead troops into Africa?” Agesilaus asked.

Phoebidas shook his head vigorously. Are you kidding? That’s Carthage’s base camp, cultivated for centuries. If Syracuse dared send troops onto African soil, Carthage would surely ensure they never returned, just like the army led by Dorieus, the brother exiled by King Cleomenes of Sparta a century ago.

“Then the only place Syracuse can expand its power is here—” Agesilaus casually drew a rough outline above Sicily. “Magna Graecia. It’s only separated from Sicily by a narrow strait, and they are all Greek city-states. Dionysius has always been cruel to his fellow Greeks…”

“You’re right.” Phoebidas nodded in agreement. Neither he nor Agesilaus had ever considered the Greek mainland east of Sicily. They believed that no matter how bold Dionysius was, he wouldn’t dare offend these powerful city-states with long histories on the Greek mainland.

“Theonia has now subdued Croton. Further south of Croton, the only powerful city-states left are Locri and Rhegium. Locri is an ally of Syracuse and a mortal enemy of Croton, while Croton is now allied with Theonia. Therefore, conflict between Theonia and Syracuse is only a matter of time…” Agesilaus analyzed.

Phoebidas stared at the table top, shaking his head. “Theonia is still too weak.”

“Once Dionysius’s army steps onto the soil of Magna Graecia, except for the Locrian League and Taranto, I fear other city-states will unite around Theonia.” Agesilaus said with a solemn expression, “We don’t want another Syracuse to appear in the Western Mediterranean. But as long as Theonia can create enough trouble for Syracuse—and I believe that Davos can certainly do it—preventing Dionysius from conquering Magna Graecia in a short time, then it will be time for us Spartans to step in and mediate. Don’t forget, in Magna Graecia, there is also Taranto, a friendly daughter city of our Sparta.”

Phoebidas recalled his encounter in Taranto and pouted. “Taranto won’t necessarily listen to us.”

“When both Theonia and Syracuse are powerful, they will listen.” Agesilaus sneered, extending three fingers and propping them on the table. “Syracuse, Theonia, and Taranto are the three important city-states maintaining stability in the Western Mediterranean. This is the result the Gerousia discussed after learning that Syracuse’s army attacked western Sicily and Theonia defeated Croton. So, stop agonizing over Theonia.”

“Respected King Agesilaus, I understand!” Phoebidas realized that those indifferent old men in the Gerousia wouldn’t care about a young general’s inner conflict, yet Agesilaus had come specifically to comfort him. For this, Phoebidas felt immensely grateful.

Agesilaus smiled faintly, as if it were a trivial matter. He added, “There is one more thing I called you here for.”

Phoebidas immediately leaned forward, looking serious.