Chapter 259

The bell stopped. Praexinas and the priestesses emerged from the crowd, standing on both sides of the temple entrance, and began to sing in chorus.

This time, it was no longer just pure singing but included lyrics:

“Hades the God, just and severe, Your brilliance shines upon the earth, Our hearts are filled with zeal, We come to your sacred temple, Your light illuminates us, …”

“Is this… is this a new Hymn to Hades?!” The people were filled with surprise. The melody was distinctive, yet so beautiful and grand. As the singing continued, they were deeply moved by the holiness and ideals expressed by the song.

Countless people knelt piously on the ground, silently chanting the Hymn to Hades, tears of emotion streaming down their faces…

When the singing ended, some people remained lost in the moment. Only when the people around cheered, “Davos!!!…” did they realize that, at some point, the Archon of Theonia and High Priest of the League, Davos, had appeared on a circular altar in front of the temple, dressed in a white robe, with a white scarf over his head, and holding a torch. Praexinas stood beside him with another male priest, carrying a large, smooth, concave bronze mirror.

The people’s eyes widened with curiosity because there had been rumors that the senators of the Senate had fiercely debated the “Sacred Fire of the Temple of Hades.” The Sacred Fire was not only the spiritual focus of the people of a Greek city-state but also represented the continuation of civilization. Especially for these Greek city-states in the Western Mediterranean, which were colonial cities, the sacred fire of the acropolis could not be simply lit by finding a random fire source. It had always been a seed of fire brought by the colonial founders from the mother city’s temple, preserved until a new temple was built in the new city, and then used to light the Sacred Fire, burning for generations to show remembrance of the homeland and the continuity of tradition!

Therefore, the senators born in Thurii, led by Polyexis, proposed introducing a seed of fire from Athens again. This was strongly opposed by Antonios, Amyntas, and others, whose reason was: the old Thurii no longer exists, and the new Thurii is not a daughter city of Athens!

As for Cornelius’s proposal to “introduce the seed of fire from the Temple of Zeus in Amendolara,” that was also opposed. The Thurii senators believed the small city of Amendolara was insufficient to represent the entire Theonia City-State Alliance.

The parties argued fiercely. Finally, Davos made the decisive statement: “Since Theonia is a newly established city-state alliance with no mother city, and the Temple of Hades is almost the only city-state patron temple in the Mediterranean, I suggest that Hades grant us the Sacred Fire on the day of the temple celebration, to show his favor upon Theonia!”

These words were spread throughout the city that day and quickly spread throughout the entire League. Now, whether it was the common people, the senators of the Senate, or the distinguished guests who had just heard the news, they were all watching the unlit torch in the hands of the High Priest with curiosity and excitement, waiting for a miracle to happen, or perhaps anticipating the biggest joke in Magna Graecia.

Davos knelt semi-piously on the altar facing the temple entrance, holding the torch high in his hand.

Praexinas and the priest stepped back a few paces, laboriously lifting the bronze mirror, slowly rotating it, and adjusting the angle to focus the scorching sunlight onto a cluster of papyrus scraps extending from the top of the torch…

The familiar Hymn to Hades was sung again by the priestesses, their voices resounding through the clouds…

The bright sun at noon scorched everyone. The sweaty people were completely unaware, their attention focused entirely on the motionless Davos…

Time passed minute by minute.

The bronze mirror glittered blindingly, but the torch remained unchanged…

“Saying Hades will grant the Sacred Fire, I think he is arrogant, truly believing he can do anything!” Polyexis sneered quietly. He had played a significant role in making Davos’s words spread so widely and quickly at the venue. He hoped to see Davos embarrassed at this moment, which would be a great blow to the young Archon’s prestige!

Burkos nudged him with his hand, kindly reminding him to remain silent.

Polyexis rolled his eyes in return. Burkos was his former good friend, now one of the strong supporters of Davos among the Thurii senators in the Senate. If not for certain reasons, Polyexis would not want to associate with him anymore.

Suddenly, he saw faint blue smoke rising from the top of the torch. Thinking he had mistaken it, he blinked hard.

Exclamations of surprise were already coming from all directions.

Soon, the blue smoke turned into a small cluster of flickering red and yellow flames, rapidly igniting the linen cloth soaked in olive oil.

The fire blazed fiercely!

“Oh, Hades!!!” The people, having witnessed this miracle firsthand, erupted in a mountain-shattering roar of cheers. The entire hill seemed to be shaking.

Even the distinguished guests looked at each other, disbelief on their faces: Could Theonia truly be favored by Hades?!

Did Davos truly receive Hades’ favor?! The senators looked at Davos ahead with awe. Polyexis’s body trembled slightly. He seemed to see Hades’ majestic eyes in the torch Davos held high, staring coldly at him.

Davos secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although he had practiced several times before and even deliberately chose a sunny day and used the square performance to extend the lighting ceremony until noon, he was still somewhat anxious. After all, this was in front of tens of thousands of people. If he messed up, his carefully planned scheme and the reputation of being the God’s Favored One would be ruined! Fortunately, Hades protected him, and he succeeded!

Davos slowly stood up, raised the torch high, and walked around slowly, solemnly enjoying the cheers of the people that pushed him to the peak again and again like waves in a storm…

Then, accompanied by the priests, he stepped into the temple and lit the dark bronze fire basins in front of the statue of Hades one by one. From this day forward, the Sacred Fire of the Temple of Hades would burn day and night, blessing Theonia with prosperity.

As Davos walked out of the temple, the loud military horns sounded, accompanied by deep drumbeats. Capus, Drax, and Hieronymus, the three legion commanders, along with eight chiliarchs, fully armored, carried three stone steles, escorted by forty company commanders, and arrived in front of the temple.

While most of the people looked at the three man-high stone steles in confusion, the words of the High Priest, aided by the heralds, entered the people’s ears: “The establishment and development of the Theonia City-State League are inseparable from the protection of Hades! And inseparable from the efforts made by the citizens! As we enjoy peace and prosperity today, please do not forget the warriors who gave their lives to defend Theonia! Their names are engraved on these three steles. Hades appreciates their loyalty and bravery to the League and permits their souls to reside in the temple, transforming into heroes’ spirits, continuing to protect Theonia, and receiving the admiration and worship of the children and descendants of Theonia!” After speaking, Davos knelt solemnly in front of the steles.

Immediately following, the legion commanders, chiliarchs, company commanders, and all the soldiers present knelt semi-piously on the ground facing the steles, their expressions solemn.

In the eyes of the people, the stone steles, engraved with numerous names, were no longer cold stones but individual, named, living figures…

“Wuwuwu…” Except for the distinguished guests, the entire hill was covered with kneeling Theonians. Suppressed sobs and cries emerged amidst the solemn atmosphere. Those weeping were the families of the fallen soldiers.

“The warrior is immortal; the hero’s spirit lives forever!”

“The warrior is immortal; the hero’s spirit lives forever!!!”

…

Davos led the people in bowing their heads toward the steles.

At this moment, nature seemed sympathetic, and the heavens mourned along. A strong wind picked up at the right time, and even the sun was blocked by clouds, further convincing the people that their shouts had been answered.

For a time, the people’s prayers continued endlessly…

Military horns and war drums played in unison. Generals and officers marched with neat steps, carrying the stone steles into the temple under the gaze of tens of thousands of eyes.

“The Theonians’ respect for warriors can reach such an extent!” Lysias had heard that Theonia held a triumph for returning victorious armies. Now, seeing them bring steles for the fallen into the temple, he was greatly moved.

“With such sacred measures, how can Theonia citizens not willingly fight to the death!” Ascamas, the Admiral of Croton, standing nearby, also lost his mood for mockery, his face serious.

He and Lysias looked at each other, thinking of the same question: In the event of another war with Theonia in the future, can Croton defeat such high-spirited Theonians?

The distinguished guests from the South Italian Alliance felt this to varying degrees, while for Kanios of Elea, Theonia’s strength was precisely what he was happy to see.

After the horns and drums disappeared, the sound of the lyre rose again…

Amidst the melodious string music, Little Heraclides and Piasicos carried a stone bust and walked to the front of the temple.

“People of Theonia, tell me, who designed the new city of Thurii? Who led us in building it?” Davos asked loudly.

“…It was Heraclides.” The answers were fragmented.

“Who designed and built the Temple of Hades?” Davos asked again.

“Heraclides!” This time, the answer was much more unified.

“Whether building the new city or the temple, who was always the first to arrive and the last to leave every day, suffering from serious illness, yet still dedicating all his effort to the construction of this city he loved, and ultimately giving his life?” Davos asked loudly again, “Who is he?!”

“Heraclides!!!” The neat and powerful answer echoed between the hills.

“Given Heraclides—the master architect’s contribution to Theonia, his statue will reside in the Hall of Sages of the temple, receiving the favor of Hades, continuing to use his talent to build the Elysian Fields! Simultaneously, in the years to come, if any citizen of Theonia makes great contributions to the prosperity and development of Theonia, their statues will also be enshrined in the temple, to be admired by future generations, their souls living forever with the League!” Due to the miracle of the Sacred Fire, Davos seemed possessed by Hades at this moment, and his words were naturally more able to inspire the people.