Chapter 318

Drakos merely chuckled, a proud smile on his face. This time, the Second Legion was no longer the First Legion’s sidekick, and he felt immensely proud.

Davos patted him firmly on the shoulder and asked, “Where is the hero who swam across the Crati River?”

“He was injured during the crossing. He is receiving treatment from a doctor in the city and cannot go out for the time being,” Drakos replied.

“Injured! Is it serious?!” Davos asked with concern.

“The doctor said he broke several ribs on his left side, suffered lung damage, and sustained some external wounds. However, with some rest, he should make a full recovery.”

“Without him, we would not have today’s victory! We must take good care of him!” Davos instructed earnestly.

“Rest assured, Lord. We will take good care of him!”

Davos nodded. Just as he was about to say something more, he saw a large group of people approaching from a short distance away. Putting on a smile, he immediately strode toward the oldest Besidiae man in the group. “Is this Chief Bagilipi?!”

Bagilipi hurriedly bowed, preparing to perform the highest Bruttian etiquette. “Bagilipi, Chief of the Pega Tribe of Besidiae, pays his respects to Archon Davos!”

Davos quickly stopped him and spoke warmly, “Thank you! Without your help, Besidiae would not have restored peace so quickly! The people of both Theonia and Besidiae owe you their gratitude! Because of your decisiveness and selflessness, they will not lose another loved one in vain!…”

Davos’s words stirred deep emotions in the white-haired old man. In recent days, many Besidiae people had cursed him as a “traitor,” and the suffocating grievance he felt was immense. In this instant, the young man before him gave him the feeling of meeting a rare kindred spirit who truly understood him.

“Precisely because of your meritorious service, upon my proposal, the Theonian Senate convened an emergency meeting. By majority vote, it was decided that you will become a member of the Theonian Senate, just like Vesba and Hermon of Lucania. You will become a respected Senator of the entire Theonian League. Are you willing to accept?”

Hearing Davos’s words, the usually steady Bagilipi showed a look of astonishment. But quickly, he answered without hesitation, as if fearing Davos might change his mind, for this was exactly what he had hoped for. “I am willing! Thank you to the Senate for their trust in me!”

Davos grasped his arms and laughed heartily. “Excellent! From now on, we are family!”

Drakos, Adrianx, and others stepped forward to congratulate Bagilipi.

Bagilipi revealed a rare smile.

Just then, the sound of coughing came from behind him. Remembering whom he had neglected, he hurriedly turned and said, “Lord Davos, let me introduce you. This is—”

“Chief Brim of Besidiae!” Before he could finish, Davos had already preemptively greeted him. On the way here, he had been briefed in detail about the key figures of Besidiae. Now, he spoke warmly, “It was thanks to your help that Drakos and his men were able to hold the fortress! Likewise, in gratitude for all you have done, the Theonian Senate invites you to join the Senate!”

After listening to Bagilipi’s translation, Brim was somewhat dazed. Previously, when he saw the Consentian army withdraw from the fortress, he understood that Besidiae would no longer belong to Bruttium. But suddenly belonging to a league dominated by Greeks… psychologically, he still found it a bit hard to accept.

“Speak up! Struck dumb with joy?!” Bagilipi winked at him and gave him a nudge.

“I… I am very happy…” Brim muttered in a low voice.

Davos didn’t mind and laughed heartily. “Senator Brim, recover well from your injuries! We will still rely on your help for the battles to come!”

Just as Brim responded, Krellu squeezed forward. Before he could speak, Davos looked at him and said loudly, “I know you, Krellu, the hero of Besidiae! If you hadn’t stepped forward, how could the warriors of Besidiae have returned home so smoothly!”

Hearing Bagilipi’s translation, Krellu hadn’t expected the Theonian Archon, whom he had never met, to not only recognize him but also know of his deeds. His heart swelled with excitement and pride.

“Originally, I proposed to the Senate that you also enter the Senate. However, you are young, after all, and have never managed a tribe before. The Senators believe you should first serve as a Theonian administrative official. Once you accumulate certain administrative experience, the doors of the Senate will open for you!”

Davos explained this specifically to him. He had indeed made a proposal to the Senate, but it was merely a gesture. He himself didn’t wish to let this young man enter the Senate right now; doing so would only lower the quality of the Senators and make people feel the threshold for the Senate was too low. Although early Senators like Amyntas, Arpones, and Ledes were not of particularly high caliber, that was during the founding stage when Davos needed much support. The situation now was different.

Although Krellu was slightly disappointed, considering that not long ago he was just an ordinary tribesman in Nycou’s tribe in Besidiae and had now become a tribal chief in the blink of an eye, he couldn’t ask for too much. Thus, he said humbly, “Compared to Chiefs Bagilipi and Brim, I still know too little. I will do my utmost to help my people adapt to our new home—Theonia.”

Davos nodded. Although this chief was young, he was steady and knew his place. Davos was satisfied with him in this position.

Before entering the city, Davos visited the small river beach.

Amidst the roar of the Crati River, he listened to Drakos recount the surprise attack on Besidiae. Although the plan had been discussed and drafted by him, witnessing the surging river waters made him deeply feel the thrill and danger of that night. Moved, he said, “Secrian hopes to leave his name in the Hall of Valor. I think there is absolutely no problem with that! It was precisely the bravery and fearlessness of him and the other warrior that allowed us to stand on this beach today! I hope their deeds will inspire the citizens of Theonia to be courageous in dedicating themselves to the League, and the League will forever remember those who have made contributions!”

“Lord, you are absolutely right!” Drakos felt the same way.

Most of the Besidiae people who followed Davos to the river beach only now learned the reason for the town’s fall, sighing with emotion. Some even thought: If only one or two watchtowers had been built in front of the river beach back then, none of this would have happened today…

At this moment, Davos turned around and said to Bagilipi and the others, “Thurii and Besidiae are actually not very far apart. Yet, a single river has made travel between Thurii and Besidiae so difficult, and life for the people of Besidiae so hard… Therefore, once this war is over, we will not only build a rope bridge here but also a real great bridge. Besidiae will no longer be a poor, remote place, but a thoroughfare where merchants gather and travelers pass. Besidiae is bound to prosper! Because the route through Besidiae is the shortest way from Thurii to the Consentia Plateau!”

Davos’s words made the hearts of Bagilipi and the other Besidiae people who understood Greek pound with excitement.

Returning to the front of the city gates, he refused the request for the “army to enter the city.” He ordered the newly arrived First Legion, allied troops, and legion reserves to expand and garrison the eastern defensive camp. However, the sight of over ten thousand fully armed troops performing a neat turn before the city gates still struck fear into the hearts of the Besidiae people.

After entering the council hall of Besidiae, Davos didn’t delay for a moment. He immediately discussed the issue of Besidiae’s affiliation with the three Besidiae chiefs and a few tribal nobles. After half a day of discussion, an agreement was finally reached:

1. After Besidiae is incorporated into the Theonian League, the Senate will dispatch a Chief Administrator to manage the administrative affairs of Besidiae city.
2. Jurisdiction over the tribesmen and lands belonging to each tribe remains with the respective tribes. Tribal chiefs will exercise management rights, and the City Chief Administrator shall not interfere.
3. Chiefs are responsible for paying land taxes on time, and military training must be attended regularly.
4. Given that Besidiae is the earliest town in the Bruttian region to be incorporated into Theonia, tribes may apply to the Senate to exchange for fertile tribal lands.
5. The rights and obligations enjoyed by the people of Besidiae are the same as those of the Lucanians. At the same time, if individuals voluntarily request to leave the tribe and live independently, tribal chiefs shall not obstruct them.

…

After the agreement was reached, Bagilipi hesitated before saying, “Lord Davos… I have one small request.”

“Please speak,” Davos replied politely.

“As the lifelong Archon of the most powerful city-state league in Southern Italy, you have too few guards! Look at our Bruttian Great Chiefs—which one of them doesn’t have two or three hundred, or even a thousand, personal guards by their side? Therefore, I hope my nephew Rhodom can become your guard and protect your safety. At the same time, he can be taught by you and learn how to become a qualified Theonian citizen…”

Rhodom? Davos recalled the energetic young man in the welcoming party earlier.

Just as he was about to respond, the others in the hall clearly realized the benefits of Bagilipi’s proposal and began shouting loudly, “Lord Davos, my son also wants to become your guard!”

“And my two sons!”

“There are five in our clan!”

…

The reason the people in the hall were so eager was simply due to Besidiae tradition. Back when Nycou was powerful, almost every family present had sent children to serve as his guards. Now, as the conquered, they inevitably felt insecure. If they could build a closer relationship with the highest authority of Theonia and add a layer of security for their families and tribes, why wouldn’t they do it?

Davos somewhat understood their mindset. He didn’t respond immediately, thinking of something else: According to Theonian law, the maximum number of guards for an Archon is limited to one hundred, a unit which has always been led by Martius.