After finishing their lunch, Patroclus and Stiphlos ran to the Temple of Athena, not far from the school.

This temple had been built by the people of Thurii to thank Athens for its immense help in rebuilding the city (Thurii’s original patron deity was Apollo). However, after the Peloponnesian War ended, Thurii forcibly severed ties with Athens and expelled Thurian citizens of Athenian descent. Since then, the number of people coming here to pray had dwindled significantly, and now there were very few visitors.

Children loved to play rugby and football in the flat, open small square in front of the temple. In these sports, Patroclus was a little star because, at thirteen years old, he far surpassed other children in strength, speed, and agility; everyone loved to be on his team.

But these past few days, neither he nor Stiphlos could muster any interest in playing. The two boys lay prone on the temple wall, boredly throwing pebbles into the Cosceni River.

“Stiphlos, I haven’t seen my father for almost two months. I’m telling you, this is the first time since I grew up that I’ve been separated from my father for so long. I don’t know how he is now…” Patroclus stared blankly at the rushing river water, speaking with a mix of worry and complaint. “Last time, when the First Legion passed through Thurii, Lord Davos actually didn’t even let them go home for a visit! They marched so fast. I ran desperately after class to catch up, but I couldn’t…”

Stiphlos laughed carelessly. “I heard from my father that the requirements for legion soldiers are very strict, much stricter than our school’s. If they violate them, they get spanked. Your father is afraid of getting spanked, so of course, he didn’t dare run back to see you!”

Patroclus glared at him. “I see you aren’t very worried about your father.”

Stiphlos stopped throwing stones into the river and shouted a reminder, “I told you, Amyntas isn’t my biological father! But… he treats me and my mother very well…”

Stiphlos tilted his head in thought and added, “He often tells me stories about fighting alongside the great Archon Davos in Persia. He is a hero. I like him very much, and I believe he will be fine! Because the battles commanded by the great Archon Davos have never failed!”

His optimism infected Patroclus. “You’re right. The Theonian legions are invincible!”

Just then, a child ran excitedly into the temple square. “Good news! Good news!…”

“Proclus, what good news makes you so happy?!” The children stopped their games and looked at him.

“Cheer, classmates! The Third Legion, led by my father, annihilated the invading Pyxus army!” Proclus shouted excitedly.

“Is this true?” Patroclus asked urgently.

“Of course it’s true!” Proclus tossed his head back. “If you don’t believe me, go to Thurii city; the whole city is cheering!”

“No one doubts the victory, but the victory is mainly due to Archon Davos’s command, right?” Seeing Proclus’s unusually excited demeanor, Stiphlos remembered that there was still no news from his adoptive father and couldn’t help but retort.

Proclus was momentarily speechless. He glared fiercely at Stiphlos and couldn’t help shouting, “Anyway, it was my father commanding the troops in Grumentum. And what is your father doing right now?!”

Now it was Stiphlos’s turn to be speechless.

While the two were bickering, the other children were already cheering. “Great! Victory!”

“Long live Theonia!”

“Long live the Legion!”

…

The cheering children began to line up in formation according to the military drills taught by their instructors, playing a game of “Triumph.” Proclus and Stiphlos were pulled into the ranks by Patroclus. But soon, the two began arguing again over who would be the standard-bearer…

***

Meanwhile, in the Thurii Senate House, the senators were discussing Theonian League affairs.

Rotating Chairman Marigi took out a papyrus scroll and said, “Lord Scombras, the Chief Administrator of Crimea, sent a document. He says he has tried many methods, but there are still quite a few people in Crimisa who are unwilling to subscribe to the wheat bonds. So far, the bonds allocated to other cities have been snapped up, even including Asprostum. Only Crimisa—” Marigi raised his volume, “—was originally allocated the smallest share, yet they haven’t even completed half of it! Do you think we should bring back the remaining bonds and give them to Castellum? Amyclas has sent people to say several times, ‘The citizens of Castellum are eager to subscribe to the bonds we issue!'”

“Agreed!”

“I have no objection!”

“Borrow 100 jin of wheat and return 115 jin within a year—what a generous profit! Theonia hasn’t taken a single bit of advantage from the citizens. Why are there so many people in Crimisa unwilling to subscribe? We should think carefully about the reasons!” Kunogelata reminded everyone.

As soon as these words came out, most senators turned their gazes to Antaoris.

He looked quite embarrassed, coughed dryly a few times, stood up, and said, “Lords, I… I think there are several reasons for this… First, Crimisa was the latest to join the Theonian League; it has only been half a year! Most importantly, it is different from Asprostum…”

At this point, he steadied his emotions, cleared his throat, and said solemnly, “Although the truth is hard to hear, it is a fact. The outbreak of the Crotoniate War was not provoked by Theonians, but many Crimisa people believe Theonia bears some responsibility. Many people in Crimisa died in the war with Theonia. Half a year is not enough to dissolve the resentment in their hearts. With resentment, naturally, they cannot fully trust Theonia…”

Antaoris’s words caused a brief silence.

After a long while, Cornelius said in a deep voice, “The war with Croton back then was unavoidable. Although Crimisa has become part of Theonia, it seems we need to make more efforts to dissolve the grief in the hearts of the Crimisa people. I also hope Lords Antaoris, Orikepos, and Plaedes can provide more help!”

“Whether as members of the Senate or as Crimisa natives, this is what we should do!” Orikepos said firmly. “I believe it won’t be long before the people of Crimisa feel fortunate and proud to be Theonian citizens!”

Orikepos’s words received unanimous approval from the senators.

At this moment, Polyexis stood up and said, “Respected Senators, mentioning the wheat bonds just now reminded me of something Lord Mersis once said: ‘This batch of military grain exchanged from the people can at most sustain Theonia’s expeditionary force for a little over two months.’ Am I correct, Lord Mersis?”

Although Mersis disliked Polyexis, he had to nod and say, “Yes, I said that. But—”

“Thank you!” Polyexis loudly interrupted Mersis and spoke quickly. “Even if we have captured Besidiae, to conquer such a vast region as Bruttium with a population of over a hundred thousand in just two months… I fear it will be very difficult! More importantly, while we are concentrating our forces against the Bruttians, the Lucanians to the north are also taking the opportunity to cause trouble. Now, does the Senate have any good countermeasures regarding Bagulos… um… Lord Bagulos being heavily injured, life or death unknown, and Pyxus launching a massive attack on Grumentum?!”

As Polyexis said this, he cast sympathetic glances at Vesba and Hermon. Although he inwardly despised these “barbarians who sneaked into the Senate,” he needed these staunch supporters of Davos to doubt that young man.

“None! Because all soldiers are fighting the Bruttians! If this continues, I fear before we conquer the Bruttian region, the Pyxus people will have already captured Grumentum and invaded our Niutum! By then, our Theonian League will be attacked from two sides, and the army will face a shortage of military grain. A great disaster will befall Theonia… Lords, please think seriously. This terrible situation is very likely to occur!” Polyexis cried out loudly with heartache.

A few senators’ expressions changed, while others looked thoughtful.

Seeing this scene from the front, Marigi hated secretly in his heart: This damned Polyexis has only been quiet for a few days, and now he’s out causing trouble again!

Regarding Davos’s plan to lure the Lucanians, to maintain secrecy, only Avenogis, Sextus, Hieronymus, and the main officers of the Third Legion knew about it initially. Uninformed, Marigi anxiously winked frequently at Praexinas in the back row, hoping he would stand up to refute Polyexis.

“We are too warlike! We just repelled Croton, and soon after attacked Grumentum. Not a few days after helping Tarentum, we launched a war against the Bruttians… Our frenzied expansion has caused unease among the surrounding powers; they will join hands against us! The Pyxus attack is just a precursor. For Theonia’s long-term safety, we should consider carefully and enact some laws to restrain this practice of launching wars at will!”

Polyexis didn’t mention Davos in his words, but anyone could hear that this was clearly directed at Davos. The Great Council Hall suddenly became very quiet.

Just then, with a clang, the sound of the main door being pushed open was exceptionally clear in the quiet, enclosed space.

Philesius walked quickly into the venue, looking excited.

Marigi’s heart stirred. He broke the silence, saying, “Lord Philesius, you are late!”