As soon as he came downstairs, Hermis’s heart skipped a beat. Three patrol members stood in the inn lobby.

“He is that Syracusan!” Someone nearby pointed him out loudly.

The fully armed patrol members stepped forward and asked coldly, “Syracusan Hermis?”

“What do you want?!” Hermis panicked and said loudly, “I am an envoy from Syracuse; I want to see your Archon!”

“Then you must come with us even more!” The patrol member sneered and forcibly escorted him out of the inn.

This scene undoubtedly added more topics for conversation among the bewildered people of Thurii today…

***

“Father, I heard Polyexis has been locked up for violating League laws!” Sostratus ran excitedly into the living room.

Kunogelata glanced at him and said in a relaxed tone, “This matter has already shaken the whole city; are you only finding out now? What have you been doing all day?”

“What else could I do! Of course, I went to participate in military training. It was my turn today; I’m exhausted!” Sostratus complained, sprawling lazily on the wooden chair. “It’s a pity the Grand Thermal Baths are already closed, otherwise I would have come back later.”

Kunogelata frowned, somewhat disgusted by his eldest son’s lazy appearance. He said in a deep voice, “All young and middle-aged citizens of Theonia must participate in military training, and I haven’t seen anyone afraid of hardship and fatigue like you. Learn from your younger brother. Not only does he seriously participate in the afternoon training at school, but he also actively finds people to practice combat when he comes back!”

“So the hope of my family rests on my brother. As for me… I just ask to be a rich man, have good food to eat, beautiful women to sleep with, and games to watch… that’s enough,” Sostratus said indifferently.

Kunogelata raised his white eyebrows. Just as he was about to speak, his youngest son, Dicopolis, shouted from the side, “Big brother, did you know that not only Polyexis was detained, but Enanilous, Masisacus, Orphiris, Orikepos, and other senators were also arrested?”

“Really?!” Sostratus sat up straight, leaning forward, and asked urgently, “Old man, you analyzed it for me last time, saying ‘Enanilous, Masisacus, Orphiris, and their group will likely turn to Polyexis and impact Davos’s power.’ How come they are all finished now?!”

Kunogelata twitched his loose facial skin a few times, then snorted coldly after a moment. “What’s strange about that! The Lord Archon has always lived in harmony with other senators. Even when someone pointed directly at him in the Senate, he didn’t hold a grudge… Getting along with him like this for so long, I actually forgot how he became this Lifelong Archon. A wolf… is born to eat meat! I’m afraid not only me, but many in the Senate will recall the feeling from when the League was first established… Hmph…”

He spoke with emotion, then sneered twice. “Polyexis and his gang not only violated the law but actually wanted to dream. I’m afraid Davos won’t let them off easily this time!”

“Absolutely don’t let them off! I heard Polyexis colluded with Syracuse. Treason is punishable by beheading!” Dicopolis’s eyes flashed with hatred. He could never forget that day… when the people of Thurii turned into a mob and rushed into his home… and behind those thugs was the figure of Polyexis…

“Syracuse?! You mean Dionysius had dealings with Polyexis?!” Sostratus’s eyes widened.

One must know that with the rise of Theonia, these two powerful states—one south, one north—were close to each other but had almost no diplomatic contact.

A story circulating in Magna Graecia illustrated the subtle relationship between the two states: One day, at a port of a Magna Graecia city-state, a Syracusan merchant and a Theonian merchant met. They boasted about their countries to each other. The Syracusan merchant said, “The time since Theonia’s founding isn’t even a fraction of Syracuse’s history of several hundred years. Syracuse was the hegemon of Magna Graecia and Sicily a hundred years ago, and it still is now!”

The Theonian merchant retorted, “Don’t be smug. Our Theonian League has become so powerful in just five years. In another five years, we will definitely be twice as powerful as Syracuse!”

Of course, this was just a story fabricated by busybodies. Syracuse and Theonia were like two beasts in the forest, carefully guarding their own territories, always minding their own business.

But now, hearing the news that “Dionysius actually extended his hand into Theonia,” Sostratus inevitably looked astonished.

Kunogelata reached out and patted his youngest son’s head gently. He knew what the boy was thinking; that was the eternal pain in their family’s hearts. “Whether Polyexis colluded with Syracuse or not needs to be determined by the League’s interrogation. Don’t spread rumors.”

Kunogelata pondered for a while, then said with a grave expression, “If it’s true… it will probably be big trouble for Theonia!”

“Father, will there be a war?!” Sostratus and Dicopolis asked in unison.

Looking at the excited eyes of his two sons, Kunogelata knew his youngest son’s excitement was due to a desire for battle, while his eldest son was probably thinking about how to seize the opportunity to make a big profit in the market. He shook his head gently and said thoughtfully, “…Syracuse and our Theonia are both great states. Every move concerns the safety and survival of Greek city-states in the Western Mediterranean. How could conflict happen easily! I’m afraid it will mostly be diplomatic protests and negotiations…”

Dicopolis sat back slightly dejected, while Sostratus’s eyes rolled, thinking about something unknown.

“Sostratus, I heard from your brother-in-law a few days ago that you went to him, hoping he would purchase a batch of your goods,” Kunogelata suddenly changed the subject.

Sostratus was startled and hurriedly said, “I just made a small suggestion to him. Father, you know my brother-in-law is a serious person; it’s impossible for him to agree.”

Back then, when riots broke out in Thurii, Kunogelata’s family was expelled. His younger daughter was raped and committed suicide, and his elder daughter was forcibly divorced by her husband’s family. Later, she remained single at home. Perhaps this disaster hit her too deeply, and she was unwilling to marry again. It wasn’t until Kunogelata learned that “Davos was worried about Hylos’s marriage” that he had an idea. So he made a suggestion to Davos, and the two hit it off immediately.

Under the urging of both sides, Kunogelata’s elder daughter actually demanded to meet Hylos first before deciding whether to marry. As the matchmaker, Davos surprisingly agreed to this “absurd” request. Hylos, out of respect for Davos, didn’t care much.

As a result, when they met, they actually took a liking to each other. Especially Kunogelata’s daughter, after experiencing the betrayal of her first marriage, felt that Hylos was simple, honest, and steady—someone worth entrusting her life to. She actively asked Kunogelata to contact Hylos.

Finally, the two became husband and wife, which also brought Kunogelata’s relationship with Davos closer.

After Hylos stepped down as the Administrator of Asprostum and Legion Commander of the Fourth Legion, it coincided with Davos further reforming and decentralizing the Ministry of Military Affairs. Previously, the power to handle specific military affairs was concentrated in one Military Officer. Now, Davos divided it into three parts:

First was Military Administration. Military Officer Philesius was responsible for legion personnel appointments, rotation of troops at various key points, naval patrols, citizen service, statistics of military achievements, etc. Of course, important legion personnel appointments, such as Legion Commanderes and Chiliarchs, still had to be personally named and confirmed by Davos.

Second was Military Training. Hieronymus, who had stepped down from the Third Legion, took this role, responsible for supervising the military training of citizens in various cities, inspecting training effects, arranging instructors, etc.

Third was Military Logistics. Greek city-states of this era did not have personnel specifically arranged to manage military logistics. From the time he established himself in Amendolara, Davos had sent Mersis to manage military logistics. However, with the expansion of the League and the increase in affairs, Mersis was already too busy managing the League’s finances alone. Moreover, local government affairs and the military should not be too intertwined and must be separated. Therefore, a military officer was needed to manage military logistics specifically and professionally. The first person Davos thought of was Hylos. He not only had rich military experience but also a resume in administrative management. He was steady, serious, and meticulous in his work. Being Davos’s former captain and one of his most trusted people, he could shoulder heavy responsibilities.

“I forbid you from harassing your brother-in-law again! Especially in this special period, do not have any contact with him!” Kunogelata ordered with a stern expression. As an old politician, he had already sensed the impending political storm.

Sostratus lowered his head and repeatedly said yes.

How could Kunogelata not understand this son who had always been disobedient? He immediately said, “You are not young anymore. Recently, several families have sent matchmakers to propose marriage to me. Don’t go out for the next two days; settle your marriage quickly!”

“Ah?!” Sostratus’s eyes widened instantly.

“Great! I’m finally going to have a sister-in-law!” Dicopolis jumped up with joy.

***

In the study of Davos’s residence, Davos was talking with Agricultural Officer Burkos.

“Burkos, I do not agree with your resignation as Agricultural Officer! You have been elected as Agricultural Officer by the senators for four consecutive years precisely because of their high recognition of your achievements in Theonia’s agriculture. You must know that only with you overseeing the Ministry of Agriculture can our soldiers and I leave the city-state with peace of mind to fight abroad, because we know our farmland will not go fallow…” Davos persuaded sincerely.