Back at the inn, Henipolis, still buzzing with excitement, followed Anxitanos into the room and couldn’t help but ask, “Teacher, was that Syracusan spy Hermes actually sent by Dionysius, or was he sent by his opponents?”

“What, are you confused?” Anxitanos laughed.

“Originally, I firmly believed Dionysius was the mastermind behind it, but after hearing Philistus and the others explain…” Henipolis scratched his head.

“I can only say that Philistus acted his part too well; he fooled you completely. For someone of Philistus’s status, he likely has several scribes under him. Naturally, the handwriting would be different. Moreover, he took precautions long ago—even the signature was forged by someone else. Since Polyexis had never interacted with him before, it’s normal for him to be kept in the dark.”

Anxitanos revealed a contemptuous smile. “In fact, their performance wasn’t perfect. If you observed carefully, you would have noticed that the minister named Herolis opposite us looked somewhat unnatural while Philistus was defending himself. Clearly, they hadn’t fully coordinated their stories…”

“Oh, so that’s how it is!” Henipolis recalled the scene and suddenly realized the truth. Then he said indignantly, “But Teacher, why didn’t you expose him on the spot?!”

“Why expose him?” Anxitanos smiled. “The fact that Philistus and the other guests put so much effort into their performance proves precisely that they are wary of Theonia and dare not fall out with us openly. That is a good thing. Now, it remains to seen whether Dionysius is willing to sign the alliance treaty we proposed…”

***

The next day, Anxitanos met Dionysius in person.

In a spacious, though not opulent—even somewhat austere—palace, the tall and handsome Dionysius received Anxitanos. (His dashing appearance was one of the reasons the hero Hermocrates, who led Syracuse’s resistance against the great Athenian army, had married his daughter to him.)

As the rumored ruthless master of Sicily, he welcomed the Theonian diplomatic mission with a surprisingly warm and approachable attitude. He also apologized for not meeting them sooner.

“I have already learned from Philistus about Theonia’s desire to sign an alliance treaty with Syracuse. This is an excellent thing! You must know that Syracuse has fought continuously, suffering great losses in treasury, grain, and population. We are in urgent need of rest and recovery. I am very grateful that Theonia extends a helping hand at this moment!

“I will appoint Philistus as my representative to discuss the details of the alliance with you. I hope Syracuse and Theonia can have friendly exchanges from now on, setting a good example for other Greek city-states in the Western Mediterranean!”

The meeting was short. Soon, Anxitanos left Ortygia Island with a mix of slight doubt and great happiness.

Philistus, having seen off the Theonian mission and returned, asked Dionysius with equal doubt, “Milord, do you truly intend to ally with Theonia?”

“Phili,” Dionysius addressed his key minister by his intimate nickname, his voice dropping low. “At the banquet in your home last night, the Theonian envoy said something correct: ‘Although Carthage has suffered heavy losses, their power in Africa remains mighty. Moreover, they are now expanding into the Iberian Peninsula. I hear they have even sent fleets sailing west, passing through the Pillars of Hercules to explore lands unknown to us…’

“Next time, when Carthage returns, their power will inevitably be greater than this time. Yet Syracuse is confined to this small island of Sicily. Our territory will not increase significantly unless we expand outward!”

Philistus had discussed this issue with Dionysius many times. He naturally knew where Dionysius’s expansion targets lay, but he still reminded him worriedly, “But Theonia’s power is not weak. Moreover, it has fundamentally united the other city-states and natives of Southern Italy.”

“You are right.” Dionysius nodded solemnly. “When I took this position of Strategos Autokrator with your help, I already had a vision of conquering Magna Graecia in the future. That is why I married Doris, the daughter of a Locrian noble. But I never imagined that in just a few short years, a Theonian League would rise in Magna Graecia!”

A look of annoyance crossed Dionysius’s face. He gritted his teeth and said, “Perhaps that Davos truly has the favor of Hades. But so what! The Western Mediterranean may be vast, but it can only accommodate one Greek Hegemon!”

“It is just that we have only just ended the war with Carthage. We need to rest and reorganize… Should we delay for a while?” Philistus reminded him softly.

“We cannot delay any longer!” Dionysius shook his head. “The Theonian League is developing too rapidly. Every year that passes, it grows stronger. I have studied Theonia carefully. I must say, that young man named Davos has a way with the natives; we even learned some of our methods for dealing with the Sicels from them.

“At their current rate of rise, the Samnites to the north of Theonia may not be able to stop their expansion. Their power will spread northward until they possess all of Italy. When that happens, what will become of Syracuse? Will we become their vassal?!”

Dionysius’s eyes flashed with a cold light. He clenched his fist and waved it heavily, his tone firm and unyielding. “We must concentrate all our strength to destroy them now, while their power is not yet fully consolidated and their internal state is still unstable!”

“Then… shall we still discuss the alliance with Theonia?” Philistus asked again.

“Discuss it! Why not? We can sign a non-aggression treaty of friendship. It will serve perfectly to make them lower their guard. As for a full alliance—humph, Syracuse has never had the habit of signing equal alliances with other Greek city-states!” Dionysius said coldly.

He had clearly forgotten Sparta. Of course, Philistus was not foolish enough to correct his mistake. He nodded and said, “I understand.”

“Also… speed up the negotiations with Carthage… hmm…” Dionysius paced back and forth, deliberating repeatedly before finally making up his mind. “We can return the lands west of Selinus and Panormus (west of Solus) to them. But they must pay a massive war indemnity, open their grain markets to us, and provide wheat at fair prices. At the same time, they must sign a long-term peace treaty… This is the price they must pay for breaking the agreement and starting the war again.” (In reality, it was Dionysius who had started the war this time.)

“That is roughly the idea. Take people to negotiate, and settle it quickly!”

Philistus nodded to show he understood.

“Alright, that is all.” Dionysius signaled for Philistus to execute these instructions immediately.

Philistus hesitated for a moment, then said, “Uh… Milord… regarding Hermes. The Theonian mission said they could return him to us. What do you think…”

“What do we want him back for! How would we even dispose of him?!” Dionysius’s face darkened, his expression filling with hostility. “Look at his cowardly performance at the public trial in Thurii. It makes me sick! Tell them that Syracuse respects Theonian law. Since this man committed crimes in Thurii, we support his punishment under Theonian law!”

Philistus sighed inwardly and walked out of the hall. Remembering the pleasant conversation he had shared with Anxitanos the previous night over their common interests, a sense of guilt floated up in his heart.

He looked up at the distant sea and apologized silently in his heart: Anxitanos, I am sorry! I do this for Syracuse…

***

While Anxitanos was negotiating with Philistus, back in Thurii, Davos received Secrian in his home study.

“Lord Archon!” Secrian saluted solemnly the moment they met.

“Secrian, our hero! I’ve told you many times, this isn’t the training ground. No need to be so formal.” Davos looked over the young naval commander. Years of honing had added a measure of steadiness to his flamboyant face. Nodding secretly in approval, Davos smiled and gestured repeatedly. “Sit down! Sit down and let’s talk business!”

Secrian sat upright, facing Davos.

“Did the sentencing of Enanilous have any impact on the sailors of the navy?” Davos dispensed with pleasantries and asked directly.

“Basically no impact,” Secrian answered immediately. “The soldiers learned of Enanilous’s crimes through the public trial. Plus, Enanilous rarely participated in training and seldom led the soldiers personally, so everyone is training as usual without any abnormalities. However, we do have one worry: Will the triremes scheduled to be built this year still be launched on time?”

“There is no need to worry about that. Enanilous’s violation does not involve his family or the shipyard. The Senate has already sent people to reassure them, and they have given guarantees. As for the Senate’s plan for the navy—the launching of five triremes per year—it will not change. In the future, it will only increase, not decrease!” Davos made a promise to him.

“That is wonderful!” Secrian suggested excitedly. “The Senate’s decision is correct! Although we now have thirty triremes, to properly protect both the east and west coasts, the number of warships should be at least doubled to be considered secure.”

Davos nodded, stroking his chin as he began to think.

Secrian thought his request had put the Archon who appreciated him in a difficult spot, and felt a little nervous.

Just then, Davos spoke. “If we count the warships of Theonian allied city-states like Metapontum, Heraclea, and Rhegium, as well as the warships of the South Italian Alliance like Croton and Scylletium… how do you assess our naval strength?”