Chapter 623: Legatus and the Young Officers

“Milord, once you receive the Senate’s order to declare war, I need you to send people to notify the surrounding friendly city-states and Sikeloi tribes.” Leotychides wasn’t polite as he bluntly continued, “To urge our allies such as Taunis and Leontinoi to send their armies to join the Eighth Legion in Agyrium. Also, I hope you can help the Eighth Legion logistics officers raise and transport military rations…and send your competent men to take over the Sikeloi towns we would occupy.”

Siprus pondered a bit and said, “I can agree to all of your requests. I would also write a letter to his majesty explaining why we are heading out first, and I believe he will understand. In addition, I will also inform Sikuri, Naxos, and especially Lord Milo, who I believe will agree with you to give their strong support from the north side of Mount Etna.”

Beyond Leotychides’ expectations, Siprus didn’t just agree to cooperate but also thought about it more carefully and took the initiative to assume some responsibilities. Leotychides wasn’t good at expressing gratitude, so he said quietly, “Thank you.”

“Anyway, I won’t disturb your preparation for the campaign. May Hades bless the Eighth Legion!” Siprus then stood up while Sthephilos sent him out.

Siprus turned around and said to him in an elderly tone, “This is a great opportunity for you to make merits; just follow legatus Prosous to fight so that you won’t lose to your good friend Patroclus.” After saying that, Siprus winked at him.

From the start, Siprus had a good impression of the Theonian army and even fought alongside the Theonians officers in the South Italian War. And after entering the Senate, Siprus became close with the former mercenaries, such as Kapus, Hielos, Amintas, and Alexius, which is why he was familiar with the adopted son of Amintas.

Seeing guards escorting Siprus, Sthephilos was startled. After all, Siprus’ words reminded him of his schoolmate and friend, who had served as a senior centurion and led the army to kill the Daunians.

“Sthephilos!” A voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Theokases!” Sthephilos was surprised as he looked at the man coming forward with great strides. What’s happening today that he kept meeting acquaintances?

Sthephilos and Theokases were all orphans of the Amendolaras back then. Later one became Amintas’ adopted son and the other Drakos’ adopted son, and since the two’s age difference isn’t much, they played together since childhood and had a good relationship.

Sthephilos immediately gave Theokases a firm hug, “Brother, I haven’t seen you for a while. Are you here to see legatus Prosous?”

“Yes, is he inside?” Theokases asked in a slightly nervous tone.

“Aye! His mood should have improved by now.” Sthephilos reminded.

“Thank you, brother!” Theokases gratefully patted him on the shoulder. After taking a deep breath, he shouted, “Report, judge Theokases wishes for an audience!”

“…come in.” Then Leotychides’ majestic voice sounded.

When Theokases entered the room, Leotychides was still staring at the map.

“Lord legatus!” Theokases gave a military salute.

“What’s the matter?” Leotychides, however, didn’t return the salute.

“Lord legatus, I was the centurion of the first brigade, but I am now suddenly appointed as a military judge. Why?” Theokases asked daringly.

“…that isn’t my order,” Leotychides replied.

“I know. But I hope that lord legatus could restore my position as the centurion of the first centuria since I am not qualified as a military judge. Rather, I am better at leading troops to fight the enemies.” Theokases went out of his way to say that with a straight face.

Hearing this, Leotychides immediately turned around, looked at him and said, “Are you sure?”

“Yes, lord legatus!” Shouted Theokases.

Leotychides nodded, “I agree. You can resign as the military judge and go to the first centuria.”

“Huh?!” Theokases was about to argue, but Leotychides unexpectedly agreed so readily. Thus he thought he misheard him, so he subconsciously said, “About the military judge…”

“That isn’t your concern.” Leotychides cut him off, “But if you don’t do well as a centurion, you will be the military judge in the Eighth Legion.”

“You can rest assured, milord!” Theokases excitedly saluted, turned around and left. At the same time, he also high-fived Sthephilos at the entrance to celebrate.

“Sthephilos,” Leotychides shouted.

“Sir!”

Leotychides looked at his young adjutant and said, “I remember you were a centurion of the Second Legion before getting transferred to be the adjutant of the Eighth Legion. How did you do in battle?”

Sthephilos immediately answered confidently, “I have naturally done well. I also led my team to attack the city of Manduria first.” If he didn’t beat Ladician’s son so severely to vent his anger at what happened to Giada, his adoptive father, Amintas, wouldn’t have sent him to the Eighth Legion in Sicily to serve as an adjutant to avoid attention while having Leotychides, who is famous for his strictness, discipline him well.

“Would you like to go down and lead a team to battle?” Leotychides spat out a sentence.

“I…can I?!” Sthephilos became excited.

“I only need a herald here, but the fourth centuria of the second brigade urgently needed a centurion. Go and get acquainted with your soldiers.” Leotychides waved his hand.

“Yes, sir!” Sthephilos excitedly saluted and was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something. He hurriedly strode forward and hugged Leotychides, then ran away quickly.

A smile then appeared on Leotychides’ expressionless face.

Due to Ladician and other Sicilian statesmen’s “collaboration with the enemy”, some Sicilian citizens who have close relations with them are also under investigation, resulting in the vacancy in the Eighth Legion. Although they could supplement the soldiers with reserves, they had trouble with the lack of officers. But if there are no appropriate officers to fill the vacancy, it would affect the combat effectiveness of the legion. Yet even with that, Philesius’ private letter stated that Drakos’ only ‘child’ wouldn’t be sent to fight the enemy. Leotychides, however, felt resistant to it, so when Theokases strongly demanded to return to his former post, he naturally went with the flow.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

As Thurii’s Rugby Champions League were in full swing, the Senate, through Davos’ proposal, declared war on the Tanikians for deliberately bribing the Theonian statesmen into breaking Theonia’s Law and violating the agreement by invading the territories of their fellow tribesmen, thus destroying the peace and tranquillity of Sicily. At the same time, the trial of Ladician, Lasiperatus, and other statesmen began.

Unlike when they held the trial in public to reveal the Syracusans’ ambition and to stabilise the people ten years ago, Davos felt that there was no need to do so this time. Hence they held the trial in the highest court according to the usual procedure. Still, there was an influx of people who wanted to see the statesmen, such as Ladician, who was called ‘the second Pollux’, severely punished by the law.

Just when the attention of the Thurians was on the rugby match and court trial, King Davos, who had the final decision power, quietly came to Kunogelata’s residence under the escort of the palace guard.

“How is his condition?!” Davos asked Herpus, who hurried downstairs.

Herpus sighed dejectedly, “Lord Kunogelata caught a cold yesterday even though his lungs were already failing, causing him to cough all night long without stopping, and blood covered his phlegm. And this morning, he passed out and hasn’t yet woken up. He is already…”

Davos remained silent for a while. Then, he raised his eyes and looked around. After seeing Sostratus accompanying him in the living room, he suddenly realised something was missing, so he asked, “Sostratus, where is your brother?”

“Still in the First Legion,” Sostratus replied.

Davos was stunned. Then he asked doubtingly, “Didn’t the Ministry of Military approve his stay at home to take care of his sick father?”

“That’s because my father thinks he is in good health and doesn’t want others to think my brother is avoiding military service by taking care of him…” Sostratus said softly.

Sostratus’ wife, Kelina, who was busy directing the female slaves to prepare lunch for the king’s arrival, entered the living room. Upon hearing this, she hurriedly complained, “I think father is muddled, if by any chance…he is really dying, the people would criticise Dicaeogelata more if he isn’t at home.”

“Don’t speak carelessly!” Sostratus hurriedly shouted.

“Am I wrong?!” Kelina’s eyes widened, making Sostratus, who had become a great merchant of Theonia, dare not speak again.

Davos, however, wasn’t in the mood to watch them, “Kelina is right, Kunogelata…sigh…” Davos sighed softly as his mood became heavier. He then walked quickly towards the entrance and whispered something to the captain of the royal guard, Martius, “Immediately rush to the Ministry of Military and tell Hielos that his father-in-law is dying, so have him hurry up to come here!… In addition, have him find a way to get Dicaeogelata to return from Dauni quickly so that he won’t miss…”

As soon as he said those, they heard a rush of footsteps in the courtyard. Then they saw Hielos, his wife and his son hurrying to the main building.

“Your majesty, do I still need to go to the Ministry of Military?” Martius asked.

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