‘Macias?!’ Davos then remembered what Ansitanos told him, ‘Macias was the leader of the Campanian mercenaries and later became an important strategos under Dionysius.’
“You have gotten any evidence?” Davos asked.
“No, he didn't bring anything when he came to Thurii, while the inn he stayed in and the dagger were all prepared by another person named Aureas. However, he only knew the name but didn't know what Aureas looked like or what he does…” Matonis then continued seriously, “Currently, I have sent some men to the inn he stayed hoping to get some information about Aureas.”
After hearing this, Davos once more asked, “What about the woman?”
“No one had come to check on her and said to know her…” Matonis was a bit depressed.
“Matonis, it has only been a short time since the assassination, and you have already made great progress!” Davos comforted him, then his eyes gleamed coldly, “Whether she is from Thurii or other cities since she can participate in the festival means that there is a trace to follow. Besides, both daggers that she and the other man held were very similar and laced with poison. Thus she definitely has something to do with Syracuse!”
Davos sneered and ordered him, “Matonis, go find Aristias immediately and have him help you find out the truth as soon as possible.”
“Understood.” Matonis turned around and left.
Afterwards, Kunogelata said anxiously and hesitantly, “Lord Davos, are you planning to declare war on Syracuse? Although the assassin had claimed that Syracuse ordered him to do it, it has not yet been confirmed, and-”
Davos, who always respects Kunogelata, rudely interrupted the old man, “Lord Kunogelata, I would like to ask you this. What would happen to Theonia if they really succeeded in assassinating me this time?”
Kunogelata was taken aback. He thought about it and truthfully said, “There will be…unrest…” It is more than that as a civil war might occur. The three major races within the Union, the Greeks, Lucanians and the Bruttians, are bound to have a conflict; The several army leaders also have equal seniority and prestige that they could not deter the other legions while the officials dominate the Senate. If this goes on…Kunogelata became more and more frightened as he thought about it.
“Then what would happen to our South Italia Alliance?” Davos stared at Kunogelata's expression while guiding his thoughts. The South Italia Alliance is an alliance of Greek city-states in Magna Graecia led by Theonia. With Theonia's strength being far beyond the other city-states, it became the pillar maintaining the alliance. However, once there is an internal conflict and civil unrest in Theonia Union, weakening it, Crotone and Rhegium might jump out to fight for power. Since the strength of both sides is not much different, then none of them will be convinced of each other, causing the South Italia Alliance to be just an empty shell, not to mention that Crotone is likely to retaliate against Scylletium and Terina for their betrayal. It is also possible that Crotone will declare war on Theonia for revenge, which would lead to the complete collapse of the South Italia Alliance…
“We all know that Syracuse has just signed a peace agreement with Carthage, yet we couldn't see Syracuse demobilising their mercenaries. On the contrary, they are buying grains and building more ships…so what are they for? Are they going to help Sparta defeat the Theban Alliance?”
Davos' question struck Kunogelata's mind: Indeed, Dionysius has long had ambitions for Magna Graecia, so if Theonia Union is in turmoil and the South Italia Alliance became a mess, then Syracuse's strength would be far beyond those various city-states and alliance in Magna Graecia, allowing them to achieve their goal easily…
Davos stared at the old man in front of him as tiny beads of sweat trickled out quietly from his temples. As a Theonian statesman, Kunogelata was elected three times as the Praetor of Thurii due to his contribution to the present prosperity of Thurii. Unfortunately, his biggest drawback was his fear of war.
“Lord Kunogelata, you should already be familiar with me. I am not one who rashly go to war without adequate preparation. Still, we need to take action; otherwise, it would be a terrible thing just letting Syracuse, a vicious wolf, lurk around Theonia, coveting our land and disturbing our union's order at any time!”
After hearing Davos' sincere words, Kunogelata pondered for some time. Finally, he changed his mind and said, “Lord Davos, what do you want me to do?”
Davos' smiled and said, “During the emergency meeting later, I hope that you can support my proposal to mobilise the Theonian citizens in preparation for war with Syracuse!”contemporary romance
‘Just to “prepare”?’ Kunogelata couldn't believe what he heard. After all, with Davos' fierce appearance just now, he thought he would immediately start a war with Syracuse.
“Naturally, there is more. We need to support Rhegium's establishment of a colonial city on Sicily…” Davos glanced at Kunogelata and said word by word, “I also need you to tell the ‘truth’ of the investigation result about the assassin incident to the other statesmen – namely that Locri sent the assassins at the request of Syracuse!”
Kunogelata's eyes widened, and his face showing surprise, “Lord Davos, are you perhaps-”
“Yes, we will target Locri!” Davos' expression became slightly vicious, and his words became firm, “Dionysius' alliance with Locri is to make Locri a springboard for Syracuse's invasion of Magna Graecia, and the existence of Locri made it impossible for us to integrate into a whole. So this time, we need to take advantage of this great opportunity to declare war on Locri. If Syracuse were to rescue them, our chances of winning would be very high as long as they face the army of our South Italia Alliance in the land of Magna Graecia! And if they do not come, we will just conquer the city-state that betrayed Magna Graecia!”
Although he had already prepared for the inevitable war between Theonia and Syracuse, Kunogelata preferred dealing with Locri first than facing the powerful Syracuse. Back at the founding of Theonia City-State Union, Locri was a powerful state in Magna Graecia, but now, they are no longer worth mentioning in the eyes of the Theonians. Moreover, to be able to think of such a strategy means that Davos was not blinded by anger, so Kunogelata began to give advice actively, “It just so happens that for this festival, the strategoi and statesmen of all the city-states of the South Italia Alliance have been invited, such as Lord Athelycus of Rhegium, Lord Lysias of Crotone, Lord Siprus of Terina, Lord Phrytinas of Scylletium, Lord Phlarinus of Caulonia… And they must have already heard of today's shocking event, so we could just place the South Italia Alliance conference that was to be held in Scylletium in Thurii instead. And I believe that we could easily reach an agreement!”
“I believe that they are already waiting for the Senate to send someone to contact them, so we should finish our Senate meeting as soon as possible.” Davos reminded.
“Understood.” Kunogelata nodded. He then left Davos' residence with a somewhat heavy step, for he knew that after today, Theonia Union, which had been at peace for more than three years, might once again open the gates of war.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
During the Senate meeting of Theonia, the statesmen were more concerned about the well-being of Davos, especially the statesmen that were former mercenaries, the Lucanians, Amendolarans and some Bruttians.
That's why when Kunogelata told them the “truth”, the statesmen were outrage, which allowed for Davos' proposal of “declaring war on Locri” to pass easily.
Although militants like Amintas was slightly disappointed that Davos did not declare war on the culprit, Syracuse. On the other hand, Cornelius, Ansitanos and the others were surprised why Syracuse hid behind Locri. Still, they became relieved for a bit.
The Senate finally decided to send envoys and question Locri with harsh demands.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
After getting home, Davos did not even have the time to rest as he immediately asked someone to invite his father-in-law, Athelycus.
“I am finally relieved to see that you are okay!” Athelycus said happily as soon as he saw him, which made Davos feel warm.
Then Athelycus shouted, “Syracuse! It must be someone from Syracuse who has done that! I've long said-”
Davos interrupted him and said decisively, “The Senate of Theonia decided to fully support Rhegium in the establishment of a colonial city in Sicily, but I hope that you can abide by your previous words and hand over Rhegium's fleet to Theonia for unified command!”
“That's excellent news. But could Theonia ensure the safety of Rhegium's coast and trade routes if we were to hand over our fleet to you?” Athelycus became reluctant again.
“I don't think Syracuse will have the time to bully Rhegium anymore because Theonia will send envoys to question Locri about sending ‘assassins to assassinate me.’” Davos' words were shocking.
Athelycus said with astonishment, “How…how could it be Locri?”
“Because Theonia and the South Italia Alliance needed to wage war against Locri!” Davos said firmly.
Athelycus was still surprised, but he understood Davos' intention. He shook his hands, then gripped the chair's armrest and sat down slowly, “You…are you trying to…no! Are you trying to lure Syracuse to Magna Graecia…”
“Yes. By concentrating the troops of the various city-states in South Italia Alliance on the lands of Magna Graecia to fight against Syracuse, we have a higher chance of winning! Father, I need the full support of Rhegium in convincing the other city-states at the South Italia Conference.” Davos, who rarely say the word “father”, just shows how important this plan is.
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