Davos said, “The Campanians aren’t urging the Third Legion to leave. On the contrary, they even wish for the Third Legion to stay longer so they could stop the Samnites’ retaliation, so there’s nothing for us to worry about. And since they are providing the army’s rations, we could just have them wait until the negotiation is over and our citizens settled in our new territories before leaving.”
“But that would result in our defence in Lucania left empty. In case the Samnites risk an invasion, I fear for the safety of Compsa and Potentia, even if Abellinum stands in their way! Your majesty, since it is impossible to dispatch other legions from another region due to the food shortage, could we instead send a high-ranking official to the Lucanian region to organise and lead the reserve soldiers in the region and the coastal towns as precautions?” Hielos suggested.
With the legions as the main body of Theonia’s military system, the area under the jurisdiction of the Third Legion is the largest, as it includes not only the Lucanian region but also a part of the southern part of Campania and some towns along the coast. Thus the citizens of Elea, Poseidonia and Irna are subject to the Third Legion’s training and conscripting during wartime.
Davos agreed with Hielos’ precaution and said, “I’ll leave it to your Ministry of Military to decide who to send to Lucania.”
“Your majesty, I recommend Xanticles to carry out the task of forming a new legion.” Hielos already had a candidate on his mind.
“Xanticles?” Davos looked at Hielos.
Hielos said straightforwardly, “Xanticles had stayed in the legion and Ministry of Military for many years, so not only is he experienced in battle, but he is also familiar with military matters. And since he is just staying at his home now, he is the best person to prepare and command a legion,”
‘It seems Hielos didn’t recommend Xanticles out of their past friendship!’ Davos also felt that Xanticles was a suitable candidate after listening to Hielos’ explanation. Feeling relieved, Davos asked, “How is his health?”
“He continued exercising daily, so he is still in good shape,” replied Hielos.
In fact, Davos knew something about Xanticles’ condition from the daily report of the intelligence department. He only asked that, so the others in the room knew about it and wouldn’t develop any opinions.
“Then let’s go with him.” Davos immediately decided. Moreover, this would also serve as a kind of compensation for the removal of Xanticles as the military inspector of the Ministry of Military.
“Understood, your majesty.”
“Next, let’s discuss Rome.” Davos looked at everyone and said in an aggravated tone, “Those cunning Romans said that they need to wait for their two military tribunes to return before they could decide. But in fact, the Romans are stepping up their attacks on the Volscian town of Satricum while also sending additional troops to sneak into Volsci’s centre by attacking the Volscian coastal town of Antium. Our envoys tried to protest, but the Roman Senate only responded superficially. The kingdom of Theonia does not allow such mockery of our dignity! At the same time, the Volscians, who were in danger, continued to ask for our aid! Esteemed lords, what should our, Theonia do in such a situation?!”
“Of course, it is to fulfil our agreement with the Volsci, send reinforcements to repel the Romans and recapture the Volscian territories they lost!” Androlis said aloud.
Cornelius and Lysias looked at each other. And for once, Cornelius didn’t hesitate, “Your majesty, we cannot allow the Romans to conquer Volsc as it will seriously damage Theonia’s prestige among the forces in central Italia! Thus we must send troops immediately! However, can the Volsci guarantee the food supply for our troops?”
“I asked the Volscian envoy, and he assured me they could supply one legion with enough food to last for at least two months. In addition, they can also seek assistance from their neighbour and an enemy of Rome, the Hernici. So there is no need for us to worry about our army’s food in a short time.”
Cornelius no longer asked anything after hearing Davos’ answer.
“Your majesty, can we only send one legion?” Mersis asked. Since a foreign city-state is providing food for free, Mersis wished they could send all the legions to relieve their food shortage.
“Volsci is only a small force in central Italia. They have already done their best to ensure the food supply of the legion’s more than 9,000 men for several months.”
Davos’ reply disappointed Mersis a bit.
“Your majesty. As far as I know, Rome’s strength is far more than the Caudini, so it might be difficult for a single legion to defeat the Roman army.” Hielos said worriedly. Because of Davos, he still knew about Rome a bit more.
Davos smiled and said, “Although our legion isn’t enough, we still have our ally, the Volsci. Furthermore, the Volscians are preparing to join forces with the Hernicians, Marsians, and Aequians…and fight against Rome together. Hence even though we only sent one legion, we aren’t fighting alone. Moreover, we only need to repel the Romans, not wipe them out. Thus I think one legion will be enough for now.”
After saying that, Davos asked again, “Hielos, which legion do you think is the best candidate to send?”
Hielos thought about it seriously and said, “Your majesty, since we sent the Second, Fourth and Fifth Legions to participate in the Dauni war, the Eighth Legion also launched a war against the Sikeloi in Sicily, and the Third Legion had just finished their battle against the Caudini…then it should be the turn of the First, Sixth and Seventh Legions. On the other hand, since the Ninth and Tenth Legions were just newly established, they hadn’t participated in any major battles. Because of that, they lacked combat experience and couldn’t go on an expedition independently. Still, I think it is best to send the First Legion due to legatus Amintas’ experience and the First Legion being the strongest. And sending them to the Latium region would show how much importance we attach to the Volscians.”
But even after listening to Hielos’ words, Davos remained hesitant. More than ten years had passed, and the old group of high-ranking officials either got promoted to the Ministry of Military, such as Hielos, Kapus, Philesius, Hieronymus, and so on, or a supreme commander, such as Alexius and the former Antonios; or transferred to politics, such as Epiphanes, Agasias, Adrian, and so on; while others had remained idle at their home because they were too old or tired of fighting, such as Xanticles, Arpenst, and so on. Only Amintas had remained as a legatus of a legion and didn’t want to leave, just as Drakos did.
Davos’ belief was: The experienced and brave Drakos and the legion he led were incredibly powerful in combat, like a sharp sword. Amintas, however, has an irritable personality and is relatively careless in his actions, so Davos was worried about having him independently lead a legion, especially away from Theonia, to fight against Rome, which had good generals such as Camillus.
Still, Davos couldn’t say the reason. After all, Amintas is famous as a high-ranking army official and an elder of the Senate. Thus he said, “I remember the legatus of the Sixth Legion is Thratyllus. He impressed me with the Sixth Legion’s outstanding performance during the battle against the Messapi-Peuceti Alliance back then. Since this would be the first time we would help the Volscians, there is no need for us to send our strongest legion as it isn’t good to be too enthusiastic…”
Hielos understood Davos’ meaning. Still, he hesitated a bit and said, “Your majesty, Lord Amintas might cause a ruckus if he finds out that we sent the Sixth Legion instead.”
Davos comforted him and said, “If Amintas cause any problem, have him come to me.”
Since Hielos couldn’t say anything more, he designated the Sixth Legion as the legion to help the Volsci…
Suddenly, a worried Lysias reminded, “Your majesty, I fear Carthage would retaliate if we wage war against Rome!”
That is indeed a matter they need to consider. But even after knowing about how the Carthaginian Senate had been discussing this matter for days through his intelligence department, Davos didn’t hesitate to say, “We are just defending our allies by helping them against a powerful enemy, which is a legitimate act! If we kept on considering what the Carthaginians would think, it would only tie our hands and make the people think we were too weak, tarnishing our prestige as the hegemon of South Italia!”
“His majesty is right! Our relationship with Carthage for the past two years isn’t good, so we can test Carthage’s attitude towards us by doing this.” Sedrum echoed.
Davos nodded and then said to Hielos, “Inform the legatus of the Eighth Legion, Prosous, to be more vigilant, strengthen our defence and keep an eye on the Carthaginians in western Sicily.”
Suddenly, Aristias, the court herald, came hurriedly and knocked on the meeting room.
After getting Davos’ permission, Aristias went inside and handed a papyrus to Davos.
After reading it, Davos’ expression turned unsightly. He then faced the curious gazes and said in a deep voice, “The Carthaginians gave their response. They killed our merchants and sailors without our permission!”
. . . . . . . . . . . .
In the afternoon, the day Davos got the news, a Carthaginian envoy arrived in Thurii.
This time, the person who came wasn’t Eshmounadon, an old acquaintance of the Theonians, but Pretasdrubal. At his request, Theonia held a Senate meeting. Then while facing the gaze of hundreds of Theonian elders, the head of the Magonids faction of the Carthaginian Senate said angrily, “Theonians! Ever since the signing of our friendship treaty more than ten years ago, we have remained friendly with you! When you were struggling to defend against the Syracusan army, Carthage had selflessly provided you with many supplies! When you occupied the disordered Syracusan territory in Sicily, Carthage took the initiative to divide their respective jurisdictions with you, helping you stabilise the situation in Sicily! And when your trade prospered over the years, most of that because of our Carthaginian merchants! However you-”