CHAPTER 186: CHAPTER 186: ARROGANCE OF THE SPARTANS

Very Important Note: The Mc name will be changed here from "Juleios" to "Davos".

I’m sorry for the inconvenience

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In general, what most impresses people about Greek city-states are their grand structures—temples, stadiums, theaters... Yet before Phoebidas and his entourage had even seen many such monumental buildings, they were already moved by the thoughtful designs and the clean, orderly appearance of the city.

Phoebidas had been to Athens before. That city, famed across the Mediterranean, though prosperous, was noisy and filthy; Sparta, while peaceful, was so plain that it resembled a rural village. Only in Thurii could simplicity, elegance, dignity, tranquility, and cleanliness blend together so harmoniously, forming an irresistible charm.

Dorobisis couldn’t help but ask, "Who is the designer of this city?"

"Heraclides, a disciple of Hippodamus!" replied Oliveros loudly, noticing their astonished expressions.

"Oh, Hippodamus!" Dorobisis exclaimed. This name was not unfamiliar to Spartans, for it was he who designed and built the port of Piraeus, which had brought Athens so much wealth. Back then, the Spartans had struggled greatly to seize it.

As they went further, they saw a massive white arch spanning the street. Never before had the Spartans seen such a design in any other city-state.

"What is this arch for?" Dorobisis asked curiously.

Captain Oliveros’s expression turned solemn. "This is a triumphal arch! Victorious generals and soldiers pass through here in formation to receive the salute and cheers of the archons, the senators, and the entire citizenry of the alliance. Not long ago, a triumph was held here after we captured Neutum. The spectacle was truly... ah, it’s a pity our First Brigade will have to wait until next time..."

Phoebidas ignored Oliveros’s look of regret. He and several Spartan warriors behind him gazed up at the massive triumphal arch with eyes full of shock and envy. For a soldier, was there any greater wish than to defeat the enemy and then receive the cheers of one’s people? It would make all the blood and sacrifice feel sacred and meaningful! But in the Greek city-states where democracy prevailed, such ceremonies were almost never held.

Democrats believed such displays would give generals too much prestige and lead to dictatorship. Even in Sparta, which was built on military power, the aged elders would never allow victories to be overly celebrated, lest young, bloodthirsty warriors slip from their control—Lysander was the best example. Yet here, in a colonial city-state far from mainland Greece in the remote western Mediterranean, they not only held such ceremonies, but would continue to do so... Phoebidas’s feelings were mixed.

Previously he had avoided speaking to the patrol captain, but now he asked, "How often do you conduct military training?"

"What’s it to you!" Oliveros said sternly, then thought for a moment. "But there’s no harm in telling you. During the busy farming season, our alliance citizens train once every seven days; now, during the slack season, it’s about once every two or three days, each time for a full day!"

Such frequent military training surpassed that of most Greek city-states. No wonder these soldiers appeared so well-drilled—this too was a city-state that valued martial strength! Phoebidas began to sense that his mission here might be more difficult than expected.

They passed through the wide, flat Victory Square (so named after the triumphal ceremony; since the square’s main functions were to assemble troops before campaigns and to hold celebrations after wars, the name "Victory" was indeed fitting) and entered Thurii’s grand Senate chamber.

The chamber was large enough to hold perhaps a thousand people, so the few dozen senators seated in the front row looked rather small in comparison. When Phoebidas entered, all the senators rose, applauded, and bowed respectfully, showing due honor to Sparta. This finally gave Phoebidas a moment of satisfaction.

A young man at the front spoke: "Welcome, envoy from faraway Sparta! What brings you to our Dionian League?"

This must be the young archon of the Dionian League, the military genius mentioned by Chrysopos. That triumphal arch was likely his idea as well.

Phoebidas scrutinized him with a sharp, aggressive gaze.

Davos met his eyes without flinching, his deep stare seeming to probe the envoy’s true purpose.

In Davos’s eyes, this Spartan, clad in a bright crimson cloak, with long hair unusual among most Greeks and a rugged face marked by scars, radiated a contemptuous arrogance.

Having learned much about this era, Davos felt that the man before him embodied the typical Spartan attitude toward outsiders—Chrysopos was the exception.

The two faced each other, their cold gazes locking, and the atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Kunogorata coughed twice, about to break the silence.

Phoebidas spoke first, bluntly: "I have come on behalf of Sparta to demand answers from the Dionian League!"

This caused an uproar among the senators.

"We Spartans, to protect the Greek city-states in Asia Minor and the interests of all Greece, have sent armies across the Aegean to fight the Persians. But at a crucial moment, some of our soldiers deserted the battlefield because of your enticement, causing setbacks in the war against Persia and even forcing our governor, Thibron, into exile by order of the Gerousia! Therefore, the Gerousia has sent me to hold you accountable for this betrayal!"

Was it really that serious?! The senators exchanged uneasy glances.

"I don’t understand," Kunogorata said in puzzlement. "You say we lured away your soldiers, but the Dionian League is thousands of miles from Asia Minor, and we have had almost no dealings with Sparta. How could we possibly lure away your men?"

"That’s right! We’re a newly formed alliance—if anything, we barely know where Asia Minor is!" Prexinas said exaggeratedly.

Phoebidas ignored them and fixed his gaze on Davos, sneering: "Those soldiers were mercenaries who had joined the Persian campaign! They had fought alongside your archon and some of you here for over a year in Persia, forming deep bonds. Our officers in Asia Minor personally saw foreigners frequently visiting the mercenaries’ camp..."

Agasias, catching the questioning looks from Antonios and Kapus, subtly shook his head.

"Are you sure these foreigners were citizens of our league?" Antonios asked.

"What I can confirm is that the passenger ships carrying these deserters all sailed for Magna Graecia!" Phoebidas said firmly. "Therefore, the Spartan Gerousia has decided: ’The Dionian League must hand over all the mercenaries who fled here, and—’" he raised his voice—"’As punishment for undermining Sparta’s war against Persia, your archon must lead five thousand soldiers to Asia Minor to join our Spartan army in fighting the Persians!’"

"What?!!" The senators erupted: "What kind of reasoning is this?! The Dionian League has no diplomatic ties with Sparta—what right do you have to issue us orders?!"

"By the right that you are Greeks who have sabotaged Sparta’s sacred war against Persia on behalf of all Greeks! By the right that Sparta is the leader of all Greece!" Phoebidas declared arrogantly.

Davos laughed aloud.

Hearing the thick scorn in his laughter, the agitated senators quickly quieted down.

Melsis even asked playfully, "Lord Davos, what’s so funny?"

"I laugh at how shameless the Spartans are!" Davos gave Phoebidas a contemptuous glance. "Wasn’t it Sparta that colluded with the Persians—long-time enemies of the Greeks—to slaughter fellow Greeks and thereby defeat Athens? And now, why is Sparta at war with its former ally, Persia?"

"Why indeed?" Melsis jumped in.

"I’ve heard that, to secure Persian funding to defeat Athens, Sparta once signed an agreement with Persia, agreeing to abandon the defense of the Greek cities in Asia Minor and hand them over to Persian control. After the war was won, Sparta went back on its word—hence this war with Persia..." Davos said bluntly, watching Phoebidas’s discomfort. "For a city-state that betrays the interests of Greek cities, breaks its promises repeatedly, and dares to claim it represents all Greece in a ’sacred’ war against Persia—how can I not laugh?!"

"Yes, it’s hilarious! That such a shameless city-state exists is truly a disgrace to all Greeks!" The senators, led by Antonios and Amyntas, deliberately mocked loudly.

Phoebidas’s face flushed crimson. He roared, "How dare you insult Sparta! Do you not fear the wrath of the Spartans?!"

The laughter continued.

"Wrath? You mean war?" Amyntas said excitedly. "Perfect! I’ve been waiting for the next triumph!"

"Lord Davos, the next battle should go to the First Brigade. The soldiers are itching for it!" Even Kapus, who rarely spoke in council, chimed in—clearly enraged by the Spartans’ arrogance.

"That’s right—the First Brigade has been with you the longest, Lord Davos, and they’ve never taken part in a triumph yet. The men are getting restless," Antonios added.

Phoebidas was dumbfounded. His anger had been deftly turned into the Dionians’ request for battle.

"Is the Dionian League prepared to go to war with Sparta?!" he demanded sharply.