Volume 4: The League of Dionia, Chapter 30: Davos's Visit (Part 3)

Upon hearing his words, Davos also fell into thought, but given his extensive knowledge from his previous life, he probed cautiously: "Could we build a suspension bridge?"

"A suspension bridge?" Little Heracleides immediately cast a consultative glance his way; he always valued Davos's opinions.

So Davos explained the general structure of a suspension bridge (though he wasn't too familiar with it himself) to Little Heracleides.

Little Heracleides, who already had considerable experience in bridge construction, brightened. He pondered as they walked, occasionally stopping at the cliff's edge to gaze across the river: beyond lay rolling low hills and lush forests—not an impassable area, provided there was a bridge...

After walking some distance, Little Heracleides said to Davos, "It feels like building a suspension bridge over the Lao River should be relatively easy. Of course, we'll need concrete experiments before drawing conclusions. But the most important material for such a bridge is rope. From what I've seen along the way, we need ropes at least fifty meters long and strong enough to reach the other side..."

"Rope is no problem," Eanilus, being a shipbuilder, interjected. "We just need to lengthen the rigging from a sailing ship. I can guarantee it will be sturdy and durable."

"But a suspension bridge can only handle a limited number of people at a time," Davos added. "We can build several."

Little Heracleides nodded, then kept his eyes fixed on the ground, still thinking.

During the march, Davos carefully observed the surrounding terrain. He occasionally saw Lucanians herding livestock in the wooded hills to his right. They seemed tense and wary of such a large force, especially the fully armed First Battalion; some hid behind trees or rocks to peek, and even when startled sheep ran out of the woods into the column, they dared not come to reclaim them.

"Are they from Nerulum? Their herds must be leased from the Alliance, right?" Davos asked with interest.

So Vespa took a sheep from a soldier, walked to the edge of the woods, and called out to them in Lucanian.

After a while, he returned the sheep and came back to Davos's side.

The senators gathered around, eager to know what he had said to the locals.

"Lord Davos, they are indeed from Nerulum, but not all Lucanians. One was once a Greek slave of Uder's, now freed; he married a Lucanian widow and is already a preparatory citizen of the Alliance. Two others, also former Lucanian slaves, have become preparatory citizens—one of them married a Greek woman who was also a slave before. The rest of the shepherds are from small tribes once oppressed by Uder and his men, and they are now preparatory citizens of the Alliance..." Vespa listed them one by one.

"What's their attitude toward the Alliance?" asked Scombrus.

Vespa glanced at him and replied, "They are very grateful that the Alliance saved them! After becoming citizens, they feel a great sense of freedom, but they have one complaint."

"What complaint?!" Scombrus pressed.

"They complain that the Alliance won't let them lease more livestock." Vespa kept a straight face, trying not to smile.

"They think they're clever, but there's only so much livestock. If they take more, others won't have any," Scombrus muttered.

"Do they have any objection to the five percent tax?" asked Masisacus.

"Compared to before, this tax is already much lower. They just hope their livestock will produce more offspring, since all of those belong to them," Vespa replied.

"It seems Sestas and Bacule are doing well in Nerulum. The people here are beginning to accept us..." Davos smiled.

Even the senators who had previously opposed accepting Lucanians had to agree with Davos's words.

...

That afternoon, Davos's force arrived at the city of Nerulum.

Nerulum resembled Amendolara in some ways—it was also built on a hillside, though its scale was larger, and its walls were made of wood.

Here, the cliffs on the eastern bank of the Lao River sloped gently, making it easier for people to reach the riverbank. From this point, the terrain gradually rose and opened up. Further north lay the area between the upper reaches of the Lao and Sinni Rivers—what the Lucanians called "the fertile land among the hills." Although the terrain was not flat, it was far better than the mountains, and the soil was fertile enough for farming, making it a settlement for small tribes. This was clearly why the Lucanians of Nerulum had chosen to build their city here.

That morning, Kxima had received notice from the City Administrator's residence that Davos, the lifelong magistrate of the Daonia Alliance, would visit.

Like many other Lucanian youths, Kxima eagerly signed up to welcome him. Through recent propaganda and past rumors, Kxima had long been eager to meet this famous general and the so-called "Son of the Gods" of the Alliance.

Though the wait was long, when the massive column finally arrived, Kxima, though tired, quickly rallied his spirits and followed Sestas as he strode forward. He saw the man surrounded by the crowd: young, yet everyone around him showed sincere respect, giving him an indescribable air of authority. But his face was always warm with a kind smile, offering genuine greetings to each person. Authority and gentleness blended strangely and harmoniously in him...

"Lord, I violated the Senate's orders—I made a mistake!" Sestas said honestly to Davos.

"No, it was we who didn't understand the situation here. You've done an excellent job here! The facts prove you are a capable City Administrator—that's the shared view of me and the senators!" Davos kindly affirmed his previous actions.

"Thank you, Lord!" Sestas felt relieved. He had earlier heard from a slave sent by Philistos that the Senate was displeased with his killing of prisoners.

"Lord Davos, greetings!"

"Bacule, you have excellently completed the task assigned to you by the Alliance! I have also fulfilled my promise. Look—I've not only brought your father and your clansmen, but also a special guest. Guess who?" Compared to his conversation with Sestas, Davos was more relaxed with Bacule, even joking.

"I can't guess," Bacule said, scratching his head sheepishly.

"Look behind you."

"Ah... Andria?!"

"Recognizing her now is a bit late—Andria will punish you for forgetting her!" Davos joked. Andria gave Bacule a fierce glare, her face blushing crimson.

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" Everyone laughed.

"We originally planned to hold your wedding here, but Andria insists on having it during Hera's marriage festival next April. So you two discuss it yourself—I can't help!" Davos's teasing drew another round of laughter.

"Lord Davos, greetings! I am Hemon." A sturdy middle-aged man stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Oh, I know you! Sestas wrote to me earlier praising you, saying you actively cooperated with him to stabilize the city and helped solve many problems. Thank you very much!" Davos immediately praised loudly.

"It's nothing—I am also a citizen of the Alliance!" To have the top figure of the Alliance remember him, Hemon felt all his hard work was worth it.

"Yes, it's good to think that way! This Alliance is mine, and it's yours; it belongs to the Greeks, and it also belongs to the Lucanians!..."

"You're absolutely right, Lord Davos!"

Kxima listened, his heart involuntarily stirring with excitement. He felt as if he were truly integrating into this Alliance.

Then Davos came before him.

"Lord Davos, I am Kxima!" He stepped forward and bowed very respectfully.

Davos returned the Lucanian gesture and said cheerfully, "You're Bacule's good friend, right? I've heard him mention you. I'm also his good friend—do I have the chance to become yours?"

"Of course! Of course!" Kxima agreed excitedly.

Davos offered greetings to everyone who had come out to welcome him, then asked Sestas, "Why didn't Asiastes come?"

"Because the wait was a bit long, the Second and Fourth Battalions went to play rugby to pass the time. Asiastes is acting as referee."

"Didn't I tell you via Izam not to call so many people to welcome me?!" Davos scolded.

"They came voluntarily—they all wanted your praise," Sestas quickly explained.

"But it seems rugby is more attractive than I am!" Davos joked, dispelling any slight displeasure.

He looked in the direction Sestas pointed: not far north of the city gate was a large circle of people, from which cheers and exclamations occasionally erupted...

"The games haven't started in Thurii yet because the arena isn't finished, but here you've already got it going!" Davos laughed.

"Yes, the soldiers of the Second and Fourth Battalions play rugby every day now, often drawing crowds of locals to watch." Sestas said with some concern, "I'm afraid they'll get too addicted to the game and neglect their duties."

"So we need to remind Bacule and Drakos to control their men." Davos nodded. "But it seems the citizens here also enjoy this game."

"Lord Davos, we love rugby! Just watching the matches is thrilling!" Kxima interjected.

"Do you know how to play?" Davos asked with interest.

"Bacule said we don't know the rules well yet, and told us to watch and learn. But we've already learned from watching!" Urazza said discontentedly.