Astartes of the Bear School

Chapter 1753 1725. Spartans and Athenians

"Just enjoying the physical labor that's not in bed?" Lan En crossed his arms and watched Alcibiades talking nonsense. "It's not that simple, is it?"

"The great plague in Athens should have been brought under control by now. And in the process, I believe you have already gained the greatest political capital. After all, this is a plan we worked out together."

What Lan En was talking about was what happened the last time he came into this world.

The outbreak of the plague in Athens was almost a disaster in an era when medicine was still a part of faith, people regarded disease as the will and revelation of the gods, and did not even dare to treat it easily.

Even the Athenian archon Pericles became weak and sick and almost died.

In the end, it was Cassandra and Lane who rescued the father of democracy, who was infected with the plague and was being targeted for assassination, from Athens.

The political rights and political legacy that Pericles had to give up in order to survive were decided to be inherited by Alcibiades during discussions between Lan, Socrates, Aristophanes and other Athenian wise men.

This handsome man, obsessed with desires and with open tastes, was a native Athenian.

He was once a famous beautiful young man in Athens, the nephew and adopted son of Pericles, and a student and friend of Socrates.

After Pericles fled Athens, he still had the entire family's huge fortune in his hands.

When his biological father, Pericles' brother, joined the Athenian army, while others provided their own armor and swords, he directly provided his own fleet and served as the fleet commander.

He inherited the political influence of his adoptive father and uncle. At that time, everyone thought that he might act frivolously, but no one thought that he was incompetent.

But now, Alcibiades, who should have become the hottest political star in Athens, appeared at the Olympic Games...

"You don't have enough reputation. Do you want to win a championship in the Olympics and bring it back to Athens to build momentum for yourself?" Lan En got to the point and smiled playfully. "It seems that Cleon is putting a lot of pressure on you."

Cleon was the main opposition in Athens during Pericles' reign. He came to power after Pericles left, and naturally became the political enemy of Alcibiades, who inherited Pericles' legacy.

The frivolous and ambiguous smile on the handsome Athenian man's face faded a little.

"Wisdom is a unique kind of sexiness... but too much wisdom is annoying, Lan. You see, Socrates was not very popular in Athens."

"It is a loss for the Athenians that they reject Socrates." Lan En did not comment. "Besides, I don't make a living by popularity or connections. I make a living by swords."

"Beautiful!" Alcibiades blurted out as he looked at Lan, and then quickly added, "Beautiful, but still annoying."

Triss beside the witcher looked at him in surprise.

During the days on the way to Ilis, Triss also got a general understanding of the situation of this world.

Especially during the Peloponnesian War, the core of the two hostile alliances, Sparta and Athens.

In the eyes of this sorceress who came from the magical Middle Ages, Sparta's strength was still within her comprehension range, with its martial spirit, militarized management, and classical militarism.

But Athens... this was beyond the vision and knowledge of a sorceress.

Putting aside the embryonic democratic system, two or three hundred thousand people gathered in one city? !
Novigrad, the pearl of the north, is a city that claims to have the potential to become the "world capital". Its floating population and permanent population total only about 100,000 people!
On the one hand, the ancient Greek world made Triss clearly feel the roughness and wildness of the early civilization. But on the other hand, this early and primitive civilization had many aspects that made her feel that the kingdoms in the magical Middle Ages were like primitive people.

The conflict between ideas and reality should be painful, but because this is another world and Triss is just a passing traveler, it becomes a curiosity and surprise.

But she didn't expect that Lan En had caused such a stir in a city as big as Athens!

And it looks like the storm is of quite a large scale!

However, except for Triss, everyone else present remained relatively calm when Lan mercilessly exposed Alcibiades' shortcomings.

Herodotus and Barnabas were both there when the plague hit Athens. As Pericles's advisor, Herodotus was even among the wise men of Athens who offered advice.

And Thestycles, the Spartan... everyone had confidence in his brain, especially after drinking two pots of wine from the ship.

This person must not understand a thing!

"Cleon," Kassandra said with a cold smile, "I want to slit his neck right now!"

Because this man is undoubtedly a member of the Cult of Kosmos.

"Don't! We have said this many times, Cassandra." Alcibiades quickly comforted the angry falconer, "He can only die after stepping down, or die on the battlefield. In short, his life is not more valuable than the democratic system of Athens!"

This is why Cassandra did not assassinate him as soon as she knew about his membership in the Cult.

——These friends in Athens tried their best to dissuade him.

They also agreed that Cleon should pay the price for his actions, but the process should not damage Athens' democracy. For example, political assassination.

Otherwise it would be putting the cart before the horse.

Cassandra snorted coldly, but just like before, she didn't insist on it after being persuaded by her Athens friends. In order to change her mood, she changed the subject: "Well, let's talk about this Olympics. Who do you think will win the most championships?"

The gold medal list has been a controversial topic at the Olympics since ancient times, it seems.

"It must be me! No doubt about it! Woohoo!"

Thesticlis jumped up and down behind Kassandra and cheered. He didn't seem to understand that this topic was a competition between countries.

"I am sure the Athenians will win many games."

Alcibiades said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

He came to the Olympics to win, to build momentum for himself through the honorable and sacred title of Olympic champion.

As far as Lan En knew, in normal history, he spent a lot of money to form a chariot team and come to the Olympics to participate in the chariot race.

This time he is not just having fun, he also has his own goals and demands in the Olympics, so the momentum he creates will only be bigger, not smaller, compared to normal history.

Barnabas is now immersed in the atmosphere of the Olympics and is like a passionate fan: "I think Messenia is good!"

"Are you dizzy from the sea breeze?" Herodotos lifted the brim of his hood and looked at his friend. "Sparta always wins the championship in Pankrasin and many other events!"

"Tsk!" Barnabas said unconvincedly, "Maybe you know the past very well, but you know nothing about the future!"

"Well!" Cassandra was used to mediating between old friends. "I suppose we're not here to stand on the dock?"

"That's right!" Alcibiades nodded repeatedly, "If you ever need a sparring partner to warm up..."

As he spoke, Alcibiades' frivolous and dissolute eyes swept over the beautiful and healthy bodies in front of him.

Apparently, Pankrasin, as a martial art, and its close combat process were very much favored by Alcibiades.

But Thestycles, reeking of alcohol, came over and touched Alcibiades' face with his finger in a frivolous and relaxed manner.

"You? A sparring partner? A skinny monkey Athenian? I am the champion! The match will prove it! Sparta!"

"As far as I know," the handsome Athenian man was not angry about this, but just said in a playful tone, "Pankrasin is not just big, right? Don't be simple-minded and strong-limbed."

Thestycles leaned over and approached the other man, his face stern and drunken, as if he was about to take action.

This was basically how the Spartans and Athenians got along in those days.

But unexpectedly, he just waved his hand and turned away from Alcibiades.

Thestycles actually had a good temper and preferred to play rather than hurt people, but his body was a little too strong for an ordinary man and he was very self-centered.

This makes his playfulness seem more dangerous to ordinary people.

"Before I go to the Olympics, someone has to grease me up."

He was drunk and mumbling.

At this moment, his steps were staggering. If there was no one of his same size to help him, he would knock someone down with just a stumble.

But Lan was standing on the seaward side of the harbor, and the others, not wanting to be knocked down, also stood on the seaward side, leaving space for Thesticles to sober himself up.

"Well, if you need it!" Alcibiades looked up and down at the opponent's well-defined and bulging muscles, raised his hand and said, "Regarding any help in the game, I am happy to... help."

This guy's brain isn't that great, but it must be said that his body is really muscular.

"I... just need some oil."

Thesticles' hands made smearing motions on his bare chest and arms.

He looked at Cassandra and Triss. Although the perfume provided by the sorceress was different from what he had used before, after a few days, he began to like the smell of the perfume.

"I can see that," Cassandra replied jokingly.

"Oh, I knew you understood me, my friend!"

Thesticlis was deeply moved and touched the falconer's forehead with his fingers as thick as a carrot.

This action was very disrespectful, but everyone who had been with him for several days knew what kind of person he was.

Cassandra raised her head helplessly.

(End of this chapter)