ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 972 Persecution
Not long after, the content of everyone's chat among the soldiers gathered in twos and threes changed: "Do you know, I learned an amazing piece of news from the mouth of Xiktas' most trusted servant Farba the day before yesterday -"

"What shocking news?!"

"Xiktas secretly received the envoy sent by King Dionia in the living room of his home!"

"what?!"

"Hey, shut your mouth, don't talk nonsense, and slander Lord Hiktas' reputation!"

"This is true! I heard the drunk Farba tell me personally in the tavern. He also said that the Dionia envoy brought King Davos's promise that as long as Lord Sictas leads our port area If the people surrender to the Kingdom of Dionia, then we can immediately become citizens of the Kingdom of Dionia, be able to own fertile land, and be able to serve in various public offices in the kingdom based on ability without being restricted by birth. The children will also Being able to enjoy almost free education, we can also truly perform military service (Greeks are proud of military service in city-states, but this mainly refers to cavalry and heavy infantry. For poor people and free people with low status, they can only serve as light infantry and heavy infantry. Sailors (no honor at all) can receive rewards based on their military exploits, and even be promoted to become generals..."

"Like the Katanai people now?!"

"Yes, by then we will be citizens of the Kingdom of Dionia just like the Catanai people, and we will naturally enjoy the same rights!"

As neighbors of Catanay, the people in the port area have not only witnessed its development from ruins into a prosperous city over the past 10 years, but have also learned countless times about the luxury and freedom of Catanay people's life from the mouths of the merchants who come and go. , I have long been very envious in my heart. You must know that many of the citizens of Catanai were free people or even slaves living in the port of Syracuse.

They can live such a prosperous life, why can’t we? ... The people in the port area have been confused and unwilling more than once. Now it seems that the opportunity is right in front of them, and the audience can't sit still.

"Did Xiktas agree?!"

"Well, if he had agreed, we wouldn't be here. But haven't you noticed that his mood has been a bit wrong these days?"

"Oh, no wonder I thought he was weird these past two days. When I met him on the road and said hello to him, he didn't seem to hear him. He lowered his head and was thinking about something..."

"Hey, I said that we are citizens of Syracuse, and Dionia is our enemy. Xiktas was right not to agree to them! He should have arrested the envoy at that time and sent it to the council! "

"That's right, Xiktas is confused. If other generals know about this, he just can't explain it clearly. He might even be punished and not even become a general!"

"Don't be so self-righteous. When did those people in the city regard us as Syracuse citizens? They took away the land that originally belonged to us and gave us only a few seats in the council. Many proposals related to our interests. Can't pass!..."

"That's right! That's right! Since the people of Syracuse don't welcome us, why are we still here desperately guarding it! Do you know that in the past, the lives of the people in our port were more miserable, and they were oppressed by the people in the city, let alone owning Land, not even the right to participate in the citizens' assembly, is only a little better than slaves. It was with the help of the Dionians that the civilians in our port united and forced the council to make some concessions and gained some rights. , but do these satisfy us?!"

"If you want to live like the Catanai people, now is a great opportunity! I heard that the Dionians have captured the Euryalus Fortress. The people in the council were frightened. They have sent out the city All the men in the city will defend against the attack of the Dionians, otherwise we will not be transferred to the most sacred place regarded by the people in the city as a reserve. As long as Xiktas leads us to surrender to Dionia at this time. , we can help Dionia, capture Syracuse, and truly become their citizens!"

……

Sictas once thought that Artemis was the only Dionian spy lurking in Syracuse. In fact, he was wrong.Perhaps in Africa and Iberia, the Dionia intelligence department has very few manpower because it is beyond its reach, but a close neighbor with an important strategic position like Syracuse has so many grievances with Dionia, How could Aristelas ignore it? There are no less than 10 men who have been arranged to lurk in the port area for more than 10 years, and there are even more port people who are influenced by them and have a good impression of Dionia, so Once Artemis and the others started to implement the plan, soon the soldiers in the entire square were talking about "the secret conversation between the Dionysian envoy and Xiktas".

The first person to notice the unusual situation in the square was not Sictas, who had been thinking about the problem on the platform, but his opponent Selekeikus in the square. As one of the senior officers of this unit, he heard the soldiers After hearing the content of the conversation, he was shocked, but he immediately realized that this might be a good opportunity for him, so he hurriedly invited several senior team officers who were also at odds with Siktas to come to the platform and asked aggressively: " Sictas, it turns out that you have colluded with Dionia and are preparing to betray our Syracuse!"

Siketas, who was in a daze, was startled by Selekeikus's words. He came back to his senses after a moment, stared at Selekeikus and others who looked unkind, and said angrily: "Selekekus Si, have you lost your mind because of the position of general? Collaborating with foreign enemies is a serious crime of treason. You slander me like this, don't blame me for being rude to you!"

Selekeikus was not afraid at all and sneered: "I'm not slandering you. Use your ears to listen carefully. What are the thousands of people saying in this scene! They are all witnesses of your judgment of the enemy! You don't have to Get angry at me, and when the council sends someone...hehe...you will get a chance to get angry!"

Selekeikus smiled wantonly, taking the opportunity to vent his resentment that had been suppressed by Shiktas. He and Shiktas had been fighting each other for many years and knew him well. It can be seen that Shiktas was suddenly beaten just now. The change in his expression under questioning made him feel confident: This matter is probably true!

Hearing these words, Xiktas' face was filled with uncertainty. Before he could make any further excuses, Selekeikus, who already had the answer in his mind, was not ready to argue with him anymore. He turned around and walked off the stage. , was about to return to the team he led, waiting for the council to deal with Xiktas, and then he could successfully take over the power he had longed for, but a group of people blocked his way.

"Samoratis." Selekeikus raised his head proudly and said disdainfully: "Your uncle is finished, and no one will protect you anymore. If you go against me again, don't even think about it." Stay at the port and get out of here!"

Samoratis looked at him coldly: "I want to see who is at the port -"

Before he finished speaking, a person next to him suddenly rushed forward, took out the dagger hidden in his arms, and stabbed Selekeikus several times in the chest with quick movements.

Selekeikus immediately vomited blood and could not speak any words. He suddenly fell to the ground and died at the sight.

Zamoratis was stunned by the sudden change in front of him, and he couldn't react for a while: "You... what are you doing?!"

Several senior officers following Selekeikus were even more panicked, screaming: "Killing! Killing!..." They wanted to turn around and escape, but were led by Artemis who was well prepared. Come forward and grab them one by one.

Then, Artemis patted the assassin's shoulder forcefully and praised loudly: "Well done! It's your first achievement today!"

The assassin smiled innocently, and the blood splattered on his face intertwined with the dark skin, which looked a bit scary: "Thank you, boss!"

"Criscus!" Samoratis recognized the assassin at this time and was very surprised.

This Criscus came to the port of Syracuse two years ago. He claimed to be a refugee from mainland Greece and had been working as a laborer at the port to move goods. He was a simple and honest man, always putting in the most effort and taking the least money. After he heard about being bullied, out of good intentions, he took the initiative to ask his subordinates to take him to the dock under his jurisdiction and treat him fairly... But he never expected that such an honest and honest person could be so vicious. One of the characters seems to be a subordinate of Artemis... Thinking of this, Samoratis couldn't help but feel his hair stand on end.

At this time, Artemis seemed to know what he was thinking, and said to him sternly: "Only by doing this can we force your uncle to make up his mind as soon as possible!"

After speaking, he strode towards Hiktas.

Samoratis hesitated for a moment and followed closely.

Sictas has clearly understood the situation in the square and has seen the scene that just happened. Facing Artemis who came closer, he seemed relatively calm at the moment: "These are all arranged by you. ?”

Artemis understood what he was referring to and did not respond. Instead, he said: "Selekaikus has sent someone to inform the council, and... look at-"

Finger Square of Artemis: Some soldiers led by Selekeikus saw their captains killed and angrily rushed to the platform to seek justice, but were forcibly stopped by the people of Samoratis. Both sides A conflict has occurred.

"Not only for yourself, but also for the people of the entire Syracuse port area, you must make a decision immediately!" Artemis said in a deep voice.

"Do the Dionians really care about the people in the port area of ​​Syracuse?!" Sitax was designed by Artemis, feeling depressed and uncomfortable, and couldn't help but ridicule.

"Uncle!" Samoratis on the side couldn't help but speak.

　Thanks to Sniper No. 11 for the tip!Your support is my motivation to write! !

　　
　
(End of this chapter)