Chapter 458: Provisional Constitution
Listening to the crowd shouting as one under the stage, Davos turned around and looked at Kunogelata, Cornelius and the other statesmen, who were also looking at Davos, with none of them speaking.
However, the shouting in the square became louder and louder, making Kunogelata and Cornelius feel the whole platform shake.
At this moment, Davos spoke up, “This is the voice of the people of Theonia!”
This statement made the statesmen understand that Davos had no plan to ignore the people’s request at all, just like how he had not delayed the people’s request to be the lifelong archon in Amendolara. With some disappointment and after discussing it a bit, Kunogelata, Cornelius and the other statesmen walked forward together. Kunogelata, who was at the lead of the group, gazed at Davos with complex expression and said with a slight bitterness, “Congratulations, Lord Davos!”
Davos, on the other hand, didn’t avert his gaze and smiled slightly.
Kunogelata grabbed Davos’ right hand and held it up.
The shouting in the square came to a halt as both the civilians and the soldiers stared at the platform with rapt attention. They all anticipate the arrival of that sacred moment.
“After the strong demand and nomination of the people of Theonia… And after careful consideration, the Senate has decided to respond to your voice and passed a new law. And I now proclaim-” Kunogelata looked at the dense crowd in the square, suppressing the negative emotions in his heart and said loudly, “Archon Davos to be the King of the Theonia City-State Union!”
The cheering of the crowd was like the rumbling of thunder…
Xanticles, the senior centurion of the first legion, looked at Davos on the platform with his right hand raised in the air. He couldn’t help but recall the young mercenary leader, who had made a splash at the military assembly six years ago. In only six years, that young mercenary leader had now changed from an unknown and humble mercenary leader to the king of a powerful city-state union in the western Mediterranean. ‘Hades had truly cared of this Greek!’
And the two military legatus, Antonios and Amintas, and the soldiers of the first and second legion who had followed Davos from Persia to the present day were wildly cheering. They had all witnessed him grow from an ordinary mercenary to a king of a powerful city-state union, a complete miracle that they were all proud of!
At this moment, the majority of the people cheered with excitement that Theonia had a king now, making them no longer worried and confused, while a very few were feeling lost…
Davos also felt overwhelmed that he even felt as if he were in a dream, ‘A king, just like that?!’
An uncontrollable smile filled his face that he didn’t even care about Kunogelata pinching his hands a bit. After all, he successfully achieved his long-awaited goal, and he won’t allow anyone to ruin it!
However, Davos didn’t allow himself to get carried away. He took a few steps forward and came to the edge of the platform, a little closer to the people of the square. When the cheering had weakened a little, he said in a sincere but loud voice, “Citizens of Theonia! The people of Theonia! Thank you for the trust you have placed in me!
Everyone knows that the Greeks hated kingship because they held supreme power and were above the law, who oppressed and abused the city’s people. However, as you were the one to elect me and bestow me with this power, I would not be a king who is above the law of Theonia, but a king of the people, a king who is subject to the laws of Theonia just as you are! And I am here to give you my pledge…”
Davos slowly raised his right hand with his pam outward as he said, “As the king of Theonia, I promise to do the following. Firstly, I would guarantee the safety of Theonia’s territories and population against the oppression and aggression of outside forces. Secondly, I would guarantee the improvement of the lives of the citizens and prevent them from living an impoverished life. Thirdly, I ensure the proper functioning of the laws of Theonia and not interfere with them, and if I were to violate them, the law would punish me in the same way as the common people.
Oh, Hades. If one day I were to cease to uphold my pledges, then please, you need not favour me any longer! And you, the people of Theonia, wouldn’t need to support me as king anymore. That is the promise I, Davos, make as your king!”
At this moment, the soldiers and the people in the square were so moved by Davos’ sincere pledge that they no longer merely chose Davos as king to console their hearts and a way to gain Hades’ blessing, but truly accepted the fact that Davos was their king.
“Long live King Davos!!!…” The tsunami-like cheers that expressed their emotions continued for a long time.
With Davos making such a pledge despite gaining the greatest authority in Theonia, it surprised the statesmen such as Kunogelata, Cornelius, and the others and even relieved their worries. Furthermore, it made them think that perhaps they had made the right decision and that this new king of Theonia would be the most unusual in the whole of the Mediterranean!
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
In the afternoon, Kunogelata and Cornelius arrived at the military camp in the north outside the city of Thurii.
The once empty camp has now become overcrowded.
After becoming the King of Theonia, Davos neither celebrated nor stayed to discuss further matters with the Senate. Instead, he led the first and second legions to leave the bustling and comfortable city and come to the crude and cold camp because they should focus on military matters with the current tense situation. Not only the soldiers did not go home, but also Davos did not visit his house, even though his residence was just a short distance away from the Grand Senate Hall and his beloved wife had just given to their child. The young Davos’ strong self-control and patience had even amazed Kunogelata, a man of many years of experience in politics. ‘No wonder he was able to achieve such a great position!’
After obtaining permission from the camp guards, the two went straight to the centre of the camp.
As the soldiers of the first and second legions are citizens of Thurii and Amendolara, they are naturally familiar with and respect the two statesmen who have made great contributions to the two cities.
“I can see that they are all relaxed!” Cornelius said as he nodded back to the soldiers.
“They are, after all, the strongest troops in Theonia and have the greatest commander in all of Magna Graecia, so if they all get nervous, Theonia could be in real danger.” Said Kunogelata calmly.
“You are right.” Cornelius exclaimed, “It’s all thanks to Davos! But I also want to complain to him too…”
Kunogelata became stunned.
Cornelius laughed and said, “Six years ago, I prayed to the gods while I was locked up in the Temple of Zeus. However, I never imagined the day would come when Amendolara and this union would become the enemy that Syracuse, the hegemon of the western Mediterranean, would be bent on destroying.”
The ever so serious Cornelius actually joked around, which shows how much Davos’s return boosted everyone’s morale. And it made even Kunogelata wonder what will happen to the future of Theonia if they really defeat Syracuse this time?!
As they walk towards the centre, they encounter a dejected Mersis, who only merely nodded after seeing them, without any interest to converse.
Kunogelata could guess the reason why Mersis was rude: In order to keep his promise, repel the powerful enemy and restore Theonia’s peace, they must gather more troops, which means that the investment of the state treasury and the consumption of food must increase. So how can Mersis, who values money as his life, feel better?
Even Kunogelata and Cornelius were deeply concerned: It is understandable to recruit more troops to repel the enemy, but if the war were to last longer, what will Theonia that lacks domestic labour and exhausted resources, do?
Then they both saw several arms merchants, led by Tios, coming up to them, also looking grave. However, they still greeted the two statesmen with respect when they saw them.
“Tios, what weapons have Lord Davos asked you to make again?” Kunogelata recognised him as he had been largely responsible for the overall equipment change of the Theonian army. Although a great deal of the old equipment had been traded in for new equipment, he had still made a lot of money and will continue to make more because the new citizens will probably buy the new legionary weapons and equipment in his weapon shop. Furthermore, he was clever enough to donate some of the money he made to Theonia, which quickly made him a citizen of Theonia and won the favour of many statesmen and most of the people.
Hence Kunogelata could ask him casually, but Tios looked embarrassed, “Milord, Lord Davos…King Davos has told us to keep it a secret, or else-” He made a slitting gesture, making the two stunned.
After hesitating, Cornelius asked, “Does it cost a lot of money?”
Tios and the two other merchants became even more bitter, “King Davos asked only to pay the advance first.”
The two statesmen were relieved to hear this, ‘Fortunately, Davos could still think clearly.’
Seeing the merchants leaving, Cornelius hesitated and reminded, “Lord Davos is now the King of Theonia. Shouldn’t…we change how we call him?”
Kunogelata was stunned, ‘Yes, even those merchants change the way they address him.’ As statesmen of the Senate, if they still call him ‘Lord Davos’, would it not be a clear indication to others that they did not want to recognise the newly enacted law?