Chapter 624: Kunogelatas Last Advice

Now that Hielos is here, I am afraid he wont be able to leave. So you should still go to the Ministry of Military to find Philesius and ask him to have Dicaeogelata come back fast. Davos kindly asked Martius to go there instead of Hielos.

Hielos rushed to the living room, and after saluting Davos, he asked anxiously, Your majesty, how is my father-in-law?!

Its not so good. He still hasnt woken up.

As soon as Davos said those words, Hielos wife, which was also Kunogelatas eldest daughter, shed tears. Then her son sensibly comforted her.

Touros, be a good boy and help your mother sit down in the living room. Davos kindly said to Hielos son, Hielotouros, who he was more familiar with because his age and Eunices arent much different, so they are cla.s.smates in Thuriis school. And since they got along well, he would come to Davos residence many times, and even though he was young, his mind was already mature and understanding, which is quite similar to Hielos characters. Hence Davos likes this child.

At this time, Sostratus also rushed out to welcome Hielos family into the living room.

Just as he described his fathers illness to his sister and brother-in-law, the female slave taking care of Kunogelata ran downstairs and cried excitedly, Woke up! Mastermaster, woke up!

Everyone stood up and was about to rush up.

Davos, however, stopped them from acting rashly, Let Herpus go see your father first!

After going upstairs for a while, Herpus came down with dejection still lingering on his face. He shook his head at Davos and said to the crowd, Hades is about to call Lord Kunogelataplease go up to see him for one last time.

Sostratus and Kelinas eyes immediately turned red, and Hielos face became downcast while his wife cried loudly and immediately ran upstairs, pulling Hielos with her, who then looked back at Davos, Your majesty

You are Kunogelatas relative, so you should go up first! Davos said softly, without any ill feeling.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Once Davos entered Kunogelatas bedroom, he still could smell a strong smell of blood even though they had cleaned the room well. And even though the heavy breathing like a blower sound had disappeared, Davos knew this wasnt a good sign.

He then saw Kunogelata, who was lying quietly on the bed. But compared to his healthy body half a year ago, Kunogelata seemed to shrink and was now just skin and bones.

Davos gently held Kunogelatas wrinkly hand.

But suddenly, Kunogelata opened his turbid eyes and stared at Davos. Then with radiance in his eyes, his dry and pale lips twitched as he said, your majestyIm leaving

Davos squeezed his hand and said sincerely, You wont leave as you will always protect the kingdom in the Temple of Hades!

With a complicated look in Kunogelatas eyes, he said, I am a mediocre strategosThuriis burningwas, in fact, had a lot to do with meI used to think that if you hadnt appearedthere would be no Theoniabut without Theonianot to mention Thurii, even the whole of Magna Graeciawould be a land ravaged by Dionysoisand I am afraid that we Thurians will no longer existhence, I should really thank Hades for sending you to us, Thurians!

Davos remained silent.

Kunogelatas breathing began to intensify, TheoniaTheonia has created aa better home for the Thuriansaa better home for the Magna Graecians!before it, I never imagined for the Thurians and Crotonianscould live in one placenor that the Greeks could be citizens of the same country as the nativesmuch less imagine for the city-states to strengthen each other by relying on a unionthat allows it to focus on human and material resources more effectively through centralised management from top to bottomO Hades, why have you called me so early!coughI still want to see Theonia continue to growmore powerfuluntil one day it could eliminate all the wars among Greek city-states in the Mediterranean!

Kunogelata stared blanky straight up, with his pale complexion having some rosy colour at this moment that soon dulled. After a few moments, he turned his head and looked at Davos with difficulty, Your majesty, Im leavingalthough Cornelius is diligent, he is too cautiousalthough Lysias thinks carefully and acts calmly, he lacks couragealthough Sedrum is daring, flexible and wise, he isnt strong-willed enough, and he is also a BruttianSesta is too aggressiveHielos, although capable, he values your opinion too muchonlyonly Androlis could stabilise the Senate after meand provide greater help to you, your majestyAdrianNicomachusThelishad great capabilities, but they need timestill need timecough cough

Kunogelata coughed violently, so Davos tried to have him rest for a while and was about to go out to call Herpus, but Kunogelatas dry right hand pulled him, Your majestybefore I cross the River Styx, let me finish my words

Davos had no other choice but to sit back.

Your majesty, after Syracuse experienced several turmoilstheir strength greatly weakened, so even though our relations.h.i.+p isnt goodthere is no need to worry about themrather, we should keep our vigilance to our ally, Carthageyesterday, I saw the copy of the intelligence report about Sicily from the Senatethe Sikeloi tribe called Tanikiancoughcould develop into such a large force within a few yearswhile hiding it from usis simply impossible to do by a small tribeso I am afraid that the one behind themcough

Davos was startled as he also had doubts about it.

while our kingdom is developingCarthage isnt remaining idle eitherthey conquered Numidiaand occupied some lands in the Iberian Peninsulaso I am afraid that they have restored their strengtha wolf can only have one wolf kingso it is impossible for two great powers in the western Mediterranean to be at peace for a long timehence you must always remain alert! Speaking till here, Kunogelata tapped Davos hand with his right hand. Then, as if he used all his strength, his right hand fell like a fallen leaf on Davos hand.

Davos nodded seriously.

across the Adriatic Sea, Greece had never stop their hundreds of years of warsthe relations.h.i.+p between city-states is intricateso your majesty, it is best not to let the kingdom get involvedas in the eyes of the Greeks there, we are just a city-state that came from their coloniesso not only will we not get their grat.i.tudewe will also attract their hatredalthough Sparta is now running rampant in Greecethey are just relying on the support of the Persiansand instead of AthensCorinthThebesArgushatred of Sparta weakening, it just strengthenedso the hegemony of Sparta wont last longso your majesty doesnt need to worry about them at allcoughand you just need to be careful from attracting trouble

Davos just listened quietly, and when Kunogelatas voice gradually weakened, he bent down so that he could clearly understand what he was saying.

Theonias expansion is to the northbut you must be patient, your majesty, and dont be in a hurry!the Campanians are opening up to usalthough the Samnites are stubborn, didnt they send a team and envoys to the celebration?as for Rome, which you, your majesty, have mentioned many timesthe Celts defeated the Etruscansbut on the contrary, Rome successfully occupied a lot of Etruscans landsand although they are the leader of the Latin peopletheir power isnt stablethere is also other force such as Volsci and Herniciwho are against themand we just have to watchuntilthe Romans defeats the Celtsonce Chieftain Brennos lose his prestigethe Celtic tribes would once again scatterand they would no longer be a ma.s.sive threat to our landalthough this is just my opinionin this regard, your majestyhave always made accurate judgmentsI just hopeI hope you wont blame me for talking too much

I listened to all of it. Davos looked at him and said seriously.

But Kunogelata didnt seem to hear what he said as his eyes just stared at the ceiling, and his voice grew weaker as he spoke.

In the end, Davos had to place his ear close to Kunogelatas mouth to hear him clearly so that he could even smell the rancid smell coming out of Kunogelatas mouth, which he knew was the breath of death.

Your majesty, please be patientbesides needing to take down Dauniit also takes time to governPeuceti and Messapislowly integrate them into TheoniaI believe that in the future, Apulia will become the most fertile land in the kingdom.

There is nothing for me to worry about regarding the internal matters, except the Senatethe Senate!your majesty, I asked Lysias to defend Ladician and the othersbecause the Senate is the most crucial body to a.s.sist you in governing this kingdom, your majestyit isit is the place that unites the citiesunites the various racesthe eyes of the people are watching itso if Ladician and the other statesmens punishment is too harshwhat would the people of Sicily thinkMessapicoughwhat would the statesmen of Messapi and Peuceti thinkten years agoten years agowe must not allow for the rebellion of Petaru and the others to repeat

Your majesty, you areyou are loved by the peopleyou are a wise kingdont beDionysiusdictators.h.i.+pand losethe trust of the peopleThe SenateSenateSena..te