CHAPTER 181: CHAPTER 181: TRIUMPH CEREMONY AND FORMER COMRADES (PART 1)

After a long while, they could finally see the port on the shore and the densely packed ships within it, lined up one after another, resembling a series of wooden walls.

"So many ships! It looks no worse than Ephesus!" Zantiparis exclaimed in awe, while Agassias remained silent. He noticed that in just over a month since he had left Thurii, the port had undergone significant changes. Not only had its area been expanded and new docks added, but a breakwater was also under construction.

At this moment, a patrol boat approached, signaling them to stop.

"I am Agassias, a senator of the Thurii-Amendolara Alliance. I am heading to the dock in Thurii!" Agassias stood proudly at the bow of the ship, drawing the envy of the mercenaries onboard.

The captain of the patrol boat, being a citizen of the alliance, would have at least some recognition of the dozen or so senators of the Senate, even if they had not interacted before. He signaled for the patrol boat to come closer, carefully scrutinized Agassias, and, upon confirming his identity, respectfully saluted and loudly said, "Honorable Senator Agassias, Captain Mithorades of the Alliance’s naval patrol greets you! You must have been away from the alliance for some time?"

"Yes, I left in September and went to Ephesus, and only now am I returning."

"No wonder you’re unaware. The alliance has been renamed to the Dionian City-State Alliance—it’s no longer called the Thurii-Amendolara Alliance!"

"What?! Renamed? Why?!" Agassias asked in surprise.

"Because the alliance has taken Neutum, adding another city to its ranks. The name ’Thurii-Amendolara Alliance’ was no longer suitable. Not only that, Laos has also become our ally! Lord Juleios has fulfilled his promise—we no longer have to fear the Lucanian invasions!"

They had taken Neutum, Laos had become an ally, and the alliance had been renamed! Agassias hadn’t expected so many changes in just over a month away, making him feel like a stranger. He was eager to return to the city, but the patrol boat still blocked their way. "Sir, today the alliance is holding a triumph ceremony in Thurii to celebrate the victory of the generals and soldiers in Lucania! To prevent accidents, the alliance has decreed that no ships may enter the Crathis River. You’ll have to disembark at the port. Only freedmen and citizens can watch from outside the city—for safety reasons!"

Although disappointed, Agassias understood the rationale behind the decision. Forcing a smile, he said, "Thank you. I’ll disembark at the port immediately. Has the triumph ceremony started yet?"

"It probably hasn’t yet—you should be able to catch it."

Once the patrol boat departed, the mercenaries swarmed around Agassias.

"Agassias, you weren’t lying. You’ve really become a noble of the city-state!"

"Honorable Senator Agassias, when will we be able to be like you?!"

"Congratulations on the Dionian Alliance capturing another city! Agassias, how strong is your Dionian Alliance in Magna Graecia now?"

Faced with their envious and amazed gazes, Agassias felt an immense sense of vanity. Proudly answering Timasion’s question, he said, "I’ve told you before, the alliance includes Thurii and Amendolara. Now, it also owns Neutum, as well as the affiliated city-states of Laos and Castrolon. These are major cities, each with its own subordinate towns and villages. Especially Thurii—it has land as vast as Athens’ Attica but is far more fertile. The alliance has an abundance of unused land, lacking only citizens to cultivate it. If we can increase our population, our strength in Magna Graecia will undoubtedly surpass all others!"

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s hurry to meet Juleios!" the group exclaimed eagerly.

The merchant ship followed the pilot’s directions and docked at the port.

As soon as they stepped off the dock, a patrol team stopped them. It turned out that all the loot Timasion and his group had plundered had been converted into money. Apart from the armor and shields they carried, the patrol team deemed it dangerous for dozens of people to carry weapons, especially during the triumph ceremony. Even with Agassias vouching for them as a senator, they were still required to deposit their weapons before being allowed into the alliance’s territory.

Reluctantly, they placed their weapons back on the ship. Facing complaints from the mercenaries, Agassias had to explain, "The alliance currently has few citizens, but the influx of freedmen and foreigners is large, leading to frequent disputes and fights. To ensure the alliance’s safety, these strict measures are necessary!"

Some mercenaries continued to grumble, but leaders like Timasion, Cleon, and Zantiparis remained silent. These freedom-loving individuals had been repeatedly reminded by Agassias along the way: "Once in the alliance, you must obey its laws and not cause trouble, as its laws are very strict!" Most of the group following Agassias were mercenary leaders and officers, relatively disciplined. Though they had dismissed his warnings earlier, the reality of even a senator’s guarantee being ineffective sobered them up, making them realize how rigorously the alliance enforced its rules.

However, they forgot that as mercenaries, even in other city-states, they would not have been allowed into the city after being recruited.

The port had indeed changed significantly, with its expanded range, increased docks, and numerous new buildings.

There was even a city wall, with soldiers patrolling it. Agassias’s group had to pass a checkpoint beneath the city wall to enter the alliance’s territory.

The guards at the checkpoint questioned them carefully and registered their information before allowing them to pass.

Timasion frowned and said, "Agassias, the rules here are strict. We’re fine because we’re with you, but our other brothers arriving later might have trouble!"

"No problem. I’ll come here daily to receive them," Agassias said decisively, aware of the issue. With three thousand people, it was no small matter. Everyone expressed their willingness to accompany him to welcome their other comrades.

The market in Thurii was just outside the city walls and had expanded significantly.

Beside the market, there were also many new buildings: weapon shops, fabric shops, vehicle repair shops, workshops for making ship fittings and rigging, gold and silver processing shops, pack animal rental stores, bakeries, inns, restaurants... But what should have been a bustling market now appeared somewhat deserted.

Agassias and his group bypassed the market and reached the main road, where dozens of coachmen surrounded them.

"Are you heading to watch the triumph ceremony? It’s about to start! Take a carriage, and you’ll make it in time!" the coachmen eagerly persuaded them.

The price—one obol per ride—was reasonable.

Though the market was only a few kilometers from Thurii, the mercenaries were still willing to experience the thrill of a carriage ride.

Speeding along the flat main road, the carriages moved quickly and smoothly. While they were still immersed in the pleasure of this speed, a thunderous roar came from ahead.

Before Thurii’s city gates, a massive crowd had gathered, and the cheers shook the earth. One phrase rang out across the land: "They’re coming!!! They’re coming!!!..."

From the western side of Thurii, under the gentle morning sun, a golden dragon-like procession approached...

The coachmen stopped their carriages.

The crowd was so dense that it was impossible to get closer, but standing on the carriages, one could still see the spectacle in the sea of people:

At the very front of the procession were standard-bearers, chosen from the bravest and most outstanding soldiers of this expedition.