Rhodes was a little overwhelmed.
"But I am indeed not fit to lead an army..."
"'This gentleness will become a very powerful force when she faces the things she wants to protect. When her family and subordinates, whom she cherishes like treasures, are in danger, she will become the strongest warrior. Therefore, you must help her and make the right decision. And when necessary, rely on Rhode and her strength.' These are the original words of His Majesty Hilde."
"puff……"
Amyntas even said this in a rather strange tone.
This is Hilde's accent, of course.
Although Hilde's Greek was a standard Ionian dialect, the endings in many places were not natural, as if she was influenced by Sophia from Carthage. Her accent had a little Carthaginian flavor, which Rhode had discovered a long time ago. However, it was the first time she saw someone imitating Hilde's accent in front of her.
"Hahaha, if Sissi knew about this, she would definitely punish you."
"Imitating His Majesty's accent is actually very popular among us privately."
Amyntas also said embarrassedly:
"Of course, we didn't mean to make fun of it, we just thought the accent was really beautiful."
“Don’t just copy others.”
"Yes, I realize my mistake."
"You did nothing wrong. Thank you." Rhodes couldn't help but smile. "I was a little hesitant at first, but since Sissi said so, I can't let her down!"
"This is for the best."
Amyntas pinched his waist, smiled and nodded.
"But the most important thing is not to let yourself regret it."
"Yes."
Rhodes listened to these words.
The answer in my heart is already very clear.
He was the oracle of the Byzantine Kingdom, a person whom Hilde trusted, to the point that she could entrust the important Byzantine fleet to him. Rhode had a clear answer in his mind. He knew that his next goal was to defeat the Athenian fleet and completely destroy Athens' maritime hegemony while minimizing the casualties of the two fleets. Although Rhode was still unclear about what he should do, he understood that when the decisive battle was about to come, the answer would emerge.
Soon, the results of the investigation came out.
After several hours of waiting.
The light reconnaissance warship avoided the enemy's patrol fleet.
The situation of Paros and Naxos was explored.
At present, there are about 70 warships stationed in the port of Naxos, while the port of Paros is empty, but there are five or six patrol fleets, and it is not known whether they are from the Athenian navy or Paros' own warships. As for the 70 warships, the reconnaissance team wanted to see which unit they belonged to, but because it was too dark at night, they could not observe anything.
Naxos is also a city-state with a large population. It once jumped back and forth between Athens and Sparta, and later directly stood on the side of the Spartans. Now, this island is not completely an ally of Athens. These 70 warships are likely to belong to Naxos.
Got the news.
Rhodes began to think seriously.
She felt that it was unlikely that the Athenians would disperse their fleet.
Once the Athenian fleet was dispersed, it would inevitably be to maintain Athens' hegemony and protect its colonies in various places in the Aegean Sea.
Chapter 4, Section 8: The Messenger Who Suddenly Appeared
But once the navy is assembled, it will certainly be united and cannot be too far apart. From Delos to Naxos, although it is not far, it will take several hours of continuous advance for the fleet to arrive, not to mention getting the news. The process of the fleet weighing anchor and setting sail may take half a day, which is almost impossible to delay. If the Athenians specially put 70 warships here, once they encounter danger, support may be too late, and if the main force encounters a battle, these 70 ships going to reinforce are basically giving them away for free.
Therefore, Rhodes made his own judgment.
Enemy forces on Naxos.
Probably Naxos' own fleet.
However, the number of seventy ships cannot be underestimated.
As one of the largest city-states in the archipelago, it is rare for Naxos to have such a large fleet after the Peloponnesian War. However, this is also good news. After all, the Naxians have never been very friendly to the Athenians. The reason why they chose to help the Spartans was because of their own interests. They were oppressed too much by the Athenians and their allies.
That being the case.
Rhodes felt that he needed to meet with the leader of Naxos.
So Rhodes ordered the fleet to bypass Paros Island.
Start your journey to Naxos.
The Byzantine fleet sailing at night was like a terrifying ghost on the Aegean Sea. No one would want to get close to such a fleet, but it was also because of the night that the fleet could avoid the busy routes and head to where Naxos was. When the sun began to appear on the sea level in the east, the Byzantine fleet had already stopped around Naxos Island.
At this time, the Naxos people realized what had happened.
They got up and looked.
Outside the port, there were densely packed large warships.
These huge warships formed a sharp contrast with the small warships in their port. Even the flagship that the Naxos were proud of felt vulnerable in front of the giant ships of the Byzantine Navy. As a city-state in the archipelago, the Naxos knew the importance of the navy and what it meant when such a fleet arrived at the outskirts of the city-state.
And the merchants of Naxos.
The origin of the ship was quickly recognized.
"Byzantine Empire?"
At this time, in the city of Naxos.
The lord of the city, the tyrant Aristagoras, asked in surprise:
"Why are the Byzantines coming to us? Aren't they at war with the Athenians?"
"I guess this is because the Byzantine fleet was chasing the Athenian fleet, and the Athenian fleet had already docked at Delos Island, so they chased here." The general lowered his head and said nervously, "Perhaps, in the eyes of the Byzantines, we Naxians are allies of the Athenians, so they decided to attack us first?"
"What is the size of the opponent?"
"Our soldiers reported that there were at least 400 warships, many of which were larger than the Athenian warships."
"Has the enemy already started attacking?"
"No."
The general shook his head.
"The other side just stopped at sea and did not take any hostile actions."
"Then, we..."
Aristagoras stood up and paced back and forth in the room. He knew very well that if a battle really broke out as the general had just described, Naxos would definitely not be a match for such a fleet. Therefore, Aristagoras was a little nervous. He didn't know the purpose of the Byzantine fleet coming here, but sitting here and waiting silently was not a good thing. He hesitated for a while, and finally decided to send someone to see what the other party meant.
However, before Aristagoras could send anyone over.
The Byzantine side sent their own people over.
Upon learning that the Byzantine fleet had sent an envoy, Aristagoras naturally welcomed him at his own residence.
only……
Aristagoras was somewhat surprised when the messenger arrived.
The messenger who came to him was a girl who looked only fifteen or sixteen years old, thin, with light wheat-colored skin, very healthy. At the same time, the girl was wearing an elegant purple-edged robe and holding a golden trident in her hand. The guards standing behind the girl followed respectfully, and no one dared to overstep their authority.
Aristagoras did not know the little girl.
Naturally, I think this might be a princess of the Byzantine Empire, or a similar character.
So he hurried out to greet him in person.
"Welcome, honorable lady. I am the lord of this city, Aristagoras."
"Hello."
Rhodes smiled and nodded.
"I am the fleet commander of the Byzantine Kingdom, Rod."
"Rhode?"
Why does this name sound so familiar?
Aristagoras was stunned for a moment, and the general next to him immediately lowered his voice and said, "Sir, it's the former oracle of Athens, the one who later defected to the Byzantine Kingdom, the oracle of Lord Poseidon, Rhodes."
"Ah...ah! It turns out to be the Oracle! How rude of you."
"fine."
Rhodes smiled faintly and didn't care.
Aristagoras wiped a cold sweat.
Damn, I’m so unlucky today.
When he woke up, he was suddenly surrounded by a huge fleet, and then there came an oracle. Aristagoras was very nervous, but he still acted calmly. He smiled and made way for Rhodes, saying, "Lord Rhodes has come from afar and has been drifting on the sea for a long time. You may as well come in first. I have ordered people to prepare the best wine and mutton."
"Thank you for your hospitality."
Rhodes walked in with a smile.
Her guards stood directly at the door of the mansion.
Aristagoras looked at these well-equipped soldiers and couldn't help swallowing his saliva. Could it be that these guys were still worried that their oracle would be in danger? Aristagoras sighed helplessly, and then followed Rhodes with the general.
Since the other party's oracle had come, Aristagoras felt that the other party must not have come with any particular malice. As long as they understood the Byzantine Kingdom's plan, there should be no problem. With this idea in mind, Aristagoras immediately ordered the slaves to prepare the best wine and barbecue to entertain Rhodes.
"Please take a seat."
Aristagoras smiled flatteringly and brought Rhodes to the hall.
And Rhodes sat gently on a chair.
Chapter 4, Section 9: A very direct threat
She held the trident in her right hand and placed her left hand lightly on her abdomen.
Looks elegant, yet guarded.
The dazzling golden trident was really something that made people unable to take their eyes off it. Aristagoras had never seen such a divine weapon before. He felt that no treasure in the world was as beautiful as this trident. Aristagoras was so absorbed in watching it that he forgot what he was going to say for a while. It was not until Rhodes could not help but remind him that he woke up from his dream.
"Lord City Lord?"
"Ah! Sorry, I was distracted."
"Do you care about it?"
Rhodes shook the trident in his hand.
"This is the weapon given to me by Lord Poseidon. It is my most precious thing."
"This, this is definitely a very precious treasure! As expected of Lord Poseidon's oracle, being favored by the gods is not only luck, but also shows that Lord Rhodes must have qualities that can satisfy Lord God." Aristagoras flattered him quickly, "But, Lord Rhodes, are you going to keep holding it like this?"
"got used to."
Rod responded with a smile.
Come on, you're not going to let it go.
"Then, I'll tell someone to serve you dinner later."
"Eating is not important. I came here to discuss some things. If the cooperation is pleasant, I will eat by myself. If it is not pleasant, I will not be in the mood to eat." Rhodes' tone was very steady, as if he could not see the emotional waves in her heart. "So, Lord City Lord... I should call you Aristagoras, right?"
"You can call me whatever you feel comfortable with."
"Then I'll get straight to the point."
Rhodes' eyes were fixed on Aristagoras in front of him.
As if he could see through him completely.
Faced with such a gaze, Aristagoras felt a little uncomfortable.
"Please, please go ahead."
"It's like this. The purpose of our Byzantine fleet coming here this time is to pursue the Athenian fleet. Now, Athens is under heavy siege by our Byzantine Kingdom. It is only a matter of time before it is conquered and occupied. The mission that Your Majesty has given me is to destroy the Athenian fleet. According to intelligence, the Athenian fleet has fled to this area and may be stationed on an island nearby."
"This, this is it."
Aristagoras said quickly:
"We in Naxos don't have the Athenian fleet."
"I know."
