Now, the people who have the greatest impact on victory are the Macedonians. Because this important supply line, or even lifeline, runs through the Macedonian Kingdom. Therefore, as a qualified general, Tomyris cannot ignore this problem. What she has to do is to remove all obstacles to victory, even if the obstacle is a country or a nation. However, Tomyris has never said anything like starting a war or threatening death. Her attitude is very peaceful, just letting Akira make his own choice.
"I, I know."
Beads of sweat appeared on Akira's forehead.
His shoulders began to tremble slightly.
Breathing also becomes rapid.
This is because excessive tension leads to the secretion of adrenaline.
"Just know it, what choice will you make?"
"Isn't your Majesty aware of the friendship between us, the Kingdom of Macedonia, and the Greek Empire?"
"Her Majesty knows this very well, which is why she trusted you so much when she attacked the Greek peninsula. But Her Majesty has too many things to deal with. She is only responsible for arranging orders now, and the specific execution is left to me. But in my opinion, isn't it a bit too simplistic to talk about friendship between countries? This is related to the outcome of the future war, and the lives of more than 40,000 people. I can't use 'friendship' to determine whether such an operation can be successfully and safely concluded."
"Is this your personal decision?"
"Yes."
"It has nothing to do with His Majesty Hilde?"
"It has nothing to do with Her Majesty. She did not order it to happen."
"Then I will write a letter to inform His Majesty Hilde. His Majesty will believe me."
"I advise you not to write. Your Majesty is not in Greece now, but in faraway Carthage. It takes a month to write a letter from here to Carthage and back. But my time is limited. The army will stay here for a few days before it has to set off again. Before setting off, I must resolve this matter. Do you understand what I mean?"
"..."
Tomyris's attitude was aggressive.
But Akira was helpless.
Whether it was the power of the country or the power of the individual, Akira seemed so powerless in front of Tomyris.
Although Tomyris didn't say anything directly, the hidden meaning in her words was enough to explain everything. There was no need to say anything else. Akira knew what he should do.
"okay, I get it."
Akira stood up.
"Give me a day."
"of course can."
"I will tell you the result in one day."
After saying that, Akira turned and left.
Tomyris knew that today's negotiation was a success. If Akira had agreed on the spot, Tomyris would have to worry whether Akira was cheating. However, his nervous, uneasy and frightened look reflected Akira's true thoughts. This could not escape Tomyris's eyes. After settling this matter, Tomyris also returned to the military camp from Aigai City.
Artemis had been waiting for a long time.
"How's the situation?"
"very good."
In response to the goddess's concern, Tomyris gave a reassuring smile.
"Akira is not stupid. He knows what to choose."
"Um……"
"Besides, I didn't say that the Kingdom of Macedonia should be incorporated into the Greek Empire. I just asked them to send troops to advance with us. After all, more than 10,000 Macedonians are traveling with us. This is the greatest guarantee. Once something happens in the rear, these more than 10,000 people are hostages. Even if the Macedonians have a hundred guts, they dare not act rashly."
"Yes."
Artemis agreed with this statement.
Moreover, this is the best solution.
It can not only increase the military strength on our side, but also reduce the risk of war between the two countries.
It's just that Akira is a little too pitiful.
The dignified Macedonian prince was now suppressed to the point where he couldn't even raise his head. Seven or eight years ago, the Macedonian Kingdom was still the overlord of northern Greece. Both the Thracians and the Greek colonies here had to treat the Macedonians with caution.
The Fifth Tune, Section 2: The Situation of Being Unable to Decide
But now, the strength of the Greek Empire made the Macedonians feel the helplessness that only small city-states could experience in the past. They couldn't win the fight, and if they didn't fight, they would be bullied. All the burdens here were handed over to the not-so-old prince Akira.
"Akira is pretty pitiful too."
Tomyris smiled bitterly and said:
"As soon as the old king knew we were coming, he immediately took sick leave and pushed the mess onto his son."
“This is also about trusting your son.”
"Yes, but Akira must be quite helpless. He definitely wants power, but he just got it and is in this situation now. I didn't indulge him, I just put forward our demands directly. Akira also thought it through. Apart from accepting the conditions, he had no other choice. So, he told me that he needed time to think about it..."
As Tomyris spoke, the triangular ears on her head trembled along with her words, and the tail behind her swayed slightly, and she looked in a good mood. Listening to Tomyris talking about Akira, Artemis just sat aside and listened with a smile. Tomyris was in a good mood now, different from before. She put down the heavy burden before, just like a child sharing what happened today with her family, and with a bit of boasting, she described the scene of how she oppressed Akira today.
Artemis felt a little emotional.
Now I can finally see Tomyris like this.
Wait until Tomyris has finished speaking.
She just realized that Artemis had a motherly look in her eyes.
"What, what's the matter, looking at me like that?"
"No, I just feel like you're very happy."
"Is it……"
Tomyris lowered her head shyly, avoiding Artemis' gaze.
"After all, I have accomplished my plan."
"Before, you always fought enemies on the battlefield or hunted in the forest. Now you are sitting at the negotiation table and negotiating with others, using your wisdom to make the other party unable to refute. This is something you rarely did before." Artemis smiled and clapped her hands gently. "I see your progress, Tomyris."
"Thanks for the compliment."
Tomyris let out a sigh and accepted the honor readily.
"After meeting you and His Majesty Hilde, I have grown a lot."
"Well, as long as you keep growing, that's a good thing. Anyway, we don't have to worry too much about Akira now, so you can have a good rest, right?"
"it is good!"
Tomyris stretched herself.
Perhaps because she was so nervous today, Tomylis was indeed a little tired and couldn't help yawning.
Artemis smiled and said:
"Let me sing you a song."
"Sing?"
"Yes, it's a very old ballad."
"Okay."
Tomyris had not often heard Artemis sing.
Naturally, I was very interested.
Then, Tomyris lay on the fur camp bed, and Artemis sat beside Tomyris and sang softly. The language she sang was not the modern Greek, but an even more ancient language that Tomyris had never heard of, let alone understood. However, the gentle melody made Tomyris feel the presence of something.
The ballad Artemis sang was the ballad of the Mycenaeans who lived here thousands of years ago. The writing used by the Mycenaeans at that time was still what is called linear writing. And the language was completely different from the modern Greek. The song Artemis sang was taught to Artemis by a heroine called Atalanta in the distant past.
And Tomyris.
This child of Scythia.
In many ways, she is very similar to the person called Atalanta.
Perhaps it was because of the similarity in temperament, or it could be destiny, Artemis was attracted to Tomyris after meeting her. Giving her power, letting her become her oracle, and then becoming friends like now, all happened naturally. Just like when Artemis and Atalanta were together, although one was a god and the other was a human, the friendship that transcended levels sprouted naturally, just like now.
Under the song of Artemis.
Tomyris fell asleep quickly.
She breathed evenly and her whole body relaxed.
I've accumulated a lot of fatigue in the past few days, and now I can finally have a good sleep.
At least, Tomyris knew very well in her subconscious that when Artemis was by her side, all dangers would not be dangers. Although the experience of Hades had affected the relationship between Tomyris and Artemis, now Tomyris had regained the unconditional trust she had in Artemis. Therefore, she fell into a sweet sleep without any defense.
"Go to sleep, child."
Artemis gently stroked Tomyris' head.
"I will guard you."
------------
"This is really unreasonable!"
After Perdiccas heard what Aqila said.
He immediately stood up in anger.
"Are you going to let our Macedonian warriors die?!"
"Father, what Tomyris said is not without reason... If our army follows them, we will be their hostages. If we make any small moves, the more than 10,000 Macedonian warriors will not be a match for the Greek Empire's army. If I were Tomyris, I would definitely ask for it." Akira lowered his head. He knew that his father was furious, but he still spoke out all his thoughts. "Now, it's not a question of whether they are excessive or not, but a question of whether we should agree, and if we refuse, how should we bear Tomyris's "anger". This is the most confusing question for me."
"you're right."
Perdiccas sat off to one side.
He sighed.
Although I was very angry just now, if I calm down a little, I will find that my anger may be meaningless.
In front of Tomyris, the Greek Empire.
Perdiccas was powerless to resist.
"If you don't agree, according to Tomyris, they will probably get rid of our Macedonian Kingdom first."
"Yes, and 40,000 troops are stationed outside Aigai. Once they decide to attack the city, Aigai will be captured within a day. The city of Thebes is extremely strong, and the Theban army is one of the most capable and skilled Greeks. But in the end, everyone saw what happened to the Thebans. The city was destroyed and the people died. As a result, Thebes in Greece today is no longer the Thebes it once was."
The Proud Prince
"..."
Perdiccas turned his head.
He looked at Akira and asked:
"What are you going to do?"
"Father, this matter is of great importance, you should come..."
"No, you decide this matter."
Akira felt a little confused by his father's words.
"But I didn't expect that the other party would make such a request. As you said, if this doesn't go well, the lives of more than 10,000 Macedonian warriors may have to be sacrificed for such a meaningless thing. At that time, even if the Greek Empire doesn't cause trouble for us, the angry Macedonians will rush over and peel off the skin of our royal family. This may be more difficult to accept than the Greek Empire's request to annex us."
"I know."
Perdiccas nodded slightly.
"You told me that you wanted to preserve the power of the Kingdom of Macedonia."
"Yes, Father."
"Then, with Tomyris going on the expedition, it will be difficult to achieve this goal."
"If the battle goes smoothly and everything goes as Tomyris said, the Macedonian warriors shouldn't suffer much damage after the war. But if Tomyris deliberately wants to consume our hard power and let our troops be cannon fodder, after a few battles, Macedonia may never be able to make a comeback. But if I were Tomyris, I would let the Macedonians be the vanguard in the battle to preserve the strength of my own troops."
"Yes, I am worried about that too."
Perdiccas looked unhappy.
That’s almost four innings.
