"Oh, that's how it is."
After listening to Akira's words, Tomyris just smiled and nodded.
But Tomylis's specific attitude.
He didn't say.
"So, you won't send any soldiers?"
"……Yes."
"So, how do you plan to solve the problem of insecure supplies? Since you are unwilling to send troops, then at least there must be other ways to solve the current problems, right?" The smile on Tomyris's face gradually disappeared, replaced by a frightening sense of oppression. Even Akira, who was calm and composed just now, was now trembling with fear. However, he still bit his lower lip tightly, allowing the instinctive fear generated by his body to be suppressed by himself in the end.
"Is such that……"
Akira gathered his courage.
Speak out your thoughts.
"I can be a hostage!"
"……hostage?"
"Yes, I am the prince of the Kingdom of Macedonia and the only heir to this country. I can go with the army. Of course, the name to the outside world is to observe and learn, but in fact I am a hostage. Once there is a problem in the kingdom, you can immediately question me. But...but such a situation will never happen. The Kingdom of Macedonia will definitely be able to guarantee the safety of the transportation line. Moreover, as the future ruler of this kingdom, the nobles of Macedonia will definitely make reasonable choices and actions because of me."
After listening to what Akira said.
Tomyris was a little surprised.
Tomyris really hadn't thought about the hostages.
There was indeed nothing wrong with what Akira said.
He is the prince of the Macedonian Kingdom and the hope of the country. If Akira dies, the Macedonian Kingdom will certainly have no successor. Therefore, for the sake of the Macedonian Kingdom and Prince Akira, the country may also maintain sufficient stability to avoid things that everyone does not want to see, such as the threat to the Greek Empire's supply lines.
But at the same time, this decision is also dangerous.
Akila's life concerns the future of the Macedonian Kingdom.
This is beyond doubt.
Therefore, Akira's brave decision was also an act of sacrificing his life. Moreover, Tomyris could see that Akira was not forced to do so. This idea must have been decided by Akira himself. Therefore, Tomyris actually had a higher opinion of him.
"I understand what you mean."
"What do you think, General?"
"You want to use your own life as a guarantee for the safety of the entire Macedonian army?"
"Yes."
"But this can't solve the problem I just mentioned." Tomyris shrugged, looking helpless. "Your Macedonian Kingdom is our ally. We need your assistance. And for our operation this time, the more troops the better. If you become a hostage, it can indeed solve the problem of security, but another problem is not solved."
"Your Excellency the General."
At this moment, Akira stood up.
And Tomyris also leaned back.
"Can't we make some compromises on some things?"
"My goal is to achieve both of these points, but so far I have only achieved one."
"Then our Macedonian Kingdom also has its own bottom line. We will not let our soldiers be in danger. If this expedition fails, it is very likely that all the elite forces of our Macedonian Kingdom will be consumed in this war. How can I explain to hundreds of thousands of Macedonians at that time? Therefore, I hope you can put yourself in my shoes and think about the difficulties my father and I are in. You were a princess before, so you should know...some things cannot be forced, and some things can be solved by taking a step back."
"That's a good point."
Tomyris sat up straight and gave a grim smile.
She drew the dagger from her waist.
Inserted directly into the wooden table.
"But where are your chips?"
"..."
"It's very simple. If the Kingdom of Macedonia had the leverage to force me to agree, then I would agree to it. But now it's clear that you don't have it."
"You are making a threat."
"His Majesty Hilde once taught me that there is no morality or friendship in the political arena. As long as we can achieve our goals, threats or killings are the right path. But now, the size of the Macedonian Kingdom is not enough for us to treat you fairly. I think, Your Highness, you should understand this."
Akira looked at the dagger in front of him.
The gleam of the blade made him feel a little cold.
Tomyris's intentions were obvious.
It is obvious that if I don't agree, the result may be war.
However, Aguila still didn't want to give up. He didn't think Tomyris would really dare to start a war. If he attacked the Kingdom of Macedonia before the expedition, it would inevitably disrupt Tomyris's plan. It was not so easy to conquer a place. Even for Tomyris, it would take at least dozens of days to complete the rule of the entire Macedonian Kingdom. Not to mention that after the occupation, Tomyris would have to arrange people to manage and control this place to avoid unexpected situations, which might take several months or even a year.
Tomyris was threatening.
But Akira trusted his own judgement.
At this time, Tomyris continued, "Your Highness, your courage is commendable. As the future successor of the kingdom, you can take the initiative to be a hostage. I must improve my evaluation of you. However, it is obvious that your bravery cannot convince me, and I can't make a judgment that is unfavorable to our army and our country just because I am moved by your bravery, don't you think?"
"Thank you for the compliment."
Akira managed a forced smile.
Now he is no longer in the mood to laugh.
"But I will not waver from my bottom line."
"Oh? Then do you know the consequences?"
"Your 40,000-man army is right outside the city of Aegae. You can wipe out all the Macedonian nobles at any time."
Section 6 of the Fifth Adjustment: Conclusions Satisfactory to Both Parties
"Indeed."
"But I think that as allies of the Greek Empire, we have maintained friendly relations over the years, and Her Majesty Hilde also has great ambitions, which the Macedonians will fully support. Similarly, Her Majesty Hilde has always been a rational monarch. If it were Her Majesty, she would definitely not choose to eliminate such a loyal ally through military action."
Sweat beads began to form on Akira's forehead.
He is very nervous now.
But at the same time, his courage was also exceptionally high.
"The Greek Empire was established not long ago, and everyone knows that the Kingdom of Macedonia is the most loyal ally of the Greek Empire. If you lead your army to destroy our country and annex the Kingdom of Macedonia, then after the news spreads, how will the world see Your Majesty and the General? I don't need to guess this, I believe you must know it in your heart. The Kingdom of Macedonia is not afraid of being destroyed, but if one day, we Macedonians are destroyed by the Greek Empire, then the resentful spirits of the Macedonians who want to restore their country will definitely curse the Greek Empire forever."
"..."
Tomyris's brows also frowned slightly.
Akira's words were very unkind.
And it sounds really bad.
But it was the kindest thing Akira could say.
Originally, Akira could have directly said what Tomyris couldn't do now, that is, after destroying the Macedonian Kingdom, Tomyris would need at least several months to ensure peace around the Macedonian Kingdom. However, Akira didn't say that this was the last trump card. If Akira said this and Tomyris didn't give in, it would really be like going to war.
To show one's weakness.
Akira sat down and sighed.
"General, I respect you very much. Similarly, Her Majesty Hilde is my goddess. We are completely different from those ungrateful city-states. We have always been loyal and have never violated the border areas. Considering our diligence over the years, you should let us go. Is that not okay?"
"I see."
Tomyris chuckled and gave a helpless bitter smile.
"You said that as if you were bullied by us."
"of course not……"
Isn't this bullying?
Akira said no, but he was already complaining in his heart.
Just now, Tomyris almost put the powerful national strength of the Greek Empire in front of him as a bargaining chip. It seemed that if he was not careful, he would be doomed... Fortunately, Tomyris did not say it too bluntly, but chose a more kind statement to avoid misunderstandings. And Akira did not say anything final, and the two of them maintained a delicate balance.
As long as this balance is not broken.
That's not a big problem.
Tomyris thought about it for a moment.
"Now I understand the difficulties faced by the Macedonians."
"It would be great if you could understand."
"However, I still won't allow the Macedonian army to stay in the country."
Upon hearing this, Akira's heart suddenly became much colder.
He raised his head in disbelief and looked at Tomyris in front of him.
But then Tomyris continued to add: "However, I will not ask the Macedonian army to go with us. Let's treat it as a training exercise. While our army is away, the Macedonian army will go to the southern Epirus region. The possibility of a war breaking out there is extremely low. We control the sea power here, and the main force is also here. Even if a war breaks out, it will be the main force, and it has nothing to do with you."
"Epirus?"
Akira thought carefully.
Indeed, Epirus is very close.
To the south of Macedonia is Epirus, which is closely adjacent to Thessaly and is also a place very familiar to Macedonians.
"Yes, and our army's goal is to conquer the Greek city-states in southern Italy. Therefore, the earliest time to start the war is when we have achieved our goal. When we conquer southern Italy, your Macedonian army can go back, and the subsequent war will have nothing to do with you." Tomyris knocked on the table and asked impatiently, "How about this arrangement? What do you think?"
"..."
Indeed, this is the condition proposed by Tomyris.
Much better than the previous one.
Epirus is at least more likely to be far away from the war, and it is also close to Macedonia.
The war with Syracuse this time started with Tomyris, not anyone else. Therefore, the war would not officially begin until Tomyris completed his mission. By then, Tomyris would no longer need to replenish his army from the Macedonian supply line, and the Macedonians could return safely.
and……
Now Akira also understood.
He had no room for refusal.
Tomyris's patience was limited.
The other party also made enough concessions.
After thinking about it, Akira nodded: "Yes, I understand."
"You agree?"
"The offer you made is really irresistible, so I agree." Akira nodded with a wry smile, "In that case, I will go with you to observe the combat strength of your army and learn from it."
"OK, alright."
That’s all.
Tomyris and Akira also made their final compromise.
In the end, the two sides drafted an agreement on parchment.
The content written in the agreement was naturally not as tense as a discussion between two people, but rather more casual. The army of the Kingdom of Macedonia went to Actium in Epirus on the grounds of "training" and "assisting in defense", and stayed there until the war officially began. The Macedonian prince Aguila followed Tomyris to lead the army north on the grounds of "observing" and "learning", and Tomyris had to "protect" the safety of Prince Aguila, and the Kingdom of Macedonia also had to protect the safety of the transport team passing through its territory.
Drafted to this point.
It basically meets the needs of both parties.
At least, Tomyris's goal was achieved.
The Macedonian army was sent to Epirus, where Xerxes was stationed. If the Macedonians had any tricks, they would not escape Xerxes' eyes, so Tomyris was still very relieved.
And similarly, Akira also accomplished his goal.
After both parties confirmed this.
This matter has come to an end.
After returning to the barracks, Tomyris told Artemis everything that had happened today. Seeing Tomyris's excited and happy look, Artemis was also very happy.
