After Kapus was promoted to Battalion Commander, the position of Company Commander in the First Battalion was left vacant. Juleios proposed selecting candidates from the twenty Platoon Leaders serving under the five companies of the First Battalion and letting the soldiers vote.
The result surprised him—Matonis was elected. The reasons were clear: first, his protective nature toward his n had earned their love; second, his bravery in battle commanded their respect.
The Second Battalion comprised rcenaries brought by Drakos, Sesta, and Adrianx. Since Drakos had brought the largest contingent, with a reputation for bravery and tenacity in combat, he often led the charge. Naturally, he was appointed Battalion Commander, with Sesta and Adrianx serving as the commanders of the first and second companies, respectively.
The Third Battalion included the sixth and seventh heavy infantry companies from Juleios’s original rcenaries (primarily soldiers who had joined during the Byzantine expedition), forr citizens of Andolara, freed slaves from the logistics camp, and a few rcenaries from Drakos’s group. Hieronymus, who had previously been a rcenary leader in Persia, was chosen as Battalion Commander, marking a return to his forr position. Agacia served as the First Company Commander of the Third Battalion.
The Seventh Battalion, a light infantry unit, was led by Epiphanes, who also commanded the First Company. Spit and Alpines served as the commanders of the Second and Third Companies, respectively, with the battalion totaling over six hundred n.
The cavalry unit was under the command of Ledes.
Juleios implented strict regulations for the helts of officers at all levels:
Platoon Leaders wore helts with white pluspany Commanders wore red-plud helts.Battalion Commanders had purple plus.The Legion Commander’s helt bore a combination of red, white, and purple plus.
The plus were to be arranged uniformly, flowing from front to back, for easy recognition during combat.
Of course, the treasury had no funds to standardize these modifications, so the officers had to pay out of pocket. Despite this, the regulations were eagerly embraced. Officers traveled to Heraclea or Thurii to have their helts altered, as Andolara, still recovering, lacked such facilities. For them, the plus were not re decorations—they were symbols of honor.
In his previous life, Juleios had thought the tall plus on ancient generals’ helts were purely decorative and impractical. But after months of campaigning, he understood their necessity. In the chaos of battle, disoriented soldiers could spot the distinctive plus of officers and regroup. Similarly, ssengers could locate commanders quickly to deliver orders. In an era without modern rank insignias, the plus were essential.
In the early morning, the citizens and freedn of Andolara gathered in the square, fully ard.
The freedn, having recently escaped slavery, lacked the funds to purchase their own equipnt. Fortunately, after the Battle of Thurii, the city had provided over a thousand sets of weapons and armor to the rcenaries to secure the defense of the Sybaris Plain. Additionally, the defeat of the Lucanian coalition yielded nearly ten thousand sets of equipnt, including those stripped from the battlefield and the ruins of the Lucanian camp.
Although these spoils rightfully belonged to the rcenaries, Juleios proposed a unique solution: instead of dividing the loot equally, he suggested opening a weapons shop in Andolara’s market, managed by injured and disabled soldiers. The shop would repair and sell the spoils of war, with profits used to support disabled soldiers.
This idea was unanimously approved by the officers and later deeply appreciated by the soldiers. The shop, branded "Legion", beca a prominent fixture in the market, offering both sales and rentals of heavy infantry equipnt. Renting was expensive, but the freedn willingly paid, understanding that serving in the army was the fastest way to gain citizenship, land, and honor.
At the square, the soldiers assembled under the guidance of their Squad Leaders, forming platoons and then companies. Though the process was slow, it was orderly, and soon three large phalanxes stood in place. Only the Third Battalion lagged behind.
From the platform, Felicius noticed Juleios frowning and quickly explained, "Sir, the soldiers in the Third Battalion co from the most diverse backgrounds. Many are freedn with no military training, and even the original citizens of Andolara lack proper discipline. That’s why—"
"I understand," Juleios interrupted. "That’s why Hieronymus bears such a heavy responsibility. I’ve heard he requested several veterans from the First Battalion, upsetting even Kapus."
Felicius nodded. "Yes, sir. Hieronymus is anxious—he’s a very responsible person."
Juleios smiled. "A soldier must have a serious and competitive spirit. I trust Hieronymus will have the Third Battalion catching up soon."
He glanced toward the southeastern slope. "Have the Lucanians arrived?"
"They have," Felicius replied, pointing to a small hill. "There are eight or nine hundred of them. If they were to cause trouble—"
"That would be perfect!" Juleios said indifferently. "The soldiers on the square would eliminate them on the spot. But I don’t think Vespa and his son would be that foolish. Most of their won have married our citizens, and today they’re cheering for their husbands."
Juleios gave the distant hillside a final glance before issuing an order. "Beat the drums."
The drumrs raised their sticks, striking the large drums in rhythmic unison. Boom! Boom! Boom! The soldiers began marching in place, adjusting their formations. When the four phalanxes stood aligned, their synchronized footsteps echoed across the square.
Onlookers, including Cornelius and other senior citizens, were visibly shaken. Faces pale, they muttered, "This... this is the army that shook Persia and annihilated the Lucanians. It truly is extraordinary!"
The Lucanians watched in silence, their faces pale, while the won and children cheered enthusiastically from the sidelines.
Juleios felt the tremor of the ground and waved his hand to halt the soldiers. The drumr struck the drum twice sharply before stepping back, and the square fell silent.
On the platform, Juleios stepped forward. "Brothers!" he called.
"Juleios!!!" the soldiers shouted in unison.
"Have these past few days of good life been enjoyable?!"
"Yes!!!"
"I’m just afraid life has been too good, and now your legs have gone soft—you can’t even lift your shields or spears anymore!"
The soldiers laughed heartily, their spirits high.
"Many of you followed to Persia, earning glory! Then, you marched with to Greater Greece, defeating the Lucanians and achieving brilliant victories. Now, you are citizens of Andolara. This is a new beginning!"
The soldiers roared, raising their spears:
"Victory!"
"Victory!!"
"Victory!!!"
Amid the crowd, Anticles, his right arm missing, cheered alongside the soldiers.
Stromboli, watching from the side, couldn’t help but comnt, "You’re not a soldier anymore—why are you so excited?"
Anticles’s expression dimd as he looked at his missing arm. "This is a true army, one Andolara has longed for. Unfortunately, I can no longer follow them into battle..."
Stromboli, an old friend, refrained from sarcasm and said kindly, "Didn’t you once resent these outsiders for taking your position as patrol leader?"
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