Cleander finally agreed to the rcenaries’ request to enter the city ard. Juleios’ suggestion to have the soldiers wrap their weapons in cloth was not the main reason; it was Bourkos’ gift of half a talent of silver to Cleander that was the key to opening the city gates. When Juleios learned the truth, he couldn’t help but sigh: "Even the frugal Spartans have started accepting bribes!"
The next morning, the leaders, officers, and soldiers from the various rcenary camps all ca to bid farewell to the departing troops.
As comrades who had fought together in hardships for over a year, not only the soldiers but also the officers and leaders offered their sincere blessings. Even Timasion, who initially disliked Juleios, gave him a strong embrace and said, "If I were a few years younger, I would go with you to Greater Greece."
"You’re not old now," Juleios replied with a smile.
Timasion pointed to his chest. "This feels old; all I want is to go ho! Anyway, I hope you co back alive! And—" Timasion took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Thank you for the trendous help you’ve given us. If it weren’t for you, we would have lost many more lives!"
"This is the result of all of our efforts! It has been an honor to fight alongside you!" Juleios said humbly.
"It should be my honor. May Zeus bless you with smooth sailing on your journey!" Timasion said sincerely.
"And you as well! I hope we et again!" Juleios waved goodbye to him.
Timasion, Cleanor, and Zantiparis led their soldiers back a few hundred ters. The gates of Byzantium opened, and Juleios led his troops into the city.
Zantiparis sighed, "Ti flies so quickly, and now the ti for parting has co! It feels like just yesterday that Juleios was elected as a leader and gave his speech!"
Zantiparis’ words evoked emotions among the leaders: after fighting side by side for more than half a year, it was now ti to part ways.
The group silently watched the gates of Byzantium until they closed.
At this mont, Tolmides, the ssenger, said, "Do you think Juleios is truly a favored one of Hades?"
"If not, then he is just a very capable leader. But have you ever seen such a young and talented leader?" Timasion asked rhetorically. He preferred to admit that Juleios was favored by the Divines rather than directly acknowledge that Juleios was indeed more capable than him.
Cleanor and Zantiparis shook their heads.
"I think when Cheirisophus learns that Juleios has gone to Greater Greece, he will deeply regret it. You all saw it not long ago—Cheirisophus clearly wanted Juleios to beco a Spartan guest and even entrusted Anaxibius to take care of him before he left. Unfortunately, Anaxibius underestimated this young man, and Juleios chose to go to Greater Greece instead of Sparta," Cleanor said, gloating.
"No one likes Sparta; they’re too domineering!" Timasion’s words resonated with the group.
"But why did Hieronymus also choose to go to Greater Greece?" Tolmides asked.
"It’s because of that Athenian!" Timasion raised an eyebrow. "The soldiers in Sinope re-elected their leader, and Hieronymus lost his position, while that glib-tongued Xenophon took over. Perhaps he wanted to distance himself from here and prove himself in Greater Greece."
"Not being a leader isn’t bad; at least there’s less to worry about. Soon, we’ll be able to relax and return ho!" Zantiparis said, prompting a wave of sighs from the group.
Perhaps realizing that there wasn’t much ti left for their gathering, the four solemnly saluted each other and then turned their horses, riding back to their respective camps.
Spartan soldiers, fully ard, lined both sides of the street. Under the watchful eyes of their glimring spears, Juleios’ troops marched toward the port in formation.
The rcenaries tried their best not to look at the Spartan soldiers or the Byzantine citizens behind them, keeping their gaze straight ahead and maintaining a dignified deanor.
"Damn rcenaries, get out!" A Byzantine suddenly shouted, throwing a rotten date at Juleios, who was at the forefront, breaking the silence.
"Get out of Byzantium!"
"Robbers!"
"Thieves!"
"The gods will punish you and ensure your miserable deaths!"
The curses from the Byzantine citizens poured in like a tide, and they continued throwing debris at the rcenaries walking in the middle of the street.
Although Juleios had anticipated this and warned the rcenaries beforehand, he now felt the danger. Shielding his head with one hand, he shouted urgently, "Asistes, lead your ssengers and quickly inform every officer to strictly control their soldiers and prevent them from breaking formation!"
Juleios’ order ca just in ti. So of the newly joined rcenaries were starting to grow angry. If not for the fully ard Spartan soldiers lining the street, they might have already charged forward to fight with the Byzantine citizens.
The officers ran up and down, stopping any misconduct. Juleios also gave a tily command: "The entire army, double-ti!"
From the rooftop platform of his residence, Cleander watched the rcenaries march through the streets. He was surprised that these seemingly undisciplined rcenaries managed to restrain themselves and avoid conflict with the citizens, thwarting his plan to confiscate their weapons.
"Who is the leader of these rcenaries?" he asked casually.
"I think his na is... Juleios," his adjutant replied after so thought.
Juleios? Cleander found the na familiar but couldn’t recall where he had heard it. "The troops he leads aren’t bad."
"My lord, should we stop them?"
"Forget it," Cleander waved his hand. He had already taken a bribe from the rchants of Thurii. His earlier sche was rely to provoke a conflict and justify confiscating the rcenaries’ weapons, thereby silencing his subordinates.
The rcenaries bore the humiliation, suppressed their anger, and quickened their pace, eager to reach the port.
Once the rcenaries and enslaved won boarded the ships and everything was ready, the fleet of fifty-seven rchant ships departed from Byzantium’s port. Only then did the soldiers start cursing loudly. Even the usually mild-tempered Asistes couldn’t help but shout, "Byzantines, one day—one day, I will repay this humiliation!"
Juleios paid no attention to how the soldiers vented their anger. He stood silently at the stern of the ship, watching as the city of Byzantium disappeared below the horizon...
The fleet entered the Sea of Marmara and then turned south. Midway, they were intercepted by more than ten Spartan warships.
Bourkos had no choice but to have his flagship approach and personally board the Spartan flagship to plead for passage.
After a while, he ordered his n to bring a large chest onto the warship.
About an hour later, he and his n returned to their ship. Bourkos heaved a sigh of relief and gave the order, "We can proceed."
"What happened?" Juleios asked curiously.
"The Spartans now control this strait, and any large fleet passing through here must submit to inspection, especially since I hired you all from Byzantium." Bourkos took a water cup from his subordinate and replied.
"Why is that?" Juleios asked, even more intrigued.
"Ever since Sparta defeated Athens and gained control of the Aegean Sea, they have issued a rule: ’Any city-state wishing to hire soldiers within Sparta’s sphere of influence must obtain their permission.’ And since Byzantium is now under Spartan occupation, it naturally falls within their jurisdiction. Previously, in Greater Greece, only Dionysius of Syracuse obtained Sparta’s permission to hire soldiers long-term, even in their holand."
"Dionysius?"
"A tyrant and dictator of Syracuse!" Bourkos said with disdain, clearly not fond of the man, while Juleios rembered the na.
"Fortunately, this was a special situation. I managed to persuade the Spartan Gerousia to issue a permit for hiring soldiers." Bourkos took a sip of water and sighed. "Even so, I still had to spend another half-talent of silver to smooth things over. Sigh... How have Spartan generals beco so greedy!"
He looked at Juleios and said, "I hope your performance on the battlefield proves my expenses worthwhile!"
"You will see it," Juleios said earnestly.
At that mont, soone on the opposing warship shouted, "Juleios! Juleios!"
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