Published at 26th of March 2024 1:16 am

Chapter 891: Miltiades Refusal and Obedience

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With a piercing gaze, Seclian glared at Miltiades and rebuked him loudly, “Miltiades, our Theonian Navy's tradition since its creation is to advance bravely. However, you became so afraid of the storm that you didn't dare patrol the western waters of Sicily according to our set plans, missing a good opportunity to take advantage of the Carthaginian army's landing in Sicily to inflict heavy damage on them. For that, I am extremely disappointed!”

Miltiades was still listening attentively to Seclian's adventure and thought about how, without this old man's good fortune and exceptional fitness and swimming skills, ordinary sailors would likely have fallen into the hands of the Carthaginians when suddenly, his face flushed red upon hearing Seclian's last few words. Nonetheless, he didn't argue and simply lowered his head in shame.

“Fortunately, I have returned,” Seclian continued in a low voice, “You can return the command of the fleet to me.”

Miltiades abruptly raised his head and stared at Seclian's sharp gaze, which he immediately avoided. Then, he met Seclian's gaze again and mustered his courage, “…My Lord…His Majesty and the Ministry of Military had granted the fleet's command to me, and I…dare not transfer it privately as it would violate the Military Law!”

Miltiades' objection took Seclian aback, and a hint of unease appeared. Then, he tried his best to speak calmly: “You didn't get what I meant. I want to say that you can continue serving as the Fleet Commander, but the fleet would be under my command. You should know that if I didn't get stuck in Lilybaeum, you wouldn't be the commander of the Sicilian fleet now!”

What Seclian said is indeed true. In the letter that Davos wrote to the Ministry of Military, he mentioned the need to appoint a fleet commander of the Sicilian fleet. Thus, they had initially appointed Miltiades as the acting fleet commander. Only because they failed to find Seclian and the news of Fulalios drowning did the Ministry of Military finally decide to officially make Miltiades the fleet commander.

As the former commander-in-chief of the Theonian Navy, Seclian led the navy in successive battles at its foundation, contributing to the rise of the navy’s reputation. With Seclian's esteemed standing in the navy and the three navarchs, Mithridates, Fulalios, and Miltiades, all under his command, Miltiades couldn't help but feel nervous in the face of Seclian's strong presence.

Still, after being in charge of the Fourth Fleet for so many years, Miltiades has long ceased to be just the captain of Davos' flagship and has gained some confidence and authority(which was also one of the reasons for Davos splitting the navy into four). More importantly, Miltiades considered making up for his massive mistake earlier in the next battle. So if he gave up the command of the fleet to Seclian now, he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to make up for his mistake by the end of the war because everyone would give credit for the victory to Seclian while he would become a joke of the navy…

In a flash, Miltiades had already clearly considered all these severe concerns. After his mind calmed down, he said in a slightly firmer tone, “Lord Seclian, you were once my superior and also a member of the Senate. You had told me before that I must set an example for the entire crew as a captain of a warship, fulfil my duties and command my crew to fight bravely… I believe you are well aware that since the kingdom's foundation, there hasn't been a strategoi in the military who only enjoys the benefits of promotion and doesn't fulfil his duties seriously. I don't want to be the first one!”

After Miltiades spoke with a serious expression, he gave a bitter smile, “But if my lord thinks I am not competent, you can naturally apply to the Ministry of Military to remove me from my position as the commander of the Sicilian Fleet…”

Seclian's expression sank, and his gaze on Miltiades became sharp. However, Miltiades faced his gaze calmly and fearlessly.

As the two looked at each other, the atmosphere inside the room became tense. Even the servants, who were tidying up the table, hurriedly ran away.

After a moment, Seclian's face twitched a few times as he tried to squeeze out a smile, “Very well. Miltiades, as a commander…you need to have this kind of imposing attitude.”

Despite Seclian's assertiveness in the Theonian navy, he wasn't dictatorial. Thus, in the face of Miltiades' non-cooperation, he naturally couldn't forcibly usurp the command of the fleet because this violates not only military law but also the kingdom's laws. With King Davos' temperament, he would probably become so furious that he would send him to prison. As for directly proposing the removal of Miltiades to the Ministry of Military and having him take over the position, this approach is too overbearing and would cause resentment and damage his own image.

After staying in such a high position for over a decade, Seclian was no longer the young and impulsive sailor of the past. Naturally, he had many concerns, and after a moment of thought, he said nonchalantly, “Have a fast-sailing boat to send me back to the naval base in Catania… I would like to give my prayer to Fulalios and our brothers who died in battle…”

Miltiades still didn't know what was on Seclian's mind, but he breathed a sigh of relief as Seclian stopped pressuring him. And since he also wanted Seclian to leave, he didn't bother holding him here, “I'll arrange the matter right away, my lord.”

He quickly left the room, where the atmosphere was uncomfortable as if it were a plague, and walked toward the courtyard in long strides.

Suddenly, Leotychides' adjutant, Muklu, pushed open the door and walked in, “Navarch Miltiades, Commander Prosous asked for you to go to the lord's mansion. There is an emergency military matter he needs to discuss with you!”

Upon hearing this, Miltiades felt like someone brought him a pillow just as he wanted to nap*. With joy in his heart, he didn't even ask about the urgent military situation. He turned around and said, “My Lord, I have to go to the city first and discuss the strategy with the army.” (Note: It means that someone had provided him with something he needed at the exact moment he felt the need for it.)

“Try to protect our fleet's interest without compromising the overall strategy!” Seclian slowly walked out of the room. Seclian specifically reminded Miltiades after learning how Leotychides had absorbed the tens of thousands of marines into the legion.

Muklu stared at him wide-eyed and exclaimed, “Lord Seclian, you are still alive?!”

.............

Upon the meeting of the two highest-ranking commanders of the Theonian navy and army in Sicily, Leotychides promptly conveyed, “Agrigento urgently requests reinforcements. Currently, tens of thousands of Carthaginian troops are attacking them.”

On the way here, Muklu didn't tell Miltiades about the situation, so he was surprised to hear that, “Tens of thousands of Carthaginian soldiers are attacking Agrigento?! That can't be possible! Our patrol ships haven't found any sign of Carthaginian troops travelling eastward from the coast east of Selinus in the past few days, and the city of Minoa is also peaceful!”

“The Carthaginian army didn't take the south coast route. Instead, they most likely travel the mountains in the middle.” There was a hint of regret in Leotychides' expression, “We got deceived by that Carthaginian general named Mago! He besieged Selinus to draw the rest of our attention while covertly dispatching some troops to cross the mountains and attack our allies on the rear.”

“Isn't there still the Sikeloi in the mountain area? How could they let the Carthaginian army pass easily…” Miltiades asked in confusion while recalling these allies of theirs that he hadn't yet come in contact with.

“I got careless. Even though we haven't received any news from the Sikeloi, I fear they have already been defeated. The soldiers Mago brought from Iberia include those adept at mountain warfare, with the loss of Cephaloedium earlier was a good example of that.” Leotychides' tone became slightly more grave, “Agrigento has already lost many soldiers in the Battle of Minoa and had even sent some reinforcements a few days ago because of Carthage's Siege of Selinus. With Agrigento now empty of troops, we have to rescue them immediately! However, the port doesn't have spare ships now, so I need your fleet to transport six thousand reinforcements to the port of Agrigento immediately!”

Miltiades knew how dire the situation was. Once Agrigento fell, not only would the Carthaginians be able to attack the nearby Gela and Minoa, but they could also cut off the land routes of the Theonian army and complicate the situation of the whole south coast of Sicily. Thus, Miltiades didn't make excuses, such as saying the fleet was only for combat and not for transporting troops and so on. Instead, he instantly responded, “I'll head to the port now and get the fleet ready. Once the soldiers you sent arrive, I will immediately send them to Agrigento.”

Leotychides felt relieved at Miltiades' readiness to help, and it was then that he asked, “I heard Muklu say that Seclian was alive and had returned to the port of Selinus?”

“It is truly Hades’ blessing! He plans to go to the naval base in Catania…first to pay respect to our dead brothers.” Miltiades tried to act jubilant when he suddenly remembered that Seclian wanted to take over the fleet, making his expression look strange.

Leotychides looked at him and said calmly, “Seclian definitely need to take a break after suffering a lot during this time.”

Seclian's return would naturally involve the issue of the command of the Sicilian fleet. However, the problem was that Leotychides was more willing to work with Miltiades, who had become passive and cooperative because of his mistakes, than the assertive Seclian. Thus, his words vaguely hinted that he supported Miltiades, which made him happy. After all, once the Ministry of Military considered this issue, they would probably consult Leotychides, whom he had fought alongside.

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