The same was true for Xerxes.
"That is to say, Hera is the only one who is completely loyal to Zeus and conscientiously carries out the tasks Zeus gives her."
"Hera in Athens?"
Rhodes was a little surprised and said: "So, this is why we have to take Athens first?"
"correct."
Hilde and Rod talked about this last night.
But there was no detailed discussion.
Since Rhode had said it, Hilde followed Rhode's meaning and continued speaking: "Hera's oracle is currently an important general and politician in Athens, Nicias. This person is responsible for signing a peace agreement with Sparta. He has a very good reputation in Athens today. He is also a person loyal to Athens. I asked Alcibiades, and he told me that Nicias is not cunning, but very talented. Hera must have chosen him because of his ability."
"Just kill him directly?"
Xerxes looked indifferent.
"He's just a fledgling oracle. He can be easily killed."
"Yeah, but you can't kill him."
Hilde shook her head.
"why?"
"Nicias is one of the few upright people among the Athenians. He is also the one who can unify the two factions of Athens, the pro-war faction and the pro-peace faction. Of course, the most important thing is that Nicias's position is on the side of the pro-peace faction. Therefore, if Nicias is the archon of Athens, as long as we severely damage the opponent's fleet and expel Hera, Nicias will choose to surrender. Only in this way can we minimize the damage to Athens and set a good example for us to enter the Greek mainland."
"that's true."
Hearing Hilde explain this.
Everyone will understand.
Such is the situation of Nicias now—
This guy must not be killed, because Athens is the window for the Byzantine Kingdom to integrate Greece. Taking Athens will allow other Greek city-states to see the terrible military strength of the Byzantine Kingdom. However, taking good measures against Athens can also reduce the vigilance of small and medium-sized city-states and make them choose to stand with Hilde. After all, Hilde's real purpose is to integrate the military power of Greece, so as to turn around and attack Persia.
So, this guy has to be alive.
And the Athenian fleet.
We can’t say that we have to take everything away at once.
It would take several years to rebuild those warships. Although they were not as good as the Byzantine Empire's warships, they would still be very useful for future attacks on Persia and maritime transportation. As long as the Athenians were hurt or their fleet was forced to surrender, Hilde would get everything she wanted.
"So what we have to do is to defeat the other side's navy, and then what happens next."
"After that? After the Athenian navy was defeated, it lost any ability to resist. The reason why Athens could stand out from the crowd was because of its strong navy. Without the navy, it wouldn't take long for Athens to open the city gates on its own. At this time, Nicias' role is very important. I need him to lead the entire Athens to choose to surrender."
"so……"
There is nothing wrong with Hilde's idea.
No one had any objection.
So, seeing this, Hilde knew that it was time to issue the task.
"Anyway -! The most important thing now is! Rhodes, this time, the command of the naval fleet will be handed over to you. You will lead 300 warships, depart from Byzantium and head straight for Athens. Directly force the enemy's navy to return to defend! When the enemy's navy appears, the naval battle will be left to you!"
"Understood!"
Rhodes nodded heavily.
"Then, regarding the army, after Rhodes takes over the port of Piraeus, three legions led by Golgopas, Sitalses, and Alcibiades will enter Greece from the Macedonian border area. The Kingdom of Macedonia has already reached an agreement with us. Our army can enter Greece through the coastal roads, and the Kingdom of Macedonia will not intervene in the war between our two countries."
Hilde said so.
Sophia became a little worried.
"Will the Kingdom of Macedonia attack us from behind?"
"Don't worry, this won't happen."
Hilde was very sure.
"This matter is not as complicated as we imagined. Although the Macedonian Kingdom does have some problems, they don't have the courage to break off relations with us. Under the current circumstances, they have no choice but to agree to our conditions."
What's happening in Macedonia.
Hilde had already dealt with it.
(Today, just one update)
Chapter 4, Section 7: Deciding on the Action to Go to War
After the Macedonian prince, Achilla, was released.
Hield did not pass up this opportunity.
Instead, he asked Akila to take a message directly to the Macedonian King Perdiccas II to express Hilde's attitude.
Archila also told Perdiccas II what he had seen and heard. As a king, Perdiccas II could not ignore this matter, so he sent diplomats to negotiate with Hilde in Byzantium. Macedonia and Byzantium are not far apart, so the Macedonians actually know what Byzantium looks like. But even so, the magnificent Byzantium today also surprised the diplomats.
Hilde had secret talks with the diplomats, and basically did not tell anyone about this matter. The final result of the negotiations was that the Byzantine Kingdom and the Macedonian Kingdom signed a non-aggression treaty to protect the border between the two countries forever. Similarly, the Byzantine Kingdom on Hilde's side also promised to give the Macedonian Kingdom some preferential treatment in trade, and also obtained the Macedonian Kingdom's military passage rights and a neutral attitude in the war.
Even now Greece goes to Macedonia for help.
According to this agreement, Macedonia will not do that either.
But the Macedonians could go back on their word.
So this brings us to the second point, the hostages.
In the Byzantine Kingdom, Hilde had no children, let alone a husband, and almost all the people around her who had good relationships were oracles. The Macedonian Kingdom also knew this, so Perdiccas II sent his son Aguila as a hostage to Byzantium. As a prince, Hilde had arranged for Aguila to study at the Byzantine Kingdom Academy a few days ago, changed his name, and quietly learned the knowledge and science of governing the country in this school.
With the hostages and the agreement, the matter was basically settled. The reason why Perdiccas II agreed was that he knew that there was no grudge between the Kingdom of Macedonia and the Kingdom of Byzantium, but the Kingdom of Macedonia was blocking the path that the Kingdom of Byzantium had to take to attack Greece. Therefore, there were two options for the Kingdom of Macedonia. One was to grant military passage and allow the other side's army to pass through their country, and the other was to be directly attacked by the Kingdom of Byzantium and then used as a springboard, or stumbling block, to attack Greece.
The Kingdom of Macedonia knew this well.
I don't have much choice.
Therefore, it would be best to agree to the Byzantine Empire's request and ask for some benefits at the same time.
What's more, for Perdiccas II, the real target of the Byzantine Empire was Persia, and the Macedonians hated the Persians very much. Therefore, if the Byzantine Kingdom really attacked Persia, the Macedonians would definitely be willing to support it.
These reasons add up.
Between Perdiccas II and Hilde.
Signed such an agreement.
After such conditions are met.
Hilde's attack on Athens was basically a done deal.
Starting from Macedonia, all the way south is Amphipolis, which is now under the control of Athens, but since the war ended, these Greek city-states have basically returned to a semi-independent state. And Hilde's army will not be stopped by anyone along the way, and the Athenians can't send troops because they have to face a direct challenge from the sea.
Such a plan.
Basically, it's fine.
Unless it is the gods of the other side, come together to protect Athens.
So, Hilde was gambling that the other god would not particularly care about the survival of Athens.
"Besides, I need to be mobilized, right?"
At this time, Xerxes came up to Hilde.
Then he hugged Hilde's hand.
"Isn't that right?"
"Of course, my sweetheart."
Hilde couldn't help but scratch Xerxes' nose.
"After all, if all five gods were deployed, we would be in a passive position. Fortunately, if the main battlefield is on the sea, it would be difficult for people like Ares to exert their full strength. Moreover, Lord Poseidon's attitude is unpredictable now. It would be great if Lord Poseidon could stand on our side."
"Yes."
Rhodes also said quickly:
"Lord Poseidon must need our help!"
"Yes!"
"In short, this is the plan. The specific situation will depend on the implementation stage to see what the results will be."
Hilde snapped his fingers and announced to everyone with a smile:
"Tomorrow, we will send out troops!"
It is now the early summer of 429 BC.
In the port of Byzantium, more than 300 giant warships have completed all preparations. The food, weapons, ammunition, and other things needed for the expedition have all been loaded onto the ships in the past few days. The people of Byzantium watched curiously as these ships were assembled, and then they slowly sailed from the port into the sea outside Byzantium.
These are huge ships of gigantic size.
Like a sea monster.
They are densely packed outside the city of Byzantium.
All the navy soldiers were ready. They said goodbye to their parents and lovers, picked up their weapons, and stood on the deck looking at the blue sea. Next, their goal would be to cross the entire Aegean Sea, and then point their spears directly at the powerful city-state in the distance, Athens.
The main ethnic group of the Byzantine Kingdom is the Ionians. Among the ethnic groups in the Greek region, the largest city-state controlled by the Ionians is Athens. If Athens is successfully captured in this attack, it means that the Byzantine Kingdom will rule all Ionian areas. However, this is not important. What is important is that once Athens is captured, it means that the exiled Byzantine Kingdom will return to the Greek civilization circle in a strong way.
This is very exciting action.
The vast sea and the magnificent city of Athens.
All this means that this battle is destined to be a war that goes down in history.
"Everyone listen up! This time! It is the first large-scale operation of our Byzantine Kingdom Navy! As long as we defeat the Athenian naval fleet! The maritime overlord of the Aegean Sea will be our Byzantine Kingdom!" At this time, Amyntas, who is now the commander of the navy, stood on the deck and said loudly, "Our target is Athens! Defeat their fleet and occupy the port of Piraeus! We absolutely cannot do worse than our brothers on land!"
“Your Majesty Hilde! Long live——!!!”
"Long live His Majesty--!!!"
Navy cheers.
Resounding throughout the ocean.
At this time, Amyntas stood beside Rhodes.
He said respectfully: "Lord Rhodes, please lead us to victory on the next voyage."
Chapter 4, Chapter 8: The Deployment of a Powerful Army
Rhodes also had a sharp gaze.
The current Rhodes is no longer the same Rhodes as before.
She is determined and no longer afraid of fighting because she is clear about the mission on her shoulders.
Rhodes was not an Athenian, but an Attic, the daughter of a fisherman living in Soenke. Now she was going to lead the navy to attack Athens. For Rhodes, she might have been worried before, but now, Rhodes knew that Hilde needed him, and the navy of the Byzantine Kingdom also needed him. And his power from Poseidon would now be useful.
"I will protect you!"
"Lord Poseidon! I will protect you too!"
After Rhodes announced this.
These words became an extremely powerful force.
Supporting all the soldiers.
"Long live!!!"
The soldiers raised their arms and shouted. These soldiers belonging to the Byzantine Navy had been looking forward to this battle for a long time. Out of their love for the Byzantine Kingdom, they always wanted to prove that the Byzantine Kingdom was not worse than those Greek city-states. And now, the Byzantine Kingdom will take up arms and counterattack the most famous city-state in Greece, Athens.
If the Byzantine Empire wins this war, it will basically ensure the absolute right to speak in the Greek world. After all, among the Greek city-states in the Mediterranean world, Athens has the greatest influence. If the Byzantine Empire takes Athens, it will directly inherit and sublimate Athens' influence, and have a huge impact on other city-states in the Greek world.
And these soldiers and officers also think.
Except Athens.
The Byzantine Empire still has a long way to go in the future.
They even thought that if they took Athens, they could even continue their campaign and attack Syracuse, the largest city-state in the entire Greek region. And if they took Syracuse, they could even look to Italy in the north and Carthage in the south. It felt like the Byzantine Kingdom would directly become the overlord of the Mediterranean and conquer the entire Mediterranean region. Of course, although this idea was a bit naive, the current Byzantine Kingdom could really do it.
It's just that Hilde doesn't want to do that.
