"You're growing up fast."
"Thank you teacher."
"It seems that, compared to reading and teaching, the best way to make a person grow is to personally go into various environments, experience many things, enhance one's knowledge, and enlighten one's wisdom through constant discovery. You and Hilde... Your Majesty, you both grew up under my watch, and now, you have both grown into very outstanding talents."
"Of course I am not outstanding. The best is naturally Your Majesty."
Alcibiades: This is no flattery.
It’s a point of view that comes from the heart.
Hilde was indeed amazing. She had almost unified the whole of Greece in her 20s and established a powerful Greek Empire, becoming the Basileus of the Greeks.
"Well, since we rarely meet, let's not talk about His Majesty's affairs. I'm sure His Majesty can handle his own affairs... As for you, I would like to know about your recent situation."
"Teacher, please wait a moment."
Alcibiades lit the fire in the house, then placed the kettle on the fire and put some dried fruits into the kettle. This method of putting dried fruits in the kettle and boiling them with fire can make a pot of sweet and sour fruit tea, which is also the method Hilde taught Alcibiades.
After the tea is heated.
Alcibiades poured a cup and handed it to Socrates.
"Let's talk while drinking tea."
"can."
Socrates took a sip.
Then he raised his head and asked:
"You have now become a prominent figure in the Greek Empire. Although you are not an oracle, you have gained very powerful power by His Majesty's side. Even Amyntas, who followed His Majesty Hilde at the beginning, now has less influence in the empire than you. So, what do you think about the next step?"
"Teacher, your words really make me feel ashamed. I have indeed achieved some success, but I am still far behind my predecessor Amyntas. To be honest, His Majesty still does not fully trust me. This is something I cannot compare to Amyntas."
"Oh? How did you know?"
"of course……"
Alcibiades hesitated for a moment.
As if he could see the other party's confusion and uneasiness, Socrates said, "If you don't want to talk, that's fine."
"That's not the case. I don't want to say..."
"How's that?"
"In fact, His Majesty asked me a question today. He asked me whether I should choose to continue to stay by His Majesty's side and accompany His Majesty in his battles, or whether I want a more stable environment to display my talents. Although His Majesty only asked me about my choice for the future, in fact, this is also a test of me as a person."
"What about your choice?"
"Of course I am accompanying His Majesty."
For Alcibiades this choice.
Socrates was not surprised.
"Very good, and what do you think?"
"I think the two questions you asked me actually have two meanings. If I choose to stay in one place and use my talents, then I will most likely be appointed by His Majesty as the governor of a province, or an official in charge of local affairs. At the same time, I will get His Majesty's trust, or... His Majesty's contempt."
"Contempt?"
"Yes, this is the second meaning, Your Majesty. If I choose the second point and stay in one place to serve, Your Majesty will think that I am a person without great ambitions, and will not think that I will pose any threat to the empire and Your Majesty's rule. Then you can rest assured to give me a place to manage. But I choose the first point, which actually conveys to Your Majesty that I have the ambition to continue to create meritorious deeds. Then, Your Majesty will naturally give me this opportunity, but at the same time, he will be more cautious and alert towards me."
Alcibiades' series of analysis seemed very fresh to Socrates, because most people would not think about the questions raised by Hildegard in the same way as Alcibiades.
But Alcibiades noticed it.
"Why do you think so?"
"because……"
Alcibeles hesitated.
"Although I have tried my best to show my loyalty, I can feel that His Majesty still does not trust me enough. Perhaps, I was too opportunistic in my interactions with His Majesty, like a greedy businessman, trying to gain enough benefits from His Majesty. In the end, His Majesty gave me this opportunity, and I got a lot in the end. But I am still not satisfied. I want to conquer more lands with His Majesty and create a more glorious future. If General Amyntas said this, His Majesty would think that Amyntas is extremely loyal, but if I say this, His Majesty will definitely think that there may be more things I want."
After saying this, Alcibiades shook his head helplessly.
"It's really too bad to not have the trust of His Majesty."
Chapter 4, Section 8: The Beginning of the Execution Day
“That’s true.”
Alcibiades made great contributions to Hilde and did a lot of things for Hilde, but in the end, he did not gain Hilde's trust, which undoubtedly dampened Alcibiades' enthusiasm.
However, Alcibiades soon cheered up.
Since Hilde is still willing to let him go to battle with him, it means he is still young and wants to see what kind of strength he can display.
"Don't be discouraged either."
Socrates advised.
"You are still very young, but you have already achieved such success. As the Greek Empire becomes stronger and stronger, your future will be even brighter. Hilde is a very smart person, and you can tell from the way she treats other people. So don't be too discouraged. Just keep going step by step."
"Yes, I know."
Facing the persuasion from the teacher.
Alcibiades nodded.
"So, what did you come to Athens to see so quickly this time, teacher?"
"Of course I want to see how His Majesty Hilde will rule Athens."
Socrates explained with a smile.
"You know I'm an Athenian. Although I've lived in Byzantium for quite a long time, I still love this place. I don't want Athens to suffer any setbacks, so I want to see if Athens will change for the better under the rule of the wise King Hilde."
"There will definitely be."
Alcibiades nodded.
"These nobles who committed these foolish acts are the key to Athens' transformation for the better."
"I hope so."
Socrates still took a wait-and-see attitude towards the fate these nobles might suffer next.
Alcibiades did not expect to be able to convince his teacher about this matter. He knew Socrates quite well and knew that Socrates would not agree to such a thing happening.
But Alcibiades believed that these mountain and plain nobles were one of the main culprits that dragged down Athens. It was because of their greed that Athens, which ruled the entire Attica, was forced to rely on overseas colonies for food because it could not produce food. Even though Athens was surrounded by mountains, it would not be unable to feed the hundreds of thousands of people in Athens. So this was the most absurd thing.
Therefore, when Hilde proposed to take the land from the nobles and return it to the farmers for growing food, and to promote the rural system that was popular in the Byzantine Kingdom to Athens and other areas of the Greek peninsula, Alcibiades agreed with both hands.
As for what will happen tomorrow.
Alcibiades also had some expectations.
The next day soon came.
The citizens of Athens were still discussing what happened yesterday. They only knew that a large group of soldiers suddenly came to Athens yesterday, escorting a large number of people. But they didn't know what happened. Athens' good days had only lasted a few days, and then something like this happened, which made the citizens of Athens a little scared and nervous.
At this time, civil servants were already walking around the streets of Athens with proclamations written on papyrus.
"Announcement! Announcement!"
"Today, a grand trial will be held outside the Athens Market! Criminals who have destroyed natural resources and disrupted the peace and stability of Athens will be punished! All citizens of Athens, please go to the Athens Market at noon today!"
Civil servants announced it everywhere.
The soldiers followed closely behind.
When the citizens of Athens heard that certain people were going to be punished, they were a little puzzled.
"Who has committed a crime out of nowhere?"
"And you're from out of town?"
The citizens didn't know what had happened yet, but Hilde had put on the emperor's clothes and walked out of the Parthenon accompanied by ministers and generals. Hilde now had a cold expression on his face without a smile, and the civil servants following him also felt great pressure.
The murderous aura that Hilde possessed made these ordinary people feel extremely panicked. Unlike those people in Athens who lived in a honeypot every day, Hilde had come to where he is today step by step through various dangerous incidents and mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
When she really wants to kill someone.
That strong feeling of oppression.
It's really suffocating.
Alcibiades also followed Hilde, frowning slightly as he observed the graceful back of the Queen. The feeling that Hilde gave off was really frightening, but Alcibiades was looking forward to what would happen next. Although Hilde told him that all men, women, young and old must be captured this time, Hilde had not yet told Alcibiades how to deal with these people.
Sophia was just one step away from Hilde on the right.
She is the imperial concubine.
I have to make a public appearance today.
Although there were not many witnesses about the abduction of Her Royal Highness the Imperial Concubine, these days, both in Athens and Byzantium, these witnesses spread the news, and most people knew about it. Therefore, the public appearance of Her Royal Highness the Imperial Concubine today can help everyone to put their minds at ease.
It was just that as Her Royal Highness the Princess made her first appearance in Athens, the murderous aura displayed by Hilde was obviously somewhat different from today's happy day, but there was nothing that could be done about it.
"Sissi?"
"What's wrong."
"Although we need to punish these bad guys next, please act a little more relaxed. You are not like yourself now."
"It's not like that. After all, there are only a few people who can irritate me like this."
Hilde gave a cold smile.
Although I know it's not directed at me.
Sophia was a little scared.
What those guys did was indeed excessive, but Sophia didn't quite understand why Hilde was so angry about it. But Sophia didn't say much. She didn't have any decision-making power in matters like this. She just needed to watch quietly from the sidelines.
"His Majesty!"
At this time, Tomyris also arrived.
Holding a double fork, she followed Hilde's left side.
"I am coming."
"I may have to trouble you with what happened today."
"Send those people on their way?"
"Yes, without mercy."
Looking at the murderous aura displayed by Hilde, Tomyris glanced at Sophia helplessly.
Chapter 4, Section 9: The Enthusiastic Citizens of Athens
Now, Tomyris is the oracle of Hades, the god of the underworld, so sending these guys on their way to the underworld is undoubtedly a job that Tomyris is most suitable for. Hilde did not shy away from this point at all, so she directly invited her to come along.
Tomyris knew last night what might happen today. She learned from Sophia that Hilde was furious about these nobles, and it seemed that she had never been angrier before. After knowing what stupid things these nobles had done, Tomyris had no sympathy for these fools.
Xerxes was going to come too.
But considering that someone in Athens might recognize that Xerxes was the Queen of Persia.
So Hilde didn't let her come over.
Hilde and his group set out from the Parthenon in a menacing manner, left the Areopagus Hill, and headed for the Athens market.
The Athens Market is one of the landmark buildings in Athens. It is very large and there are countless merchants who set up shops here to sell goods. The size of the Athens Market also demonstrates the glory and achievements of Athens in business. It can be said that if you come to Athens, the Athens Market is a place you must visit. Similarly, there are dense crowds here, and it is located in the center of the city of Athens. It is undoubtedly very meaningful to use this place as a place of trial.
Having heard the news of Hilde's execution long ago, the citizens of Athens had to temporarily put down their work and came to the square of the Athens market at noon. Even the merchants doing business in the market put down the goods that were about to be sold and gathered in the square outside the market.
Hilde had not arrived yet.
At Alcibiades preparations had already begun.
The prisoners who were escorted to the prison last night were now being escorted here in batches by soldiers. The citizens of Athens saw that these people were not unfamiliar to them. Many of them were once wealthy people who were influential in Athens and were the backbone of the Plain and Mountain factions. These people were still very famous in Athens, so when the citizens saw these people being tied up tightly and transported here like lambs to be slaughtered, they knew that something big was going to happen next!
The soldiers have now come to the square as well.
They formed a human wall to stop the curious citizens.
The road from Areopagus Hill to the Athens Forum is now also protected by soldiers.
