"Are you serious, Captain? This is clearly taking advantage to settle a personal score," Shenotimas protested, his voice rising in disbelief.
Olivers chuckled, unfazed by the outburst. "Let's go, brothers. Back to patrolling the city—and perhaps teaching a lesson to those freemen brawling over women."
"Yes, Captain!" a group of soldiers responded in unison, their laughter filling the air as they marched toward Thuri City.
Inside a large tent, a long wooden table stood at the center. Around it sat several figures, with a young man in the middle who commanded the room's attention. Lysias, taking his seat, immediately recognized this as Juleios, the governor of Amendolara. Next to him was a bearded man—Kunogorata, the former chief general of Thuri. Lysias's gaze shifted to another individual who did not appear Greek, sparking a flicker of curiosity.
