Chapter 5: The Old Man and the Son-in-law

The King of Kings of Armenia roared, biting his steel teeth, and directed a fierce reprimand at Bidu Ita, condemning the cruelty of his father-in-law, who took the life of this renowned scholar of all Greece merely due to a momentary lapse of judgment by an old man

The greatest weakness of war lies in the soldiers' bellies

Before the curtain, a figure emerged from the side; it was indeed the chief guard of the previous giant, an elderly man with a face full of wrinkles. He politely blocked the way of these individuals and said, "Emperor Mitra is currently dining, and I kindly ask you to wait a moment."

"My father is right, Your Majesty." Stratonicus understood that the captain of the guards, Obicius, was her father. He was originally just a poor theater musician, but Mithridates, during one of his visits to a performance, became utterly captivated by the lead singer's daughter, Stratonicus. He immediately summoned Obicius, gifting him a luxurious villa, thirty slaves, four fine horses, ten eunuchs, and enough wealth to fill every room of the villa. Thus, the musician became the captain of the guards at the royal palace of Pontus, and the musician's daughter became the most favored concubine of the King of Pontus.

The chariot of the giant passed ostentatiously through the streets of Tegreseta, and no one dared to obstruct or disturb the procession guarded by sword-fighting warriors. Finally, the giant alighted in front of a magnificent hall in the city center, where a group of servile attendants emerged to greet him, kneeling to kiss his and the beautiful woman's toes, brushing off the dust from their clothes and polishing the splendid vehicle

But Aotepeli was furious; she could not help but stand up from her throne and pointed at Metdoros, scolding, "My father funded you and trusted you, yet at this moment, you are displaying the inherent vile character of a scholar. May the gods and the king punish you together." Then she turned to her husband and sarcastically remarked, "I have heard that the Romans have an army of only 10,000 men, and they are severely lacking in horses and provisions. Yet you, my husband, along with my father, have allowed the Romans to rampage on our territory for so many years. Is there truly not a single man in Anatolia?" After saying this, she left the hall in a huff, accompanied by several maidservants.

Oh? Mithradates took off the golden ornament hanging from his neck, "Are you saying that that guy Tegrenis still has feelings for my sister?"

At this moment, the curtain was drawn back, and a young noblewoman dressed in a pale yellow gown gracefully emerged. With bright eyes and a courteous demeanor, she greeted each of the gentlemen in turn: "Lord Shang, Metedorus; Admiral Achilles; and General Taksir—since the matter is urgent, let us proceed inside to speak with His Majesty."

Subsequently, Lucullus's military operations continued to progress smoothly, with various detachments capturing cities and territories. Before long, even the capital of the Kingdom of Pontus, Sinope, surrendered. Mithridates VI had stationed 8,000 mercenaries from Cilicia here, most of whom were former pirates and had no intention of defending the city. Under the pressure of merely five cohorts of Roman soldiers, they set the city ablaze and made their escape by ship. However, this time the Roman soldiers did not plunder Sinope, as their greed had already been satisfied in Amisus, which seemed to provide some comfort to Lucullus.

Amidst the roaring cheers, on a terrace across the way, a wealthy man beamed with a smile, provocatively raising his glass in salute to the giant in this direction

Mitradates was engrossed in gnawing on a tender leg of lamb. Upon seeing his most trusted subordinates enter, he repeatedly expressed his welcome and stood up to kiss each of them in turn

The anger of the King of Kings reached its peak, as he snapped the horn bow in his hand and shouted, "Does the king's decision still require women and servants to point fingers and give directions?"

Biduyita smiled, accepted the order, and withdrew with the books. Subsequently, Obisius also took his leave. Stratonius helped King Bendu change his clothes and prepared to accompany him to the bath, then softly suggested: "If the envoy's mission does not go well, not only could Your Majesty's daughter, who is to be married to Armenia, be affected, but Your Majesty's sister Naisa might also be able to turn the situation around"

Approximately three days later, the chaos in Amisus came to an end. The satisfied soldiers of the legion gradually calmed their emotions, exited the city walls, and returned to the camp

"Your Majesty, we have received word from within the Roman lines that after Lucullus captured the palace of Carabi, he buried your two sisters and two wives, but there has been no confirmation regarding the whereabouts of your daughter, Adiana," Stratonis reassured.

However, Adiana never had the opportunity to meet Lucullus, as the hundred men of the Hebrides were kept in the camp and were not allowed to enter the city, with their accompanying slaves receiving the same treatment.

Now, filled with ambition and satisfaction, Tegreinis began to feel that this mountain city, nestled in a remote area, could not reflect the superiority and luxury befitting the King of Kings. Therefore, he forcibly gathered countless craftsmen and laborers in the plains before the Taurus Mountains to construct a grand city in the flat Greek style, intended to serve as the future capital. The name of the capital was also designated after him, called Tegreseita. (Seita means city, signifying "the city of Tegreinis")

Indeed, these three individuals are the core team of Mithridates VI. The plump one, resembling a fat catfish, is the renowned Greek sage Metrodorus, whom Mithridates respectfully refers to as "Shangfu." Unlike the furious Achilles and Taksiles, he entered the dining hall with a worried expression.

"Who is that person, who dares to commit murder in my palace?" Tegrenis shouted. Several attendants immediately spurred their horses and rode off. After a while, they returned, drenched in sweat, and knelt at Tegrenis's feet, reporting: "It is the court's logic teacher, Amphicoradi."

The white Ataxeta stands tall amidst the black mountains, in the profound hall of the Kingdom of Armenia, where King Tigranes and Queen Otopheris, the daughter of Mithridates, sit upon two thrones, one large and one small: the high priest of Bithynia, Metrodorus, arrived before the Roman envoy, Apis.

At that moment, a scream came from the terrace to the north of the racetrack. The wealthy Sadis named Arceus lay on the ground, his face pale, frothing at the mouth, convulsing in front of his bewildered servants. Hazelnuts were scattered all over the ground, and before long, he breathed his last.

After the stronghold of Mithridates on the southern shore of the Black Sea changed hands, Lucullus dispatched the young military tribune Apis to the Armenian capital, Artaxata, to demand that King Tigranes of Armenia surrender his father-in-law, Mithridates VI, who was currently under his protection in some territory of Armenia

Enough! Mithridates slammed his hand on the table in anger, causing the dishes to rattle loudly. Then, like a orator, he exclaimed, "My dear friend, Achilles, do you think I am content with my current situation? Living in this shabby house worth only 30,000 drachmas, eating such coarse food, without a hunting ground, without a garden, in this impoverished Armenian countryside, hum! But Lucullus has destroyed my army, seized my cities and wealth. I must now gain the support of my son-in-law, I must." Then the King of Pontus turned and rushed in front of old Metrodorus, fervently kissing him and murmuring, "Father-in-law, you are the wisest and most eloquent person in all of Greece and Asia Minor. I bestow upon you 300 talents of gold and silver. You go to Ataxerxes, negotiate and persuade my son-in-law, so that Pontus and Armenia can join forces to resist those greedy Romans."

Two hours after the giant entered the hall, at dusk, several individuals draped in Greek robes hurriedly approached from the street. Among them were both elderly men and strong youths. They briefly reported their arrival, and under the guidance of the doorkeeper, they passed through the courtyard adorned with splendid drapes and columns, arriving at the innermost dining room. There, behind a veil of light fabric, the giant was dining with a beautiful woman. From the shadows, it was evident that the giant was eating with his hands, smacking his lips loudly.

It truly seems endless! Although Tegreinis felt annoyed, he could only lead his horse over several fences and arrived in front of those individuals. They had all been disarmed, and the tall man at the forefront, covered in indigo tattoos and looking extremely fierce, held a plate covered with silk. He looked up at the Armenian king and said: "I am Biduitar, the guard of the King of Bendu. I apologize for the rudeness during our earlier conversation. This is a gift from our lord to you—the King of Kings."

Then, surrounded by servants and duelists, the giant took the arm of a beautifully dressed woman beside him, descended the stairs, and boarded a palanquin adorned with peacock feathers, slowly departing from the bustling racetrack.

Your son-in-law's attitude is quite suspicious, and we are currently residing in his new capital. He is still in Ataxeta and is even unwilling to meet Your Majesty. Your situation reminds me of Hannibal from years past; perhaps soon we will be treated as gifts to the Romans by your son-in-law.

Mitradates expressed his approval of the advice given to his beloved concubine. He instructed the warrior beside Obius, saying: "Oh, the foremost swordsman from the highlands of Galatia, the hero of the Celts, the right hand of the goddess of war, Epona, Biduita! I wonder if you are satisfied with the two female slaves I bestowed upon you last time?"

Your Majesty, the loyalty of Metrodorus from Pergamon is somewhat questionable; I fear he may not fulfill his duties with dedication. The captain of the guards said meaningfully, after which he exchanged a glance with Stratonicus

Stratonis smiled in agreement

A century later, the Armenians had almost forgotten Hannibal's warning; they instead enjoyed the advantages that this castle brought to their military endeavors—fifty thousand elite infantry and cavalry relied on it, launching campaigns in all directions. Tegrenis conquered countless neighboring kingdoms and barbarian tribes, also emulating the Persian royalty by declaring himself "King of Kings".

Tigranes, the most powerful man in the entire eastern part of Asia Minor, had curly long hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His stature was not tall, yet he exuded the competence and majesty of a king. He fixed his piercing gaze on the elder below, who was also the envoy of his father-in-law, listening to the lengthy rhetorical discourse regarding the entangled interests of Armenia and Pontus. Finally feeling impatient, he asked: "Metrodorus, it is said that you are the wisest person in the world. Why do you speak so incessantly? Now, based on your judgment, do you believe that I, the King of Kings, should send troops to assist my father-in-law and oppose the Romans?"

Tegreinis gently flicked the silk with a riding whip, and there, in the plate, appeared the severed head of Metedorus, along with his severed hands

At that moment, a piercing long horn sounded from the tower built against the mountain beside the hunting grounds. Tegreinis and the others looked up and saw a person being pushed down backwards by several individuals from the hundred-meter-high tower, falling like a kite, followed by a dull thud of flesh and blood scattering.

Teacher! Prince Tegray burst into tears, and Tegraynis, feeling very annoyed, continued to press for answers, asking who dared to kill the prince's teacher. The several attendants stammered, and finally replied: "It should be His Majesty King Bih, our king. Anphikolaridi spoke disrespectfully at the recent tea party, saying that Armenians should not send troops to assist Bantu, and also mentioned that he would set off for Seleucia today, claiming that 'the small river of Armenia cannot accommodate large ships.'"

Stratonis, however, displayed no expression of joy or anxiety on her face, but instead bowed her head in greeting to Nessa

Although it is now deep autumn, Tegra Setta is immersed in a carnival atmosphere. Officials, commoners, and even slaves, numbering no less than 20,000, have all surged into the grand racetrack built against the foothills. The oval-shaped multi-tiered track is marked at the corners by bronze reflective mirrors, serving as indicators for the jockeys to turn. The audience is as vast as mountains and seas; the poor sit on makeshift mats or benches, while the wealthy, under the protection of their servants, sit comfortably with their families beneath small tables and sun umbrellas. Surrounding the racetrack, the terraces of the buildings are reserved for the most powerful individuals in the city, where municipal officials, governors, or royalty have the privilege to stand and watch.

Nessa rose with jealousy, leaving for a moment, and glared fiercely at her brother's concubine, the wretched woman named Stratonius.

"Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst, my Emperor." Suddenly, Stratonius spoke up, "Why seek far when we have near? In Armenia, there is a vassal state called Gordini. Although it is a small country, it has a well-trained army and ample supplies. King Chabinus has been dissatisfied with your son-in-law for a long time and has been seeking independence..." Hearing the reminder from his favored concubine, Mithridates sat down in frustration, saying, "Damn it, damn it, I should have brought my other sisters, wives, and daughters out from Karabi. I should not have allowed Balord to take their lives. Yes— I could have married my daughter, Adiana, with Monime, to the king of Gordini or his son." After saying this, he painfully covered his eyes with his hand, regretting this irretrievable loss.

On the departing palanquin, the giant heard the sounds coming from afar, smiled, and gently stroked the auburn hair of the beautiful woman, saying, "However, I feel a bit more at ease now"

Since Metrodorus previously advised Mithradates not to place excessive trust in his wives and eunuchs, this father and daughter have harbored resentment towards this "Father of the Court"

Metdorus instigated the friendship between the two countries, and thus his life must come to an end

As the sound of a gong echoed, the audience erupted in cheers and applause, creating waves of excitement. Six exceptional racers sped through the course, navigating sharp turns at high velocity. With the referee sequentially dropping six golden dolphins, cars were continuously wrecked and dismantled during the tight corners. Each time this bloody scene suddenly unfolded, it provoked even louder screams, curses, and laughter from the audience. For both the rich and the poor, this event was an opportunity to wager their fortunes and test their luck.

Tegreinis was scolded so harshly that he lost all face, and in a fit of anger, he waved his hand, ordering everyone to withdraw. Then, he stood up and shouted to a close minister: "Misaro, I have spent the entire day listening to the quarrels of women and rhetoricians, and I truly cannot distinguish between these two types of people—hunting is indeed the most suitable activity for me at the moment, so go prepare for it!"

When the lady in the pale yellow gown prepared to leave with her servant after bowing, Mithradates waved at her, "My dear Stratonius, please stay; perhaps you can offer me the most suitable advice." He then turned to kiss the beautiful woman still seated beside him, "My dear sister, Nysa, perhaps you should go to the back bathhouse to relieve your fatigue; you must be quite tired after accompanying me to that dreadful horse race today."

Demi and Tushulius are fortunate. Two days after the legion set off from the ruins of Amisus, thanks to hot water for washing and the consumption of hot food, even if it was just barley porridge, he managed to endure. Now, lying on the stretcher, he is more concerned about whether his appearance has been affected.

According to the soldiers, when Lucullus entered Amisus, he shed tears and candidly expressed to his generals: "I used to envy Sulla's good fortune, and today that envy is even stronger, for Sulla once protected Athens from the ravages of war." The general gathered the surviving citizens, allocated funds for them to resettle, and encouraged them to call upon their living relatives and friends to help rebuild the great port of Amisus

I... Metrodorus hesitated to say something, but Mithradates tightly gripped his arm, his nails almost digging into his flesh. In the end, the old man remembered that his family was still under the "careful protection" of the Majesty's guards, and could only reluctantly nod.

When the nobles of Armenia questioned the king's decision alongside Hannibal, they asked, "Why do those Latins, so far away from us, go to the trouble of building this city to guard against such an illusory enemy?" Hannibal replied, "Yes, they are far from you now, but only for the moment. They will surely come to Asia, and with a speed you cannot imagine, they will arrive on this land and conquer it. To avoid the fate of becoming subjugated a century from now, we must be prepared and vigilant now.

However, the king of Bindu said it was not a problem, as he had two daughters who were already betrothed to the kings of Parthia and Cyprus. The former could provide powerful cavalry and archers, while the latter could offer a large fleet

"Elder brother, it seems that you are in a bad mood." The beautiful woman sat closely beside the giant man, affectionately stroking his thick beard

It is merely a possibility, Your Majesty

Thank you, my lord, thank you for saving my life. Mitradata continued to kiss him gently, then inquired about Taksila and Achilles, asking how many troops he could still mobilize for battle.

Does this mean that Adiana is still alive

Latin proverbs

The warrior named Biduyita, with a face painted in a fearsome deep blue oil, wearing a pointed round helmet in an Eastern style, and displaying his enormous and powerful bare arms, had a gaze filled with the desire for slaughter and lust. He smacked his lips and said, "Aside from their screams in bed not being melodious enough, everything else is fine"

The commanders of the cavalry and the navy both showed difficulty, hesitating as they said that there were still a few thousand infantry and about a thousand cavalry on land willing to be dispatched, while at sea, only a few dozen usable rowing warships remained

On a terrace adorned with a trellis of grapevines, a remarkably large and burly man, with an exceptionally thick beard, sat in an ivory armchair. He appeared somewhat displeased as he tapped the railing with his hand, lowering his head to observe the competition below, clearly indicating that the race car driver he sponsored was at a disadvantage

"Damn that Faobi, damn it! Perhaps my mood will not improve for an entire day," the giant grumbled

When the servant left, he closed the doors around. Mithradates reprimanded Achilles, who had just been shouting: "My dear naval commander, you should not have casually revealed such significant secrets, especially in the presence of so many servants; unfavorable rumors can spread quickly."

One of those individuals shouted rudely, "The situation is urgent; the Romans have sent an envoy to Ataxerxes. Once the Emperor's son-in-law reaches an agreement with Rome, we will be like fish in a barrel."

In the restaurant, only Mithradata and Stratonis remained. Then, the King of Bendu clapped his hands twice, and the hidden door in the wall turned, revealing the books. The captain of the guards and another warrior stepped out from within; they had been concealed behind it, observing.

Upon hearing these words, even Tegreinis was amused; he threw back his head and laughed heartily, his voice resonating throughout the palace. Metdoros, unsure of the impact of his own words, could only stand by and share in the foolish laughter.

The journey of Apis is long and arduous; he must traverse dense forests, steep mountains, and saltwater lakes before reaching the capital of Armenia, Atakseta, which is surrounded by towering peaks. This is a massive white fortress that serves both political and military purposes, and its designer happens to be Hannibal, the arch-enemy of the Romans a century ago. At that time, this Carthaginian lion was seeking refuge in Asia, fervently persuading King Ataknis of Armenia to use the city of Carthage as a template to construct a capital capable of controlling the surrounding areas, replicating "Carthage" from the sea to the mountains.

The slaves and attendants around him were all dressed in luxurious silk tunics, continuously presenting golden cups and plates filled with fruits and fine wine to this burly man. Suddenly, a loud noise erupted from the racetrack, occurring during the final lap at the decisive moment between two chariots. The giant, visibly enraged by the sound, hurled the golden plate to the ground and stood up, exclaiming, "That incompetent horse trainer Faobi has deceived me, cheated me of my horse, my ornately decorated racing chariot, and even a few of my most beautiful female slaves—he should have fallen dead on the spot just now; otherwise, tomorrow he will live a life worse than death." As the giant fumed, the flesh on his body shook rhythmically.

May Zeus bless me and this daughter! Mithradates nodded, then encouraged Metrodorus, Achilles, and others with a few words, and subsequently ordered them to withdraw

Before long, at the small gate of the palace's rear wall, several armored horsemen emerged, led by Tegreinis, accompanied by Misaro and the prince, "Little Tegre." They were galloping and shooting in the spacious hunting grounds behind the palace, enjoying the moment with falcons and hounds. Meanwhile, a few Celtic warriors knelt outside the fence of the hunting grounds, claiming to be the guards of his father-in-law, who had come with Metdoros to convey an important message.

Mitradath laughed heartily and then said: "Shangfu is going to Ataxeta, so I entrust you with his full protection. Remember, always be on the lookout for my carrier pigeon’s instructions; the reward is fifty talents"

Upon hearing the question from the King of Kings, Metadorus felt a sense of ease. However, he still hoped that his rhetoric would be impeccable, ultimately uttering the most foolish words of his life: "If it is based on my lord's perspective, it would naturally be best for your country to join hands with my lord; but if it is based on my personal view, your country being at odds with the Romans is indeed quite unfortunate"

Li Bida secretly borrowed ten drachmas from Boti, hired two other camp slaves, and had Demetrius carried along. This Jewish slave was evidently filled with gratitude: "You are a righteous man, and you shall receive my gratitude."

"Who is that guy?" The giant squinted his eyes and asked while staring at the man. An elderly man beside him, evidently the captain of the guards, shrugged and replied, "Who knows? Anyway, he is the sponsor of the champion horse trainer." Soon, a slave who recognized the man approached and whispered a few words. The giant clapped his hands and instructed, "Someone, please take a plate of hazelnuts to Mr. Arcius from Sadis City on the opposite terrace, convey my respects to him, and congratulate him on his horse trainer winning first place in this final."

The young minister named Misaro, with red lips and white teeth, and a handsome figure, had always been the most valued and trusted male favorite of Tegrenis. At this moment, although he had something to say, he still bowed and knelt, then received his orders and departed