I Became a Slave to a Mythical Shepherd

Chapter 65. dolon (3)

After visiting the Temple of Poseidon, the two of us were given some time to rest. For the two princes who returned after suffering in a foreign country for several months, that was a natural treatment.

…Of course, the rest given to the ‘prince’ was not long. That, too, was a natural treat. Have you ever seen a prime minister enjoying a long vacation?

“Now that you have returned to Troy, pay attention to every movement of your limbs. I know that you, of course… did such a good job in Antandros.”

It hasn’t even been a few days, but he’s already back in politics. No, in my case, is it a political debut?

“Thank you, Father.”

“But Troia is quite different. Because there are a lot of wolves eager to eat you.”

How long has it been since you listened to your father’s advice?

“I have one piece of advice for you. I can give you advice because I believe in you.”

“I am listening, Father.”

“Judging from Hector’s story, I don’t think you’ll show a void so easily in a public setting. so···”

Priam hesitates for a moment before speaking.

“Do not reject every invitation that comes to you, every conversation that comes to you.”

“···yes?”

When I get lost in the unexpected words, Hector throws an additional explanation from the side.

“Because you are the new face in the capital. The fact that only those on our side know your abilities, location, and thoughts is our weapon.”

Hey, who would have expected a slave boy who had just arrived in Seoul to be the de facto ruler of a city?

“Treat them the same whether the Hittite loyalists I told you about approach or the loyalist Loyalists who are friendly to us. Don’t let anyone know what you’re thinking.

Except for the people gathered here.”

Priam, Anchises, and Hector.

This was the limit of Hector’s trust. A secret becomes exponentially harder to keep as the number of people who know him increases.

Therefore this ideal, no matter how reliable, shares nothing unless it is necessary.

Priam’s advice was valid, and Hector’s point was reasonable.

I followed both of them.

“To the noble second prince of Troy, Dolon, son of Eumedes, sends an invitation. Dolon’s garden is beautiful, and the meals he serves will be enough to satisfy Paris’ heart.

I hope this invitation will serve as an opportunity to free the prince who has come after a long journey.”

After all, I had to accept the invitation of my biggest enemy from the start.

***

“Paris, don’t be nervous.”

“I didn’t.”

“The same goes for lies.”

“···yes.”

Hector sighs.

“Of course, you are the only one invited. However, since you have just regained your princely position and are inexperienced, it is not strange at all for me to attend the banquet with you.”

Of course, it must have been their strategy to invite Prince Paris when he was inexperienced in the politics of the royal capital. Then I should be able to accompany Hector.

“Anyway, I will help you as much as I can. Don’t worry too much.”

“I understand, brother.”

“Okay then.”

Hector knocks lightly on the door, and soon an old man’s face emerges with a creaking sound. He looks at us and bows his head without asking who we are.

“This is Paris-sama and Hector-sama. The master is waiting for you.”

We passed the corridor between dozens of pillars and gradually approached the courtyard full of noise and heat.

And, let the old man open the last door.

“Hector?”

“Then the person next to you is probably…”

“I knew you would be seated here!”

“You two came together?”

In the courtyard where the banquet is held, all eyes are focused on us.

“Paris! Hector!”

A man who breaks the silence of the moment and approaches us with a bright smile.

A well-groomed beard, neatly trimmed hair, a tall build that looked down on everyone else by half a head.

“Paris will be seeing me for the first time.”

The man bows and bows. And the others nearby also noticed and bowed their heads lightly at us.

“I am Dolon. Welcome to my mansion.”

“Yes, I don’t need to introduce myself, but this is Paris. You’ve become a celebrity everywhere these days.”

“Yes, of course. The saga that the two of you went through should be a little exciting.”

So said Dolon, skillfully leading the two of us through the crowd.

The eyes of the landlord and the people gradually converged, and Dolon gestured to the servants to guide us out of the crowd.

He was skillful like a conductor.

And on the other hand, I could also confirm that the people he had carefully selected were coming to our side.

From nob le mt l. co m

Like that, about five or six people joined our conversation, and dozens of others wandered around and listened to our every word.

One of them speaks up.

“Hector-sama, I heard that wherever the two princes went, there were high voices praising their names.”

“Rumors cannot be without exaggeration. It’s just that some of the kids were amazed to see our procession.”

Others are there too.

“Especially all the cities, citizens and non-citizens alike, praised Paris.”

I wave my hands and try to show humility like Hector did earlier.

“…I’m a little suspicious.”

Until someone starts attacking.

“I heard that many iron coins were scattered. The height of the praise voice was also because of that. After all, isn’t Troy’s wealth still the property of its citizens? Isn’t that too extravagant?”

As I turn my head, I hear another voice.

“It is to raise the dignity of the royal family. Didn’t you just use the royal property to celebrate the return of the unfortunate prince?”

“A royal property? Are not the wealth of the royal family the wealth of the city, and not the wealth of the citizens?”

In the middle of the sudden controversy, I had no choice but to keep my mouth shut.

“Stop it. It was not a royal property. Don’t insult Paris with facts you’re not sure about.”

It was Hector who barely evolved the argument. And Dolon, who was watching, also added a horse.

“That’s right. It is not the property of the royal family, but the personal wealth of Mr. Paris, who has raised his honor. Who can say that he is not proud of this? Stop talking too much.

Isn’t that right, Hector?”

Dolon stands up for me.

I look at Hector in bewilderment, and Hector’s face is already hardened.

Meanwhile, someone whispers from behind.

“Are you saying that much of the wealth belonged entirely to Paris? How the hell did you get him together…”

Ha, it comes out strong from the start.

In this spot, they tie me back and forth to reveal the source of my wealth.

I have to answer. I lick my lips lightly and slowly open my mouth…

“Oh, Paris. By the way, I have something to tell you.”

Dolon intervenes.

“What is it?”

“Could I change my seat?”

When the topic that suddenly heated up suddenly went off, the audience scattered as if they had lost interest.

However, they must also have planted the information that ‘Paris has a lot of money suspiciously’ in their brains.

That’s how rumors spread. From this house of Dolon, to all Troy.

Isn’t that the purpose of a politician’s banquet?

“I have something urgent to tell you.”

When I don’t have an answer, Dolon asks again.

As I look towards Hector, Hector nods quietly.

From nob le mt l. co m

Look back towards Dolon. Dolon smiles quietly at me.

“It is good.”

At my words, Dolon apologizes to Hector and leads me into the depths of the mansion.

After crossing a few thresholds, I looked around and everything was quiet. There was no one.

“Where am I···”

“Paris, these trojan vanities love to talk in subtle ways.”

Dolon’s voice is low.

“…For example, when Paris tries to convey the fact that he has accumulated a lot of wealth in Antandros, he uses the ‘just like that’ method.

It’s tricky, but it has the advantage of being difficult to deny because the information from Hector, me, and many others has been combined.”

“I didn’t know you called the prince of this country alone in the middle of a banquet to teach him social skills. I am quite grateful.”

“No need to be sarcastic. It was a controversy that would come out at some point. I just quickly evolved him.”

“Why are you so grateful?”

When I make sarcastic eye contact, Dolon replies with a smileless expression.

“Because that’s better for this city.”

“…”

It was honestly an unexpected answer.

And he seemed to have expected that I would not expect the answer.

“Why is that? Since I’m anti-royalist, did I look like a monster plotting to harm the city?

No. I am not the childish villain of those old tales.

. . whatever.”

Dolon pours the water from the glass he was holding onto the flower bed.

“I didn’t call Paris-sama to do this kind of trivial self-defense.”

“then?”

“A Hittite envoy will visit soon. You must know.”

“…”

“What would you do if the Shinigami found out about Antandros?”

To be honest, there was no alternative. It is the same for me, for Hector, even for Priam and Anchises.

There is no choice but to keep them from knowing, but it might be possible, and that is also a stopgap. No matter how much you block it, it’s a rumor that it slips through the cracks in your hands.

“I also have a source. Although I don’t know as much about the situation in Antandros as the members of the royal family and Paris herself.

There, I had heard of roads in every direction and smoky skies. What if the Hittite messenger finds out?”

As everyone has said before,

“It is war.”

“That’s an inappropriate word for a so-called ‘loyalist’ to the Hittites.”

“I am only for the city.”

“so?”

I also throw the glass I was holding into the flower bed. The golden goblet burrows into the soil with a rattling sound.

“What are you trying to say to me ‘for the city’?”

“Surrender to the Hittites. And protect the lives of the citizens and the safety of the royal family.”

As I frown, Dolon speaks quickly.

“Then do you intend to go to war? With all the Hittites trying to eat one small bunkuk?”

“why? Do you think you can’t win? I think I can win if I just buy time.”

“Then, how many citizens do you think will die?”

. . . That question left me speechless again.

“Paris, don’t show your pride. It’s not a matter of win or lose, it’s a matter of life and death. After defeating the Hittites, where are you going to fight?

Acaia? Lycia? Thrace? With those wolves ready to bite the necks of wounded lions?”

“It’s none of your business. And, what’s better if you surrender?”

“Everything will get better.”

Dolon’s eyes are momentarily bathed in light.

“Give them Antandros. Then they have no choice but to find a better place to revive the empire. In other words, you have no choice but to give up Hattusha.

If done well, Antandros and Troia will become the new centers of the empire.”

“…”

“And for that.”

Dolon suddenly bows deeply to me.

“I may support you as the next king of Troy.”

“···what?”

“It is as I said. Become the ruler of Troy with the support of the citizens instead of your brother, Hector.”

“but···”

‘I’m not the fittest person.’

I put the sentence out of my mouth and shut it again.

It is the age of city-states. Among heroes such as Theseus and Oedipus, exiled kings are common. Even if the succession of the eldest son would have stood upright, it would be impossible.

“Although our forces seem weak, I am also a noble. My ancestors, along with your great-grandfather, Ilos, were the main builders of this city.

If I and my colleagues work together, you can overtake your brother and become the rightful king of Troy.”

“How can you believe that? You tried to kill me by moving the mermaids.”

“no. I was trying to catch it. We also had no choice but to follow the movement of the ‘sea’, but we were not willing to risk any more bloodshed if we secured Paris. Isn’t that a loss for us as well?

Doesn’t Paris-sama know that what I’m saying is the truth?”

That statement was, unfortunately, correct.

said Dolon, raising his voice.

“Be the king of Troy. Give up your little piece of Dardanos, and save your citizens from war.

It’s a proposal that many people’s lives depend on. If the lives of Paris’ dear ones are at stake, can you refuse this offer?”

“…”

To be honest, that might not be a bad option either.

Troy is ‘destroyed’ by being eaten by the Hittites.

Antandros becomes the heart of the empire, safe, and able to protect my people.

The prophecy will come true and everything will be safe…

···indeed?

“…it won’t be easy to do that. If I were the great king of the Hittites, I would kidnap the artisans with Hattusha.”

“Is that possible? After kidnapping the artisans, will you be able to achieve the same results as in Antandros?”

of course.

Because the steel industry did not develop because of specific topographical factors like Hattusha, and because Antandros also has a short history of steel industry. Antandros can be fully substituted.

Dolon doesn’t know that.

For Dolon, the steel industry, like Hattusha, is subject to the terrain and climate.

And that’s not all.

“And what will be the fate of Troy and Antandrus, which are occupied by the Hittites?

If the Hittites regain their territory to the western frontier again, the embargo against the Achaeans will be much stricter than we are doing now.”

Of course. It’s us, like the embargo, taking care of outsourcing, but if the staff at the head office kicks us out.

“Then, inevitably, the anger of the Achaeans will intensify, and they will intensively plunder and attack Troia and Antandros, etc.?”

“It can be overcome.”

“With Hittite power?”

“And with the steel of Antandros combined.”

“…”

“Besides, it’s too much of a jump to think that Acaia is attacking.”

It won’t be a leap. If Helene and I were still alive by then.

If the people I want to protect are the heirs and nobles, I might be able to protect them enough between the Hittites and Achaia. With solid walls and steel weapons.

But what I want to protect are the poor shepherds and one fairy.

The ones no one else cares about.

Those who ‘I’ have to protect myself.

I said nothing and looked at Dolon. Seeing that gaze, Dolon bit his lip, perhaps realizing whether the persuasion was successful or not.

“Unfortunately···”

Can not help it.

“I will refuse.”

Saying so, I leave the room he brought me to. As I walk out the door, I turn around and look at Dolon.

His eyes were shining with frustration and anger.

***

“…the envoy is said to be approaching beyond the territory of Misia.”

“That’s right. Do you think your schedule will overlap with the envoy who was said to be coming from Achaia?”

“no. Not really.”

“I’m glad… at least.”

Priam sighs softly.

Yes, it was fortunate that the Achaeans who came to lift the embargo and the Hittite envoys who came to confirm the extension of the embargo did not collide in Troy.

If there is even a diplomatic friction between the two, for Priam, the war that has already come before his eyes will prick his eyes and dig right in.

“How are Dolons and the like moving?”

“We have banquets every other day. It is safe to say that they are gathering political capacity. Paris and Hector were also present today.”

“Then… would it be right to have a period of banning banquets by making excuses, whether it’s a bad year or something? Or, would it be right for us to expand the battle in earnest?”

When Priam asks for advice, Anchises, who is at his nearest feet, speaks.

“We will soon receive an envoy from the Hittites. There would be insufficient justification for banning banquets.”

“···I knew it.”

Priam said while sweeping his tense facial muscles.

“Then we should have a banquet too. Ask the princes and princesses for their hard work.”

“I understand, lord.”

Yeah, the rumors are a bit bad, but Cassandra is still popular. Even Diomedes and Helenus will be able to move quickly…

sh*t.

Priam and Anchises met each other’s eyes and nodded.

After a few days, a messenger from Hittite arrives.

The Hittites must not know about Antandros.