Chapter 726: Chapter 136: Those are all my words! Chapter 726: Chapter 136: Those are all my words! Two days later, the Spartan Elder Council.
In the spacious and solemn council hall, aristocrats of Divine Blood, draped in white robes and accustomed to a life of privilege, sat arranged according to the rank of their lineage on the circular marble steps. Though they were of advanced age and occasionally dozed off, the muscles under their refined garments were knotted, and Divine Blood coursed through their veins, making them resemble aging lions lying in wait within their own territories.
“Gentlemen, the Trojans, under the guise of diplomacy, audaciously abducted Princess Clytemnestra within the halls of Mycenae’s Royal Palace. This is not only a disgrace to King Agamemnon and the Mycenaeans but a disgrace to all Spartans! A foreign nation that once barely survived under our ancestors’ rule now dares to insult us so openly. If we do not respond in kind, others might indeed think the Spartans have lost their edge!”
A young Inspector, sporting a goatee, stood in the center of the hall, delivering a passionate speech to these powerful aristocrats of the Elder Council.
The Elders, already dissatisfied with the current state of affairs, nodded in agreement, their eyes flashing with rage:
“Who do the Trojans think they are, to insult us Spartans so?”
“To arms! To arms! Slaughter those Trojan bastards!”
King Agamemnon, who had been invited to witness the proceedings, wore a satisfied expression upon hearing the Elders’ unanimous cries.
Having been in Sparta for half a month, although most of the Divine Blood families disapproved of Priestess Helen’s ceasefire policies, persuading the entire Elder Council to dismiss her directly and march against Troy alongside Mycenae was still no easy feat.
Thus, since his invitation to the city, he had ceaselessly moved among the Divine Blood families, distributing vast treasures and beautiful women, which gradually loosened the tongues of these old men.
However, dignity demanded certain proceedings be followed.
Therefore, even if they intended to oust Priestess Helen, it was necessary for the Inspectors to initiate her impeachment to create an opportunity for challenging the Elder Council.
This Inspector, eloquently addressing the Elders, was none other than a spy bought with a substantial bribe from Agamemnon.
—An ambitious young man, for whom only war and upheaval could elevate his position and power further.
As the successfully prepared Inspector gave him a nod, Agamemnon stood up, ready to convey his intentions to the Elders.
Unexpectedly, a pleasant voice came from the entrance, and a tall and graceful figure walked into the council hall, speaking with solemnity:
“Everyone, to erase this shared disgrace, I propose that Sparta and Mycenae join forces in a military campaign against Troy!”
The Elders stared at the fervently poised Helen, exchanging surprised and questioning looks.
Had they misheard? The Princess, who had always advocated for peace, was now proposing to take military action against Troy?
Helen looked across the silent hall, her brow furrowing as she asked:
“What? Do you disagree?”
“No, it’s just, it’s so sudden.”
The Elders shook their heads, still somewhat dazed.
Helen, hearing this, snorted indignantly:
“What’s so sudden about it? My sister has been kidnapped by the Trojans; Sparta’s honor is being tarnished! Do you expect me to just sit back and do nothing?”
“So, you agree to go to war?”
After listening to this, the Elders exchanged blank looks for a moment before regaining their senses and immediately nodded excitedly in agreement:
“Certainly! Your Royal Highness the Princess, we agree to go to war!”
They had gone in such a roundabout way, even inviting the foreign King Agamemnon into their city, if not to start this war?
Now goals were so easily achieved without the need to bear the stigma of collusion with outsiders; wasn’t this much better?
The pro-war faction among the Elders, seeing Princess Helen’s attitude take a complete reversal of 180 degrees, felt a dreamlike happiness.
And Agamemnon, who had just risen from his seat and had yet to speak, looked somewhat blankly at Helen.
It sounded like it was his line?
As if sensing Agamemnon’s gaze, Helen turned her head and solemnly inquired:
“So, brother-in-law, are you willing to demonstrate a husband’s responsibility and join forces with Sparta to rescue your abducted wife and wage war against Troy?”
In this moment, Agamemnon could only nod dryly in agreement.
However, intending to regain control, he quickly made a subtle gesture to the bought Inspector.
The young Inspector immediately understood, stepping forward and solemnly saying:
“Before we set out, to ensure unified military commands on the battlefield, we might need to first select a commander acceptable to both parties. After all, this concerns both city-states.”
“We share the Bloodline of the gods and face a common enemy, why bother distinguishing between Mycenae and Sparta?”
At this, King Agamemnon promptly stood up, seizing the opportunity to speak eloquently.
“I am willing to marry Princess Helen, to eternally forge an alliance with Sparta, ensuring our common Bloodline will inherit the territories of both nations. When the time comes, Mycenae’s wealth combined with Sparta’s mighty army will not just subjugate little Troy, even Athens will bow before us!”
Upon hearing this, the Elders couldn’t help but be stirred.
Although both were powerful states of Greece, due to the repute of the Giants’ Battle, Athens always overshadowed Sparta, maintaining control over the Alliance.