With the Iapydes tribe conquered and the treaty with the Pannonii tribe secured, the echoes of war finally subsided in Illyricum. The peace that came was not a gentle one, but a heavy silence, bought with blood and enforced by fear. The reputation of Legatus Ulixes had now become the border itself, an invisible wall more effective than any fortress.
Inside his praetorium in Salona, Ulixes no longer spent his time studying battle maps. On his large desk, a different set of papyrus scrolls was now laid out: blueprints for new roads, production reports from a newly reopened silver mine, and inventory lists from the port. The war to conquer the land was over. The war to possess it had just begun.
He was studying a report on the soil quality in a valley near the Pannonii border when Flamma entered. The old soldier's face looked uncomfortable among the scrolls and wax tablets.
"Legatus," Flamma said, his hoarse voice sounding awkward in the silent room. "The soldiers are restless. They don't know what to do. There are no enemies to fight, no walls to climb."
"Good," Ulixes replied without looking up. "A bored soldier is a thinking soldier. I don't want them to think. I want them to work."
He pushed a scroll of blueprints towards Flamma. "This is the plan for a new road that will connect Delminium to the port. I want two cohorts to start work tomorrow at dawn. Cut down trees, level the ground."
Flamma frowned. "My soldiers are killers, not lumberjacks."
"Every tree they cut down is a log the enemy cannot use to build a barricade," Ulixes retorted, finally looking at Flamma, his eyes cold. "Every stone they lift is a stone that cannot be thrown at our heads. Control of this land, Flamma, is not won by the sword alone. It's won with roads, bridges, and mines. Put them to work."
Flamma was silent for a moment, then nodded stiffly. "As you wish, Legatus."
After Flamma left, Mira entered with noiseless steps, carrying a glass of chilled wine.
"A report from the port warehouse, Dominus," she said, placing the glass down. "Three merchant ships from Greece have just arrived, carrying high-quality empty amphorae, as you requested. The local merchants are confused."
"Let them be confused," Ulixes said, taking the wine glass. "They are used to selling cheap wine in ugly containers. We will sell Illyricum's finest wine in the best amphorae. We are not selling a drink. We are selling status." He sipped his wine. "What about the olive groves in the south?"
"The owners have refused our purchase offer," Mira replied. "They are stubborn old families."
"Old families have many secrets," Ulixes said. "Have the Egyptian visit them. Not to threaten. Just to 'remind' them of some old debts or unresolved family disputes. I'm sure they'll be more willing to negotiate after that."
Mira bowed slightly, her face showing no emotion. "It will be done."
That night, as Ulixes was enjoying the quiet on his private balcony, gazing at the stars over the calm Adriatic Sea, the Egyptian emerged from the shadows.
"The olive grove owners have agreed to sell," he reported. "For a very... reasonable price."
"Well done," Ulixes said.
"There is more, Dominus," the Egyptian continued. "Our network in Rome sends word. Your four sons are growing healthy and strong under the protection of their mothers. The 'Alliance of Queens' continues to silently strengthen your influence in the Senate."
Ulixes nodded, a cold satisfaction settling within him. His foundation in Rome was secure.
"And one last thing," the Egyptian added. "Admiral Artemisia has sent her first report since conquering Issa."
He handed over a small wax tablet. Ulixes took it. The writing was short and sharp, typical of Artemisia.
This sea is boring. The pirates are now more afraid of me than of the gods. The merchants give me tribute so their ships don't 'accidentally' sink. I need a war, Ulixes, or I will start warring with the dolphins.
Ulixes chuckled, a rare sound. He looked out at the dark sea. He had conquered the land. Artemisia had conquered the sea. His economic machine was starting to turn. His allies in Rome were working in the shadows. For the first time, he felt not just like a general. He felt like a king building his kingdom.
"Reply to her message," Ulixes said to the Egyptian. "Tell her to be patient. Tell her that a calm sea is a profitable sea. And that profit will fund a much larger war to come."
Months passed. The season changed from the heat of summer to the cool autumn air. In Illyricum, a quiet yet radical transformation was underway. In the hills, new, sturdy roads split the forests, connecting the mines, which were now working at full capacity, to the bustling port of Salona. In the valleys, the olive and wine groves that were once traditionally managed were now overseen by retired legion veterans, ensuring every fruit was harvested at the right time.
Inside the praetorium, Ulixes stared at a new wax tablet just handed to him by Mira. It was the first quarterly financial report of his trading operations. The numbers exceeded even his most optimistic predictions.
"The merchants in Brundisium are scrambling for exclusive distribution rights to our olive oil," Mira said, her voice calm but with a hint of satisfaction. "They say the quality surpasses anything they have ever seen. They call it 'Illyrian Gold'."
"Gold we planted with steel," Ulixes retorted. He pointed to a line on the tablet. "The profit from selling the Delmatae's old weapons to the tribes on the northern border is also significant."
"Selling weapons to potential enemies?" asked Kore, who was standing nearby, a hint of doubt in her gentle voice.
"Giving the dogs a bone so they stay busy biting each other, not biting their master's hand," Ulixes replied. "As long as they are warring with each other, they will never unite to fight us."
It was then that Flamma entered, his armor dusty. His hard face showed concern.
"Legatus," he said without preamble. "There is a problem. The Illyrian chieftains who have sworn fealty to you... they are meeting in secret. The Egyptian's network hears whispers of dissatisfaction. They feel you are only extracting the wealth of their land to send to Rome."
Ulixes leaned back in his chair. He had expected this to happen. "Loyalty bought with fear does not last," he said. "They need a better reason to stay loyal."
He looked at Flamma. "Gather them all. The chieftains, the landowners, the most influential merchants who are still left. Invite them to the praetorium for a banquet in three days. Tell them that the Legatus of Rome wishes to honor them."
The banquet was held in the main, renovated hall of the praetorium. Expensive rugs now covered the floor, and silver goblets glistened under the light of hundreds of oil lamps. The Illyrian chieftains came with caution, wearing their finest clothes, but their eyes constantly darted towards the Spartan guards who stood silently in every corner.
Ulixes welcomed them, not in armor, but in the simple toga of a gracious host. He did not serve food immediately. Instead, he led them into a large room where a gigantic map of Illyricum was laid out on a table. Around the map, samples of the province's new wealth were placed: a bar of pure silver from the mines, a bottle of golden-colored olive oil, and a new gladius sword forged in the legion's workshops.
"This is Illyricum," Ulixes said, his voice calm, sweeping his hand over the map. "Your land. A rich land, but impoverished by endless wars." He picked up the silver bar. "This is the power that is buried beneath your mountains." He held up the bottle of oil. "This is the gold that grows from your fields."
He then looked at them one by one. "Rome sees this and only sees tribute. They see this province as a milking cow to be squeezed dry." He paused, letting the words sink in, touching their hidden resentment towards Rome.
"I," he continued, "see it differently. I see it as a partnership."
He gave a signal. Mira and Kore entered, placing a stack of wax tablets on the table.
"This is the profit from our operations in the last three months," Ulixes said. "Each of you will receive ten percent of the net profit generated from the land in your respective territories. Not as a tribute from Rome, but as your share in building a new Illyricum."
A total silence fell over the room. The chieftains stared at the tablets, then at Ulixes, in disbelief.
"I don't need your loyalty to a distant Senate," Ulixes said, his voice now a powerful whisper. "I need your loyalty to me. Become my partners, and you will be the richest men in the entire Adriatic. Defy me..." He smiled thinly. "...and I will find new partners to replace you."
The most respected elder chieftain stepped forward. He looked at Ulixes for a long time, searching for a lie. He found nothing but cold pragmatism. "You are not like the other Romans," he said.
"I am not a Roman," Ulixes replied. "I am Illyricum."
The old chieftain nodded slowly, then bowed. "We will be your partners, Legatus."
As the new alliance was sealed, not with an oath, but with the promise of mutual profit, a guard ran into the hall, his face tense. He stopped before Ulixes, ignoring the surprised chieftains.
"Legatus," he said, out of breath. "A fast ship has arrived from Brundisium. He carries an envoy. The envoy bears the seal of the Roman Senate."
A tense silence fell over the banquet hall. The Illyrian chieftains, who had just sealed their new alliance moments ago, now stared at the figure of the envoy standing in the doorway. His polished armor gleamed, and on his chest was the seal of the Senate and People of Rome. He was not just a messenger. He was the embodiment of a distant and often cruel authority.
Ulixes showed no surprise. His face remained calm. "Please forgive the interruption, chieftains," he said, his voice still friendly. "It seems Rome misses my reports." He gestured to the envoy. "Come in. Speak."
The envoy stepped forward. He was no ordinary soldier. He was a young man with an arrogant, aristocratic face, a Tribune who clearly resented his duty in this remote province. He glanced at the Illyrian chieftains with barely disguised disgust before looking at Ulixes.
"Tiberius Acilius Ulixes," he said, his voice sharp and formal. "I bring orders from the Roman Senate. I am Quintus Sertorius, and I have been assigned to conduct a full inspection of this province."
Flamma, standing in the corner, unconsciously placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. An inspection. It was another word for an investigation.
"Welcome to Illyricum, Tribune Sertorius," Ulixes replied smoothly, rising from his chair. "We are honored. You have come just in time to join our banquet with Rome's esteemed new allies."
Sertorius snorted. "I did not come to feast with barbarians, Legatus. I came to ensure that Rome's resources and legions are managed according to the highest standards." His sharp eyes swept the room. "The Senate has heard reports of your unorthodox methods. They want assurance."
"Assurance?" Ulixes raised an eyebrow. "Look around you, Tribune. This is assurance. A province that was once bleeding is now at peace. Trade flows smoothly. Tributes are pouring in." He smiled thinly. "Would the Senate prefer a report on an endless war?"
"The Senate prefers a report on adherence to Roman traditions," Sertorius retorted coldly. "I will begin my inspection tomorrow at dawn. I want to see a full roster of your forces, every soldier. I want to see your financial records, every coin. And I want to see your legion train. By standard methods, of course."
The challenge had been thrown. In front of his new allies, Ulixes' authority was being openly tested. The Illyrian chieftains watched him, waiting to see how the wolf they had just chosen as their leader would respond to the watchdog from Rome.
Ulixes showed no anger. He just chuckled softly, a sound that made Sertorius frown in confusion.
"Of course, Tribune," Ulixes said. "You will get everything you ask for. Transparency is the first pillar of my rule here." He gestured to Mira. "Mira, prepare the best room for our esteemed guest. Make sure he has everything he needs."
He looked back at Sertorius, his smile still in place. "Rest, Tribune. Your journey must have been exhausting. Tomorrow will be a very long and enlightening day for you."
Sertorius looked at him suspiciously, unsure whether he was being honored or insulted. He could only give a stiff nod before being escorted away by Mira.
As the door closed behind him, Brennus, the Pannonii chieftain, finally spoke, his voice low and wary. "He has come to put the chains of Rome back on your neck, Legatus."
"Let him try," Ulixes replied, returning to his seat and picking up his goblet of wine. His gaze was now as cold as steel. "He thinks he has come to inspect a Roman province. Tomorrow, he will realize he has walked into my kingdom."