Amyntas couldn’t help staring at Hilde in shock.

How could a fifteen-year-old girl be so calculating?

Unfortunately, Hilde was telling the truth. If they took her to Miletus, the soldiers who’d taken part in the attempted murder would certainly be dead within a month. Pericles was greatly admired in Athens. The people would believe him, not an ordinary soldier like Amyntas. Hilde continued, “If I go to Miletus, my mother definitely won’t believe that my father tried to have me killed. In the end, I’ll still fall back into his clutches. But if I go to Byzantium, you’ll have completed your mission, and Byzantium is so far away that even Pericles won’t be able to reach me there.”

“That’s true, but…”

Byzantium was about to fall.

That was what Amyntas wanted to say.

But Hilde seemed completely unconcerned.

“You’re going to say Byzantium is dangerous, aren’t you? You’re right. It is dangerous… Which is why I need you and your men to protect me, Amyntas. This isn’t a request. It’s an order. You’re all elite soldiers of the Athenian army. You won’t be at a disadvantage against small bands of Thracians. Besides, if I’m going to rule Byzantium, shouldn’t I start by having troops of my own?”

“Miss, do you mean…”

Amyntas could hardly believe his ears.

Did Hilde mean that she was going to…?

“I’m going to conquer Byzantium.”

“Miss, are you serious?”

“Of course. I’m serious. First, we take Byzantium. Then we use it as a base to bring the major city-states along the Black Sea coast under our control. After that, we defeat the Thracians and unite Thrace. I know it’ll be difficult, but believe me: as long as we’re willing to do it, we can make it happen. Athena will bless us.” Hilde smiled with complete confidence. Even though her goal seemed almost impossible, when Hilde said it, it sounded as if it could be done.

“So my job is to lead them?”

“Yes. Are you willing?”

“Of course!” Amyntas suddenly dropped to one knee and bowed his head. “I, Amyntas, a centurion from Athens, offer my loyalty to the honorable and beautiful Lady Hilde. I once accepted a mission that wronged you, Lady Hilde. I hope to make amends with my blood and reclaim my honor through my strength.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Hilde reached out and gently stroked Amyntas’s hair.

“Then let’s head for Byzantium.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Amyntas’s oath of loyalty meant a great deal to Hilde. She’d realized from the start that he was a man who valued loyalty. In China, he’d be the sort of man known for his chivalry and righteousness. Add his guilt toward Hilde and his understanding of how formidable she was, and all she had to do was give him a way out. He’d gladly work for her. Hilde knew all too well that Amyntas had seen everything when she killed the Siren.

By not calling him out, Hilde was telling Amyntas:

I could kill you without breaking a sweat.

But I’m giving you a chance. Swear loyalty to me, and I’ll spare your life.

It was a deadly combination. If Amyntas swore loyalty to Hilde, he’d be drifting further and further from his identity as an Athenian citizen. The Citizens’ Assembly could punish him and his men for desertion. But they’d been ordered by Pericles to protect Hilde, so campaigning under her command was still in keeping with their orders. Pericles had set a trap for Hilde, but in doing so, he’d actually given her a powerful foundation for the road ahead.

Soon, the people on deck began to wake up, one by one.

They didn’t remember anything about Hilde, but their memories of the Siren were crystal clear.

Amyntas gathered them together and addressed them solemnly:

“Men, we just encountered the terrifying Sirens. You’ve all heard of them before setting sail. They lure you in with their enchanting songs, then devour every last one of you. But you’re all standing here, safe and sound, which means the Sirens didn’t eat us. That’s because Lady Hilde’s kindness touched their hearts. The Sirens realized their mistake, sincerely repented, and left these waters. Apart from Diodes and the two men swept into the sea, everyone survived—and not one of you has a scratch.”

“So it really was the Sirens!”

“Gods, we were almost done for!”

The soldiers murmured among themselves, still shaken by how close they’d come.

Sophia frowned and leaned close to Hilde’s ear.

“Amyntas looks like a decent man, but he sure can spin a convincing tale.”

“Where did he lie?”

“The part about how your kindness touched the Sirens…”

“Was she wrong?” Hilde reached over and pinched Sophia at the waist.

Sophia realized she’d said the wrong thing and immediately fell silent. In fact, Hilde had told Amyntas exactly what to say. Amyntas wasn’t the sort to make up lies, but Hilde wanted to seem noble and divine—and to make sure the soldiers knew she’d saved their lives. So she’d told Amyntas to put it that way. Fortunately, Amyntas was now a loyal hound at Hilde’s side. He hadn’t refused; he’d happily carried out the task.

“So, when we first boarded the ship, we were thinking of murdering Lady Hilde. Some of us even planned to commit a vile, unforgivable act before bringing down the blade. But Lady Hilde held no grudges. When the Sirens were about to devour us all, she drove them away. Every one of us who survived owes our lives to Lady Hilde.”

“So let’s give a cheer—”

Amyntas raised his fist.

“Long live Hilde!”

“Long live Hilde!”

The soldiers didn’t know what was going on, but they joined Amyntas in shouting.

As a warrior, Amyntas knew exactly how to stir up his men. After his speech, the soldiers soon felt grateful to Hilde and began to admire her. Just then, Hilde walked over to Amyntas with graceful steps. He bowed deeply and backed away a few paces, showing her the utmost respect.

Seeing that even their centurion, Amyntas, treated Hilde with such respect, the others didn’t dare take her lightly. They all lowered their heads.