Not long after, in the bedroom of the Spartan king.
The light from several bronze oil lamps was swaying, and the shadows on the tapestry were moving left and right.
The moonlight outside the window is blocked by heavy curtains, leaving only a ray of silver light quietly seeping through.
Leonidas returned to his residence. He slowly walked to the table and stood there for a long time.
Spread out on the table was a detailed map.
Map of Thermopylae, Sparta.
His fingers gently slid across the location of Thermopylae, and his eyes reflected the light that was swaying restlessly nearby.
He knew very well that what could not be shown on the map was the Persian army, which was as boundless as the sea.
However, he only had three hundred men.
His life has officially entered the countdown.
Leonidas wore only simple linen underwear, but that did not diminish his mountain-like, steady power.
That's right, he still has no fear at all.
His wife Gorgo walked out of the bathing room, her long jet-black hair half wet and draped over her shoulders, her white nightgown outlining the elegant figure of the king's wife.
She didn't greet him as usual, but just walked quietly behind her husband and gently placed his hands on his shoulders.
Gorgo had already learned from Leonidas that the Persians were approaching Thermopylae.
She didn't say anything, but just kept this posture for a long time.
"The lights in the meeting room were off for a long time. I thought you had fallen asleep nearby."
Leonidas took her hand and tilted his head slightly.
"I'm thinking about tomorrow."
"Something about Thermopylae."
Gorgo tilted his head slightly when he heard this.
"tomorrow?"
She could sense from Leonidas's breathing that her husband was leaving tomorrow.
"I thought the expedition would be after dawn the day after tomorrow."
Leonidas turned to her, his eyes becoming more serious.
"There's been a change of plan. We've decided to quietly leave the city tonight, away from everyone's eyes and ears."
"Don't let the night get long and full of dreams."
At this moment, the air in the bedroom seemed to suddenly stagnate because of these words, and Gorgo only felt that his body seemed to suddenly feel cold.
Although there was no cool breeze blowing across her body, she still couldn't help shivering twice.
She didn't respond immediately, but moved a lamp in her hand closer, letting the light dispel some of the darkness in Leonidas's face.
"Three hundred people?"
She asked softly.
In other words, it wasn't a question at all, but a confirmation.
"Three hundred people."
Leonidas repeated, still standing there like a mountain, as calm as if he were discussing what to eat for breakfast.
"No more, no less."
As he said this, the corners of Leonidas' mouth even lifted up slightly, barely perceptible.
Gorgo took a deep breath, walked over to the weapons rack, and began to carefully examine Leonidas' equipment.
She picked up the polished bronze shield and ran her fingers over the dented marks.
"You haven't told me your complete plan yet."
She spoke calmly as she adjusted the straps of her shield.
Leonidas walked over to the bed and sat down, watching his wife skillfully adjust his battle gear.
"There's no such thing as a complete plan, dear."
"This is a reconnaissance and diversionary operation. If we encounter small groups of enemies, we will repel them."
"If we encounter a large army, we will hold Thermopylae and await reinforcements."
Gorgo stopped what she was doing and turned to look into her husband's eyes.
Obviously, she knew very well that this was a lie from Leonidas.
After all, she was the king's woman, and her understanding of Sparta's system and rules was no less than that of Leonidas.
So, when the number three hundred came out, she already knew that this was not an official action at all.
"You know that's impossible."
"The Persians will not send only a small force, as you and the Council know."
As soon as these words were spoken, the only sound left in the bedroom was the faint crackling of the oil lamp.
Leonidas raised his head and looked at his wife for a long time, the woman with whom he had spent more than twenty years.
In front of him, Gorgo was not only the queen, but also his most trusted counselor and his beloved.
"Yes."
Leonidas finally confessed, his voice actually weakening a bit at this moment.
"I know there's no way back."
After hearing Leonidas' words, Gorgo did not show any shock or sadness. She just continued to organize Leonidas' weapons and equipment.
She continued to move, but her fingers trembled slightly.
"Tell me the truth, Leonidas."
She began to speak, but this time, her voice became even more trembling.
"It's not the excuse that was claimed."
Leonidas stood up and walked behind her.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face in the crook of her neck.
"My Queen."
"We have received accurate intelligence that the Persian army is about to invade."
"Their target wasn't just Thermopylae, it was all of Greece."
"Someone must step forward and be the first to fight."
"Someone must also step up and buy time for Greece."
"This is for Sparta, and also for..."
Leonidas paused when he said this, he stroked her face gently and said nothing more.
Gorgo took his hand and held his gaze.
"Even though you know you're going to lose?"
Leonidas took a deep breath and didn't give her an answer quickly.
He continued to look into her eyes.
"It is precisely because of this that someone has to stand up."
"Sparta's sacrifice will awaken the other city-states of Greece."
"When they heard the story of three hundred Spartans standing up to hundreds of thousands of enemy troops, the Athenians, the Thebans, the Corinthians... everyone would understand that the Persian threat was real and that resistance was worthwhile."
"They will all know that the Persians have blatantly violated the rules of the World Conference."
"This will make Greece as a whole invincible at the World Conference."
Gorgo nodded, and then she took the sharp dagger from the weapon rack and gently stroked the blade.
"So, you choose to be the one to light the torch."
Leonidas took the dagger and gently stroked the patterns on the sword.
"We all have to make a choice, and mine is to do my duty as a king."
"The duties of a Spartan king."
Gorgo looked at Leonidas, her eyes full of a wife's heartache and helplessness towards her husband.
Even though he was on the throne, Leonidas had many reasons to do so.
This kind of necessity will result in the death of Gorgo's husband.
"king."
"queen."
The two looked at each other and just continued to caress each other's cheeks.
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