When Wallis spotted these "Aldeans," the "Aldeans" similarly noticed the imposing Segestica people rushing towards them. Instead of panicking, each of them showed expressions of delight.
"Captain, waiting here wasn’t in vain, the Segestica people have finally arrived!"
"Captain, can we get rid of these crappy weapons and switch to our own now?"
"Captain, should we form ranks and charge at them now?"
All of these "Aldeans" were rebels in disguise, each full of fighting spirit as they eagerly requested to engage from their team officers. The officers almost uniformly replied with the same lines: "Stop shouting nonsense! Wait patiently for the Legion Commander’s orders!"
Fesaros and Torrelugo stood on a high vantage point not far from the troops, gazing at the Segestica Army forming ranks in the distance.
"The Segestica people’s formation is almost the same as what Budocaribas described. They seem to have quite a number of men. Hmm, how many are there?" Torrelugo’s last question was not directed at Fesaros but at the young Casius behind him. The boy was skilled at math and had been sent by Maximus to assist the pair.
"Approximately 4,500 men," Casius confidently replied.
"4,500 men... that matches Budocaribas’s previous estimate of the number of warriors in this Segestica Village," Fesaros said excitedly, "Looks like the entire Segestica warriors of this village have mobilized."
"An all-out mobilization is good, but can your First Legion hold them off?" Torrelugo asked with skepticism.
"My brothers can certainly hold them off. I’m just worried your Second Legion might let them slip away," Fesaros retorted without backing down.
"Relax, my Second Legion brothers are hungry. With this huge pot of fat laid out in front of them, they’ll at least devour half of it!" Torrelugo replied with confidence.
"Just half? I thought they’d take it all," Fesaros mocked.
"Do you not know from experience that it’s impossible to completely annihilate an enemy when they’re retreating?"
"The enemy is beginning their attack!" Casius’s shout cut short their argument, prompting both men to turn and look east.
As they watched the Segestica people’s loose and expansive horizontal formation slowly approaching, Fesaros did not immediately give orders. He waited until the enemy was within 200 meters before finally instructing the messenger, "Have the soldiers switch weapons and form defensive positions!"
The order was swiftly conveyed. The eager First Legion Soldiers threw their Wooden Shield and Spear to the ground behind them. Reaching into the loose dirt at their feet, they pulled out their square shields, short swords, and helmets. They weren’t wearing armor, as there simply hadn’t been enough time to don it.
Under the shouts of their team officers, two battalions of 2,000 soldiers from the Second Legion formed into a compact formation, 400 men wide and 5 men deep, facing the approaching Segestica Army.
As the formation solidified, the distance between the two sides had already shrunk to less than 50 meters. The Skodisqi people, serving as the vanguard, had already initiated their charge.
The rebel army had deliberately delayed switching weapons and forming ranks until the Segestica Army was right in front of them, not out of recklessness, but due to the trust Quintus and other military leaders had in this army, which had endured grueling training over the past four months.
"Raise shields!" Under the shouts of their team officers, the soldiers calmly watched the ferocious Skodisqi people charge at them, unhurriedly lifting their square shields to cover their chests, leaving only their helmeted heads exposed.
Even though the Segestica people had subjugated the Skodisqi people, they still remained wary of their former masters. They supervised them strictly and often kept them underfed to reduce their capacity for rebellion. However, today, knowing a battle was imminent, Wallis allowed them a hearty breakfast, along with a promise: upon victory, they’d enjoy a fine meal of lamb and a full day of rest.
Such meager rewards were still highly enticing to the always-hungry Skodisqi people. Moreover, their combat instincts were activated as blood rushed through their bodies during the charge.
The enemy in front of them, who had previously wielded crude Wooden Shields, now suddenly wielded neat rows of red square shields. The Skodisqi people gave it no further thought; they had only one idea in their minds: knock down the enemy with sticks!
Wooden clubs sliced through the air with sharp gusts, coming down forcefully upon the enemies before them.
The First Legion Soldiers skillfully angled their square shields to protect their heads. Clubs struck the curved shield surfaces and bounced away, leaving the kneeling First Legion Soldiers almost unmoved, successfully absorbing the blows.
Next, due to the momentum from their previous sprint, the Skodisqi people crashed their bodies into the shield walls. However, with the support of their comrades behind them, the rebels in the front ranks did not succumb to the impact. On the contrary, they quickly thrust their short swords between the gaps in the shields.
Exposed and in direct contact with the square shields, the enemies had little chance to defend themselves—bloodied gashes opened on thighs, sides, and even chests, leaving them screaming and collapsing...
In no time, a significant number of Skodisqi people lay fallen. This devastating sight was like a cold shower over the remaining Skodisqi fighters, who tossed aside their wooden clubs and turned to flee.
Trailing behind the Skodisqi people, the Segestica Heavy Infantry had originally hoped these male slaves would disrupt the enemy’s formation, allowing them to seize the opportunity to break through and widen the enemy’s gaps. Following them, the Light Infantry could flood in and completely crush the opposing forces... This was the Segestica people’s tried-and-true tactic.