"Perhaps he was simply captured by the enemy..." Cabdes said cautiously.
"With Wallis’s personality, even if he were injured, he would rather take his own life than be captured by the enemy," Andres said in a deep voice.
Cabdes felt a tightening in his heart, his face showing shame.
But Andres did not scold him further. For a moment, his surprise suppressed the anger in his heart: "Within just one day, the enemy not only defeated you twice but also captured two of our villages!... Those weak Aldeans can’t have such abilities. Where exactly did this enemy come from?"
"Great Chief," Cabdes hurriedly said, "these enemies are definitely not Aldeans! When fighting them, I saw them wearing thick armor, holding large red shields, standing in a tight formation, and using short swords as weapons—"
Andres’s eyes suddenly narrowed: "Are you saying they are... the Romans!"
His voice was slightly trembling.
The Pannonians had the courage to overthrow their original masters precisely because of the great war between the Skodisqi and Romans a dozen years ago. Though he was too young to participate, Andres had heard many times from his father and the older tribesmen about that battle, and everyone praised the strength of the Romans.
"I participated in that great war back then. The weapons, equipment, and appearance of this enemy are indeed very similar to the Romans!" Cabdes said confidently.
No matter how courageous Andres was, at this moment, he couldn’t help but be nervous: "Could the Romans have crossed the western mountains and come here?!"
"Great Chief, Rome is an extremely powerful kingdom. If it were to attack here, it would naturally do so with great momentum. How could they sneak around enemy?" Cabdes consoled, having pondered this carefully on his way back. "Perhaps the Aldeans hired mercenaries."
"The Aldeans are so poor. How could they afford to hire mercenaries?" Andres was somewhat skeptical.
"But they have many tribesmen working as pirates outside, who can know quite a few people," Cabdes reminded.
Andres fell silent, pacing back and forth in the hall. Suddenly, he asked, "If these mercenaries were hired by the Aldeans, how many do you think there would be?"
Cabdes estimated, "Previously, according to Wallis’s confidant, they had dispatched about 4500 people to fight. The enemy they fought, including those disguised as farmers, was only slightly fewer in number. Then, these enemies chased all the way to Wallis’s village, so it’s impossible that they still had the strength to fight my warriors.
Afterwards, the enemies that intercepted my army and surrounded us all wore armor, were in excellent condition, and outnumbered the 2500 warriors I led. Clearly, they were another group of enemies...
If those we fought today were all of them, I estimate these mercenaries number around 10,000."
"10,000..." Andres stroked his handlebar mustache.
Cabdes continued, "Great Chief, on my way here, I had Anrotas, the leader of the river village I passed through, send someone to investigate this enemy’s situation. I believe we will have news tomorrow or the day after."
At this point, Andres felt a reduction in resentment towards his uncle, who was experienced in handling things. He kicked the wooden chair beside him hard and said angrily, "No matter where this enemy comes from, whether they are many or few, if they dare to confront me, Andres, they must pay a heavy price!
I will immediately notify all the tribes to gather all the warriors within the tribe, head to the banks of the Kupa River, eliminate this enemy, flatten the Aldean villages, and rescue our captured tribesmen as soon as possible!
So, Uncle Cabdes, I now assign you a task—investigate and find out the detailed situation of this enemy, as quickly as possible!"
In fact, after receiving the message sent back by messenger from Cabdes, Andres had already gathered 4000 warriors in his main camp to prepare for aid the next day. But now, after hearing Cabdes’s account, he felt those 4000 warriors would not suffice. He would have to exert the full strength of his tribe to annihilate this powerful enemy in one fell swoop.
"Yes, Great Chief, I guarantee to complete the task!" Cabdes responded excitedly, seeing hope in reclaiming his village.
........................
The next morning, Maximus led his troops, escorting prisoners and transporting supplies, heading west back to the temporary camp. Capito, Volenus, and other leaders also organized personnel to come and assist.
The rebel army, having been separated for a day, reunited.
In just one day, the entire rebel army swelled rapidly, for they suddenly increased by more than 18,000 prisoners, including over 5100 Skodisqi slaves, more than 3500 Segestica warriors (excluding those seriously injured), and nearly 10,000 Segestica prisoners with only about 400 old men, some 6000 women, more than 3000 children, and some artisans with special skills such as blacksmiths, carpenters, builders, straw weavers, furriers... there were even itinerant merchants, totaling about 150 people.
In addition, there were over 600 Pannonians with special status. They came from other major Pannonian tribes and were exiled due to various reasons, becoming tribal refugees. To survive, they chose to work for Segestica leaders and nobles as hired hands, or farm, herding, or do housework for the nobles, essentially becoming a form of slavery.