"I agree that the soldiers of our First Legion prefer face-to-face combat with the enemy. Even if the flanks are threatened, they will never waver easily!" Fesaros said defiantly.
"I can command the Skodisqi people well and lead them to charge the enemy!" Pequot said confidently.
Camillus and Oluus exchanged a glance. Their Third Legion only had a little over 1,000 men; in this battle, they were destined to play a supporting role. Yet Oluus wanted to support his old superior, and Camillus decided to echo his partner: "We think Quintus’s proposal is good."
The military leaders all agreed with Quintus’s suggestion, which left Flanitnus a bit dejected. However, he looked toward Maximus with a glimmer of hope, knowing that the others’ approval was meaningless—ultimately, the final decision had to come from this young leader.
Should it be a frontal engagement or camp defense? Maximus was momentarily uncertain. After pondering for a long time, he slowly said, "When we started a rebellion in the Gladiator School, it was a gamble for freedom; when we fought multiple times against the Roman Army, it was a gamble for survival; when we chose to come to this unfamiliar land, it was a gamble for survival; and a few days ago, when we waged war against the Segestica people, it was a gamble for survival..."
Maximus fixed his gaze upon the group, his voice becoming clearer and more forceful: "We have nothing. That’s why we can only stake our lives! Quintus is right—we can’t afford to just wait. We can only rely on risk-taking, defeating the Segestica people quickly to establish ourselves here as soon as possible! I choose—to engage the Segestica Army head-on!"
"Roar!..." Led by Fesaros and Torrelugo, the commanders cheered enthusiastically.
Though Flanitnus felt let down, he quickly gathered his spirits. Since the decision was made for engagement, there would undoubtedly be many tasks for him to handle next.
Sure enough, Maximus continued, "This battle determines our life or death. Though a gamble, we need to prepare actively to increase our chances of victory. No more camp construction for the rest of today. Quintus, Flanitnus, Fesaros, Torrelugo, Camillus, Oluus—work together actively, leading the soldiers to repeatedly train in this new tactic until it’s fully mastered and refined! Especially those new Skodisqi warriors—Pequot, you’ll need to put in a lot of effort!"
"Understood." Pequot nodded firmly.
"Pigeris, head to Chief Budocaribas immediately and inform him that we’re about to fight against the Segestica people. Ask if he can temporarily guard the Segestica soldiers we’ve captured."
"Everyone else, as before prior to battles, manage your men well and do what you need to do! Alright, the meeting is over—go tend to your tasks quickly!"
After everyone had left, Maximus remained seated in the military tent.
A few young attendants approached hesitantly, wanting to speak but withholding their words.
"If you have something to say, spit it out and stop bottling it up." Maximus scolded them lightly. To these attendants, he was both a stern leader and a kind elder brother. His tone of reprimand came from his heart, without much pretense.
Akegu immediately asked, "Leader, can we win tomorrow?"
Maximus adopted a confident demeanor and looked at the young men before him: "Remove the question mark—we can win! Tomorrow, we will win for sure!"
The young men smiled, yet deep inside, Maximus could only manage a bitter smile. As for tomorrow’s engagement, he had no certainty. Rather than overthinking and letting the youth see through him, it was better to go inspect the soldiers’ training to gain a bit of confidence.
With that thought in mind, Maximus stepped out of the tent casually and was met by Emmerich.
"Leader, we’ll be engaging the Segestica people tomorrow. I have a request I hope you can approve!" Emmerich said in a solemn tone.
Maximus furrowed his brow slightly. "We only just made the decision—did Horace tell you?"
"Horace only told me and Nexia, asking us to prepare for rescuing the wounded tomorrow and warning us to keep it secret for now," Emmerich quickly responded with caution.
Maximus felt somewhat relieved. "What’s your request?"
"I’ve heard that among the Segestica forces, there are many of our Skodisqi compatriots. The Segestica people will surely have them charge at our formations first.
I hope tomorrow, when they charge, you’ll allow me to lead some Skodisqi tribesmen to stand at the front, to persuade them to join us. This way, we can weaken the Segestica’s strength, bolster our own, and increase our chances of defeating them. Isn’t that right?!" Emmerich looked at Maximus with hopeful eyes.
Maximus was moved by his words but quickly shook his head after deliberating. "Emmerich, I understand your desire to save your compatriots. But you must realize, the battlefield is not a negotiation table. Your Skodisqi compatriots’ charge will collide with our formations in a very short time...
During that short span, they might barely recognize you, then you’ll be overwhelmed by the swiftly advancing Segestica Army!
The risk is too great, and the chance of success virtually nonexistent. I can’t let the tribe’s Medical Officer undertake such a dangerous task. It would be better for you to conserve your energy and focus on treating your wounded compatriots after the battle ends."
"But by then, very few of them will remain alive, as we’ve seen in past battles," Emmerich said sorrowfully. Suddenly, he dropped to his knees, looking up at Maximus with a resolute expression. "As long as I can rescue them, even if I die at the front, it will be worth it! Leader, I beg you!"
He then bowed deeply, knocking his head hard against the ground before Maximus.
Maximus hurriedly reached out to pull him up, but couldn’t manage it, sensing the immense determination in Emmerich’s heart.
Helplessly, he said, "Alright then, I’ll take you to discuss this with Quintus and Flanitnus to see if your plan is feasible. If it works, I’ll agree; if it doesn’t, there’s nothing I can do. I can’t let your impulsiveness affect the entire engagement!"
Emmerich responded gratefully, "Thank you, Leader! I’m willing to go with you to meet Quintus and the others!"
.............................................
Andres led his forces into Wallis’s village. Much like Cabdes’s village, it was devoid of anything except houses.
Andres was no longer enraged. He entered the tribe’s main building alone, silently staring at the principal seat in the hall, as if seeing his friend Wallis sitting there once again, laughing and waving at him...
After a moment, he walked slowly towards it, taking a seat. His longsword rested across his knees, and he gently stroked the cold blade. In his mind echoed the intelligence brought back by his scouts: the force that killed Wallis was indeed summoned by the Aldeans. They had built a camp in front of the Aldeans’ village, where they hoarded stolen supplies and held numerous tribesmen captive. Perhaps anticipating his swift advance, the enemy had spent the past two days frantically repairing their camp. But he would not let them succeed; he would arrive with all speed and crush their camp.
"My dear brother," Andres murmured, "tomorrow, I will retrieve your body, and I will place the head of their leader at your grave."
With a sharp sound, the longsword sank directly into the wooden floor beside the principal seat.