The hall echoed with Cleobrotas’s joyful laughter, contrasting with the surrounding silence.
After a moment, Budocaribas asked shakily and urgently, "Did Nick’s... Nick’s army really defeat... the Pannonian army?!"
"Of course it’s true! This concerns the life and death of the tribe; how could I joke about such a thing!" Cleobrotas replied sternly, "The scout is right outside the house, you can call him in and ask for details."
No sooner had he finished speaking than several leaders rushed out.
"The Pannonian army consists of tens of thousands; they couldn’t have engaged in a full-scale battle with the Nix so quickly. It must have been a minor skirmish between the vanguards, and the Nix gained a small victory, right?" Ambrosius questioned, "Such a victory can’t change our current dire situation."
Cleobrotas looked at him coldly, speaking mockingly, "Ambrosius, you’re free to doubt and speak ill of the Nix, but truth is truth, and it can’t be falsified. When the Nix finally drive the Pannonian army away and we all celebrate regaining the banks of the Kolana River, I’m curious how you’ll face the envoy from the Nix then!"
Although Cleobrotas was usually kind, his animosity towards Ambrosius stemmed from the sudden death of Acoupaigos and Alistacas’s temporary rise to power, frequent tribal meetings, and the primary discussions about seeking aid from the Nix tribe. Since Maximus hadn’t sent reinforcements, Ambrosius and some tribal leaders naturally were dissatisfied.
Publicly and privately, Cleobrotas had to defend the Nix tribe, while Ambrosius accused him: as the father-in-law of the Nix Leader, he was supposed to urge them to send reinforcements, but instead, he sided with outsiders, ignoring the tribe’s life and death, making him unworthy of being the chief elder!
Stirred by Ambrosius, some southern leaders also criticized him, and even Alistacas showed distrust towards him.
Cleobrotas had worked for the tribe all his life and was respected; he had never endured such humiliation before. In a fit of anger, he decided not to attend tribal meetings and busied himself arranging for the tribesmen who had retreated from the Kolana River banks, hoping to forget his anger through busyness.
Today, unexpectedly encountering the hurried scout, the news of the Nix’s great victory was like sweet dew to him, dispelling his worries, and he quickly came to the hall to share the good news with everyone.
At this moment, Ambrosius was dumbfounded, feeling a strong sense of unease.
Cleobrotas looked at him with a mocking expression, feeling indescribable satisfaction, and wanted to say more to spite him.
At the entrance of the hall, a group of leaders who had been questioning the scout suddenly burst into cheers.
A bright smile quickly appeared on Ambrosius’s face, and he shouted loudly, "Great! The Pannonians have been defeated! Thank Ares for protecting our tribe! Everyone, we should immediately send someone to thank the Nix Leader for his full support of the Aldeans! Meanwhile, we should also deploy our forces to quickly reclaim our lost territories!"
"Yes... yes, we should send an envoy to thank Leader Maximus," Alistacas said awkwardly, having just mentioned not deploying forces. He couldn’t seamlessly shift his emotions like Ambrosius and had to pinch his face to hide his embarrassment, muttering, "I think Cleo—"
"Alistacas, you’re the uncle of Geniandafra and will be the Great Chief of our tribe. Leading the army to meet Leader Maximus, to thank him and congratulate him on his great victory, is undoubtedly the most appropriate!"
"Then, you can lead our warriors, with the support of the Nix army, to reclaim our villages along the Kolana River and thoroughly expel the Pannonians from our territory!"
Initially, Alistacas was annoyed by Ambrosius’s unreasonable interruption, but upon hearing his words, his eyes lit up, and he quickly agreed, saying, "I think Ambrosius’s proposal is good. It’s most appropriate for me to lead the army to meet Leader Maximus!"
"I think Elder Cleobrotas as an envoy is more appropriate," Budocaribas objected, "After all, he’s the grandfather of Geniandafra, closer to Leader Maximus and with a higher status. Leader Maximus might be a bit proud after such a victory, but if Elder Cleobrotas goes, Leader Maximus will not only show respect but also be more willing to help us fully."
"Yes, yes, yes, Elder Cleobrotas is indeed the most suitable choice!" Most tribal leaders in the hall agreed, including some southern leaders.
The Nix achieving a glorious victory over the large Pannonian army with fewer numbers instilled awe in the Aldean leaders towards the young Nix Leader, and they naturally didn’t want to displease him at this moment.
"This..." Alistacas initially believed Cleobrotas was the most suitable envoy, but Ambrosius’s reminder made him realize that "going to meet Maximus and reclaiming lost territories with his help" was the best way to boost his prestige and solidify power. Reluctant to lose this opportunity, he could only glare sharply at Budocaribas, who had ruined his plan, without openly opposing it.
"Alistacas, why don’t you lead the army to meet Leader Maximus, and if you don’t mind my age, I can accompany you," Cleobrotas said gently. Although Alistacas hadn’t respected him much in recent days, he always remembered the wish of his old friend Acoupaigos.
"No... no, I don’t mind. With you accompanying me, I feel much more at ease. So, it’s settled! How does everyone feel?!" Alistacas said joyfully, becoming somewhat incoherent.
The leaders all agreed, including Ambrosius, though a shadow flitted across his eyes.
........................
At dusk, in the main tent of the Nix Camp on the south bank of the Kupa River, Pequod lifted the tent flap and walked in.
"I’ve got good news for you!" exclaimed Oluus, the Fourth Legion Commander, sitting in the tent, excitedly, "Hagux’s cavalry just came by, and he told me that at noon today, the Leader led the main forces to engage in a great battle with the Pannonian main forces in the hilly area on the east bank of the Kolana River and ultimately achieved a great victory!"
"How did we win?!" Pequod quickly sat beside him, asking with concern.
Oluus quickly recounted what he had heard from the cavalry.
After listening, Pequod admired, "The crossbow soldiers handpicked by the Leader played a significant role in the battle!"
"Indeed, I think the Military Department will equip each legion with a crossbow unit in the future... Oh, and that cavalryman also brought the Leader’s orders—our mission here is over. Tonight, we’ll discreetly retreat to Westeni, to lure the Pannonian forces across from us out of their camp and across the river to attack our territory. The Leader plans to return with the army tomorrow and defeat them together with us!"
Pequod lightly tapped his leg with his right hand, silently contemplating.
"You crossed the river to scout again today, right? Did you notice anything unusual on the other side?"
Pequod still didn’t respond.
Having worked with Pequod for such a long time, Oluus knew he was usually quiet and didn’t mind the silence, continuing, "Let’s call the team officers in a moment and discuss how to retreat smoothly tonight."
"Oluus, hold on." Pequod finally spoke, "The Leader won a great victory in the south leading three legions, while our Fourth Legion has been play-acting for days, without a single battle before retreating. When the Leader brings the army here to defeat the enemy, our Fourth Legion, as the newest formation, will likely only serve a supporting role and gain little credit. Compared to others claiming glory and promotion, our legion won’t have much to show for, and not just us, the soldiers might have complaints too..."
Oluus’s face changed, glaring at him, "Pequod, what do you mean by saying this?"
Pequod boldly held his gaze and said firmly, "I mean, we should not wait for the main forces; our Fourth Legion can fight this battle alone and defeat the enemy here!"
Oluus’s expression shifted again, and he exclaimed, "Are you crazy! With only our 4,000 soldiers and most of them being Reserve Tribe members, new recruits, how can they stand against over 10,000 enemies! Don’t risk destroying our Fourth Legion for glory!"
"As long as we plan well, 4,000 men can defeat over 10,000 enemies!" Pequod said confidently, "Oluus, whether it succeeds or not, at least listen to my plan."
"Go ahead," Oluus said nonchalantly, but internally he was somewhat hopeful, knowing this former pirate had previously led a few hundred to disrupt the entire Brochi Territory, demonstrating his capable leadership.
Pequod immediately took out a stick, drawing on the ground while explaining his plan.
After listening, Oluus pondered for a moment before asking, "We’ve been using deceptive tactics these past few days, and their leader is very cautious, as they haven’t dared to leave Lin Kou Village with their army.
Also, you’ve seen, they scout with cavalry on the opposite riverbank every day. You plan to hide half our soldiers in the thickets across the river; how can they not be discovered?"