Maximus and the army behind him were like a massive mountain weighing heavily on Anrotas, making it difficult for him to breathe. In no time, he was covered in cold sweat.
After a long while, Maximus coldly shouted, "I give you one night to discuss. By dawn tomorrow, you must open the gates and surrender, or else we Nix will launch an attack and destroy this fort!"
The reason Maximus gave Anrotas one night to discuss was not out of mercy, but because the soldiers were already extremely exhausted, having no strength left to attack this fort again.
Maximus felt relieved that the camp they had built around Anrotas’ fort had not been destroyed by the Segestica people due to the army’s short departure. Thus, the soldiers who ended the battle only needed to settle into the existing camp, pitch tents, and rest. As for the night’s patrol and guard duty, his subordinates would arrange it, and he did not need to worry much.
After dinner, Maximus received good news—the soldiers, during an interrogation of prisoners, unexpectedly discovered a Segestica "big man" disguised as a normal prisoner.
Maximus sized up this "big man" brought into the military tent: about thirty-something years old, burly build, facial features quite decent, but with a dejected look, slumped shoulders, and hunched back...
As soon as he entered the main tent, he knelt with a thud, trembling and saying, "Gr... Greetings, esteemed Leader Maximus!"
Maximus felt a bit curious, "You know me?"
"I’ve long heard from the tribesmen that though the leader of the Nix Tribe is very young, he is highly esteemed, revered for his bravery by all Nix tribesmen, and admired for his wisdom, enabling him to win many battles, establishing the newfound Nix Tribe’s reputation on the Great River Plain! The moment I saw you upon entering, my legs went weak with fear. In the Nix Tribe, only Leader Maximus could possess such formidable presence!"
Maximus laughed heartily, "I didn’t expect the newly appointed chief’s son of the Segestica to be so eloquent."
The prisoner quickly responded, "Esteemed leader, I’m speaking the truth!"
Maximus amusedly lowered his gaze at him and said in a menacing tone, "Casinos, as Cabdes’ son and the main commander of the Segestica Army, you began military mobilization in secret before the ceasefire agreement between Nix and Segestica expired, plotting to destroy Nix. Unfortunately, the Divine was angered by your betrayal, leading to your defeat. Now, falling into my hands, I can kill you to commemorate my fallen tribesmen!"
Casinos shouted in fright, "Leader Maximus, our Segestica is weak, lacking the courage to provoke you Nix again! This is all... Brochi Leader Bricks’ idea. He persuaded the other tribal alliance leaders to draw up a plan to attack you, and we Segestica, relying on help from the other large tribes, had no choice but to join their ranks..."
"You are telling the truth?!"
"I dare not tell lies before you!" Casinos looked up at Maximus with a pitiful expression, trembling.
Maximus snorted coldly and sternly said, "Even so, you brought the Segestica Army to engage fiercely with us, as their commander, you cannot escape the blame!"
Hearing this, Casinos loudly and grievously cried out, "Leader Maximus, you are wronging me! Although I brought the troops, I dared not engage in battle with you, so your mere hundreds of troops easily routed us, barely a fight at all—"
"Shut your mouth, cease your sophistry!" Maximus roared abruptly, causing Casinos to shiver all over.
Returning to his seat, Maximus said in a deep voice, "You tell me, what punishment should you receive? Beheading to offer to the Divine, or being a slave, loyally serving my Nix Tribe?"
Though trembling with fear, Casinos keenly sensed from Maximus’ tone that he was not fully resolved to kill him. Thus, he mustered the courage and cautiously responded, "Esteemed Leader Maximus, killing me won’t benefit your tribe at all. You could send someone to demand a ransom of riches and slaves from our tribe, thereby strengthening yours. After returning, I will certainly persuade the other chiefs of our tribe to sign a permanent peace treaty with you, ensuring Nix and Segestica coexist peacefully without further conflict..."
Maximus’s face darkened, "Your tribe’s prisoners said you are eloquent, capable of swaying hearts, and it seems they were right."
Casinos hastily defended, "Leader Maximus, I’m speaking sincerely! I can swear to the Divine! I—"
"Enough." Maximus interrupted him, asking solemnly, "Casinos, tell me, is my Nix Tribe powerful?"
"Power... Powerful. The Pannoni tribes combined are no match for you!" This time, Casinos spoke genuinely. He had witnessed the bravery of the Nix Army firsthand, and when Maximus coerced Anrotas into surrendering, he huddled at the forefront of the prisoner camp, vividly seeing the ragged flags raised by the Nix Soldiers, believing largely in the news of the Panoni Alliance Army’s main force’s defeat, which filled him with despair, leading to his subservience.
"Since the Nix Tribe is powerful, why can’t we directly enter the Sava River Plain to obtain the riches you mentioned?" Maximus said calmly.
Casinos felt a chill rush up his spine and exclaimed in shock, "You... You intend to invade our territory?!"
"What’s so surprising? You Segestica have attacked us Nix multiple times, why shouldn’t we retaliate?" Maximus leaned forward, eyes menacingly fixed on him, and sternly said, "Your Segestica Tribe has suffered successive defeats; can you still muster warriors to fight my army? Once our Nix Warriors penetrate the forests into your lands, they could slaughter your tribesmen unrestrictedly, gain wealth, annihilate the Segestica Tribe, staining the Sava River red with blood..."
Hearing Maximus’ words, Casinos began to shake involuntarily, quickly pleading, "Esteemed Leader Maximus, please, I beg you... don’t do this! Our Segestica... our Segestica—"
Suddenly, Casinos couldn’t continue, for he couldn’t think of a way to persuade Maximus to cease hostilities, and even if there was one, given his current situation, he couldn’t influence the decisions of the entire Segestica people.
This was because, although he had contemplated ways to handle Leader Maximus while being escorted, he never considered that within just a year, this newly established small tribe desired to invade Segestica lands. From the current situation, it seemed entirely possible. Perhaps over a decade of stability and the Pannonian Alliance’s strength had made him habitually dismiss such possibilities, even though Nix had occupied the banks of the Kupa River after defeating them. To him, it was fundamentally different from his own territory.
Maximus straightened up, tapping his fingers on the chair back, and said loudly, "I am an Illyrian, and Pannonians are essentially Illyrians too. Centuries ago, we were one family, yet today, we are enemies, fighting one another, which is truly heartbreaking!
There is only one way to prevent further slaughter among your tribesmen—make them all surrender to me, join the Nix! Henceforth, Segestica and Nix shall become one family, living in harmony, naturally void of war! What do you think?"
"This... this..." Casinos didn’t expect Maximus’ ambitions to be so grand—not only to invade Segestica lands but to annex the entire territory, even wanting him to become a traitor. He wasn’t willing to become the target of his tribesmen’s curses and hatred.
"What, unwilling?!" Maximus immediately changed his expression and shouted loudly, "Someone! Take him out and behead him!"
Two guards came in response, grabbing Casinos by the arms, intent on dragging him outside.
Casinos’ face turned ashen, and he screamed in panic, "I am willing! Leader Maximus, I am willing!"
Maximus gestured with his hand, the guards released him, and Casinos collapsed to the ground.
"Casinos, you must understand, today we captured several thousand prisoners, including some Segestica tribal leaders. If you are unwilling, others will take the role."
Maximus reminded with a cold laugh, then his tone softened slightly, "You’re a smart man and must realize! In this war, your father unfortunately died. Even if you return, the tribesmen will blame you for the disastrous defeat, and even if the Segestica Tribe does not impose severe punishment, your future will be bleak.
The future of the entire Segestica Tribe looks even bleaker, with successive defeats leading to a shortage of men in the tribe, affecting farming and herding. Slaves may seize the opportunity to revolt... In the future, the Nix Army will frequently enter your territory, and even if other major Pannonian tribes lend a hand, they’ll look down on you, possibly expelling you from the Seven Tribes Alliance of Pannonia one day...
Rather than watching Segestica’s decline, you’d be better off joining our Nix. Consider this! Last year, when we newly arrived, we repeatedly won battles with fewer troops, defeating the brave Andres Chief-led army. After settling, within just a year, we routed the powerful Panlori Alliance army...
From this, it’s evident that despite being small, Nix is powerful, rapidly developing. Who knows, one day Nix might dominate this Great River Plain! Joining us now, as the Nix Tribe begins its growth, though you may not become a tribal leader, you could assist me in managing thousands of Panoni tribesmen, even those from other tribes. Surveying the Dawa River banks today, checking the Dev River and Danube River banks tomorrow... wouldn’t this be better and more glorious than your current situation! What do you think?!"