Rome Must Perish-Chapter 202 - 136: Nix Tribe and Dragon Flag_2

To the east... Hmm, that is, to the east of the Segestica tribe are the Yabod people and the Noric. These two Celtic tribes mostly live in the mountains... The Noric are manageable, but the Yabod people are prone to plundering, so the Pannonians need to remain vigilant...

Therefore, even if the Pannonians have an army of a hundred thousand strong, they couldn’t possibly gather everyone to deal with you. Otherwise, our Illyrian tribes would have fled farther south a long time ago."

Maximus nodded thoughtfully.

"Well? Do you have the confidence to defeat the Pannonians? Or are you scared by what I just said?" Akoupaigos leaned to his right, his face carrying a trace of teasing, staring directly at Maximus.

Maximus smiled lightly: "I don’t like making grandiose claims; actions speak louder than words. In time, Great Chief, you will see."

Akoupaigos nodded in understanding: "In that case, I’ll wait for your good news."

Their first meeting was cordial, and they reached several agreements.

After Akoupaigos left, Maximus joined the fervor of constructing the camp.

The army had begun building the camp early, and combined with everyone’s enthusiasm for creating a new home, by the time the sun set, the camp already had a rudimentary scale.

Acronis meticulously prepared a sumptuous dinner with her team. After the rebel soldiers were full and satisfied, they drifted into dreams to the gentle murmurs of the river under the night sky...

At this time, aside from the torches on the dirt walls around the camp that aided the sentries in their patrols, only the central tent remained brightly lit.

Maximus had summoned the heads of various departments: Military Officer Flantillus, Chief of Staff Quintus, Military Judge Sidonius, First Legion Commander Fesaros, Second Legion Commander Torrelugo, Third Legion Commander Camillus, Deputy Legion Commander Oluus, and Guard Captain Pequot, as well as Cavalry Captain Hagux. These individuals formed the core of the Army;

Other attendees included Administrative Officer Volenus, Warehouse Supervisor Capito, Deputy Supervisor Gaius, Kitchen Director Acronis, Commerce Officer Pigeris, Assistant Commerce Officer Alakosia, Medical Team Leader Horace, Nurse Chief Nexia, Chief Physician Minujus, Engineering Camp Leader Gaius, Chief Engineer Spukala, Transport Team Leader Secksipus (formerly the Livestock Team Leader), Female Camp Captain Karina, Weaving Team Leader Shemirret, Weapon Workshop Leader Kadesos, Financial Custodian Magus, and attendants Akegu and Casius... freewёbnoνel-com

For the first time, Maximus held a meeting with so many people, covering all aspects of the rebel forces.

Those like Alakosia, attending the meeting for the first time, were both nervous and excited. Meanwhile, someone like Kadesos was completely uneasy. He couldn’t understand why someone of his low status, who had even made mistakes, was invited to such a grand meeting (he had always felt guilty about mismanaging the blacksmiths, which led to disturbances in the camp during the rebel forces’ battle by the Womans River).

As the tent filled with people, Maximus instructed everyone to sit on the ground due to the limited space. Standing at the front, he looked at the sea of heads before him, and a surge of boldness filled his heart: These are the talents I’ve unearthed and nurtured! They are the foundation that allows me to gain a foothold and thrive in this world!

Placing his hands on his hips, he declared loudly, "Everyone, from tomorrow onward, our grueling marches will come to an end. We will begin a new life on this land! That’s why I’ve gathered all of you tonight so that we can figure out together how to better establish our new home—not only to firmly hold our ground here but also to develop and grow more rapidly!"

When Maximus finished speaking, everyone straightened their backs, their eyes shining brightly, their spirits lifted.

"First of all, now that we’ve started a new life here, the name ’Free Italy’ can no longer be used. If the Romans catch wind of it, they might march an army here or press the Illyrians into handing us over—"

"The leader speaks the truth. The Romans never let grudges go unavenged. We caused them so much trouble in Italy and killed so many Roman soldiers. If they find out we’re here, they’ll definitely try to wipe us out!" Quintus chimed in.

"I’ve already entrusted the Great Chief of the Alde Tribe to spread a false rumor that ’we’ve been wiped out by the barbarians.’ Meanwhile, we must regard ourselves as an Illyrian tribe, temporarily forget the past, and quickly integrate here!" Maximus said with a heavier tone. "Therefore, I’ve chosen a new name for our Illyrian tribe—Nix!"

"Nix?" Most people in the tent repeated the name, puzzled.

"It’s a word in Illyrian, meaning ’Wolf Slayer.’" After Maximus explained, the listeners understood and praised him: "A good name!... Let’s use it!..."

To slay wolves was to slay Romans. Everyone there had suffered under Roman oppression or enslavement. Even though they had escaped Italy, the name would remind them not to forget their hatred of the Romans amid a peaceful life.

"Leader, since we’ve changed our name, shouldn’t we also change the emblem on our banner? Otherwise, the Romans might still suspect our connection to Free Italy if they see it in the future," Flanitnus reminded.

Maximus nodded: "Indeed, the emblem on the previous banner can no longer be used. I’ve heard that many local tribes here use animals or mythical creatures for their banners. So I thought long and hard and even drew a new design during the march. Take a look and tell me what you think."

As he spoke, he extended his hand to the side. Akegu immediately handed him a folded piece of linen fabric.

Maximus unfolded it slowly, revealing the design painted on the linen: a peculiar creature, with a head like a camel, antlers like a deer, eyes like a rabbit, a neck like a snake, a belly like a clam, scales like a fish, claws like a deer, a palm like a tiger, and ears like an eagle. Its serpentine body coiled and spiraled, surrounded by clouds of mist, with a gaze that lorded over all creation, radiating a divine and awe-inspiring aura. The entire image was so vivid it seemed as though the creature might burst forth from the fabric.

It must be said that Maximus had been an artist in his previous life, and he had poured not just skill but emotion into this design. Its impact on the onlookers was profound, causing them to display a mix of eagerness to admire the artwork and trepidation to stare too long. The tent fell into an uncanny silence.

After a long pause, Volenus asked softly, "Leader, what is this?"

"This is a dragon! A divine beast revered by the peoples far to the east, beyond Persia!" Maximus’s tone brimmed with a unique fervor. "To ordinary people, a dragon is auspicious—it brings rains for bountiful harvests, protects crops from wild beasts, and ensures the prosperity and wealth of families. To officials, it embodies authority—it rules the skies and seas, unrivaled in power. To corrupt officials, it brings thunderous retribution. To tyrannical nobles, it brings cataclysmic destruction. To a king, it is sacred—a messenger of the Heavenly Emperor. Revering it is upholding heavenly order, ensuring the kingdom’s stability and the submission of the Four Barbarians!"

Maximus paused for a moment and then shouted, "Do you believe this dragon can represent the banner of our tribe?!"

"Yes! Of course, it can!" Maximus’s words struck a chord in everyone’s hearts. Slaying corrupt officials, destroying oppressive nobles, safeguarding farmlands, and maintaining order—weren’t these their deepest desires? How could they possibly disagree?!

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