Rome Must Perish-Chapter 280 - 175 Pequot’s Surprise Attack_2

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Due to the heavy losses suffered in the last battle, coupled with the subsequent harassment of the territory by the Skodisqi bandits, Andres initially did not plan to use the Skodisqi male slaves this time. However, after witnessing the might of the "Mercenaries" camp, to reduce the casualties of the tribesmen, he decided to let the slaves lead the charge as cannon fodder.

The Panoni Alliance Army had already completed its preparations for attack, awaiting the arrival of the Skodisqi male slaves. However, Andres received a shocking message: the transport team had been attacked by the mercenaries, resulting in hundreds of warriors being injured and the escape of all 2,000 slaves being transported, with the collected grain also burned.

Andres flew into a rage, cursing Cabdes’s incompetence (as Cabdes was responsible for this matter) and hurling insults at the treacherous and shameless enemy.

After venting his anger, he had to face these questions: Should more slaves be sent over again? Should they launch an attack once they arrive?

The 30,000-strong army consumed a massive amount of grain daily. Fortunately, the reserves in the eastern camp could last for a few days, with Cabdes expedited the transportation of more grain. However, since arriving here, the warriors had only experienced one minor setback, and no combat for the following days. If this waiting continued, it would severely affect the morale of the Segestica Warriors used to swift battles and make the reinforcements question their motivations.

After all, the reinforcements came to help. If you, as the aggrieved party, are not actively fighting, how do you expect them to risk their lives to assist?... Thus, Andres made a decision: there should be no further delay, and action must be taken immediately.

However, the "Mercenary" force operating behind him made Andres feel uneasy and needed to be addressed quickly.

The Pannonians indeed did not have a department specifically in charge of logistics, but after years of warfare between Segestica and the Aldeans, Andres had crafted a method of sustaining the frontline troops. He arranged for a newly established tribe settlement and built camps every ten miles along the South Bank of the Kupa River. This strategy not only consolidated seized land but also created a safe supply line of grain, playing a crucial role in the battles against the Aldeans.

However, when the "Mercenaries" arrived, they swiftly captured the two frontmost camps.

This time, to fully concentrate on attacking the enemy, Andres verified the safety behind him after several days of investigation. He stationed over 1,000 warriors in the original Wallis camp to guard the grain stored there, but did not station troops in the original Cabdes camp, reasoning that since the transport team could reach the Wallis camp within a day after departing from the Anrotas camp, there was no need to waste more soldiers...

Now, he regretted this decision deeply. After discussing with Temagis and the other three allied generals, he decided to dispatch his capable subordinate Pulikas, leading 3,000 soldiers drawn from the army, to station in the Cabdes camp, hunt down and eliminate the "Mercenary" force, and ensure security in the rear.

On the second day, the sky was clear and clouds high, without wind or rain, making it a perfect day for combat.

The Panoni Alliance Army set out in a mighty surge towards the "Mercenaries" camp, halting 150 meters from the camp. Andres, Temagis, and the other commanders began deploying for the camp’s assault.

The Nix Tribe’s camp was roughly rectangular, with the south side running along the Murenica River Shore, the north side facing the mountains, the east end facing the Kolana River, and the west end towards the Budocaribas camp. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Initially, when the rebel army expanded the camp, Maximus wanted to extend the camp walls from the north bank of the Murenica River to the mountains, completely blocking the river shore passage, favorable for defense.

But later, two head officials of the Military Department, Quintus and Flanitnus, opposed this plan. They argued that the beginning of the northern mountains was relatively gentle, providing little barrier. Enemies could bypass and could potentially use the optimal terrain of the higher mountains to attack the camp from above. Extending the walls up the mountains would take time and effort, and the camp might remain unfinished by the time enemies attacked. Severing the river shore passage might ensure the safety of the Budocaribas tribe in the rear but brought no benefit to their side. Rather, it would be better to shrink the camp’s width, exposing the western Aldean camp, giving the enemy pause during their assault.

Maximus wisely accepted these suggestions, directing the Engineering Camp to modify the camp according to Quintus and Flanitnus’s suggestions immediately.

Indeed, Andres considered the Aldean factor, deciding to concentrate his forces to attack the camp from the east and north, while dispatching cavalry to the west to monitor the Aldean camp, preventing reinforcements.

After completing the arrangements, the Panoni Alliance Army began their action.

Siris, an ordinary tribesman from a sub-tribe of Segestica, had once followed Andres in the war against the Skodisqi. He was renowned in the tribe for his bravery. Later, due to his age, he wasn’t drafted for the war against the Aldeans. After a string of defeats against the rebel army, Segestica suffered heavy losses, which led them to recruit many older soldiers like him, aged around forty or fifty, for this campaign.

Siris hadn’t anticipated that, after over a decade back on the battlefield, his first mission wouldn’t be combat but a special task.

"First, carefully check whether the wooden panels on your shoe soles are tied tightly, then each of you pick up a bundle of grass, run to the area with traps ahead, put the grass down, and run back... Remember, don’t throw them randomly! Place them in rows one bundle at a time!..." The tribal leader repeatedly reminded his tribesmen, words he had said countless times before.

"...Begin the operation!" he finally commanded with a wave of his hand.

Yet no one responded, as the power of the short spears shot from the camp previously was too daunting.

Siris gritted his teeth, clutching a grass bundle, and was the first to rush forward.

He dared not run too fast, for after all, he had shoe-shaped wooden panels on his feet, making it easy to trip. As he ran, he kept his eyes fixed ahead, cautiously mindful of any short spears that might be shot his way.

Based on intelligence obtained by allied scouts at great risk, it was known that the enemy began to lay traps about 60 meters from the camp, with traps becoming denser the closer to the camp... Therefore, judging he was about 60 meters away, Siris stopped and placed his grass bundle down.

As he turned to run back, countless warriors were already advancing like him, clutching grass bundles.

Upon returning, the tribal leader specifically praised him, "Well done, Siris. You set a good example; truly a hero of ours!"

Siris ignored this, tugging at his shirt sticking to him, not because of sweat but because the grass bundles were soaked beforehand, mostly with freshly cut grass to prevent being ignited.

After catching his breath, Siris picked up another grass bundle and headed forward again.

By then, the area ahead was filled with Pannonian Soldiers, moving back and forth like a colony of ants relocating.

When Siris arrived at his position, the ground was already cluttered with grass bundles, making it hard to identify which one he had placed before. He carefully treaded on the grass bundles, moving forward and placing his bundle on an empty spot.