Rome Must Perish-Chapter 296 - 183 Matchmaking Gathering_2

In the past, Maximus had always been cordial to these two female leaders of the rebel army. Today marks the first time he lost his temper, making these two women, who were originally confident in their reasons, suddenly feel guilty.

Acronis mustered up the courage and softly argued, "Leader, I’m... I’m already so old, my kids are almost adults, why should I get married again? Besides, I’m about to become your Chief of Internal Affairs, where will I find the energy to care for another man?"

"Me too!" Karina quickly chimed in, "I’m also getting old, and now as the Chief Officer of the Civil Affairs Department, where will I find the time and energy to marry and have children!"

In fact, from the bottom of his heart, Maximus agreed with their choice: Especially since Acronis was his Chief of Internal Affairs, if she really got married and had children, could he completely rely on her?

However, Maximus still put on a stern face and reprimanded, "I don’t care what reasons you both have. The current situation is, as leaders of these women, if neither of you takes the lead in setting an example, today’s matchmaking event is likely to be difficult to carry on smoothly! Don’t forget, in the earlier discussion, you both nodded in agreement, so whether you want to get married or not, you must sit in the venue!"

"Sister, let’s just go. We can just see it as watching the men, it’s no big deal!" Acronis steeled her nerves and walked directly into the venue. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Karina promptly followed without hesitation.

The two of them fiercely glared at the still clamoring women until they shut their mouths and then sat down arrogantly.

Maximus walked to the center of the venue. As the leader of a burgeoning tribe comprising tens of thousands of people, he had experienced many significant situations and was mentally very strong, but at the moment, he felt inexplicably nervous being watched by thousands of women.

He coughed lightly to calm himself down before loudly saying, "To all my sisters who have followed me from Italy, today is an exceptionally special day for you! From today on, you will no longer endure those days of oppression and enslavement, nor will you have to live with the fears of endless marching and constant battles. You will settle on this fertile land and enjoy a life of freedom and peace!

However, living well here as a lone woman is not easy! No matter how much land you have, without enough strength to cultivate it, you won’t have a good harvest. If you can’t pay enough taxes by then, you’ll face punishment from the tribe;

No matter how good the house is, it will always suffer damage from wind and rain. Whether chopping wood, repairing broken walls, or climbing onto the roof to block leaks are difficult jobs for you, and it’s easy to get hurt if you’re not careful;

No one to care for you when you’re sick, no one to support you when you’re old and frail... Sisters, this should not be the life you risked your lives to follow me for and battled all the way to gain!"

The reason Maximus said these words is because he felt that besides Acronis and Karina, there might be other women choosing to live independently, either due to the shadows left from being slaves or becoming somewhat independent and strong after more than a year of grinding hardship.

At this moment, he noticed that the women around him were listening intently, with many stopping their whispers.

So, he raised his voice again: "Now the tribe has organized this matchmaking event for you, this is a rare opportunity, an opportunity you won’t encounter again in the future! You can personally choose a man you’re satisfied with. As long as he agrees, you two can become a legally married couple in the tribe, owning a house and fertile land that belong to you as a couple.

Plant wheat in spring and summer, weave linen in autumn and winter, raise livestock, and grow fruit trees. In your spare time, you can even make your own wine. Through the mutual cooperation and joint efforts of you and your spouse, year after year, your home will be filled with grains, your livestock pens will be full, allowing you and your husband to have multiple children. When you grow old, your home will be filled with children and grandchildren, with endless laughter and joy, your home will have developed into a thriving big family! Sisters, do you think such a life is good?!"

"Good!!!..." Many women couldn’t help but cheer.

Emotionally charged, Maximus continued, "Your lives will be better, and the tribe will develop better! The wealthier you are and the more children you have, the stronger the tribe will become! One day when we’re gone, our descendants will also continue to strengthen our tribe well and pass on our deeds to future generations, ensuring we will never be forgotten!"

"Well said, Leader!!!..." The women erupted in even louder cheers than before, with some even shouting, "Let’s get the matchmaking started quickly; I can’t wait to choose a husband!"

"Me too!..." The women began to heckle each other.

Indeed, women who have endured many hardships are truly formidable!... Maximus had to shout louder, "Everyone, please wait a moment, I have a few more words to say!"

The noise subsided slightly, but the venue was still quite noisy.

Acronis and Karina abruptly stood up, glaring fiercely around, gradually silencing the women.

Only then did Acronis turn to Maximus and passionately say, "Leader, please continue!"

Indeed, using women to deal with women was effective, finding Acronis as Chief of Internal Affairs was the right choice!... Maximus stroked his chin, slightly raised his head, and said loudly towards the back of the crowd, "Women from Pannonia, I know you still hold resentment in your hearts, but this is war, just like how Pannonia treated the Skodisqi people and Aldeans before, everything is decided by the victors!

Don’t hold onto any illusions. The last time, your Great Chief gathered all the warriors in the tribe to fight us, ending in a disastrous defeat; we captured thousands of your compatriots, I’m sure you’ve all seen this. This time, he sought reinforcements from other Pannonian Tribes, but still suffered a devastating defeat, and he himself was seriously injured, bedridden—"

"What?! That’s impossible!" A gasp came from the back of the crowd.

Maximus didn’t bother to explain further, and continued, "Moreover, Pannonia is now facing another powerful enemy, difficult enough just to deal with them. Segestica won’t be able to send troops to invade my Nix, let alone rescue you. Believe me, you’ll feel this truth more intensely over time!

If I were you, I would seize this great matchmaking opportunity, quickly choose a man I’m satisfied with, marry him, escape the status of a captive and become a tribesman of Nix, living well with your husband...

Pannonians are originally a branch of the Illyrians, and a hundred years ago, the relationship between both sides was very close. Our Nix is also considered a tribe of Illyria. I assure you that living here is not much different from living in Pannonia and may even be better! If you give up this great opportunity, then I can’t help it."

Maximus’ tone turned cold, "Then you will live in the tribe as captives. Think carefully about how Skodisqi female slaves lived in your tribe before; you will live the same way!"

A chill fell over the back of the crowd.

Suddenly, a woman shouted defiantly, "Are those who are already married with husbands also forced to choose a man?!"