Rome Must Perish-Chapter 319 - 198 Segestica Seeks Peace

"How is the Great Chief doing now?" Pulikas interrupted him, asking with concern.

"Don’t you visit him every day? You should know better than me how he is!" Cabdes showed a sad expression, speaking heavily, "Andres is not only still unconscious, but his chest, trampled by a horse, hasn’t improved at all. We’ve tried all kinds of herbs. Hemijias prays at the Holy Stone every day for him. Now we can only see if the Divine will protect him."

"If... I mean if the Great Chief passes away, who will you have succeed him?" Pulikas looked directly at him, asking in a deep voice.

"Of course, it’s Andres’ son, my grandnephew Ankasus!" Cabdes answered without hesitation, then reminded, "But he’s still young now, and I’m afraid the other elders and tribal leaders might not agree. You and I will have to take the time to persuade them."

Pulikas’s expression slightly eased, and he asked in a gentle tone, "Don’t worry, as long as you firmly support Ankasus, I will definitely help you convince the others! By the way, why did you call me here today?"

Cabdes observed him and felt a bit relieved in his heart. He still spoke carefully, "Leader Anrotas has been sending messengers these past few days. They say the mercenaries have left their camp and are now occupying Wallis and my former territory. They’re sending cavalry daily to probe his territory, making him very nervous. He hopes we can send reinforcements to his village to defend against any imminent attack from the enemy... What do you think of his request?"

Anrotas’ messenger came to the Main Camp to plead for reinforcements. Since Great Chief Andres could not handle affairs, he did not only seek out Cabdes but also visited the other elders in the city. Pulikas was aware of this and said with a worried look, "Anrotas’ village is in danger. We should send troops to support them, or else if Anrotas’ territory is occupied, they could directly threaten our lands on the Sava River next. It’s just that..."

Pulikas paused for a moment, his tone becoming less assured, "We’ve suffered defeats several times in battle, losing too many warriors. All the tribes now face many difficulties. It is really hard to form a sufficiently large force to repel the fierce mercenaries... I think we should seek help again from the tribal alliance, asking them to send reinforcements."

Surprisingly, Pulikas, who was always tough externally, showed hesitation, but this was expected by Cabdes.

Cabdes felt a slight joy in his heart, shaking his head as he said, "A few days ago, I specifically sent someone to the Maziyi Main Camp to learn about the situation from Great Chief Maitilis.

This time, the major tribes sent reinforcements to Andizeti, although they repelled the invading Skodisqi and Dacian Alliance Army, the losses were not small, and the Dacians have not completely left the Skodisqi lands. Those damned Skodisqi are still posing as if they’re ready to invade at any time, which means the reinforcements of the tribal alliance dare not withdraw lightly. Both sides are still in a standoff, with no strength left to help us... This was Maitilis’ exact words."

"What about Great Chiefs Temagis and Bricks? Can’t they send reinforcements either?" Pulikas asked, unwilling to accept it.

"What you thought of, I certainly thought of too," Cabdes sighed, "The Desitia Tribe has long been under pressure from the Boyi people. It was only because Great Chief Temagis had a good relationship with our Great Chief that they sent reinforcements last time, but it was the smallest of the three reinforcements, and they lost nearly half of their troops. So this time, the elders in their tribe strongly opposed sending reinforcements again, and Great Chief Temagis can’t do much about it.

As for Great Chief Bricks, he clearly stated he wouldn’t send reinforcements again because last time he sent reinforcements, it left the Brochi Territory poorly defended. A team of mercenaries infiltrated the territory and looted it extensively, causing a significant loss, and a large number of slaves escaped, so he wouldn’t make the same mistake again."

"Doesn’t he want to seek revenge on those mercenaries?!" Pulikas pursued.

Cabdes shrugged, "You and I both know what kind of person Great Chief Bricks is. Honestly, I was surprised that he sent reinforcements last time."

"Without support from other major tribes, we can’t confront those mercenaries with just our current strength." Pulikas showed a conflicted expression, clenching and unclenching his fists, then suddenly slammed his thigh with force, "If it doesn’t work, we’ll execute the most urgent mobilization and gather all the fighting men from the tribes to battle those mercenaries!"

"The most urgent mobilization? That requires the consent of most tribal leaders, and now some leaders might not agree." Cabdes gently reminded.

Pulikas knew Cabdes was stating the fact: When Andres proposed attacking the Aldeans back then, some tribal leaders opposed it. Andres pushed it through with his prestige, and later, after achieving victory, he didn’t allow those opposing tribal leaders to share the benefits.

Now that Andres is severely injured and unconscious, some tribal leaders openly made sarcastic remarks, saying things like ’I firmly opposed warring with the Aldeans back then, but the Great Chief wouldn’t listen, and now look, not only is he severely injured, but the tribesmen also suffered...’. As long as the mercenaries don’t invade their territories, they’re unlikely to agree to send reinforcements to rescue the tribes by the Kupa River.

While he was silent, Cabdes said in a low voice, "Previously when we lost the battle against the mercenaries and I was captured by them, then later released, the mercenary leader asked me to deliver a message to the Great Chief, expressing hope for a ceasefire and peace. Unfortunately, the Great Chief did not agree. Otherwise, our current situation wouldn’t be so difficult..."

Pulikas’ face darkened, "What are you trying to say?"

Cabdes understood Pulikas, and seeing that he was not being harshly stopped, felt there was hope for the matter. He gathered his spirits and earnestly persuaded, "Since we are in a tough spot now and have no other solutions, we might as well agree to the mercenary leader’s earlier proposal for both sides to cease hostilities...

This way, we wouldn’t have to worry about the mercenaries’ invasions. We could focus on our internal affairs, comfort the families of the warriors, aid the struggling tribesmen, and suppress the Skodisqi rebels... After surviving this difficult period, hopefully, the Great Chief might regain consciousness, and by then, the major eastern tribes would have resolved the Dacian issue and might be able to help us... Oh, by the way, during negotiations with the mercenaries, we could also request the release of our captured warriors..."

Initially hearing Cabdes propose negotiating a ceasefire with the mercenaries, Pulikas looked displeased, but by the end, he had slowly relaxed his expression, pondering, then worriedly asked, "Will those mercenaries agree? Our situation isn’t what it used to be."

"Indeed, our situation in Segestica is quite dire, but we still have the backing of other Pannonian Tribes. That mercenary leader, if he’s wise, should know that with their strength, they can’t wipe out our Segestica... Whatever the case, for the sake of the tribe, we should at least try!"

Pulikas was silent for a moment, then nodded.

.....................

The messenger sent by Segestica was detained upon arrival in Westeni, and the news quickly reached Snowdonia. Maximus immediately convened a Political Affairs Hall meeting. After discussion, everyone unanimously agreed: Nix should negotiate a ceasefire with Segestica.

To prevent the Segestica envoy from discovering Snowdonia’s extensive construction, Pigeris led Commerce Department subordinates to Westeni to negotiate with the Segestica envoy there.

While the two sides engaged in intense negotiations, Budocaribas and Ciciliotes led several Alde Tribe leaders to Snowdonia.

Maximus warmly welcomed them into the main hall of the main house, seated them, and then apologized, saying, "I’m truly sorry! Our tribe is currently short on supplies, and we have nothing good to offer. We can only provide you with some water to quench your thirst."

"It’s alright, I understand. You’ve just settled down, and everything is lacking. Pigeris already told me that you’re hoping we can regularly sell you some iron ore and also some grain, to help your tribe sustain until next year’s autumn harvest...

After discussing with the other tribal leaders, everyone believes that since we are allies, we should help each other. So, for the requests you made, we will do our best to assist you!" Budocaribas said earnestly.

"That’s so grateful!" Maximus said with a look of gratitude.

"But we also have a request, and we hope Leader Maximus can agree." A leader beside him interjected.

"Please go ahead," Maximus smiled, recalling Budocaribas’ earlier introduction, "Leader Tenodolitis."

Tenodolitis did not immediately state his request. He glanced around the entire hall, then tapped the ground with his foot, the nerves making him feel complex and melancholic: "Leader Maximus, did you know this place once belonged to our tribe? The Pannonians took it from us... When we came in just now, I saw your tribesmen chopping wood and building houses. The whole village has completely changed, only this... this hall remains much the same as before!"

Maximus raised his eyebrows slightly, his internal alarm going off.