The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe-Chapter 36 - Decapitation Operation

Juleios quickly explained his plan. Philesius looked at him in astonishment.

"Will it work?!" Philesius asked, visibly shaken.

"Any plan has no guarantee of 100% success, but if we don't try, we won't even have a chance!" Juleios said resolutely, calling for Xilos and his guard unit. He detailed his strategy to them, and out of trust in Juleios, they agreed to the risky operation without hesitation.

Unexpectedly, Juleios added, "This time, I'll go with you!"

"No way! Juleios, you're the leader; you can't take such a risk!" Philesius immediately protested.

"It's just 100 meters back and forth—a blink of an eye, and I'll be back. What's the danger? Besides, I'm the 'favored of the Divins,' under Hades' protection. If I die, doesn't that prove this so-called 'divine favor' is unreliable?" His reasoning left Xilos and the others speechless, swallowing their words of protest.

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"Alright! Let us live and die together, brothers!" Matonis shouted excitedly.

"Yes! Let's show them the courage of Thessalian warriors!" Even the usually quiet Olivers roared passionately.

At that moment, a messenger arrived: "Mithradates has moved to Timasion's flank and is shouting... but only three soldiers have defected to the Persians!" This was a testament to Clearchus' command skills; even in death, his influence still held his troops together.

"Mithradates will be here soon! We can't delay any longer! Philesius, hold the fort here for me!" Juleios said urgently.

"Understood." Philesius reluctantly agreed.

"Asistes, notify all company captains to be prepared for action!"

"Got it!" Asistes responded eagerly.

"Xilos' unit, follow me to the front!"

"Roar!!..." The group shouted in unison, drawing curious glances from nearby soldiers.

"Inspector, Mithradates has reached Juleios' unit!" Tormides reported to Cheirisophus.

Even experienced leaders like Cleanor and Timasion had seen defections within their units. Could this inexperienced young man stabilize his soldiers? Cheirisophus was filled with concern.

"Tormides, go to Timasion immediately and ask him to dispatch the Cretan archers to attack Mithradates." He finally made a decision.

"Yes!" Tormides turned his horse and sped away.

Young man, hold your ground!

Now wearing a standard helmet, Juleios stood in the front row with Xilos' squad. Their javelins were hidden below shoulder level, making them indistinguishable from other soldiers. Facing west, they stood tense, eyes nervously watching the rear.

Suddenly, someone squeezed in beside Juleios. Before he could turn, Asistes spoke, "Leader, I've conveyed your orders to all company captains. As your messenger, I now request permission to fight alongside you!"

Juleios nodded.

"Leader, they're coming!" Xilos whispered.

The sound of hooves grew louder, drawing nearer from behind...

Soon, thirty light cavalry appeared. At the front was a man clad in shimmering lamellar armor reaching his knees—Mithradates, undoubtedly.

Juleios' eyes widened as he gripped his bronze shield tightly.

"Cowardly bastards," Matonis muttered under his breath.

"Greek warriors, I am Mithradates, a friend of Darius the Younger!" Mithradates stopped his horse 200 meters diagonally ahead of Juleios' position and shouted loudly. After each phrase, his cavalry repeated it in Greek.

"And I am also a friend of Menon! I have always been kind to you Greeks, especially you, Menon's soldiers. I've visited your camp many times! Trust me, Clearchus was punished for breaking the agreement, but you have nothing to fear! We will safely escort you back to Asia Minor!"

"The honey-tongued Persians won't fool us!" Asistes spat on the ground.

At that moment, Juleios whispered, "Prepare—begin!"

Xilos' squad immediately began shouting:

"Is it true we can go home?"

"Will we really not be harmed?"

"How much will Tissaphernes pay us to join him?"

...

After the commotion, they shouted in unison, "We surrender! We surrender!" They threw down their shields and spears, running toward Mithradates.

"We surrender too!" A nearby heavy infantry squad, influenced by Xilos' men, also dropped their weapons and followed, quickly blending in with them.

"General, look! This time, even more soldiers are surrendering!" a Persian cavalryman said excitedly to Mithradates.

"Of course! Menon had the best relationship with Arias. I think we can continue calling for surrenders here!" Mithradates said smugly. With such immediate success, his confidence soared.

As Juleios ran, he kept a close eye on the movements of Mithradates' cavalry. Suddenly, two Persian horsemen rode toward them, making his heart race.

"Run to the right! To the right!" the horsemen shouted in fluent Greek, gesturing and leading the way.

"Ignore them! Move faster!" Juleios hissed urgently.

The sudden acceleration of the "surrendering" Greeks puzzled Mithradates.

Then, a cavalryman beside him shouted in alarm, "Wait! They... they have javelins on their backs!"

The Persian's sharp eyes had spotted the concealed weapons as the Greeks closed within 30 meters.

"Prepare!" Xilos shouted. The squad members quickly drew their javelins, stepping forward in unison.

"Damn it!" Mithradates yanked his reins and kicked his horse's sides, attempting to retreat.

But it was too late. Matonis and the others hurled their javelins with all their might, some even falling over from the force.

Amid the Persians' panicked cries, ten javelins flew toward Mithradates. He couldn't evade in time, and several pierced his body. His horse was also struck in the neck and collapsed with a mournful scream, bringing him down.

As the Persian cavalry descended into chaos, Xilos' squad swiftly recovered and launched a second volley, felling two more horsemen.

"Success! They did it!" Antonius, watching intently from the front, shouted excitedly.

The soldiers erupted in cheers.

"Quickly, go support Leader Juleios!" Capus commanded urgently, maintaining his composure.

As the two squads prepared to retreat, Mithradates, who had fallen earlier, suddenly moved. Struggling to free his leg trapped under his horse, his thick armor had saved him from fatal injury.

Now just 20 meters away, with Persian cavalry watching from a distance, the situation was critical. Juleios had no time to think. "Finish him!" he roared, charging forward first.

The soldiers followed without hesitation, grabbing javelins and spears from the ground.

Matonis hurled another javelin with great force, striking down a Persian cavalryman attempting to assist Mithradates. The remaining riders fled in fear.

Mithradates lifted his dust-covered face, wobbling. Seeing Juleios approach, he let out a bitter smile, his mouth filled with blood. "You... you won't escape..."

Juleios didn't respond. He simply drove his spear into Mithradates' neck.