CHAPTER 343: CHAPTER 222 ALDE’S REQUEST

Marcus Antonius was the model for Cicero. This ancestor, who also came from humble beginnings, relied on his oratory talent to ultimately become a Roman Governor, though he met his end during the period of rebellion initiated by Marius. Because of this, Cicero harbored a deep hatred for the radical reforms of the Civilian Faction and supported the conservative and stable Elder Faction.

Pompey, who had wiped out the Civilian Faction’s rebel army in Spain, appeared to him as a second Sula. Cicero believed that this brilliant Roman hero was destined to become a cornerstone of the Elder Faction.

This was also a source of personal motivation for him. Although he had begun making appearances in court seven or eight years ago and had gained a modest reputation within Rome’s legal circles, he felt this was far from enough. To enter the upper echelons of the Roman political arena and work alongside such luminaries, he knew he had to quickly claim the crown of the plaintiff, the pinnacle of legal achievement, to garner widespread admiration. This would become his next goal to strive toward.

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Mid-July, Snowdonia’s main residence. The tribal assembly, originally set for the end of the month, was convened early today. Representatives of various departments and their subordinates filled the hall.

"Everyone!" The tribal leader, Maximus, seated at the head, bore a grave expression and spoke in a low tone: "I have just received news. Our comrades who stayed in Italy... Spartacus and the troops he led have been completely defeated by the Romans..."

As Maximus had repeatedly emphasized before, everyone had reached a consensus that the main rebel army’s campaign in Italy would eventually fail. Otherwise, they would not have followed Maximus to this place. However, no one had expected the defeat to come so swiftly. That was an army exceeding 100,000 soldiers, led by the courageous and resourceful Spartacus!

"Leader, is this true?!" Acronis voiced the doubts lingering in most people’s hearts.

"It is indeed true..." Maximus said, his face shadowed with sorrow. "This news was just brought to me by Elder Karsipempas of the Alde tribe. I had entrusted him to keep us informed about what was happening in Italy.

He told me that two months ago, the main forces of Free Italy were defeated by the Roman Army led by Crassus. Spartacus, Hamilcar... Antonix, and other leaders fell one after another in battle. The warriors either perished on the battlefield or were crucified after being captured...

He said that along the Appian Way leading to Rome, many crosses were erected. The corpses of the warriors nailed upon them... have not been taken down to this day."

The hall fell into a deathly silence, only to be broken by sporadic sobbing. Torrelugo and Fesaros, the two gladiators who initially rose in revolt, not only teared up but also cursed the Romans through gritted teeth.

In contrast, Flanitnus, Quintus, and some tribal officials who had directly sought out Maximus later on, with little previous connection to other rebel forces, appeared more shocked than mournful. Some even seemed awkward.

"Leader, how were Spartacus and the others defeated?" Quintus asked, partly out of curiosity and partly to shift everyone’s attention.

Maximus provided a brief account of the main rebel army’s mobile campaigns throughout Italy over the past year and their ultimate downfall.

After hearing this, the crowd sighed one after another. They lamented how the rebels had been misled by pirates, leading to unnecessary delays in the Regium region. They also shuddered at how successive Roman armies had converged on Italy to encircle and annihilate the rebels. Many recalled Maximus’s previous warnings and felt fortunate to have heeded them.

"Leader, since the Romans have destroyed Spartacus’s forces in Italy, does this mean... does this mean they’ll come for us next?" Gaius suddenly asked loudly.

These words immediately heightened the tension, and all eyes focused intently on Maximus.

With a calm demeanor, Maximus replied, "Do not worry, everyone. Last month, Rome already held a Triumph for Crassus, who commanded the forces against Spartacus. Quintus, Flanitnus, would you agree that this signifies that the Roman Senate considers this conflict with us to have ended?"

"Indeed, Leader," Flanitnus affirmed confidently. "According to Roman military tradition, the Senate would not have granted Crassus a Triumph if they believed he had not entirely eradicated us. Furthermore, after holding a Triumph, the massive Roman Army assembled for the war would be dissolved, and Crassus would be recalled to Rome, no longer holding command."

"You all heard that." Maximus scanned the room with a composed expression. "Elder Karsipempas also informed me that during this period, across the Istria Peninsula and the northern Adriatic Gulf, he saw no signs of the Roman Northern Province army preparing to enter the mountains and encircle us. Nor have there been any rumors circulating about our tribe thriving in the mountains.

On the contrary, when he initially sent sailors to spread the false rumor in that region that ’we had been wiped out by barbarians,’ those rumors still occasionally surface. I believe that in a year or two, the Italian populace will entirely forget about us. So you may rest easy."

Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But then Maximus spoke in a deep voice: "Even so, we cannot lower our guard! The influence of the Romans across the Mediterranean is expanding day by day. Sooner or later, their reach will collide with ours. Greedy as they are, they will never overlook this fertile Great River Plain. At that time, war will once again descend upon us.

Thus, we must devote ourselves entirely to strengthening and expanding our tribe. Only then, when war with the Romans comes, will we have the power to defeat them, protect our homeland, and avenge Spartacus and the others. Do you agree?!"

"Yes!!" Torrelugo and others clenched their fists and shouted in unison.

Quintus reminded, "Leader, our tribe now has a large and diverse population. To avoid internal disorder and to prevent some malicious individuals from discovering our secrets and spreading them, I suggest we keep the news of Spartacus’s defeat and death confidential. We should not inform the tribespeople or hold public memorials for them."

Quintus’s suggestion aligned with Maximus’s thoughts, but he still pondered for a moment before replying, "You are right. This is a sensitive time. The Romans are still reveling in their victory over Spartacus, while our tribespeople have just begun to stabilize and are focusing their efforts on building their homes. We must not disrupt this peace!

We will neither memorialize nor publicize the defeat, but we must keep this hatred engraved in our hearts. One day, we will settle this score with the Romans. Do you agree?"

Though Torrelugo, Fesaros, and others felt reluctant, none voiced opposition.

Clearing his throat, Maximus continued, "Elder Karsipempas did not come to our tribe merely to deliver this valuable news from Italy. He also carries a mission entrusted by the Great Chief of the Aldean tribe, Acoupaigos—he hopes we, the Nix Tribe, can send troops to help them defeat the Otarlat people!"

The hall buzzed with murmurs.

Volenus asked hesitantly, "Leader, is this Otarlat tribe the same Illyrian group frequently at odds with the Aldeans over the salt mine?"

"Yes." Maximus nodded. "We have been here for a year now. Most of you should know that our allies, the Aldeans, have two enemies: the Pannonians and the Otarlat people.

The Otarlat is also a major Illyrian tribe, located south of the Aldean territory. Its strength once matched that of the Aldeans, and the two groups had close relations. However, after the discovery of a salt mine along the southern Aldean border, conflict between them became incessant. Later, as casualties mounted on both sides, an agreement was reached to share the mine’s profits.

But when the Pannonians went to war against the Aldeans, severely weakening their strength, the Otarlat people seized the opportunity to rekindle the conflict. The Aldeans could not withstand them, and by the year before last, the Otarlat had entirely taken control of the salt mine...

Now, the Great Chief Acoupaigos has asked us to send troops to help them retake the salt mine. What do you all think?"

"I think we should agree to the Aldeans’ request!" Pigeris declared boldly. "The Aldeans are our allies, and according to the terms of our alliance, we are obliged to assist when they go to war.

Moreover, we owe our ability to live peacefully here to the Aldeans’ generosity. They allowed us into the mountains, provided us land, wheat, and manpower... The Aldeans have helped us tremendously. Now it is time to repay them. We should deploy our forces."

"I disagree with Pigeris’s view," Gaius countered. "First of all, the alliance we formed with the Aldeans was a defensive one. When we fought against the Pannonians, the Aldeans did not send their forces to assist us.

Secondly, the Aldeans did not help us selflessly. Conversely, we have helped them considerably. Allowing us to settle, sell us land, and form an alliance with us was merely their strategy to seek aid in resisting the powerful Pannonians. Over the past year, their ability to live peacefully has depended entirely on our hard battles.

Many Aldean tribes struggling with landlessness and poverty have avoided internal disputes and infighting only because we hired many of their impoverished tribespeople through agreements...

Most importantly, the harvest season is just two months away. That is when manpower is most critical. Sending troops to fight at this time will not only disrupt the harvest of our wheat but also displease our tribespeople, who have labored hard for months. Therefore, I believe we should refuse the Aldeans’ request."