CHAPTER 364: CHAPTER 243: SIGNS OF WAR

Immediately after, both Budocaribas and Xisaites expressed their support for Karsipengpas’s words, affirming: They would undoubtedly repel the enemy’s attack!

Seeing this, Fesaros also declared: He would ensure that the Nix Army swiftly defeated the adversaries right in front of them, alleviating pressure on the left flank.

Upon seeing this, Alistacas said no more, and the military meeting concluded.

Fesaros exhaled a long breath. Even with his slow wit, he could sense the undercurrents among these Aldean Leaders during the military meeting. This time, he had narrowly avoided being drawn into their strife.

Returning to the camp, he recounted the events of the military meeting to Pigeris.

After listening, Pigeris offered him a few words of comfort before hobbling off toward the camps of Karsipengpas and Budocaribas.

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While the soldiers of the First Legion lay down to rest in the military tents, the bonfires of the Nix Tribe had just been extinguished. The crowd dispersed, and the clamor subsided as Maximus returned to the main house.

A bright moon hung in the night sky, its soft silvery glow gentle as water.

Maximus felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement because today Florist Luscia had moved into the main house.

This time, when he wed Florist Luscia, Maximus did not hold a grand ceremony. Previously, his marriage to Nexia had been exceedingly modest. Out of consideration for Nexia’s feelings, he merely mentioned the matter during a Political Affairs Hall meeting.

The officers of each department had no objections. Thus, Ritual Officer Kefisofon, following Maximus’s instructions, arranged a simple ceremony to bring Florist Luscia into the main house. This allowed the tribespeople—especially the Skodisqi Reserve Tribes—to be informed that the daughter of the former Skodisqi Great Leader had become the Nix Tribe Chief’s wife.

"Chief, you’re back!" Chief of Internal Affairs, Acronis, greeted him warmly and asked with concern, "Have you eaten dinner yet?"

"I ate plenty at the bonfire gathering. I’m full now." Maximus coughed lightly and asked, "How... how is Florist Luscia doing?"

"Florist Luscia is waiting for you in the bridal room. Nexia is inside, chatting with her. Are you heading over now?"

Maximus was about to nod but, after some thought, said, "I’ll wash up first."

"Understood." Acronis immediately ordered her subordinates to heat water, prepare a wooden tub, towels, and clean clothes... Then, she had someone inform Florist Luscia in the bridal room.

After Maximus finished washing, Acronis personally led him to the bridal room.

Though the moonlight illuminated the night, the main house was lit with numerous torches, brightening the entire courtyard.

The bridal room where Florist Luscia stayed was close to Maximus’s residence. It had once been the quarters of Wallis, the most trusted aide of the Segestica Tribe leader. After confirming the marriage, Acronis had ordered a refurbishment of the room.

Maximus pushed open the slightly ajar door. In the flickering candlelight, he saw that only one person was inside. Nexia had left, leaving Florist Luscia sitting alone on the bed, her delicate frame trembling slightly.

Maximus stepped in gently, and Acronis softly closed the door behind him.

Acronis left the bridal room and instinctively walked toward Nexia’s residence. Midway, she saw Nexia from a distance, standing quietly under the eaves, gazing at the night sky with a forlorn figure.

Acronis walked over softly, stood beside her, and, like her, silently gazed at the bright full moon in the night sky.

After a long while, Nexia said in a faint voice, "Don’t worry about me; I’m fine."

"I wasn’t worried about you. I was just..." Acronis feigned a lighthearted tone, "I used to be so busy surviving that I never had time to appreciate the moon. Now that we’re settled, taking the time to look at it, I realize it’s truly beautiful!"

"Alright, you just want to say how hard-earned our current life is and that we must do everything to protect it..." Nexia turned to look at Acronis and said in a firm tone, "I understand this better than you. Don’t think that I only accepted Florist Luscia as my sister and the chief’s bride today. If, in the future, the chief must marry a complete stranger for the sake of the tribe, I will accept it too!"

Acronis was at a loss for words.

Nexia studied her for a moment and then suddenly broke into a faint smile. "Acronis, thank you for keeping me company tonight, no matter what! I owe you another favor!"

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The next morning, after having breakfast with Nexia and Florist Luscia, Maximus headed to the Political Affairs Hall. Since the tribe’s establishment, it was rare for him to be late to work. Exhausted from the night before, he had overslept that morning. Unlike Nexia, the delicate Florist Luscia aroused an intense protectiveness in him. Always taking the initiative, he exhibited his gentle prowess throughout the night.

Though still somewhat fatigued, Maximus was in high spirits, humming an unfamiliar tune. Suddenly, he ran into the hurriedly approaching Casius.

"Casius, what’s the rush? You’re no longer a child. You’re now an official of the Nix Tribe. You must learn to handle everything calmly," Maximus said with an unchanged smile and a calm tone.

"Yes, Chief." Casius steadied himself and saluted before saying, "I just received news from Segestica. Their new Great Chief, Cabdes, issued an order the day before yesterday, demanding that each tribe hand over 30% of their harvest. Additionally, he instructed all tribes to intensify military training during the upcoming idle farming period."

Maximus’s expression turned sharp. "Did Cabdes provide a reason for this?"

"No. However, our spies reported that the tribal leaders under his control and neighboring tribes began implementing the order immediately, unlike in the past when they hesitated or sent someone to the main camp to seek clarification first."

"This means they’ve already communicated in advance and reached an agreement."

"Yes."

Maximus pondered for a moment and said, "Gathering resources and strengthening training... The Segestica people are preparing for war! And the only enemy around the Segestica Territory is—"

Maximus tapped his chest and uttered one word: "Us!"

"Chief, our ceasefire agreement with the Segestica people will expire in just over a month!" Casius reminded him.

"The Segestica people have been defeated by us multiple times and fear us greatly. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have voluntarily signed a ceasefire agreement with us—unless..." Maximus’s mind raced. "Have the Brochi people sent any news yet?"

"Not yet."

"Urge them to investigate whether the Brochi people are also displaying unusual activity!" Maximus ordered with a firmer tone.

"Chief, are you saying... this time the Pannonians might unite again to attack us?" Casius asked nervously, catching on.

"Very likely. Otherwise, the Segestica people wouldn’t be so bold." Maximus reassured him with a smile. "But don’t be overly concerned. We were already planning to declare war on the Segestica people once the agreement expired. If they attack first, it saves us the effort... By the way, what’s the situation with the First Legion?"

"We heard yesterday that the First Legion is nearing the upper reaches of the Murenica River. They’ve likely already arrived at the battlefield by now." Casius replied uncertainly.

"Send your best men with my written orders to instruct Fesaros to return promptly after concluding the battle!" Maximus commanded decisively.

"Understood!"

After ending the conversation with Casius, Maximus quickened his steps toward the Political Affairs Hall.

In the afternoon, the iron workshop received orders from Capito: The command was to manufacture as many crossbows and crossbow arrows as possible within the next two months.

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Otarlat was a formidable Illyrian tribe that once lived solely in the mountains. However, its barren lands couldn’t sustain a large population, forcing it to expand outward. After conquering the Tribe of Tribali and several smaller Illyrian tribes, its territory grew severalfold, bringing it to the northern border of the Alde Tribe.

At the time, the Aldeans were strong, and Otarlat dared not provoke them. Meanwhile, the Aldeans had little interest in the poorer southern lands. Thus, peace prevailed for many years—until the discovery of the salt fields disrupted this balance.

In the valley where the two tribes’ territories met, multiple streams flowed. It was discovered that letting the water from these streams settle and evaporate yielded salt crystals. This area was subsequently developed into salt fields.

The two tribes initially agreed to share the profits from these salt fields. But the allure of wealth made conflict inevitable, turning disputes into full-fledged wars.

Initially, the Aldeans held the upper hand, gaining a larger share of the salt fields. But the invasion by the Segestica people shifted the power balance. The Otarlat people seized the opportunity to deal a heavy blow to the Aldeans and took full control of the salt fields.

However, they didn’t anticipate that the severely weakened Aldeans would launch another challenge. Otarlat Great Chief Baka convinced the tribal leaders to gather the majority of their warriors not only to thwart the Aldeans’ claims on the salt fields but also to pursue a grander ambition.

Baka coveted the fertile lands along the rivers controlled by the Aldeans. He intended to use this victory to commence an invasion of Aldean Territory.

On this particular morning, the weather was cool, windless, and cloudless.

The Aldean Alliance Army and the Otarlat Army faced off on the flat, desolate land north of the Kolana River.