CHAPTER 397: CHAPTER 276: SETHONOS’S PERSUASION (CONTINUED)

"The food that has been handed over isn’t something I use for my personal enjoyment. It’s meant to be submitted to the leader, who then submits it to the Great Chief to supply the army for expeditions against enemies..." Alpas, realizing something, quickly defended himself, "Our Segestica Tribe is in a precarious situation. Since we began resisting the Skodisqi people, we’ve hardly had a year without battles. Without enough food to mobilize the tribesmen for war, how can we ensure the safety of the tribe?—"

"But we’ve suffered repeated defeats. Not only is the tribe unsafe, it’s become even more dangerous!" someone suddenly retorted, leaving Alpas speechless.

Sethonos seized the moment to continue reprimanding Alpas loudly, "Listening to your argument, it seems the hardship of ordinary tribe members is supposed to be expected. But what about you?! You tribal leaders, elders, and clan leaders own far more land than we ordinary tribe members, far more slaves, and have brave warriors guarding your residences and property. A portion of the food we hand over is taken for your own consumption, and you can also confiscate tribesmen’s land to increase your own holdings—"

"Rubbish! Utter rubbish!" Alpas shouted in exasperation, "You traitor! You’re slandering the noble bloodlines of our leaders and elders! Slandering the sacred traditions of our Pannonia!—"

"Slandering?!" Sethonos sneered, turning to the crowd and loudly proclaiming, "Among you are his tribesmen. You tell me, has he ever labored in the fields like us, or herded sheep tirelessly like us?!"

"No... never, not once..." one captive mustered the courage to reply.

"Then have you ever seen him charge fearlessly at the front lines of every battle, bearing scars like us?!" Sethonos asked again. In truth, most Segestica tribal leaders and nobles excelled in combat, but a few, like Alpas, rarely stepped onto the battlefield. Sethonos could tell just by his physique, which is why he posed the question.

"No!" This time, the captive’s response was louder.

"When the fields yield poorly and we can’t fill our bellies, has he ever provided us with enough food to help us endure the tough times?" Sethonos asked once more.

"No!!" The captives responded even more loudly this time.

"Brothers, have you seen it now? This is what our tribe’s leaders and clan heads are like! They’ve long abandoned the traditions of our tribe—caring for tribesmen as family—and instead focus on fattening themselves, leaving us to suffer!"

Sethonos wasn’t just assigned labor in the Nix Tribe; Maximus also arranged for eloquent senior warriors to chat with these reserve tribe members during their free time, listening to their grievances. Much of what Sethonos said today was influenced by these warriors’ guidance.

At that moment, the more Sethonos spoke, the more impassioned he became. The advice from the warriors flowed naturally from his lips, his mind becoming increasingly clear, as if he had reached enlightenment: "When fighting, we charge at the frontlines; when it’s time for the harvest, we hand over the most food. Yet we receive the least, and even a minor mistake results in harsh punishment...

We aren’t tribe members of Segestica at all! We’re actually slaves to the leaders and clan heads! Only slightly better off than the Skodisqi slaves!—"

"You—" Alpas, enraged, was about to curse harshly when a cold, sharp object suddenly pressed against the tender flesh of his neck—a short sword wielded by a Nix Soldier. He wisely shut his mouth.

"It was only after joining the Nix Tribe that I learned what fairness truly means!" Sethonos exclaimed passionately, "Your efforts should be rewarded accordingly! I spent half a year cultivating farmland for the Nix Tribe, joined the main force in an incredibly intense battle two days ago, and secured victory. Then I worked tirelessly to rush here and capture all of you...

Because of my efforts, I became a formal tribe member of the Nix Tribe and acquired at least 60 acres of land! If I continue to achieve merits in battle, I will earn rewards from the tribe—more land, and might even rise into the ranks of Nix nobles! Unlike in the Segestica Tribe, where I would always remain a bullied ordinary member!"

Sethonos’s words caused an immediate uproar among the captives. Even the steady Onosis couldn’t help but ask, "Sethonos, is it true that you could acquire even more than 60 acres of land in the Nix Tribe? And obtain a status as privileged as Alpas’s?!"

"Of course, it’s true!" Sethonos replied confidently, "The Nix Tribe has specialized decrees regarding this matter—every tribe member is aware of it! Plus, some Nix members have already earned over 100 acres of land through outstanding achievements!"

"100 acres?!" The crowd became even more agitated, with some gasping in astonishment.

The surrounding captives grew increasingly curious and asked loudly, "If I join the Nix Tribe, will I get 60 acres of land?!"

"You’ve just joined the Nix Tribe, and haven’t done anything for the tribe yet. The Nix Tribe doesn’t know if you’re genuinely committed, so how could they immediately give you land!—"

Sethonos noticed some captives showing disappointment after hearing this and immediately emphasized, "Think about the Segestica Tribe—when other tribe members wanted to join, they had to work for the leaders and clan heads for a long time before being accepted by the tribe. As for acquiring land, it’s an exceedingly rare opportunity...

But in the Nix Tribe, as long as you work diligently for the tribe for three years, you’ll become a formal member and receive 50 acres of land. If during these three years you participate in battles and achieve merits, the time needed to become a formal member will shorten, and you could potentially receive more land—just like me. Understand now?!"

"Got it, got it. Three years isn’t that long—it’s just working hard, and I’m good at that," one captive immediately nodded.

"I’m not good at farming, but I love fighting. Can I join the Nix Tribe and become a warrior, specializing in fighting for the tribe and earning land quickly?" A burly captive asked loudly.

"That... should also be possible." Sethonos hesitated briefly before replying, "But first, you’d have to pass the Nix Army’s test."

"Someone as strong as me wouldn’t fail their test!" The burly captive raised his thick arm confidently.

"Odetas is one of the renowned warriors of our tribe!" Another captive nearby proudly boasted.

"You heartless bunch! Have you no shame?!" An elderly captive cursed furiously, "The Nix people are our enemies! They’ve slain so many of our tribesmen, and you dare to consider defecting to them? You’ll surely face divine punishment and die miserable deaths!"

"No! Joining the Nix Tribe won’t bring divine punishment. It will bring blessings instead!" Sethonos declared confidently, "Because Nix Leader Maximus is a Divine Descendant of the Danu Goddess, blessed by her. That’s why he led his people here and has been able to repeatedly defeat enemies far stronger than Nix, often overcoming immense odds. That’s also why the Kupa River, which used to flood uncontrollably every rainy season, has been calm this year... Thus, when the Nix Tribe settled here, they immediately began constructing a Danu Goddess Temple. Furthermore, Nix Leader Maximus being a Divine Descendant of the Danu Goddess was verified by the Emmerich Sage.

"Is this true?! The Nix Leader is actually a Divine Descendant of the Danu Goddess?!"

"It must be true, didn’t you just hear him say that there’s a Danu Goddess Temple in the Nix Tribe? Plus, this was verified by Emmerich Sage! Emmerich Sage is the only Skodisqi Druid in our Segestica Tribe. He’s favored by the divine, and any patient he treats recovers. He wouldn’t lie!"

"No wonder our brave Andres Chief and Great Chief Cabdes suddenly died! They recklessly attacked the Nix Tribe, which is blessed by the Danu Goddess, and angered her. They were undoubtedly struck down by divine punishment! The Danu Goddess is the Mother of All Things and Goddess of the Earth!"

"Oh! What should we do?! We’ve fought against the Nix people and offended the Goddess—that’s why we’ve been captured!"

"Hey, can I join the Nix Tribe right now?!"

"Me too! I want to join as well!"

...

For a time, many captives around expressed a fervent desire to Sethonos to "join the Nix Tribe."

Scenes like this repeatedly unfolded in every captive camp.

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

Late at night, Maximus was awakened from his deep sleep: "Leader, just as you anticipated, the Segestica people in the fort attempted to escape during the night!"

Maximus rubbed his drowsy eyes and asked casually, "What’s the situation now?"

"Three battalions from the First Legion and two battalions from the Fourth Legion moved in swiftly as planned to intercept them. Not a single one will get away!" The attendant replied excitedly.

"Good, good..." Maximus yawned and replied weakly, "I’ll sleep a bit more. When everything’s settled, call Legion Commanders Fesaros and Oluus over to see me."

"Yes, Leader!"

About two hours later, Fesaros and Oluus stood in the military tent.

"Leader, the Segestica people in the fort have all been captured. We’ve also occupied the entire fort and seized all the Pannonian Army’s stored food and supplies there!..." Fesaros reported cheerfully, then added, "Leader, you’re truly brilliant, foreseeing their escape attempt so early!"