CHAPTER 399: CHAPTER 278 PACIFICATION

Pulikas furrowed his brow and gazed towards the opposite bank, spotting a dazzling light behind the mass of people. He knew well that it was the reflection of the sunset gleaming off armor. The bitter memory of the swamp defeat surged back, stoking his panic. He realized that the enemy had already taken over the Western Village, and if they crossed the floating bridge with the crowd, the Eastern Village would...

He finally made his decision and shouted loudly, "Cut down the floating bridge! Hurry, cut it down!"

The warrior at the bridgehead hesitated. "Elder Pulikas, but there are many of our tribesmen still on the bridge! And on the other bank, there are also—"

"Cut it down immediately! Otherwise, once the enemy crosses the floating bridge, all of us will perish!" Pulikas roared. Seeing the warrior still hesitate, he grabbed the longsword from his hand and viciously hacked at the mooring ropes tied to the bridge’s pilings. His subordinates followed suit, drawing their swords and hacking at the ropes on the other side...

The crowd on the bridge, seeing the scene unfold, pushed and shoved even more frantically. More people tumbled into the water with loud splashes, while others surged forward in waves. The air was filled with curses, cries, and pleas as the floating bridge descended into utter chaos...

Soon, the ropes tethering the boats were severed. Pulikas led his men to cut down the wooden stakes securing the floating platform nearest the shore.

The floating bridge lost its anchorage on the northern bank and began to slowly drift southward with the current...

Maximus rode his warhorse into the open gates of the Western Village, surrounded by Guards and attendants.

His gaze swept over the road flanked with fallen bodies and groaning injured, his expression cold and indifferent.

Just as he entered the village, Camillus approached him. "Leader, we’ve occupied this village! But the enemy has severed the floating bridge, and we were unable to cross into the village on the opposite bank..."

Maximus spoke with a calm tone: "The Third Legion has marched long and hard through the day. Capturing this village was already a significant accomplishment. Since nightfall is near and the soldiers are exhausted, let them rest well. We’ll deal with attacking Segestica’s Eastern Camp tomorrow."

"Understood." Camillus added, "Leader, there are large numbers of Segestica people surrounded near the floating bridge. I’ve sent some Segestica recruits to calm them, but there are too many of them. I’m worried that if this drags on, something unforeseen might happen. Do you have a good solution for this?"

Maximus paused to contemplate and replied, "Take me there."

He turned to look behind him at Casinos. "You come along as well."

"Yes..." Casinos bowed deeply in deference. Such submission stemmed from witnessing the Nix Army’s swift conquest of Segestica’s Western Village within a single day, shattering any lingering hope in his heart.

Once they arrived at the floating bridge, countless torches illuminated the area brightly.

The Segestica people crowded the shore, taking up a vast space, while soldiers from the Fourth Legion formed a thin cordon around them.

Both sides faced off against each other in an eerie silence; even the cries of children were muffled as parents covered their mouths tightly. Amid this, the voices of Segestica recruits comforting their compatriots could be faintly heard.

Maximus ascended the watchtower at the junction between the bridgehead and the street. From his vantage point on the observatory, the bugler behind him blew the copper horn. The crisp, resonant sound immediately drew the attention of everyone gathered at the shore.

Maximus looked down at the densely packed, swaying crowd below, then exhaled deeply and raised his voice, which boomed like a massive bell: "I, Maximus, the leader of the Nix Tribe! I am the one who led my people last year to defeat your Great Chief Andres, leaving him gravely injured and dead! Four days ago, I led my people to crush the Pannonian Tribe Alliance’s army on the eastern bank of the Kolana River, capturing over 6,000 soldiers! Yesterday, I led my people to annihilate your forces and those of Desitia at the Kupa River, where your Great Chief Cabdes perished in the waters! And today, I have brought my people to breach your settlements and stand before you!—"

The Segestica citizens were in an uproar. The young man towering above them, clad in gleaming armor and standing imposing beneath the flickering firelight, appeared as a nightmarish figure, exuding an aura of dread.

"Greed will doom the greedy, and tribes that habitually invade others will inevitably be invaded in return! The Nix Tribe originally had no hostility towards Segestica, but after suffering repeated attacks from your army, we were compelled to strike back. Therefore, I led my army here. The Segestica Chief and nobles responsible for starting this war must face punishment! But as for you—"

Maximus’s tone softened, tinged with sympathy. He extended his right hand forward. "You were coerced! Under the threat of your chief and nobles, you had no choice but to send the strongest men in your homes to battle, constantly fearing for their safety! You were also forced to surrender additional grain to support the army, leaving your families to starve!

But for all the sacrifices you made, did you ever receive any benefits? No! Andres once seized vast fertile lands along the Kupa River from the Aldeans, but none of you ever saw a share. Yet, year after year, you provided men and grain, watched loved ones return injured or slain, while enduring hunger yourselves..."

Maximus sighed softly, before raising his voice abruptly: "But from now on, such misery will no longer exist, for the Nix Tribe will become the new rulers of this land! If you join our Nix Tribe and become part of our people, you will all be treated well by our tribe!

Whether farming tirelessly or fighting bravely alongside the army, every ounce of your contribution will be remembered by the tribe. Based on what you contribute, each family will be allotted no less than 50 acres of land.

The more you contribute to the Nix Tribe, the more land you will receive, and your status within the tribe will rise—eventually, you could even become nobles of the Nix Tribe, enjoying privileges that ordinary tribesmen cannot have!

I am not boasting; there are already over 1,000 former Segestica citizens in the Nix Tribe. I trust some of you have seen them. When I finish speaking, you can go and ask them yourselves—ask them if everything I’ve said is true!

Moreover, I have someone familiar to you here, and he wishes to say a few words to you!"

Maximus stepped aside and spoke softly, "Casinos, it’s your turn to demonstrate."

Casinos’s heart jolted. Although he deeply loathed facing so many of his fellow tribesmen, under Maximus’s silent yet oppressive gaze, he involuntarily stepped forward one step, then another... until he reached the railing.

The formerly silent Segestica crowd suddenly grew restless. "Is that Casinos?!"

"Look at the lump on his forehead; it’s definitely him!"

"Wasn’t he killed in battle?"

"You’re mistaken. Cabdes drowned; Casinos is standing right there unharmed!"

"He’s the son of the Great Chief—our Segestica tribal elder! How could he betray us by siding with the enemy?"

"Maybe he was forced by the Nix people."

"If the Nix Tribe is truly as good as their leader claims, maybe Casinos willingly joined them..."

"Shut your mouth!..."

A loud blast from the copper horn silenced the commotion momentarily along the riverside.

"Fellow... tribesmen... I am..." Casinos lowered his head and stammered. Just as he uttered a few words, Maximus’s dissatisfied voice sounded near his ear: "Speak louder! Stand straight, lift your head, and address them with confidence!"

Casinos was forced to obey the order, straightening his stance and raising his voice: "Fellow tribesmen—"

"Still too quiet!" Maximus scoffed coldly.

Gritting his teeth, Casinos yelled, "Fellow tribesmen!—"

The shout seemed to clear the heaviness in his chest, easing much of his shame and discomfort. Without hesitation, Casinos pressed forward: "I am Casinos! The army of the Pannonian Tribe Alliance has been completely defeated—this is true! Our forces and Desitia’s army have also been crushed!

Thousands of our warriors have been captured, and the Segestica Tribe no longer has enough warriors to defend you! The other major Pannonian tribes who suffered disastrous defeats cannot provide assistance! Today, all of you have seen it—the Nix Army effortlessly entered our territory and occupied our village without much resistance... Segestica is finished!... Truly... finished!"

At this point, Casinos choked up, pausing briefly to regain his composure, then continued shouting: "Now is the time for you to consider carefully, for yourselves, for your families! Will you follow the Segestica Tribe into oblivion?! Or will you join the Nix Tribe?!...

I can swear before the Holy Forest that every word I have said is true! If you join the Nix Tribe, you will not be treated as outsiders, nor will you face discrimination. As long as you follow their arrangements... work hard and fight bravely, you will be granted vast tracts of land! You might even... yes, become nobles of the Nix Tribe!

There are already some of our tribesmen among the Nix Army. These are people who were captured in previous battles. Initially, they were just as worried as you, but now, look at them—they pride themselves on being Nix! If you still have doubts, go ahead and ask them yourselves. Not long ago, they were your neighbors, friends, even relatives. Would they lie to you?

If you flee to tribes like Brochi or Mazi within Pannonia, you will still be outsiders. You’ll be forced to work just as hard, and it will take years before you are accepted, if at all—and receiving land is far from guaranteed... This is a shared tradition among all Pannonian tribes, and you know it well. Compared to that, joining the Nix Tribe would be far more promising!

My fellow tribesmen, Segestica is truly finished! For yourselves, for your family, for your children—think carefully about what to do next!... Joining the Nix Tribe is your best option!"