CHAPTER 405: CHAPTER 283: REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE

"It seems that persuading the Segestica people with words alone is not enough. We’ll have to resort to other methods..." Maximus contemplated.

"Leader, though few Segestica people joined our tribe last night, many Skodisqi people chose to join us. There were more than 2,000 of them!"

Maximus was stunned for a moment and then overjoyed: "Valerius, why didn’t you tell me such great news earlier! Hold on—when we entered the camp last night, we didn’t see any Skodisqi slaves. Could it be that the Skodisqi new recruits in our ranks went out of the camp last night to find them?"

Facing Maximus’s doubts, Valerius explained: "Leader, our soldiers wouldn’t dare leave without orders. These newly joined Skodisqi are actually the slaves of this camp! Here’s what happened..."

Apparently, since last year, when Gowes led some Skodisqi to become mountain bandits and repeatedly raided Segestica villages, the Segestica people began tightening control over the Skodisqi slaves within their territory. Among the decrees issued was one mandating that Skodisqi slaves must remain indoors by dusk each day, forbidden to leave under threat of being killed on sight.

When the Nix Army entered Segestica territory and launched the attack, the Skodisqi slaves were already following the decree, staying indoors as usual. Seeing the enemy invasion, the Segestica people prioritized their own escape, abandoning concern for the slaves. The Skodisqi slaves, hearing the commotion outside, didn’t dare leave their houses due to past bloody lessons. Even though it was evident that Segestica was under enemy attack amidst the chaos, they considered it safer to stay hidden indoors.

It wasn’t until nighttime, when soldiers from the Fourth Legion occupied the homes within the camp, that they discovered the Skodisqi slaves hiding inside. Through communication facilitated by the Skodisqi new recruits in their ranks, these slaves willingly joined Nix and even helped the soldiers prepare food...

When Maximus heard this, he immediately deduced: "In other words... these 2,000 newly joined slaves are just from this West Village. In the East Village and other surrounding villages, there are likely many more Skodisqi slaves?"

"Yes, Leader, that seems to be the case."

"Good! Good!..." Maximus grew excited. The Segestica people’s temporary reluctance to join didn’t matter; the Skodisqi slaves throughout the territory, soon to be liberated from oppression, would surely become loyal supporters of Nix. With their addition, the tribe’s population shortage could be significantly alleviated, and they could occupy as much of this fertile land as possible!

Thinking about population, Maximus raised another question: "Valerius, yesterday you led people to prepare dinner. Was there a substantial supply of food in the camp?"

"The camp doesn’t have a dedicated granary. Each household has some food, but not much, as these residences are only temporary homes for various tribal leaders and clan elders.

I didn’t check the houses of the commoners, as, Leader, you had just given them a speech last night, and I feared that such actions might provoke their dissatisfaction. However, I inquired among those Segestica people who just joined us, and they mentioned that the tribal leaders and elders store a considerable amount of food in their own households across the villages."

Maximus had posed the question casually, not expecting that Valerius had already considered the matter thoroughly and taken preparations. This made Maximus look at him in a new light.

After contemplating briefly, Maximus instructed his attendant to summon Eorokus.

Eorokus, the First Battalion Captain of the Third Legion, was originally part of Maximus’s Supply Camp, and joined during the recruitment wave from Napolet’s sailors and laborers. Eorokus had both considerable ability and great luck. Despite the Third Legion’s tumultuous fate since its formation, having suffered significant casualties in several campaigns, Eorokus not only gained many merits but also remained uninjured, steadily rising to the rank of First Battalion Captain, second only to the Legion Commander. He was highly trusted by Carmine, who entrusted Eorokus to guard the West Village while attacking the East Village.

At the moment, Eorokus rushed up before Maximus and saluted, saying, "Leader, please issue your command, and I shall execute it resolutely!"

"It’s not a major matter; don’t be so tense." Maximus laughed and said, "The East Village has already been conquered. There likely won’t be significant battles ahead, so relax a bit."

Eorokus still maintained a serious expression, fixating on Maximus.

This reminded Maximus of Carmine’s remark that "Eorokus handles matters with utmost earnestness," so he restrained his expression, speaking solemnly: "I need you to dispatch some troops from the camp to nearby villages for two missions. First, persuade the Skodisqi slaves in those villages to join our ranks. Second, confiscate the food reserves held by the tribal leaders and nobles in these villages and transport the supplies back to the camp...

Hmm, I advise that you send some of the newly joined Skodisqi slaves along with the troops. This will make it easier to convince their compatriots and assist in food transportation. If Segestica people obstruct your efforts to gather food, don’t show them any mercy!"

"Understood!" Eorokus quickly departed.

Maximus turned to his attendants: "Who wants to take a boat to the far bank to relay my orders to Commander Carmine?"

"I do!" The attendants responded unanimously and loudly.

Maximus nodded in satisfaction, pointing to the oldest youth among them: "This time, Markus, you go."

Markus exclaimed joyfully, "Thank you, Leader!"

"Don’t get too excited yet; make sure to carry out the task properly." Maximus beckoned him closer and said in a low voice: "Once you find Carmine, have him carry out three tasks swiftly. First, persuade the Skodisqi slaves on the East Bank to join Nix. Second, once East Village is securely defended, gather the food reserves of Segestica tribal leaders and nobles from all the villages on the East Bank and relocate them to East Village. Third—"

Maximus’s voice grew heavier: "While collecting the food, find ways to eliminate as many of the Segestica Great Chief’s family’s leaders and nobles as possible!... Have you noted everything?"

"Yes!"

"Go quickly!"

"Understood!"

Cassinos’ earlier remarks made Maximus realize that the Segestica Great Chief’s family had too many kin and concentrated power, making them highly unstable factors in Nix’s takeover of Segestica. To ensure a smoother governance of this territory, even at the risk of triggering disturbances, he deemed their eradication necessary!

Maximus stood in place, pondering whether Markus’s trip would stabilize the East Bank’s situation, with a trace of worry in his heart.

After some time, he returned his focus and said to Valerius: "Let’s go and meet our newly joined tribal members in Nix."

The Skodisqi slaves had already heard plenty about the Nix Leader from their compatriots, holding great reverence for the young leader.

However, Maximus interacted with them with a constant smile and a gentle demeanor, answering their queries earnestly, which greatly eased their concerns.

The Skodisqi slaves, having previously suffered severe oppression and hardships, saw Nix’s policies concerning reserve tribe members as a significant improvement to their current plight, leaving them optimistic about their future lives in Nix.

Maximus’s interactions with them were relaxed and pleasant.

By afternoon, however, when he met the 103 newly recruited Segestica citizens, the situation became quite different.

Although these Segestica people had lived in hardship over recent years due to warfare, they still had houses and land, and as Segestica tribe members, they held some rights. Their standing was far superior to that of the Skodisqi slaves, and they accordingly had greater demands.

During their meeting with Maximus, they raised concerns such as: since they had joined Nix Tribe, why would they need to work for three more years before being given land?... They had houses, property, and land, so why should these things not remain theirs after joining Nix Tribe?...

Maximus patiently explained to them, but the Segestica citizens were visibly dissatisfied.

After sending them away, Maximus stayed in his room lost in thought.

At dusk, as Maximus was having dinner, an attendant came to report: "Leader, Quintus, Volenus, Capito, Gaius, Pigeris, and the others have arrived—"

The attendant hadn’t finished speaking when Maximus abruptly stood up and strode out of the room. He met Quintus, Volenus, and the group as soon as he reached the courtyard.

"Ah, at last! I’ve been waiting for you for ages!" Maximus blurted out joyfully.

"Leader!... Leader!... Leader!..." The group hurriedly saluted.

"You must be starving after traveling all day. Tilius, go have Valerius prepare more food," Maximus instructed the attendant, then called out to the group: "Come, come, let’s head inside. We’ll eat as we discuss."

The group entered the room and sat around the table.

Maximus first asked with concern, "Did you face any trouble during your journey here?"

Quintus replied, "The journey went smoothly. As we passed through Segestica villages, the Segestica people hid inside their houses. None dared to confront us. It seems, Leader, that your capture of their main camp has completely crushed their morale...

Oh, the First Legion, carrying some supplies, traveled slower, so Fesaros had them camp near Lin Kou Village tonight. They’ll arrive tomorrow."