CHAPTER 463: CHAPTER 331 AMBUSH

The teams entered in single file, focused solely on pursuing the villagers fleeing ahead, not even barging into the houses on either side because they knew: given the commotion, the villagers here couldn’t possibly still be hiding at home.

After pursuing for some distance, the fleeing villagers reached the center of the village where there was a wide plaza. The villagers entering the plaza swiftly ran to either side, and fully armed soldiers immediately lined up to meet them, blocking the path of the Segestica warriors.

During the chase, Pulikas was no longer at the forefront of the team; he did not see the appearance of the Nix Army at first. It was only when the team stopped advancing and sounds of battle came from the front that he sensed something amiss. He immediately squeezed forward, shouting loudly, "Sikras, what’s happening?!"

The Segestica warrior at the forefront replied with a scream, while other soldiers ahead shouted in a panic, "Chief Pulikas, lots of Nix Soldiers have appeared here, they are blocking us in front! They are all wearing armor; we can’t defeat them! Hurry and escape!..."

Upon hearing their shouts, Pulikas felt as if he’d been punched in the head, buzzing all over. His first reaction as a relatively experienced one in war was: Damn, we’ve fallen into an ambush! The Nix people were well prepared, otherwise, they couldn’t have gathered so many fully armed soldiers at once and accurately blocked our path of advance! Someone must have informed the Nix of our plan to raid beforehand!

He didn’t have the time to ponder over who the traitor was; his previous excitement for slaughtering the enemy vanished completely. He was just in panic, constantly shouting, "Retreat! Immediately retreat!..."

First Legion’s First Battalion Captain Lufus was standing on this village’s plaza. He didn’t pay much attention to the battle his soldiers were engaging in with the foe. Because his soldiers were equipped in Iron Helmet and Armor, holding large shields, while the enemy mostly lacked armor protection, only wielding round shields and spears. How could they, who had made a long march, be a match for the soldiers awaiting them while rested and ready?

"Report to the Great Captain." A lightly equipped soldier came running breathlessly from another road entering the village, "The unit led by Centurion Polikamis has already gone around to the enemy’s rear, completely blocking them!"

"Excellent!" This was the concern closest to Lufus’ heart. He decisively ordered, "Sound the trumpet for the attack!"

"Woo woo woo!..." The high-pitched sound of the copper horn echoed through the village, and the Nix Soldiers immediately shifted from defense to offense.

The Segestica warriors were caught in a pincer attack, with cries of fighting shouting from all sides. Understanding that they had fallen into an ambush, fear of the Nix people instantly took over their bodies. Even the leader of the group, Pulikas, was urging his men to retreat at this moment, hence no one fought to the death in resistance; everyone was busy knocking over fences on the sides, trying to pass through the houses to find a way to escape.

Unbeknownst to them, many Nix soldiers were lying in ambush behind the houses as well, who suddenly burst forth, stabbing the panicked and disoriented enemy one by one. The entrapped and demoralized Segestica warriors were completely reduced to helpless sheep waiting to be slaughtered. As escape seemed impossible, many chose to kneel and surrender.

Only Pulikas, under the desperate protection of his trusted aides, managed to escape from the village. Looking back, he saw the Nix soldiers being desperately held off by his trusted aides, the distance between them growing larger. He sighed with slight relief, then recalled how the 500 warriors he had brought along were completely trapped in the village, only he himself escaping, without causing any damage to the Nix people... For a moment, he felt so sorrowful and indignant that he wanted to cry out loud.

Just then, he saw a squad of Nix Cavalry coming around from behind the village, galloping towards him at full speed.

Terrified to his core, he dashed off desperately towards the reed marshes, even tossing away the longsword in his hand in haste.

However, how could a person outrun a horse? Shortly thereafter, he heard the "clatter" of hooves behind him. As a cold light flashed, he felt a sharp pain in his neck, followed by the world spinning around...

With a "thud", a head fell to the ground.

Then, someone was seen gripping the horse’s belly tightly with both feet, holding the reins firmly with his left hand, his whole body leaning right. He reached out his right hand like lightning and snatched the head off the ground.

This person was none other than Nix Cavalry Captain Haguks. Amidst his subordinates’ cheers, he carefully examined the blood-dripping head and said, "This enemy was wearing a helmet, carrying a longsword, and had a group protecting him during the escape. He should be the organizer of this ambush as mentioned in the prior intelligence report, the former Segestica Tribe elder, the able aide of Andres, Pulikas! Brothers, we have indeed made a contribution!"

The cavalrymen felt excited, and subsequently handed over the helmet and longsword they picked up to Haguks.

A cavalryman unwillingly asked, "Captain, can I keep this longsword? I’m still not used to using a long spear on horseback."

"Have you forgotten our military decree? Spoils must be handed over." Haguks said sternly, "However, infantry prefers large shield and short sword, this type of longsword is more suitable for us cavalry. From the preceding few major battles, our tribe has already collected a fair number of longswords, stored in the Military Department’s armory, yet to be repaired... I will submit a request to the Military Department in due time to exchange equipment for our cavalry. Each of you shall not lack a longsword—"

The cavalrymen cheered.

"At that time, I will be assessing your riding skills first. Anyone who fails the test, when others update their equipment, you’ll be stuck watching with envy, understood?!" Haguks continued to remind them sternly.

"Don’t worry, Captain. Riding a horse is as simple as eating for me, I can pass the evaluation with my eyes closed." A cavalryman responded immediately, with other riders echoing the sentiment.

Their confidence stems from their Celtic origins, having been raised with herding since childhood, honing excellent riding skills.

"Alright, stop the chatter, and continue the search quickly, do not let a single Segestica enemy escape!"

"Yes, Captain!!" the cavalrymen replied in unison, turning their horses around to begin patrolling around the village again.

Following behind them, Haguks unconsciously recalled the previous encounter with Leader Maximus.

On that occasion, he had learned that a significant number of horses were seized by the army during the conquest of the Segestica tribe. He rushed to the Military Department to claim them but Flanitnus informed him: Leader Maximus had given an order that these horses were not to be touched lightly.

He could only go to Maximus, but Maximus told him: those horses could not be moved for the time being. They were to be handed over to Agricultural Deputy Officer Seksepis, who would thoroughly screen them to select mares and stallions to breed excellent warhorses for the tribe in the future.

Yet Maximus reassured him: telling him not to worry. When the tribe possessed sufficient horses in the future, the cavalry to be formed wouldn’t just number 100 men, but thousands. By then, he wouldn’t only be a cavalry captain, but possibly a cavalry corps Legion Commander, commanding the powerful Nix Cavalry to play a decisive role in future wars.

Cavalry Corps Legion Commander!... Haguks mouthed this phrase, feeling invigorated all over, and smiled watching his subordinates gallop ahead. He suddenly felt: that perhaps in the future, he should not only focus on matters of horses but also pay attention to tribesmen with good equestrian skills...

"Report to the Great Captain, the battle has concluded, with 237 enemy casualties and 264 captured, no enemy has been found to have escaped so far!" Centurion Polikamis reported the battle situation to Lufus.

"Excellent!" Lufus listened and asked, "What about our losses?"

"Eight soldiers have minor injuries, the only one seriously injured soldier fell during pursuit and impaled his thigh on a wooden fence. The field doctor has already done bandaging."

"A victory so secure, yet conducted so carelessly, hopefully, this injured soldier will learn from this." Lufus thought for a moment, and solemnly said, "We were able to completely annihilate the enemy this time thanks to the accurate intelligence provided by the Military Information Department. Your village is an important target for the enemy from the south; you must not let your guard down. Each day, send people to scout the area between the reed marshes and mountains. If you discover more enemy activity, remember to follow the prior instructions from the Military Department and light smoke at the plaza to signal danger. I will quickly gather soldiers from surrounding villages to aid you."

Lufus mentioned this because the Military Department had dispersed the most capable First Legion’s First Battalion soldiers in these villages bordering Gonami Lake. In each village, at least 200 soldiers had been relocated. Lufus had settled in another village not far to the north. Aside from Legion Soldiers, the majority of the residents in these villages were Scodisqi slaves, with very few of the original Segestica residents remaining.

It wasn’t that the Nix Tribe, for safety and stability, intentionally relocated the original Segestica residents. It’s because this place is on the southern edge of the core region, not far from Brochi, and given the late timing for military restructuring, most of the original villagers fled to the south, influenced by each other.

"Rest assured, Great Captain, I will remain vigilant at all times," Polikamis said with a smile, "In fact, the brothers all hope for another enemy attack. Without them, where will we find opportunities for merit?"

"Polikamis, I warn you, don’t go acting rashly just for merits, causing excessive casualties; not only will you not achieve merit, but you’ll also face punishment from the Military Department." Lufus sternly looked at his subordinate and issued a warning.

"Great Captain, I’ve been following you for almost two years now, don’t you know me? I never take unnecessary risks."

"Indeed, otherwise, I wouldn’t have recommended to the Military Department to station you here." Lufus stood up, patting the dust off him, "I’ll leave the aftermath work to you; I need to take the captives and spoils to Ophelia, to report on your merits to the Military Department. However, you shouldn’t have too high expectations, this battle was too easy, and your merits might not compare to that of the Military Information Department."