Chapter 1198
Initially, Agesilaus planned to strengthen the defense on both the north and south, completely stopping the Dionysian Army outside the country's gates. This was a passive military defense due to the lack of military strength. Agesilaus knew very well that it could not last long. Sparta, which could only be beaten passively, would inevitably be spurned by their allies and lose their supremacy. Therefore, when Persia's reinforcements landed in Corinth, he saw a chance to defeat the Dionysian Army. That was why he took the risk to lead the main force north. He was originally prepared to retreat and defend if the battle failed, but things did not go as he wished …
Previously, when the Dionysian Army was building a camp in Arcadia, the Mountain Reconnaissance Brigade had sneaked into the northern part of Sparta's territory and had a preliminary understanding of Sparta's defense in the north. Therefore, two companies of the Seventh Legion carefully explored along the valley.
As a result, when they arrived at Sparta's defensive camp, they found that it was empty! The company captain was both puzzled and surprised. He immediately occupied the camp, and at the same time, he continued to explore the south curiously. Coincidentally, they bumped into a team of fleet infantrymen sent by Seckelion to the north to report the good news to the main force of Diónia.
Now that Cloto Katax saw this battle report, his mood was somewhat complicated. He had finally won a major battle with great difficulty, and would soon be able to take the great glory of conquering Sparta into his arms. However, he did not expect that this glory had already been snatched away by the First Fleet, even though the First Fleet was nominally under his command.
As the chief of the General Staff Department of the Ministry of Military Affairs, Printos did not care much about sectarian views and military achievements. He was more used to thinking from a strategic level. He saw through Cloto Catax's thoughts and comforted him softly, "From the battle report, the 1st Flotilla's landing operation was meticulous and ingenious, but even so, they paid a huge price. It shows that the Sparta's remaining forces are not weak.
Based on our previous investigation, Sparta's defense in the north is also very tight. Moreover, the northern side is filled with mountains and ridges, making it difficult for our army to attack. It's easier for Sparta to defend themselves. If we want to invade Sparta from the north, we'll have to pay a heavy price, and the battle might even drag on for a long time! The situation in Greece is complicated. The longer it drags on, the more disadvantageous it will be for us.
Fortunately, the Sekerian strictly followed your orders and launched the landing operation in time. This gave us enough time to deal with the challenges of the other Greek city-states. "
After listening to this, Cloto Catax was silent for a moment. Suddenly, he laughed at himself and said frankly, "Lord Printos, I admit that I am a little jealous of the 1st Flotilla's conquest of Sparta. But I think the 1st Flotilla's success has little to do with my orders. The main reason is Lord Sekerian's ability. No wonder my father praised him as one of the best military commanders in the kingdom!
But you are right. It is a good thing for our army and the kingdom that the 1st Flotilla was able to conquer Sparta so quickly. So we should happily accept the invitation of the Sekerian, rush to Sparta, deal with the post-war affairs as soon as possible, and face the new challenge. "
Printos was surprised that the relatively young prince could change his mentality so quickly.
During the time he spent with Cloto Catax, Printos was impressed by the steady, unassuming, tireless, willing to listen to opinions, and good at getting along with others. But he was still a little surprised that the young prince could change his mentality so quickly. He was more optimistic about his future. At the same time, he said to him, "I suggest that Your Highness tell the soldiers this news now. Although it will cause them to be dissatisfied with the First Fleet, they may have adapted to it by the time they arrive in Sparta and will not have any conflicts with the soldiers of the First Fleet."
Cloto Catax agreed with Printos' suggestion and immediately passed the news on.
Not long after, there was a commotion in the army. Although the military law and the officers did not affect the march, the soldiers of the legion kept cursing the 1st Flotilla along the way. This made Cloto Catax deeply aware for the first time of the conflict between the army and the navy of Diónia, and the deep desire of the soldiers for glory.
When they were about to reach the southern border of Tegea and meet up with Tigertinus, the army encountered the members of the Arcadia Union.
After the battle, Cloto Catax was busy dealing with the post-war affairs and did not send anyone to inform the Arcadia Union. The Mandinian guides were eager to rush back to their motherland to inform the council of the decision of the Diónia commander, so they did not go to Megalopolis.
On the second day, the members of the Arcadia Union saw the huge crowd of people returning from Tegea and passing through the territory of Megalopolis. There were Diónia troops and thousands of prisoners. They went up to ask and found out that the Dionysian Army had fought a large-scale battle with Sparta the day before, and they had won the battle.
Of course, they were also surprised to find out that during the decisive battle between Diónia and Sparta, the people of Tegea suddenly betrayed the Dionysian Army and attacked the flank of the Dionysian Army, causing a lot of trouble. So the enraged Dionysian Army captured Tegea after the battle, captured the people who were still alive, and wanted to send them back to Messenia.
The members of the Arcadia Union were shocked by the cruel decision made by the people of Diónia. After all, there were three members of the Arcadia Union among them. Despite their repeated requests and protests, the soldiers of Diónia in charge of escorting the prisoners refused to release the prisoners. So, led by Lycomedes, the members of the Arcadia Union had no choice but to rush to Tegea to plead with the commander of the Dionysian Army. Coincidentally, they met halfway.
Faced with the request of the members of the Arcadia Union, Cloto Catax felt a headache coming on. After the battle that day, he was too angry because of Adoris's defeat and gave such an order. After a day, his emotions had calmed down, and he regretted that the order was too cruel. However, the order had been carried out, and it was welcomed by the soldiers. Changing it casually would only weaken his authority, so he could only ignore it and accept it. Now, there were people who had suffered so much that they wanted an explanation, and this made him feel very awkward.
Printos saw his dilemma and offered to meet the members of the Arcadia Union on his behalf.
Cloto Catax expressed his gratitude.
Printos rode his horse and rushed to the side of the road. As soon as he saw the members of the Arcadia Union, his face turned as cold as frost, and he said angrily, "People of Arcadia, it was your request that won our trust. That was why the kingdom formed an alliance with you. So when Mandinia was besieged, we sent our army to help.
On the way, we learned that another ally, Tegea, was also attacked by Sparta and was in imminent danger. So, in order to save Tegea, we ignored the fatigue of the march and fought against the Sparta army. Who knew that it was a conspiracy!
Those damned people of Tegea! They colluded with Sparta and set up a trap. They even ambushed the rear of our army during the battle, causing the army to pay a heavy price of more than 3000 casualties! Moreover, our great King of Devers's son, General Adoris, died in battle!
The people of Tegea collectively betrayed the alliance and violated the sacred oath. Of course, they must be punished severely! Even if this punishment could appease His Majesty's anger due to grief, it is still unknown. Anyone who understands the history of Diónia should know that we, the Holy Kingdom of Diónia, keep our promises, but we also hate betrayers! Now that Tegea has betrayed us at such a crucial time, we cannot help but express our deep doubts about whether your city can still honor the alliance! … "
The members of the Arcadia Union were shocked by Printos' attitude. They did not expect that Tegea's betrayal would cause such serious consequences. More than 3000 casualties, which was equivalent to the young and middle-aged population of Diónia! Even the son of the King of Diónia died in battle!
Now, the Dionysian Army had defeated the allied forces of Sparta in the battle, which had already demonstrated the strength of Diónia. The members of the Arcadia Union, who were beginning to fear the King of Diónia, were really worried that the King of Diónia would vent his anger on their city. They all began to express their stance, "We, the people of Mandinia, are mortal enemies with Sparta, and we are the initiators of this alliance. We will never betray Diónia like Tegea!"
The mercenaries of Sparta destroyed our villages and destroyed our fields. Our people hate the people of Sparta to the core, and will never cooperate with the people of Sparta! "
"Since we, the people of Oconus, have sworn in the name of the gods and signed the alliance agreement with Diónia, we will definitely honor this agreement within the time limit and will never go back on our word!"
… …
The members of the Arcadia Union were eager to defend themselves and prove their innocence. They had completely forgotten the purpose of this trip. Only the people of Tegea were pleading loudly, "General, we admit that the people of Tegea have committed a grave mistake, but I'm afraid that many of them did not do it voluntarily. They were forced by the people of Sparta and the nobles of Sparta. They had no choice but to do so! I hope that you can forgive their sins. The people of Tegea will definitely be grateful and will do their best to assist the alliance of Diónia in the future! … … "
Printos looked at the people of Tegea with an unusual look of pity in his eyes and said softly, "You still don't know, right? Before our army arrived at Tegea, the people of Sparta colluded with the people of Sparta and incited the people to massacre all the people of the anti-Sparta faction and their relatives in the city. After we broke into the city, we only found a few survivors. They were the only ones who were not punished, and they are currently receiving treatment in the city. May the Hades bless you, your relatives are among them … …"
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