Chapter 499
Under the protection of his subordinates, Henepolis took a deep breath as he dodged the incoming arrows. Using all his strength, he shouted, "I, Henepolis, the true consul of Laos, solemnly swear in the name of Hades and Asenu that as long as you help me kill these evil rebels, I will distribute land to you and let you have the right to participate in politics, hold public office in the city, and have true freedom!"
The warriors on the city wall heard it clearly. Land, power, freedom … These were all things they dreamed of. Coming from Henepolis, most of them felt that it was credible. This was because the rumors that spread in the city a few days ago had let them know that this young man was usurped by the officials and chiefs who wanted to continue to oppress and exploit them because he wanted to improve their situation.
Now there was a great commotion among the warriors on the city wall. Even the number of warriors shooting arrows at Henepolis had greatly decreased.
Just as they were discussing and the morale of the army was wavering, the spies that Tratus had arranged in the army shouted, "We want land! We want freedom! … "
These shouts resonated with everyone, causing even more chaos on the city wall.
Seeing this situation, Hilos was overjoyed and immediately ordered an attack.
The bugle continued to sound, and the soldiers carried ladders and advanced down the city.
Not only did the chaos on the city wall not subside, but it also expanded. The chiefs and officers rushed to reprimand the rioting warriors, telling them to focus on defense, or they would be punished. Some of the warriors, under the instigation of some people, beat up these bigwigs who usually treated them like pigs and dogs.
Among the more than 5,000 warriors on the city wall of Laos, except for one-third of the warriors who were the personal guards of the tribal chiefs and officials, most of the rest were the poor people of the tribes and the poor people of the port. They were the main force that was moved by Henepolis's words. The city wall was in chaos and was losing control.
Seeing that the Diónia soldiers were quickly clearing the traps under the moat, Arobuma was anxious, but he could not think of a good way to change this critical situation.
At this moment, a messenger rushed to the top of the city wall, "Lord Arobuma, bad news! Bad news! The poor people of the port were rioting! They have too many people. Most of the troops in the city have been mobilized to defend the city. The rest have either been defeated or surrendered. Now they have occupied the City Hall and are attacking your mansion! "
"What?! What did you say?! "As if struck by lightning, Arobuma's vision darkened, and his body shook a few times before he fell to the ground.
… …
The Devers led the army, stepping on the solid foundation of Crimissa and Asprusturm Avenue, and soon came to a place a mile away from the north bank of Netto River, where they began to build a camp.
At this time, he had the First Legion under his command (after the victory of the naval battle, the Dionysian fleet entered the port of Crimissa. The soldiers of the First Legion, as well as the captured Syracuse sailors, had all come ashore. These captives would become slaves and provide labor for the people of Crimissa to rebuild their homeland. The damaged and captured ships would then continue north to the military port of Turín for quick repairs), the Second Legion, Legio VI, the Seventh Legion, and the Lance Brigade, totaling more than 40,000 people.
Apart from that, Felicius, who had already received the news, left 3,000 soldiers behind to assist Agathia's more than 1,000 reserve soldiers to defend the city of Asprostum. He and Epthenis led the Fourth Legion and part of the Fifth Legion, a total of more than 12000 soldiers. They also passed through the main road and rushed over to meet up with Dyvers' army.
Hieronymus, on the other hand, had already quelled the rebellion in the Bruti region. He led more than 5,000 Bruti reserve soldiers that he had previously gathered and hurried to the Croton Plains (this was the reason why Hilos only brought more than 2,000 Bruti soldiers to attack Laos).
The Navy Commander, Sequerian, also led 100 Raven warships and 40 conventional three-decker warships to the sea near Crotone.
On this day, several armies of Diónia arrived at the north bank of Netto River. The number of troops led by the Devers was rapidly increasing.
Thousands of bare-chested soldiers waved shovels and pickaxes, dug trenches, built walls, and built tents. It was a spectacular and lively scene.
The new King of Diónia, the Devers, Antonios, Amyntas, Eptenis, Felicius, Olivers, Matonis, and Capus were discussing the next battle plan in a temporary military tent.
At this moment, Dionysius sent his messenger, Damocles.
After meeting the Devers, Damocles presented the letter Dionysius wrote to him.
"To the young Consul of Diónia. Ever since I led the army to land in Great Greece, I have won every battle. Triene, Sirium, and Crotone have all been conquered. Corunna has also surrendered. Ligeim is hiding behind the mountains, trembling in fear. Destruction is only a matter of time before I wave my hand. Now, Diónia is the only enemy in front of me. Do you, who is praised by the ignorant Great Greeks as the 'Victorious General', have the guts to have a real, face-to-face battle with me? No matter who wins, this long war with countless casualties will end. I look forward to your reply! Signed — General Plenipotentiary of Syracuse, Master of Sicily, Conqueror of Great Greece, Dionysius. "
After reading the letter written by Dionysius, the Devers sneered in his heart. This is a letter of challenge from Dionysius?! This tyrant really thinks of me as a young and arrogant child. He wants to use such a clumsy method to make me accept the battle. Hmph …
Damocles, the messenger of Syracuse, saw that the Devers looked calm after reading the letter and immediately said, "Dear Lord Devers, our General Plenipotentiary has also sent you a gift, but he was stopped by the guards outside the tent."
The Devers became interested. He glanced at the guard captain Martius who was standing beside him.
Martius understood and immediately walked out of the big tent. Soon, he brought in a follower of Syracuse. The follower was holding a beautifully decorated wooden box in his hand.
"This is the gift from Dionysius?" The Devers glanced at the wooden box and asked.
"Yes."
The Devers nodded at Martius.
Martius took the wooden box and placed it on the table in front of the Devers. He then opened the lid. There was a human head inside.
"Take it out." The Devers said calmly. He already had a rough guess in his heart.
Martius carefully took it out and placed it on the table.
Although the head was covered with lime powder and was slightly rotten, the Devers could still tell who it was.
Amyntas, who was standing to the left of the Devers, had already exclaimed, "It's Dracos!"
His words immediately shocked the other commanders. They all rushed forward to take a closer look. The big tent was in chaos.
Damocles, the messenger of Syracuse, said, "Lord Dionysius asked me to bring you a message. This is only the first!"
Amyntas angrily stepped forward, grabbed Damocles, and gave him a vicious punch.
Damocles fell to the ground, blood flowing from his nose.
"Go back and tell that despicable tyrant that he will be the second one! We will chop off his head and use it as a football. Tell him to wash his head clean, that way it'll be easier for us to chop it off! "Amyntas pointed at Damocles and scolded him.
The fury of the Diónia commander was within the Syracuse Emissary's expectations. Damocles' broken nose did not increase his fear. Instead, he was secretly delighted. He covered his nose with his hand and slowly stood up. He looked at the Devers, who were staring at him coldly, and spoke in a muffled voice, "Lord Devers, when do you plan to fight? I'll go back and tell General Dionysius to prepare himself. "
Dyvers said without batting an eyelid, "Let him wait."
Damocles was stunned. This response was too vague.
However, he did not have the chance to ask again. Martius had chased him and his followers out of the big tent. The guards blindfolded him and escorted him back to the south bank of the Netto River.
Meanwhile, in the big tent, the Devers and the other commanders bowed respectfully to Drax's head to express their grief and respect.
There was a bloody hole in the forehead of Dracos's head on the table, silently narrating the bravery and unyielding spirit of the deceased. Everyone present could not help but think of the tragic scene.
"Your Majesty, when are we going to fight Syracuse?!" Even the usually calm Felicius could not hold back his emotions and asked the Devers.
"Your Majesty, Legio IV requests to be the main force of the battle!" Epitenis, who was usually carefree, asked the Devers with a solemn expression.
"Epitenis, don't fight with me! The Second Legion was formed by Dracos when he was still alive. Avenging Dracos is our strong desire. I hope Your Majesty can fulfill their request and place the Second Legion in the position where Syracuse will most likely attack! "Amyntas shouted, as if he was the only one who could do it.
"The Fifth Legion is also a legion formed by Dracos. Moreover, Dracos was injured, captured, and killed by the enemy while covering the retreat of the Fifth Legion! So, Your Majesty, please give the Fifth Legion a chance to avenge — "Felicius actually took the initiative to fight.
Seeing that the atmosphere in the big tent was getting more and more heated, the Devers loudly interrupted Felicius, "Who said I'm going to fight Syracuse now?!"
As soon as the Devers finished speaking, Antonius, who had been quiet all this while, had a 'I knew it' expression on his face. Capus, who had been silent, also had a flicker in his eyes.
Matonis and Olivers, who were the younger generation of the two commanders, had not stood up to fight before, but they were also eager to give it a try.
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