Chapter 506
Devers's heart skipped a beat.
"Olivers, I don't think that's possible. Unless Hilos can break through Laos in one day and immediately take a ship to Knapitia, then launch an attack on Triene … We're all battle-hardened people. Is that even possible?!" Antonios expressed his serious doubts about Olivers's speculation.
"Even if it's impossible, we should fight the Syracuse army here as soon as possible to create an opportunity for Hilos to attack the enemy's rear!" Amyntas took the opportunity to say.
"If we fight here in a hurry, if we lose … it'll be meaningless even if Hilos takes back Triene!" Capus reminded.
"How can our army lose!" Amyntas roared.
…
The commanders in the tent were having a heated debate.
Other than Alexis, the commander of Legio III, who was far away in Lucania City, and Hilos, the former commander of Laos, who was still in Laos, all the commanders of Dioria's army were gathered in the tent. First Legion commander Antonios, Second Legion commander Amyntas, Legio IV commander Epthenis, Fifth Legion commander Felicius, Legio VI commander Olivers, Seventh Legion commander Martonis, Spear Brigade commander Capus (former commander), and the former commander Hieronymus, who led 5,000 Lucanian reserve soldiers to the tent yesterday. It could be said that the tent was a gathering of talented generals.
In the past, these experienced generals had the support of powerful legions and the strict military system of Diónia. When they faced the enemy, they would often argue about how to attack. But today, apart from the taciturn Hieronymus, everyone was sticking to their own opinions, some even disregarding their past camaraderie and cursing. It was clear that they were wary of the Syracuse army across the river. After all, it was a force that had almost ten thousand more soldiers than the Dionysian Army, had experienced countless battles and had a powerful commander. They knew very well that this was not an army that could be easily defeated.
At the same time, the Corps Commanders were arguing endlessly. It was also because Devers did not express his own opinion. It was not that he was pretending to be reserved, but he had not made up his mind. Thus, he did not stop the Corps Commanders from arguing intensely. He hoped that this clash of ideas would help him sort out some of his thoughts. Even though the Dionysian fleet had gained the upper hand in the battle between the two armies, he was not arrogant enough to think that it was the same for the ground forces. For such a war that concerned the rise and fall of their countries and the life and death of their people, even though he had made a lot of careful preparations, he still needed to be calm and cautious.
At this time, the captain of the guards, Martius, came in and reported, "Your Majesty, a few envoys from Crotone and Triene have arrived from the other side of the river."
The Corps Commanders stopped arguing and looked at Devers.
Devers pondered for a moment and asked a crucial question, "Even though Ciudad Crotone has been burned, Syracuse's cavalry is still patrolling on the other side of the river. How did they get here?"
"According to the captain who accompanied them, it seems like Syracuse did not stop them," Martius said.
"Your Majesty, this is obviously a conspiracy by Syracuse!" Antonius reminded loudly.
"Is it a conspiracy? Are we not going to save our allies?!" Amyntas asked loudly.
Devers glanced at the two of them and asked his captain, "Did you ask why they are here?"
"Of course they are here to ask for help." Martius showed a hint of disdain, but immediately felt that this was disrespectful to their allies. He quickly straightened his face and said, "Oh, they also said that there is not much water left in the Acropolis. They won't last more than a few days."
Devers nodded and fell into deep thought.
Everyone's gaze followed the Devers's pacing, but no one spoke to avoid disturbing Devers's thoughts.
After a while, Devers stopped and looked at Martius, "Go out and tell those envoys to return. I won't see them."
Everyone was stunned.
Felicius shouted, "Your Majesty —"
Devers waved his hand and said with a firm expression, "I've already made my decision. Say no more!"
… …
"Have the captured Crotone people confessed?" Dionysius asked when he saw Astagras enter.
"Sir, they all said that Devers didn't even see them and chased them away."
"Didn't even see them?! Are you sure they're telling the truth? "Dionysius was doubtful.
"Of course, I'm sure. A few of the Crotone people were so scared by my torture tools that they peed their pants. They don't dare to lie. "Astagras grinned and said confidently.
Dionysius thought for a while and said with a cold smile, "Let them go. Let the Crotone people in the Acropolis know how much the people of Diónia fear Syracuse and don't dare to cross the river to save them!"
"Yes, sir." Astagras turned around and left the tent.
"Looks like the people of Diónia won't fight with us. Sir, what should we do next? "Fasipesas asked worriedly.
Dionysius did not answer immediately. Instead, he turned around and looked at the silent man in the corner of the tent, "Phoebidas, what do you think the new king of Diónia wants?"
"How can I guess what cunning people like you are thinking?" Phoebidas said straightforwardly and sarcastically, "According to Sparta's way of doing things, we will either attack or retreat. We won't hesitate."
Dionysius did not show any displeasure towards Phoebidas's sarcasm. He turned to the intelligence officer, Androstini, "What's the situation with Bruti?"
"Sir, ever since the elder of Diónia, Cedorum, became the chief executive of Cosenza, he used bloody methods to suppress the rebellious tribes. He even gathered the leaders of the tribes and tortured Petaru and Burgam to death in front of them. Now, none of the tribes of Bruti dare to express their dissatisfaction towards Diónia. Because of this, my men haven't found any good solutions for now … "
Androstini's voice became softer and softer. Recently, the performance of the Hellenic Intelligence Department under his command was not satisfactory. First, when Legio VI was stationed in Crimissa, the military suddenly took over, causing him to lose many of his right-hand men. At the same time, he also lost the news of Crimissa. Then, when Turií was placed under total lockdown, he could no longer get any information about the central region of Diónia. When the naval battle failed, he was even reprimanded by Dionysius. Now, even the only person who knew the situation in Bruti was no longer of any use to his men …
"I'm asking you about the movements of the Dionysian Army in the Bruti region!" Dionysius glared at him and asked impatiently.
Androstini was still sweating profusely. He quickly said, "Ever since the elder of Diónia, Hilos, recruited 5000 Lucanian warriors and went to Turií, another elder, Hilos, led more than 2000 people to Laos, there has been no movement of troops in the Bruti region. Moreover, the source of Bruti's soldiers seems to have dried up."
"What about Laos?" This was what Dionysius was most concerned about.
"Due to the Zigs' tight blockade of the entire mountain path, our men can't find out the situation of the battle in Laos. Meanwhile, the spies in Laos haven't received any news yet …"
As soon as Androstini finished speaking, Fasipesas said, "Sir, Laos is considered a big city on the west coast of Greece. Laos is considered a big city on the west coast of Greece, and Arobuma has been ruling over Laos for many years. I'm afraid it won't be easy for the Dionians to take down Laos. "
Although Dionysius did not answer, he agreed with this view in his heart. This way, at least he did not have to worry about the problem of the rear for the time being. Therefore, he did not have to consider the problem of withdrawing the army back to Siletina for the time being.
Dionysius knew very well that giving up on Crotone, which he had sacrificed a lot to obtain, and retreating back to Siletina would not only greatly dampen the morale of the soldiers and cause dissatisfaction among the generals, but it would also mean that Syracuse would give up on the offensive and adopt a defensive stance, allowing the Diónia to take the initiative in the war. As time passed, this would only worsen the situation of Syracuse's army in Greece. Therefore, he had to force the Diónia to engage in another battle as soon as possible!
"Fasipesas, immediately lead 2000 people to fire fire arrows and igniters at the Crotone citadel on the hill with bows and ballistae!" Dionysius ordered. The generals and ministers in the tent were stunned.
"My Lord, the citadel has the Temple of Apollo!" Damocles reminded him loudly.
"I believe Apollo would never allow Hades to occupy Turií for too long. That's why he protected us from taking over Crotone and allowed us to burn down Ciudad Crotone. Of course, he wouldn't mind our slight offense to his temple now …" Dionysius laughed coldly in his heart, but patiently explained to them on the surface, "Besides, I don't plan to burn down the citadel. I just want the people of Crotone to panic and deplete their water supply, forcing them to seek help from Diónia."
Dionysius's order was swiftly carried out. Dozens of ballistae and bows were carried to the foot of the hill by thousands of Syracuse soldiers. They began to fire fireballs and fire arrows at the citadel.
In order to conserve their water supply, the terrified citizens of Crotone carried earth to extinguish the fire, which resulted in many being burned.
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