Chapter 789
The Devers sat in the center of the tent. In front of him was a large wooden board with a detailed map of the city of Rome. Tormid led the young staff officers to record the situation of the battle reported by the scouts, and then marked it on the map with icons and numbers.
"Your Majesty, the scouts found four to five hundred soldiers of Rome about ten miles east of the city of Rome. They are estimated to be from Fidenae …"
"Your Majesty, the troops of the Latin city-state have gathered 15 miles southeast of the city of Rome. Now there are about a thousand soldiers …"
"Your Majesty, there is an army of Rome southwest of our camp. There are about five thousand soldiers …"
"According to the messenger sent by Legio III across the river, their scouts found that the colonial city of Rome, Venus, had sent nearly two thousand soldiers from Rome. In addition, several Etruscan city-states such as Caesrella and Tarchona have also sent two to three hundred reinforcements. They are now on their way to Venus …"
…
The Devers listened to the report of the staff officers, their eyes fixed on the map. The map was marked with red and black dots. The red dots represented the Roman army and the reinforcements from Rome, while the black dots represented the Dionysian Army. Each dot represented a thousand soldiers. It could be seen that the red dots were concentrated in the city of Rome, and the black dots were concentrated outside the city of Rome, surrounding the red dots. Outside the black dots, a few more red dots would appear every once in a while, slowly gathering into a larger encirclement, gradually encircling the black dots … This was a battle of encirclement and counter-encirclement. It was a matter of life and death for both sides.
The Devers remained calm. The young staff officers, including Cloto Catax, became a little nervous as the news continued to come in. Even Tormid was a little impatient. He stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, judging from the current situation, our second, fourth, and fifth legions have the best offense. They are likely to be the first to attack the city, but the reinforcements from Rome are constantly coming, especially this Roman army …"
Tormid first pointed to the flower-like pattern drawn by five red dots southwest of the central camp of Diónia on the map, and then moved his finger to the north bank of the Tiber River, where there were three or four red dots north of the Legio III camp. He said, "And here, I am afraid it will become a big problem for our siege troops! Should we take action first and eliminate this Roman army to relieve our few defensive forces? "Tormid's hand finally fell on the flower-like pattern again.
The Devers nodded slightly and then slowly said, "Tormid, your opinion is correct, but we must first figure out the movement of this Roman army before we can take the right response. We should not panic. It is the enemy who should panic, because we are the ones who have the initiative in this battle. "
The Devers's tone had a hint of a lecturing tone, but Tormid immediately relaxed after being reminded. The somewhat heavy atmosphere in the tent began to dissipate. The staff officers recorded the data while discussing something in a low voice. Heniboris observed everyone while describing the scene in the tent at this time with a pen. Tormid also communicated with the Devers about some of the plans for the next battle. Cloto Catax stood in the tent, ready to welcome the arrival of the scouts.
This time, the information brought by the scouts shocked him, "Report! The number of the Roman army in the southwest has increased to … about 8,000 people! "
As soon as his voice trailed off, the Devers said in a deep voice, "Don't panic."
The Devers' encouraging smile calmed Cloto Catax's panic. He immediately replied, "Yes!"
When the staff officers heard this, they also exclaimed, "8,000 people?!"
Tormid carefully looked at the map and then said with a slightly nervous tone, "Your Majesty, it is very likely that the Latin city-states such as Tustrón, Aricia, and Bovillae have sent reinforcements. They have met up with the Roman army!"
The Devers's expression did not change, and his tone was still calm as he said, "The place where the Roman army is located is near Lake Alba. That area has always been the center of the Latin people. Although the city of Alba Longa has long been destroyed by the Romans, it is said that the annual celebration of the Latin god Jupiter, the Latin holiday, is always held on Mount Alba. Therefore, there are many Latin tribes living near Lake Alba. It seems that they still have the strength to send reinforcements … But this is just right. All the fishes have gathered, and we can catch them all in one go!"
The Devers's confident tone reminded Tormid of something. He calmed down a little and sat back on the wooden chair. After thinking for a while, he said with a little worry, "Now, I am worried that the Roman army will continue to march east and meet up with the Latin reinforcements in the southeast. If that happens …"
"In that case, we will just have to mobilize the army to the southeast to intercept the enemy. But for the Romans, it means that they have to spend more time preparing and waiting even though they have already reached the periphery of Rome. Do you think the Roman militia who are worried about their homeland have the patience to wait?" The Devers said slowly.
"Your Majesty, you mean … the Roman army is likely to attack us immediately!" Tormid asked anxiously.
When the Devers were about to answer, Cloto Catax's voice sounded again, "Report! The 8,000 Roman army in the southwest of our camp is bypassing our camp and marching north!"
When Tormid heard this, he immediately stood up and said nervously and excitedly, "Your Majesty, you are right! The Roman army seems to be attacking us. I'm afraid their target is here! "
Tormid pointed at the southwest corner of the city wall of Rome on the map. The soldiers of Legio IV and Legio V were attacking the city. Behind them was the huge gap between the central camp of Diónia and the western camp (which was the camp of Legio IV). The Roman army could quickly pass through this gap and attack the Dionysian Army that was attacking the city.
The Devers had the same judgment, so he no longer sat there calmly. Instead, he immediately issued an order, "Tormid, I appoint you as the temporary commander. Immediately lead a brigade of Legio V, a brigade of Second Legio, two brigades of Legio VI, and the First and Second Cavalry Legions to the central camp to intercept the enemy! At the same time, I will send messengers to inform the two brigades of Legio IV to meet up with you! "
Six infantry brigades and two cavalry legions amounted to nearly ten thousand soldiers. In terms of military strength, they had already surpassed the enemy. However, there was no joy on Tormid's face. Instead, he expressed his objection worriedly, "Your Majesty, you are only left with two brigades of Second Legio and Fifth Legio to protect you. It is too dangerous! Besides, two thousand soldiers can't defend such a large camp — "
"Don't worry about my safety, and don't worry about the safety of the camp. The more soldiers you bring, the faster you can end the battle and return to Rome. You can reduce the pressure on the entire battlefield!" The Devers said firmly. He then smiled, "Or are you worried that you can't command so many soldiers, so you are looking for an excuse to ask me to reduce the number of soldiers for you?"
Tormid knew that the Devers was trying to provoke him, but he also understood that it meant that the Devers were not going to change his mind. So he stopped trying to persuade him. He saluted to the Devers and responded firmly, "Yes, Your Majesty! Please pay attention to your safety! "
The Devers nodded his head.
Tormid turned around and was about to leave. At this time, Cloto Catax could not help but say loudly, "Father … Your Majesty, I request to participate in this battle!"
The tent suddenly became quiet. Everyone's eyes were focused on the young prince. Even the Devers himself was a little surprised. Before he could speak, Tormid hurriedly advised, "No! Your Highness, this is too dangerous! The Rome army came to our rescue in a hurry, and they must have the mentality of risking their lives. We seem to have more soldiers than the enemy, but half of them are cavalry. We will be at a disadvantage if we confront the enemy head-on! Your Highness, please stay here and assist His Majesty in commanding the entire battle. Finally, we will win the victory of Rome! "
"It is dangerous for me, but it is not dangerous for the other soldiers!" Cloto Catax's face was red, and he said excitedly, "I am a citizen of Diónia! I am also a soldier of this army! I must contribute my strength to the whole battle, and not sit here and watch others fight, bleed, and even sacrifice their lives! "
Cloto Catax was speaking from the bottom of his heart. At this moment, he thought of his brother Adoris and his former comrades who trained in Turií. At this moment, they were all fighting in the front line or were about to enter the battle. He could not allow himself to be a coward and become a spectator. This idea had been brewing in his mind since he set foot on this land, so his voice was trembling because he was too excited.
The Devers looked at his son and saw the stubbornness in his eyes. He only hesitated for a moment, and then simply said, "Go."
"Your Majesty —" Tormid wanted to persuade him again, but the Devers waved his hand and said, "Clotho is right. Although he is my son, he is also a citizen of Diónia. Other people's children have to serve on the battlefield, of course, he has to as well!"
"Thank you, father!" Cloto Catax was excited, but he was afraid that Tormid would continue to persuade him, so he reminded him loudly, "Commander, if we don't leave now, the enemy's reinforcements will reach the city!"
Tormid saw that the Devers had a serious expression on his face, and he had no intention of changing his mind. He saluted again and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured!"
Of course, the Devers understood what he meant by "rest assured." At this time, Cloto Catax also quickly saluted him and rushed to follow Tormid.
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