Although Drakos didn’t like to flatter, it didn’t mean he couldn’t speak, especially since he had Davos‘s instructions beforehand; otherwise, he wouldn’t dare make promises. However, his words were still too blunt, making Bagilipi both sad and happy: sad that Besidiae, or even Bruttium, might not exist as an independent force in the future; and happy that he had hope of becoming a member of the Theonian Senate. As far as he knew, there were several Lucanian chiefs in the Theonian Senate, who seemed to have fought for many rights for the Lucanians within Theonia. If so, a new page for Besidiae was still worth looking forward to…

“And my vote too!” Adrianx also offered his goodwill.

While Bagilipi was grateful, he also made up his mind to cooperate well with the Theonians here to seek a better future for his tribe and Besidiae!

The Besidiaeans had built a fortress on the mountain road to the west for the purpose of defending against the Cosenza people, so they built it in the narrow mountain road for easy defense. The Second Legion built the fortress for defense, but even more for offense. Therefore, Adpigis led the soldiers to the exit of the mountain road. Ahead was the gradually opening plateau. Although the mountain road here was wider and the workload undoubtedly increased, for soldiers who spent an hour in every military training session practicing building camps and cities, it had become second nature.

Engineers surveyed the terrain and drew fortress blueprints.

Soldiers quickly divided into several teams: responsible for logging, leveling the ground, assembling basic defense devices such as watchtowers and fences, digging trenches in areas in front of the upcoming fortress, and burying various traps such as sharpened wooden stakes and meat hooks…

***

After learning that Adrianx had captured Besidiae city, Drakos immediately sent guards back to notify the news.

The guards trudged through difficult terrain and reached the Theonian checkpoint not far from the entrance of the riverside path, where messengers were already waiting.

After receiving the good news of victory, the messengers immediately rode horses galloping south along the built avenue, passing Castellum, Crimisa, through Aprustum, to Scylletium, and finally to Terina… Through a relay race, changing people and horses, galloping non-stop day and night, it took a day and a half to finally deliver this news to the hands of Hylos, Commander of the Fourth Legion.

While Hylos was overjoyed, he didn’t forget to continue sending messengers. Through the port of Terina, they immediately took a fast ship and sailed north to Laos.

***

It was already the 12th day of the war. Davos was accepting Avenogis‘s warm hospitality at his mansion.

At this moment, they were talking about his son’s performance in Thurii: “Lord Anxitanos has praised Henipolis several times in front of me, thinking he is very talented in historical research!”

Hearing Davos’s words, Avenogis was both happy and somewhat worried: “Of course, I am very happy that he can become a historian, but Herni… is my only son. I hope he can succeed me in the future.” Avenogis’s words contained a probing meaning.

Davos seemed unaware and said without hesitation, “Don’t worry. Being a historian and an Archon at the same time is not contradictory. Moreover, after understanding the rise and fall of many city-states in the past in detail, Henipolis will know better how to lead the people of Laos and make the city-state more peaceful and prosperous!”

“My Lord, you said it so well!” Avenogis raised his wine cup happily: “I toast you a cup, thanking you for taking care of the child for more than a year!”

Davos smiled and raised his cup in response.

At this time, a guard reported: Theonian Legion Commander Capus requested an audience for urgent matters.

“Invite him in quickly!” Avenogis pretended to be dissatisfied with Davos and said, “This Lord Capus, I invited him several times, but he refused to come. Today with you here, My Lord, I must make him drink a few cups properly!”

As soon as Capus stepped into the hall, he shouted excitedly, “Lord Commander, the Second Legion has taken Besidiae city!”

What?! Avenogis looked shocked.

“Great! Drakos did a good job!” Davos was obviously mentally prepared. He drank the wine in his cup in one gulp excitedly, stood up, and said, “During this period, the brothers of the First Legion have been wronged! Tell them to cheer up; we must return to Thurii immediately and rush to Besidiae. The real big battle is about to begin!”

“Yes!” Capus answered loudly, equally excited.

“Have you sent someone to notify Sextus?”

“Someone has been sent.”

“Very good. Sextus, Hieronymus, and Bagulos‘s plan can be implemented! Success depends on whether the other party is obedient.”

Capus turned and left. Avenogis did not stop him; he was still immersed in this shocking news.

“Lord Avenogis,” Davos turned to him and said, “I will take the First Legion and other troops away from Laos and return to Thurii. I hope you can lead the warriors of Laos to continue maintaining the attack on Vergae city to prevent the Vergaeans from drawing troops to save Besidiae. In addition, I hope you can give Sextus and the others help with their plan!”

“Rest assured, Theonia’s affairs are Laos’s affairs; I will do my best to execute them!” Avenogis spoke with an expression like a soldier facing a general, making a solemn guarantee.

Watching Davos’s retreating back, Avenogis let out a long breath. Previously, seeing Davos use allied troops plus some reserve soldiers to impersonate the Second Legion, he had been wondering: Where did the real Second Legion go? He hadn’t expected that in less than ten days, the Second Legion actually captured the strategically dangerous Besidiae city! Davos… really a terrifying man! Fortunately, Laos is an ally of Theonia!

Avenogis had no mind to inquire about the process of how the Second Legion captured Besidiae. He only knew that with Besidiae breached, the Bruttian defeat was set, and southern Italy would be the sphere of influence of the Theonians!

This made him feel slightly melancholic in his heart…

***

When Besidiae city fell, a very small number of Bruttians who escaped fled to Cosenza.

Since Pianlun was leading the army in Vergae city, only High Priest Philotaru was in the inner city. Hearing this news, he was so shocked that his wooden staff fell to the ground, almost tripping himself. The news that Besidiae was occupied by the Greeks also spread quickly throughout the city, causing panic among the people.

While sending messengers to Clampetia and Vergae, Cosenza also sent people to reconnoiter the enemy’s movements in Besidiae city.

The distance from Cosenza to Clampetia and from Cosenza to Vergae was not much different, but the terrain to Clampetia was downward, so the messenger arrived earlier.

At this time, Clampetia Great Chief Pangeru was hosting a banquet for Nycou and Bergum because they had just foiled a Theonian plot: Theonians attempted to bypass Clampetia from a more remote mountain path to get to the rear further away. As a result, they were discovered by the already vigilant Bruttians. Before the main force arrived, the Theonians retreated in panic.

“Greeks are all cowards, only knowing sneak attacks, daring not to have a real fight with me. This war is really boring!” Nycou complained loudly while drinking. “This Theonian general is really a fool! Previously, they already wanted to steal past Clampetia via a small path once and were discovered by us. Wanting to come again—do they really take us for fools!”

Bergum laughed, “I’m afraid it’s not that his brain has problems, but that he has no choice. This so-called Second Legion launched an attack on us the second day after arrival. As a result, they retreated before attacking to the foot of the city. I saw on the city wall that they suffered many casualties.”

“These Greeks have good weapons and equipment, but it’s a pity they are too afraid of death! Fighting like this, let alone defending for two months, even a year is no problem!” Pangeru raised his wine cup and said loudly. Now his confidence also increased greatly.

“So, Sedorum said Theonian troops are powerful and their Archon’s command ability is strong… I think it’s all bullshit! He is also a coward!” Nycou burped with alcohol, pounding the wooden table hard with his right fist. “Why don’t we take advantage of the Theonians’ low morale and sneak attack their camp!”

“This… is too dangerous! In case…” Bergum was somewhat worried.

“What are you afraid of!” Nycou glared and interrupted him. “We have more than 7,000 warriors. The enemy is at most no more than ten thousand, and they are all cowards. Defeating them, we won’t have to defend to the death here!”

Pangeru was somewhat moved. Although Bergum and Nycou brought some military grain, part still had to be supplied by Clampetia. Moreover, their stationing also caused trouble to the residents of Clampetia. Pangeru spent most of his energy every day resolving these disputes and conflicts.

Just as he wanted to say something more, the gate guard burst in.

“Clang!” The wine cup fell to the ground, spilling wine all over.

“What did you say?! Besidiae was occupied by Theonians?!” Nycou rushed over, grabbed the messenger, his face flushed red, spraying alcohol breath, and cursed angrily, “Don’t talk nonsense! Don’t talk nonsense! Besidiae cannot be conquered by Theonians! Impossible! Do you believe I will pull out your tongue and feed it to dogs! …”

“It’s true, Great Chiefs! I have a letter from the High Priest to you here! Help! …” The messenger struggled and shouted for help. Although Pangeru and Bergum were equally shocked inside, seeing this scene, they had to stop Nycou’s rough behavior first. The two stepped forward to pull Nycou and managed to separate the two with difficulty.

“That’s right, this is the High Priest’s seal!” Bergum quickly scanned the letter handed over by the messenger.