CHAPTER 234: CHAPTER 152 MAXIMUS’S REQUEST_2

Not only has the number of the rebel army more than doubled, but the grain and supplies they have seized are also piling up like mountains, with poultry and livestock running around everywhere...

As a result, the temporary camp of the rebel army underwent an emergency expansion yesterday, stretching from the banks of the Murenica River to the northern foothills, divided into inner and outer camps. Of course, the camp’s structure is still very rudimentary, and time must be spent gradually perfecting the entire camp.

When Budocaribas and Karsipengpas, who rushed over upon hearing the news, saw the captive troops lined up in long queues, weeping incessantly, they knew the news they heard yesterday was true—Maximus’ forces had indeed captured two Segestica villages; otherwise, such a big gain wouldn’t be possible.

Likewise, Aldean Great Chief Acoupaigos and elder Cleobrotas, who also arrived upon receiving the news yesterday afternoon, found it unbelievable: these outsiders had just settled down and so hastily waged war against the Segestica people. It seemed too rushed!

However, this was good news for the Alde Tribe, indicating that the young leader indeed kept his word.

Although Acoupaigos had limited mobility, this was an important matter for the Alde, so he naturally had to come and see for himself. However, he wasn’t planning to rush over right away as that would seem too deliberate, lacking in restraint, so they only arrived at the temporary camp the next day.

As a result, the scene of being overcrowded with supplies on the ground left them both dumbfounded, and even more so, they were shocked that the rebel army had broken through two Segestica villages in just one day.

Such good news even caused the old Acoupaigos to break his usual stoicism, coming forward to congratulate: "Congratulations to Leader Maximus on gaining a glorious victory!"

"Now the Great Chief can finally relax, right?" Maximus looked at him with a faint smile.

Acoupaigos replied with an unchanged expression: "I have always had faith in you, Leader Maximus. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have invited your troops to settle in our territory."

"It was precisely to repay the Great Chief’s trust that I hastened to launch an attack on the Segestica people." Maximus said with a worried expression, "However, after achieving victory, I’ve also encountered a problem."

"What problem might Leader Maximus have encountered?" Cleobrotas asked.

"Yesterday’s battle will certainly anger the Segestica people, and I believe it won’t be long before they launch a massive attack. By then, I must exert all my strength to fight back, which might leave me unable to guard so many Segestica prisoners. If they start a riot, it would affect our operations, and that would be quite troublesome!" Maximus said with a serious expression.

"Why don’t you just kill them? You know, that’s exactly how the Segestica people treated our Alde prisoners before. They cruelly chopped off our warriors’ heads, impaling them on wooden stakes, and used them to taunt us at our village or simply left them on their wooden walls, exposed to the wind and rain..." Budocaribas interjected, his words laced with anger.

Budocaribas’ village is at the frontline, evidently having experienced quite a few of such instances.

Yet, Maximus showed no intention of appeasing him and calmly said: "If we kill all Segestica prisoners, it would surely enrage the Segestica people, making our upcoming battles more difficult to win! Moreover, killing all Segestica prisoners like that would be too easy for them."

"Then, what does Leader Maximus intend to do?" Cleobrotas asked.

Maximus looked at the four people in front of him and voiced the proposal he had considered along the way: "I understand the pain inflicted on you by the Segestica people, so I can hand over all the Segestica nobles among the prisoners to you for free.

They should be the initiators of the war between the Segestica and Alde, and have benefited the most from it, deserving severe punishment! You may use them for sacrifices or kill them directly to console the departed souls and ease the tribesmen’s minds.

As for the nearly 4,000 Segestica warrior prisoners, I would like you to temporarily help me guard them, treating them like cattle or sheep is fine, but do not disable or sicken them, as I will carefully inspect them when I want them back.

However, now I cannot hand them over to you yet. I need to use them as labor to quickly build the camp."

The four looked at each other, and Budocaribas hesitated before advising, "I think this proposal is acceptable."

Acoupaigos did not respond immediately, instead, he turned around to ask: "Why does Leader Maximus not hand over the rest of the Segestica prisoners to us?"

Maximus seriously replied, "During the Segestica Army’s attack and our combat with them, these Segestica prisoners might play a rather special role."

"What special role might they play?" Cleobrotas curiously asked.

"You will know when the time comes." Maximus did not elaborate, and everyone refrained from further questioning.

"Can you tell me, how will you deal with the Skodisqi people?" Acoupaigos asked again.

"I plan to grant them some freedom, allowing them to work for us," Maximus vaguely replied.

"They’re Celts; their relationship with us Illyrians wasn’t good before," Budocaribas reminded.

Maximus seriously explained: "Yes, I know, but they hate the Segestica people even more! And I have saved them, so they are somewhat grateful to me. I can try to persuade them to serve us well, which could greatly weaken the Segestica people’s power and strengthen us. We should certainly do that, shouldn’t we?"

The Alde had nothing more to say to this, only telling Maximus: when he is ready to transfer Segestica prisoners to the Alde Tribe, he can directly contact Budocaribas, who will be responsible for the matter.

Due to his ill health, Acoupaigos couldn’t stay long and soon set off back with Cleobrotas.

"Great Chief, was my previous judgment wrong?" Cleobrotas suddenly asked.

Acoupaigos knew what he was referring to and ponderingly said: "This young man has his own ideas and strong initiatives to realize them; his army’s combat effectiveness is indeed not bad; he does somewhat resemble that person.

However, the war has just begun; the storm will soon arrive, and if this young tree gets blown down, everything will just be an illusion. My greater concern is that the anger of the Segestica people might extend to us!"

"I can see that young man knows what’s coming next and is preparing for it, otherwise he wouldn’t have asked us to help guard the prisoners. He’s so young yet so clear-headed; it’s truly rare!"

Cleobrotas first praised, then solemnly said: "Great Chief, I think even without yesterday’s battle, judging from the Segestica people’s actions over the past year, it’s evident that their massive attack on us wasn’t too far off! If Leader Maximus truly cannot hold them off and the flames of war reach us prematurely, wouldn’t we still have the courage to defend our homeland just like these outsiders? Let’s just rally all tribesmen and rise to resist! Didn’t you say, after all, there’s no difference whether we perish sooner or later."