CHAPTER 339: CHAPTER 218: TRAPPED IN A PREDICAMENT

The game resumed, and this time it was the Skodisqi players’ turn to serve...

While the rugby match was in full swing, Maximus also arrived at the Kupa River, but he was on the south bank. Beside him were Agricultural Officer Volenus, Public Works Officer Capito, and Engineer Spukala. The group strolled along the riverbank and arrived at the water wheel.

"Leader, I specially asked Budocaribas about it, and he told me that the condition of the Kupa River since the beginning of spring is markedly different compared to the past two years. In the previous two years, around this time, the Kupa River water would at least rise up to there."

Volenus pointed at a wooden pillar standing in the water, supporting the water wheel’s axle. About half a meter below the pillar’s lower part was a thick black line: "But this year, the water level is so low, which resembles conditions from earlier years. He believes that after the rainy season, the river level probably won’t surge like it did in the past two years, flooding more land on the north bank and expanding the Validosi Swamp."

"Oh, really?" Maximus, hearing this, did not seem overly enthusiastic and instead asked, "He said it won’t surge; so roughly how much will it rise? Why has the Kupa River’s water level been lower than the last two years since spring began?... Did you ask all these questions?"

"I did, but he couldn’t clarify." Volenus replied.

"They are the original inhabitants here, accustomed to everything in this area, relying on experience to manage things, but we must not be like them!" Maximus solemnly reminded, "Since we’ve already settled here, we need to develop this place diligently! The Agricultural Department must start recording the climate and river water level daily from now on, and gradually figure out the patterns so that in the future, we can better guide the tribesmen in farming and improve the tribe’s ability to defend against floods."

"Yes, Leader." Volenus responded respectfully.

"Capito, has the Public Works Department considered building river dykes along both banks of the Kupa River this year to prevent future surges from flooding farmland?" Maximus asked further.

Before Capito could respond, Engineer Spukala spoke up first: "That won’t be possible this year. The riverbank within our territory is quite extensive. First, we need to survey the terrain on both sides thoroughly and understand the volume and flow rate of the river after it rises...

Not to mention other aspects, the amount of clay and stone bricks required alone would be enormous. It definitely won’t be completed this year, and it will probably not even be feasible next year. If we rush to build it, the completed dykes might not be able to effectively withstand significant surges of river water!"

After hearing Spukala’s explanation, Maximus didn’t press further and said, "Since the construction of river dykes falls under the Public Works Department’s responsibility, the timing should also be decided by you. However, a detailed plan must be made before construction begins and submitted to the Political Affairs Hall for discussion..."

Maximus spoke while gesturing toward the opposite bank and said with some regret, "It’s just that this lively scene won’t be visible after the rainy season!"

"Leader, this might actually be a good thing." Volenus offered his opinion, "Our tribesmen love playing rugby so much. Once the floodwaters submerge the riverbank’s playing field, we can take the opportunity to mobilize them to clear land at the edge of the northern forest. To secure a new playing field, they will surely be very willing to put in the effort..."

"That’s indeed a good idea." Maximus nodded.

"Leader, the pottery workshop has a request and asked me to relay it to you." Capito interjected.

"The pottery workshop’s request?"

"Yes, Leader. Recently, the pottery workshop has produced a large number of pottery items, meeting the needs of the tribesmen. However, the potters feel the current creations are relatively simple. Next, they want to craft more complex pottery and also paint intricate bottle designs—"

"Oh, that sounds promising. Are there bottle painters in the pottery workshop?"

"Yes, three of them came alongside the group from Sarabia. They are fascinated by the dragon you painted on our tribe’s flag, believing the technique is completely different from what they previously learned, yet more vivid and lifelike. Thus, they hope to learn from you so they can paint finer designs on black pottery in the future, aiming to make the black pottery of our Nix Tribe surpass that of Greece, especially Athens."

"Ha, quite ambitious. I agree. Send these bottle painters to the main house soon." Maximus said with a smile.

"Looks like a game just ended." Akegu, who had been observing the activity on the opposite side, mumbled.

..........................................

Teressa’s team actually lost!... Gowes, who initially watched the rugby match out of curiosity, gradually became engrossed in the intense competition. By the end, he was fully invested emotionally.

Thus, the Skodisqi team’s loss made him furious, but what angered him even more was the post-game ritual where the losing side had to congratulate the winning side.

Watching his compatriots on the field bow and salute their opponents under the referee’s urging, Gowes couldn’t hold back, cursing loudly along with his companions.

He originally planned to scold his compatriots on the field for their failure, but seeing them practically collapsed from exhaustion with several injured, he found himself unable to say those hurtful words, instead expressing his frustration as a venting of emotions.

Just like his comrades beside him said, since the Nix Tribe’s rugby competitions began, the Skodisqi people have consistently lost more than they won. Everyone knew the reasons: the Skodisqi people had been slaves for more than ten years, suffering hunger and cold with malnourished bodies. Even though their living conditions greatly improved after joining the Nix Tribe, a few months of recovery wasn’t enough to significantly enhance their physical fitness;

On the other hand, although the Pannonian men in the Nix Tribe were few in number, they had been on the front lines in the past, constantly engaged in battles with naturally strong physiques. Despite being captives and suffering abuse by the Aldeans, the short period didn’t cause irreparable harm to their bodies, allowing them to recover quickly after joining the Nix Tribe. Thus, in such intense competitions, those with better physical conditions naturally had the upper hand.

Watching his compatriots bow painfully to the opponents, Gowes felt as if his heart was being ruthlessly squeezed, involuntarily recalling the many years of humiliation he endured within the Segestica Tribe.

No, this is not just a match; it’s a war, a war that the Skodisqi people must win!... Gowes gritted his teeth, already determined to join the team by any means necessary and fiercely beat the Pannonians in the field.

..........................................

Spartacus led the rebel army through the wind and snow, launching a nighttime assault on the Romans’ fortifications. After incurring some casualties, they broke through the Romans’ long-wall blockade, but instead of seizing the opportunity to retreat far from the Roman camp, they encamped nearby, resting while attempting to bait the Roman Army into pursuit.

However, the Romans remained firmly entrenched in their camp, showing no signs of planning a chase.

This unsettled Spartacus, who considered probing the Roman camp with an attack. Yet the rebel soldiers, having just undergone a surprise assault, lacked the stamina and morale for another fight, forcing him to abandon the idea.

After resting for a day and as the rebels prepared to take new actions, a squad of cavalry galloped out from the Roman camp, throwing the severed heads of Attutmus and other key rebel leaders left at Regium’s coast, along with flags, onto the rebels’ campsite.

This shocking calamity shook the rebels to their core. Some called for an immediate assault on the Romans for revenge, while others believed avenging their fallen comrades under such demoralizing circumstances was infeasible. They argued that the army, shaken and exhausted, stood no chance against the victorious Roman Army and suggested retreating immediately. A few even blamed Spartacus’s earlier decisions for leading to Attutmus’s army’s downfall...

Spartacus had no time for self-reproach. Attutmus’s annihilation sparked unrest, and even the potential for division among the rebels. Moreover, having taken little supplies during their breakout, they were ill-equipped for prolonged encampment. With consensus from other leaders, the rebels immediately headed north, leaving behind the unsettling southern tip of Italy.

Crassus did not immediately pursue; indeed, the battle against Attutmus’s forces had cost him dearly. The failure of the rebel main force to attack his camp granted him a moment of relief.

The rebels advanced, pillaging along the way, bypassing Tarentum Bay and entering their former stronghold in the Taranto region. This time, their destination was Italy’s east coast.

Attutmus’s army’s annihilation was a cold shower for the previously confident rebel warriors, awakening them to the looming threats of death. Calls to leave Italy grew louder within the ranks. Since Sicily was now inaccessible, and the northern mountains unappealing, the best choice seemed to be across the Adriatic Sea in Greece.

Soon, however, they received troubling news: a Roman Army from the Eastern Province had recently landed in Brindisi, commanded by Marcus Trementius Varo Lucullus, last year’s Roman Governor.

The words of that pirate captain were coming true!... Having previously served in the Roman Army in the Eastern Province, Spartacus grew tense, knowing well the formidable combat strength of this army compared to Crassus’s new recruits.

With Roman armies positioned in both the southeast and southwest, to avoid encirclement, the rebel leaders quickly decided to move north immediately, cross the Alps, and leave Italy while the newly arrived Roman force was still regrouping in Brindisi.

Finally, after more than a year, the rebels chose once again to take the route of northern escape, but the situation was no longer the same.