Chapter 502: Veiled Battle

Davos' thoughts changed again.

"Olivos, the situation you hope is impossible to happen if we calculate the time. Unless Hielos can breach Laos in a day and immediately arrive by ship to Clampetia, and then quickly launch an attack on Terina...but as veterans, do you think this is possible?!" Antonios expressed his doubts about Olivos' speculation.

"Even if it is impossible, we should still fight the Syracusans here as soon as possible to create an opportunity for Hielos' attack on the enemy's rear!" Amintas took the opportunity to interject.

"What's the point of Hielos taking back Terina if we lose...due to fighting them rashly?!" Kapus reminded.

"How could our legion be defeated?!!" Amintas roared.

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

The army legati argued fiercely in the command post.

Besides Alexius - the legatus of the third legion who was away in the Lucanian region, and Hielos - a former legatus and was still in Laos, all the legati of Theonia gathered in the command post: The legatus of the first legion - Antonios, the legatus of the second legion - Amintas, the legatus of the fourth legion - Epiphanes, the acting legatus of the fifth legion - Philesius, the legatus of the sixth legion - Olivos, the legatus of the seventh legion - Maotnis, the legatus of the sarissa legion - Kapus(former legatus of the first legion), and the former legatus of the third legion - Hieronymus, who arrived in a hurry at dusk yesterday with Lucania's 5,000 reserve soldiers. Thus it could be said that the command post was filled with all of the legati.

If it were in the past, these battle-hardened senior veterans, with the backing of their legion and strict Theonian military system, would often argue about how to attack the enemy. But today, besides the silent Hieronymus, everyone held their own opinion, with some even going to the point of swearing despite their past friendship, which just shows their scruples about the massive Syracusan army across the river. After all, they outnumbered the Theonian army by nearly 10,000 soldiers, with countless battle experience and a formidable commander. Thus they knew well in their hearts that this was not an army that they could easily defeat.

At the same time, Davos did not express his opinion and just let the legati argue, not because he pretended to be reserved, but because he couldn't make up his mind, so he hoped that this clash of ideas could help him clear up some of his thoughts. Although the Theonian fleet absolutely dominated the two naval battles, he would not be arrogant enough to think it would be the same in the land battle. Thus for such a war concerning the rise and fall of their respective countries and the life and death of their people, Davos still needed to remain calm and cautious even though he had already prepared a lot.

Suddenly, Martius came in and reported, "Your majesty, messengers from the Crotonians and Terinians had come."

The legati then stopped their argument and looked at Davos simultaneously.

Davos pondered for a while and asked a key question, "Although the city of Crotone was now burning, the Syracusan cavalries are still galloping on the other side. So how did they get here?"

"The officer that guided them said that the Syracusans did not intercept them." Said Martius.

"Your majesty, the Syracusans are obviously scheming something!" Antonios warned loudly.

"So just because this is the enemies' scheme, we won't save our allies?!" Amintas asked loudly.

Davos glanced at them and asked Martius, "Have you asked them why they have come?"

"Yes, they came to ask for help." Martius showed a hint of disdain. Then he felt that this was disrespectful to their allies, so he hurriedly became serious, "Ah, they also said that they do not have much water left and wouldn't last a few more days."

Davos nodded and began pondering.

Everyone's gaze then moved to Davos and remained quiet so as not to disturb him.

After a while, Davos looked at Martius and said, "Go and tell those messengers that I won't see them, so they can go and return." which caused everyone to be surprised.

Just as Philesius shouted, "Your majesty-"

Davos waved his hand and said firmly, "I already made a decision. So there is no need for you to say more!"

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

"Did the Crotonians we caught confess everything?" Dionysius asked aftering seeing Astagoras enter.

"Milord, they all said that Davos didn't meet them and was instead driven away."

"Didn't see them?! Are you sure they are telling the truth?" Dionysius doubted.

"Of course. I can be sure of that because several of them were so scared by my torture tool that they didn't dare to lie."

Dionysius thought about it and sneered, "Release them all, and let the Crotonians in the Acropolis know how much the Theonians they expected fear us that they do not dare to cross the river to rescue them!"

"Yes, milord." Astagoras turned around and left.

"It seems the Theonians will not engage in battle with us, so what should we do next, milord?" Phacipessas asked with concern.

Dionysius did not immediately answer. Instead, he turned to look at the quiet man in the corner of the tent, "Phidias, what do you think the new king of Theonia is up to?"

"How can I guess what is in the mind of cunning men like you?" Phidias bluntly and sarcastically said, "We Spartans only either attack or retreat, without hesitation."

Dionysius didn't show any displeasure at Phidias' taunt. Instead, he turned to look at the intelligence officer - Androstini, "What's the situation in Bruttii?"

"Milord, after the statesmen of Theonia - Sedrum became the praetor of Consentia, he used bloody means to suppress the tribes that wanted to rebel. Furthermore, he also summoned the chieftains of each tribe and tortured Petaru and Bodiam in front of them. Hence now, there are no Bruttian tribes who dare to come out to express their discontent with Theonia. For this reason, my men still couldn't find some..."

In the end, Androstini's voice became weaker as the performance of the intelligence department he led in Magna Graecia was not satisfactory. First, after the sixth legion arrived in Krimisa, their sudden military control resulted in Androstini losing capable personnel and Krimisa's information getting cut off. Next was the total martial law in Thurii, which ultimately made him unable to know anything about the central region of Theonia. Thus when they lost the naval battle, he was rebuked by Dionysius. Now, even his men who can know the situation of Bruttii could no longer do anything...

"I am asking you about Theonia's troops' movement in the Bruttian region!" Dionysius glared at him as he asked impatiently.

Androstini continued to sweat coldly as he hurriedly said, "After the Theonian statesman named Hieronymus drafted 5,000 Lucanian warriors and went to Thurii; another statesman, Hielos, led more than 2,000 men to Laos. After that, there has been no more movement of the troops in the Bruttian region, and it seems their supply has somewhat used up."

"What about Laos?" That was the thing Dionysius was concerned about the most.

"Due to the tight blockade of the whole mountain path by the Vergaens, our people couldn't find out Laos' situation, and I haven't heard anything from our spies in Laos..."

As soon as Androstini finished speaking, Phacipessas said, "Milord, Laos is a big city on the west coast of Magna Graecia. And with Alobamus ruling Laos for many years, it wouldn't be easy for the Theonians to take it."

Although Dionysius did not reply, he agreed with what he said in his heart. 'At least we didn't have to worry about our rear for the time being.' Thus he did not consider withdrawing his army back to Scylletium.

Dionysius knew in his heart that if they gave up Crotone, which they captured with great sacrifice and retreated to Scylletium, it would not only significantly dampen the soldiers' morale but would cause dissatisfaction among the strategoi. However, it also means that they gave up their offensive and took a defensive position, which would give Theonia the initiative. And as time passes, the situation of Syracuse's army in Magna Graecia will only become even worse, so they must quickly force the Theonians to a decisive battle as soon as possible!

"Phacipessas, you immediately lead 2,000 men to fire ballistae and flaming arrows at the Acropolis!" Dionysius then gave the order, which stunned the strategoi and ministers in the tent.

"Milord, there is a Temple of Apollo in the Acropolis!" Damocles loudly reminded.

"Apollo will never allow Hades to dominate Thurii for a long time, which is why he blessed us in quickly capturing Crotone, so he would definitely allow us to burn the city. Therefore, he certainly wouldn't care too much about our little offence to his temple..." Although Dionysius sneered inwardly, he still patiently educated them, "Besides, we are not going to burn down the Acropolis, but just to scare the Crotonians into consuming their water and forcing them to ask Theonia for help again."

Dionysius' orders were then swiftly carried out as dozens of ballistae and gastraphetes were carried by thousands of Syracusan soldiers to the bottom of the hill and began firing flaming projectiles into the Acropolis.

The frightened Crotonians began putting out the fire with soil to save water, resulting in many people getting burned.

The Crotonian once again sent messengers to the Theonians for help. Under the deliberate indulgence of the Syracusans, they crossed the Neto without incidents. However, Davos' answer was still, "No!"