Maximus’s army took the stone bridge as their base, with the First Legion and Second Legion extending northward along the river. Based on the Womans River’s depth, their formation gradually transitioned from sparse to dense, while the Third Legion remained as the reserve force in the rear.
Attutmus’s army centered around the wooden bridge, spreading out along both flanks of the river, leaving some soldiers as reserves.
The formations of the two armies did not connect, leaving a gap of over two miles. This gap was at a winding stretch of the Womans River, prone to flooding during high water, with large areas of muddy shoals on both banks.
"Captain, I’m part of our team, too. Why haven’t I been issued a weapon?!" complained Casaridaoa at the back of the ranks.
"Shut up! I’ve told you countless times—if you keep whining, I’ll kick you out of the team!" Stags impatiently yelled.
"Captain, don’t be so harsh! Hey, young guy, no need to rush. Want a weapon? It’s simple—wait until we’re all dead, and you can pick one up at will—"
"Ramdolos, you damned jinx, are you cursing us to die early?!"
"... Everyone, shut up! There’s movement across the river!" Stags’s roar abruptly silenced the commotion in the ranks, turning all eyes toward the front.
They saw Hagux leading several rebel cavalrymen galloping wildly along the coastal road on the opposite side. Behind them, a full squad of Roman cavalry was in hot pursuit.
The rebel cavalry, upon reaching the stone bridge, began shouting loudly, "The Roman Army is coming! The Roman Army is coming!! ..."
Their cries carried over the stone bridge, resonating above the rebel army’s formation along the riverbank, causing a wave of unrest.
The soldiers guarding the bridgehead tightened their ranks under the commanding shouts of the team officers, preparing to intercept the Roman cavalry’s advance.
However, the Roman cavalry approached cautiously. They didn’t cross the bridge, instead pulling their horses around to charge into a field of wheat along the roadside, glaring across the river at the rebel army.
Soon, a golden-shining Eagle Banner appeared at the forefront of the coastal road. Following it was the glinting armor and imposing sight of the Roman Army, advancing fiercely like a winding red dragon toward the rebel army.
Accompanied by military bands, the Roman Army orderly left the coastal road, extending northward along the riverbank...
Gradually, the dense waves of flourishing wheat were replaced by proud and upright Roman soldiers. Looking across, the Roman soldiers colored the opposite riverbank in a sea of red, forming a dense, formidable presence.
The chatter of the rebel army steadily quieted. Many soldiers instinctively held their breaths.
Maximus felt a surge of unease himself, but upon noticing the unsteady glances of the soldiers around him, he realized that he had to act. Spurring his warhorse, he moved through the gaps in the formation.
At that moment, something unusual emerged among the Roman Army, which continued to pour from the coastal road onto the small plains across the river: thousands of disheveled, emaciated migrants—mostly elderly, women, and children—were being driven ruthlessly to the Roman army’s forefront, crying and pleading.
The Roman soldiers cut away the ropes binding them and said something. Suddenly, these migrants screamed desperately for help, their piercing cries carrying faint mentions of various rebel leaders’ names—enough for some rebel soldiers to realize that they were likely the southern refugees who had sought shelter with the rebel army but weren’t formally accepted. These people had fled north before the Roman Army’s arrival.
A sharp, horrific scream broke out as a Roman soldier stabbed a migrant’s thigh with a short sword. What followed was a relentless massacre—the migrants were slaughtered one after another, causing the rest to flee frantically toward the opposite riverbank while screaming for their lives.
Thus, the killing commenced.
Roman soldiers began their hunt, stabbing with short swords or hurling javelins, while Roman cavalry drove their warhorses straight into the fleeing crowds...
In a matter of moments, the powerless, terrified migrants were reduced to only a few survivors, with corpses piling along the riverbank and blood flowing like a river...
The rebel army’s ranks fell into turmoil. Many had pale faces; some attempted to charge out of formation to save the migrants struggling desperately in the river...
Team officers shouted loudly, working their hardest to maintain order.
Once the formation was somewhat stabilized, Maximus, accompanied by his attendants, rode to the riverside. Taking a deep breath, he addressed the rebel soldiers before him, pointing to the Roman Army across the river. "Brothers, why have we gathered here? It’s because those Romans have taken our lands, killed our loved ones, enslaved us, and turned us into migrants—leaving us no choice but to pick up arms against them!
You’ve all seen it, haven’t you? Begging for mercy doesn’t work. They slaughtered those people like livestock, leaving them to die meaningless deaths! The Romans want to kill us all; we have no way out except to fight back like heroes! I know that if we fight, it won’t be us who die like sheep, but those Romans who deserve death across the river! Tell me, isn’t that right?!"
Maximus’s last sentence was almost a full-throated roar, his outstretched arm trembling with passion. "Yes!! Yes!!!"
"Kill the Romans!!! Kill them!!! ..." The soldiers shouted furiously, replacing fear in their hearts with rage.
Given the army formation stretched over three miles long, Maximus’s voice couldn’t reach everyone. He rode along the riverbank, repeating his words at intervals while his attendants echoed him loudly. The soldiers’ cries surged westward like waves, and by the end, Maximus had shouted himself hoarse.
"Governor, it seems this group of rebels has... strengthened their morale." Bubius, a staff officer, leaned close to Crodianus and quietly remarked.
Crodianus sneered, "Even chickens and ducks scream loudly before their deaths. This is nothing but the struggles of the dying. Look carefully—while their front ranks wear armor and look decent, their rear is a chaotic mess, nothing more than a rabble. How could they possibly be a match for us!"
"Should we order an attack now?"
Crodianus hesitated briefly. Although he’d ordered the massacre of migrants to intimidate the enemy and provoke an attack, the rebels ultimately managed to hold their formation, which made him cautious. River-crossing attacks were not easy.
"Let the soldiers rest and recover their strength. We’ll wait for Antonius to reach the target before launching a combined assault." Crodianus responded.
Maximus had just returned to the rear of the formation when scouts galloped in from the west. "Report, leader! A large Roman force has appeared on the far side of the Womans River wooden bridge!"
Maximus gazed solemnly at Quintus. "It seems Rome truly intends to launch their first attack from there."
Quintus replied with slight unease, "Let’s hope Attutmus and his men can hold their ground!"
"Keep monitoring the situation to the west and report back immediately!"
..........................................
Attutmus stared gravely at the Roman Army arranging its formation across the river, his brows furrowed deeply. He realized the enemy outnumbered his forces significantly. The thought of asking Maximus for reinforcements crossed his mind but was swiftly suppressed. The Roman Army stationed at the Ascoli Camp was already superior in strength, and Maximus likely wasn’t faring easily either. Regardless, the Romans had encircled them from both sides, leaving no choice but to fight.
Seeing the Roman Army’s formation complete, he immediately ordered messengers to notify the team officers of all units to prepare for defense.
Yet, the Roman Army did not commence their river-crossing assault right away. Instead, they began placing Crossbow Cannons in the formation ahead...