"We all come from humble beginnings, we’re not afraid of mosquitoes. Besides, we can burn certain herbs outside to drive them away." Volenus, understanding Quintus’s silent cue, also reacted to support Quintus’s statement: "The mountainous terrain here isn’t a problem. I noticed the soil on the hills is quite thick, and we have some Samnite soldiers in our ranks who are skilled at cultivating farmland on mountains."
Budocaribas was momentarily at a loss for words, beginning to rack his brains on how to persuade further.
Maximus glanced at him, understanding why he was acting this way. Based on the previously observed terrain, there are two marshlands as barriers east of Budocaribas’s village, yet he is still harassed by the Pannonians, likely because they pass through the gap between the marshlands. On the other side of the gap is the hilly area he mentioned. If the Maximus Army establishes a settlement there, it would completely block the Pannonians from harassing the Alde Tribe. But if the Maximus Army’s base is built on this side, the route for the Pannonians to harass the Alde Tribe would remain unimpeded.
"Let’s go, let’s also take a look at the hills over there." Maximus’s words made Budocaribas’s eyes light up again.
"I don’t know if we can cross the river?" Maximus inquired further.
"We can cross, we can cross." Budocaribas responded hastily: "Although the Kolana River is relatively wide, the water is shallow in autumn, and in several places, it can be easily waded across, let alone riding a horse across."
This is also what gives Budocaribas the biggest headache, as Pannonian incursions increase during autumn and winter.
..........................................
As Maximus and his group were crossing the river on horseback, Cleobrotas was in the Aldean Great Camp, giving a brief account of his experiences to the Great Chief Acoupaigos.
After listening, Acoupaigos asked only one question: "What do you think of that young leader?"
Cleobrotas replied without hesitation: "I think he is somewhat like Alexander!"
"Who?!" Acoupaigos’s eyes widened.
"The former King of Macedonia who conquered Persia, that Alexander!" Cleobrotas said with a serious expression: "Like Alexander, he shows vision and ambition far beyond us ordinary people at a young age! However, his talents are currently only displayed in his language and thoughts, and we still need to see his future actions."
Acoupaigos was silent for a moment before asking, "Is that the main reason you agreed to let him buy land and ally with him?"
"Great Chief, you gave me autonomy before I left," Cleobrotas quietly reminded: "I believe if this young leader can realize even half of what he envisions, our Alde Tribe will not only overcome our difficulties but gain even more!"
The Illyrians have special feelings for Alexander the Great. Although the Macedonia Kingdom once conquered Illyria and forcibly recruited Illyrians into their army, 3,000 Illyrian light infantrymen followed Alexander the Great throughout his eastern campaign, earning countless accolades and immeasurable wealth. A few of them eventually returned to Illyria, spreading their experiences, which were continually celebrated by later generations.
After Alexander’s death, Illyria eventually became independent but remained allied with the Macedonia Kingdom, being led by Macedonia, until being defeated by Rome... Now, as the Illyrian tribes face turbulent times, it makes one nostalgic for the hero’s glory of those days.
Acoupaigos, with a heavy expression, sighed and said: "Sometimes ambition is like a raging fire, and it can burn us down instead."
"Great Chief, didn’t you say before that it’s fine to make mistakes as it would just mean the Alde Tribe perishes one day sooner?"
Cleobrotas’s words made Acoupaigos smile helplessly: "Since you hold this young leader in such high regard, it seems I must meet him too."
..........................................
Maximus crossed the Kolana River. The hills were not far from the East Bank.
Maximus rode up a low hill and continued gazing eastward: beyond the confluence of the rivers, the Kupa River flowed east, flanked by expansive flatlands stretching eastward with the river. But this was by no means naturally formed, as there was a settlement by the riverbank roughly eight or nine miles away.
When Budocaribas told Maximus, "That is a Pannonian settlement," Maximus was quite surprised and hadn’t expected the Pannonian residence to be so close to Validosi!
Upon his further inquiries, Budocaribas had to reveal an even more astonishing fact: from this Pannonian settlement eastward along the river, Pannonians have established several settlements on the banks of the Kupa River, nearly one every ten miles.
As Maximus and his party peered at the Pannonian village, the Pannonians within the settlement noticed them and promptly dispatched a unit of soldiers heading for the hills.
Maximus and his group had no choice but to return to the West Bank of the Kolana River and once again thoroughly inspected Validosi before returning to the temporary base.
Upon returning to the camp, Maximus was informed by his subordinates: "The Great Chief of the Alde Tribe has arrived."
Maximus hurriedly went to meet him.