Maximus glanced at him: "Torrelugo, what are you talking about?"
"Ah... I... I didn’t say anything." Torrelugo feigned confusion and shook his head.
Maximus was just trying to scare him and then turned to ask: "It seems this time the Segestica people have learned their lesson. It’s probably impossible for us to set an ambush again. Quintus, what are your thoughts?"
"Leader, I think... we can engage the Segestica people in a decisive battle here," Quintus pondered aloud.
This statement caused a stir in the military tent.
Quintus continued to explain: "Segestica has fifteen or sixteen thousand men, and we have thirteen thousand. The difference in numbers is not significant. In terms of combat strength, we are more organized, more disciplined, and more experienced than they are, and our tactics are also superior. We can definitely defeat them!"
"Quintus, where do we even have thirteen thousand soldiers? You aren’t counting those newly joined Skodisqi people, are you?" Flanitnus questioned.
"That’s right," Quintus nodded.
"Are you crazy?!" Flanitnus loudly questioned: "They have only just picked up their weapons a few days ago, they can’t even form ranks properly, let alone master legion tactics! Sending them into such a crucial battle that determines our life and death, they will certainly cry out for their mothers under the enemy’s fierce attack!"
"At that moment, the lives of all of us would be in your hands!" Flanitnus shouted angrily.
"No, you don’t understand the Skodisqi people. I devised a training plan for them, and I’ve witnessed their training firsthand. They are extremely diligent, and you can feel the fire in their hearts, it’s a hatred towards the Segestica people. Once it erupts in battle, it will be terrifying!"
Quintus said seriously, "Moreover, I have them as a reserve force. It’s our First, Second, and Third Legions that will truly face the enemy in a head-to-head formation. While they are fewer in number than the enemy, their combat skills, organization, and discipline can certainly withstand the enemy’s assault!"
"It’s not just that our troops are fewer than the enemy; they are far fewer!" Flanitnus said seriously, "Our soldiers are indeed excellent, but their numbers are limited. Meanwhile, the Segestica people have far more warriors than we do, so we must be cautious in every battle to avoid excessive casualties. This is how we can ultimately achieve victory in a prolonged war against the entire Pannonian Race.
Therefore, I suggest we hold our camp, use ditches and earthen walls to block the enemy’s onslaught, conserve the soldiers’ energy, and capitalize on defensive advantages to inflict serious damage on the enemy, ultimately forcing them to retreat."
"Flanitnus, first you have to admit, our forces have never had any experience in defending a city. Furthermore, our camp is too large, and the defensive line is too stretched. To defend the entire camp, the soldiers’ strength would be spread too thin.
And the ditch you speak of is nothing but a dirt trench—it isn’t deep or wide, doesn’t have sharp stakes buried, nor traps set before it, making it easy for the enemy to cross. The earthen walls you mentioned aren’t high or thick, and some sections aren’t even solidified. I question whether they could withstand an enemy assault; if the enemy breaks into the camp, we can’t imagine what might happen, especially with all the Segestica Prisoners inside!"
Quintus raised his voice, unlike Flanitnus, who tended to wave his arms when agitated, he raised his head high: "More importantly, even if we manage to hold the camp and force the Segestica people to retreat, what is the point? The Segestica Tribe’s strength will remain largely unscathed, and they could attack us again at any time, with even more caution.
As long as they remain a threat, we can’t risk moving to the villages we once seized, nor dare we plant crops there. Although we have seized a good amount of grain this time, it will eventually run out, and then what? Beg the Aldeans for help?"
"Leader, I’d like to point out that if... if we can’t sow seeds by November, this year would be a complete loss, and if we still can’t till by April next year, there might be no significant harvest next year." Volenus cautiously remarked.
Although this was a military meeting concerning the Segestica people, it was crucial to the survival of the entire rebel army, so Maximus also called the chief officers of the other eight departments. Except for Capito, the others mostly listened without speaking, though Volenus couldn’t help but comment.
Flanitnus gave him a harsh glare: "Once a war is tainted by external concerns, it’s never a good omen."
But Maximus’ next words sent a chill through Flanitnus: "Quintus, you just briefly mentioned engaging the Segestica people in battle, but could you elaborate on how you plan to fight?"
"Sure, Leader." Quintus perked up and detailed his envisioned strategy.
As soon as Quintus finished, Flanitnus immediately voiced his opposition: "This strategy is too reckless; it’s playing with our soldiers’ lives. I oppose it! I still insist that we should hold our temporary camp, as this would greatly reduce soldier casualties and give us a better chance of repelling the enemy."
"I actually find Quintus’ plan quite intriguing; our Second Legion is willing to take on such an adventure." Torrelugo expressed his opinion.