Volume 6: The Meeting of Two Heroes, Chapter 88: The Junction at Potentia

Phoebidas fell silent. The arrogance of Dionysius made this warrior from the mighty Greek state of Sparta deeply uncomfortable.

“Phoebidas, for this coming battle—the greatest in Greek history—I need the help of you, the finest warrior of Sparta, to make it easier for us to win!”

Phoebidas could not refuse Dionysius’s invitation. Just the phrase “the greatest battle in Greek history” was enough to draw out his utmost enthusiasm.

…

On that same day, Davos ordered Lizaru of the First Battalion, Third Army Corps, to lead three heavy infantry battalions—three thousand men in total—along with a thousand Elean soldiers to garrison Poseidonia and guard the nearly ten thousand prisoners. For this purpose, Davos also sent a fast horse to Pyxous, informing Antaoris to arrange for the prisoners to be transported to the rear of Lucania.

Then he led the First and Second Army Corps along with part of the Third Army Corps—roughly twenty-four thousand men in total—eastward along the Sele Valley.

The march was not smooth. Not only was the road difficult, but they also encountered Samnites from time to time.

At first, when the scouts reported back, Davos thought the Samnites were trying to harass the army using the complex terrain of the mountains. So he dispatched the light infantry and light-armored infantry of all three corps to safeguard the flanks of the marching column.

But when the soldiers closed in, they found the enemy’s resistance weak—so weak that they were easily captured.

The first thing the captured Samnites did was demand food. Davos called for soldiers who understood the Samnite language to question them, and only then learned the reason they were here. The report was immediately relayed to Davos.

It was then that Davos found out: the great Samnite army outside the city of Potentia had been routed by a night attack! It was an unexpected and enormous surprise!

Originally, Davos had only sent Izam to dispatch many Mountain Reconnaissance Unit members disguised as Samnite stragglers, with the plan to infiltrate the Samnite camp at night, spread rumors, and shake morale. If possible, they were even to burn the Samnite baggage train—then the coming battle against the Samnites would be as good as won. To that end, he had sent a secret letter to Potentia, hoping for some assistance… Of course, this was a minor gambit; he had not placed much hope in its success.

But he never imagined the Samnites would be defeated like this! Davos, who had a fairly clear memory of “the Samnites as early Rome’s fierce rivals” from his previous life, found it almost unbelievable.

Soon, however, the army encountered scouts returning from the city of Potentia with news. Davos confirmed that the Samnites had been routed, and also learned that in last night’s operation, Printors, the company commander of the mountain reconnaissance battalion, had played a crucial role. He had planned the night attack and taken the initiative to contact Pollet inside the city of Potentia at great personal risk…

After hearing the full account of the night attack, Davos was full of praise. He repeatedly said to the battalion commander, “Lizaru, you have an excellent subordinate!”

Lizaru said earnestly, “He is better than me!”

“When the state is in crisis, that is when heroes emerge!” Davos spoke with deep emotion, committing the name Printors to memory.

Looking at these Samnites, so weak from hunger they could barely walk straight, thinking of their night of chaos and terror, their camp burned, washed by the heavy rain, fleeing all the way—tired, hungry, terrified—how could they have any fighting spirit left? The battle at Potentia was essentially over! Davos made this judgment, feeling a weight lift from his heart. He immediately ordered: the corps’ light-armored infantry and light infantry were to strike decisively whenever they encountered Samnites, to expand the victory!

At the same time, he sent men swiftly to the city of Potentia, instructing Puamot to prepare camps for the army in advance. Normally, while marching in a war zone, the Daonian corps would stop advancing in the afternoon and start building camps as per routine. But today Davos wanted to march boldly, striving to reach the city of Potentia within the day.

By evening, the vanguard arrived outside the city of Potentia. To their astonishment, under the dim sky, two “fiery dragons” stretched parallel from the city westward to the mountain pass, fully two miles long. They were Potentian citizens holding torches high, welcoming the Daonian army and lighting the way for the column…

On hearing this, Davos immediately rushed to the front, where he happened to meet Puamot, who was leading a group of tribal chiefs to greet him. “Respected Lord Davos, all the tribesmen of Potentia warmly welcome your great army!” Prompted by Pollet, Puamot bowed respectfully to Davos, and the chiefs behind him followed suit.

Davos did not remain seated on his horse to accept the ally’s respect. Instead, he quickly dismounted, returned the gesture promptly, and said with a slight, excited apology: “To come so late and disturb your peace with my army—truly my fault! I never expected that, while Potentian territory is still not entirely safe, you would disregard your own safety and welcome us with such warmth… Thank you! On behalf of all the soldiers, I express my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Potentia and all the chiefs!”

“No, Lord Davos! It is we Potentians who should thank you Daonian soldiers.” Puamot saw that Davos understood his efforts, and felt that his trouble had not been in vain. But he did not show it; instead, he said with emotion, “Compared to the great kindness of Daonia in saving Potentia, what is this small thing we have done?”

“We are allies,” Davos said gently with a smile. “Allied states should help each other like brothers!”

“Well said! Well said!” Puamot nodded repeatedly and was about to continue when Pollet interjected, “Lord Davos, might our talking here affect the soldiers’ advance?”

Davos looked back at his army, which had halted. He quickly said, “My apologies to all the chiefs! Please come with me this way.”

“Oh, our oversight.” Puamot hastily led the group to clear the army’s path.

“Tolmides!” Davos called back.

“My lord!”

“Send the order: have the drummers and trumpeters play the ‘Victory March’ to celebrate this moment of triumph together with our allies!” Davos announced loudly.

“Understood!” Tolmides turned and left.

The Daonian corps placed great emphasis on the smooth transmission of orders, strictly using bugles and war drums to convey commands. Thus, there were dozens of trumpeters and drummers. Here, with two and a half corps totaling twenty-four thousand men, the number of drummers and trumpeters drawn out numbered over a hundred. Upon receiving Tolmides’s order, they moved to the roadside.

As non-combatants in the corps, these men were not only tasked with relaying commands during battle. On the march, to lift the soldiers’ spirits and ease their fatigue, they would play music to aid the advance.

For this reason, during the alliance’s regular military training, in addition to practicing with the soldiers in phalanx drills, they also gathered separately at other times to rehearse music. They were also indispensable at the alliance’s various grand celebrations, so even though they did not directly fight, they were equally respected.

Now, some trumpeters switched to bamboo flutes hung at their waists, while some drummers took up small bronze cymbals. Each took their role and began to play.

The “Victory March” was a melody Davos had hummed from marching tunes he remembered from his previous life, which the alliance’s musicians had scored and adapted. Though it lacked the varied melodies and grandeur of a symphony orchestra from his previous life, it was a rare piece of music for this era.

On this silent night, as the lively, cheerful yet rhythmically vigorous melody was played, it soon resounded over Potentia…

The Potentians heard it, and their hearts felt a momentary relief. The grief for lost loved ones and the worry for destroyed homes over the past days seemed to be set aside, replaced by the joy and delight of repelling a strong enemy and achieving victory.

The weary Daonian soldiers, in turn, lifted their spirits, straightened their chests, and presented their finest appearance to the welcoming citizens of the allied state.

“Army Corps, advance!”

At the very front of the marching column were three hundred of Davos’s personal bodyguards, led by the acting captain Rodom (Martius was recovering from his wounds in Thurii). He held high the military banner of Davos, the supreme commander. At the top of the banner was a golden statue of Hades, wearing a crown, sitting calmly on his throne, holding a Bident in one hand and a sphere in the other, with a serene expression—a statue that conveyed the dignity of a king, in contrast to the grim and fierce Hades statue atop the corps’ banner. Below the statue, on the black banner, the name “Davos” was embroidered directly in golden thread.

Behind the bodyguards followed the standard bearer of the First Army Corps. But right after him came not the heavy infantry, but the light infantry and light-armored infantry. This was because on mountain roads, if an enemy was encountered, the swift-moving light-armored and light infantry battalions could react quickly. Indeed, most of the Samnites captured along the way were their doing.

After the First Army Corps came the baggage train, then the Second Army Corps, along with several hundred Samnite prisoners taken en route. Next was the Third Army Corps, and finally, some light infantry, light-armored infantry, and the cavalry battalion. The reason for placing the cavalry at the rear was that on parts of the mountain path, riding was impossible—they had to lead the horses on foot—and the narrow road meant that if a thousand horses relieved themselves, it would severely slow the rear units. Mixing light infantry among them was intended to prevent Samnite attacks from the rear.

The Daonian army had clearly distinguished banners and orderly ranks. With relatively uniform steps and high spirits, they formed an almost endless dragon, passing through the “path of fire” created by the warmth and cheers of the Potentian people. Though their black helmets and black armor imposed a certain pressure, the smiles on their faces reassured the Potentians.