With the gradual deterioration of the relation between the Samnites and Theonia due to the continuous invasion of the Caudini on the Campanian region and the gradual advance of the Hirpini tribe towards Abellinum, the great chieftain of Potentia, Polet, had been on alert. However, due to the peace of their surrounding environment over the past decades and the Potentian people gradually becoming prosperous, the youth of their tribe have never experienced war, and even the older generation have become unfamiliar with fighting. Thus, Polet made an unexpected decision to request Theonia's Ministry of Military to send a military instructor to train their youth.
Because of that, the Ministry of Military has accurate data on the war potential of Potentia.
After glancing at each other, the several rotating speakers reached an agreement. After all, why wouldn't they be happy to be able to use unexpected help and achieve their goal without having to consume more of the kingdom's strength? As for whether Potentia would agree? They didn't even consider it because the relationship between the two sides was too close, and according to their agreement, this was also part of Potentia's obligation.
Vespa then directly asked, “After requesting the Potentians to participate in the war, where should we put the army they have formed under?”
Despite being a free city of the Kingdom of Theonia, Potentia is still semi-independent in nature. However, according to the provisions of the Theonian law, the Potentian army doesn't have the right to carry out military operations independently and must be integrated into the Theonian army and commanded by a Theonian commander, which is to guarantee the security of Theonia's territory and prevent some accidents from happening.
“Xanticles, the commander of Lucania's reserve legion, will be the one to command the army formed by the Potentians,” replied Hielos.
Vespa became relieved after hearing Xanticles would be the one to command as, based on his understanding of this Theonian strategos, Xanticles, a veteran commander, wouldn't fight the Samnites without regard for casualties. After all, despite Potentia not fully integrated into the kingdom of Theonia, Vespa had already regarded it as a part of Lucania, so he naturally wouldn't want to see the people there suffer heavy casualties.
“We will raise this issue first once the Senate meeting begins tomorrow. And after this issue is approved, we will immediately send a messenger to rush to Potentia and notify Polet!” Cornelius said solemnly, “The statesmen all hope to pacify the Samnites as soon as possible and restore peace to our northern border!”
“Thank you, esteemed lords! We will do everything we got!” Hielos also responded seriously.
Vespa had wanted to inquire about the battle plan of the Ministry of Military against the Samnites, but he could only swallow it when he was about to utter it. After all, King Davos made a rule not to allow the Senate to interfere in the matters of the Ministry of Military, and he didn't want to break this rule.
After splitting away from the rotating speakers, Hielos and the others's expressions relaxed a bit.
Philesius said with a hint of excitement, “We can finally solve the Samnites as long as the Senate passes the resolution tomorrow and the Potentians send their troops!”
“With the Samnites invading the Campanian League and the Abellinum making the initiative to ask to come under the kingdom, we finally manage to get the opportunity to counterattack! As long as we let the Potentian army go north to join the people of Abellinum while Alexius can lead his army to attack from the east, we can attack the Samnite mountain…with the cooperation of the two sides, we will be able to control the direction of the war completely!” The usually calm Kapus also showed a joyous expression.
“The Hirpini had fought the Potentians many times, so won't it cause dissatisfaction and conflict if the Potentian army enters Abellinum?” Arpenst reminded.
“That shouldn't be the case.” Philesius explained with some certainty, “Since the South-Italian War, the Potentians hadn't fought the Samnites for more than a decade. Although we don’t know if the Potentians have forgotten their previous hatred, the information obtained from His Majesty's intelligence department over the years showed that Potentia and Abellinum often traded with each other, and their people could easily access each other's territory… So, it shouldn't provoke too much reaction if the Potentian army entered Abellinum. Besides, you have to trust Xanticles. With his ability, he could ease the relationship between the two sides.”
The other three nodded as they had all been part of the Persian expedition and deeply understood Xanticles' ability.
“Rather, I think Polet would be thrilled when he hears we would allow them to attack the Samnites,” said Hieronymus, “With his temperament, he would personally lead the army, and he would also restrain his people, cooperate with the people of Abellinum and fight together to achieve this goal.”
Polet not only requested the Theonian military instructor to train his people, but he also personally participated in the training several times and learned the combat techniques of the Theonian Legion. As the Chief Military Instructor, Hieronymus travelled to Potentia several times to inspect their training and was treated with great hospitality by Polet, resulting in the two forming a deeper friendship.
“There's no need for us to worry about Abellinum and Potentia. On the contrary, I am more worried about what His Majesty would think!” Philesius muttered, “After all, he has repeatedly emphasised not to lead the troops into the Samnite Mountains to fight, but our plans completely go against his will!”
Philesius' words suddenly caused the excited expression on Hieronymus and Arpenst to turn grave. Hielos, on the other hand, kept his calm as he relieved the others, “When we were discussing the plan at the Ministry earlier, didn't I already mention that His Majesty was only worried that we were not familiar with the terrain of the Samnite Mountain, and the Samnites' skill in mountain warfare that would result in suffering great losses if we enter? That's why he repeatedly emphasised that, but he never said that we are absolutely not allowed to enter the Samnite Mountains! Now that we have the help of Abellinum, coupled with the Samnites' main forces in Campania, it is a good opportunity for us to beat the Samnites completely! And I am sure His Majesty will agree to it once he learns of it!”
“Hielos, we should wait for His Majesty to receive our strategy and give approval before starting the attack,” Philesius reminded him as he felt uneasy.
“Even if it were the fastest, it would take more than seven days for the letter to arrive in Rome and back again. Despite Abellinum joining our kingdom as a secret, I believe the people of Abellinum will have difficulty keeping this secret for long. Once the several Samnite tribal chieftains learned of it, those who went to attack the Campanian League would quickly withdraw back to the Samnite Mountains and result in our efforts to become in vain! Thus, we must immediately inform Alexius to execute our plan after the resolution is passed tomorrow. If His Majesty were to blame us in the future, I am willing to bear it alone!” Hielos said decisively.
“This is a decision we have made after discussing it with each other, so how can you bear the responsibility alone?” Hieronymus immediately opposed it.
“Indeed. If His Majesty wants to blame anyone, he should also accuse all the officials in the Ministry of Military!” Philesius hurriedly declared his stance.
Arpenst was about to speak when he suddenly spotted someone rushing ahead and immediately said, “Hielos, isn't that your adjutant?”
“Lord Hielos! My Lords!” The officer rushed over and gave a military salute, “Lord Alexius sent an urgent letter!”
Hielos quickly took the letter and opened it. Soon, a smile appeared on his face.
The other three immediately cast curious glances.
Hielos looked at Philesius and the others, showed the letter in his hand and said in a cheerful voice, “Alexius wrote this letter immediately after he learned about Abellinum requesting to come under the Kingdom of Theonia. He requested to be allowed to regroup the Tenth and Eleventh Legion, join with the people of Abellinum and the Potentians to simultaneously attack both from the east and west, remove the obstacle, and take down Aquilonia. It seems we have thought of the same thing!”
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Despite the efforts of Theonia's Fleet blockading the west coast of the Italian Peninsula, as well as the fleet in Sicily patroling occasionally in the waters west of the Straight of Messina, they still failed to prevent the Carthaginians from obtaining information about Rome. After all, the islands of Corsica and Sardinia, under Carthage's control, were just across the sea from the Latium region, where Rome was located. The Phoenician city-states on the islands, under the orders of the Carthaginian official, had to send out their ships time and time again, risking everything to avoid the Theonian patrols and reach the coast of the towns of Antium and Ardea to learn about the war situation in Latium.
Then, the Carthaginian officials sent out fast sailing ships to go straight south from the western side of the island of Sardinia to the city of Carthage. Because of that, the Carthaginians knew about the Theonians sending a large army to attack the Latium region, which made them happy since Rome restrained most of Theonia's soldiers, inevitably reducing their attack on western Sicily.
A few days later, the elders of Carthage were shocked to learn of the fall of Rome. They received information that highlighted the frightening military strength of Theonia. Despite Rome not having its main force within the city, it was still a large city, yet the Theonians easily captured it.
After some time, Carthage received another report bringing the news of the burning of the city of Ostia, the dissolution of the Roman army, and the remnants of their army cowering in the southwestern part of Latium. As a result, the entire Carthaginian nobility was shaken by the news that Rome, a powerful city-state in the centre of Italia(which was why Carthage chose to ally with them), had, in such a short period, beaten by the Theonian army to such a state that they were rendered unable to fight, even to the point of barely surviving…
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