The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe-Chapter 142: Ambush (Part I)

Originally, Timaras suggested reducing the burden of their spoils by sending some of the loot back to Croton by ship.

However, Melantheus rejected the idea. His reasoning was: Castro and Crimissa have just joined our Crotonian alliance.

We need to showcase the spoils of conquering Turii and the severe consequences of opposing Croton.

In truth, there was another reason Melantheus kept to himself: he feared the officials in Croton’s council might embezzle the loot if it arrived ahead of him, leaving him with a smaller share of the riches.

As for why the floating bridge wasn’t burned, Juleios’s concerns were unnecessary. Melantheus didn’t regard Amendolara as a threat at all.

He believed that with Turii destroyed, there was no force in the northern part of Magna Graecia capable of challenging Croton.

Furthermore, leaving the bridge intact would facilitate Crotonian migration to Sybaris in the future.

The Crotonian column stretched over ten miles, the majority composed of heavily laden wagons, which severely slowed their pace.

By dusk, the vanguard reached the city of Castro.

The people of Castro were indeed frightened. Their chief general, Amiclis, led the city’s elites to warmly welcome Melantheus and his victorious army, offering to host a grand victory feast for him and the Crotonian officers.

They diplomatically mentioned that Castro was too small to accommodate such a large army, and storing all the supplies in the city could lead to theft or conflict.

They added that Castro had prepared ample wine and food outside the city to celebrate the Crotonian victory and express their apologies for not being able to host the soldiers inside.

Melantheus, known for his lack of concern for his soldiers, was pleased by the hospitality and agreed. He entered the city with Timaras and a dozen senior officers, leaving the army to camp outside.

On the way into the city, Melantheus received reports from his scouts: The people of Amendolara have arrived on the Sybaris Plain to aid the Turians.

Melantheus laughed, saying, "Amendolara’s efforts are wasted.

We will soon return, and the Sybaris Plain will belong to Croton!"

Hearing there was meat and wine, the Crotonian soldiers hastened their march. By nightfall, they hastily set up camp, pitched their tents, and immediately began feasting and drinking in celebration of their victory, carousing late into the night.

Exhausted from the revelry, they eventually fell into deep slumber.

Ancitanus’s History of Greater Greece did not record one crucial detail: that night, the citizens of Amendolara diverged from their usual training routine.

After hastily pitching tents and setting up a basic camp, they all went to sleep early.

In truth, most of the rescue work for the Turians that day—building shelters and organizing resources—was carried out by the women, teenagers, and elderly of Amendolara. The entire city had mobilized for this operation.

That night, Juleios deliberately prevented the Turian refugees from entering the newly built camp. Exhausted, the Turians slept under the open sky. Meanwhile, in the Amendolaran camp, officers quietly woke the citizen-soldiers.

Half-asleep, they ate freshly baked bread, hot lamb soup, and small portions of lamb and cheese.

Though they had already eaten dinner a few hours earlier, the extra food would provide the protein and energy needed for the upcoming march and battle.

The soldiers then donned their breastplates and greaves, inspected their spears, swords, and round shields, and prepared for the operation.

At the center of the camp, under the flickering light of torches, Juleios and his officers stood around a terrain model of the Crotonian camp, crafted from dirt based on reconnaissance by Izam and his scouts.

Melantheus had chosen to camp south of Castro, believing the city provided a safe barrier. Juleios pointed to the model with a stick: "He assumes his troops are safe here because of Castro’s proximity. However, this overconfidence will make his soldiers even more complacent."

Juleios continued, "Izam has confirmed that a section of the Trionto River upstream is fordable and far enough from the Crotonian camp to avoid detection. The Crotonians have spent the entire night feasting, and I suspect they’ll be sleeping like pigs when we attack at dawn."

His remarks, combined with the scouts’ reports that the Crotonian camp lacked trenches, barricades, or even proper sentry rotations, enraged the Amendolaran officers. They silently vowed to teach these arrogant Crotonians a harsh lesson.

"The only complication," Juleios noted, "is the camp’s scattered layout. The southern section, in particular, juts outward because it houses their looted goods."

He circled the area on the model with his stick and addressed the officers: "Our forces, including the Lucanian battalion led by Bagul, total only around 5,000 men.

To encircle the camp entirely, our formation must deploy in a single line."

"Don’t worry, General. A single line is more than enough!" Amintas quipped. "Against people, it might be tricky, but against a bunch of sleeping pigs? Easy!"

The officers stifled laughter, their morale bolstered by Amintas’s humor.

Juleios smiled faintly and turned to Kapus. "The southern section of the camp is your responsibility. You’ll initiate the attack. The area is large and cluttered with wagons and supplies. Discuss with your men how to overcome these obstacles."

Kapus, usually calm and composed, appeared visibly excited. "Rest assured, General, the First Battalion will not disappoint you!"

Juleios nodded and then addressed Drakos: "The Second Battalion will attack the eastern side of the camp. Since it’s closer to Castro, panicked Crotonian soldiers will likely attempt to flee there. I want your attack to be so fierce that they abandon that thought entirely."

Drakos glanced at Kapus and declared, "General, the Second Battalion will prove with our actions that we are just as capable as the First Battalion!" freewёbnoνel.com

"Good, that’s the confidence I like to see!" Juleios praised, before turning to Hieronymus. "The Third Battalion will attack from the west.

Although most of your troops are new recruits, I trust the Third Battalion will deliver an outstanding performance."

Hieronymus clenched his fists and responded firmly, "Count on us!"

"Epitenes."

"Present," Epitenes replied promptly.

"You and Zipetes will lead the light shield soldiers of the Seventh Battalion to attack from the north."

"General, isn’t our attacking force on the north side a bit small?" Epitenes questioned immediately.

"Don’t worry," Juleios assured. "Bagul, are you here?"

"I’m here!" Bagul replied from the back of the group.

"Come forward," Juleios gestured for him to approach.

Once Bagul stepped closer, Juleios said in a measured tone, "The Lucanian Battalion under your command will join the northern attack. Epitenes will serve as the overall commander."

Bagule hesitated briefly, glancing at Epitenes.

Noticing this, Epitenes offered a friendly smile, which prompted Bagule to lower his head and respond, "Understood."

"Light shield soldiers excel in close combat, and the Lucanian warriors’ charges are incredibly powerful. Initially, the enemy might not consider retreating north because the Trionto River is in their way.

I’m not concerned about your offensive strength; I’m more worried about coordination. Advancing too aggressively could create gaps," Juleios cautioned. "After this meeting, work together to discuss how to improve coordination and maintain a consistent attack rhythm."

He added with emphasis, his tone stern, "Bagul, as I’ve told you before, I’ll repeat: during the march and while waiting in ambush, absolute silence is required.

We cannot alert the enemy!"

"I understand," Bagul said, inwardly alarmed. He resolved to meet with Asistes immediately to devise plans to prevent his men from making mistakes.

"General, won’t our archers and slingers participate in this operation?" Alponus asked anxiously. With no mention of their deployment, he feared being left out.

"Of course, you’ll be involved," Juleios replied with a smile. "Alpons, lead the archers and slingers to ambush along the road from the eastern side of the camp toward Castro. If anyone attempts to come out and assist the camp, deal them a crushing blow!"

"Understood!"

"According to Izam’s reconnaissance, the soldiers from Castro who accompanied the Crotonian army stayed at the camp for the victory celebration and did not return to the city. The troops still in Castro should be few in number and lacking combat readiness.

Oh... and as for the Crotonian officers indulging themselves in the city, I doubt they’ll even have the strength to lift their weapons by morning," Juleios said, drawing amused chuckles from his officers.

"Once you return, organize your subordinates and assign their positions along the attack lines. But remember this above all," Juleios’s expression turned serious, "there must be no gaps—whether between squads, companies, or battalions."

Read 𝓁at𝙚st chapters at (f)re𝒆we(b)novel.com Only