Rome Must Perish
Chapter 137 - 103 Illyrian Pirates

Chapter 137: Chapter 103 Illyrian Pirates

Maximus took his leave, and Hamilcar stood in place, staring dazedly at his departing figure.

Seeing this, Spartacus stepped forward and asked, "Did Maximus refuse our request?"

"No, he agreed to everything. I just feel a bit emotional. A year ago, Maximus was still a young man who needed our protection. Now, we have to rely on his help. He’s grown so fast!"

"That’s a good thing. The stronger our comrades are, the better our chances of defeating the Romans," Spartacus said with relief, but soon furrowed his brow. "What worries me now is Cross..."

.......................................

By the time Maximus returned to his temporary camp under the escort of the Spartacus Guard, it was already evening. Campfires were blazing in every camp, reflecting the countless stars hanging in the night sky.

During the meeting, the soldiers had already pitched tents, organized the camp, and even prepared dinner, awaiting his return.

Having already eaten, Maximus apologized sincerely to his subordinates and urged them to eat quickly.

A guard entered to report, "Leader, someone named Pequot wishes to see you."

Maximus’s heart stirred. "Let him in."

Pequot lifted the curtain and entered the tent. Seeing the person he sought sitting inside, with two half-grown children bent over a wooden table eating their meal, he called out with a complicated expression, "Leader Maximus."

Maximus broke into a smile, gesturing toward a wooden chair nearby, and warmly said, "Pequot, long time no see! Please, take a seat. Have you eaten yet? I’ll have someone prepare something for you."

"No need, I’ve already eaten," Pequot quickly waved his hand and solemnly said, "I just heard from Hamilcar that your meeting has concluded, so I hurried over. I have something important to discuss with you."

"Oh." Maximus reined in his smile but spoke with the same warmth, "No rush. Sit down first, and we’ll take our time."

Pequot slowly sat down, but he didn’t start speaking immediately. Instead, his gaze drifted toward the two half-grown boys, hesitating slightly.

Understanding his concern, Maximus said, "Akegu, Casius, you two head over to Oluus’s tent to eat."

"Yes, Leader." The two quickly left.

Only then did Pequot begin to speak. "I just asked Hamilcar, and the Military Commander Conference has decided that this army will not appoint a new leader. Instead, according to everyone’s wishes, we’ll merge into other armies..."

Pequot fixed his eyes on Maximus, then emphasized, "I want to lead my brothers and join your army!"

Maximus, who had expected this, remained calm. He asked, "Why choose me? Spartacus, Cross, and even Antonix all have armies stronger than mine and better relationships with your group. Why not join them?"

Pequot hesitated for a moment before candidly explaining, "Leader Maximus, let me be honest with you. Cross is definitely out of the question for us. Everyone believes it’s his fault that Leader Enomai died in battle, leaving us in this state. Many of my brothers see him as an enemy.

As for Spartacus and Antonix... it’s true that quite a few of my brothers wanted to join them, but in the end, I convinced them to turn to you."

"Oh? Why?" Maximus asked with interest.

"I asked my brothers a few questions," Pequot said emotionally. "Among all the armies of Free Italy, which one is the most well-provisioned, where hunger and shortages are not a concern? Which army has the fewest casualties, yet provides excellent care for its soldiers? Which army, despite fighting fewer battles, has achieved astonishing victories multiple times? The answer is your army.

Under Leader Enomai’s command, we’ve had enough of the hardships of lacking food and clothing, and of suffering casualties without any gain. That’s why we all decided to join your ranks!"

"But my army has strict decrees, and the demands on soldiers are the most rigorous. Anyone violating these decrees will face severe punishment, even death! To my knowledge, the army under Enomai’s leadership had the most lenient rules. Can you adapt to this? If anyone breaks the rules, will they willingly accept the punishment? Have you made this clear to your men?" Maximus sternly reminded him.

"During the time in Campania, your army’s discipline was already well-known. Of course I’m aware of this, and I’ve told my brothers about it. Most of them said they can accept it. Compared to starvation and death, these are small matters," Pequot replied solemnly.

"How many people want to join?" Maximus asked again.

"Nearly 2,000, most of them my men."

"What are their backgrounds and origins?"

"More than half are Illyrian and Epirus slaves and sailors. Some are gladiators, predominantly Germanic, and another group consists of impoverished mountain peasants from Lucania," Pequot replied.

The soldiers under Pequot’s command were mostly Illyrians and people from Epirus, which wasn’t surprising, given that Pequot himself was Illyrian. In fact, the leaders and captains of the rebel army often had such preferences—they liked recruiting their own kin as subordinates, finding it easier to command them. This, in turn, aligned well with Maximus’s needs.