Chapter 419 \nâQuickly! Have someone call GarniâŚand immediately bring your men to put out the fire!â Berani hurriedly called the guards to inform his son.\n
But just after the guards left, he realised that he was so anxious that he became confused. So he ordered the captain of his personal guards to lead his men to put out the fire.
âChieftain, what about your safety?â The guard captain asked worriedly: with the camp being so chaotic, who would protect their great chieftain once they leave?
âWhatâs the use of my safety when our whole army is in danger once our food is gone!!â Berani stomped his feet in anxiety.
Thus the guards had no choice but to rush to the fire hurriedly.
However, with an army of more than 25,000 men in a camp that was only 3 kilometres long, it made the camp and roads to be crowded.
Unfortunately, not only did the guards advance slowly, but because of their impatience to move forward, it annoyed their already panicking warriors, which gradually expanded into a conflictâŚ
Currently, it was early winter with dry winds, so when the camp was set on fire by the Theonian scouts who had infiltrated the camp, the wind made the fire spread rapidly, burning the whole supply camp and continuing to expand in all directions, setting fire to the surrounding wooden fences and tentsâŚ
Berani watches the flames on the rear, ultimately crushing his heart.\n
âItâs over! Itâs over!!âŚâ He sat on the cold ground lifelessly.
However, this night was destined to be his nightmare.
A powerful horn suddenly rang out around the camp, followed by the cries of countless menâŚ
But since the Potentians have hundreds of warriors, they could not enter the enemy camp silently like the Theonian legion. In the end, Poletâs boldness and persuasion still made Pamot make up his mind as he painfully sent out 5,000 warriors. They divided into five groups and quietly went down the mountain, hiding everywhere outside the Samniteâs camp.
As soon as he saw the flame, Polet couldnât wait for the horn to sound, so when the horn finally rang out, the Potentian warriors, with vengeful fury, went around the obstacles, climbed over the trenches and scaled the earthen walls. At this time, inside the Samnite camp, the Samnites were already terrified as they watched the flames that they did not pay attention to the campâs surroundings, allowing the Potentians, who all became bloodthirsty wolves, to enter easily, slashing all the figures they see and stabbing whenever they heard voices. The sound of slaughter and screaming echoed all over the campâŚ
The frightened Samnites became even more frightened. In the darkness of the night, they all held their weapons tightly for their safety as they could not even see their fingers, so if anyone were to come near, they would slash and stab indiscriminately, causing the camp to be even more chaotic.
But in such a chaotic situation, the Theonian scouts who had long sneaked into the camp shouted everywhere using the Samnite language they learned, âThe Theonian army is coming!! They are going to kill us! Run!!!âŚâ
And the darkness of the night only magnified their fear, finally crushing the Samnitesâ morale, and just like a flood, they all desperately run towards the outside of the camp. Due to this, they lose their sense as they push down their companions, cut down their comrades who hinder their escape, trampling on the groaning people on the ground, and the darkness had once again become their accomplice in killingâŚ
. . . . . . . . . . . . .\nPamot, who was worrying about the battle, had been standing on the wall watching: He heard the clamour of the Samnite camp, saw fires lighting up the sky in the distance, heard the sound of fighting and screamingâŚthis sight lasted until late at night, and gradually faded into silenceâŚ
The scouts who went to the foot of the mountain to inquire about the situation came back and excitedly shouted, âThe enemy was defeated! The enemy was defeated!âŚâ Suddenly, the whole city became an ocean of joy.
Pamot became relieved. However, he is still worried about the burning camp, but he still doesnât dare to send someone to put out the fire.
But who knew that even the gods were looking after the Potentians that night as it suddenly rained, completely relieving Pamot. Finally, he slept until dawn under the constant onslaught of sleepiness.
The following day, he hurried towards the city. On the way, he saw the previously lifeless people have smiles on their faces now as they gathered in groups of twos and threes, talking excitedly about the battle last night, thanking Asinu for his blessing. And from time to time, someone would come to ask Pamot, âWhen can we move back to our homes?â
Pamot stood at the top of the city wall and looked down: The Samnite camp, which once stretched for kilometres and had countless tents, had basically turned into scorched land, and countless clusters of green smoke surrounded the area, making Pamot unable to see clearly.
âDid Polet and the others return?â Pamot asked Wolle, the tribal chieftain on duty today.
âThey still havenât come back, but he sent someone back and said that they wanted to clean the battlefield, so they wonât be able to return until later.â
âPolet is fine!â Pamot rejoiced.
\nIn the early morning of the same day, in the Temple of Hades in Thurii, Cariades, A Scylletian, got up early as usual and walked into the templeâs main hall.
He then went to the other hall, the âPrison of the Wickedâ, where he had spent so much time here that the gruesome images of the prison of the wicked and the fearsome statue of Hades only had little impact on him. He then carried an oil lamp towards the throne of Hades with respect, whose stern and solemn face was enhanced by the fluctuating light on the oil basin in front of the statue, pulsing with a greenish-red flame.
Cariades, with a calm expression on his face, turned using his feet and lit the oil lamp in his hand. Then he knelt in front of Hadesâ status, slightly closed his eyes and opened up his palms, spreading them on the ground as he prayed sincerely to the king of the underworld, hoping that he could protect the people of Scylletium.
After hearing that the Syracusans had landed in Locri, he anxiously wanted to return to Scylletium. In the end, Plesinas came and persuaded him.
Plesinas told him that even if he returned to Scylletium, he would only be an ordinary soldier of the city-state. But if he were to stay here, he would be able to pray and get the help of the powerful and mighty king of the underworld.
Cariades thought that the grand priest was right. Thus he chose to stay in Thurii. At this moment, he placed the oil lamp representing his wish on the altar, where a single lamp was placed as it was still early and the temple had not yet opened. But in the evening, the altar and the grounds would be filled with oil lamps that they had to stay late to clean.
âCariades, with your sincerity, I am sure that Hades will respond to your wish!â A voice sounded behind him.
Cariades turned around quickly and greeted, âGood morning, Plesinas.â
The Temple of Hades is now all over the territories of Theonia, with many priests, priestesses and believersâŚwho are responsible for managing the temples, having different statuses among themselves. However, in terms of addressing each other, the Hades scripture states that they can only use their real name to address each other to highlight the concept of âequalityâ in the Temple of Hades.
âAccording to the latest war report obtained by the Senate, the fourth and fifth legions of Theonia repelled Syracuseâs attack in Caulonia, capturing hundreds of enemies. And these captives are now on their way to Thurii. With Hades watching and protecting Theonia, there is nothing for you to worry about!â Plesinas, with a gentle expression, comforted him.