Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1174: Rushing to the Battlefield

"Your Highness, we cannot retreat!" Plintors immediately objected. "The Spartan army is on the verge of engaging us. If we fall back now, not only will our soldiers complain, but all our previous efforts will be wasted. It would give the Spartan army a chance to catch their breath and cause the other Greek city-states to look down on us. Worse, it would likely accelerate their alliance with the Spartans against us. If that happens, defeating the Spartan army will undoubtedly become even more difficult!"

"We must not only hold our ground but also accelerate our offensive against the Spartan army before these Greek city-states finish their military preparations. As long as we defeat Sparta, the situation will turn in our favor!"

After all, this was Crotokatax's first time leading an army into battle. Lacking experience and battered by a succession of bad news, he had panicked. Under such immense pressure, it was inevitable that he would lean toward a conservative approach. Plintors's reminder, however, immediately made him realize the truth: a retreat would undoubtedly prolong the war. Not only would this severely drain the kingdom's resources and increase casualties, but it would also disappoint his father, who had always forged ahead aggressively in war...

At that thought, he roused his spirits and immediately reversed his stance. "Lord Plintors, you are right. We must step up our assault on the Spartan army. But how exactly should we go about it?"

"Your Highness, first, we should send messengers to our garrison in Messenia, ordering them to reinforce the northern border defenses and to stand ready to mobilize the Messenians at any moment," Plintors advised patiently. "Second, we must dispatch a portion of our scout cavalry and reconnaissance troops westward. We need intelligence not only on the situation in the Region of Elis, but also on the movements of the Arcadian League's army, just in case.

"Next, Your Highness, you need to write a letter to Secilian detailing our current predicament. Urge him to launch an attack on the Spartan coast and secure a landing as quickly as possible.

"Meanwhile, we will lead the main force east into Tegea's territory. We won't initiate an attack on the Spartan camp. Instead, we'll feign the construction of a new camp on the border between Tegea and Sparta, forcing the Spartan army to leave their fortifications and fight us in a decisive battle."

"What if the Spartan army refuses to leave their camp and waits to join forces with the army of Elis before engaging us?" Crotokatax could not help but ask.

"Then we will actually build a camp there and cut off the Spartans' path home. After that, we'll dispatch a portion of our soldiers to coordinate with the marines of the First Fleet and invade Spartan territory from the north... I imagine the Spartans would absolutely loathe to see that happen," Plintors said unhurriedly.

Plintors eventually could not help but ask, "Your Highness, do you find any flaws in my plan?"

Hearing a hint of dissatisfaction in Plintors's voice, Crotokatax quickly apologized. "Lord Plintors, your suggestion is excellent, and I have absolutely no objections! I apologize—my mind wandered just now because your plan inspired me and gave me an idea of my own."

Crotokatax's immediate apology not only dispelled Plintors's lingering annoyance but also made the officer feel ashamed for being petty. He asked earnestly, "May I ask what this good idea is, Your Highness?"

"When I was in Thurii, I extensively studied the history of the major city-states on the Greek Mainland. The reason Elis showed us goodwill earlier is because, despite being a member of the Peloponnesian League, they formed a grudge against Sparta during the Peloponnesian War over the ownership of Lepreon. Then, before the Corinthian War, the Spartan army invaded the Region of Elis and forcibly occupied some of their territory. Following the signing of the King's Peace, Sparta backed Pisa and forcibly stripped Elis of its right to host the Olympic Games, transferring that honor to Pisa... Ever since then, the people of Elis have hated the Spartans to the bone. That is why they were so overjoyed to learn that our army was going to war with Sparta, even sending Ionicus to accompany the Fleet to Messenia.

"I suspect the only reason Elis has now agreed to join the Greek League against us is because Pisa took the initiative to submit to them, finally giving them the chance to completely unify the western Peloponnese. But they have forgotten something: if we are truly defeated and withdraw from the Peloponnese, the moment Sparta regains its strength, it will once again fight Elis for dominance over the western region...

"Therefore, we should dispatch Callias as an envoy to Elis and make them a promise: we won't demand their explicit support, but as long as Elis remains neutral, Daionia will back them as the hegemon of the western Peloponnese. Even if the people of Elis ultimately reject our proposal, it will sow hesitation and discord among them, thus delaying their military mobilization against us... What do you think, Lord Plintors?"

Crotokatax's suggestion brought a gleam to the eyes of Plintors, who typically focused solely on military matters. He offered genuine praise: "Your Highness, that is a brilliant idea! I think we should not only send Callias to Elis, but also have him visit the other city-states. It would completely disrupt this Greek situation that is starting to turn against us..."

...

Crotokatax and Plintors rushed to put their plan into action. However, on the second day, they received a report from their scout cavalry: the Spartan army was attacking the City of Tegea.

This proactive strike by the Spartan army struck Plintors as the perfect opportunity for a decisive battle. At his suggestion, Crotokatax left three thousand soldiers behind to guard the camp and led the rest of the army to Tegea's rescue.

The path leading to Tegea was a narrow, uneven mountain road flanked by high hills. The experienced Plintors did not let Crotokatax advance rashly. Instead, he recommended sending the Mountain Scout Corps to probe the surrounding area first. Sure enough, they discovered Spartan forces lying in ambush among the ridges.

In response, Crotokatax dispatched a mixed unit of Daionian light-armored troops and light infantry to take the initiative, launching a direct assault against the Spartan ambushers on the hills.

The battle was not particularly fierce. This detachment of the Spartan army had no Spartan Warriors holding the line; they were primarily mercenaries without heavy infantry support. Once their position was exposed to the well-coordinated attacks of the highly trained Daionian light-armored troops and light infantry, they quickly chose to retreat.

Nevertheless, the skirmishing in the mountains had cost them time. With dusk fast approaching, the Daionian Army had no choice but to find a suitable location to make camp and rest for the night.

Early on the third morning, the Daionian Army resumed its march. However, to guard against further Spartan ambushes and harassment, their pace was deliberate. It wasn't until late morning that the vanguard finally crossed into Tegea's territory.

The Tegea-Mantineia plain was a rare expanse of flat land in the Arcadia Region. It formed a long, narrow strip running north to south, crisscrossed by rivers. The soil was relatively fertile, making it a renowned wheat-growing district on the Peloponnese Peninsula and the true breadbasket of the Arcadia Region.

After their arduous trek through the mountains, the soldiers stepped onto the wide-open plains. Seeing the vast, lush green wheat fields rippling like waves in the gentle breeze, every man felt his spirits lift.

Crotokatax, however, was in no mood to admire the scenery. He had already received a grim report from his scout cavalry: the Spartan army was violently assaulting the City of Tegea. The fighting was incredibly fierce. From the looks of it, the people of Tegea had suffered heavy casualties and were on the verge of collapse.

Plintors and the other officers had previously analyzed this scenario: having lived under the protection of the Spartans for so long, Tegea had not meticulously constructed and reinforced its walls like Mantineia had. Their city walls had suffered from long-term neglect, and there were no trenches or other defensive fortifications outside the city. Still, Tegea was one of the largest city-states in the Arcadia Region and boasted a sizable population; logically, they should have been able to hold out for a while.

How could they be crumbling so quickly?

Yet the successive waves of returning scout cavalry all reported the exact same thing: the Spartan army had completely encircled the City of Tegea. Spartan soldiers had already scaled the walls several times, and the base of the city walls was littered with corpses...

It was indisputable. Under the relentless assault of tens of thousands of soldiers from the Spartan army, the City of Tegea was in critical danger!

Crotokatax and Plintors could absolutely not allow the City of Tegea to fall into Spartan hands. First, it was only spring; the citizens of Tegea still had ample grain stockpiled in their homes, which would vastly alleviate the Spartan army's food shortages. Second, if Sparta captured the City of Tegea at the center of the plains, they would secure a firm foothold in the region, allowing them to threaten Mantineia to the north and seize the strategic initiative.

Consequently, Crotokatax issued an order: "Accelerate the march! Advance toward the City of Tegea!"

At the same time, the Daionian prince added one extra command: "Try not to trample the wheat fields!"

The City of Tegea was just over a dozen li from the southwestern edge of the plains. Given the flat terrain and the Daionian Army's rapid pace, the vanguard was already able to see the distant silhouette of the city by noon.

Just then, Crotokatax received another report from the scout cavalry: the bulk of the Spartan army had lifted the siege and was beginning to form up their ranks, facing west.

Seeing that his objective had been achieved so quickly, Crotokatax initially felt a surge of joy, which was swiftly followed by a wave of nervousness. After all, the impending battle would determine the success or failure of the Daionian Army, as well as the lives of countless soldiers.

Plintors, naturally, was far more composed. He advised halting the army's advance temporarily and requested to ride out to observe the Spartan army's formations at close range.

Hearing this, Crotokatax declared that he would go as well. He silenced anyone who tried to dissuade him with a simple excuse: "My father also frequently goes to the front lines to observe the enemy in person."