Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 929: Leotychides's Persistence

Cyprolus studied Leotychides's expressionless face, suspecting the commander's last question had been intentional. Since his own primary reason for coming here was the Catana citizens' demands to repel the Carthaginian cavalry ravaging the Plain of Catania, Cyprolus cleared his throat and quickly pivoted to a new topic. "It has been several days since we received a new battle report. What exactly is the situation south of the Plain of Catania right now?"

The mention of military affairs immediately sparked Leotychides's interest. Naturally, as Wartime Governor, Cyprolus had the authority to be briefed on the overall battle situation, and Leotychides needed to explain his upcoming strategy to secure the governor's support. Extending a hand, he invited Cyprolus to take a seat.

Pointing at the map, Leotychides told him, "Over the past two days, the scouts we sent out have either disappeared or fled back injured. We haven't gathered any new information. The Carthaginian cavalry aren't just wreaking havoc across the Plain of Catania; they are also blockading our communications with the south. We don't know the current state of the Seventh Legion, we don't know what is happening in Palagonia, and we certainly don't know the situation in Leontini. The only thing we do know is that Taunis is besieged by the Syracusans, but the Syracusan army hasn't launched a full-scale assault yet... This is the daily report brought in by the Sicilian Fleet's fast ships, which I am sure you are already aware of. But apart from that—"

Leotychides tapped the wooden map, pointing out Palagonia, Hena, Leontini, and the New Katane Military Camp a short distance to the north. He then traced a large circle covering the west and south of Katane, encompassing well over half the Plain of Catania. In a solemn tone, he declared, "This vast region is completely obscured by the Carthaginian cavalry. Right now, we have no idea how the Seventh Legion and our allies in the south are faring, let alone the position and movements of the enemy's main army. Under these circumstances, if we send troops out of the city to attack the Carthaginian cavalry, they might run straight into the Carthaginian army shortly after leaving."

Ultimately, Leotychides had steered the conversation right back to the previous issue, but Cyprolus didn't mind. Leotychides's words had already made him grasp the severe reality of the war. Filled with worry, he asked, "Then, in your judgment, what might the Carthaginian army be doing right now?"

Staring at the map, Leotychides spoke with a mix of self-reproach and confidence. "Although I... underestimated how the sheer scale of the Carthaginian cavalry would blanket the entire battlefield, severing our communications and making some of our earlier plans impossible to execute, I can still guess the Carthaginians' movements. They are either attacking Palagonia or attacking Leontini. Those are their only two choices.

"By capturing Palagonia, the Carthaginians can clear the flat route from Camarina to the Plain of Catania, facilitating the transport of their rations and supplies. They can also provide immediate support to the other Carthaginian army besieging Hena. After all, Hena isn't too far from Palagonia. Once they seize Hena as well, the entire southwestern sector of the Plain of Catania will fall under absolute Carthaginian control, allowing their army to confidently march right up to our city walls.

"On the other hand, if the Carthaginians attack Leontini and capture it, their army will either continue north, bypassing Lake Leontini to attack our new military camp, or march east to join forces with the Syracusans and launch an all-out assault on Taunis. Once Taunis falls, the Allied Forces will bear straight down on Catana."

Cyprolus's expression grew heavy at Leotychides's breakdown. He fell into deep thought before asking uncertainly, "From the sound of it, the Carthaginians are most likely to attack Palagonia?"

"However, after capturing Palagonia, the Carthaginians' rear would be completely under their own control. Not only could they confidently attack our Catana, but they could also strike Hena, Agyrium, and Herbita, occupying the entire Sikeloi region. By then, they wouldn't just be threatening Catana, but Naxos and Siculi as well. The Carthaginians would have a far wider array of options."

Cyprolus grew even more anxious. "Can Palagonia hold?!" he asked urgently.

Leotychides hesitated for a moment before answering with certainty, "Lord Cyprolus, you should know that several months ago, before the Carthaginians officially entered the war, we had already designated Palagonia as a fortress to defend against their attacks. We have been continuously reinforcing its defenses and constructing numerous fortifications. That's why Palagonia managed to stall the Carthaginian advance for several days earlier; the Carthaginians couldn't even breach its outer perimeter.

"Originally, there were 2,000 legion reserves stationed inside the town of Palagonia. Recently, the Seventh Legion reinforced it with another 2,000 soldiers. For a small defensive fortress, this amount of manpower is more than enough. Even if the Carthaginians attack from the north now and commit their entire force, they absolutely won't be able to take it in a short amount of time. And what we need most right now is to delay them."

Cyprolus understood that Leotychides was referring to the kingdom's incoming reinforcements, but he still seemed somewhat worried. "I don't know much about military matters, nor do I fully grasp the current shifts in the battlefield, but if we just passively take a beating and hope the Carthaginians do exactly what we want, I fear something unexpected might happen!"

Leotychides raised his head and locked eyes with Cyprolus. "Do you truly believe I've just been sitting idly at home these past few days, Lord Cyprolus?!" he said, his tone deepening.

Cyprolus caught the dissatisfaction in Leotychides's words, but his expression remained unchanged, and he offered no response.

Leotychides stared at him coldly for a moment before continuing, "This time, the Carthaginian army vastly outnumbers us. Their combat strength is formidable, and they have a complete array of troop types. It's true that we cannot face them in a head-on confrontation, but that doesn't mean the Carthaginian army has no weaknesses. Their greatest flaw lies in their supply lines!

"Even though the autumn harvest has just ended and the Carthaginians have acquired grain from the city-states along the Southern Coast—and might even be receiving aid from the Syracusans—it is still far from enough for an army of 100,000 men. According to my estimates, Sicily's food supplies can probably sustain the Carthaginian army for only a month or two. They will need the Carthaginian mainland to ship them more grain. But look—"

Leotychides pointed his finger at the icon of Carthage's capital on the map, traced a path across the western seas to Western Sicily, and then dragged it along the southern coastline all the way to Palagonia. His tone remained frosty, but a noticeable gleam sparked in his eyes. "With such a long supply line, the Carthaginians will find it very hard to guarantee its safety. After the Carthaginian army suffered setbacks attacking Palagonia from the south, I deduced that they would cross the mountains. Therefore, I specifically contacted the Sicels, having them organize warriors to slip into the mountains bordering the southern edge of the Plain of Catania and wait for a chance to ambush the Carthaginian supply convoys. Unfortunately... the Carthaginian army contains a significant number of indigenous Iberians who excel at mountain warfare. This has prevented the Sicels from achieving any results so far. But as long as the Sicel warriors remain active in that region, the Carthaginians will never dare to drop their guard. It will drain a great deal of their energy.

"Furthermore, Secilian is leading the Sicilian Fleet on constant patrols along the Southern Coast. As soon as they spot a Carthaginian supply convoy, they can land at any moment and deploy naval infantry to strike. I've also discussed this with Secilian; as long as he thinks it's feasible, I can dispatch several thousand soldiers to his command at any time. They can sail with the Sicilian Fleet to retake any city-state along the Southern Coast, or even capture the Phoenician towns in Western Sicily... The larger the Carthaginian army is, the faster it will collapse once its supply lines are severed."

At this point, Leotychides's eyes flashed like lightning. Staring straight at Cyprolus, he said with unyielding resolve, "Thus, we have no need to fear the Carthaginians' ferocious offensive. If villages are burned, they can be rebuilt. If farmlands are ruined, the soil remains. As long as we hold Katane and bide our time, the Carthaginian army will expose its Achilles' heel. When that time comes—" Leotychides forcefully chopped his right hand downward.

After a moment, Cyprolus broke into a smile. "Hearing you say this, Lord Prosous, puts my mind at ease. You can rest assured as well; I will find a way to pacify the citizens."

After Cyprolus left, Leotychides continued staring at the map. His gaze locked onto the icon for Palagonia. One unspoken concern still weighed heavily on his mind:

Just then, Adjutant Tagerus walked in. "My lord, Astemis wishes to see you."

Leotychides's expression darkened. "I've already told him several times. Now is not the time for the cavalry to sally out. Why won't he just listen?"