Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 947: Strategic Deployment in Sicily

Brelius rubbed his fingers together, looking faintly dejected.

"Everyone!" Davos looked around with a solemn expression. "While we were locked in fierce combat at Rome, the Carthaginians feigned a heavy siege on Selinus. Instead, they secretly routed the Sicels through trickery and drove their elite troops straight into our weakly defended rear. This allowed them to easily occupy Agrigento, forcing Prosous and his army to retreat. Then they attacked Gela. Despite facing roughly equal numbers, they defeated our Sicilian Allied Forces in a pitched battle. After that, despite several bitter struggles, they finally conquered our heavily fortified city of Palagonia, retreating west just in time before our main army arrived..."

"Judging from the Carthaginian army's recent performance, they are a capable and resilient force. Their commander, Mago, acts with decisive ruthlessness, yet he does not lack cunning. They will be formidable rivals!"

Hearing this, senior generals like Amyntas, Matonis, and Lizarus wore equally grave expressions, yet a fighting spirit flared in their eyes.

Davos took this in with satisfaction. Raising his voice, he continued, "But after successive hard-fought battles, the Carthaginians are undoubtedly exhausted, and their casualties cannot be small. They chose to fall back to the west to rest their troops, ease their supply lines, construct more defenses, and perhaps even capture Selinus. They want to be fully prepared for our impending counteroffensive. We, however, will not give them the time! Therefore, I have decided: all troops will rest in Catana for only one day. We march west the day after tomorrow!"

The generals' spirits instantly lifted at his words.

"Izam!" Davos looked toward the commander of the Mountain Scout Corps. "Once this meeting concludes, send your men to the Southern Coast and deep into the central mountains. Scout the Carthaginian army's movements and the status of the Sicel Tribes that betrayed us. Report back to me at all times."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Lizarus and Epithenes!" Davos continued dealing out orders. "First thing the day after tomorrow, you two will lead the Third Legion of Theonia and the Lucanian Reserve Legion west into the central mountains. Retake Henna! Retake Kephaloidion! Reconquer the Sicel Tribes that rebelled against us, then wait for an opportunity to threaten the Sikanoi in the west and the flanks of the Carthaginian army. Await my next instructions at all times."

Epithenes shrugged. "I have no objections. I will follow Lizarus's orders." His prompt agreement was genuine; his desire for power had never been strong. Otherwise, after stepping down as Legion Commander, he wouldn't have avoided taking on other administrative duties outside of attending Senate meetings—though he had certainly earned a reputation in Thurii for his fondness for handsome men.

Moreover, the clever Epithenes naturally understood that Davos hadn't made this decision out of favoritism, but pure logic. The Third Legion of Theonia was a Regular Legion, after all, while he was merely the temporary commander of a reserve legion. It was only natural that Lizarus, as commander of the Third Legion of Theonia, take charge. Besides, the vast majority of the soldiers in both legions were Lucanians, and they would be far more willing to obey a fellow Lucanian like Lizarus.

"Your Majesty," Lizarus said, showing no joy at the appointment. "I have one request."

"Speak."

Lizarus spoke with utmost seriousness. "The Third Legion of Theonia and the Lucanian Reserve Legion are indeed adept at mountain warfare, but the biggest issue when fighting in the mountains is the terrain. If we aren't familiar with the land, even the most elite soldiers can easily suffer defeat. Therefore, I ask that Your Majesty dispatch some Sicels to act as our guides."

Davos gave a slight smile. "We are of the same mind. However, I won't just send you a few guides."

He turned to Cyprolus, the governor of Sicily, who stood beside him. "I heard that when the Carthaginian army invaded our territory, Clerus, the administrative official of Hena, performed exceptionally well and successfully blocked the Carthaginian attacks?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Lord Clerus led the Hena garrison to repel several Carthaginian attacks and held our territory. According to initial estimates, they killed or wounded at least two thousand enemies," Cyprolus reported truthfully.

"After this meeting, I want you to appoint an administrative deputy of Hena to temporarily take over his position. I need him to organize a Sicel force to follow Lizarus's command and march west together."

"Understood. I will arrange it the moment I return," Cyprolus answered decisively.

Davos asked with a smile, "Lizarus, are you satisfied with my arrangements?"

Lizarus had initially just wanted a few guides; he never expected Davos to hand him an entire army. Unable to hide the joy on his face, he quickly said, "This is excellent! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Amyntas and Matonis both looked at him with envy. Two legions plus a Sicel force—the total number of soldiers under Lizarus's command would certainly exceed twenty thousand!

Davos continued, "First thing the day after tomorrow, I will lead the First Legion, the Second Legion, the Fourth Legion of Theonia, the 6th Legion, the Roman Reserve Cohort, and the First, Second, and Fourth Cavalry Legions westward along the Southern Coast. Our final destination is Selinus. As for the Seventh Legion and the 8th Legion—"

Davos looked at the Sicilian commander not far from him. "They will be under your command, Prosous. Your mission is to lead these two legions, along with the allied armies of Leontini and Taunis, and the friendly forces of Agrigento, Gela, and Minoa, to attack the fickle Syracuse!"

This, too, would be an army of well over twenty thousand men! As the other generals cast complicated glances at this rising star of the military, Prosous maintained his usual deadpan expression and simply replied softly, "Yes."

Even Davos couldn't help but take another look at him before turning to the commander of the Sicilian Fleet on his right. "Secilian!"

"So it's finally the navy's turn," Secilian said, a hint of complaint mixed into his excited tone.

The other generals' expressions shifted slightly. Perhaps in the entire Daionian Army, only Secilian dared to speak to King Davos in such a tone.

Davos, however, took no offense. "It is precisely because the navy's mission is the most critical that I saved it for last. Tell me, how many Warships does the Sicilian Fleet have left?"

"We have seventy that can actually fight," Secilian answered earnestly. "Among them are twenty-three Corvus Warships and nineteen Fast Warships. The rest are captured Carthaginian Trireme Warships..."

Three fleets had fought against Carthage, yet they were left with only this handful of ships, not to mention the loss of two senior naval commanders in battle. It seemed that in the war against Carthage, the navy had suffered the greatest losses and drained the most national strength! Davos sighed inwardly, but his face remained impassive. "I have good news for you. Within a month, newly built Warships will replenish the Sicilian Fleet. Your command will be expanded to at least three hundred vessels."

Secilian wasn't surprised by the news. In fact, ever since his return, he had been keeping a close eye on the kingdom's warship construction.

"And it's not just for this month. Going forward, newly built ships will continuously join the Sicilian Fleet until the war ends." Davos's added promise finally brought a faint smile to Secilian's face.

But Davos's expression turned even sterner, his voice deepening with power. "However, as the Sicilian Fleet grows stronger, it must shoulder greater responsibilities. You are to actively coordinate with the land forces, intensify your raids on Western Sicily, and continue defeating any new fleets the Carthaginians send! Once you have gained complete control of the waters around Sicily, you must seize dominance of the sea between Carthage and Sicily to cut off the Carthaginians' supply lines to Western Sicily, and eventually even threaten the waters of the Carthaginian homeland! These are my demands for the Sicilian Fleet. Can you fulfill them?!"

Secilian initially felt a surge of pressure, but excitement quickly took over. "Your Majesty," he declared loudly, "even if you added another demand—for the Sicilian Fleet to independently conquer Carthage's vassal towns or the settlements of the Phoenician Allied States—we would absolutely get it done!"

Several of the seated generals bristled in displeasure. What did Secilian mean by that? Was the navy trying to snatch up all the army's glory?!

Davos, however, greatly appreciated Secilian's confidence. He nodded and continued, "When I lead the army west this time, you must lead the fleet to escort the transport ships. Sail along the Southern Coast in tandem with the land forces to guarantee the absolute safety of the supply fleet whenever it drops anchor, unloads supplies, or constructs camps!"

"Yes!" Secilian responded crisply.

Davos then turned to Cyprolus on his left and said sternly, "Next, as the governor of Sicily, you will be exceptionally busy. The number of soldiers participating in this war is unprecedented, which means our consumption of rations and supplies will be equally staggering. Whether we can properly procure and transport them depends on you forming a highly efficient team to guarantee the army's supply lines rapidly and reliably."

"This is my rightful duty as governor of Sicily," Cyprolus said with full confidence. "Previously, when Commander Prosous was fighting on the front lines, I led my officials in Catana to secure provisions and supplies for his army. We have accumulated considerable experience. I am confident we will complete this mission successfully! Furthermore, I will maintain close contact with the Senate to ensure that food and supplies from all over the kingdom are delivered to the port of Catana in a timely fashion..."