Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 975: Inner and Outer Coordination

As Leotychides spoke, he gazed at the top of the wall ahead. The enemy soldiers were tightly packed along the battlements with no obvious gaps, making it impossible to see the distribution of forces behind them. Yet, he still seemed highly confident. "Since the Syracusans' defenses are weakening, go and personally tell the centurion of the Seventh Legion not to worry about casualties. Have him increase the intensity of the attack and put even more pressure on the defenders!"

"Uh... yes!" Tagerus had no choice but to accept the order and depart.

Leotychides turned his gaze toward the northeast. Although he could not see the Euryalus Fortress, he hoped Diocassis could lead his troops to repel the enemy's attack. Once that happened, it might be time to dispatch his three thousand reserve soldiers to the Euryalus Fortress.

While he was deep in thought, a scout rode in quickly from the south. "Reporting to the commander! About forty Syracusan Warships are sailing out of the port and heading straight toward our camp!"

Leotychides was momentarily stunned.

Then another thought struck him.

Because Davos Camp was barely four

However, Leotychides was not nervous. He even hoped the Syracusans would raid the camp so he could wipe out more of the enemy's effective forces. He sent a messenger to notify the three thousand soldiers resting nearby to return and defend the camp, though he ordered them to march at a slow pace.

Just as he issued the order, another small squad of cavalry galloped over from the south. The captain of the guard beside Leotychides led his men to intercept them. Soon, he returned with a few riders. The man at the front saw Leotychides and immediately shouted, "Commander, I am Lord Xelophanes's subordinate. I have extremely important intelligence to report to you!"

Leotychides felt a sudden surge of anticipation. However, he did not show it on his face. Maintaining his caution, he said flatly, "I have never seen you before. How can you prove it?"

The man quietly pulled a thumb-sized object from his tunic and handed it to the captain of the guard. Then, he whispered, "Baal Hammon."

Previously, when Leotychides led his army into Western Sicily, Xelophanes could not stay by his side constantly to provide intelligence. Therefore, he had told Leotychides that as long as someone in Western Sicily held the Iron Statuette of Hypnos, God of Sleep, and could provide the current password, they were a member of the Intelligence Department and their information should be trusted.

Leotychides had encountered these agents a few times in the west, and the information they provided had benefited him greatly. This time, as he marched on Syracuse, Xelophanes had given him similar instructions and also told him the name of the Intelligence Department agent in charge of Syracuse.

According to Xelophanes, just as the legion soldiers' symbol was a three-headed dog, the Intelligence Department's symbol was Hypnos, the god of sleep. This was because the god of sleep could make people fall asleep without them realizing it, allowing him to do as he pleased—a perfect fit for the Intelligence Department's style of operation.

He examined the Iron Statuette of Hypnos, God of Sleep, and found a set of Davos Numerals on its base. It was said these numbers represented the owner's identity and the region they were responsible for. Furthermore, the man had given the correct password.

Leotychides returned the statuette to the man and asked, "Your name?"

"Artemis. I am responsible for Syracuse."

Everything matched! Leotychides looked him over. The man's appearance largely fit Xelophanes's description. Only then did he ask, "What is this important intelligence?"

"The Syracusan general Hitacus has decided to lead the people of the Port District in joining the kingdom! Right now, he is leading his two thousand loyal soldiers and has taken control of the Military Port ahead. They are preparing to engage the Syracusan army in battle. To support this, he has dispatched all his warships to dock at a beach not far from our camp. He plans to transport our soldiers into the Military Port to reinforce his men, and then we will attack the city of Syracuse together..." Artemis excitedly explained the whole situation in a single breath.

Leotychides was greatly shaken. Internal strife in Syracuse, a portion of the Syracusans surrendering, the Military Port opening to the Daionian Army, and soldiers being able to ride their warships directly into Syracuse... This report left the usually calm Leotychides so surprised he could hardly believe it.

As his emotions fluctuated, he heard Artemis say, "This is General Hicetas's nephew, Samoratis. He played an important role in persuading Hitacus to join the kingdom!"

Samoratis stepped forward. He looked somewhat nervously at the Daionian commander in his black breastplate and purple-and-red crested helmet, feeling quite agitated inside.

The Syracusans hated Daionia for stealing their glory, but this hatred also compelled them to pay closer attention to their powerful neighbor. The Daionian Army, victorious in every battle, particularly drew the gaze of the youth. In recent years, the Daionian general most discussed by young Syracusans was none other than Leotychides, who stood before them now. He had conquered the troublesome Sicels, defeated the massive Carthaginian army while outnumbered, and even led troops west to wreak havoc in Carthaginian-controlled territories. Over the past few months, the rumors circulating among the Syracusans about this supposedly cold and ruthless general had even overshadowed the King of Daonia, who had once utterly defeated Dionysius and brought about his downfall.

Facing Leotychides's sharp, scrutinizing gaze, Samoratis spoke with both nervousness and urgency. "Respected... General Prosous, the Syracusan army will soon... soon arrive at the Military Port. Our men are poorly equipped, mostly light infantry, and it will be difficult to hold off their attack. Therefore, I beg you to... send reinforcements as quickly as possible!"

"Alright. I will send reinforcements immediately," Leotychides replied without hesitation.

Artemis was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected Leotychides to agree so decisively. It seemed inconsistent with his rumored image as a cautious and deliberate commander.

Samoratis, however, joyfully expressed his gratitude.

In truth, Leotychides had no reason to hesitate. The Syracusan Warships were already docked at the shore. Once the Daionian soldiers boarded, they would effectively control the vessels. If this were a conspiracy using thousands of sailors and the entire Syracusan Navy as bait, the risk would simply be too great. Given the dire predicament Syracuse currently faced, Leotychides didn't believe the Syracusans had the courage or audacity to attempt such a trap, and convincing their Council to execute the plan would be even harder.

Leotychides decided to have the three thousand reserve soldiers board the Syracusan Warships first and land at the Military Port. At the same time, he sent orders for the Eighth Legion, which was currently resting, to rush to the beach as the second wave of troops for the Military Port. Compared to the distant Euryalus Fortress, the port was a far better staging ground for an assault on the city of Syracuse. Now that his mind was made up, he committed all his spare forces to the endeavor.

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

After suffering considerable casualties, the Syracusan army attacking the Euryalus Fortress finally used a battering ram to smash through the wooden planks blocking the entrance. The soldiers roared excitedly and swarmed into the breach like a hive of bees, intending to slaughter every last enemy who had invaded their city.

However, right after charging into the fortress, the soldiers at the very front abruptly skidded to a halt. Blocking their path was a dirt trench about three meters wide and two meters deep, stretching all the way to the stone walls on both sides. On the opposite side of the trench stood a dense phalanx of Daionian soldiers with leveled spears.

While the Syracusan soldiers at the front stopped, the troops behind them kept surging forward. In an instant, the vanguard was shoved straight into the dirt trench. Though the defenders hadn't had enough time to plant sharp wooden stakes inside the pit, when the fallen Syracusan soldiers panicked and struggled to climb out, another wave of men tumbled down to crush them. The next wave of soldiers was involuntarily pushed forward, stepping over the bodies of their fallen comrades. When they finally managed to scramble across the trench, they were greeted by countless cold, gleaming spearheads...

Meanwhile, the Daionian soldiers atop the stone walls continuously hurled javelins, rocks, and even fire pots down at them.

Screams and groans quickly filled the small fortress. Not long after rushing inside, the Syracusan soldiers suffered devastating casualties, and their assault rapidly collapsed.

After repelling the enemies on the wall walkways on both sides, Diocassis's army went on to rout the main Syracusan force attacking from the south. According to the original plan, he should have continued to garrison the fortress and wait for reinforcements rather than pursuing the enemy alone, which risked encirclement. However, a messenger had recently brought new orders: Daionia's reserves were landing at the port of Syracuse and engaging the Syracusan army alongside the citizens of the Port District who had just defected to the kingdom.

At the same time, Leotychides gave him a new command: once the enemy attacking the fortress retreated, he was to abandon the fortress and march immediately on the city proper!

Therefore, Diocassis issued the order without hesitation: "All troops, pursue!"