Chapter 72: Youngsters
Maximus continued, “…Then, without stopping, you’ll advance quickly along the road to the west. Along the way, Pompeii soldiers may have started to pursue you from behind or may already be shooting arrows at you from the city walls close to the road. If you act too slowly or react sluggishly, you could fall under their arrows or be caught and surrounded by the enemy.
“When you reach the Herculaneum Gate, you’ll have to fight the enemy guards there. You must kill them as quickly as possible so that before the enemy’s main force arrives, you can secure the gate and allow our main force, which will be lying in ambush outside the city, to enter smoothly. Only then can we achieve final victory… Now, I ask you: Can you do it?!”
The troops were silent for a moment before a few soldiers finally responded in hushed tones, “…We can… do it…”
Maximus sternly surveyed the group, saying, “It seems you know your limits. If you can’t even complete such a simple drill, how could you possibly succeed in a raid on Pompeii and return safely? As your leader, my main concern is whether you can come back alive. That’s why I want you to repeat this drill over and over, not only in the daytime but also at night, until you’ve mastered it so well that you can complete the entire simulated operation with your eyes closed in the shortest time possible. Only by sweating more in training can we bleed less in battle!
“I sincerely hope that on the day we capture Pompeii, every one of you will be alive to receive the envious gazes of the other battalions and hear them sincerely praise, ‘The soldiers of the logistics camp’s guard unit are the best! They are heroes capable of creating miracles!'”
Moved by their leader’s heartfelt words, the soldiers no longer panted or slouched; instead, they stood tall with renewed vigor.
Taking advantage of the moment, Carminus loudly asked, “Brothers, should we continue the training?!”
“YES!!!” the soldiers shouted in unison.
Watching the soldiers resume their training, Quintus remarked softly, “There are indeed outstanding individuals among the slaves.”