Rome Must Perish

Maximus didn’t even glance at Silo, and said with a smile: "Well done, Fesaros! Now, leave a Centurion here to guard the armory, and the rest follow me to support Camillus."

"Yes!"

This time, as Maximus returned to aid, he no longer marched urgently like before. Instead, he let the soldiers advance at a normal pace to recover some strength.

The reinforcements led by Areyous were slow because the wealthy district is located at the southeastern corner of the Pompeian District, the farthest from the Helanicum Gate. Upon learning of "a group of rebellious slaves attacking through the port and invading the district," the Pompeian aristocrats did not immediately send people to rescue. Instead, they first gathered the slaves and kept them under strict watch, then sent the family-owned guards to assemble in front of Areyous’ mansion.

Although the army of 500 led by Areyous was cobbled together, they had decent equipment and courage (otherwise they wouldn’t be enough to intimidate the slaves). Therefore, Areyous was confident in defeating the enemy in front of him, whose numbers were clearly less than his.

However, the 200 soldiers led by Camillus were well-equipped, and having successfully raided the port, they were high in morale. Among them were over twenty seasoned Roman veterans led by Oluus. They held the crossroads, preventing the Pompeian reinforcements from utilizing their superior numbers, thereby resisting Areyous’ fierce assault.

As the battle dragged on, the intensity of the Pompeian reinforcements’ attack began to wane. After all, they were just guards good at bullying slaves, not soldiers trained in military camps.

Camillus wanted to launch a counterattack but was stopped by Oluus, who didn’t want the enemy to flee so quickly.

Areyous was shrewd in political and commercial matters but lacked military experience. It was only because he held great prestige in Pompeii that he organized these reinforcements. Anxious for the city’s safety, he urged his soldiers to attack furiously since the enemy could only defend, not attack.

Nevertheless, at that moment, Maximus, taking advantage of the night, heeded Quintus’s suggestion and chose to detour to reinforce.

When the rebel soldiers’ shouts were heard from the rear of the Pompeian reinforcements, Areyous’ face turned deathly pale. The only remaining armed force within Pompeii instantly became trapped like fish in a barrel, and the guards lost their fighting spirit and surrendered one after another...

Areyous rationally chose to abandon resistance and prepared to surrender, but then he heard a voice from behind: "Areyous, we meet again at last!"