Rome Must Perish

Of course, the defending soldiers did not go unscathed. The javelins thrown by the rebel army’s javelin throwers positioned by the moat inflicted casualties upon them, but compared to the rebel soldiers’ losses, theirs were significantly fewer.

Siege warfare was, by its very nature, a bloody and brutal affair. Although Maximus had already experienced it once (not counting the surprise attack on Pompeii), he still struggled to fully adapt. He forced himself not to avert his gaze and to scrutinize the soldiers in combat, trying his best to remain calm. Yet his lack of experience made it difficult for him to discern any key points, and instead, he found his mood becoming increasingly restless.

"Quintus, how is the situation now?" he couldn’t help but ask.

"Leader, judging from the current battle situation, what Pigeris had previously reported turned out to be true. The Canossa people were deceived by our earlier actions and have not fully prepared for city defense," Quintus said seriously, gesturing toward the battlefield ahead. "Look, our soldiers are clustered under the city walls. If the enemy were to throw javelins now, they could cause us significant casualties, but they haven’t. What does this indicate? The Canossa people may have already run out of javelins.

Not only that, but they haven’t even set up cauldrons to boil water along the city walls. Pouring boiling water is far more cost-effective than using oil, and it can be used continuously. Although fire attacks are formidable, judging by the current state, their oil reserves likely aren’t substantial.

Furthermore, you see, the wood and stones they’re dropping are primarily focused on the few dozen wooden ladders we’re using to attack. There’s very little action on the other parts of the wall. This suggests that their defensive forces are inadequate, forcing them to focus on key areas of defense..."

Upon hearing this, Maximus’s expression slightly relaxed. "So, does that mean we’re likely to take this city today?"

"The Canossa people are ill-prepared and lack sufficient forces. Facing our all-out assault, it will be difficult for them to hold their ground. However—" Quintus added cautiously, "the Canossa soldiers aren’t as weak as we initially assumed. Their defensive organization is rather decent; we haven’t managed to reach the top of the city walls yet."

"Perhaps that’s because we haven’t gone all out just yet." Maximus thought for a moment and shouted, "Akegu! Immediately head west and inform Leader Attutmus to have the southern feinting forces begin their attack on the city as well, to disperse the enemy’s forces."