Chapter 169 - 120 Proactive Strike
"Great! Now every one of our brothers can wear armor, have shields, and wield short swords!" Fesaros exclaimed happily, high-fiving Torrelugo. Even the usually grim Camillus and Oluus managed a slight smile, although Pequot looked at Fesaros with a complex expression.
"Camillus, Oluus, I am very saddened by the heavy losses suffered by the Third Legion!" Maximus’s words quickly wiped the smiles off Camillus and Oluus’s faces.
"I have discussed this with Quintus and Flanitnus; it’s not your fault. Anyone in your position couldn’t have done better. Our only mistake was not having enough forces to prevent the enemy’s surprise attack, and that’s my responsibility, not yours!" Maximus’s sincere words gave them some comfort.
"The Guard is the same, fighting bravely despite being outnumbered!" Maximus loudly praised them. He wouldn’t openly criticize the Guard’s tactics for causing heavy casualties, but he planned to rigorously train them later.
Pequot interjected, "No, the Guard did not perform well! If they had strictly adhered to discipline like the three legions and formed a tight defensive formation in battle, there wouldn’t have been so many casualties! Leader, can we start assigning some instructors to the Guard from tomorrow to conduct military training whenever they have free time?"
Maximus didn’t expect Pequot to make such a proactive request. Seeing his serious expression, it was clear he wasn’t just paying lip service but seriously asking for it, which pleased Maximus and gave him a new perspective on Pequot: "Of course! Flanitnus, take charge of training the Guard."
"Yes, Leader."
Maximus quickly suppressed his smile, his expression becoming solemn, and he spoke in a low voice, "The brothers who died in battle today are all heroes. Tomorrow, I will hold a public funeral for them so that everyone can pay their respects!"
Holding a public funeral for those who died in battle was a method Maximus learned from Spartacus.
"Moreover, whenever we have the opportunity, I will fully replenish the Third Legion and the Guard with soldiers, allowing these two brave units to fully exert their combat power!"
Maximus’s promise began to dispel the gloom on the faces of Camillus, Oluus, and Pequot.