Rome Must Perish

Maximus described the global landscape and Illyria’s predicament in such vivid terms that it was like a heavy blow to his head, cracking open his hardened skull. He wanted to argue, but no words came out, as his subconscious told him: This young man speaks reasonably!

Others, including Karsipengpas, stood there utterly dumbfounded.

Maximus continued to bombard their minds: "The reason why the Romans haven’t taken action against Illyria is that they have internal issues to resolve, such as the ongoing war with the Bendu people in Little Asia and the unresolved rebellion on the Iberian Peninsula... But Rome is too strong, and eventually, it will overcome these hurdles, freeing up its hands to deal with the little annoyance that is Illyria.

I heard Karsipengpas say that the Alde Tribe is quite impoverished now, with some tribesmen facing long-term hunger. I reckon that even if other tribes are slightly better off, they are not much improved. Once the mighty Roman legions invade, how long can the tribes of Illyria resist?!"

The envoys’ faces changed.

"The barren mountains cannot accumulate wealth nor support a larger population. Only the plains centered around great rivers can accomplish this, and the Pannonians occupy fertile lands formed by two rivers, which I intend to seize!"

Maximus clenched his fist with a fierce swing: "If I succeed, I will use these lands to support more tribesmen and arm them with the wealth the land produces, so when the Romans arrive, we have the confidence to fight them with all our might! If I fail in the battle against the Pannonians, so be it; at least I tried..."

Maximus’s words filled all present with a solemn and valorous feeling.

Cleobrotas looked at the rebel leader before him, this seasoned man could see the sincerity in his words. In his eyes, Maximus began to overlap with another person he had long admired, leading him to a myriad of emotions: they were both young, both having grand ambitions at this age!...