Rome Must Perish

Pagiras, Temagis, and Demikas all changed their expressions simultaneously.

Pagiras was the first to shout angrily, "Antosy, you—"

"Enough, everyone!" Maitilis, the meeting host, knocked on the table and said sternly, "This is a sacred site where the tribes unite and assist one another, not a filthy place for arguments and whining. Don’t forget the oath you all swore together here!"

The meeting hall immediately fell silent.

Maitilis turned to Antosy and said seriously, "This meeting was convened at your request. I hope you state your demands properly and don’t treat the tribal alliance meeting like a child’s game, just airing grievances. Otherwise, I will exercise my authority as host and revoke your right to speak further."

Antosy felt a chill in his heart, quickly calmed his emotions, and said, "Rest assured, Maitilis, I will abide by the meeting’s rules. Everyone, do you remember what I said here years ago? The reason we’ve never been able to annihilate the Skodisqi people is because they have the support of the Dacians! And this year, the Dacians have shifted from covert support to direct involvement!

While our tribe was battling the Skodisqi people, large numbers of Dacian soldiers clad in scale armor and wielding hook scythes suddenly appeared on the battlefield. As a result, my army, completely unprepared, suffered a devastating defeat. Following their victory, the Skodisqi people, colluding with the Dacians, rapidly advanced westward and seized considerable territory. They’ve now begun to besiege Ekvedisi—"

"Ekvedisi?! You mean all the territory you’ve gained through years of attacks on the Skodisqi people is lost?!" Demikas asked in shock.