Mythical Three Kingdoms

Benito led the remnants of the Fourteenth Legion in retreat, understanding why the Parthians defied conventional tactics and resolutely crossed the Tigris River from the moment they began dropping kerosene firebombs into Akkad Fort.

The enemy across the river had already mastered everything; they had crushed him on an intellectual level. All of his calculations were laid bare before them, and the more he plotted, the more disastrous his defeat became.

As for the only way to resolve the conspiracy, the so-called frontal crushing, unfortunately, after losing the Thirteen Roses Legion, it was absolutely impossible for the Fourteenth Legion he led to achieve such a thing.

After all, the Fourteenth Legion was not a legion meant for frontal assaults. It relied on its terrifying adaptability and ability to showcase perfect combat power on any battlefield, as well as its capacity to restrain any legion, to provide support.

If paired with a Super Elite Legion, and used correctly, its combat power would undoubtedly be greater than two Super Elite Legions combined. However, as a single unit, the Fourteenth Legion absolutely couldn’t stand against a Super Elite Legion head-on.

Benito’s current predicament was precisely because of this. No matter how he tried, the Fourteenth Legion couldn’t withstand a frontal assault from a Super Elite Legion, and failing to resist the enemy’s offense meant he could not fend off their counterattack.

Moreover, Benito understood that since the enemy had already outsmarted him, it meant he absolutely couldn’t replicate the Tigris River’s blockade at the Euphrates River. This also meant he had no natural defenses left.

The biggest problem between Parthia and Rome was precisely this. Aside from the two rivers in Mesopotamia and the Zagros Mountains east of the region, there were essentially no defensible areas elsewhere.

Though called a plateau, the Iranian Plateau is actually a vast inland basin in the center. Yes, vast—meaning, when comparing to Earth, which is round, why does it appear so flat? Because it’s big.

The Iranian Plateau also fits this description. Being so large, once you cross the mountains, it’s flat, ideal terrain for cavalry maneuvers.

Although the area lacks any rivers leading to the sea, it remains one of the few regions globally with exceptional farming conditions, and it is, incidentally, a cradle of ancient civilization as well.

This also leads to the awkward situation between Parthia and Rome. There are only three defensible locations between the two, with the rest practically being plains.

Regarding Armenia, it extends eastward from Asia Minor, bordering the Black Sea to the west and the Caspian Sea to the east. Of course, we’re talking about the end of the Second Century Armenia, with the Taurus Mountains to the south marking the division between Rome and Armenia.

Beyond this area, it is essentially an unimpeded plain, dotted with Roman cities, where the climate is mild and moist, suitable for living. Anyone could easily plant crops and reap substantial rewards.

Of course, the biggest issue in this region is the lack of defensible terrain. After crossing those two mountain ranges and two major rivers, there are no further obstacles ahead.

This is also why, back in the day, Darius and his people could easily extend from Iran westward, occupying a substantial portion of the Mediterranean with ease, until stopped by Greek civilization.

That’s how daunting this region is; once past those previous areas, there’s no defensible terrain. Upon reaching the Mediterranean, as long as one’s shipbuilding skills are sufficient, the entire Mediterranean coast can be struck—there are fewer waves in the Mediterranean Sea than in any other sea worldwide.

At this level, merely advancing shipbuilding technology means trivializing hurdles like supply transport loss, troop movement difficulty, or long-distance trekking.

In such circumstances, directly using marine transport becomes Rome’s greatest logistical advantage—grain can be shipped from any Mediterranean port to another in this era of Heaven and Earth Essence recovery, ensuring delivery to any desired location within two months.

Bear in mind, it would take one hundred and twenty days to arrive at the Empire Ultimate Wall—when Rome’s forces of several hundred thousand could mobilize within two months, the advantage became mind-blowingly immense.

Yet, there are drawbacks to every advantage. The Mediterranean Sea’s enormous benefit to Rome inversely translates to any aggressor reaching it could subject any corner of Rome nationally to a potential lethal assault.

The Parthians are now nearing this goal; they’ve crossed the two rivers and two mountain ranges, and nothing stands in their way. Once they breach the Eastern Province ahead, they might dip a foot into the Mediterranean Sea!

In essence, the Mediterranean is Rome’s greatest advantage, but it’s likewise its greatest weakness. If Parthia possessed Kushan’s sailing techniques, casually reaching from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and then even venturing to Central Plains to seek help from the Han Dynasty.

Then once the Parthians dipped that foot into Rome’s bathing waters, all of Rome’s flourishing regions would face mortal attacks.

However, Rome has never paid attention to this aspect, as since Rome completely occupied and monopolized the Mediterranean, no one had wedged a foot into it. Thus, Rome never discovered this disadvantage.

Now, after Vologases V traversed the Taurus Mountains, he learned that the Sassanid Fars had crossed Mesopotamia and had wiped out Rome’s Thirteen Roses Legion, which had historically inflicted losses upon Parthia. Vologases V promptly prepared to move south and join forces with the Sassanid Fars to attack Rome’s Eastern Province.

As Parthia’s offensive finally emerged from the Two Rivers, their fangs poised to pierce through Rome’s Eastern Province, Benito’s previously dispatched Inner Qi Manifestation General, after repeated deliberations and indecision, ultimately chose to proceed first to the Roman Capital.

Although Benito had instructed him to go directly to England to inform Severus, upon reaching England, he opted instead to return to the Roman Capital, especially since the triumphant news in the north had been received upon Giuseppe’s arrival in England.

In this situation, if they proceeded cautiously, Rome would inevitably achieve victory in the north. There was no need, due to a fit of pique, to let Rome’s northern campaign suffer a setback, and the annihilation of the Thirteen Roses Legion might sway Severus from his original steady-going plan.

It might even exacerbate haste due to subsequent anxiousness, lending hope to the barbarians, forcing Rome to drop its advantageous stance and make concessions with the Three Great Barbarians—which would be a Pyrrhic victory.

Although Giuseppe understood why Benito wanted him to inform Severus, he, as a former Commander-in-chief who had once led legions, held his perspective on warfare. The Thirteenth Legion is indeed critical, that’s true, but changing Rome’s strategy from stabilizing the west to advancing east for the Thirteenth Legion’s sake is not worthwhile.

If Rome completely vanquished the enemies in the northwest, Rome could free up as many as three hundred thousand troops. Then, they would be sufficient to sweep through Parthia in a single strike. However, if the northwest isn’t pacified, then the Romans could only defeat Parthia in the east, not conquer it!

"Giuseppe, what on earth are you saying?" Roman Chief Justice Papinian looked at Giuseppe with shock, thinking he had misheard.

"The Thirteenth Legion has been completely annihilated, the Eagle Banner was seized." Giuseppe calmly reported.

"That’s impossible; as Caesar’s legacy, this legion is unimaginably strong, not to mention supported by His Majesty Nero’s Fourteenth Eagle Banner Legion. Even our Council Guard couldn’t possibly wipe it out." Papinian immediately listed numerous reasons why the Thirteen Roses Legion couldn’t have been destroyed.

"But, despite all these conditions, it is indeed annihilated." Giuseppe said with a bitter expression looking at Papinian, then recounted the entire process of the Thirteenth Legion’s destruction and Benito’s subsequent actions, including Benito’s request to notify Severus without concealing any detail.

In Rome, such Inner Qi Manifestation Generals are guardians of cities and protectors of the empire. They lack actual power, but the state strives to provide all resources they need. They do not participate in civil conflicts—their duty is solely to enhance their skills and grow stronger.

Thus, these individuals enjoy ultra-citizen treatment in Rome. In necessary situations, they can directly seek out those they need. They don’t need to disguise anything for anyone—their existence is solely for the Roman Empire!

"How am I supposed to explain this to the Council, to His Majesty, to the citizens! Everyone who recommended that pig Gilea should be hanged!" Papinian was now far from the calm of a Chief Justice, frantically panic-stricken.

"There’s no point saying any of this; I didn’t notify His Majesty Severus, you know why. Upon reaching England, I grasped the circumstances and returned directly to Rome to consult with you on this matter." Giuseppe said, looking at Papinian.

"You did the right thing there. Under no circumstances should we let His Majesty know about the Thirteen Roses’ downfall. We are about to completely finish the enemies on the Northwest Front; once these barbarians are dealt with, Rome’s only rival will be Parthia—and with the Empire’s full might, we can undoubtedly conquer all of Parthia in one sweep." Papinian remarked, taking a deep breath.

After all, this future master was one who commanded Rome’s most formidable Imperial Guard. His strategic foresight was not lacking. Still, not informing Severus when the Eastern Border County was in an exposed state—with merely the Fourteenth Legion and Fifteenth Legion leading the Barbarian Army, incapable of resisting Parthia.

"I don’t have the authority to dispatch large armies." Papinian attempted to calm himself, looking at Giuseppe, "Only His Majesty, the four Dukes of Border Commandery, and Council can authorize troop dispatches. I am the Chief Justice, I don’t have it."