Mythical Three Kingdoms

Under the order from the Sassanid Fars, they were provided with a hearty meal, and in the evening, armed and ready to force a crossing, attacking under the cover of night from two directions. The entire force of eighty thousand troops could not cross instantly, but once a portion had crossed by tomorrow, they could engage the enemy.

"Legion Leader, Elklan has sent word. The Parthians are amassing a large amount of timber on the opposite side of the river. It seems they are preparing to force a crossing of the Tigris River today at the earliest or by tomorrow at the latest." Feruccio reported to Benito with a bow.

"Order Carlo and Elklan to strengthen their patrols tonight, and the rest of you prepare with me for the Parthians’ force crossing of the Tigris River tonight." Benito took a deep breath and commanded.

[How could the Parthians move so quickly? Given their situation before, they should have reported back after annihilating the Thirteen Roses Legion. Forcing a crossing would result in considerable troop loss. What is the Parthian commander thinking?] Benito felt inexplicably disturbed after Feruccio left. The Parthian reaction was entirely unexpected.

[If they choose to force a crossing, engaging them with my entire army here would be useless and a path to certain death. Flooding Akkad is also an option.] Benito hesitated internally, knowing that if the Parthians charged now, his preparations were in vain.

The most crucial point, however, was that after these few days of buffering, Benito was no longer as resolute as before.

Of course, if Vologases V were to charge in, Benito would not hesitate at all. Yet he did not view the Sassanid Fars as a renowned general capable of threatening Rome. Better to live dishonorably than die, Benito didn’t wish to die just yet.

[Since the Parthians want to force a crossing, I will project a stance of fierce resistance, inflict damage on the Parthian army, then withdraw from this area and fortify west of the Euphrates River. This way, I can buy some time.] Benito thought silently.

Benito now understood very clearly. By himself, he couldn’t hope to manage the Parthians. But he understood trading space for time.

[If the Parthians want to force a crossing, then let them. Whether you force or sneak across doesn’t matter. My aim is simply to inflict casualties on your soldiers.] Benito resolved secretly to fight a fierce battle here and then swiftly retreat to the Two Rivers.

[In that case, the biggest challenge lies in how to retreat. The Parthian combat power this time isn’t weak even the Thirteen Roses Legion couldn’t withstand it. If the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Legions I lead get trapped, it might be hard to avoid death. How should I retreat?] Benito pondered quietly.

[There’s no cover in this terrain, too flat. What should I do? No wait, this terrain does have cover.] Benito stepped out from his dwelling, gazing at the flat Mesopotamian Plain—the vast and boundless cradle of civilization—which in reality had a place that could be used for cover.

While Benito was contemplating how to deal with the Parthians, England had already received intelligence from the Duke of Eastern Border Commandery about movements among the Parthians.

"The Parthians are truly infuriating, daring to attempt another invasion of Mesopotamia just as I’m withdrawing you from the Eastern Province." Severus summoned Ganasis as soon as he received intelligence from the Duke of Eastern Border Commandery.

To speak frankly, Severus had managed to bring the Three Great Barbarians to their knees in Europe thus far, although he had suffered minor setbacks during an earlier phase. Once Severus positioned two Military Spirit Legions and the First, Second, Third, Fifth, and Ninth Eagle Banner Legions in England, the situation was sealed.

Neither the Celtic People’s Lake God Sacrifice, nor the Germanic strength inheritance, nor the Slav ethnicity’s sacrificial blessings were anything but jokes to Severus, who was fighting with full force.

With the placement of his two Military Spirit Legions and five Super Elite Legions on the Roman front against the Three Great Barbarians, even the legions that these barbarians prided themselves on in Europe had only the choice to surrender in the face of this near natural disaster-level power.

Severus had transferred these legions over without employing any particular strategies, he simply obliterated the large armies of the Three Great Barbarians head-on, and was now pursuing them. In summary, Severus had proclaimed that they either surrender or swim across the sea to Northern Europe.

Therefore, after receiving the initial intelligence from the Eastern Province about the Parthians, having just crushed the Three Great Barbarians hard, Severus, in his elevated mood, felt disdain toward the Parthian actions thinking that these barbarians would impede his advances.

"Ganasis, what do you plan to do about this situation?" Severus asked Ganasis once he had composed himself.

"The Parthians have interfered with Rome multiple times, I will bring them to extinction this time." Ganasis stated calmly, choosing the word extinction, as it seemed in current Roman eyes, the so-called Parthian Empire was no more than bandits.

"Good, you should have that determination. Take the Fifth Lark and Ninth Spanish Legions to the Eastern Province, together with Thirteen Roses and Fourteen Combined Unit, and destroy Parthia for me." Severus was satisfied with Ganasis’ perception of his intentions.

Ganasis couldn’t help but feel elated at Severus’ words. After all, this equated to four Super Elite Legions. Typically, no Duke of Border Commandery command more than three official Eagle Banner Legions, and Severus was deploying them like this, effectively acknowledging Ganasis as one of his own people.

"There’s nothing pressing in England anymore, I’ll handle the aftermath and also head to the Eastern Province." Severus noted Ganasis’ delight, warning with a serene expression.

Ganasis felt his heart tighten at these words, Severus was clear. He was offering an opportunity to achieve merit, but should failure occur, the opportunity may not surface again. Nonetheless, Ganasis was deeply grateful to Severus.

"I will take responsibility for the annihilation of Parthia." Ganasis vowed seriously.

"Indeed, then take the Fifth and Ninth Legions by ship back, bring plenty of people." Severus hinted, which was essentially bending the rules, but it was pardoned since Ganasis had supported him decisively from the start.

After respectfully paying his respects, Ganasis left the station taking his orders to the Fifth Lark Legion and Ninth Spanish Legion to arrange their dispatch. With the cooperation of these two legions, the war against Parthia was bound to proceed smoothly, though complete annihilation would take time.