Chapter 28: Rout

Chapter 28: Rout

After seeing all the rebel soldiers charge down the mountain, Maximus stopped putting out the fire and intently observed the situation unfolding below: the Romans javelin attack made his heart race, the gladiators charge filled him with excitement, the deadlock between the two sides made him anxious And then he saw the troops at the back of the Roman formation split into two groups, starting to flank the rebels wings. The inexperienced recruits, who wielded farming tools and had never experienced combat, almost instantly collapsed upon seeing enemies attacking from the rear

Its over!

Even though Maximus had some expectations based on his memories from his previous life, witnessing the rebel soldiers crying out and fleeing up the mountain in disarray made his scalp tingle and his hands and feet turn cold. It took him a while to regain his composure before urgently shouting, Agnes! Cornelius! Take your subordinates and quickly retreat up the mountain!

Pigres! The members of your wagon teamget on the wagons and follow them up the mountain!

Vorenus! Children! Follow me! Maximus ran back while continuously shouting with all his might.

He heard the responses from Agnes, Pigres, and Cornelius coming from the camp. However, at the same time, accompanied by the panicked cries of other members of the Logistics Team, some people rushed toward Maximus.

The situation was urgent, and Maximus couldnt spare a moment to look closely. He hurriedly led them in a hasty retreat towards the rear, up the mountain.

Glaber was overjoyed when he saw the enemy in full retreat and immediately gave the order, Send out the cavalry to pursue the enemy!

Yes!

Legionnaires Glaber hesitated for a moment and said, Maintain formation and advance towards the enemys camp at a normal pace. Leave the task of pursuing the fleeing soldiers to the cavalry and auxiliary troops.

Glabers cautious approach stemmed from his lack of confidence in the combat ability of these newly conscripted Roman soldiers. The gladiators charge earlier had left him frightened. He was worried that the Roman soldiers would scatter during the pursuit, and if the gladiators counterattacked, an unexpected situation could arise.

Vettinius had no objections to this plan.

The Roman cavalry and Campanian auxiliary troops pursued from both flanks, forcing the retreating soldiers to flee up the mountain.

As the Logistics Team had abandoned their firefighting efforts, several fires reignited in the camp, causing even more panic and confusion among the retreating soldiers. Thus, when many of them looked up and saw hundreds of people from the Logistics Team gathering together and climbing up towards the rear of the mountain, they aimlessly fled toward the rear of the mountain as well.

What about the surrendered slaves?

Kill them all to save us from wasting manpower on guarding them. Glaber sighed lightly, Its a pity though, this is just a small slave rebellion. We cant parade them triumphantly down the streets of Rome after victory!

Vettinius, who had participated in the triumphal procession with Sulla in the past, didnt find it regrettable. He replied, Legatus, I will proceed with the orders.

.

After the enemy withdrew, Spartacus did not let his guard down. He and Hamilcar, along with more than 20 gladiators, held the rear and stationed themselves at a narrow section of the mountain road.

Not long after, he saw Roman soldiers forming up at the foot of the mountain. While the auxiliary troops once again discarded their shields, spears, and armor, and picked up shovels and other digging tools, a sense of unease crept into Spartacus heart.

Not good, the Romans want to trap us on this mountain! Hamilcar voiced his concern.

The gladiators beside them had their faces filled with alarm, all looking at Spartacus.

With a stern face, Spartacus withdrew his gaze from below and said to everyone, Lets go back up the mountain, theres no need to defend this place.

What if the Romans attack us up here? a worried gladiator asked.

I actually hope they continue to advance, Spartacus replied with a remark before turning around and heading up the mountain.

Hamilcar understood his meaning, while the other gladiators were somewhat puzzled, but they also followed suit.

The mountain road wound its way upward, and as Spartacus walked, he suddenly stopped. He saw a row of wagons parked near up ahead, with no horses hitched to them.

Spartacus approached and examined each one closely. Inside the wagons, there were either bags of flour or smoked meat, along with some sealed wine jars and plenty of dry bread

Spartacus felt slightly relieved and muttered to Hamilcar, Maximus is quite well-prepared. But why leave everything here? In case the Romans attack us up here, wont it all fall into their hands?