Chapter 61: Recruitment of New Soldiers in the Logistics Camp (II)

Chapter 61: Recruitment of New Soldiers in the Logistics Camp (II)

Tiribazus didn’t do what he was told at first, but instead said with a hint of excitement, “I’ve had enough of war and death. I don’t want to be a soldier anymore!”

The smile on Tolerugo’s face instantly turned into dissatisfaction. “You don’t want to be a soldier?! You’re neither a woman nor an old person or a child. The fact that Vorenus brought you here means you’re not the special talent Maximus needs. It means you’re only suitable to be a soldier here! Since you’ve joined us, you should follow our rules. If you don’t comply, we’ll have to ask you to leave. You better think it through!”

Tolerugo’s threatening words calmed Tiribazus down. After a brief consideration, he understood that without the protection of the rebels, he couldn’t escape on this Roman-controlled land. And once caught by the Romans, he, a fugitive, would undoubtedly face the harshest punishment...

Thinking about this, he quickly took the small wooden tag and reluctantly said, “I was confused for a moment. I’ve figured it out now. I want to be a soldier and fight against the Romans in the future!”

“That’s more like it!” Tolerugo turned his anger into joy and patted his shoulder. “Our team is growing rapidly. If you work hard, there’s no problem becoming a decanus or a centurion in the future.”

“Yes,” Tiribazus replied without showing joy despite Tolerugo’s encouragement.

“By the way, among the people who joined us today, do you have any comrades from the Pontic army?” Tolerugo looked at him expectantly.

“Yes, there are several dozen. We were transported to Italy together and sold to that farm. Over the years... more than ten of them have died...” Tiribazus’ expression turned melancholy.

Tolerugo fell silent for a moment and cursed, “D*mn Romans!”

As Tiribazus was about to leave, Horatius called him and pointed at the tattered clothes on the ground, reminding him, “Put on your outer garment.”

Tiribazus bent down to pick up the clothes and suddenly remembered something, unable to help but ask, “Among the people who came with us, there are women. Do they also have to undress for inspection?”

“Of course, they also have to undress for inspection, but don’t worry, it will be done by specialized female nurses,” explained Horatius.

Tolerugo then said sternly, “It seems you’re not very honest either. Let me remind you, you can’t harass women here, or else you’ll suffer the consequences!”

Although he didn’t fully understand, Tiribazus nodded obediently. As soon as he walked out, he saw another man in armor passing by him and entering the tent. Then, a commotion came from inside, “Phaselus, it’s not time yet. Why did you come in?”

“Tolerugo, you’ve gone too far! You only picked the stronger ones for your team, while me and Carminus got the weaker ones!”

“How I choose is my freedom. It’s because I won the draw! Wait a little longer, and you can do the same.”

...

Seeing the slave in front was getting quite far away and about to pass through a wooden gate, Tiribazus did not linger and hurried to catch up.

After crossing the wooden gate, he entered the backyard. There were no more tents here, but many houses instead. The line they were queuing in led towards the largest building, which looked like a warehouse.

“Tiribazus.”

“How do you spell it?”

“I... I can’t read,” Tiribazus admitted. He was accustomed to his illiteracy but suddenly felt ashamed facing these young boys and girls.

The youth before him did not seem surprised by this. He thought for a moment, then made a few notes in the roster.

The youth said seriously, “According to Commander Maximus’ orders, every soldier joining our logistics camp’s guard team will receive two clay pots——”

Before he could finish speaking, the other youth beside him had already placed two clay pots on the wooden table.

“These two clay pots will be used for eating porridge and drinking soup in the future. You must protect them well! If they get damaged, there are no spare pots in the warehouse to replace them, and you’ll be in trouble then,” the youth sternly warned.

Tiribazus nodded to show that he understood.

“One linen outer garment...one linen sleep sheet...one pair of straw sandals...one linen bag...” With each item the youth listed, the one beside him fetched it from the warehouse behind and placed it on the table.

In the past two months, many enslaved women had joined the logistics camp. Maximus gathered the skilled ones and formed a weaving team specifically tasked with cutting and sewing the plundered linen into outer garments, bags, bedsheets, and weaving dried grass into sandals. Due to the short time, the quantity was not large, so Maximus only distributed them to the logistics camp personnel, drawing criticism from the other teams.

“And one training shield and short sword,” the youth continued, as a crude wooden board and wooden stick were quickly placed on the table.

This is supposed to be a sword and shield?!” Tiribazus’ eyes went wide.

“Once you become a qualified member of the guard team, you’ll naturally be issued a real shield and sword,” the youth said indignantly. “Besides, even these two items were painstakingly made by the uncles in the armory. You must take good care of them, as we’ll need to collect them back later.”

Tiribazus did not complain further. In truth, he never imagined he would get so many things just for joining the rebel army. Even when he was conscripted into the Pontic army years ago, the officials did not consider things so thoroughly at first.

“Check that you have all your items, then sign your name or leave your thumbprint on this,” the youth said, pushing the roster forward.

Tiribazus looked at the rows of characters on the roster but couldn’t recognize a single one. He could only follow the youth’s instructions and dip his right thumb into black ink before pressing it on the blank space.

“Nesuya,” the youth called out. “Take this soldier to the first squad of the fifth platoon.”

“Okay, Big Brother Akgo,” replied a beautiful, slim girl, who came to the table. She packed the items into the bag one by one, slinging it over her shoulder and leaving just the wooden shield and stick. Smiling at Tiribazus, she said, “Please follow me.”