Chapter 867 Perseus Vs Alexander (Part-2)
?867 Perseus Vs Alexander (Part-2) Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)
The sheer mass of the legionaries attacking Perseus's vastly outnumbered phalangists at the center quickly began to make them buckle.
The legionaries were far more aggressive than their counterparts, and not only were they able to absorb more casualties, but they were also able to exploit far more gaps and opportunities than the opposing phalangists, leading to a hugely disproportionate amount of casualties.
Even Perseus standing way back of his army could clearly see the blue armored legionaries starting to reave through his men like they were cutting wheat, showing very enthusiastic smiles as they did so.
There was not even a twinge of regret in them as they hacked through, instead actually appearing quite elated, for in a battlefield, the best enemy was a weak enemy.
They were easy to kill, and more importantly, facing them it was easier to stay alive.
And although the king had expected such an outcome eventually, seeing such a state develop so quickly, right at the start of the clash, made his scalp tingle.
He did not think his lines would be this fragile, his men this green.
The only thing that was stopping these verdant soldiers from breaking was perhaps the efforts of the princes, whom Perseus could see running back and forth on their horseback, shouting encouraging words to try and raise morale.
There was even one prince who was personally fighting in the very first echelons, his magnificent armor drawing unrelenting waves of attack from all sides, as the legionaries fought for glory and looting his body.
Perseus's center was able to ward off the immense crisis it was facing till now due to the valiant efforts of his sons.
But only 'till now'.
Because this surely could not last long.
Eventually, the morale raising speeches would lose their efficacy and the legionaries would be able to chew through the phalangists breaking them.
So if Perseus wanted to do something about it, he would have to do it soon.
But the question was what?
"Should I let lose the reserves?'' Perseus muttered.
But to use such a crucial resource almost right at the start of the battle seemed very premature.
It would be like playing your trump card on your first hand.
So rejecting that Perseus then thought about using the elephant to try and do something, but also found those to be unfeasible.
"Your Highness, the center! They are asking for more men!" And while Perseus was trying to think of a way to get himself out of this situation, suddenly a herald came asking this.
"Dammit!" And at this request, Perseus swore.
Now was not the time.
Where was he going to get more men?
So rejecting the request, he swung his armed arm and ordered in an unquestionable tone,
"There are no reinforcements! Tell them to hold on with what they have."
"Run!"
"There are too many!"
"We cannot hold no!"
"Save yourself."
"My brother! Died! I cannot die here!"
Then it happened!
A section of the frontline broke.
It was not a total rout of the whole line, but around the middle point of the line, where Talukder (Viscount) Prantik was in command, the phalangists found themselves unable to hold on any longer and finally broke, running towards the city gates, screaming and shouting, hoping to be let in.
"No! Do not run."
"Stand and fight!"
And while such impassioned calls from even the many nearby officers, the units could not be stopped from disobeying command and running.
"Oh no!" Perseus, being witness to all of this from the back instinctively let out this low, fearful growl as his eyes dilated.
He could easily see this gap being the center point of a total collapse.
"Mithriditus! Quick! Stop them!"
Thus whatever Perseus might have had in mind, he threw them out the window, and instantly let loose the reserves of 4,000 men, hoping to plug that gap and stop that 5,000 strong legion from exploiting their breakthrough.
As for how well that would work, well it had been only one legion, perhaps Mithriditus might have been able to do something, but it had remembered he was not facing only one legion, but there was another one behind it.
It was 4,000 vs 10,000.
No matter how effective the phalangists might be against the legionaries in a frontal attack, there still was a limit.
So this could really be said to be just a stopgap measure.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" But even if it was just that, even if it was just to buy some time, Mithriditus knew he had to go and help.
Besides, if nothing else, he would at least be able to kill some of the men who killed his beloved daughter and meet her in heaven afterward.
The old man was not afraid of death.
"Charge! Quickly! We need to stop them!"
"Kill! They are exhausted! It will be easy!"
"Do not fear men! Treat death as something as light as a feather!"
It was with such boisterous shouts that Mithriditus led his 4,000 men to a battle that was approaching its twilight years.
It would not be long before a winner was decided.
Let us say no to piracy! Don't take part in a crime! Don't patronize thieves!