Explosive Elephant Tribe

As night fell, Samael, standing before the palace gate, subconsciously touched his left cheek, which still retained a trace of warmth. Gazing at the high walls at the end of the palace, he couldn't help but shake his head helplessly.

Does she see me as a friend? She's such a childish girl.

But thinking about it, it's understandable. A little girl growing up in such a twisted environment as an assassin group, limited by her own poison, is alienated and rejected, so she always longs to be loved and close.

Sure enough, the person who just discovered the ability to resist her poison couldn't help but approach her. This level of tackling is either Easy or even Impossible. If you can survive one of her touches, with a little effort, you can subdue her.

But then again, such an overly sentimental child is not really suited to be a cold-blooded killer.

Old Wang, I don't know about your teaching methods, but your eye for choosing a successor is definitely problematic!

Well, this little girl isn't qualified to be a Hassan- level assassin, but she's more than capable of being a messenger.

Samael muttered a few words. Having not slept all night, he felt a little tired. He then went out onto the porch, facing the rising sun, and stretched his muscles to invigorate himself.

"Your Highness, the troops have assembled and are stationed at the military camp outside the city, awaiting your inspection and command."

However, Samael didn't have much time to spare before a messenger rushed in to report.

"Very good, I'll be there right away. Have the legion commander prepare the list of personnel and supplies to be counted. I need to review it immediately. Also, notify the Pantheon and give them two hours to have 500 priests and 1,000 Magecraft assemble at the military camp outside the city and await orders!"

Gu She nodded in satisfaction, handed the signed warrant to the messenger, and then hurriedly returned to the council hall to complete the handover of government affairs and bid farewell to Lin Yi.

Two hours later, Samael, holding the Founding Gun, arrived alone at the military camp.

As for Brunhilde, Samael deliberately kept her by Nero's side, along with Boudica's eldest daughter, to guard against any unforeseen events.

After all, the Roman Empire was now besieged on three sides. In order to maintain the various fronts, Samael not only mobilized all the resources of the country, but also drew up most of the more than 100,000 garrison troops guarding the city of Rome from the four provinces directly under the Pantheon.

Now, the city of Seven Hills is quite weak, so to be on the safe side, he naturally had to leave Nero some reliable personal guards and bodyguards.

In the event of an attack, Nero could at least retreat calmly and wait for his reinforcements to return.

After reviewing the details that needed attention and the problems that could be thought of once again, Samael confirmed that he had done his best to be perfect. Slightly relieved, he took out the register of soldiers from the military tent and began to investigate the entire army.

After a thorough inspection, both overt and covert, Samael was quite satisfied with the quality and morale of the troops.

An emergency force of approximately 50,000 men was assembled, consisting of two reinforced legions, all rapidly drawn from two provinces near Rome.

Due to long-term warfare with foreign tribes and the imminent threat of external enemies, a strong military is the foundation for national stability. Therefore, even in relatively stable garrison units, there is no significant shortage of manpower. Most soldiers are well-trained, fully equipped, and their speech and behavior exude a strong and capable aura.

However, when Samael noticed the name of the legion commander, he slapped his forehead, his eyes revealing a sudden understanding.

Pompey! I almost forgot about him!

This was a famous Roman military strategist and statesman, known for his bravery, integrity, and historical achievements, including conquering Africa, eliminating Mediterranean pirates, and conquering Turkey and Syria.

Syria? Türkiye?

Isn't it perfect that we're both in Mesopotamia? It's a perfect match for my skills, you're the one!

Among the outstanding heroes of early Rome, Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus are known as the Three Giants, while Mark Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus are known as the Second Three Giants.

Crassus suffered a Parthian defeat, losing his life and even having his head cut off and filled with gold, leaving him utterly disgraced.

Lepidus also fought in Sicily, but lost to Pompey's son, Pompey the Younger, and Octavian seized power from him.

Therefore, the achievements of these two military commanders were somewhat lacking, while the other four, apart from Caesar who went to Greece, Pompey, Mark Antony, and Octavian were all assigned to positions according to their respective specialties.

At this unexpected joy, Samael's anxieties were slightly alleviated, and he summoned the future renowned Roman general to inquire about the military strategy for this battle.

Fortunately, this general was nearing middle age, and his military talent and energy were at their peak.

Samael's fair and rigorous analysis and advice, along with his familiarity with the Persian Empire, led him to immediately decide to entrust Pompey with full command of the army.

He was responsible for providing backup and could serve as a backup plan if necessary.

After all, war skills are largely dependent on talent.

Samael was quite adept at handling small troop movements, but when it came to large-scale legion operations involving hundreds of thousands of troops, his skills were only so-so, certainly not as good as those of the veteran generals.

Moreover, not to mention the geographical environment, army formation, enemy and friendly analysis, and other military factors, these factors completely overwhelmed the Roman general Samael, who had fought against foreign enemies for more than ten years.

It is important for people to have self-awareness. In such a decisive battle that determines the fate of Rome, it is best to let those with the relevant expertise handle it.

By noon, after Pompey had skillfully assembled his troops and was steadily marching towards the eastern defense line, Samael, who was hiding quietly in a horse-drawn carriage, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He had done everything he could; the rest was up to the Romans to build themselves.

Hopefully, it's not too late...

The ancient snake peered through the doors and windows, gazing into the distance for a moment before lowering the curtain, leaning against the carriage wall, closing its eyes to rest and recover its energy.

With the help of the Magecraft, the army marched day and night, advancing rapidly, and in just seven days arrived at the border wilderness bordering the Persian Empire.

Click!

Dozens of miles away, the fortress built by the Tenth Province based on the terrain, with its outer Magecraft barrier flickering in and out of focus, was shattered under the baptism of ritual incantations, revealing large gaps in the wall.

Boom!

In an instant, the sky turned fiery red, forming Sorcery Array that stretched for hundreds of meters. Then, like a meteorite from outer space, a burning boulder flew out and slammed into the wall. Amidst the violent tremors, large chunks of rock collapsed, and half of the two connected bastions caved in.

Unable to escape the soldiers, they were buried under rubble and bricks in the billowing smoke and dust.

In an instant, wails filled the air, blood splattered everywhere, and twisted, severed limbs and mangled human figures were everywhere.

The Centurion, huddled under the walls to avoid the Magecraft bombardment, waited until the roaring stopped, then immediately shook off the dust from their bodies and ran around calling to the surrounding soldiers to reorganize the lines.

The equally disheveled Magecraft and priests squeezed out their last bit of strength to heal the wounded and repair the Magic Barrier.

However, before the defenders of the city wall could recover, the ground trembled violently. From the dark mass of the Persian army, war elephants with black bodies covered in red and black Magecraft runes, driven by Persian soldiers, roared furiously, bared their large tusks, and charged towards the city wall.

The hastily assembled Roman garrison fired two volleys of arrows, but they were easily deflected by the tough hides of these hundreds of monsters. Even the Magecraft's Spell projectile could only leave a white mark.

Meanwhile, several Persian soldiers on the elephant saddle also returned fire from the same height, causing considerable trouble for the defenders and further complicating the situation.

In an instant, hundreds of roaring war elephants, amidst the trembling of the earth, strode with heavy, powerful steps, like high-speed land tanks, and with a flash of red and black inscriptions on their bodies, crashed heavily into the city wall that had previously been blasted open by the meteorite.

Boom boom boom boom!

Instantly, the towering, sturdy walls collapsed in large sections under the onslaught of the elephant herd, creating huge breaches that stretched across the defensive line, leaving the city's gates wide open.

War elephants charged into the city, their tusks sweeping across, shattering the barricades, antlers, and other defensive structures. Several fearless squads of a hundred men, assembled and advancing, were trampled and sent flying before these ferocious behemoths. Crimson blood flowed freely, and shattered limbs and scattered organs flew everywhere, turning the area below the city into a bloody slaughterhouse.

Meanwhile, the 100,000-strong Persian army, gathered at the forefront, roared with cheers like a landslide and a tsunami, and pressed forward cruelly and resolutely.

A drizzle of arrows rained down on the Persians outside the city, but the leader, dressed in black armor, masked, and wielding a scimitar and iron shield, remained lively and energetic despite being hit by several arrows. He pulled out the arrows and continued advancing as if nothing had happened.

The Undying Army!

The Roman Soldier guarding the city walls were pale-faced and their eyes showed despair.

This fortress is finished...