The players ran, collided, passed, and intercepted on the field, each attack and interception filled with tension and excitement. Outside the field, whether ordinary tribesmen or the Nix upper echelon and VIPs in the stands were captivated by the players' brilliant performances, cheers and shouts arose one after another, like a roaring furnace on the edge of a pot, making the game boil.

Only Maximus's mind was not on the match in front of him. While the tribesmen enjoyed their leisure, he was still busy with tribal matters, having his attendant call for Karsipengpas and the pirate chiefs he brought along.

Although Maximus was only twenty-six years old, he had been leading the Nix Tribe for many years, bringing with him a natural sense of authority. Coupled with the powerful and imposing trusted aides surrounding him, the rebellious pirate chiefs, who roamed the Mediterranean, were so nervous that they didn't dare speak.

Maximus pretended to contemplate, and after a moment, agreed to Karsipengpas's request, allowing the pirate chiefs to bring the remnants of their followers into the Nix Tribe.

At the same time, he solemnly issued a warning: After the pirates join the tribe, they will be scattered among various villages and must strictly adhere to tribal decrees, or face corresponding punishment if breached.

Agatakus and the others eagerly nodded in agreement. Having been in Nix for more than a day, they were already attracted by this tribe established in a wild area, yet as prosperous as a coastal city-state, fearing rejection and being unable to join.

After handling this matter, Karsipengpas made no further requests.

Maximus didn't inquire either, understanding that his old friend from Alti was still hesitating.

Alistacas watched Karsipengpas bring people to meet Maximus and then saw him return to his seat with his men, who wore smiling faces. He couldn't help but think: What benefits has this kid gained again?

Although the Nix and Alti had been allies for many years, and Alistacas was the Chief of Alti, also a relative by marriage to Maximus, he knew very well that Maximus had a closer relationship with Karsipengpas than with him.

Despite securing the position of Chief without any leader daring to challenge him because of Maximus, every time he attempted to gain more iron ore profits to satisfy his extensive needs, the annoying Pigeris would approach him subtly yet firmly, expressing the Nix Tribe's support for Karsipengpas.

Maximus's friendship with this pirate is truly enviable! I wonder what benefits he's given him this time?.... thought Alistacas jealously.

Then, Ambrosius whispered to his ear: "Great Chief, last night I discreetly sent someone to inquire. The people following Karsipengpas are all his pirate subordinates. It's said that recently the Romans have been relentlessly hunting pirates at sea, forcing them to flee to our mountains after being unable to continue their raids…"

Surprised, Alistacas quickly shifted his thoughts, revealing a schadenfreude smile: "So Karsipengpas can no longer be a pirate and can only rely on mining iron ore to exchange for food and supplies for those tribes in the mountains…In that case, I might consider whether to convene a tribal meeting immediately upon returning to renegotiate the iron ore profits issue?"

"Great Chief, it's best not to be too direct, so as not to invite Nix's intervention again!" Ambrosius advised.

Alistacas's face dropped immediately, sighing helplessly.

When the Nix Tribe was initially established, Alistacas looked down on them. During his tenure as chief, he was somewhat ambitious to compare with Maximus. However, by now, he had completely given up, as every year, he was invited to attend the festival, understanding the growing strength of the Nix Tribe, which the weak Alti could not compare. The primary and secondary roles of the allies had long since changed.

"Great Chief, you don't need to hastily convene a tribal meeting, but perhaps you could let Karsipengpas proactively come to discuss iron ore profits with us…" Ambrosius leaned to Alistacas's ear again, whispering a few words.

Alistacas's smile widened quickly: "Alright, let's do it this way. This time, I want to see how Karsipengpas can still be so cocky!"

Then he thought of something, hesitantly asked: "Since Karsipengpas can no longer be a pirate, will Maximus stop valuing him as before?"

"Uh…" Ambrosius's eyes twinkled: "Great Chief, why not test Maximus before we return to the tribe, and have him send us a few carts of beer? If he agrees, it means Karsipengpas is no longer important, and he begins to show goodwill towards us."

"That's a good idea!" At the mention of beer, Alistacas immediately felt his mouth watering: "The beer brewed by the Nix Tribe is indeed delicious!"

..........................................

"Go call Adatis." Maximus instructed his attendant.

Shortly after, Adatis arrived.

The acting leader of the mighty Segestica Tribe in the Gonami Lake region stood in front of Maximus, appearing somewhat nervous.

Maximus looked at him, asking gently: "This time you came here, did you visit your father?"

"I did, he's better than last year, just still unable to walk; he told me not to worry, that he's doing well here…" Adatis replied.

Back then, Adatis's father, Iberus, led the tribesmen, attempting to raid the Segestica Territory occupied by the Nix Tribe by ship, but suffered a crushing defeat; he himself was seriously injured and fell into the water. Later, he was fished out by Nix soldiers, miraculously surviving after treatment at the Nix Tribal Hospital, but due to severe spinal injuries, resulted in paralysis of the lower body.

Under Maximus's instructions, Ophelia Hospital had been providing ongoing care for him, and every time Adatis visited, he was allowed to go and see him.

"Let me tell you some good news." Maximus remarked meaningfully: "After the autumn harvest, we Nix will launch an attack on the Brochi, then you and your father can reunite. But I'm not sure if you'll still adhere to the previous agreement?"

Adatis felt a jolt in his heart, quickly expressing: "Our tribesmen in the Gonami Lake Region have long awaited joining the Nix Tribe, and now it can finally come true, everyone will be extremely happy! As long as Leader Maximus says the word, we can announce joining Nix by tomorrow!"

"Even after joining the Nix Tribe, you have to be relocated from Gonami Lake, scattered to other regions, and you would still be happy?" Maximus smiled meaningfully.

"The environment of Gonami Lake is terrible; once the rainy season arrives, the land around the village gets soaked. We toil to plant wheat, harvesting even half by autumn would be fortunate. We had no choice before…" Adatis seriously replied. "After relocating elsewhere, the tribesmen can obtain fertile land and eat soft bread; no one would willingly stay in the muddy ground, being bitten by mosquitoes, and eating foul fish and shrimp."

"And what about you leaders and nobles?" Maximus regarded him playfully: "Are you willing to abandon your past status to become ordinary reserve tribe members of Nix?"

"The leaders and nobles in the Gonami Lake region don't live much better than the ordinary tribesmen, and not as comfortably as Nix's reserve tribe members." Adatis replied unflinchingly. "Besides, even if some people are reluctant, in the current situation, they have no choice but to agree."

"You do speak honestly." Maximus chuckled.

"Leader Maximus, can I represent our tribesmen from the Gonami Lake region and ask you a few questions?" Adatis raised his head, summoning his courage to ask.

"What questions?"

"After we join the Nix Tribe, will our tribesmen, previously captured by you, be released, and will they also become reserve tribe members of Nix?"

"Of course, our previous agreement clearly stated that."

"Leader Maximus, we already sought to join the Nix Tribe the year before last, but to mislead the Brochi, we complied with your request and delayed it until now. Shouldn't our joining time be counted from when the agreement was made?"

Adatis cautiously asked, this wasn't a personal request, when they were forced to succumb to the Nix Tribe, they hadn't considered much, but as the exchanges between the two sides increased, the tribesmen of Gonami Lake had more desires.

Maximus held his chin, remaining silent for a while before saying: "This time when we Nix wage war, your tribes must also send teams to participate—"

Seeing Adatis wanted to speak, Maximus emphasized: "You are not required to fight, only to assist with transporting supplies and providing labor. After victory, I will agree to your request, counting the joining time of Gonami Lake tribes from the day the agreement was made."

Adatis breathed a sigh of relief, immediately making a promise: "Thank you, Leader Maximus! I will return to discussion with other leaders; I believe they will agree."

"Alright, I await your good news. However, you'd better hurry, because time is tight!" Maximus reminded him.

"Rest assured, I understand!" Adatis solemnly responded.

Watching Adatis leave, Maximus also exhaled a breath.

After the Nix Tribe occupied the core area of Segestica, subsequently thwarting the Gonami Lake Tribe's attempt to raid, resting and recuperating for over half a year, then under Maximus's command, the Sava River Fleet set sail from Gonami Lake, attacking any vessel on the lake, ruthlessly capturing fishermen and sailors, even going ashore to destroy crops planted by the people of Gonami Lake. Severely weakened, the Gonami Lake people found it difficult to resist the Nix Fleet's plundering, trying to lure the enemy into reed marshes, but the Nix people never took the bait…

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