After the Dacians fully occupied the land east of the Danube River, they completely stopped their military operations, which gave the Boyi people the advantageous opportunity to continue waging war against the Pannonians.

Although the natural barrier of the Delaware River and the tenacious resistance of the Pannonians have so far prevented the Boyi people from gaining a foothold on the southern bank of the Delaware, the Pannonian Tribe Alliance has exhausted all its efforts to counter the Boyi invasion, leaving no strength to address other matters.

This is the main reason why Desitia Great Chief Temagis took the initiative to lower his status and accept the harsh ceasefire agreement proposed by the Nix. It is also why Bricks has not taken any further action in recent years to harass the Nix people upstream of the Sava River, fearing to provoke them into a war.

Therefore, things have been calm between the Nix and the Brochi for the past few years, but Bricks knows well: this seemingly peaceful situation is only temporary. The Nix Tribe Chief is ambitious, and having annexed Segestica, he will certainly not leave Brochi alone. Moreover, the Nix intentionally signed a ceasefire agreement with Desitia but refused to restore peace with Brochi, which has caused tension within the tribal alliance. Now, with the other major Pannonian Tribes unable to provide full support, Brochi must find a way to safeguard itself.

After repeated discussions with the elders, Bricks decided to adopt the strategy of "constructing fortresses and strengthening defenses" to prepare for the possible impending war with the Nix.

He and the elders persuaded the tribal leaders to abandon their original dwellings and lead their tribesmen to the newly designated residential areas to dig trenches, lay traps, and erect wooden walls... After the fortress is completed, all the tribes gathered to live inside it.

The Brochi tribesmen had to participate in constructing the fortress and strengthening defenses during the off-farming seasons, and they also had to travel long distances to cultivate their fields every day. This left them exhausted, and many harbored grievances. However, under the pressure from the leaders and nobles, they had no choice but to comply.

Bricks also sent some spies to infiltrate the north, keeping a close watch on the Nix people's movements, to prevent a sudden invasion and ensure they would not be caught off guard.

So when Maximus led his army south, the Brochi had already received the information. They were not surprised about the surrender of the Sinbaisbed people, as it was obvious that relations between the Sinbaisbed people and the Nix had become increasingly friendly over the past two years.

When the Nix Army entered Brochi Territory, all Brochi tribesmen had already taken refuge in this fortress.

This fortress at the convergence point of the northern border of Brochi and the two rivers was the one Bricks valued the most. He relocated the surrounding tribes, including those from the western hills and along the Kupa River, into the fortress, bringing the population to a staggering fifteen thousand people. Additionally, the fortress was shielded by the Sava River and Kupa River on its northeast and southeast sides and backed by mountain ridges on the southwest, which significantly reduced the area that needed defending, allowing for the concentration of forces...

Bricks named this fortress "Sinbaisbed" (meaning Rock), showing his confidence in it.

He hoped this fortress could withstand the Nix people's attack, forcing them to retreat frustrated. Even if it couldn't, it should inflict serious damage on the enemy, wounding their morale and buying more time for the whole Brochi Tribe to fully prepare for defense.

If the Nix Army decided to bypass Sinbaisbed and march south directly, Bricks was not concerned, as the fortress housed as many as four thousand warriors who could be deployed anytime to threaten the Nix's logistics supply line, preventing them from focusing fully on attacking. Should the Nix attack be halted in the front, and Brochi received reinforcements from the alliance, forming a pincer attack on the Nix Army might even lead to their defeat. In that case, not only could Brochi dispel the crisis of annihilation, but it might also expand once again!

To fulfill his military plans for Sinbaisbed, Bricks appointed his most trusted tribal leader Elix as the head of this fortress, not only because his military command skills were superior to those of other leaders, but also because he once led a team to participate in a military operation to besiege a temporary camp of the Nix. The painful lessons from that failure left a deep impression on him regarding the Nix's tightly constructed defense facilities. Thus, he was a staunch supporter of the "fortress construction and stubborn defense" strategy and the chief designer of the fortress (mostly replicating the defense structures of the Nix's temporary camp). Bricks believed that the defeat Elix suffered at the temporary camp would serve as valuable experience for him in repelling the Nix's attack.

At this moment, Elix stood on the rampart, watching the Nix Army forming ranks on the opposite bank of the Sava River, and the mighty fleet bypassing Sinbaisbed, drifting downstream. Both the army and the navy were massive, resembling two dragons. After half an hour, their tails were still not visible...

Elix was not intimidated by the might of the Nix Army; rather, he felt somewhat disappointed: Could the Nix know the fortress's strength and thus choose to bypass it and strike at the main camp directly?

Half an hour later, he received reports from the scouts: The Nix Army was constructing a floating bridge downstream of the Sava River, preparing to cross to the west bank.

Elix immediately perked up: It seems the Nix plan to attack Sinbaisbed first!

When subordinates suggested sending troops to assault the enemy crossing the river, Elix immediately refused, reasoning: The Nix Army is massive, its soldiers well-equipped and highly competent, granting them the advantage in open field battles. Even if we gained some advantage by ambushing them during the crossing, once they react, the Nix Soldiers can land anywhere on the west bank by ship, potentially encircling the assaulting warriors... The tribe is currently at a disadvantage, so we must act with caution and never underestimate the risk of weakening our defense at Sinbaisbed.

Elix convinced the tribal leaders around him, allowing the Nix Army to construct a floating bridge on the Sava River...

When he learned from spies that the Nix Soldiers were crossing to the west bank and starting to build a camp, he completely relaxed: It was confirmed that the Nix intended to attack Sinbaisbed! Then bring it on, damned Nix, this time I will make you pay for all the indignities I've suffered before!

"Look over there! Another Nix Army has arrived!" The warriors' exclamations attracted Elix and other tribal leaders' gazes to the north: Indeed, another Nix Army was forming ranks on the north bank of the Kupa River, accompanied by a grand fleet on its right side...

Silence enveloped Elix's surroundings; he saw the undisguised fear in others' eyes and immediately said loudly: "Do you know, when the Nix first arrived here five years ago, the Segestica Great Leader Andres requested reinforcements from the alliance to eliminate them, forming an army of more than thirty thousand people, more than thirty thousand people! A force similar to this Nix Army invading our territory now! We launched an all-out assault on the Nix's camp, but after a month, we still couldn't conquer it, and nearly half of our warriors were killed or wounded before we had to retreat!"

Elix paused, looking at everyone, and confidently emphasized: "The defensive facilities of Sinbaisbed were constructed according to the Nix's camp back then! Moreover, we spent years building this fortress to be far stronger than the Nix's camp, and our warriors have gained much experience defending it over the years. I believe, no matter how many enemies come, Sinbaisbed will remain an unbreakable rock, one they cannot swallow or break!"

After Elix's rousing speech, the crowd felt somewhat reassured, silently watching the Nix Army reach the convergence of the two rivers and start building another floating bridge over the Sava River...

In autumn, the Sava River's water level significantly decreased, and with engineers from the Nix Tribe's Public Works Department supervising, the floating bridge was quickly constructed.

Led by Torrelugo, the Second and Fourth Legions set foot on the floating bridge, reached the east bank of the Sava River, marched south along the river, and arrived at another newly constructed floating bridge downstream. Through it, they stepped onto the west bank of the Sava River, joining the main forces led by Maximus at dusk...

The next day, calm prevailed before Sinbaisbed, and Elix repeatedly sent scouts to inquire, all reporting that the Nix were busy building a camp.

Elix felt slightly disappointed. He was somewhat eager to see the Nix Army charge in full force, only to be repelled bruised and battered.

The Nix Army did not appear that day, but Nix warships were patrolling around Sinbaisnyder on the river, and ships laden with supplies continuously sailed to the Nix camp from dawn till dusk...

Elix couldn't help but sigh: His tribe had lived here for decades without building a formidable navy, whereas the Nix had only been in Segestica for a few years and managed to assemble such a large fleet with substantial combat power. They easily defeated the Gonami Lake People, renowned for their water warfare, which is why Bricks Great Chief abandoned the idea of mobilizing tribesmen to engage in a naval battle against the Nix. After repelling the Nix this time, Bricks Great Chief will surely establish the tribe's fleet, ensuring that the rivers within the territory will no longer be free passageways for future invaders!

The day passed smoothly amidst Elix's regrets.

With the night gone and dawn rising, after breakfast, Elix ascended the fortress wall for an inspection. Soon, he received reports from scouts: The Nix Army was assembling in front of their camp!

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