The great chief of the Desitia, Temagis, used the excuse of "the tribe has signed a truce with the Nix" to reject Brochi's appeal for help. Although he knew that peace with the Nix could not last long and a battle was inevitable in the future, the primary enemy of Desitia now was the Boyi people.

The two great chiefs of Disone and Perustai, aiming to maintain the tribal alliance and receive more assistance from southern tribes in the future, also sent messengers to persuade Desitia, eventually forcing Temagis to reluctantly agree to send reinforcements.

The three tribes sent a total of three thousand infantry, but the cavalry reached 600.

While requesting aid, Bricks also conducted an emergency military mobilization of all tribes within his territory. However, with the Nix Army continuously capturing Brochi's river camps, where a significant force was stationed, Bricks could only gather a force of less than five thousand men (including some Segestica refugees), forcing him to draft older tribesmen, piecing together a force of seven thousand.

With the arrival of reinforcements from various tribes, the Pannonia Alliance Army's force eventually reached 23,000 men, along with 800 cavalry.

When Maximus learned that other large tribes of Pannonia had successively sent reinforcements to the Brochi Main Camp, his heart was overjoyed. To ensure the best plan formulated before the battle could be realized, he deliberately slowed the pace of advancement.

On December 5, 67 B.C. (the sixth year of the Nix Tribe's establishment), when the Nix Army was a short distance away from the Brochi Main Camp, the Pannonia Alliance Army actively confronted them because Bricks did not want to give the Nix people any time to rest, fully recover their strength, and have time to create those terrifying large siege weapons.

Maximus resolutely chose to engage, and thus both sides arrayed their forces on the east bank of the Sava River.

Considering the strong naval force of the Nix Army, to prevent them from transporting soldiers across the river and flanking from behind, the Pannonia Alliance Army formed their array in the southeast, with their backs to the Brochi Main Camp, away from the Sava River bank.

As the previous defeat left a shadow on Bricks, this time he led the Brochi Army at the center, the Andizeti Army on the left wing, the Mazi Army on the right wing, while reinforcements from the other three tribes were integrated into the center and right wing. The cavalry was positioned on the outer side of the right wing due to the ample open space available for maneuvering.

The Nix Army stood in the northwest, back against the Sava River, from left to right arranged as 500 cavalry, the First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Legions.

Because Maximus had stationed some forces at each conquered camp, less than 25,000 Nix Soldiers participated in this battle, and the forces of both sides were roughly similar.

In the afternoon, as the sun began to set in the west, both sides had completed their array, the clamor ceased, and a tense atmosphere began to pervade.

In the eyes of the Pannonian Soldiers: the Nix Soldiers opposite them, clad in Iron Helmet and Armor, wielding large shield and short sword, stood as rigid and towering as iron statues, casting a cold and fierce gleam. Their faces bore a crazed smile, akin to bloodthirsty demons...

Pannonian Soldiers, their eyes a mix of determination and fear, gripped their Long Spear Wooden Shield tightly, sweat beginning to seep from their palms, breath becoming heavy, yet they understood they must fight to the death to protect their kin and home!

In the eyes of the Nix Soldiers: the Pannonian Soldiers across weren't just enemies but opportunities to gain more land and earn military merits for tribal noble status! They've held back for three years, during which artisans upgraded, officials upgraded, engineers, teachers, medical staff, farmers...all other profession's tribesmen had advancements, yet their military accomplishments remained unchanged.

War finally came, but the first battle was too easy, only rated fourth level by the Military Department, with half the credit taken by the Engineering Camp, leaving little for ordinary soldiers. Subsequent camp assaults followed similar outcomes.

But this battle was different. Before arraying, the captains of each legion announced to the soldiers: since this battle would decide the fate of Brochi and greatly weaken the remaining strength of the large Pannonia tribes, it was crucial for the next expansion of the Nix. Therefore, Leader Maximus declared this battle to be of second level. Defeating the enemy would not only bring significant merits but also continue this war, garnering more accomplishments for them...

Thus, every Nix Soldier was now extremely excited, eagerly awaiting the bugle call.

The Nix Army initiated the attack first but didn't sound the bugle. The crossbow companies of each legion quickly advanced through the gaps in the array, forming a loose horizontal formation, approaching within 80 meters of the enemy's formation to fire Crossbow Arrows.

The arrows, like locusts, blanketed the frontline of the Pannonia formation.

Brochi Warriors, having switched to thick square shields and well-prepared against the Nix Army's crossbowmen, had almost no casualties in the center, but the left and right wings suffered some, especially the Andizeti Army on the left wing. Their long engagements with the Skodisqi Tribe had greatly diminished their weaponry and didn't emphasize protective equipment due to their typical offensive advantage. Even the tribal leaders held simple Wooden Shields, suffering heavy losses before actual combat.

Great Chief Antosy, therefore, had no choice but to sound the horn, prompting the soldiers to charge forward.

In an instant, the Pannonia Alliance Army launched a full frontal assault. The Nix Crossbow Soldiers only fired two volleys before timely retreating to allow the infantry formation to close up smoothly.

The infantry began their charge, but the cavalry engaged first.

Once the horn sounded, the Pannonian Cavalry began urging their warhorses, trotting forward.

Compared to the feeble infantry, the Pannonian Cavalry held a psychological advantage, especially those from the three northern tribes, maintaining parity with the Boyi Cavalry over years of conflict, showcasing formidable combat abilities.

In contrast, the Nix Cavalry, established only a few years ago, had never partaken in major battles nor boasted notable achievements, especially with Pannonian Cavalry outnumbering them by 300, wielding absolute superiority.

Therefore, Bricks placed the primary hope of victory in this engagement on the cavalry, and they were confident in this.

In the last war, hindered by infantry and terrain, Pannonian Cavalry couldn't engage in actual combat and suffered a heavy defeat. Now, the terrain was flat and wide, perfect for them to exert their might and avenge prior losses.

The Pannonian Cavalry eyed their approaching opponents, filled with fighting spirit. They even regretted the enemy's adoption of a sparse and wide horizontal formation during the charge. A weaker cavalry should ideally use a denser vertical formation to avoid easy penetration and quick defeat. Despite the regret, the Pannonian Cavalry likewise spread out in a wedge formation.

The Pannonian Cavalry began accelerating their warhorses, but the Nix Cavalry kept advancing steadily.

Eight hundred Pannonian Cavalry charged forward in an arc-shaped formation, raising a sky full of dust, hoofbeats crashing like thunder, imposing in momentum.

Cavalry Captain Haguks, positioned upfront, controlled his excited warhorse, keeping a close eye on the enemy ahead while taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, reaching his right hand to the right saddle...

The Nix Cavalry saddles stood out, inheriting Celtic Cavalry features with a four-point saddle, allowing riders stable seating for control and effort. The seat extended to the horse's rump, with two pouches on each side, each holding two mounted crossbows.

The mounted crossbow, as the name implies, "a crossbow used by cavalry," was custom-made by the Iron Workshop for the Nix Cavalry at Maximus's behest. Smaller and lighter than the arm crossbows used by infantry, they were easier for cavalry to handle, naturally with a shorter range and reduced lethality.

Haguks drew the right mounted crossbow, pre-drawn and loaded with bolts before the engagement. He first raised the crossbow and swung it twice in the air, signaling an order to the other cavalry, then supported the crossbow arm with his right hand, held the trigger with a shadow-like finger on the left hand, eyes fixed ahead, thighs gripping the horse's flank... this seamless action was the result of over a year's rigorous training on the Military Department's drill ground.

Targeting the enemy ahead, his fingers pulled the trigger, the crossbow bolt shot forth, aiming for the enemy's warhorse as it was a large, easy target.

As Haguks fired, other Nix Cavalrymen followed suit, and countless crossbow bolts sliced through the air towards the enemy.

Instantly, the howls of stricken warhorses accompanied the cries of shocked Pannonian Cavalry, as men and horses tumbled forward, hindering their comrades' charge behind.

Swiftly, the Nix Cavalry placed the emptied crossbow back in the saddle, drawing the other mounted crossbow from the left side to fire again at the enemy cavalry.

The scene of men and horses toppling was repeated.

As both sides deployed in fan shapes, the crossbow bolts maximized their potency. Over half of the Pannonian Cavalry fell, mostly due to injured warhorses, but a cavalryman without a horse was almost entirely ineffective. The remaining Pannonian Cavalry, stunned and bewildered by the sudden onslaught, struggled to rein in their horses, uncertain as their leading chiefs had all toppled.

After firing the bolts, Haguks unhesitatingly drew his Longsword, speeding up to lead the charge.

The Nix Cavalry, mostly comprised of former rebel army veterans and tribesmen from the Skodisqi and Segestica, although competent in riding lacked extensive equestrian combat experience. However, their morale soared with successful tactics, and recalling Captain Haguks's pre-battle reminder, "defeating enemy cavalry first to claim the primary merit will yield greater rewards," they all charged bravely at the forefront.

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