Rome must fall.

Chapter 322: Debate on Tribal Migration

Ambrasinos said nothing, but nodded slightly.

Everyone's eyes towards Budokaribas and Cicelytes became slightly calmer.

Another elder from the tribe along the Mrežnica River said dissatisfiedly: "I don't understand why we agreed to include this clause when we signed the covenant with the Knicks. Otherwise, there wouldn't be all these troubles."

Cleobrotus's face turned cold, because it was he who had made the alliance with the Nyx. He was about to make a rebuttal when a tall figure stood up:

"Isaac Mennas, you are so easy to talk! Do you know that when Chief Maximus wanted to buy the land, he not only made a request to me, but also to the pirates of several other Illyrian tribes such as Otariate!

The clause in the covenant you just mentioned was insisted on by Chief Maximus. If we had not agreed at that time, then the two sides would not have been able to form an alliance! Chief Maximus would have led his troops to other Illyrian tribes. You can imagine what would happen if the Autariyat people formed an alliance with Chief Maximus! "

Everyone in the hall couldn't help but shudder. They could imagine that with the terrifying fighting power of the Nix people, the Otariyat people, with their help, would not only be able to defend the salt mine for a long time, but would even lead their army northward. Then the Ardei tribe would probably repeat the tragic experience of the Segestica people today...

"Don't forget! At that time, the Segestica army kept invading and our tribe was in danger of extinction at any time. But after forming an alliance with the Nix tribe, less than two years later, our tribe not only escaped the danger of extinction, but our enemies were almost extinct! Isaac Mennas, touch your chest and answer me honestly! Did the covenant we signed save our tribe?!"

The elder, Isaac Mennas, lowered his head and remained silent.

Cleobrotus cast a look of gratitude toward Chalcipompus.

"It is of course the right decision for the chief to invite the Nixes to come to our tribe to buy land and settle there!" Another elder from the tribe along the Mrežnica River said, "But since the Nixes have already seized so much land from the Segestica people, you can just ask Chief Maximus to give you the land along the Kupa River. That way, you can live on your original land and no longer have to be far away from us."

"You think we didn't make such a request, but Chief Maximus didn't agree." Budokaribas sighed, "It's like a beggar begging. You eat whatever people give you. You don't have the right to be picky!"

"Budokaribas, from the sound of your voice, I can tell that you don't really want to take your people to the territory of Segestica. Aren't you living well enough now? And without the threat of the Segestica people, life will be better than before. Just stay here. Why bother with all this?" Another elder from the south persuaded.

Cicelitses couldn't help but interject: "If you are willing to exchange the land of your tribe with the place where my tribe lives now, I am of course willing to stay! Are you willing? Of course you won't!
Because your tribe lives along the Mrežnica River, where the land is flat and fertile, and they don't have to worry about food and clothing; but most of my people live in the mountains, where there is a lack of arable land. Not only do they not have enough food to eat, they also have to worry about wild animals, snakes and insects in the mountains. People often die of illness and hunger. How can I not worry when I see the population of my tribe decreasing day by day! Now that I have the opportunity to save my tribe from the danger of extinction, of course I have to choose to leave!"

Cicelyteses gritted his teeth and acted as if he would never let anyone off the hook if he dared to stop him, which made some elders who wanted to continue persuading him give up the idea.

"Cisselitses, actually you... can return to your original homeland. The Brochi people suffered a heavy loss this time. They should not dare to invade the western hills again." An elder from the tribe along the Korana River suggested softly.

"Oh, if you say it won't happen, then it won't happen." Cicelytesis refuted unceremoniously: "The Pannonian Tribal Alliance was defeated this time, but their strength is still far stronger than ours. I dare not take this risk again and let my people suffer again!

Besides, are you really thinking about us? You actually want us to return to the hills and settle down, and protect your tribe from the threat of the Brochi people."

"You--" The elder felt embarrassed when his thoughts were revealed by Cicelyteses.

One after another, the elders ran into obstacles in front of Budokaribas and Cicelitses, and the atmosphere became dull for a while.

Alistarcus winked at Ambracinus, who had no choice but to persuade him: "Budokaribas, Cicelitses, and other elders who want to lead their people to move to the territory of Segestica, please think carefully!
Although the Nixes defeated the Segestica people, the Pannoni still have six or seven large tribes such as Brochi and Mazii. They have always been relatively united. This time they were able to form a coalition to attack us, which is proof! They will not allow the Nixes to occupy the land of their compatriots. In the future, the Nixes and Pannoni will continue to fight in the territory of Segestica!
The Nixes are good at fighting, but they are few in number, so it is hard to say who will win or lose in the future! If you move there, it will be hard to guarantee the safety of your people! It is better to stay here, although life is a little worse, but at least it is safe, don’t you think? ! ”

Budokaribas smiled and said, "Ambrasinos, thank you for considering us! However, Chief Maximus has promised to give us safe land that will not be attacked by the Pannonians. In addition, we have also considered that the Pannonians will send troops to retake the land occupied by the Nixes. Although the Nixes are small in number, they were able to defeat Segestica and the Pannonian coalition in just over a year. Now that the Nixes have obtained more land and have more people, the Pannonians may not be their opponents."

Cicelitses then said, “Perhaps in a few years, the Nixes will be able to defeat the Brochi, Mazii and other Pannoni tribes. We may be able to gain more benefits by living there!”

Seeing the boastful look on Cicelitses' face, Aristakas felt disgusted. He could not help but shouted: "No matter what you say, I will not allow you to leave the territory of the Ardi tribe and go to the Sava River! Absolutely not!"

Budokaribas, Cicelytes and others were not intimidated by Aristakas's determination.

Cicelytes sneered: "Hey, Aristakas, you are not even a chief yet, but you are already showing off to us! Even if you become a chief in the future, you will not have the right to decide tribal affairs on your own! I beg—"

Cicelitses said loudly, "Let's vote!"

Aristakas was so angry that his face turned blue. Cicelytses' words hit him sore. His eyes were like spitting fire as he stared at Cicelytses.

Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Cleobrotus quickly said, "Cisselitses requested a vote on the relocation of his tribe to the banks of the Sava River—"

"Not only Cicelyteses' tribe, but also my tribe!" Budokaribas reminded.

"And my tribe!..." A group of Aldei elders who had signed an agreement with the Nix tribe rushed to express their opinions.

Alistarcus clutched the arms of the chair tightly with both hands, breathing deeply, suppressing the anger in his chest.

"Since you all proposed to vote on the move to the banks of the Sava River--" Cleobrotus turned his head to look at Aristakas, waiting for his final decision.

After taking a breath, Aristakas felt a little better. He also found that the elders who were clamoring to leave were not in the majority, so he felt a little more lucky. He said unhappily, "Then let's vote."

The Ardei tribe that originally lived along the Sava River was very powerful. The family of Budokaribas had even served as the chief of the Ardei for decades. A few years ago, there were twelve chiefs of the Ardei tribe living in this area who were the elders of the entire tribe. Because of the war with the Segestica people in recent years, two of the elders died and there has been no replacement.

The hilly area east of the Korana River is vast, but the land is relatively barren. However, there are abundant animals such as pigs, deer, and sheep. There were quite a few Ardei tribes that once lived there, with nine elders and no reduction in numbers to date.

But they totaled only nineteen people, less than half of the forty-eight elders, and the elders from the banks of the Mrežnica and Korana rivers all voted against it, leaving only six elders from the western mountains.

Aristakas's eyes fell on Archipenpas. Although he had always been at odds with the pirate leader, at this moment he still hoped that the other party would make a decision that was in the overall interests of the Aldei tribe.

During this period, because of Achoupagos' serious illness, Chalsipompus stayed in his tribe and did not go out to sea to plunder. When the Pannonian army invaded, Aristarchus not only asked for help from the Nix tribe, but also sent people to the western mountainous area to issue military mobilization orders to various tribes.

When Archipenpas received the news, he immediately led the tribal warriors to the Mrežnica River.

In fact, the teams from various tribes in the western mountainous area had just arrived at the main camp a few days ago. The crisis of the Aldei tribe had been resolved. Seeing that the leaders of various tribes had gathered here, Alistarcus wanted to take this opportunity to hold a tribal meeting so that he could succeed to the throne smoothly. However, he did not expect that he encountered difficulties at the very beginning of the meeting.

(End of this chapter)