In fact, the safest solution now is to detain the envoy and continue the attack, so as to prevent the other party from knowing in advance that the Byzantine Kingdom refused to surrender. However, he thought that such behavior was unbecoming of a great power, so Alcibiades told him the queen's order directly.
"What!? You want to massacre the city!"
The messenger showed a surprised expression.
What Alcibiades said made him breathless.
"We have given you many chances before, but you have not seized any of them, which has completely angered the Byzantines and our respected queen." Alcibiades was also merciless, "Go back and tell your archon that the queen has decided to completely wipe Thebes off the map!"
"Really?"
"At this moment, do you think I'm kidding you?"
Alcibiades patted the messenger on the shoulder.
"It's time for you to pay the price for your stupidity."
"No! You can't do this!"
The Seventh Tune, Section 5: The Decision to Fight to the Death
Even though the messenger was emotional, there was no way to change Alcibiades' decision.
"Please take this message back to Thebes."
"…Is there really no room for negotiation?"
"I am able to inform you in advance, which is the greatest kindness I can show you. Please don't trample on our kindness." Alcibiades said here, drew his sword and pointed it at the messenger in front of him, "I am in no mood to explain anything to you here. If you still want to pester me, don't blame me for breaking the rules."
"You're going to regret this! You're going to pay for this!"
After the messenger left these words.
He immediately turned around and left.
And Alcibiades also let out a long breath.
"All troops, listen up! Hold off on the attack!"
"Yes!"
The Byzantine army stopped outside the walls of Thebes, after all, they had to give the enemy's envoys time to return to the city. The envoys on horseback returned to Thebes at a very fast speed. After seeing the envoys coming back in a hurry, Atrometus hurried forward to greet them.
Just now, Atrometus saw that the Byzantine army suddenly stopped. He was overjoyed and thought that the other side must have completely accepted the surrender of Thebes, so they stopped the army. However, when the messenger fell from his horse, Atrometus suddenly had an ominous premonition in his heart.
"how is the situation?"
"Mr. Archon!!!"
The messenger knelt on the ground, very emotional.
His shoulders couldn't stop shaking, as if he felt something very scary.
"What's wrong? Tell me quickly!"
"It's like this... The Byzantine Empire rejected our surrender! They said they wanted to wipe Thebes off the map!"
The words "die away" were like a bolt of thunder that struck these people, especially Archon Atrometos. After hearing these words, he took two steps back and almost lost his balance, falling to the ground.
"What……"
“How could they do this!!!”
The sounds of anger, sadness, or despair from the people around you.
This made Atrometos even more anxious.
Atrometus knew very well what the other party meant. If the Byzantine Empire's goal was to make Thebes disappear from the map, then Thebes would be doomed to be massacred.
There is no choice now.
"We're fucked!!!"
A cry of despair.
It was as if it were the most ruthless mockery of Atrometus.
If he had surrendered before the attack began, he wouldn't be in this situation now. Because of his obsession, he believed that the gods would definitely save him and Thebes, so Atrometus insisted on doing what he wanted to do. That's why he is like this now...
Since the other party has said this, it means that everything is irreversible.
"grown ups!!!"
At this time, a general knelt on one knee in front of Atrometos.
"We have no choice, sir. Since the enemy is determined to destroy our city-state, let them pay a heavy price. I will lead all the capable fighters in the city to fight to the death against the enemy's attack!"
"Yes! We don't have much time left!"
"..."
Atrometos glanced around.
Behind him was the city where he had lived since he was born, the city-state he was proud of, Thebes, a city-state with a long history and outstanding power. Was it going to come to an end today? Atrometus felt as if his heart was being tightly grasped. Such an ending had completely proved that Thebes had really been abandoned by the gods.
"grown ups!!!"
"Then let's fight to the bitter end."
Atrometos made up his mind.
Since there is no way out now, let's give it a try.
Perhaps when the Thebans fought to the death with their enemies to defend the dignity of their city-state, the gods suddenly noticed their bravery and sent down their power to help Thebes overcome the difficulties. This might be the last ray of hope.
Since this decision had been made, Atrometus immediately ordered all the generals to return to their positions and sent people to mobilize all the soldiers in Thebes who could fight. At the moment, the only way for the Thebans was this. When they knew what the Byzantine Empire wanted to do, the Thebans could no longer sit still, and those citizens who were not soldiers also picked up the weapons they had kept at home.
After all, Thebes was a large city-state with a population exceeding 10.
Apart from the elderly, women and children, there were still many male citizens in Thebes who were capable of fighting. From young people who had just reached adulthood to old men in their fifties and sixties, as long as they had weapons at home, after hearing such a call, they all took up their weapons and headed for the city walls.
While the Thebans were preparing for the final battle, the army of the Byzantine Empire once again began to move. Under the leadership of Alcibiades, the Byzantine army marched towards the enemy with neat steps and an oppressive posture.
at the same time.
The siege weapons in the rear also showed their fangs once again.
The huge rocks ruthlessly smashed the temporary fortifications that the Thebans had worked so hard to build, smashing the obstacles made of wood and garbage that were used to temporarily resist the Byzantines. This paper-thin defense was destroyed in an instant, and the fragile city of Thebes once again exposed its most vital parts to the Byzantine Empire.
All the Byzantine soldiers knew that this attack was to destroy the entire city of Thebes. This was the first time they had encountered such an order. After all, the Byzantine Empire always adopted a more conciliatory policy when attacking any city-state. And this time, perhaps Hilde was really angry and no longer showed any mercy.
"Keep the array!!!"
"The enemy still has the ability to fight!!!"
The commanders on the front line worked hard to maintain the stability of the formation.
Especially at such times, we must be more cautious, lest the other party decides to fight to the death and catches us off guard.
This is a truth that any general or commander knows.
Soon, the vanguard of the Byzantine Empire was about to reach the brink of battle.
Chapter 7, Section 6: Entering Thebes
The city of Thebes, destroyed by siege weapons, could no longer stop the Byzantine army, but at this time, the Thebans, in haste and fear, organized their own defense. The regular Theban army rushed to the front, whether injured or not, they picked up their weapons as much as possible, and then tried to face the Byzantines who were rushing towards them.
"Fight with these guys!!!"
"Kill them!!!"
After learning of the Byzantines' decision, the Thebans were furious. As the saying goes, a trapped beast fights. Hilde's ruthless decision ignited the Thebans' determination to resist completely. Facing the fully armed enemy, they were not afraid, but launched a brave charge towards the enemy.
Among the elements of war, training and equipment certainly play a big role, but the morale of the soldiers has also become a very important direction. The morale of the soldiers on the Byzantine side is high, but many people still have some concerns and doubts about the next order. After seeing the Thebans pounce on their food like hungry tigers, the soldiers in the front row could not help but feel greatly shaken.
"Stay in formation!"
The Thebans were like the waves of the sea.
It hit the shield hard.
Facing the oncoming spears, the Thebans were afraid, but finally rushed forward with gritted teeth. Relying on this fearless charge, the Theban soldiers holding spears and shields opened several gaps in the Byzantine formation.
However, the effect of such a fearless charge was obviously limited. Under such a charge, the Byzantine army suffered a little loss at the beginning, but the opponent's disorganized attack was almost useless in front of the Byzantine's tight formation. Soon the Byzantines made their formation more compact, and dense spears thrust forward from the protection of shields, stabbing these fearless soldiers to the ground row after row.
This is an act that almost cost him his life.
It was destined that not all Thebans could accept it.
The first two rounds of charge almost killed the Theban rebels. Looking at their compatriots groaning on the ground and the bodies that were no longer breathing, the Thebans behind them looked at these in horror. They did not continue to rush forward, but stared with wide eyes and trembling bodies at the neatly marched Byzantines, step by step, towards them.
The ending is now obvious.
Once the Byzantines entered the city.
Thebes was doomed.
The Byzantine army surrounded Thebes, making it almost impossible for the Thebans to break out from any direction. Moreover, the Byzantine cavalry was waiting outside the city, and even if the Thebans escaped from the city walls, they would be hunted down and slaughtered mercilessly.
Even though they knew that their fate would be terrible, facing such fear and pressure, many Thebans could not help but drop their weapons and flee in a panic, trying to escape with their lives. The Byzantine army had received an order that those who dropped their weapons and did not resist would not be killed.
This escape.
It was just a big mess.
As long as the Byzantine formation did not have any problems, they would be able to handle the counterattack of the Thebans with ease and there was no need to be afraid. Soon, the Byzantine soldiers broke through the city wall and entered the city of Thebes. At this time, the entire city of Thebes had become a place close to hell on earth. The Thebans in the city, regardless of gender, age or status, fled back to their homes in fear and locked the doors, trying to escape.
At this time, Alcibiades also entered the city of Thebes. Now Thebes no longer had any ability to resist.
The army ruthlessly rolled into the city of Thebes.
And Alcibiades had to take action.
He said to the staff officer beside him.
"Next, take control of every street in Thebes. As long as the enemy does not resist with weapons, do not harm them. Capture all the generals and consuls in Thebes and bring them to me. All soldiers must pay attention to safety!"
"Yes!!!"
After entering the city.
The army of the Byzantine Empire finally began to disperse.
Now that the city walls have been breached, there is no point in fighting. The main combat force of the Thebans has almost been consumed in the last two waves of battles. And now those citizens who originally took up arms and wanted to live and die with the city-state choose to lock themselves up at home because of the bloody battlefield.
Fear finally defeated courage. Even though the Thebans were really angry about the atrocities of the Byzantine Empire, they had no choice in the face of such a naked gap in strength.
The Byzantine army was divided into groups of 100 men, with each centurion leading a team, and they began to advance into the city of Thebes along the streets.
Although this city-state is now an enemy of the Byzantine Empire, Alcibiades has to agree that Thebes is indeed a city-state with a long history and certain cultural connotations. Although it is not as magnificent and prosperous as Athens and Corinth, it also has its own style.
"These guys have locked themselves in their homes."
Alcibiades said with a wry smile.
“This is a clear choice for them.”
"So what should we do next?"
"After the army has taken control of all the streets, we will notify the Thebans who have locked themselves in their homes and tell them that as long as they don't resist, they can save their lives. After all, your majesty's order is for us to destroy the city of Thebes, but it doesn't mean that we have to kill everyone here." Alcibiades shook his head helplessly, "But to be honest, I really feel a little guilty about destroying a city-state like this."
"There's nothing we can do about it."
"Yes."
Knowing that the strength between the enemy and us is so different.
Still holding on to that unrealistic fantasy.
The current outcome was not unfair to the Thebans.
There will still be some sporadic resistance on the streets. There will always be some brave people who are fearless and rush out with weapons. In the end, they will only be ruthlessly killed.
Chapter 7: The Conquest of Harmony
"Everyone listen up! The Thebans who don't resist are not allowed to be killed indiscriminately! Rape and looting are not allowed! Those who disobey the order will be punished by military law!!!" The commanders shouted and informed all the Byzantine soldiers of the order issued by Alcibiades, "We are the army of the Byzantine Kingdom! You are not allowed to violate this order. You must remember that your every move now represents the honor and disgrace of the Byzantine Kingdom! You are not bandits, nor robbers!!!"
"Yes!!!"
The Byzantine army obeyed orders.
Strict training and extremely strict military law made the Byzantine soldiers dare not to go beyond the line.
