Chapter 191 Confrontation

Two days later, Augustus Theodosius II of the Eastern Roman Empire had led his First Constantine Legion to the city of Edessa, where he saw the army of Izdegerd. They were lined up two kilometers outside the city of Edessa, with neat military appearance and magnificent momentum. From a distance, the large army looked like a huge wall covering the sky and the sun. In fact, if you look closer, you can find that the neat local formations are like giant bricks, which form this huge army formation. Such a huge army formation did not have any shouting and protesting movements, but just stood there quietly. Facing the First Constantine Legion that rushed over in a hurry, they had no intention of avoiding or retreating at all, and it seemed that they were going to face the legion of Theodosius II head-on. Theodosius II felt a little chilly just by looking at the dark Sassanid army. Perhaps it was a fear that had lasted for hundreds of years, which made Theodosius II think of Valerian, who had become the emperor's bench, and Julian. It was unknown whether he would be the third one. He just lowered his head and spread out his palms, which were already covered with a layer of sweat.

"How many people came this time?" Theodosius II turned around and asked Marcus.

"According to the intelligence from the scouts, there are more than 15,000 people. This army is the Sassanid Undead Legion. Among them, there are 12,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry. There are 1,000 armored cavalry, 500 horse archers, and 1,000 light cavalry." Marcus's intelligence was detailed, but the more detailed it was, the heavier the expression of Theodosius II became.

"One thousand men." Theodosius looked at the Sassanid army formation one kilometer away. On the right side of the formation was a flag flying high above the Sassanid army formation, representing the position of the Sassanid heavy cavalry. Theodosius II frowned. He knew the power of the Sassanid heavy cavalry. Every newly appointed Augustus would know this and it was a problem that he had to face.

Although Theodosius II reigned for decades, his father Arcadius always shouldered the responsibility of attacking the Sassanid Empire from the East. Now that his father has passed away, the burden of defense and offense falls on Theodosius II, who has basically no war experience.

"Let the legions line up outside the city, with the shield and spear infantry in front and the other troops in the back. It seems that Yazdegerd does not intend to attack the city. His target is us!" Theodosius II could see that the Sassanid army did not carry siege equipment, but this was not his biggest worry. What he was most worried about was the armored cavalry that he had entrusted to Orius Luca and Arminius, because the long-delayed arrival of the armored cavalry was his last source of confidence. He was not sure whether this infantry, half of whom were not even wearing armor and were only holding shields and spears, could withstand the impact of the Sassanid heavy cavalry.

Yazdegerd I became very patient. He ordered his army to stay put and wait for Theodosius II to finish deploying his legion. Then he sent a scout with a flag. The scout was wearing a loose robe that the desert natives generally liked. He had no other weapons except the flag. He rode in front of Theodosius II's army at full speed! He kept waving the flag and shouted loudly: "Negotiation! We sincerely invite Caesar of Rome to negotiate and discuss important matters together to avoid unnecessary casualties!"

"Negotiate?" Yazdegerd's action shocked Theodosius II. Negotiate before the battle. Since the two mortal enemies were already at war, what was there to negotiate? Although this was not the first thing Theodosius II considered, his first thought was whether there was a trick. Would Yazdegerd suddenly attack with bows and arrows when he was negotiating? Then the 20,000 troops under his command would disintegrate in an instant and flee in all directions?

"No, I can't die!" Theodosius II thought over and over again in his heart. He was always alert and thought of this situation as persecution against him. He had already greeted the whole family of Yazdegerd in his heart, and he was secretly happy about his wit and didn't fall for Yazdegerd's trick! "Go back and tell your emperor, that little brat!" Theodosius II stood on the carriage, and the carriage slowly moved forward and appeared in the sight of the Sassanid scout holding the flag. He straightened his chest and pretended to be confident. When meeting someone for the first time, the impression is definitely important! He pointed at the scout and said to him almost with his nose: "Go back and tell your emperor that we are ready for war, and then tell him that there is no need to beg for peace, which will only make you look weak and vulnerable."

"I think you'd better take care of yourself, Emperor of Rome!" What Theodosius II never expected was that such ironic words were uttered by the helpless Sassanid scout in front of him. Facing an army of 20,000 people, the scout showed no fear at all. Instead, he raised his head and glanced at the more than 1,000 light and medium cavalry in the army of Theodosius II. Obviously, in this regard, these cavalry were far from having the deterrent power and destructive power of their Sassanid armored cavalry.

The scout raised the flag high, looked at Theodosius II, and said sternly: "This is the last chance for negotiation given by our Majesty. If His Majesty Caesar does not agree, then we really have nothing to say!"

"Damn it, Luca, Arminius, where did you two die!" At this time, Theodosius II held the chariot with his hands, gritted his teeth, and stared at the Sassanid Persian army opposite. They actually started to act after the scout raised the flag!

"Tap tap tap"

The noisy footsteps accompanied by the rising dust covered the originally quiet and orderly Sassanid army formation. From a distance, one could only vaguely see the crowds of people in the dust. All the soldiers wore high-top helmets and iron masks that covered their faces. The black armor did not reflect light in the sun. Even their feet could not be seen in the dust. Only the dark upper bodies could be seen, floating like monsters. The Undead Army, the Undead Army, at first glance, they looked like real undead spirits from the underworld.

The soldiers at the front of Theodosius II were a little agitated. They looked at each other, as if frightened by the momentum of the Sassanid Immortal Legion. Everyone looked left and right, as if they felt that there were quite a few people around them, but for some reason, although there were 5,000 more people than the Sassanid Immortal Legion, they still felt that they had more people! "Oh, Augustus of the Roman Empire!" The scout holding the flag was more confident at this time. He spread his hands towards Theodosius II and shouted loudly: "You still have a chance to negotiate, we still have a chance to negotiate! Whether it is war or peace, it depends on you, Augustus of the Roman Empire!"

"Caesar, there must be a conspiracy here! You can't go!" Looking at the Sassanid scout holding the flag, Marcus repeatedly dissuaded Theodosius II and ordered loudly: "Legion, prepare for battle!"

"Wait!" Theodosius II grabbed Marcus. Yes, he was shaken, not because he was frightened by the scout, but because he fell into deep thought. He did not trust his legion. Also, who would believe this cobbled-together army? He didn't even know the training situation of the soldiers standing in the formation.

"Okay, Marcus, drive." After thinking for a moment, Theodosius II gritted his teeth, clenched his right fist and slammed it hard on the chariot, as if he had made up his mind.

"Caesar?"

"Listen to me, I am Caesar!" Theodosius II emphasized again and again, weighed the pros and cons again and again, and finally persuaded Marcus, drove the chariot, and slowly walked out of the army.

(End of this chapter)