Chapter 212 Landing Operation (Part 1)

After a long journey of half a month, the huge navy of the Eastern Empire appeared in the east of Sicily. Sicily in front of them was just a tiny dot on the horizon. The first thing Luca saw was the black smoke rising straight into the sky on the island.

Because it was too far away to see what was happening there, Luka stood alone at the bow, feeling the fresh sea breeze hitting his face, listening to the slaves' calls below the deck, and hundreds of oars hitting the sea surface non-stop, driving the huge warship forward. But the black smoke in front was still too far away, and Luka could only stare at it from the bow.

"That's Syracuse."

A sudden voice from behind made Luga turn around, and he saw Belialiu, that bad boy.

"How do you know?" Luga's tone showed obvious disbelief. Of course, how could he believe that this kid who was only over twenty years old was so familiar with this place.

"This is my job!" Belia pointed at his face, which was roughened by the sea breeze. "I don't know how many times I have traveled this route, but most of the time I was on patrol and dealing with lazy pirates. However, since this spring, my mission with my father has been to deliver supplies to Sicily, help cities on the island strengthen their walls, and expand the army." Belia looked unhappy. He didn't seem to have much interest in his current job. After seeing him every day for half a month, Luca felt that he was not a rude bastard, at least he was strong enough. He looked at Luca and asked, "Is fighting fun?"

"Fighting? Interesting? Very interesting question."

Luga smiled at him, but he couldn't answer Belia's question for a while.

"You are fighting pirates, aren't you? Didn't you fight them head-on? I heard that pirates are very brutal."

"Not really." Belialiu let out a long sigh, looking at the cloud of black smoke rising into the sky on the horizon, with an indescribable desire in his eyes. Yes, this is the desire expressed by people who have never experienced a real war, just like Luga at the beginning, who was eager to express himself.

"The battlefield is really cruel, it's simply a living hell." Luga put his hands on the railing of the warship and looked at the burning city from afar. What he thought of at this moment was indeed the thrilling wars in the past, the interweaving of iron and blood, which became the eternal nightmare of those who survived.

"Mr. Luca."

A messenger came behind him and saluted Luca respectfully, then said: "The Navy Commander is looking for you to discuss the next landing operation."

"That's very important!" Luca said, turning around and walking quickly on the swaying ship, walking straight into the cabin. The cabin was now full of messengers, and there was also Andrew, a tall and strong German man who seemed to hate the ocean and ships. He was very seasick and had to spend every day vomiting. He was losing a lot of weight and was about to make it.

Hermanus was standing at the table, looking down at the map, thinking hard. When he heard some noise, he looked up and saw Luca.

"You've come at the right time, sir. From now on, it will be your home court!" Hermanus said, calling Luca to come forward. He pointed at the map of Greater Sicily. The map at this time was obviously different from the one when they boarded the ship. The black flag representing the Vandals had spread all over the southern part of Sicily. Only Syracuse was close to the Roman mainland, and the northern and eastern parts of Sicily were still struggling in the hands of Rome.

"As you can see, Lord Luca." Hermanus pointed to the black flag of Sicily and said, "We didn't expect that Gaiseric would launch such a swift offensive. They are already attacking Syracuse in Sicily. If they capture Syracuse this time, then the whole of Sicily will be finished."

"But we still have room for recovery, right?" Luca looked at Hermanus and said.

"Yes, but I hope Mr. Luca can forgive me." Hermanus said, pointing to the sea east of Syracuse, "This is where we are now. Yes, we are very close to Syracuse. We originally planned to land in the north of Syracuse, close to the south of the Apennines, at a safe enough distance, but given the current tense situation, we don't have that much time."

"So what's your battle plan?"

"South of Syracuse, which is behind Gaiseric's army, land there and attack directly on Gaiseric." Hermanus said, his finger sliding from the circled sea area on the map directly to the position full of black flags south of Syracuse.

"This is an absolutely risky plan." Luca looked at the map and said seriously, "If we land there, we will have no help at all. You don't know how many Vandals there are, right?"

Hermanus kept silent, presumably he was just seeking Luca's opinion. Of course, Luca was also considering this issue carefully, because if he were to land at his original location, safety could be guaranteed, but it would take two days. I don't know what these precious forty-eight hours would mean to the defenders of Syracuse.

"If I fail, there will be an endless sea behind me and no one can save me." Luca also pointed out the disadvantages of this operation. It is undeniable that the whole audience fell silent after he said this. Hermanus knew that this was to ask for his opinion rather than to order him. As for giving orders, Hermanus knew that he was not qualified to do so.

"If it succeeds, it will be a brilliant event that is worthy of passing under the Arc de Triomphe. Whether you want to seize such an opportunity depends entirely on you." Hermanus said cautiously. Of course, he also knew that it was still unknown whether Luca had the ability to command a large army. Just to say that such a fierce attack from the sea would certainly arouse Gaiseric's vigilance and he would turn back. If Luca landed at this time, he would definitely encounter a crazy counterattack from the Vandals. Looking at Luca's frowning brow, Hermanus hoped that the young man in front of him would choose to refuse. After all, the lives of these 15,000 people were not a joke. If they were all killed, then they would really be powerless to stop the Vandals! "Then choose your plan!" To Hermanus's surprise, Luca actually agreed.

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"Sir, how about you reconsider it?"

Hermanus was so nervous that he could not speak. He was afraid that he would be attacked after landing in Luga. Then he would not be able to provide assistance on the sea. If Luga's army was in chaos, he would see the most spectacular massacre. He could not bear such a responsibility. He had worked hard for decades to climb to such a position. If Augustus knew that his adopted son's army was annihilated under Hermanus's plan, he would be the first person responsible.

"No need, I think your idea is great!" Luga smiled and looked up at Hermanus, whose face turned blue and red. At this time, Hermanus secretly groaned in his heart. He really wanted to slap himself in the face for saying so much that he forgot that Luga was so young.

Thanks to Pink Cow for the reward, thank you.

(End of this chapter)