On its way south, the Seventh Army encountered reinforcements from the Byzantine direction in the Teris Forest, unaware of the fall of their capital.

The hand-to-hand skirmish was quickly fought. The Byzantine troops were very diverse, and the leader was Aschinis, a little-known rebel leader.

To the soldiers of the Seventh Legion, they were simply untrained semi-recruits.

In the first round of the battle, Ascinis's troops were hit to the vital point, and the entire front was cut off from end to end, and the front and back were not corresponding, and they were defeated.

The light cavalry pursued the Thracian deserters in order to increase the enemy's casualties.

After disposing of these rookies, the Seventh Legion of Oonos was even more reckless, marching all the way through the plains of Propontis, reaching the Byzantine city in three days.

They set the city together and assembled siege engines. Macedonia sent emissaries to try to persuade the defenders of the city to surrender, but they refused.

Oonos decisively attacked the city early the next morning. This time, the defenders of the city had more Greek mercenaries, as well as mercenary cavalry from Pontus. But none of this helped, and they really didn't stop the seventh-legged assault for ten minutes.

On the same day, Oonos announced the occupation of the city, settled the affairs of the city, and assigned the defenders.

Just when the Seventh Legion of Oonos was advancing on the Thracian battlefield and was invincible. There are emergencies on both the Western Front and in the Catalan direction.

In 263 BC, the Brutus family broke off all agreed agreements with Macedonia and resolutely launched a surprise attack from the bridgehead Epirus directly to Thessalonica, the hinterland of Macedonia. Subsequently, the Roman League broke with Macedonia one after another. The Roman Republic declares war on the Kingdom of Macedonia!

At this time, on the Eastern Front, the Macedonian conquest of Thrace was still going on, and it was also at war with Scythia. A two-front battle is unavoidable.

Antigone decided to bring in troops stationed on the northern front and take Aloyos with him to fight the Romans. It is also reassuring that the battlefield on the Eastern Front will be handed over to Oonos. He sent a letter to Oonos informing him of the new situation that Macedonia was currently facing.

If the Romans' declaration of war posed a threat to Macedonia's security, the invasion of Scythia gave the soldiers and civilians on the eastern front a taste of the bitter taste of war.

Eastern Front of Macedonia

Zeboitus, the leader of Scythia, heard the news of the defeat of the Thracian king Zeles and immediately halted his march. The allies are gone, and reinforcements have clearly lost their meaning. But he was already at war with Macedonia, and he was very confident in his military strength, and Zeboites was not ready to withdraw his troops back to the camp in embarrassment, which would be shameless. So he sent his troops to the right bank of the Catalan River and stationed there, and he wanted to see the situation before determining the next move.

Zoiros Echinos brought Tyris's new troops to Catalan City to garrison them on the orders of Oonos.

Scouts were sent to keep an eye on the movements of the Scythians on the other side of the Catalan River every day.

This Scythian force is large and strong. It is certain that this was the main force of the Scythians, commanded by the Scythian chieftain Zeboites himself.

Their original intention was to save Thrace, an ally, but they didn't expect Zeles to be defeated too quickly, and they didn't even rush to save it.

At present, it is stationed on the banks of the Catalan River, that is, with the river as the boundary, both sides are watching and exploring each other's reality. But the Scythian leader meant that since the Xingshi and the people had come, he had to bring something back. Zeboites did not hesitate, he made up his mind that he was going to fight Macedonia.

Now the main forces of Macedonia turned around and went in the direction of southern Byzantium. The Scythians are about to attack.

On this day, the Scythian army gathered at the bridgehead and looked contemptuously at the two Greek-style militia phalanxes guarding the other side of the bridge.

In their archers put two or three rounds of arrows, and the militia guns had already fallen a third.

Immediately, all the Scythian light and heavy cavalry rushed across the wooden bridge. The crossing of the Scythian cavalry was so reckless, so sudden. The captain of the phalanx has not yet reacted, and the enemy is about to go ashore as soon as he sees it. Seeing such a large number of cavalry rushing over, the soldiers began to panic, and their guns could not hold steadily. Yes! Why did the heavy cavalry armor of the Scythians appear so thick.

None of the militia guns could hurt the heavy cavalry, and the fierce enemy soldiers rushed into the ranks on horseback and began to kill.

In this way, the Macedonian Greek militia guns could no longer withstand such a fierce cavalry charge, and the infantry guarding the bridge was wiped out.

The scouts fled back to Catalan on horseback, reporting an emergency at the front. Zoey Ross immediately assembled a new regiment and led his troops out of the city to ask the Scythians for a blood debt, saying that they would not let the Scythians step into Macedonian territory for half a step.

Carried away by the blood, Zoe Rose was so preoccupied with the battle that he forgot that the first task given to him by the Grand Commander was to defend the city, and he forgot to remind him that the force in his hands was limited in combat.

Thinking of using favorable terrain to stop the invasion of the Scythians, Zoir Ross rushed to the Catalan River with his troops. At this time, it was discovered that the Scythian army had all crossed the river and was coming towards the city of Catal. When the two armies meet, they open their formation.

The Scythian army had a large number of archers, as well as aristocratic heavy cavalry in full armor. In the infantry there were three teams of foot archers and three teams of axe soldiers.

The Macedonian infantry consisted mainly of Greek-style militia guns, two pikemen, a small number of light cavalry, and three groups of javelinmen.

At the beginning of the battle, the Scythians unscrupulously fired arrows at the Macedonian infantry phalanx, and the fierce rain of arrows caused great casualties to the infantry.

Under the continuous rain of arrows from a large number of archery troops in Scythia, almost all the militia phalanxes lined up in the front line broke up one after another without participating in the hand-to-hand battle. The casualties were indeed heavy.

The Macedonian light cavalry began to charge, forcibly pursuing the enemy's archers. But the archers were not in a hurry, turned and retreated, turning and firing arrows as they ran. I saw that the Macedonian cavalry chasing behind was hit by an arrow and fell off his horse. In this way, the already insufficient number of light cavalry was consumed, and there was not much left.

Zoeyrose's troops began to rout as a whole, and he knew that he had failed in his duty to rush into enemy lines, but was held back by the guards around him.

When the Macedonian army was in danger, a group of men and horses arrived from the city to meet them, led by the original Thracian general Eptasens.

With a response, the new group finally retained a breath of vitality.

After this battle, the new legions suffered heavy casualties, and the remaining surviving troops retreated to the city.

The Scythians pursued the outside of the city, and the archers continued to shoot arrows through the wooden walls. Dense and chaotic arrows poured into the city like rain. The people of the city fled in a panic, and the innocent residents suffered a sudden disaster, killing and wounding.

The soldiers defending the city held the gates to the death, and the javelinmen and a small number of archers fought back stubbornly.

The Scythian troops were mainly cavalry and were not good at street fighting. Therefore, they did not rush to attack the city, but only harassed, using psychological tactics to bring casualties and panic to the city.

As night fell, the Scythians invaded again. The Scythian archers fired rockets into the city, and one by one the rockets slashed through the night sky and landed on the houses, straw, and salvae in the city, immediately catching fire. The fire grew bigger and bigger, and the people in the city began to put out the fire again.

The otherwise quiet night was disturbed by these hateful Scythians, and the soldiers and civilians of the city hated the enemy.

Despite his injuries, Zoe Ross commanded and supervised at the forefront of the battle. Even treated Wooden Castles have a chance to be burned.

He asked the soldiers to carry water and stand under the base of the wall, giving priority to extinguishing the fire on the wall, and the citizens of the city also participated in the fire fighting and defense.

With no way back, the warriors clenched their weapons and stood against the gates and walls, determined to fight to the death against the enemy who might break through into the city.

Zoe Ross guided the defense one password after another, and he encouraged the soldiers and himself:

"The battle by the river was a dereliction of duty. I owe it to many soldiers and citizens. When the general comes back, whatever he does, I will plead guilty.

But now we have no way back, my duty is to defend the city, and I want you to help me. I can't live up to the king's weight and the trust of the commander!

I mean if the enemy enters the city, unless they kill me first. ”

The Scythians were all archers, mounted on horseback and carrying a torch in their hands. After seeing the chaotic movements in the city and the shouts of the people, these barbarian cavalry became excited, shouting and shouting, as if it were a ceremony or carnival under the moon.

It was as if for them the growing fire in the city was a bonfire they had lit. But at this time, the soldiers and civilians in the city suffered from blood and tears.

They shouted and started the queue exercise.

The cavalry began to form a large circle in six columns side by side, and began to ride in circles, while shooting arrows accurately into the city, some rockets and some sharp arrows.

Later, the whole circle suddenly spread out and split into six or seven small circles. The formation changes are very beautifully done, fast and accurate. And during this time, it has been covered with arrows, bringing more damage to the city. They were provoking the defenders of the city, but also showing their strength, and at the same time demonstrating to the Macedonians.

Their actions have become even ornamental through the embellishment of firelight, and those who don't know think they are doing a large-scale theatrical performance, which is really beautiful.

The people in the city also saw this scene and were also fascinated. While putting out the fire, I occasionally turned my head to look at this "performance".

When Zoey Rose saw this, he knew that this was a provocation by the enemy, but he was afraid that he was going to disappoint the enemy.

For the Scythians did not draw out the defenders of the city. After shooting all the arrows they carried, they withdrew.

Finally, I left. The city was littered with wounded, the militia defending the city was in a very low mood, and an atmosphere of negativity and fear permeated the city, accompanied by all kinds of scorching smells. Zoe Rose thought back to the scene just now, and he realized how powerful his opponent was.

Only then did he understand what General Oonos had always meant when he said that the Scythian army was very combat-ready. However, he is determined to hold on to the city of Catalan, and no matter how strong the enemy is, he can fight to the death for the glory of the kingdom. He once again sent an expedited signal corps to Byzantium for help, and at the same time asked for additional troops from Memon of Tyris.

Oonos received letters from the Western Front and Catalan City almost simultaneously. He knew that conflict with Scythia was inevitable, and that Thessaloniki's archers had not yet been sent. However, the situation was urgent, so he marched back to the Catalan front with the Seventh Army as fast as possible.

He made his right-hand man, Bolon, governor of Byzantium, to stabilize the newly conquered city.

When the Scythians saw that they had lured the defenders of Catalan into not coming out, they besieged the city and began to build siege equipment. They were quite well prepared, building four ramming siege vehicles and seven short ladders. In contrast, the city's defenders' food, grass, and supplies were severely depleted during the siege, and Zoe Rose felt that it was becoming more and more difficult to hold on.

The Scythians attempted two sieges. The first siege coincided with Macedonian reinforcements from Tyris.

The archers outside the western gates were expelled by the Macedonian light cavalry. They were forced to the city gates, and the troops of the city rushed out to meet them.

Together, they routed this part of the archers. The remnants of the enemy deserters rushed back to the direction of the north gate to report.

When Zepoites heard that he had been attacked, he thought it was the Seventh Legion of Oonos. At this time, his forces were relatively scattered, and he was worried that the Macedonians had already agreed that the siege force that would counterattack Scythia would be bad. Moreover, the name of the Seventh Legion was so common that Zeboites had to be cautious. But this time he was worried that it was too much, it was only some of the recruits from Tyris.

Zeboites observed for two days and found that the situation was not right, so he attacked the city again. This time the real Seventh Army rushed back.

The Scythian cavalry found that a large force had appeared outside the southern part of the city. The main force of the siege has not yet been dispatched, and the reconnaissance cavalry has already reported the situation on the general's front.

Zeboites decided to retreat to the other side of the river to find out about the enemy first. Thus the siege of Catalan was relieved.

As soon as Oonos's legions entered the city, they were welcomed by the people of the city, and many women wept in the streets. For the people of the city, a savior came.

Zoe Rose came to greet him, and when he saw Oonos, he bowed down, confessed his mistakes, and pleaded guilty to the general.

The soldiers around him and the people on the roadside also bowed down to intercede on Zoerose's behalf, saying that Zoerose had done his best to defend the city.

Seeing this, Oonos picked up Zoe Rose in front of him, and said:

"My general, you have fulfilled the task I have given you, and you have held the city of Catala no matter what the odds are.

Great work.

The Scythians are very capable of fighting, and you have fought them with a weak army, and although you have been defeated, it is not because you have been too cowardly to kill the enemy with all your might.

As for thou hast not listened to my counsel and hast acted rashly against the enemy, it is indeed thy fault. I will remember you.

But now is the time when there is a shortage of manpower, and I need loyal and brave people like you. I will keep you for your sins and meritorious service in the future, and make up for your merits. ”

"Thank you for the general's grace not to kill! I will serve the general! Establish merit for the generals. ”

Zoe Rose hurriedly thanked him.

Oonos called the crowd up, and he went on to say:

"Don't be discouraged, although you lost the last battle, don't worry too much.

Because I see your tenacity. Those fighters who survived the last battle, why did you withdraw?

I know that you are not greedy for life or death. It's because you cherish honor.

You must keep the flame of the Terris Regiment alive and one day avenge the death of your comrades!

You have to reclaim the honor of victory. ”

The city's garrison had been resisting the enemy's invasion for days, and their clothes were ragged and discreet.

At this time, he wiped away the tears of grievance like a child, raised his arms and shouted wildly, greeting the general.

"Now, your comrades-in-arms, the ace of the Eastern Front, the Seventh Army, have arrived.

We will wash away the shame of defeat for you, and we will let the Scythians taste the same blows and sufferings. I don't blame you for your last defeat.

Now, as the commander of the Seventh Legion, I invite you, the fighters of the Tyris, to come! Come with me to settle accounts with the Scythians.

Join us in our crusade against the Scythians! ”

With that, Oonos drew his sharp sword and pointed in the direction of the other side of the river.

All those present hugged each other, jumped and cheered. Especially the soldiers and civilians in the city, they know that the account that has been oppressed for many days is going to be settled today!

On the spot, many young citizens tearfully asked to join the Macedonian army.

Oonos gave the Seventh Legion, which had been marching for several days, a day of rest, while sending more scouts to gather information on the other side.

At this time, the Scythians were also closely observing the movements here.

The Catalan River is surrounded by a strong smell of gunpowder. The Macedonians had to wash away the stain of their last defeat, while the Scythians gritted their teeth at missing a great opportunity to storm the city.

Skirmishes frequently occurred among the reconnaissance units on the front line. It seems that the Catalan River is destined to be the focus of the first battle between Macedonia and Scythia.