The veteran Parmanuelle, who led the 1st Greek Army to Siwa, died shortly after entering the city. During his lifetime, he did not deliberately train a successor to the army.

The situation at the front was urgent, so his son Pratt inherited the command of the regiment. In terms of qualifications and talents, everyone can still trust Patra.

The new generals scattered reconnaissance troops and forward troops on Libya's eastern border. The Aegean naval regiment guarded Siwa. Auxiliary units were stationed outside the city to meet the main force at any time. At this time, the Aegean general Polipe was also ill, and the new general of the First Army did not listen to his advice. To serve the country, he really has more than enough heart but not enough strength.

The opposing camp showed a lot of vitality. Akhoris took the initiative to lead his troops to attack, and decisively knocked out several Macedonian outposts, which was fierce and prosperous. In addition, Mahabar on the other side cooperated strongly, and the Pontus forces had the momentum to gain the upper hand in North Africa.

On the other hand, there is no problem with the allocation of troops in Macedonia's two main battle regiments, but the command system is mottled and rusty, and the general population is aging, and there are only a few new capable officers. The combat experience of the troops is abundant, but it lacks creativity and moderate aggressiveness. In the face of a strong opponent like Akhoris, Patra was weak to deal with.

An Egyptian veteran who is skilled in the use of soldiers lures novices. Patra was sure to hit the trick and led his men to chase after a Saracen camel. The heat of the Egyptian desert quickly drained the strength of the Macedonian soldiers, and people held up water jugs, from which only a few drops of precious nectar dripped out. The whole line stretched long and scattered. Suddenly, two groups of men and horses crossed the ridge, and it was the army of the original Egyptian pharaohs of Akhoris and Mahbar.

The premeditated Egyptian mercenaries rushed forward with their bows left and right, and dealt a heavy blow to the First Legion.

Cavalry units bore the brunt of the attack. The well-trained Macedonian First Army was not in vain, and immediately after an ambush they formed a good defensive formation, and the V-formation was overwhelming. Pratt has no master, but fortunately he didn't make any fatal mistakes. At this time, the slogans of the centurion and the lieutenant general were loud and firm, condensing every soldier and every spear into combat effectiveness. After a hard battle, the Macedonian defense line was faintly visible, and unfortunately, lost all the cavalry. So the Pontics tried to expand the scope of outflanking.

At the critical moment, the Macedonian auxiliary regiment arrived, rushed into the battlefield and disrupted the enemy's pace, trying to tear the encirclement and rescue the Macedonian comrades. Seeing that help was coming, the 1st Army struggled to break through and move closer to friendly forces. A strong desire to survive and a sense of collective honor make them suddenly unstoppable.

The Egyptian soldiers could not close the encirclement. Knowing the truth of "don't force the poor", Akhoris did not stalk him, and simply retreated when he saw that it was good.

The state of Polype, who was still on the sickbed, breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that the First Army had been saved. Had he not sent an auxiliary legion in time to meet Patra, the Eastern Mediterranean Army would have lost its support.

Patra returned to Siwa and came to visit the old general in the state of Polype.

"The general of the defeated army has no shame to face the general."

"Don't blame yourself too much, now you are the only front-line commander in the Southern Theater of Operations. Defend your defenses and command your soldiers. For the sake of the security of the empire, it is the greatest honor to die on the battlefield.

You have to be aware of the responsibility on your shoulders at all times, you are there, the legion is there, the line is there. ”

"Faced with an enemy ambush, our legion lost all its cavalry units, a third of its infantry casualties, and all siege engines were destroyed and lost. Morale is low.

I ask you to lend me the Aegean Naval Regiment, and I will gather my forces and seek revenge on those hateful Egyptians. ”

"Oh~ don't. Each has its own task, and my task is to hold Siwa. Before I received the order to change my guards, I would never have left the city at will, even if I died in battle.

I will not leave, and my troops will not leave. The Aegean naval regiment is the guarantor of the guarding of Siwa, and I will not allocate a single soldier from them. ”

The unpleasant conversation ended hastily like this.

The two are very different in terms of ideas, values, etc. Polype was born in the army, and he was promoted to general from the bottom of the test of hard work and ability; Patra was born in the aristocracy, and he had a relationship to take care of his career all the way. The generals are not in harmony and each has its own troops, which is a taboo in war. The so-called head and tail do not care about each other.

Within a few days, the Pontic launched a powerful offensive. All defensive fulcrums around Siwa were eliminated. The new Macedonian general, Patra, was not convinced, and pulled the auxiliary regiment to fight Akhoris twice again. As a result, the more people were beaten, the fewer people were fewer, and they were repeatedly defeated. The "Egyptian mercenaries" approached the city of Siwa.

Patra led the team back to Siwa. The Macedonians closed the gates of the city and fortified them on all sides. Once again, the state of Polype has become a lonely city defender, as if arranged by fate.

"General Polype, a young general is only a shallow learner, and he is overwhelmed by his heavy responsibilities. Shame, shame!

Now there are only a thousand or so left, including me, at your disposal. ”

"You still have an army of 7,000, so why do you talk like no one else.

Also, I am seriously ill now, and I may die at any time, so you need to encourage me.

I will preside over the defense of the city, and you will go into battle and personally lead the soldiers to repel the invading enemy. ”

"I'm afraid I won't be able to hold on......

"I'll hold on until the end, and if it's not the last of our fight, you have to keep defending."

"We can't live without you."

"It was the same many years ago.

It was my commander who was sick in bed, and I took over the command of the legion. They also face a threat of enemy forces several times larger than their own.

That battle created the glorious prestige of the Aegean Naval Regiment. ”

Akhoris and Mahabal discuss countermeasures:

"In my opinion, it is better for us to surround and overcome them, so that the people of Pontus may see our ability and loyalty." Akhoris.

"General, why don't you take a look at our current situation.

There is a lack of bows and arrows, no weapons to replenish, and a shortage of men and horses. Although the main force is still there, there is no line of resistance and cannon fodder soldiers, and that is the beginning of defeat. "Mahababar.

"The people of Pontus are really unfavorable, they can't even keep up with the logistics, and what kind of battle are they fighting, no wonder the Macedonians are allowed to run straight away."

"I don't think that's the case, it's a matter of trust. The general of Pontus obviously wants to use us as cannon fodder, and then clean up the mess when we are both fighting to the death. ”

"I don't understand the reason, how can the matter be like this, it is better for us to fight for it. Spell out your own value. ”

"Siege?"

"Besiege first, then storm."

These Egyptian mercenaries had no siege equipment and were short of arrows and ammunition. In this case, use the siege to wear down the defenders.

The Pontus soldiers advanced a few kilometers slightly, more like they were supervising the battle than engaging in battle.

The Macedonian defenders were greatly troubled. Siwa City has limited resources, and the various materials stored in the city cannot withstand long-term consumption. Before the actual battle for the defense of the city began, the attrition of the army began early.

The sick, the fleeing, the surrendered, the sun sets, embattled.

The fate of the Macedonian Eastern Mediterranean Army Group hung by a thread.

(End of chapter)