Chapter 01 – The death of Cyrus the Younger (1)

“The king’s army is coming! The king’s army is coming!!…” A scouting cavalry galloped from afar, shouting repeatedly in Persian and Greek.

The soldiers, who were about to stop for a rest, became agitated.

“Patikias, are you telling the truth? Artaxerxes is really coming?!” Seeing the cavalry who had just jumped off the horse, Cyrus the Younger1 asked immediately.

“Yes, Your Royal Highness. Artaxerxes2 is coming! Artagasses is here too! And that…damn Tissaphernes3 is here as well!!” Patikias gasped and said it in a hoarse voice.

“Very good, my friend! Very good! He is here at last!!” Cyrus the Younger jumped off the horse excitedly, and as he let his servant put on his breastplate, he shouted to his adjutant, Ariaeus4: “Notify the whole army and prepare for battle!!”

“Yes, Your Highness!” Ariaeus hurriedly call the messenger: “Notify the Greeks immediately, and quickly line up on our right flank! Prepare to fight!”

The messenger sped away.

Ariaeus also called all the persian generals. Cyrus the Younger allowed them to lead soldiers on their left flank, while he led 800 cavalry in the center.

Artapatus carefully asked: “How many enemies are there?”

“About 60,000…or 80,000…” There was a little fear on his face when Patikias recalled what he had seen.

“So many people!!” The attendants exclaimed with fear.

“Haha! Are you scared? My friend.” Cyrus the Younger came forward and gave Patikias a powerful hug, and he did not mind Patikias’ dusty and sweaty body at all. Then, he turn around and got on the horse and shouted: “Friends, are you afraid?!”

Of course, the followers of Cyrus the Younger expressed their courage one after another.

“Even if Artaxerxes had more soldiers, he is still the timid Artaxerxes! Don’t forget, a small hound could scare him to pee!” Cyrus the Younger’s vulgar words made the people around him laugh.

“And I have you! And my army! Together we defeated the mighty Athens! The Athens that had repeatedly defeated us in Persia!” Cyrus the Younger’s eyes swept through each person and the men straightened their chest.

“We still have the brave Greeks! They fought side by side with us!” Cyrus the Younger looked to the right where the Greek heavy infantry began their slow formation. Seeing this, he felt confident: “We are unstoppable! We are invincible!!”

“For victory” Artapatus shouted first, then everyone screamed one after another: “For victory!!”

In the face of high morale, Cyrus the Younger raised his right hand: “Friends! Warriors! After this victory, I swear to Mazda, the Supreme god, that I will do my best to repay your friendship and dedication!!”

“Cyrus, THEGREAT!!” No one knows who shouted. Immediately, like a flash flood, a loud shout erupted.

…….

“Hey, Matonis. Is there something going on?” Davos couldn’t help but slap the shoulder of a soldier that is in front of him.

“How many times have you asked? No! No!” Matonis wiped his sweaty neck with his left hand and irritably shouter: “Why hasn’t the enemy come yet? The sun had already reached the middle of the sky! If we wait any longer, we’ll be scorched by its flame!”

“Matonis, Even if your meat is roasted, I don’t want to smell it. One of this days, I’ll vomit when eating meat.” A soldier’s glib remark next to him caused a burst of laughter among the soldiers.

“Shut up! Olivos, you lecherous guy, if you want me to put your hand in your mouth and let you taste your own meat, then continue talking!” Matonis fiercely threatened while waving his sturdy arm.

“Oh, I am so scared!” Olivos put on a frightened look and caused another burst of laughter.

“Everyone stand up and stop making noises! Meno5 is coming!” As soon as Hielos’s voice fell, he heard a sharp voice coming: “Little children, what do you think this place is! Is it your family’s dinner place?”

A well-proportioned soldier with a red feather on his helmet stood in front of the square, pointing at them and scolding: “This is the battlefield! If you don’t go all out, then Hades will be happy to visit you!”

“The rotten-mouthed Meno!” Someone in the troops shouted.

“Who said that?! You come out for me!!!” They all laughed and were glad to see Meno jumping in front of them and shouting angrily.

Then someone shouted loudly: “Look ahead!!!”

The soldiers then looked ahead. Soon, the smile on their face was quickly replaced by panic.

Smoke and dust rose everywhere in sight, covering the hills, trees and houses, all of which were grey.

7. Clearchus is another Greek general and a mercenary under Cyrus the Younger.