Flanitnus's answer left Maximus stunned. Soon, he understood: At the beginning of the rebel army's defensive formation, when the enemy launched a large-scale attack, heavily injured soldiers found it difficult to retreat safely to the rear of the formation on their own, and the warriors, under immense pressure from the enemy, struggled to provide timely rescue. They were either finished off by the enemy or died from being trampled. By the time the rebel army counterattacked, the enemy was already in decline, and it was hard for them to inflict more casualties on the rebel soldiers.
Maximus touched his chin, hiding a pang of pain rising from his heart, then asked, "How many of the casualties were new recruits?"
"The new recruits only suffered 103 casualties." Flanitnus, of course, understood who Maximus referred to as "new recruits." He glanced at Quintus and added, "Half of the veteran casualties came after the feigned defeat on the left wing."
Quintus showed no expression.
