Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks

Chapter 714 20: The Enemy Approaches

"Your Majesty, how did you achieve this?"

Orhan was dumbfounded. He even began to suspect in his heart whether Constantine XI might have the bloodline of the Osmanoglu family.

"Send someone to prepare a large amount of cheap meat and pile it up here."

Losa glanced at Orhan, whose face was full of awe, and his Turkic guards, and said casually, "Later, I will hold a ceremony for you, granting you new power so that you can communicate with this little creature."

Losa had already decided to elevate Orhan to the status of Dragon Blood lineage, and then drip some of his own dragon blood to transform the Sharp Claw Dragon.

Otherwise, with Orhan's individual strength, even with the Sharp Claw Dragon, it would be difficult to make a significant impact.

"Also, order to send the Dragon Slayer Crossbow to the palace."

The Dragon Slayer Crossbow was the divine artifact that Constantine XI originally prepared to deal with the Ottoman's Demon Dragon, the only artifact the Roman Empire could still produce in its twilight years. Even though Jeanne mentioned that it played no role,

this item remained a rare artifact, which Losa planned to research thoroughly.

The Ottomans, occupying most of the vast territories of Asia Minor and the Balkans, likely possessed quite a few artifacts, and he needed to increase his side's power as much as possible.

...

After settling Orhan and the Sharp Claw Dragon, Losa returned to the palace.

He still had two Dragon Blood lineage slots left unused.

Dragon Blood lineage was a unique ability of his. Using it in this world would not affect all the slots he had upon returning. Furthermore, the slots for the Kheshig army stemmed from his ability, and he could also transform some of the stronger militia.

However, the military power he had on hand would not increase out of thin air. Even with the Kheshig army, the numbers were still too few.

The emperors of the Palaeologus Dynasty were too abstract. They managed to reclaim Constantinople but then fell into successive civil wars.

The Theodosius Outer Wall, stretching 5,600 meters from the Marmara Sea to Brenet, contained over a hundred towers.

With 7,000 defenders, even with the 800 Genoese mercenaries brought by Giovanni, only a maximum of 5,000 could be manned on the walls simultaneously, which was really insufficient.

Historically, failing to lock a side gate was not considered a low-level error. The number of defenders was indeed too few.

Moreover, although the Golden Horn Bay had chains connected, it was by no means an insurmountable barrier and required troops to defend it.

Constantine XI's several brothers had exceptional talents but not in the military—rather in arts, astronomy, and painting. At this crucial juncture, they were less useful than ordinary soldiers.

If they were usable, it would have been acceptable to promote them to Dragon Blood lineage.

Losa finished writing all the letters of request for aid, sealing them with wax seals in sequence.

He exhaled lightly, thinking it was time to summon the Candle Knight.

The female knight with platinum blonde hair, wearing a gorgeous outfit that looked more like a ceremonial dress than battle attire, moved elegantly and appeared composed: "Are you the captain who summoned me?"

"Sort of, but not entirely."

Losa's current appearance was Constantine XI.

"This doesn't quite look like a ship."

The Candle Knight looked around, slightly bowing, "Candle Knight, Viviana von Hohenzollern, will work for you from now on."

"Just call me Losa. This is indeed not a ship. Yesterday's Giant Ship isn't a real-world ship. It can take us to wander through the river of time—this is Constantinople in the year 1453."

"Wandering through the river of time, worthy of the epic-recorded Yesterday's Giant Ship."

A hint of yearning flashed on Viviana's face, but she immediately grasped the importance of the time node: "So, what do we need to do now? Rescue some precious manuscripts from Constantinople?"

"Look at my attire and tell me what you think my current role should be?"

Viviana hesitated, "Could it be the Byzantine Emperor?"

"There is no Byzantine, only Rome."

Losa emphasized.

Viviana didn't dwell on the titles: "So, is the Ottoman allied army what we'll be facing next?"

"That's right."

"Captain, can I ask you a question?"

"Please."

"Where are my colleagues?"

"None, only the two of us."

Losa smiled, unable to help himself, "But don't worry, I'm quite capable. Mahmud II I'll handle myself."

"Okay then."

She lifted her skirt corner, offered a small bow, and immediately asked, "Having the chance to stroll through the lost Greek city of Constantinople is already an unforgettable experience. Perhaps I could write a poem about it."

"Then you might be disappointed. The Constantinople of now is no different from all Western European cities of the time—just a large countryside, even more barren."

True revitalization of Constantinople only came after it was renamed "Constantinople."

"It's said that Italy's Renaissance stemmed from the literature brought by fleeing Greek merchants and nobles following Rome's fall, even if the city doesn't offer much to see, the libraries would be places to linger."

Her tone paused, "Once the city falls, there wouldn't be such opportunities."

"You are indeed... candid."

Losa helplessly waved his hand, "Please wait a moment. I will instruct an eunuch to take you to the library, but don't have high expectations either."

The Renaissance largely originated from Rome, but it was actually a lengthy process.

As early as when the Crusaders breached Constantinople and made it the capital of the Latin Empire, it began. Countless precious manuscripts were sold cheaply by the Crusaders to Latin merchants, and the prolonged chaos turned Greece into a desolate battleground.

Books and knowledge, how do they compare to blades and guns in usefulness?

At this moment.

Roman technology, once proud, had fallen behind, with shipbuilding techniques and the Greek Fire formula lost.

A system notification suddenly sounded in Losa's ear: The King of Otto, Conqueror Mahmud II, has already led his army marching toward Constantinople.

Let's make a choice:

A: Hold a grand mass at Saint Sophia, letting God guide our way.

B: Make an emperor's speech in the Great Arena, rallying all Roman morale to prepare for the enemy!

C: The entire army ascends the city walls, ready for battle!

Ha, quite fast.

Losa's expression slightly changed, considering that Adrian Castle, where the Ottoman capital was located, was close to Constantinople. Mahmud II's recent actions in publicly gathering troops never intended to keep it a secret.

If the enemy comes, it means they are on the brink of being at the city gates.