novelraw Chapter 716 22: With Home at Our Backs
Chapter 716 22: With Home at Our Backs
Under the protection of the Varangian Guard, Losa quickly arrived at the Empire Library.
He squatted beside a corpse, examined it for a moment, and then moved to another corpse.
"Who goes there!"
The Varangian Guards raised their crossbows.
"It's me."
Losa reminded.
The Candle Knight descended the steps, shaking his head slightly.
Losa understood and ordered the soldiers to wait outside, then entered the library with the Candle Knight.
"Couldn't catch him?"
"No, the enemy is very familiar with the library's layout, he could even use the magic array inside the library to hinder me."
"Ha."
Losa sneered.
This makes one ponder whether the gate of Constantinople was truly "forgotten to be closed" at its fall, or if someone deliberately opened it.
The system's prompt sounded:
Your Empire is riddled with holes, shaking against the storm.
Today, the Dragon Slayer Crossbow was stolen, and there are many suspects.
A, General Giovanni and the Genoans had just arrived when the crossbow was stolen; the thief is obvious.
B, Sir Theodorus, who frequently visits the library for research, highly suspicious, capture and investigate his allies.
C, take the opportunity to eliminate dissidents, regardless of whether they are rebels, anyone who disagrees with me is a traitor.
D, with the enemy approaching, minimize major issues, unite all available forces.
Losa chuckled, for a simulation with only one chance, it's essentially no longer a simulation.
Simulation is reality.
The choice among the four options is evidently clear.
How easy is it to unite traitorous elements within the city?
General Giovanni, though an outsider, is historically recognized as a loyal subject.
Left with only the second and third options, Losa decided to merge the two.
…
At early dawn.
Losa, who had just dealt with the traitor, hadn't had a moment to rest when he heard a series of commotions outside, with people following the Emperor's orders to gather at the Great Arena.
The eunuchs entered the room, assisting Losa in donning his purple robe and placing the golden crown upon his head.
He went to find Viviana, this Candle Knight, standing silently on the palace wall, reciting in a low voice:
"The Emperor, turning his back to the towering tower, facing the countless heretical armies, removed his purple robe, resolutely refused the last chance of escape."
"He charged with his sword towards the heretic army, embraced his death, marking a perfect end for this decaying thousand-year empire."
The Candle Knight paused briefly, "This is a Greek ode."
"That was Constantine XI, not me."
Losa lightly laughed, he rarely fought a battle without confidence. For this simulated battle, he truly believed he could win.
"Moreover, I have your help. With a dignified Candle Knight by my side, the Ottomans are nothing significant."
"Aren't you afraid that under such fame, reality might not match up?" Viviana raised the candlestick in her hand, speaking softly, "The Candle Knight is just a flickering light. What you need to do is save a collapsing structure."
"A candle flame can set a prairie ablaze."
"Come with me."
The Emperor's procession set off, slowly heading towards the Great Arena.
Losa walked slowly to the center of the arena. This place, with quite a sense of familiarity, was one of the few landmark buildings in Constantinople that had undergone restoration.
"This King of Greece has a powerful aura."
Standing on the stand, Giovanni's expression subtly changed.
By now, half of the arena was filled with people; these were the only willing and able citizens of the Empire.
Losa did not wait long before he began to speak slowly:
"Fellow citizens, the ambitious Mahmud II has started marching towards Constantinople with his minions."
"Once the walls are breached, do you know what will happen?"
"They will launch an indiscriminate massacre, killing every Christian they see, vacating this city to become a paradise for heretics. When they knock on your doors with weapons, they won't distinguish between a Greek and a Latin, they will desecrate every young woman they see, turning everyone into slaves to be abused at will; they will storm into monasteries and churches, smash containers holding holy objects, plunder the relics, take down the Cross, and replace it with the emblem of heretical flames."
Losa's voice was low, yet it resounded like a mighty bell in everyone's ears.
As a destined monarch, his spiritual power far exceeded others, just a few simple words painted an apocalyptic scene in people's minds.
"Once you lay down your weapons, everyone will become lambs to the slaughter. Do you think a tyrant who could strangle an infant brother in the cradle will suddenly show mercy to you?"
Mahmud II isn't Saladin.
Even Saladin, when he historically captured Jerusalem, sold the entire city's Christians into slavery, simply allowing them to redeem themselves and graciously waiving the ransom for some.
Losa voiced loudly: "Anyone looking at a map knows Constantinople is already an isolated city, like a wedge nailed into the heart of the Ottomans, but why only today do they wage war on Constantinople? Because they know to capture this city, they must pay a heart-wrenching and bitter price!"
"Fellow citizens, you and I are the last Romans. For Jesus Christ, for Romulus, for your Emperor, fight once again, let the blood of those heretics water the Theodosius Wall."
As Losa shouted, the golden radiance shone in his hands
Giovanni could not help but widen his eyes, this Genoese general was somewhat incredulous, "Holy Light, this Emperor has indeed earned the Pope's favor!"
For the first time, he altered his address for Losa in his heart.
Mahmud II isn't Saladin.
Even Saladin, when he historically captured Jerusalem, sold the entire city's Christians into slavery, simply allowing them to redeem themselves and graciously waiving the ransom for some.
Losa voiced loudly: "Anyone looking at a map knows Constantinople is already an isolated city, like a wedge nailed into the heart of the Ottomans, but why only today do they wage war on Constantinople? Because they know to capture this city, they must pay a heart-wrenching and bitter price!"
"Fellow citizens, you and I are the last Romans. For Jesus Christ, for Romulus, for your Emperor, fight once again, let the blood of those heretics water the Theodosius Wall."
As Losa shouted, the golden radiance shone in his hands
Giovanni could not help but widen his eyes, this Genoese general was somewhat incredulous, "Holy Light, this Emperor has indeed earned the Pope's favor!"
For the first time, he altered his address for Losa in his heart.