novelraw Chapter 730
Chapter 730
On the city walls, the rain poured down heavily.
The peasants lit torches, braving the downpour to repair the walls, piling up corpses like mountains in the open space between the first low wall and the main wall, waiting for the skies to clear to pour oil and burn them.
Soldiers, faces weary, yawned as they stood guard under the tower.
Today's battle was a great test of the fighting will of both attackers and defenders.
In just a day, the casualties of the defenders reached a horrific one thousand two hundred, which is already a tenth of the total forces. If it were a field battle, the outcome might have already been decided.
After a day, everyone was thoroughly exhausted, retreating inside the walls under the cover of rain, barely grabbing a meal before falling into a deep sleep.
Losa sat inside the tower, silently watching the enemy camp in the distance, where it gradually quieted down, stretching endlessly, without any visible borders.
He raised an amber-colored glass cup, draining the grape wine within in one go.
Rome's glass craftsmanship had been lost amidst the chaos of war, and this was an artifact produced in the Venetian conces-sion.
Behind him, light footsteps approached.
The Emperor asked, without turning his head, "How is the injury?"
Viviana had attracted the second most firepower today after him. As a Demon Warrior, her defense was linked to her Spiritual Power, and once Spiritual Power was exhausted, her defense greatly reduced.
During the enemy's retreat, she was shot in the shoulder by a firearm-wielding assassin from the Brotherhood.
Viviana shook her head and said, "After treatment by Archbishop Erivan, there's not much problem now."
Speaking as such, she instinctively wanted to yawn but held it back with effort.
Yet her eyes still glistened.
"You need rest. You've done enough for today."
Losa said. In contrast, he was in good spirits; today's battle only cost him some Physical Strength. Given his current Physical Strength, this intensity of battle wouldn't wear him out even if it lasted a day and night.
Viviana shook her head, "I can still hang on."
People praised her, revered her, and she felt she ought to protect them.
Just like she'd never imagined comparing herself with the Knight of Radiance or Lantern Goddess. But people expected so, she put away cherished poems and books, turned all her energy towards mastering Swordsmanship.
"We have a Decree Master in our team; it'd be great if she were here."
"Can she restore my Spiritual Power?"
Viviana was somewhat surprised; even Decree Masters who could grant enhancement or weakening effects were extremely rare, and those who could restore Spiritual Power were even scarcer, at least she'd never heard of such a person.
"Not just that."
Losa added with a smile, "She's proficient in medicine and can cure your stubbornness."
The Candle Knight paused, feeling a bit awkward, "Sorry..."
Losa grew stern, "Go meditate, rest. Tonight, I'm here."
"Didn't you say during the strategy meeting that the enemy would probably launch a night raid?"
"Yes, but I said, I'm here."
"You're not planning to keep hiding?"
"If I don't show some cards to Mahmud II, how can he believe we've hit rock bottom?"
Losa smiled; the Ottomans couldn't sustain such fierce siege battles as today. Even now, they haven't captured Constantinople, no matter how patient Mahmud II might be, likely he's growing restless.
He spread his hand, revealing a delicate hand crossbow.
Small enough to fit in a palm, it didn't look like the Divine Artifact rumored to kill giants and dragons, but this thing was the Dragon Slayer Crossbow, truly a Divine Artifact, the remaining Roman legacy left to him.
"Do you plan to use this Divine Artifact tonight?"
"Yes, the Dragon Slayer Crossbow is Mahmud II's greatest fear; without it, Murad II wouldn't even be needed, perhaps the imprisoned lightning would have taken Constantinople earlier."
"Imprisoned lighting?"
"It's the Ottoman's acclaimed lightning, Bayezid."
Bayezid was also quite formidable, conquered Serbia in its glory days, crushed the Crusaders led by Sigismund, but sadly fell in disgrace, defeated by Tamerlane, and was thrown into a cage, becoming the imprisoned lightning.
This also triggered over a decade of civil war within the Ottomans, indirectly saving the Roman Empire for some time.
Viviana couldn't help expressing, "You really have a sharp tongue."
"It's getting late, go rest soon."
Losa urged, still counting on Viviana to have the effect of a Dragon Knight in his fight with Mahmud II, if delayed any longer, he worried the Brotherhood assassins might already be climbing the walls.
"Alright."
The Candle Knight slightly bowed, "Goodnight, Captain."
Losa nodded, "Goodnight, Miss Viviana. Until I notify you via Spiritual Power to join the fight, I hope you keep resting regardless of the noise you hear."
"I will."
Having seen the Candle Knight off, Losa's expression hardened again, he came to the window of the tower, letting the cold wind with large raindrops blow against his face.
"Such a great opportunity, don't tell me you can still hold back."
...
Inside the Ottoman camp.
Mahmud II's gaze swept over the Janissaries standing proudly, these soldiers, meticulously selected, were even more elite than the now-declining Mamluks, all wearing Heavy Armor and waterproof felt cloaks, previously equipped en masse with Firearms in battles with the Crusaders, though such weapons were clearly not suitable on a rainy night, all swapped for melee weapons.
These elites, still uncommitted to the battlefield as whole units, conserved their strength for a long time.
"Set forth, seize Constantinople for your master."
Mahmud II waved his hand.
Thousands of Janissaries immediately moved like silent ghosts, protected by Casters, rushing towards the distant Theodosius Wall.
Before them were hundreds of Brotherhood assassins.
They were the vanguard of this night raid and played a crucial role.
Mahmud II waved his hand.
Thousands of Janissaries immediately moved like silent ghosts, protected by Casters, rushing towards the distant Theodosius Wall.
Before them were hundreds of Brotherhood assassins.
They were the vanguard of this night raid and played a crucial role.
Mahmud II waved his hand.
Thousands of Janissaries immediately moved like silent ghosts, protected by Casters, rushing towards the distant Theodosius Wall.
Before them were hundreds of Brotherhood assassins.
They were the vanguard of this night raid and played a crucial role.