Chapter 120
The initial clash between the Holy Roman Empire and the Khwarazmian forces, which took place northeast of Antioch, ended without a decisive victory for either side.
Muhammad, leading the Khwarazmian vanguard, accurately predicted the path of the Holy Roman scouts and ambushed them at a midpoint.
Duke Otto of Brunswick, eager to prove himself, sought a full-scale battle with the Khwarazmian army, but things didn’t go as planned. Muhammad’s primary goal was to gauge the strength of the Holy Roman forces, not to engage in a direct confrontation.
From the moment the two sides met, this intent was clear. Muhammad refrained from close combat, opting instead to unleash a barrage of arrows, testing the waters without committing fully. Naturally, arrows fired from a distance couldn’t penetrate the Holy Roman armor. With no casualties and their formation intact, Muhammad was inwardly impressed.
Though the Khwarazmian forces also had heavily armored cavalry, they weren’t as heavily clad as their opponents. Seeing the enemy’s resilience firsthand was a stark contrast to mere reports.
Even without casualties, the constant rain of arrows made it impossible for the Holy Roman soldiers to advance nonchalantly. They had to stay alert to avoid a stray arrow hitting a vital spot, which naturally slowed their pace. Wearing heavy armor and moving slowly inevitably led to fatigue.
Muhammad aimed to assess the endurance of the enemy forces and how much of his attacks they could withstand.
‘Though our attacks are going well, we can’t shoot arrows indefinitely. If their defense surpasses our offensive capabilities, we’ll need to rethink our strategy entirely…’
The arrows were limited, and the archers’ stamina and focus weren’t infinite. If the enemy commander seized the moment when their strength waned, a counterattack could break through their lines. Muhammad was well aware of such tactics from previous Crusader-Islamic battles.
And if Muhammad knew this, he assumed the enemy did too. The seemingly passive enemy was likely biding their time, waiting for their chance.
Sure enough, as the arrow storm weakened, Otto seized the opportunity to charge with his knights, prompting Muhammad to order a retreat. This pattern repeated several times, frustrating both the knights and Otto.
“Are they here to fight or not?”
“Typical of those deceitful Muslims, fighting like cowards.”
“Your Grace, if they pull that stunt again, why not chase them down and teach them a lesson?”
“Indeed, our combat strength seems superior. Perhaps we should be more aggressive.”
Historically, the Crusaders rarely lost to the Muslims when fully prepared. The Muslims, aware of their own weaknesses, often exploited the Crusaders’ vulnerabilities with cunning tactics. Otto, confident in his assessment, resumed his advance with renewed vigor.
However, Muhammad was no easy opponent. Anticipating the Holy Roman forces’ increased speed, he had soldiers perfectly positioned to ambush their flanks. This maneuver inflicted tactical losses on the Holy Roman side.
Fortunately, Otto’s determined charge broke through the Khwarazmian encirclement, allowing him to regroup his forces. It was a cheap lesson in humility, teaching him not to underestimate the enemy. Moreover, they managed to kill a fair number of enemy cavalry, ensuring it wasn’t a one-sided loss.
The skirmish ended in a stalemate. Otto, having wrapped up the encounter, withdrew his forces while maintaining vigilance. The Khwarazmians, though missing the chance to annihilate the enemy scouts, considered the confirmation of their strength a significant gain.
“We need to set multiple traps to neutralize them. A moment of complacency, thinking the tide is in our favor, and our lines could crumble.”
“Or we could overwhelm them with sheer numbers.”
“But the enemy we faced was just a vanguard, a mere scouting party. When the full Crusader force arrives, their numbers won’t be much less than ours.”
“True, but unlike us, they’re a coalition of various nations. They might have a command structure, but it’s likely they’ll operate in separate units for efficiency. Our best strategy is to use our numerical advantage to deal with them one by one.”
It was a perfect analysis and response. Muhammad watched his subordinate, who continued to propose rapid-fire strategies, with quiet admiration. The man had been recommended as a brave and capable commander, and he lived up to that reputation. He had also led the ambush operation.
“Your name is Timur, correct?”
“Yes, Timur of Khujand.”
“Having a commander like you by my side is reassuring. Don’t hesitate to share your ideas in the future.”
“Yes, sir!”
The enemy was stronger than expected, but the Khwarazmian army was even stronger. With this conviction, Muhammad awaited the arrival of the main Crusader force. In his mind, the grand strategy to neutralize the Crusaders was already taking shape.
After a brief commotion, we entered Anatolia. The Holy Roman forces came to greet us, ready to update us on the current situation and guide us.
It seemed my concerns about Heinrich VI recklessly pursuing glory and leading us to ruin were unfounded. That cautious man wouldn’t disappoint my expectations.
“Thank you for coming all this way. Is Emperor Heinrich VI… well…?”
What’s with them? Why do they look like they’ve just been through a bloody battle, with their armor all scratched up?
Feeling a bit guilty, Richard, who had been observing the Holy Roman soldiers, recognized the commander at the front and stepped forward with a smile.
“Well, if it isn’t Otto!”
“Long time no see, Uncle—no, Your Majesty. It’s reassuring to have you here.”
“Haha, yes. I heard you were joining the campaign. But you all look like you’ve been through a skirmish.”
“That’s exactly right. We were returning from a battle when we heard about your arrival and decided to join you.”
They’ve already had a fight? Judging by the size of their force, it seems like a scouting party… Well, small skirmishes are to be expected even if there isn’t a full-scale battle. If they had suffered a major defeat, the atmosphere would be much more somber, so they must not have taken significant losses.
After commending their efforts and listening to their account, I learned:
“The Khwarazmians are as cunning as their reputation suggests.”
“Hmm.”
“They spent the whole day retreating and shooting arrows, testing our patience.”
“Of course they did.”
“When we got a bit heated and pursued them, they ambushed us as if they were waiting for it!”
“A textbook example of classic military tactics.”
Richard, listening beside me, perfectly echoed my thoughts with his reaction.
The Holy Roman Empire had little experience directly opposing the Muslims. The battles Friedrich I faced were, frankly, one-sided massacres. Now, fighting the Khwarazmian Empire at its peak, it’s no wonder they were impressed by their tactics.
Though it’s our first encounter, I know who the man calling Richard “Uncle” is. Duke Otto of Brunswick, son of the Lion Duke. In the original history, he would become Otto IV, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, only to be dethroned by Philip II. But with Heinrich VI still alive, his chances of ascending the throne have vanished, though perhaps he’ll find more happiness this way.
“But Duke of Brunswick, why did you personally take on the dangerous task of leading a scouting party?”
“Those in high positions should set an example. Having joined the Crusade, I didn’t want to just stay in the rear.”
Is he subtly criticizing Heinrich VI for staying safely in the back? Either way, it’s not my concern. I just need to extract the information I need.
“Indeed, those of noble lineage truly possess a different character. Even the heavens must be pleased with Your Grace’s sincerity. But tell me, what was it like to face the enemy in battle?”
“Well, they were nothing short of despicable…”
“Ah, we all agree they’re infuriating and repulsive, but I’m interested in more specific details.”
“I’d like to hear that too. We need to crush these Islamic foes, and any information could be useful.”
Richard, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. Otto then began to recount in detail his experiences from the first time he encountered the Khwarazmian army.
”…I learned later that the one leading them was the son and heir of the current Khwarazm Sultan. If we had managed to deal with him, it could have been a significant blow to Khwarazm…”
“Logically, if someone of that stature was involved, they would have prepared for the worst-case scenario. There’s no need to dwell on it.”
“You’re right, Your Majesty. Just gathering this intelligence fulfills the role of reconnaissance.”
The son of the current Sultan Tekish must be none other than Muhammad II from the original history. Wasn’t he the one who foolishly shaved the beards of the Mongol envoys, only to be swiftly crushed by them?
His son, Jalal ad-Din, was hailed as a hero, while Muhammad’s reputation was quite the opposite. Perhaps he was competent in his youth, or maybe even a capable man seemed inept against the monstrous Mongols.
Thinking about it that way, the weight on my shoulders feels a bit heavier.