Episode 143
“The Crusaders are in disarray, torn apart by distrust and fleeing in panic. We must pursue and annihilate them before they escape!”
The main forces of Khwarezm, led by Muhammad, began their full-scale advance against the Crusaders. Even the Sultan’s elite guard, which had remained in the background until now, joined the charge. The fact that the Sultan himself was now attacking was a clear sign of Khwarezm’s confidence.
The soldiers’ morale was soaring. Although they had been gradually losing ground in the battles so far, few were unaware of this fact. Commanders might boast of their victories, but soldiers are no fools. They risk their lives on the battlefield and are not so empty-headed as to blindly follow orders without question. They assess the situation for themselves and constantly discuss it with their comrades.
This is why rumors can spread uncontrollably within the ranks, making it difficult to maintain morale. Recently, Khwarezm’s morale had been steadily declining. They had boasted of sweeping through Anatolia, yet they couldn’t even face the Crusaders head-on.
But now, it seemed that their previous restraint was merely a strategic pause for this very moment. “The wrath of the great God has fallen upon Marshal, the deceitful heart of the enemy! With their center shattered, there’s no need to hesitate any longer.”
“Yes!”
“Look! The Crusaders claimed to be God’s apostles, yet their symbol has been struck down by divine punishment, while our leader, the Sultan, remains steadfast with us. Anyone with eyes and ears can see who is truly chosen by God!”
Khwarezm was ecstatic. Soldiers who had doubted the Sultan’s leadership wept, repenting their ignorance. “Serves those Crusaders right!”
“What prophet? More like a false prophet.”
“The Sultan is the true warrior chosen by Allah, His rightful representative!”
It wasn’t just luck that brought them this favorable outcome; it was all part of the Sultan’s plan from the start. The Crusaders, charging blindly like boars, were destined to be outmaneuvered by the Sultan, who had the vision of an eagle.
From now on, it wasn’t a battle but a hunt. Neither Muhammad, who commanded Khwarezm’s main forces, nor his trusted lieutenant Timur, doubted their victory. The real question was how quickly they could dismantle the Crusaders.
“From what we’ve confirmed, the Crusaders are completely divided. The Byzantines were the first to retreat to Antioch, and the English have headed north. They might be returning to Nicaea or Constantinople, while the French have left their camp and moved south, likely to board ships at Antioch.”
“And the Holy Roman Empire? Are they still holding out? Do they believe they can manage on their own, or are they clinging to a sinking ship?”
“Perhaps both. The Holy Roman Empire has committed the most troops to this crusade, which means they’ve invested the most resources and stand to lose the most if it fails. According to the Assassins’ intelligence, the Emperor hoped to use this war to secure the throne for his family, so he must be desperate.”
“Ah, yes. I remember hearing that the Holy Roman throne can’t be monopolized by one family. The Emperor can’t afford to abandon this war.”
Even if others have left, the Holy Roman Empire remains, and that’s reason enough. They’re not weak; they’re the strongest power in Europe. Even if everyone else retreats, they might still think, “What if we fight alone?”
And if they actually win, the Emperor could claim all the glory for himself. Moreover, England and France, who abandoned the great Holy Roman Empire, would face public outrage, and even Byzantium would have to bow.
So, they have no choice but to prepare for a final stand, clinging to any hope. “The Assassins’ intelligence is impressive. They know the detailed status of each nation and the exact positions of their armies.”
“That’s why they’re dangerous. Once this war is over, we must eliminate them.”
“They are indeed unsettling.”
The Assassins from Syria and Alamut seemed to flaunt their abilities, providing detailed routes of the Crusaders’ movements. Initially skeptical, reconnaissance confirmed that the trails left by the English and French matched the Assassins’ information perfectly.
If they plan to eliminate them later, fine, but for now, their reliability is undeniable. It would be a waste of resources to send scouts to verify the movements of the distant English and French forces.
Thanks to this, Khwarezm could focus all its attention on the Holy Roman forces. “Everything is going according to plan. We’ll crush the Holy Roman Empire and push straight to Antioch. If the French haven’t left, we’ll destroy them too. Then this war will be our complete victory.”
“What about the English?”
“Once the Holy Roman Empire and France are neutralized, England won’t need to fight us, and we won’t need to fight them.”
They’re leaving the war anyway. There’s no need to engage Richard’s formidable army. Of course, the Holy Roman Empire and France are not weak opponents. But no matter how strong an army is, if its morale is low, it’s not much of a threat.
Even the most disciplined army can’t maintain composure when their allies are shattered. No matter how they try to hide it, the atmosphere is bound to be broken beyond repair.
In contrast, Khwarezm’s morale was at an all-time high. They couldn’t lose. They wouldn’t lose. They would swiftly decimate the Holy Roman forces and crush any remaining hope they had.
With that resolve, Khwarezm’s army advanced relentlessly, and the Holy Roman forces, prepared for a desperate stand, moved to meet them. As the two armies drew close enough to recognize each other on the vast plain, they prepared for battle, and the clash of the Crusade and Jihad moved to its final act.
The last of the Crusaders. The embodiment of the final holy knight. At last, the main force of the Holy Roman Empire raised its banner. The fact that the Emperor himself led them spoke volumes about their resolve in this war.
The Holy Roman Empire was the only nation in Europe capable of mobilizing tens of thousands of soldiers and nearly 5,000 knights. Leading them was Heinrich VI, who had solidified the imperial power of the Holy Roman Empire. It was a formidable force, unmatched in one-on-one combat.
It’s no exaggeration to say that there are fewer than three nations in Europe and the Islamic world combined that could wage war against the elite forces of the Holy Roman Empire alone. The problem is that their opponent is one of those few.
“Quite a turnout,” Heinrich VI remarked, clicking his tongue lightly as he surveyed the seemingly endless ranks of the Islamic army. Even at a glance, their numbers appeared to be at least double.
While most battles between the Crusaders and the Islamic forces saw the latter with numerical superiority, Khwarezm’s army was different from any Islamic force they had faced before. They had subjugated the eastern Islamic world completely, a conqueror with lands and power worthy of an empire.
Though they had been gradually pushed back by the Crusaders, the Crusaders were a coalition led by the Holy Roman Empire, England, France, and even Byzantium. The fact that Khwarezm could stand against them alone was a testament to their strength.
If the battle were fought on European soil, the Holy Roman Empire might match Khwarezm’s power. But this was a distant land, far from Europe. Though Khwarezm was also on a campaign, their situation was better than that of the Holy Roman Empire.
Facing them head-on, the chances of victory were slim. Yet, despite this, Heinrich VI’s expression was surprisingly relaxed as he surveyed the enemy.
“What do you think, Duke?”
“The outcome of this war ultimately depends on us. It’s a fittingly grand stage for Your Majesty.”
Indeed. The very reason the Holy Roman Empire stood alone was as the Duke of Brunswick had said. Heinrich VI, leading the charge against Khwarezm’s vast army, was poised for a battle that would decide the fate of the Crusade.
There is no other choice but the Holy Roman Empire.
France was never a real contender, and while England might break through enemy lines, holding them would be beyond their reach.
“The one who leads this battle to victory will ultimately be the great prophet Marshal and the emperor he trusts most—me, Heinrich VI.”
“Though the prophet is the heart of the Crusade, it is Your Majesty who has taken on the role of supreme commander. Under your guidance, the Holy Roman Empire will continue to prosper for eternity.”
“Well, isn’t this a change from the past? I’m still not quite used to it.”
“Perhaps it’s time you got accustomed to it?”
“Hmm… you’re right. It’s not a bad feeling, especially with the prophet’s endorsement.”
The bloodline of the Lion Duke, once my father’s nemesis, now kneels before me in complete submission. Initially, it felt unsettling, but with the leash firmly in place, betrayal is impossible.
In a way, isn’t this proof that I’ve surpassed my father? He banished the threatening Lion Duke’s forces from the realm, but I have his son kneeling in obedience.
There’s no need to ponder which is more challenging—banishing or subjugating.
If we win this war, the throne of the Holy Roman Empire will forever belong to the Hohenstaufen dynasty.
When that time comes, the title of “Great Emperor” will be associated not with Frederick I, but with Heinrich VI.
Only one step remains to reach that moment of glory.
“Prepare the troops! Today, we will crush Khwarezm and usher in our era!”
“Advance, all forces! It’s time to reclaim the glory of the Crusades!”
The mightiest of the Christian world, the Holy Roman Empire, and the strongest of the Islamic world, the Khwarezm Empire.
For the Son of God. For the last prophet. The swords of two worlds are drawn against each other.