Episode 162
Despite their best efforts to regroup and counterattack, the Ayubbid forces were no match for the relentless onslaught of the Mongol army.
“Don’t let the front lines break! They’re pushing through! Hold them back!”
“No, secure a retreat path first! If we’re cut off, we’re all dead! Break through!”
The commanders shouted themselves hoarse trying to direct their troops, but the Ayubbid cavalry crumbled with alarming speed.
Even if they had been caught in a trap and ambushed from behind, the situation was drastically different from before.
The reason was obvious.
Earlier, the Mongols hadn’t been fighting seriously.
Realizing this harsh truth, the Ayubbid forces sank deeper into despair.
They couldn’t comprehend it.
How could such a ragtag-looking force display such formidable combat prowess?
They prided themselves on their horsemanship, yet they were being pushed back so easily.
With the situation so dire, retreating the way they came was their only option.
Fortunately, the enemy’s encirclement wasn’t perfect, so the Ayubbid forces sought out weak points to break through.
But that hope was short-lived.
“Clear the retreat path! We need to—”
“It’s impossible! There’s a river behind us!”
”…?”
In their desperate attempt to secure an escape route, they found themselves with their backs to the river.
Usman and Ahwad finally understood.
They had been the prey in a meticulously planned hunt from the start.
“No, this can’t be! If we lose here, I’ll never become the Sultan of Ayubbid…”
The vision of the sultan’s throne, once seemingly within their grasp, now faded into the distance.
Yet, even in this dire situation, Usman and Ahwad felt no personal threat.
They were of Ayubbid royal blood, and even these barbarians would surely treat them accordingly.
The humiliation of surrender and captivity was the only thing they couldn’t bear.
“We have no choice… We must surrender and plan for the future.”
They still had no idea who they were truly up against.
“General, the enemy has expressed a desire to surrender.”
“Surrender?”
“Yes, the enemy commander claims to be a prince of Ayubbid. He asks for assurance of his safety in exchange for surrender.”
“A prince, is it?”
Subutai, who had cornered the enemy, looked at the defeated troops with disdain.
“When someone relies solely on their noble birth to lead an army, this is the inevitable result. The satisfaction of a perfect victory is halved.”
“What should we do? Should we take them as prisoners?”
“If he’s of royal blood, he’s undoubtedly part of Ayubbid’s leadership. We should treat him accordingly.”
The Great Khan cherishes those with ability but despises those who live off their lineage.
Subutai, a loyal follower of the Khan, had always decided the fate of prisoners based on his master’s principles.
“Tell them this: If they wish to meet an end befitting their status, they should fight to the death. If they lack the courage, they must accept whatever fate we decide.”
“Understood. I suppose it’s time to let the troops celebrate.”
“You can join them if you wish.”
“If I weren’t a commander, I’d be dancing right now. What a shame.”
As they exchanged words that would be incomprehensible to the enemy, the commander rode forward to lead the army once more.
The Ayubbid prince might have thought surrender would guarantee his safety as a noble, but Subutai had no such intentions.
Had a lower-ranked soldier fought bravely, they might have been recruited for their courage.
The Great Khan often incorporated capable individuals into his ranks that way.
But a useless noble would only be a drain on resources, with no reason to be kept alive.
If there were plans to establish friendly relations, they might spare lives, but the Khan had already decided to erase Islam.
To the Mongols, their nobles were nothing more than worthless insects.
“So, what should we do with their bodies?”
Subutai pondered the fate of the enemy, who were being mercilessly cut down, as he planned his next move.
Being near a river, leaving the bodies could contaminate the water supply.
Perhaps burning them would be more appropriate.
“No, there’s a much more useful way to handle this.”
Thinking of the main force besieging Baghdad, Subutai nodded in satisfaction.
He was confident there was no better use for the situation, and a smile crept onto his face.
The Khan and his comrades would surely applaud this ingenious idea.
Having decided the fate of the prisoners, Subutai hummed a tune as he called for a messenger to send word to the main force.
“When did we request reinforcements, and why haven’t we heard back yet?”
“Your Highness, it’s been less than three months. Even if reinforcements were sent from Maghreb, it will take time for them to arrive.”
“Maghreb aside, what about Ayubbid? We should have heard something by now!”
“The city is under siege, so perhaps news of reinforcements hasn’t reached us yet.”
“If that were the case, those besieging us would have reacted somehow!”
With Baghdad surrounded much faster than anticipated, the Caliph’s anxiety grew by the day.
The Mongols had entrenched themselves on both sides of the Tigris River, completely encircling the city, and the Caliph, with limited forces, could do nothing but watch.
Initially, he considered sending out cavalry to disrupt the enemy, but his advisors suggested waiting for reinforcements, so he held back.
Fortunately, the Mongols couldn’t easily breach Baghdad’s sturdy walls and were left waiting outside.
However, with the city completely surrounded, morale among the troops waned, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
To reverse this, they needed at least some hopeful news of reinforcements on the way.
“There are reports that the Mongols are trying to dam the river to cause a flood. If we just sit by, the city might collapse from within before reinforcements arrive. We need a plan.”
“The fortress across the river is still intact. We can hold out for at least another six months, so stay strong.”
“Ah… this is maddening.”
The Caliph had caught a glimpse of the endless ranks of Mongol cavalry beyond the walls, and the memory still sent chills down his spine.
If they breached the city…
“Your Highness, the most important thing is our troops’ morale. We have enough food and water. As long as the soldiers remain determined, we can hold out.”
“Maintaining that morale is the hardest part, isn’t it?”
Even the Caliph, safe within the walls, was on edge. How terrified must the soldiers be, facing the enemy every day?
With no sign of reinforcements for months, the fear of being surrounded by an enemy ten times their number was unimaginable.
If he had known it would come to this, he wouldn’t have sent such a defiant reply. His resolve was slowly being eroded.
And as the Caliph showed signs of faltering, it became harder for the commanders to maintain their composure.
“Your Highness, no matter what, you are the ruler of Baghdad, and we are all prepared to fight to the death for you. If you show strength, the soldiers will find their resolve.”
“Yes… you’re right.”
“Of course. I suggest you visit the walls regularly to commend the soldiers for their efforts. It would be very effective.”
“Yes, better to do something than nothing.”
Though the situation was dire, he hadn’t completely lost hope.
The Mongols might be besieging the city, but they hadn’t dared to breach the walls.
Al Kasab’s advice had always been timely, so following it seemed the best course to endure.
“Since we’re on the topic, let’s go now. I’ll commend the troops and instill hope that reinforcements are on the way.”
“A wise decision!”
With renewed determination, the Caliph headed to the northern wall, where the Mongol engineers were reportedly active.
As the soldiers saw the Caliph, their faces brightened, and their voices rose in unison.
“The Caliph is here! His Highness has come!”
“Oh! Our great Caliph!”
“Their movements are suspicious! We’re holding them off, but we’re not sure how long we can last.”
“When will the reinforcements arrive?”
The more anxious the subordinates, the calmer the leader must appear.
Nasir climbed to a high vantage point where the soldiers could see him clearly, doing his best to maintain a composed expression as he began to speak.
“There’s no need to fear now that I’m here. Thanks to your relentless efforts, those barbarians haven’t set foot here, and they never will. So, continue to fulfill your duties without worry. If we do, God will protect us, and their forces will scatter like dust!”
“Yes!”
“Does that mean reinforcements are on their way?”
“Absolutely. Messengers have been sent in all directions. Soon, Muslims from Maghreb to Ayyub will take up arms to save Baghdad. That’s when we’ll strike back, so cast aside your fears. Tell every soldier that as long as we don’t lose our resolve, God will never abandon us!”
“Yes!”
Nasir raised his voice, as if to shake off the fear lodged in his heart. Fortunately, his men responded with renewed determination, cheering and rallying to the caliph’s words.
Their spirited response filled not only the caliph but also his commanders and soldiers with hope.
Yes, if things continue like this, we can hold out indefinitely.
Those outside can’t surround us forever.
Once the reinforcements arrive, that’s when we’ll launch our counterattack.
Just as the caliph was about to wrap up his speech, a sinister sound sliced through the air, followed by a series of explosive thuds echoing all around.
Boom!
“Aaah!”
“What on earth!”
“They’re using catapults! Everyone, get down! Protect the walls!”
Catapults? But this sound is different from stones crashing.
As he watched his men throw themselves to the ground to shield him, the caliph turned, bewildered, toward the source of the noise.
“What… what is that!”
His mouth fell open as screams erupted around him.
Blood sprayed into the air, and fragments of armor and flesh flew through the sky.
What rained down from above were not stones hurled by the Mongols, but the mangled bodies of Ayyub soldiers, still clad in their armor.
Lying on the ground, the caliph looked up as dark red blood splattered across the sky.
“Oh, God…”
He couldn’t tell if the groans he heard were coming from his own lips or those of his men.
Nasir didn’t know. Nor did he want to.
All he could think about was fleeing this place, a desperate urge filling his heart and mind.