Episode 119

There were murmurs that the Khwarazmian advance was too slow, but not everyone agreed.

Some criticized the cautious approach, arguing that preparing for a prolonged war was too passive. Yet, many supported the idea that a strong force need not take unnecessary risks.

“In battle, we must minimize variables. If we fight in optimal conditions, there’s no way we lose to those Christian dogs nine times out of ten.”

“Look at Saladin’s command at the Battle of Hattin. Our Khwarazmian forces, stronger than the Ayyubids, could easily achieve a kill ratio of 5:1, or even 10:1, against the Christians.”

Initially, when the Sultan spoke of crushing the Byzantine Empire, the Khwarazmian imams wondered if he had lost his mind. The obstacles seemed insurmountable for Khwarazm to push north.

If Khwarazm advanced northeast, what about the west? Would the Ayyubids welcome them with open arms? Inevitably, they would clash with the Sultanate of Rum. Would the Caliph approve?

Yet, as these variables were neatly resolved, the influential figures of Khwarazm began to lose their grip on reality.

“Could it be… that the Sultan is a genius beyond our comprehension?”

“Is Allah truly appointing us as rulers of the world?”

“Byzantium… should we take a bite?”

Saladin’s plan to reap the benefits and the unexpected rise of the Mongols, which no one foresaw, fueled a sense of national pride among the imams, unbeknownst to them.

Though not yet at a toxic level, the addiction was growing.

“Your Majesty! Just give the order, and we’ll crush those scoundrels from the Holy Roman Empire. Command us to march!”

“I’ll take down the Holy Roman Empire and sweep away the English and French coming from behind!”

“Quiet down and calm yourselves.”

Tekish, who ambitiously declared he would destroy Rome and take its place, didn’t truly believe he could achieve it.

Frankly, how could they breach the triple walls of Constantinople? Unless the gates were opened from the inside, those walls were impregnable.

Securing Anatolia and slowly strangling Byzantium would suffice. Even that would earn him the title of the greatest conqueror in Islamic history.

This was no time to get swept up in the overly excited atmosphere of the imams.

“While it’s reassuring that morale is sky-high, the Holy Roman Empire is no match for the likes of the Sultanate of Rum.”

“But Your Majesty, didn’t you say that if we maintain optimal conditions, a 5:1 exchange ratio is achievable?”

“Well, yes, but that’s assuming we’re perfectly prepared in body and mind. Overconfidence could lead to significant losses on our side.”

“Yes, sir!”

“We were short-sighted!”

A military that has never known defeat is a double-edged sword. Tekish was a confident and ambitious emperor, but he wasn’t blinded by arrogance.

To be honest, most of the nations Khwarazm had crushed so far were no match in terms of basic strength. If not, they were internally rotten and weak, like the remnants of the Seljuks or the Sultanate of Rum.

But what about the Holy Roman Empire? Even though it was a distant nation they would never normally encounter, the name of the Holy Roman Empire was well-known.

The memory of the Holy Roman Emperor leading a massive army to Jerusalem was still vivid. Even Saladin, who feared nothing, couldn’t hide his tension, and no nation dared to stop the Emperor’s advance.

Though he met an unceremonious end while crossing a river, the Holy Roman advance left a strong impression on Khwarazm.

Now, they were about to face such formidable foes for the first time.

“Unlike the Mongol barbarians who only know how to fight, these foes will have intelligence… and systematic strategies and tactics, right? Perhaps I should have sought more advice from Saladin.”

Though the Mongols were also adept at cavalry tactics, in Tekish’s mind, they were nothing more than reckless boars charging blindly.

Of course, he had heard that Europeans, too, donned absurdly thick armor and charged madly, regardless of arrows.

Islamic forces had their own heavy cavalry capable of crushing enemies in a single blow, but European knights were considered recklessly aggressive on a different level.

“Let’s review effective tactics for when we actually face them. According to our research, if we engage them head-on, their combat power surpasses ours. How can we minimize our losses?”

“Their tactics were demonstrated during the last Crusade by the Ayyubids. We should maintain distance and launch continuous waves of attacks to wear them down.”

“They’re simple-minded, charging straight ahead. If we leverage our mobility, there’s no way we can lose.”

Indeed, the Crusades ended in failure, and Islam emerged victorious, so their confidence was understandable.

However, this time, it wasn’t a mediocre Crusade but the strongest forces of Europe descending upon them.

Shouldn’t their strategy be adjusted accordingly?

The one who read the Sultan’s mind was none other than his son and successor, Ala ad-Din Muhammad.

“Your Majesty, may I speak?”

“Oh, yes. How do you think we should fight them?”

“With all due respect to the other imams, I’m concerned that we might be overly optimistic.”

“Hmm…”

At first glance, it seemed like he was dismissing the other imams as fools, but no one voiced any objections.

It wasn’t just because Muhammad was soon to succeed the aging Tekish. Muhammad had participated in nearly every war as a commander, standing in for the now frail Sultan.

His achievements were impressive. He had destroyed the Ghurid dynasty, subdued the Karakhanids, and forcibly seized Merv from the Western Liao.

The territory he expanded for Khwarazm was equivalent to two or three average countries.

In recognition of his accomplishments, Tekish referred to his successor as the reincarnation of Alexander in the East.

Muhammad’s reputation extended beyond the Ayyubids and the Western Liao, reaching as far as the Almohad Caliphate in Africa.

With such credentials, even the proud imams couldn’t challenge his words.

“Many speak of the Battle of Hattin, but it wasn’t just a tactical victory. It was Saladin’s perfect strategic victory, orchestrated in advance. We mustn’t forget that.”

“So, you’re saying that merely fighting well isn’t enough.”

“Yes. Based on our analysis, the breakthrough power of European knights is beyond what we can handle head-on. Saladin neutralized them by cutting off their water supply and exhausting them to the limit. Yet, some knights still broke through the encirclement with incredible strength. Saying we can wear them down from a distance… it’s easier said than done when thousands of cavalry charge at once.”

“So, you think we’ll lose if we fight them head-on?”

“Not exactly. But the losses could be significant.”

Though he said that, Tekish saw through his son’s true intentions. He couldn’t openly say they would lose, but his strong words suggested he believed it could be dangerous.

“Are those Holy Roman forces really that strong?”

Even Tekish, who had complete faith in his son’s abilities, had his doubts.

Seeing the Sultan furrow his brow slightly, Muhammad quickly added an explanation.

“The difference in information and experience is significant. We’ve never engaged in a full-scale war with Christian nations. But the Christians have invaded our lands under the guise of holy wars for decades.”

“That’s true.”

“Though the Holy Roman Empire, France, and England haven’t directly participated, their nobles have Crusade experience. With the Byzantines joining them, their preparation will be on a different level. Meanwhile, none of us have truly fought against European Crusaders. We’ve only heard from others or analyzed recorded information.”

Muhammad paused and surveyed the imams, who had fallen silent as if on cue.

“In such a situation, objective information is crucial. We need to gauge the enemy’s skills in actual combat… and with so many eager to head to the battlefield, it’s reassuring. So, who will step forward first?”

With a cold analysis laid out, the imams, who had been raising their voices in excitement, all fell silent as if on cue.

However, speaking too forcefully like this can have the unintended effect of dampening the spirits of one’s own troops.

Muhammad understood well that the line between caution and passivity was as thin as a sheet of paper.

With confidence, he stepped forward, straightened his back, and declared, “If no one else is willing, I will take on this glorious role myself.”

“Oh!”

“If Muhammad himself is leading us, we feel reassured!”

“The Alexander of Islam!”

By setting such a serious tone and achieving results, he could significantly elevate his own reputation.

Considering his future as the successor to his father as Sultan, it was crucial to establish an unassailable stronghold in this war.

Tekish, seeing through his son’s intentions, nodded approvingly and supported his heir.

“Very well. I’ll entrust you with the vanguard. Break the Christian forces’ momentum. Present your victory as a gift to the grandson born last year.”

“Understood. I will never betray the Sultan’s expectations.”

His son, born last year.

Thinking of Jalal ad-Din’s bright face, Muhammad smiled broadly and bowed deeply.

“Come to think of it, that self-proclaimed prophet, Marshal, participated in the last Crusade, didn’t he?”

A fraud who dared to claim to be an apostle, despite fleeing to Europe after a crushing defeat in the Crusades.

He would personally expose the falsehoods of that deceitful figure, gilded in lies.

Simply inheriting the already powerful Khwarezm was not enough to satisfy him.

With his own hands, he would defeat the false apostle and secure a legacy that would be remembered forever in Islamic history.