Chapter 657 The Storm Is Coming

Three days of preparations passed in a flash.

During these three days, reinforcements arrived in Constantinople, but they were not large-scale.

Most of them were civilian armed forces that came spontaneously. After the defeat of the Varna Crusade, the enthusiasm of the Catholic countries for the Crusades had completely cooled down. No matter how much the Pope urged them, they did not take any action.

Among them, the largest reinforcement came from the Kingdom of Candia (i.e. Crete), a vassal of Venice, and included a Venetian fleet of three large ships.

The sailors were composed of Venetians and Greeks. The ships were full of supplies for defending the city. Although there were no land combat personnel, the three large ships were enough to serve as the main force in the now weak imperial navy.

It is worth mentioning that although the Ottoman navy was large in scale, it was a nouveau riche that started from a tribal chiefdom, and there was still a generational gap from the Apennine city-states with serious internal circulation.

The Latin ships that came to help, including some small warships that Constantinople already had, although they still couldn't fight a decisive battle with the pagans at sea, but they could rely on the Golden Horn to defend and deal with the enemy.

As for the territory of the Morea Peninsula belonging to the empire, the actual ruling power belonged to the two brothers Thomas and Dimitri of Constantinople, and no reinforcements were sent.

The former had a good relationship with the emperor and was sent to the northern Morea for the purpose of monitoring the latter, Dimitri Palaeologus.

As for the latter, he was a great figure of the abstract school of the Palaeologus family.

Not only did he contact the Ottomans many times and try to usurp the throne of Constantine XI, but after the fall of Constantinople, he also brought the wolf into the house, with the help of the Ottoman army, he started a civil war in Morea and defeated his brother Thomas, which was really a precious thing among precious things.

On the contrary, Thomas, after being defeated, went into exile in the courts of European kings and kept trying to call for the arrival of the Crusaders. He and his descendants were also the prototypes of the "Beggar Emperor" that Losa had mentioned before.

The garrison of Constantinople was expanded by Losa to more than 10,000 people on the basis of the original 4,000 militiamen.

Including the Latin mercenaries who came and the militiamen contributed by the Venetian Concession, the number can reach 14,000.

The remaining civilians can also be issued weapons and fight in the city during wartime.

Losa carefully selected an elite force of 250 people and transferred them to the Qiexue Army. He originally had only 100 places in the Qiexue Army, and he needed to increase 100 every month until the quota of 250 was full.

But in the simulated battle, the passage of this period of time was somehow wiped out.

The 250 soldiers were all reborn, mastered the exquisite riding and archery skills, and put on standard armor, which was like a new miracle, greatly inspiring the morale of the Constantinople garrison.

Even those Orthodox believers who were dissatisfied with the emperor had to admit one thing, even if they chose to unite with the Latin Church, Rome and her emperor still had God's favor.

And at this time, God could only have one reason to show his favor - to fight against pagans.

This is God's will!

God did not abandon them.

The vast majority of defeatists regained their courage in their hearts.

Because this means that their resistance is no longer "going against the will of heaven", but a salvation that follows God's will - the Roman Empire will never perish.

The template of the Sun King of Lothar can inspire people, and with the effect of the leader of destiny, Constantinople, which was originally a mess, has been quickly integrated into a whole by his iron fist.

However, courage cannot make up for the gap in combat power.

The vast territory owned by the enemy and the military force that can be mobilized are far from being comparable to the war potential of Constantinople and the concession area, which has a total of less than 80,000 people.

The Candle Knight looked at the city with some doubts. The priest who was walking at the front of the team, holding the statue of the Virgin Mary and leading the parade, said: "Even if we win this battle to defend the city, what can we do? Do you think that with the current situation of the empire, can we take advantage of the situation to counterattack and regain our homeland?"

"Why not? Our cruel Mahamu II killed all the heirs who could threaten his throne. If we can kill him in battle, his dynasty will be torn apart. By then, it is not impossible to support Orhan as the king of the Ottomans and swallow up his legacy."

Lothar's face was full of confidence.

In fact, he didn't think about what would happen after winning the battle. As long as he could win this battle to defend the city, the task of simulating the battle would be completed.

"It sounds like a novelist's delusion."

The Candle Knight wiped the silver sword in his hand. In their time, similar stories were popular - if Rome had not perished, if the independence war of the thirteen colonies had won the final victory.

"Everything depends on human effort. Don't you like poetry? The most heart-stirring poetry always comes from the storm."

Lothar said with a smile. Next to him was the St. Romanus Gate and the Lycus River, which flowed rapidly through the city.

He was wearing Maximilian's Holy Cross Plate Armor. Constantine XI also had a set of armor, but it was obviously not as gorgeous as this holy relic.

The Ottomans mobilized their army with great momentum. If Lothar had not reorganized the army, many people would have thought of surrendering just by watching the enemy summoning troops.

The composition of their army is as complex as that of Saladin's army in the past. The most elite part is of course the Janissary Guards of Mahamu II and the Sipahi cavalry similar to the European fiefdom knights.

But in addition, there are also large-scale vassal armies from various states in Asia Minor and the Zoroastrian Crusades from the East. These miscellaneous soldiers are the majority of the Ottoman army.

The evening breeze blew up the white-gold hair of the Candle Knight. She put on a stag horn hood, like an elf wandering above the world.

"Everything depends on people."

The Candle Knight repeated what Lothar said in a low voice. She once again felt the burden on her shoulders, but it was different from before. She only felt suffocated and breathless before, but now she really felt the weight of this responsibility.

Defending the land and the people, this responsibility is what she is willing to take on.

"Captain, Viviana von Hohenzollern will win the final victory for you with the candle and sword in her hand."

Lothar looked at the serious candle knight and nodded with a smile: "Thank you."

The soldiers and civilians shouted in unison and carried bricks, stones and wood to the city wall.

Not only the city wall needs to be repaired, but many towers and armories on the city wall are also in disrepair. There are spider webs everywhere. Birds have built nests in many places. Some remote places are still scattered with gnawed bones. It is unknown when the citizens were abducted by the demons living here.

Since Emperor Manuel defeated the Ottoman army led by Murad in 1422, the city wall has not been repaired on a large scale due to the empire's urgent financial problems.

The biggest weakness of the city wall is the middle section of the city wall between the St. Romanus Gate and the Charisius Gate, because the Lex River passes through the city wall of Constantinople and goes deep into the city.

Because it is located in the valley, the city wall here is low in terrain, and the artillery deployed on the other side of the moat can easily attack the tower and the interior of the city wall.

The insider who surrendered to the Ottomans must know this, so the middle section of the city wall will definitely become the most intense part of the battle, and the emperor will personally lead the Varangian Guard and the Keshik Army to garrison.

In addition, the northwest section of the city wall bordering the Golden Horn and the Brahena Palace in the north is the same. The seaside city wall here is personally garrisoned by the leader of the Genoese mercenaries, Giovanni Giustiniani, and 800 elite mercenaries.

Losa divided the entire city wall into twelve military districts, each with 500 to 1,000 garrisons. The four military districts in the north are commanded by Justinian, the four military districts in the middle are commanded by Losa himself, and the four military districts in the south are all handed over to Orhan, who has been transformed into a dragon blood family.

In addition, there are 2,000 mobile troops left, all of whom are well-equipped elites, and will fill in the battlefield when the battle reaches a critical moment.

Losa still has some confidence in the front battlefield.

Only after Constantinople, they will face the enemy's naval force coming from the Golden Horn. Although there are iron chains across the river, plus the naval defense of their own side, they can resist the enemy's navy.

But the Galata city on the other side of the river is controlled by the Genoese.

Although there are many Genoese among the defenders now, it does not mean that the Galata defenders will stand on the side of Constantinople. Once Mahamu II puts pressure on them or offers higher chips, they are likely to give in.

Historically, the Ottomans reached a secret agreement with the Genoese in the Galata area, and transported the fleet from land to the Golden Horn in a "dry land boat" way, bypassing the indestructible Golden Horn defense line.

And once the Ottoman fleet breaks through the blockade of the Golden Horn, with the weak naval power of the empire now, even with the Latin fleet, it will be difficult to compete with the enemy.

At noon.

Lothar and Viviana had their meal on the city wall.

All the soldiers and civilians in the city were eating together. The food the soldiers ate was obviously better, which was a reward for the brave.

Halfway through the meal.

Lothar suddenly felt something and raised his head.

"What's wrong?"

"The storm is coming!"

Lothar looked serious. In the clouds, a breath that was faintly pulling at his bloodline was ready to go. He looked far away, and his majestic mental power outlined the image of a three-headed dragon in his mind.

Each head of the three-headed dragon wore a metal crown, and the terrifying breath made Lothar feel a little solemn.

His dragon bloodline actually originated from this world.

If there was no multiple strengthening of "bathing in dragon blood", his bloodline level after becoming a real dragon, that is, an ordinary high-level dragon, would be far lower than the rank of these three-headed dragons.

"Storm?"

The Candle Knight quickly responded: "Ottomans?"

As soon as the words fell, countless flaming flags broke through the horizon in the distant sky.

Riding on horses, the formation was scattered but dense, and the armored cavalry wearing robes of various colors slowly marched towards Constantinople.

The guards on duty on the tower soon discovered this and blew the horn to remind the enemy that they were coming.

Many soldiers who were eating bread stood up subconsciously and looked at the seemingly endless and dark Ottoman army emerging on the horizon. They forgot to chew the food in their mouths.

The number of enemies was really too many, beyond people's imagination.

"What are you standing there for? Pass my order and continue eating!"

After Lothar's order was passed on, the petrification spell on the defenders seemed to be lifted, making them move again, quickly stuffing food into their mouths, and preparing for defense intensively.

After the enemy army entered the battlefield, they began to set up camp.

By evening, a large-scale camp had begun to take shape.

In the camp, Lothar, who has excellent eyesight, has even seen giant siege equipment being removed from the chariots and horses by Ottoman craftsmen and pieced together. It will be put to use in a few days. .

At this time, a arrogant Ottoman general, riding a war horse, strode under the walls of Constantinople.

"Listen, people in the city, tell your emperor that my master has said that as long as he surrenders the city, my master will graciously grant him a piece of territory where he can continue to be the so-called emperor."

He waved the spear in his hand and threatened loudly: "If you resist to the end, on the day the city is breached, all those who have taken up arms to resist will be nailed to the stakes!"

One person's intimidation is not enough.

But what if there is a terrifying army behind this person that is densely packed and can't see the edge like an ocean?

He had already seen that the two Varangian Guards guarding him, warriors who were always known for their bravery and daring in battle, had begun to wipe the sweat from their foreheads, and said insincerely: "The weather has been getting hotter and hotter recently. "

No matter how courageous the person is, he will feel timid after witnessing the huge army that the European countries can never assemble.

Even the battle-hardened Lothar saw an army of this size for the first time.

A rough estimate shows that the Ottoman army, including civilians and logistics personnel, must have numbered at least 200,000, which was better than any army formed by Saladin.

A timid Xue Jun glanced at Lothar, saw His Majesty the Emperor nodded slightly, and decisively drew his bow and nocked an arrow.

This soldier, who was already known for his strong physique, now pulled up the heavy bow, stretched it to the full moon with ease, and shot out the heavy armor-piercing arrow.

But the one who came was extremely cunning, and his position was stuck at the extreme range of the bow and arrow.

Although it could still hit him, the force of the crossbow was exhausted and he easily pushed it away.

"Hahaha, the cowardly and incompetent Greeks only dare to shoot cold arrows on the city wall? Do they dare to send someone to fight with me?"

The visitors jeered loudly and insulted the defenders.

The Candle Knight looked at Lothar and blinked: "I'll fight."

Lothar shook his head: "How can you kill a chicken with a butcher's knife?"

"Give me the order to send Orhan to fight."