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Arrows and stones flying over the walls of Thessalonica.
– Thud!
Soldiers raised their shields to block, but wooden shields were no match for the heavy stones.
– Crash!
As the wooden shields shattered and the stones fell on the walls…
– Thud!
[Ahh! Help me!]
[Ouch! My leg! My leg!]
Such a tragic scene unfolded, yet William, seemingly indifferent, turned his gaze away.
It was something he had witnessed all his life.
Then, in the west, a massive siege tower was slowly approaching.
“Send reinforcements to the western wall!”
As William observed the enemy’s siege weapons from the fortress and gave orders, Matteo commanded the officers.
“Reserves! Send reinforcements to the western wall and rotate!”
Upon this command, the reserves climbed the walls, soldiers fighting on the walls exchanged with the reserves, and those below the walls slumped to the ground.
For four hours, the enemy kept attacking relentlessly.
Though they managed to hold them off somehow, they were beginning to tire of the endless onslaught.
– Thud!
“The enemy keeps attacking without respite.”
William pondered over the war situation.
Fortunately, the enemy’s main forces were at a considerable distance, and if they managed their stamina well, they believed they could hold out, considering the rotational attacks.
And…
He had a trump card up his sleeve.
“I command the Golden Knights! When the siege weapons come close to the walls, go outside the gates and slaughter the enemy!”
Though the weakest point in the walls, the enemy couldn’t easily attack the gates.
This was because there had been instances where the gates were deliberately opened, and the Golden Knights had slaughtered the enemy.
Even if the gates were to be opened by them, the enemy would have to be cautious.
Upon this, Matteo went to the knights of the Golden Order and issued orders.
“Prepare for attack! Strike fast and retreat!”
At his command, the Golden Knights began donning their shining golden helmets one by one.
“It’s almost… time to fall.”
William had been doing his best to suppress the enemy’s assault while focusing on managing the stamina of his troops.
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If Byzantium fell soon, the enemy would be in a difficult position, finding it hard to retreat or continue fighting.
Waiting for that moment, William gazed at the clear sky.
Shielding his eyes from the bright sun with his hand, he looked up.
“Soon, are we still far, Agrippa?”
I invited the imperial justices to the royal palace today.
A method my mother suggested.
To check if there are no issues with the imperial law, and if there is a way to prevent Devian from interfering with it.
In front of me stood seven men.
Each of them at different ages.
The youngest among them is in his fifties, and the oldest is a seventy-year-old man.
They were all once upright and wise judges in their youth at the imperial court, now serving as justices for life.
They are the ones who helped in arranging my marriage with Devian.
“Your Majesty, have you been well?”
The oldest among the justices, bowing his head towards me, greeted on behalf of the group.
“Yes, I have been well. I have summoned you here to inquire of those renowned for their wisdom.”
The old man chuckles at my words and replies.
“hehehe, if Your Majesty has a question, is it perhaps regarding a legal matter?”
“Yes. I heard that the Grand Duke can exercise a veto for specific reasons, borrowing the Emperor’s right to veto. Is that indeed true?”
Upon my question, the justices look at each other and cautiously respond.
“Ahem… The veto is the Emperor’s exclusive right, a sacred right that cannot be encroached upon even by the imperial council. It is stated that the Emperor’s veto comes into effect when the Grand Duke acknowledges the need for a veto. Therefore, the exercise of the Grand Duke’s veto is considered to be derived from Your Majesty’s veto.”
Wanting a clear answer, I speak again.
“Then, is there no issue with the Grand Duke exercising the veto?”
“Th-that is…”
As the old man hesitates to respond, I press on.
“Why can’t you answer? I am curious about the views of my high court.”
“Your Majesty… that…”
Looking at the speechless justice, I realize that my mother’s suspicions were correct.
Indeed. My veto was still valid.
Until now, I thought I couldn’t exercise the veto.
It’s not easy to understand that it is an exclusive privilege of the Emperor that both he and I can use.
I thought my veto belonged to him…
But that wasn’t the case.
He was borrowing my veto.
“Why can’t you speak? Speak up quickly.”
Under my urging, the justice struggles to speak.
“The veto… is… the Emperor’s exclusive right. No one can strip it away.”
At his words, a smile unconsciously forms on my face.
“Are you all of the same opinion?”
In response to my question, the other justices reply.
“Chief Justice Roger’s words are correct. The Emperor’s privilege is not subject to debate even in the imperial council. It is a privilege that cannot be interfered with even by the Five Tribes Council, the highest body of the imperial council.”
At their words, I smile inwardly and think.
Don’t think everything will go your way forever.
***
Most of the remnants of the coastal fortress were cleared out, heading straight to Byzantium.
Looking at the majestic towering walls, I say,
“Attack!”
The soldiers rush towards the walls in the formation already planned.
Following the siege towers and siege engines, archers and crossbowmen provide cover from behind.
And then, from the massive ballista, bolts are shot towards the enemy walls.
-Boom!
-Boom!
[Block them! Block the enemy!]
Fierce combat ensues.
Finding weak points in the enemy defense, attacks are ordered there, and the enemy commander hurriedly redirects forces to defend those vulnerable spots, leading to a stalemate.
Certainly, in a siege, the enemy has the upper hand.
The enemy is around 10,000, while our forces number 40,000.
In open field combat, we could have inflicted significant damage on the enemy, but our ability to strike a heavy blow to the enemy positioned on the walls is limited.
Of course, by just besieging the enemy, we might disrupt their supplies, but that alone won’t suffice.
Unexpectedly, the enemy defense is resilient.
“I’d like to avoid a war of attrition.”
Engaging in a week-long war of attrition would eventually wear down the enemy, but we would also suffer significant casualties.
Avoiding casualties in a situation overwhelmingly in our favor is preferable.
With the gates and walls currently sturdy, a tedious standoff begins.
***
A shocking report reached the tent of Ioannes, who was relentlessly attacking Thessalonica.
“What? Byzantium is under attack?! To whom?”
-Thud!
Seeing Ioannes’ complexion turn pale, the messenger urgently speaks.
“T… It was a commander named Agrippara.”
Upon hearing this, Alexander steps forward and says,
“Oh… Your Highness! If it’s Agrippara, wasn’t he the supreme commander during the recent civil war? I heard he remained in the empire until now?”
Ioannes had heard Agrippara’s name a few times as well.
Ioannes had heard that Agrippara was as capable as to sacrifice his own younger sister, a commoner.
His mind is now in turmoil.
‘S… Surely Byzantium hasn’t fallen, right?’
“Ahh!”
‘What is going on? Should we immediately turn our forces back and attack them? Or should we occupy Thessalonica?’
Since becoming the king of Nicaea, Ioannes had never faced such a dead-end.
Even if he wanted to retreat, he couldn’t do so at the moment.
‘Goodness… Are we retreating? That William won’t stay idle, but if we attack Thessalonica now, who knows how long it will take.’
Frustrated by William’s persistent defense, Ioannes feels annoyed but resolutely continues the attack.
Because he believes he will emerge victorious.
But now, the premise has crumbled.
Alexander, taken aback, wakes up Johannes who is at a loss.
“W… We must first save Byzantium. If it falls, all our troops will be isolated.”
“How can you say we retreat? If we do, that cunning old man will attack us!”
-Thud!
Johannes, pounding the table with his fist, looks at Alexander with eyes wide open, prompting Alexander to speak hesitantly.
“T… That is…”
*Sigh… There’s no use getting angry now. First, we must return to Byzantium.*
“All commanders, listen up. Prepare a retreat plan by tomorrow.”
With that, Johannes rises from his seat and rushes out of the tent.
***
Days pass, and one day…
The enemy is attacking the castle as usual.
They pour boiling oil onto the enemy’s advancing siege ladder and set it on fire.
“Put out the… fire! Get water! Bring water!”
“You fool! If it’s oil on fire, pouring water will only intensify the flames!”
“Ahh! I’m burning!”
They had prepared leather soaked in water to guard against fire, but if flaming arrows are shot onto the boiling oil, that preparation becomes meaningless.
But it seems the enemies are visibly fatigued.
On the first day, they deployed the Giant Corps, and although they were worried seeing how well the enemy defended, their persistent attacks seem to be wearing them down.
It’s about time to deploy the Giant Corps again.
“Harness the Giant Corps again!”
The Giant Corps, clad in thick black plate armor, resembling knights.
The towering figures lay down their halberds, tear apart fireball scrolls, and stuff them into catapults.
Then, lifting the heavy catapults, they hurl them onto the enemy’s castle walls.
-Boom!
“Ahh!”
Watching them swiftly and accurately hurl the catapults, hope arises within the siege forces.
Please… Let this be a success this time.
Was it through my influence?
-Whoosh!
“Save meee! aaah!”
“Fire! It’s fire!”
Suddenly, a huge blaze erupts on the castle walls… and the burning enemy soldiers start leaping off the walls.
“Get the siege forces to the castle walls as quickly as possible!”
Suddenly, a siege ladder is placed on the enemy castle walls.
One by one, they reach the enemy walls…
“Alright!”
Watching their allies climb over the walls, they sense the war will soon be over.