paranoianovel Chapter 890: Flames Burning the City (Continued 2)
Chapter 890: Flames Burning the City (Continued 2)
Chapter 890: Flames Burning the City (Part )
Low trumpets blew, and the gates of the endless camps of the Crusaders were opened one after another.
Teams of knights holding colorful square and iris flags were the first to rush out of the camp and line up on the mound below the city. Each team was surrounded by a noble officer in distinctive armor.
Except for Lothar's men, most officers in the army were nobles.
If the clergy in the West monopolized knowledge like the aristocratic families in the East, then the aristocracy was a family of military honors. No matter how outstanding a civilian soldier was, he could only obey the orders of the aristocracy and play a role similar to that of a household servant.
boom--
Another round of rocks were thrown, and a tower was smashed through. The falling rubble caused a series of screams.
The giant catapults built by the Crusaders took a lot of time to reload the stones after each attack.
But the city wall is there, and we can neither dodge nor fight back.
Although the Saracens knew how to build large siege engines, it was obviously impossible for them to be erected on the city walls.
Being beaten without being able to fight back would be a devastating blow to the soldiers' morale. Malik was well aware of this. After hesitating for a moment, he made up his mind.
"Everyone, please return to your posts, pass on my orders, raise my flag on the top of the city, and tell the soldiers that I will be with them!"
A group of generals hurriedly advised: "Your Highness, this is too dangerous!"
"If I were still worried about danger at this time, I should have abandoned the city and fled with my brother!"
He drew his sword, suppressed the fear in his heart, and rushed towards the city wall.
Malik knew very well that in this critical moment of life and death, anything that could increase the chances of winning must be done!
General Mujit shouted, "Why are you still standing there? I will go and protect His Highness, and the rest of you can return to your positions!"
Malik, who climbed to the top of the city wall, looked at the dark mass of enemies below the city and his own soldiers who were running away in panic, not even daring to raise their heads, and tried hard to calm the fear in his heart.
All I saw was huge siege equipment, which was slowly approaching the city wall under the push of the Crusaders.
Those pushing the siege weapons were all soldiers under Lothar, composed of "Flemish Pikemen" and "Swiss Halberdmen". They all wore boat-shaped kettle helmets, a large breastplate and mail lining, just like the conscripted militia formed by the wealthier citizens sent by the Crusader cities.
Such equipment was considered sophisticated in that era, second only to those of foot knights.
At this moment, they were like puppets, silently carrying out military orders.
The attacks from the top of the city walls were like drizzle. Occasionally one or two soldiers were hit and fell to the ground, but their companions around them continued to push the siege engines in silence without any retreat or evasive action.
"These Franks are not what they used to be."
Mugit was surprised and said that the Franks were known for their bravery and fighting skills, but they lacked discipline, and the Mamluks often used this as a breakthrough point to defeat them when fighting them.
"It should be said that these are the Franks under Lothar."
Malik was a crown prince who knew military affairs. He had followed Saladin in his campaigns very early on. Unfortunately, in his previous life his opponent was a ruthless man like Adil, otherwise, he would not have been defeated in the civil war after Saladin's death.
Malik clenched the sword in his hand. "What a formidable opponent! Even without the dragon and his team of spellcasters, he is still the most formidable opponent among all the Crusader princes."
To this day, no one doubts how terrible the enemy is.
Even though Malik didn't want to say something that would shake the morale of the troops, the facts were there. Empty talk would not boost the fighting spirit of the soldiers.
As his banner was raised, Malik shouted: "My subjects, soldiers, generals, Damascus is in the most dangerous situation!
The Franks, whose barbarity is well known, once they have conquered a city, will desecrate our sacred altars and shrines, convert them into pagan churches, destroy our faith, and force us to betray the sacred fire and convert to paganism.
They will rob you of your property, kill your wives and children, and no one will be spared.
Now, our fate is closely linked. To keep the sacred fire burning and to protect yourselves, take up arms, fight, and fight! "
His speech was very sincere and was soon spread by messengers to every corner of the city wall.
"Roar!"
"The Holy Fire is Great!"
The soldiers and militiamen guarding the city roared, venting their anger and fear.
As the Crusaders' siege weapons slowly approached, there was a loud bang, and the small catapults on the city wall smashed the fire pots at the huge siege tower, splashing a cloud of oil.
The originally sparse counterattacks immediately became more frequent.
Those who looked quite young, wearing loose robes similar to those of Zoroastrian imams, raised a wooden staff and chanted spells.
Compared with ordinary spellcasters, they are selected from the public and then slowly trained.
Saladin mobilized the entire country to recruit these young people with spellcasting talents and train them, which was obviously more efficient.
At the same time, they all have outstanding talents. Many of them have even experienced a series of "paranormal events" due to their extraordinary mental powers before they were discovered by the spellcasters sent by Saladin to recruit apprentices.
Although it has not yet grown up, it can still exert its considerable power in situations such as defending a city.
I saw fist-sized fireballs flying towards the siege towers that were sprayed with oil.
Among the Crusaders, those tall and strong woodland archers armed with longbows as tall as a person quickly discovered these important enemies that Lothar wanted them to pay attention to, and began to suppress them with firepower.
The fireballs they ignited with spells were shot down by golden holy light before they could get close to the siege tower.
The knights of the Order of Saint Lazarus were now slowly following the siege tower with their shields raised, looking at the spellcasters with contempt.
For them, who have experienced many times in the world of combat records, looking at these still rather immature spellcasters is like looking at a group of rookies who lack combat experience.
Roar--
Malik felt his heart tremble violently, and he subconsciously looked up, only to see the nightmare of all Saracens, a gigantic three-headed dragon, swooping down from the clouds.
Above the dragon's head, Malik clearly saw the pagan demon king wearing a golden crown!
"The dragon is coming, everything is ready!"
A distorted cry emanated from his mouth, containing fear and suppressed excitement - the arrogant pagan devil really came into the battle personally as he had guessed!
As long as he is killed, I can change the situation of the battle!
The defenders of Damascus rolled out giant crossbows, and the thick bowstrings made of cow tendons were stretched very tight.
They loaded it with magic-blocking gold arrows, struck the heavy iron hammer on the hammer, and the bowstring released with a bang, sending the powerful crossbow arrow into the sky.
Ladon suddenly rolled sideways and avoided this round of volleys, but a crossbow arrow still grazed the soft scales on his abdomen, causing a burning pain.
"damn it!"
"Be careful, your dragon scales may not be able to block this kind of crossbow arrow."
Lothar explained that the magic-blocking metal weapons still posed some threat to the dragon. After all, Ladon was only at the first stage of refinement. Although he looked intimidating, he did not yet have the power to be invincible in simulated battles.
"I'm going to burn them all to death!"
Ladon roared angrily and opened his bloody mouth. The next moment, terrifying three-colored dragon flames shot out like pillars of destruction, plowing towards the city wall!