It has been four years since the Fourth Crusade in 1204.

In the past four years, the whole world's chess game has once again undergone earth-shaking changes. Everything has long exceeded people's expectations. Only the war between the New Moon and the Cross has never subsided. The Holy See's attitude towards the collapse of the Eastern Roman Empire has always been unknown. On the one hand, the Pope was angry that the Crusaders acted without permission, and in anger, expelled everyone's church. On the other hand, he maintained fantasy about the newly established Romania and finally reached a reconciliation. He hoped that he could use it for his own purposes to become the vanguard of the Crusades in the future.

In the winter of 1208, when the messenger sent by Henry of Flanders met with Pope Innocent, the army of the Latin Empire suddenly appeared on the land on the southern coast of the Marmara Sea, defeating the Nicea army stationed there in one fell swoop, and announcing that Romania re-launched the war against the Lascaris family. Within just one month, the Niceans who were completely caught off guard instantly collapsed, and even the old nest Nicea had to give up temporarily.

Today, although the head of the Lascaris family, Theodor, is an emperor who nominally claims to be the orthodox of Rome, has to choose to retreat to the hinterland of Asia Minor and rely on the assistance of the Roman Sultanate to resist the Latin attack. The price paid is that Alexa III, who promised to be supported by the Turks, and Theodor Lascaris, as his son-in-law, abdicated as the co-governor emperor.

The great victory of the battle was achieved all due to the pervasiveness of the Latin Emperor Henry. When the Greeks were conquering each other on the Macedonian plains, he did not choose to intervene. Instead, he joined forces with the Genoese to send a large army god to land in the control area of ​​the Nicean Empire without anyone noticing, and completely controlled the western part of Asia Minor in the battle.

As if it was destroyed, Rascalis's defense was completely destroyed by the Latins and was difficult to maintain. Now the only ones that could withstand Emperor Henry's pace were the mountains of Anatolia and the Turkic soldiers of Rom Sultan.

After being chased all the way to Ankara, Nicea and Roma Sultan troops, who were on high alert, launched a fierce battle with the Latins here. The fierce battle between the two sides finally ended in a tug-of-war. When dusk came, blood had already stained the battlefield red. Then the two sides chose to stop and confront each other on the wasteland.

In the wilderness outside Ankara, the night was particularly cold. Unlike the Niceans and Turks who could go to the city to rest, the Latin army had to camp in the wilderness and make a fire to warm up.

At this time, there were more and more calls in the army to quickly defeat the enemy, but Emperor Henry, who led more than 20,000 soldiers, was not in a hurry to achieve success. When the Niceans and Turks were not defeated during the day, he knew that the limit of this military operation had almost reached. At this point, although there were supplies sent by the Genoese in the rear, once they were cut off by the enemy, their situation would be very dangerous.

Now there is no doubt that choosing to withdraw is the best choice.

However, the 20,000 people in his nominal hand were his army, but all the forces in it could not be all assigned by him. Among them were those who came to surrender after Bonifas's death, and those who were temporarily loyal to the crusaders here, and it was not that easy to convince them.

At this time, most of the well-known nobles had already met in the military tent, but except for one man.

A white horse surrounded the military camp, and immediately sat a young man who looked very handsome at first glance, wearing the general's armor, and he was young and promising at first glance, but if you look closely, you will find that his neck was stretched downwards with shocking scars. It is hard to imagine how this person survived after being injured so seriously.

And he was the one who was waiting for in the military tent. Baron Claywu, who was temporarily announced to be loyal to Emperor Henry, and his uncle he represented participated in the conquest.

"Sir Claywu, this place is too dangerous, so it's better to go back to the barracks." The guard knight who was following behind him said in a deep voice. Although they were very close to the camp, this place was the territory of the Sultanate of Rom after all. When the enemy was not cleared, it was really dangerous for the young Baron Claywu to only take their few followers.

"Mond, this is my first time on the land of the East, don't bother me." Claywu whispered the advice of the servant behind him.

"I once followed my uncle to leave Normandy, fought with the Moors in Iberia, and encountered Saracen pirates in Sicily. My greatest dream is to make achievements in the East, and ancestors like Alexander and Trajan became famous. But after coming to Constantinople, I could only waste my time. Now I finally have this opportunity to walk on this land and get a brief peace. I will never let the flag of the crescent moon float above this land." Baron Clewu looked up at the crescent moon shining in the night sky and said to himself.

The attendants behind them did not speak, but continued to follow their lord.

They were actually used to the style of this little Claywu. The noble son from a knight family was trained by famous teachers very early on, and was familiar with the Six Arts and Seven Virtues. Since childhood, they have been obsessed with the deeds recorded in classical books. In particular, the deeds of the Lionheart King and others in the East have further strengthened the Baron Claywu's desire to become a crusader.

Unfortunately, he never got what he wanted. This time, the Marquis of Old Claywu brought him to the Latin Empire and finally got what he wanted. Although the Sultanate of Roma is not as good as Ayub, he is at least considered a pagan. These guards were sent by the Marquis of Old Claywu to protect the young people, so they just thought they had participated in such an armed parade.

At this moment, the sound of horse hooves galloping attracted their attention. The guards subconsciously clasped the sword around their waists, but were stopped by Baron Claywu.

"It's the one who came to find us." The sharp-eyed young man recognized the sign of the visitor at a glance and said lightly, ordering his subordinates not to act rashly.

"His Majesty Claywu, His Majesty Henry, is looking for you, and you will be in the barracks and have important matters to discuss." The knight stopped the horse's reins and said humbly, not daring to offend Little Claywu at all. Although the other party was young, the old marquis behind him gave great help to the Latin Empire, so he naturally did not dare to neglect it.

Baron Claywu pondered for a moment, nodded and said, "I understand, but I will go there later."

The knight dared not object to the little Claywu saluted respectfully and rode away.

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"Hmph, is it so big?" Most of the other great nobles gathered here in the military camp. Except for the young Baron Claywu, who obviously had a low title, but had to let so many people wait here. Many people showed displeasure on their faces and were even more polite. For them, the young man was just a good uncle, and he had the right to be on par with them or even dared to absent.
Chapter completed!