CHAPTER 313: CHAPTER 7: THE LAUNCH OF WAR

No matter if Turriados is sincerely convinced or not, he must actively persuade all the representatives of Limassol to contribute their resources in every possible way.

With the flames of war igniting on their doorstep and Isaac’s cruel reputation, they are acutely aware of their current predicament.

Just the thought of a Black Dragon arriving soon makes these town militias feel hopeless.

The evening grew late.

After finishing the lesson for the night,

Losa straightforwardly accepted Anna’s terms, agreeing to quell the Cyprus rebellion in exchange for the position of Military Zone General of Limassol.

This condition was, in fact, already quite generous.

In the Empire’s bureaucratic system, when the farmer soldier system had not yet collapsed, he would certainly refuse, since back then, the Empire still had a strong grip on local governance.

But with the implementation of the Pronia system, Losa only needed to pay a portion of the taxes timely and serve in the military or provide recruits when the Empire required.

In the Limassol Military Zone, Losa could practically be considered a local despot.

...

Constantinople.

Anna smiled at the corner of her mouth as she hung up the call.

The noble-minded Regent Empress let out a slight hum: "If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t pay such a hefty price to court someone else’s vassal."

Anna consoled, "Don’t worry, it’s worth the value."

The Empress frowned slightly, her mood clearly not very good.

In a situation where commercial taxes and tariffs now constitute the majority of the Empire’s income,

a strong naval fleet ensuring safe passage is essential.

Yet such a powerful fleet, equipped with "Greek Fire," was so easily annihilated at the hands of the rebels.

How could this not sour her mood?

The defeat in the maritime battle and the news of Isaac commanding a Black Dragon caused turmoil to once again rise in Constantinople.

Though nominally only a Regent Empress, she had never considered the idea of crowning herself as Empress, but, unfortunately, the Empire’s Crown Prince, her and Emperor Aleksey’s daughter, Ira Komnin, is also a woman.

Many believe that this Regent Empress will soon drop the ’regent’ title and wrest back the throne from the Komnenos Family.

"The Empire’s army is truly useless, both the army and the navy alike."

Anna sighed lightly: "In the past, the strongest walls of the Empire, those farmer soldiers who could at their own expense arm themselves, have been turned into peasant slaves on their own lands by the nobles. Now, the Empire really can only rely on a group of foreign mercenaries to fight."

Ragaya’s beautiful eyes flashed with deep fatigue: "Who among us doesn’t know the dangers of the Pronia system, but after festering for so long, where does one start to remedy it?"

The Empire turning into what it is now was not only the mess left behind by several Komnenos emperors but also an unavoidable blame for their own Ducas Family.

Because the Ducas Family has always been the Empire’s largest noble faction, both the most intimate ally and the greatest enemy with the Komnenos Family.

The few emperors from the Ducas Family were mostly foolish and incompetent, with Constantine X and Michael VII being typical representatives.

This made Empress Ragaya, even if she wanted to revive the Empire, feel at a loss as to where to start.

After all,

the malaise of the Empire lies in the system.

But tragically, the Ducas Family she hails from, along with many of her supporters, are all beneficiaries of this system.

As a Monarch, who would abolish their own rule?

If she dared show even a hint of this thought, it would immediately lead to a scenario of rebellion and turmoil.

"Forget it, let’s not discuss this any longer."

"When this Losa arrives in Constantinople and pledges his allegiance to me, I want to see what kind of extraordinary man could earn such commendation from you."

"If he can capture the rebel Isaac with only fourteen hundred soldiers, doesn’t that prove my good judgment?"

The Empress let out a slight hum.

"If you’re willing to act, bringing along my Varangian Guard, wouldn’t Isaac be easily squashed?"

Anna sighed helplessly: "Your Majesty, the most revered Barcelona, you understand me. Besides, I’m reluctant to use magic to slaughter those ordinary people."

"Alright, alright, I know."

Ragaya carefully scrutinized the Witch’s flawless face and sighed softly: "I understand, you’ve already contributed enough to the Empire, I shouldn’t ask you to do more."

"It’s just, is this Losa... truly reliable?"

Ragaya frowned.

In the current climate where local nobles have grown too powerful, even if Losa swears allegiance to her, he might not fulfill any obligations. Can she really wage a campaign against him?

That would be truly disgraceful.

"At least more reliable than those mercenaries."

Anna seriously said: "He’s a person of integrity, and far more worthy of consideration than those mediocre individuals."

"Alright then."

Ragaya bore no particular aversion to Losa.

The Empire has long had a tradition of employing barbarian mercenaries, and Constantinople has quite a few nobles from Europe, and even vassal nobles serving.

These provincial country tycoons are so dazzled by the exquisite silks, utensils, and wines, they cannot tear their eyes away.

They wish to remain forever in Constantinople, the greatest, most magnificent city of Christendom’s Empress of cities.

...

The news of Losa’s great defeat over Turriados’ army, and his occupation of Limassol City, quickly spread to Nicosia.

In the palace,

Isaac Komnenos’ expression was grim.

A person’s reputation is legitimate as a tree’s shadow.

Having once served as the Governor of Cilicia, Isaac was clearly aware of Losa’s renown.

He certainly wouldn’t belittle him just because Losa landed with only fourteen hundred men.

"That fool Turriados, not able to even defend his city, foolishly thought he’d be clever in ambushing Losa, and now look, he’s handed him a place to shelter himself."

If every place held firm behind their walls,

the Crusaders, lacking siege weapons and supplies, isolated far from home, would eventually be trapped and be defeated on Cyprus Island.

For each fortress breached, he would lose at least a dozen soldiers, and by the time he reached Nicosia, how many would he have left?

"Don’t worry, you have a Black Dragon, and you can gather more troops from your vassals. These mere over a thousand Crusaders are no match for you."

Isaac’s tone was unusually irritable: "This Losa, like that Ducas family’s wretched woman Ragaya, has a Witch loyal to him."

The shadow said playfully: "A Witch is all there is, if you’re worried you can’t handle her, how about another deal with me?"

"What kind of deal?"

Isaac’s face suddenly showed vigilance.

The shadow’s tone was playful: "Don’t show such a repellent expression, I’m not a Devil, and I’m all about fair trade."

That same line again!

Isaac felt a growing fear in his heart, like a wildfire rapidly spreading.

"No need, I’ll get rid of him!"

"No matter how legendary he is, his journey ends with me!"

Isaac said solemnly.

The nearby Guard could see their lord constantly talking to himself in the garden, their faces showed a trace of fear, yet they dared not approach.

"You there!"

The Guard, trembled as he approached: "My lord, what are your orders?"

"Convey my command, all vassals of Cyprus are to immediately lead their armies to gather under my banner. I shall lead the entire force and suppress the rebellion!"

Isaac didn’t underestimate Losa in the slightest.

He intended to exert full force, leading all the armies of his vassals, along with his own four thousand elite troops.