Chapter 476 In the Name of Emperor Alexios

Amidst the chaos and slaughter in Hama, only one man remained calm and composed: Mahmud, the nephew of Yajisiyan.

When the Crusaders entered the city, Mahmud led a small contingent of elite soldiers and retreated into a small fortress on the easternmost edge of Hama City. The fortress was built atop a mountain, its treacherous terrain making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

The Crusaders had attacked six times, only to be driven back with considerable losses on each occasion.

Perhaps Stephen saw this as a suitable opportunity to both ensure his own safety and display his Charm. He thus resolutely led the Blois Knights in a rare, personal charge against the Mountain Castle.

This was Stephen’s first heroic charge of the entire expedition.

However, this charge did not have an epic conclusion. Before he could even catch sight of the fortress while charging up the slope with his shield, Stephen was struck in the foot by an arrow and hastily carried back down the mountain by his Knights.

Eric had Yajisiyan’s head, along with the heads of other defenders of high Identity, mounted on Long Spears. His own banner also hung from the spears. He had his Long Spear Soldiers brandish them before the Mountain Castle while he shouted to Mahmud inside:

"The war is over! Mahmud, stop this pointless resistance. Do it not just for yourself, but for the soldiers who remain loyal to you.

I swear to you, you may keep your lives and property, and you can take anyone you wish from Hama City with you.

Just surrender this fortress, and you are free to leave at any time!"

Mahmud recognized Eric and furiously shouted the alias he had once bestowed upon him, "Fayed, you despicable villain! Your so-called promises are nothing but worthless lies! Only a fool would believe you!"

Eric let out a laugh. He slowly raised the head, his gaze sharp. "Mahmud, do you really think your resistance can last?

Do you truly believe this fortress can bring you victory? Compared to me, you are nothing but a stubborn fool who overestimates his own abilities.

Your defiance will only lead to pointless sacrifice. Are you really going to drag down the loyal soldiers by your side?"

A flash of fury crossed Mahmud’s eyes. He gripped the hilt of his Sword and replied in a low voice, "I would rather fight to the death here than lay down my weapon to meet you!

Do you think the walls of this Mountain Castle can trap us? No, you’re wrong! We lack neither food nor Bow and Arrow. I can defend this place until I die of old age! I will watch as Allah destroys you!"

Eric frowned, a flicker of disdain in his eyes. "So stubborn. But can you not spare a thought for your soldiers? You’re just sending them to die for nothing. The war has reached a point where your decision alone cannot change the outcome."

Mahmud’s voice remained firm. "If Allah wills it, I will never surrender! Hama is my home, and I will defend it with my life!"

Eric lowered the head, his tone growing heavy. "If you insist on continuing, then I can only wish you luck. But I promise you, this will be the last choice you ever make."

Eric’s gaze swept over the soldiers surrounding Mahmud. "Your master has a reason to hold out. He was the nephew of the Governor of Hama. By blood, he was meant to inherit this city. But what about you? What is Hama to you? This city means nothing to you, so why die defending it?"

Eric paused, his gaze sharp. "You are sons of the steppe, you who follow the water and grass, who migrate with the direction of the wind. The grasslands are your home, the horizon your destination. You are merely the sons of farmers and herders who donned armor and took up bows and swords only to seek wealth. You don’t have to perish alongside Mahmud for his mad ideas. This struggle is meaningless, worthless."

Eric smiled faintly, his eyes full of temptation. "Gold and silver, status and honor—I have it all here. You can join us. We will march south to plunder even more riches. You need not worry about faith. Our goal is not to conquer your beliefs, but to conquer you with gold and silver."

He waved his hand, gesturing to the diversity of the Greek army Brinyos had brought. "Look at our army! We have not only Christians, but also Muslims; not only Knights from the west, but also Warriors from the desert; not only Warriors from the western steppes, but also Riders from the eastern steppes—we even have your own countrymen! We are guided by God, representing the Emperor of Constantinople, and we have come here by the grace of His Majesty Alexios to reclaim this land and bring the peace of Rome."

At that moment, Brinyos clapped his hands. His Pecheneg Cavalry unfurled the red banner of the Emperor, and the golden, double-headed eagle of Rome glittered brilliantly in the sunlight.

The eagle’s two heads faced east and west, symbolizing that the Byzantine Empire was not only the successor to Ancient Rome, but also that it held dominion over both the Eastern and Western worlds.

Seeing the unrest stirring among his soldiers, Mahmud roared, "Don’t believe him! He’s a liar! The generous terms he’s offering you are only because you hold this Mountain Castle. The moment you walk out of this fortress, you will become worthless. Never trust the promise of a Heretic!"

Eric watched Mahmud’s anxious expression, a cold sneer touching the corner of his mouth. He turned and walked away, leaving Belem and Brinyos behind.

"You’re just asking to die! By the laws of war, a garrison that refuses to surrender is not entitled to any rights once the city falls. I swear, when that time comes, I’ll carve the flesh from your bones, one by one! And you’ll enjoy it! HAHAHAHA—" Belem roared with laughter toward the Mountain Castle. He then thrust his Sword into a prisoner’s throat, the blade not piercing through but driving deep down into his abdomen and twisting. "See? He can’t even scream! HAHAHAHA—"

Brinyos feigned alarm and quickly moved to stop Belem. "You can’t do this! We’re still negotiating!"

Belem pretended to be furious and shoved Brinyos away. "Negotiating? Didn’t you see these fools have decided to resist to the bitter end for their master? What are we waiting for?"

Belem brandished his Longsword and said coldly, "From now on, every day—no! Every hour, I will kill a citizen of Hama right here! Of course, I won’t let them die easily. I have a thousand ways to make a man die in agony!"

Brinyos also drew his Sword to challenge him. "According to the Roman laws of war, a garrison that refuses to surrender is given three days to reconsider! Within these three days, they are protected by Roman law! You cannot do this now! In the name of Emperor Alexios, I order you to stop!"

"What? Three days? That’s absurd! I can’t wait that long!"

Belem glared at Brinyos, attempting to kill another citizen of Hama, but Brinyos quickly ordered the Pechenegs to surround the citizen.

"Fine, fine, fine! Brinyos, you dare to make a move against me! We’ll see about this! Three days! I’ll wait three days! After that, we’ll see who dares to stop me."

Belem put on a look of resignation, pretending to yield. He then sheathed his Longsword and stormed off in a huff.

Watching Belem leave, Brinyos pretended to breathe a sigh of relief. He turned to Mahmud in the Mountain Castle and said, "Lord Mahmud, I hope you will seriously consider our proposal.

I am an envoy of Emperor Alexios of Constantinople. I assure you, as long as you lay down your arms, you will receive the Emperor’s protection! If you are willing, I can escort you to Constantinople, where His Majesty the Emperor will grant you the honor and status you deserve.

Please make your decision quickly. These hired Franks often like to act on their own authority."

Mahmud remained unmoved. With a cold snort, he turned and went back into the Mountain Castle, completely ignoring Brinyos.

However, the soldiers in the Mountain Castle began to mutter amongst themselves, "So they’re Mercenaries for the Greek Emperor." "The Greeks are back in Syria."