Near the dividing line between the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Mediterranean, on the sea near Corsica and Sardinia, there is already the roar of cannons and the roar of fighting; the originally picturesque blue sea is also lit with ships everywhere. Fireworks, and polluted by the turbulent vortex of overturning and sinking.
Small groups of shuttle-shaped sailing warships flying the flag of the smiling golden sun on a blue background chased the narrow and pointed sailing warships under the crown seahorse surrounding the Latin Principality; from time to time they seized the upper wind position, and fired fireworks from their side to emit a sea of scorching heat. The cannonballs boiled the enemy ships and the sea.
After a few heavy ball bombs and chain bombs hit the enemy ship, they immediately broke the sail, penetrated the freeboard, and bombarded the long oar board and the oarsman inside into pieces of flesh and blood and sawdust; or on the deck Bloody channels sputtered out among the running crowd.
But there were also a small number of the kingdom's sail warships, which were hit by Latin-style galley warships. While causing part of the hull damage, they were also locked by the hooks on the bow. Suddenly, there was a rain of cannons, bombs, and swords. Arrows and throwing axes were flying, and there was a brutal gang fight with blood and flesh flying everywhere.
But most of the endings are that the Latin navy who tried to seize or destroy the ship through gang fighting was hit head-on by a large number of firearms equipped on the ship; whether it was a hand-cranked rotating shotgun or a short-term weapon held by a single soldier. Tube hand cannons, or dropped pillar bombs and incendiary canisters;
Even the rows of box-type repeating musket nests caused considerable and tragic damage to the Latin sailors and soldiers who jumped out of the gang; they were either blown off the gangplank's planks and hooks, or they were set on fire and placed on the ground. The masts and climbing nets screamed and fell into the sea one after another.
There were also many Latin-style galley warships. The kingdom's navy, which was counterattacked, lit the superstructure of the ships and burned them into huge torches. Or it would explode a big hole on the waterline, quickly capsize and sink amidst the screams of people on board rushing to dive, and the large spray of waves;
Occasionally, there would be an individual battleship of the Kingdom that was caught in the fierce battle of the siege. The gunpowder stored on the ship was accidentally ignited, and exploded into a huge fireworks on the spot. So, just a morning spent wandering the channel between Corsica and Latin Island;
The Latin Principality's fleet, which carried out the blockade mission, suffered tragic and serious losses in front of the Kingdom's navy, which, although its overall number was less than half, had superior tactics and equipment. Of the three fleets gathered at sea, one has been defeated and the other has retreated with heavy losses.
Only the Cagliari fleet, flying the royal flag of the duke, was left. Relying on more than a dozen large three-story galleys as the support core, they formed a loose circular array that was strong enough to cover each other, like a pack of wolves on the sea. The wandering Kingdom warships struggled to fight to the death.
However, as the small and medium-sized galleys used for containment and cover on the periphery were constantly set on fire, sunk, blown to pieces, captured, surrendered, or morale collapsed and fled in chaos; as the main naval force directly under the royal family, The collapse of the Kalilia fleet was also a matter of time;
Standing outside Porto Torres in the north of Sardinia, Jiang Tian looked at this scene on the top of the mountain. He also said to the resident envoy of the Eastern Empire beside him: "It seems that your navy can no longer keep up with this situation." A battle has begun; I need to reconsider the temporary alliance with the Eastern Empire."
"Your Majesty, please understand that the empire attaches great importance to your alliance and will never neglect or hesitate in this regard." As the first ambassador of the Eternal Empire to the Sealand Kingdom, he quickly defended himself quite humbly: " I just didn’t expect that your advance would be so swift.”
This ambassador's name is Meristo, he is the eleventh member of the Nicene Dynasty/Royal Family of Laskaris in the Eternal Empire, and he is officially awarded the Purple Chamber Messenger/Royal Confidential Officer; he can be called a distinguished and distinguished person. Human; but in front of this knight king/saint monarch, he was extremely groveling.
Because, after he was invited to accompany the army on the expedition, he also witnessed with his own eyes the incredible power of this King of Knights; for example, the troops under his command did not need to be carried along, and any logistical supplies in the traditional sense were provided as long as he was there. You can be summoned from the kingdom anytime, anywhere.
Whether it is piles of food and weapons, clothing, blankets, vehicles and large equipment, or even entire warehouses of materials for fortifications and city defenses; therefore, this lightly-armed attacking army can assemble in the shortest time, and with lightning speed It was too late to attack Latin Island.
Just behind him, Sassari, one of the coastal cities in Sardinia in the distance, had already raised the golden sun flag with a blue background and a smiling face representing the kingdom amidst the fireworks that had just been conquered. However, despite the decision to take joint action with the Kingdom, the Eastern Empire's response failed to keep up.
As an old empire with a long history, the Eastern Roman Empire once spanned the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Although the two empires were greatly divided after the Crusades and the Resurrection Movement, it was still a large country covering a vast area; It’s just that big countries also have their drawbacks.
Just like this time, the new dynasty of the Sealand Kingdom was invited to send troops. Although it was confirmed by the golden edict issued by the contemporary Caesar, there were also many disagreements and dissent within the imperial castle where there were many factions. Therefore, reflected in reality, it became the delay in the arrival of the Eastern Empire Navy.
For Meristo Laskaris, who belongs to the royal camp, this is also a helpless but anxious matter; you must know that the two empires have been entangled with each other for many years, and each has its own victory or defeat; although they have severely damaged each other many times in history, they have It has never been able to achieve devastating and decisive results.
More often, the land was attacked and defended around the fortress defense lines of the Duchy of Casilla and the border area of Ravenna. They are competing for Rhode Island, Cyprus, and other heavily fortified islands at sea; but for the large Latin island west of the Sea of Marmara, they have not been involved for many years.
Compared with the Corsica Island, which was ravaged by wars and vendettas and was in dilapidated condition, and was looted by the occupying forces and the people were poor. The Latin Island, separated by a sea to the south, was one of the bases for the rise of the Western Empire. It has not been a war for a long time, it is a prosperous land with dense population and abundant production.
Therefore, there was almost no adequate preparation and response means for the Kingdom's army that suddenly rushed across the sea. They were easily taken advantage of and captured. The important naval base and port Torres swept across the coastal areas in a very short period of time. Towns, capture the nearest city.
Although several other nearby cities, including Stintino, Alghero and Costelsado, also sent several supporting troops along the road, they were not surprised to be ambushed by the Kingdom's army and were crushed separately. He was defeated and was about to reach the end of the march in Sassari City.
Therefore, if the capital of the Latin Principality, Carilia, located in the south of the big island, fails to mobilize heavy troops to attack and support in time, these cities whose defenses are empty or weakened will also be attacked by the kingdom's army. Below, the same mistakes as the city of Sazari were made.
But in this case, it would be a bit embarrassing for the Eastern Empire itself; it could not catch up with the key naval battle, and could not participate in the subsequent land battle; then in the subsequent diplomatic negotiations for military coordination and interest division, as the initiator of the alliance, it was unavoidable. You will fall into passivity.
This will undoubtedly weaken the authority of the aging Caesar and the empire in Constantinople. Therefore, Meristo, who was born with a pleasing appearance, could only try his best to defend and excuse it with diplomatic words from the Eastern dynasty.
But fortunately, his strenuous efforts to delay time seemed to have achieved certain results; then, sentries reported from the commanding heights on the southern coast that they had sighted traces of a fleet heading for the maritime battlefield; a few hours later, they returned again. Confirmed, it is the Eastern Empire double-headed eagle pattern.
Hearing this result, Melisto was also greatly relieved. He took the risk of detouring around the Aegean Sea and the Imperial Navy in Sicily, and finally caught up with the end of the battle; in this way, he had more advantages in front of the King of Knights. There are so many follow-up bargaining chips that can be fought for and negotiated with.
However, Melisto's good mood did not last long, as the sky gradually became dim; the Eastern Empire fleet heading north along the coastline finally appeared in everyone's field of vision; however, the hull in the telescope was There are many signs of damage and smoke.
The huge sail depicting a red double-headed eagle even showed obvious holes; it was as if it had experienced an arduous naval battle not long ago before arriving. Melisto couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "Obviously, the empire's navy did not break the promise, but encountered the enemy's desperate interception."
"Actually." However, Jiang Tian shook his head gently and said: "I think they more likely experienced a heavy defeat and defeat and had to retreat in this direction. Otherwise, according to your description, , the Imperial Navy’s fleet should be far more than the numbers in front of you.”
Then, as if to confirm Jiang Tian's judgment, following these Eastern Empire ships, which had been revitalized in a somewhat hasty and chaotic manner, came a larger sail shadow like clouds on the sea; under the sunset, the black color on the main sail was reflected. double-headed eagle pattern;
(End of chapter)
