CHAPTER 322: CHAPTER 16: CONSTANTINOPLE

Three days later.

Morning in Constantinople.

The Crusader Knight, wearing a white cross cloak adorned with a double-headed eagle emblem, led a group of ladies and a team of heavy infantry dressed in neat white cross cloaks towards the bridge.

"Is this the Theodosius Wall?"

They stood beneath the towering Theodosius Wall, gazing up at the colossal wall that resembled a majestic mountain and formed a three-tiered staircase.

Beyond the wall was an incredibly wide moat, at least fifty feet across, though there was no water in it now. One could imagine that during wartime, it would be an insurmountable barrier.

The outermost wall was somewhat shorter, perhaps less than twenty feet high, the second layer was about twenty-five feet, and the innermost one rose sharply to about forty feet.

Every so often, a square tower rose to a height of sixty feet.

If enough archers, crossbow cannons, and catapults were stationed in these towers, Losa could only imagine the despair if his army were to attack this wall.

"Welcome to the Eternal City, another Seven Hills City, Constantinople."

Anna’s face was filled with pride.

Furinjira looked indifferent and scoffed, "The walls of my family’s Royal Court were much higher than this."

Losa thought to himself, well, that’s stating the obvious.

During the construction of the Blood Royal Court walls, ordinary folk were drafted, many possessing extraordinary power as Blood Slaves.

Chelina nodded slightly, "I’ve seen even more magnificent walls in New York."

"What are you referring to?"

"Another continent, known as Brunei, Atlantis."

"Is there really such a place?"

"If you sail west from Portugal, you should reach it in a few months."

Anna said with interest, "If I ever have the chance, I must visit there, though it’s regrettable that I can’t afford to leave now."

"I suggest you don’t go, it’s too dangerous."

Anna was taken aback, "You’re right."

With their long lives, Wizards needed to restrain their curiosity.

The procession crossed the drawbridge and arrived at a city gate covered with golden tiles, where the fully armed Guards were about to reprimand them, but upon seeing the group, the sight of the sole woman in purple changed their demeanor to one of respect.

In the Eastern Empire, the reverence for purple was extreme, even the Imperial Palace was adorned in it, which gave rise to the saying "Born in the Purple Room."

"Which esteemed Highness might it be?"

Anna sat on horseback, not even considering removing her veil, and said lightly, "I am Anna."

The Guards respectfully replied, "So it’s Her Highness the Eldest Princess, please come in. Shall we escort you and your entourage?"

Anna glanced at Losa and declined with a smile, "No need, having them is more than enough."

"Follow me, entourage."

She waved her hand and walked to the front of the group.

Jeanne chuckled, "Lady Anna is quite interesting; I suggest you consider more."

Furinjira nudged her horse forward, "I want to walk in the front too."

Entering the Theodosius Wall.

Here, it was chaotic and dilapidated, with houses and shops densely packed close to the walls. The blacksmith shop clanged, and the leather shop emitted a nauseating odor.

Women in tattered clothes, carrying children and pregnant, sat outside weaving baskets.

Horse-drawn carts loaded with goods wheezed over cracked stone roads.

In some places, the stones had been hollowed out, and when wheels rolled over them, a large puddle of dirty water splashed up.

Like any ordinary city, before arrival, there might have been anticipation, yet Losa and his soldiers now showed expressions of "just ordinary."

Seemingly reading Losa’s thoughts, Anna confidently said, "Don’t rush, this isn’t the real Constantinople yet."

The procession continued forward.

Along the way, Losa saw caravan after caravan, foreigners dressed differently, speaking various accents, surprisingly even more cosmopolitan than Jerusalem.

Losa felt some confusion and asked, "Along the way, I’ve seen Saracens, Turkic people, Persians, Varangian people, Latins, Moors, Kuman people... but rarely Greeks."

Varangian initially referred only to the Northern Europeans, but as they migrated south and mixed with the Rus people, over time, it became a general term for Northerners, also encompassing the Rus people of Kiev Rus, and even including the Anglo-Saxons of Albion.

The "Varangian-Greek trade route" from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea allowed Northern Europeans and Rus people to sell affordable local goods such as furs and slaves to Constantinople.

This was an important trade route, bringing considerable income to Constantinople annually.

Anna explained, "The area between Theodosius Wall and Constantinople Wall is what we call Izankian. Most of the residents here are families of mercenaries or merchants."

Losa suddenly realized, "No wonder people say the Empire can only rely on foreigners to fight wars. Just looking at so many military families, Constantinople’s mercenaries probably number in the tens of thousands."

Maintaining a standing army of mercenaries definitely requires spending a significant amount of money, and aside from the Eastern Empire, no one else could have such financial power.

Paired with wartime conscription of cavalry units formed by Pronia landowners and their farmer soldiers, Constantinople’s current military strength definitely competes with Great Germania, Gaul, or Albion.

"It’s not all mercenaries though, like the Vadarite Imperial Guard Cavalry (initially composed of Hungarian and Turkic mercenaries, gradually Hellenized), and my Thracian Personal Guard battalion... alright, there are indeed quite a few."

Anna initially wanted to argue a bit.

But upon careful thought, aside from the Vadarite, several Greek corps like the Argontople Regiment (a heavy cavalry composed of sons of generals) are all ceremonial guards.

Previously on the battlefield, they tired quickly, equipped with the best gear, yet collapsed at the enemy’s first charge, and saying that would only further disgrace.

"But having more mercenaries is better than having one’s head chopped off by the Imperial Guard."

Losa was reminded of an online term from his past life, "Imperial Guard inheritance system," and couldn’t help but smile.

The Eastern Empire heavily relied on mercenaries, just like the Saracens on Mamluks and Gulam slaves; only a military entirely dependent on the Emperor’s-paid livelihood could maximize prevention of rebellion.

Anna rolled her eyes, "Sometimes I don’t even know if you admire the Empire or harbor biases against it."

The orderly regiment of re-enlisted veterans didn’t attract much attention.

The Empire had a significant number of Latin mercenaries, and blonde, blue-eyed "barbarian" soldiers, even if their formation was more orderly, were just seen by people as a mercenary force akin to the Varangian Guard.

Very few knowledgeable individuals could identify the re-enlisted veteran regiment’s prominently Marius army reform-style square shield.

They might only find the standard bearer at the front with the golden eagle emblem a bit familiar.

"Look, this is the Constantine Wall, entering here is the true Constantinople."

Anna said.

They stepped through the gate.

The world seemed to suddenly change in color.

Outside the walls was gloomy, while inside, the vibrant, solemn city seemed like two different towns.

Gigantic elevated aqueducts rose along the wall, transporting sweet spring water from the mountains to the world inside.

Buildings painted with various graffiti, lined up in rows.

The outermost layer was for the common people’s residences, though called commoners, they’d count as affluent middle class in any other city. The further inward one went, the more lavish the mansions became.

The mansions or estates where dignitaries lived lined the walls of the Holy Imperial Palace where the Emperor resided.

Along the seafront were white-walled sea-view villas standing tall amidst the gardens. These were private territories, guarded by private guards, absolutely forbidding outsider trespass.

Three tiers, from inside to outside, formed a pyramid-like structure not only in appearance but also resembling a pyramid within its core.

Losa’s expression was inexplicable.

He had a special bond with Constantinople, as in the future, he would play the role of the city’s Last Emperor, Constantine XI of the Palaeologus Family, resisting the invading Turkic army.

This place was so prosperous, possessing Constantinople meant owning half of the Empire.

It’s just a pity that by the time it was his turn to take over, this place was broken and rundown, amidst the ruins people had even turned urban spaces into farms, with the population dwindling to just tens of thousands.

"So, do you want to stay here?"

Anna’s tone was enticing like a devil: "As long as you can impress my sister who wants to revitalize the Empire, you may be appointed as the Empire’s Caesar, even co-Emperor, this Empress of Ten Thousand Cities will bow at your feet."

"I will help you, Losa."

Losa was momentarily stunned and instinctively looked towards his attendants.

Prajna slightly furrowed her brow, showing no opinion.

Jeanne was full of smiles, her eyes seemed to carry encouragement, as though egging Losa to accept Anna’s offer.

Furinjira glared angrily.

Chelina looked solemn, not believing she had the right to influence Losa’s decision.