"Why are you here?" When Odosia saw the great imam who had abandoned the city appear in front of her, even though she had a gentle temperament, her face showed resentment. Even if the other person was his identity

A distinguished leader of the church, he was also his father's most trusted palace official. However, when little Alexius led the Crusaders to raid Constantinople, the Grand Priest disappeared without a trace, without any honor.

It can be said. Now that she saw the other party, Odosia certainly couldn't calm down.

John X naturally saw this, but he replied calmly: "It was Justinian and the little girl from Genoa outside who brought me back from the north. Thanks to them, otherwise,

Perhaps I will be responsible for that bitter cold land for the rest of my life. Your Highness, do you know that I have been observing you for the past few months."

"Humph, so what? You are still as indifferent as before!" the princess said coldly, almost harshly.

In response, Dean John replied noncommittally: "I know you are dissatisfied with me, but Your Highness, the only one who can help you now is me." The old man looked at Eudosia with a calm expression, and what he said was not what he said.

False words.

At this time, Odosia also calmed down a little, calmed down, and asked John X: "So the child Antonia told me what plans she had, does it have anything to do with you?" When she saw that she had been missing for a long time,

When the Patriarch of Constantinople appeared here, she had already vaguely guessed something.

John X no longer pretended, and answered directly: "Of course, if I don't come forward, the hungry people outside the city who were instigated by Eustasius will probably flood into the city sooner or later, and inside the city, more people will be bewitched.

He will also betray His Highness." As a Grand Priest, the old man knew that the power of religion is powerful. Even a district patriarch has more influence than ordinary nobles, and Eudocia is constantly being questioned and suspected.

It is completely unknown whether the princess can stabilize the situation with the authority of the royal family. Now is the time for him to appear.

This was a secret move played by Justinian at the beginning. Bringing back the Vadaritai Guards was just a cover. The real purpose was actually John X, the lofty patriarch, so he had been living in seclusion for several months.

Here, just to play a key role at the right opportunity.

But Odosia was still a little hesitant. It was really hard for her to trust this great imam with a criminal record. However, thinking of the crisis facing Thessaloniki, she finally compromised and decided to trust John Ten in front of her again.

World.

…

…

…

Outside Thessaloniki, the early morning fog has not dissipated, and the air is filled with the smell of yesterday's blood. In the military camp of the Ducas family and the Bulgarian coalition forces, groups of hungry people are crowding in front of the wooden fence.

Waiting for the soldiers to give them porridge. Looking from a distance, the dark and half-clothed hungry people look like a group of vultures surrounding them. The chef who is watching them impatiently pours the shallow porridge into the bowl with a spoon.

, but I breathed a sigh of relief in my heart. Today is the last day anyway - I finally don’t have to waste the food fed to the livestock on a group of cannon fodder.

On the other side, in a camp further away, Mikhail Dukas and many nobles who were discussing matters had just had breakfast - a roasted venison with a unique flavor. After feasting, Epiru

The nobles of Sri Lanka did not forget to express their determination to win this battle to their Majesty.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, we will definitely capture Thessaloniki today and dedicate it to you."

The siege has lasted for nearly half a month, and the war has exhausted the patience of the soldiers. They also understand that Emperor Dukas in front of them must not want to wait any longer, so they have such a feast.

Mikhail Dukas looked at the generals who understood his thoughts and nodded with satisfaction, "I hope you can keep your word, so that I can hold a grand banquet in Thessaloniki to celebrate your success as I wish."

"As you command, Your Majesty!"

"Very good," Mikhail touched his palms to encourage his troops, and then said, "Do you still remember the deployment I gave you before?"

Several generals from the Ducasse family looked at each other and replied: "Of course I remember your Majesty's instructions. We have ambushed troops on the southwest route and are always on guard against Justinian's reinforcements." As early as three days ago.

Their scouts had detected the movement of troops from the south heading north. Considering the defeat report from Rusni, Emperor Mikhail was keenly aware that Justinian had become a huge threat. But he

He does not think that he needs to abandon Thessaloniki now. Ducas confidently believes that as long as he is well prepared and with the assistance of the Bulgarian and Venetian coalition forces, he will be able to unify the western territories of Rome.

"Don't forget to be wary of the Bulgars." After getting the reply from his subordinates, Mikhail Dukas reminded him again. Compared to Justinian, he was more afraid of Bulgaria, which had strong soldiers and horses. Although that man

"The Butcher of the Romans" Kaloyan is no longer here, but there is no guarantee that Bulgaria will be duplicitous.

…

By noon, pre-war preparations were finally completed. After communicating with the Bulgarian army camped in the northeast corner, the Ducas army finally set off.

Under the city of Thessaloniki, this massive coalition army gathered once again and was about to capture the city in front of them, which was the heart of Macedonia. The defenders, who understood this, were also preparing for the battle. Under the long siege, the morale in the city was greatly reduced.

They were in a slump and their soldiers were completely injured, but even so, they were still not timid in the face of enemies several times their own.

"People of Macedonia, it's time to prove your piety and liberate Thessaloniki, which is occupied by rebels and pagans! Prove your loyalty and bravery to His Majesty the Emperor, don't be timid and hesitate, God will protect you!

"Before the battle, Eustathius, the Macedonian patriarch in the Ducas family army, once again loudly incited the armed hungry people as cannon fodder. Those poor and bankrupt farmers, old, young, sick and disabled, were required to take up arms and carry ordnance.

, under the Great Famine, Ducas could find these human siege engines at will in the wasteland, all he needed was a prayer and a bowl of porridge that he could see to the end.

Under the instigation of the Patriarch, the hungry people, swayed by fanaticism and anger, once again rushed to the forefront of the battlefield. Each of them promised a generous reward. As long as they rushed into the city in front of them, they would win regardless of life or death.

You will receive the promised rewards.

And at this moment, when the hungry people who rushed to the city of Thessaloniki set up ladders and climbed up one after another to enter the city, what greeted them was not the thousands of arrows fired by the defenders on the city tower, but an old and honest man.

The sound came from the city wall and immediately overwhelmed the Macedonian Patriarch who was holding the line at the rear to encourage the hungry people.

"Macedonians who have been fooled by rhetoric and seduction, open your eyes and see that the city of Thessaloniki is not occupied by pagans and rebels. The orthodox Purple Chamber is in this city, and the talents who manipulate you to risk your lives are here."

He is a false king and tyrant. He must not be a 'disciple of the sand in the sea' and raise unjust armies."

As soon as he finished speaking, a holy white guard of honor appeared in the sight of everyone on the battlefield, and a priest wearing a black robe and a white scarf was standing solemnly on the city wall. Everyone looked at this scene.
Chapter completed!