Chapter 14: The Arrogant Khitans

Chapter 14: The Arrogant Khitans

The Khitan had come from the other end of the world, bringing his indomitable army with him.

This reminded Constantin XI about the prophesied Priest King, and the sight of the young man who looked so dashing that it didn’t seem humanly possible further reinforced his conjecture.

“Suna,” Constantin XI carefully asked. “You said that he’s a little out of it?”

The Augustus’ words were already euphemistic, as Shu Yichao looked like a thorough madman. Nevertheless, Constantin XI still invited him to the imperial palace, knowing that he could be the cornerstone of an important prophecy.

However, Shu Yichao’s behavior baffled the Romains.

He refused to walk properly on the road, opting instead to run and jump haphazardly. On top of that, he wouldn’t stop switching his weapons, swapping between his scimitar and bow at a rapid speed.

Any elevated platforms he saw along the way, he would leap onto it and brandish his sword around for god knows why.

Any objects he saw on the road, he would kick it while prancing about as if it was the most entertaining thing in the world...

Even at the banquet to welcome him, he still leaped onto the table and pranced around, causing plates and cups to fall to the ground and shatter.

Who let this madman out?!

Constantin XI fell into a state of doubt.

“Your Majesty,” Madam Marti said, “he has been like this since I first saw him. It might be the Khitans’ culture.”

“...” Who are you kidding? Constantin XI doubted that.

In spite of Shu Yichao’s lack of respect, the Romain emperor didn’t lose his temper.

He knew that even though he was an emperor in name, he was actually a mayor that was on the verge of getting busted. There was no need for him to put on airs before his reinforcements.

It also helped that the ‘Khitans’ had been smashing money all over Constantinope.

The Grassland Horse Archers had been scattering money since entering the city, or more specifically, black pepper.

It was the black pepper, that was one of the few things worth more than gold!

Only the most high-end luxury stores sold such a commodity. Its sales were conducted behind closed doors, with appraisers carefully inspecting the commodity to check if there was anything wrong with the goods. That was how valuable it was!

Other than that, the ‘Khitans’ also brought silk, porcelan, salt... These were all top-tier goods!

Thanks to Shu Yichao, Constantin XI was able to fill their coffers and even compensate the mercenaries and the soldiers half a year's worth of salary, greatly boosting their morale.

Don’t hold back, insult us all you want with your money!

“Hmm...” He slowly looked across the room, eyeing each of his armored commanders. He failed to notice it earlier, but a group of people was conspicuously absent. “Where are the Khitans?”

This is an important military meeting. They should at least send someone here even if they don’t understand our language.

“Uwa!”

“Ah!”

Shocked gasps suddenly echoed outside.

Seconds later, a messenger drenched in cold sweat barged into the room. He tripped over his tongue multiple times before he was finally able to utter something coherent.

“Your Majesty, those Khitans have l-l-left the city!”

“What?”

...

Outside Constantinope, Sultana Momoana galloped in front of the ferocious Ottomain army after her prayer, ready to make a rousing speech when Constantinope’s city gates suddenly opened.

It was such a bewildering turn of events that she didn’t know whether she should continue brandishing the shamshir in her hand or put it down.

What are the Romains doing? Are they surrendering?

Sultana Momoana was baffled.

A second later, an army of cavalrymen galloped out of the city gates and formed a straight line, with their backs facing the city walls. It was baffling, but if one thing was clear, their enemies had no intention to surrender.

These arrogant pricks!

The Ottomain soldiers were dumbstruck, but soon, they trembled with fury. The heretics were being too arrogant!

They thought that those weaklings would be shivering behind their walls, fervently praying in vain for their fake god to protect them. Then, they, the warriors blessed by the real god, would siege their city, reap their lives, and plunder their fortune, trampling on their hopes with sneers.

Yet, those heretics dared to come out to confront them with so little people? Who do you think you are?!

Little did they know their enemies were more arrogant than they could have imagined.

After having his Grassland Horse Archers form a line against the wall, Shu Yichao galloped forward alone. Before the flabbergasted Ottomains and the horrified Romains, he arrogantly roared, “Terror comes! Quiver and quail!”

—

Starve’s Translation Notes:

Shu Yichao’s taunts come from famed game characters in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He’s fully immersing himself into the role hahaha.