1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 27 Arena

Isaac returned to his chamber, rang the bell, and the chamberlain Anderson came in.

"Have Norwich and the others set out yet?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Spy Chief Albert has taken over our informant system in North Africa and followed the Monferrato trade fleet to Rome. They will continue their trade as usual and then take the opportunity to cruise around the Gulf of Surte."

Isaac nodded.

“Tell Fidel to stop looting along the Ottoman coast and keep the looting to the eastern Mediterranean.”

"Tell him not to worry. We will find him a naval base."

"Yes."

Anderson took note.

"By the way, have the bounties and food wages been distributed to the various armies?"

"Everything is going well. The new chancellor, Riedel, is very professional."

"How is the recruitment and recruitment going?"

"The Black Corps is the fastest. They have already replenished their personnel and now have a thousand of them. They are all mercenaries who value money over their lives. However, their quality is..."

"continue."

"The Orc Corps is slow to recruit, and now only has 550 people."

"Ibrahim, the commander of the Purple Guard, purchased some Turkic slaves and Tatar slaves as a source of new recruits. The army is almost full, with more than 900 people now."

"The Guards are temporarily behind schedule because they need to form a second legion. There are quite a few Orthodox Christians willing to join the army, but the main problem is that we can't find qualified officers."

Isaac had no solution to this problem.

To become a mid-level or senior officer, one not only needs combat experience and martial arts, but also must be able to read and write, which discourages many civilian children.

At this time, knowledge was often the preserve of the nobility.

However, the current aristocratic system of the Eastern Roman Empire was in complete disarray. The only great nobles left were basically the Palaiologos family, and the system was full of playboys who only thought about fighting for power and profit all day long.

This is why Isaac wants to solve the problem of the Royal Knight Academy as soon as possible.

Take your time, difficulties are common.

Isaac spent the entire month of June in Mystras, sometimes accompanying his father to attend lectures on territory affairs, and sometimes going to the Royal Knight Academy to check on the enrollment situation.

With Latin merchants occupying important ports, the development of the Morea Peninsula had basically come to an end.

As refugees moved south, there became less and less land to be distributed.

Every day, local people come to the court to file lawsuits, complaining that refugees from Attica have taken over their fields or that Albanian immigrants are grazing sheep next to their estates.

Constantine was also very busy and it was not easy to offend both sides, so he could only arrange for a judge to mediate.

Isaac's new interior minister, Isurt, began to gradually take over Isaac's affairs, and some unimportant decisions could be left to him to assist in making decisions.

Although this Home Secretary was only a figurehead, he still joined the team's operations with great enthusiasm.

"Your Highness, June is over and our enrollment is almost complete. A total of 839 people have taken the assessment, and 57 have met the criteria and are allowed to join."

"There are 103 trainees now. They will receive a one-year basic training and then be taught by different branches of the military."

“Is the acceptance rate so low?”

"Your Highness, the civilians' physical fitness cannot keep up, and most of them were eliminated in the first round."

"Have you finished everything I asked you to do?"

Isaac had previously instructed Andronica to visit Dilin's home every few days, give him some gifts, and persuade him.

"That old guy still won't give in to any persuasion."

Andronikos was filled with hatred.

"Are you ready for the orphan relief and athletic competition?"

"We are ready. The military orphanage has received more than 300 orphans aged 5 to 9. They will receive cultural education and military theory training."

"The competition will be held in the next few days. I have already convinced His Highness Constantine that he will watch the competition."

"Well done, I'll go there too."

……

Mystras, the Great Arena.

This largest city in Morea had a nice name in ancient Greece, Sparta.

This large arena is said to be the Spartan Colosseum that has been passed down from ancient Greece.

From 1204 to today, this arena that once recorded the glory of the Spartans has not hosted any grand competitions for a long time.

What the people of the Morea Peninsula like to watch most is the public debates between priests from various sects, and they are unfamiliar with duels.

However, this time, it is said that His Highness Constantine and His Highness Isaac will watch the warriors' competition on site, and Andronikos, the vice president of the Royal Knights Academy, will also give a student spot to the top ten in the competition.

These groundless rumors immediately aroused the curiosity of the citizens of Mystras.

Everyone called their friends and brought their families to the Grand Arena to watch the game.

The competitions in the previous week were all warm-ups. Isaac brought over the soldiers with excellent martial arts skills as the first batch of gladiators.

Once everyone's competitive spirit is aroused, registration will be opened to the public.

Through similar competitions, people's courage and fighting spirit can be greatly stimulated, while their sense of happiness can be improved.

Bang-bang-bang
In his father's blacksmith shop, Galwin swung the hammer and hit the already formed axe blade.

The flames in the furnace were burning brightly, reflecting on his red, sweaty face.

Wiping the sweat off his forehead, Galwin put down the sledgehammer, replaced it with a small hammer, and continued to shape the axe.

My father couldn't afford a hydraulic forging hammer, nor did he want to install one.

It was hammered repeatedly until it was completely completed.

"Galwyn! Here!"

Looking towards the window, Bitley's little face was peeking in.

"Will you go to the martial arts competition this afternoon? I heard that a Turkic barbarian has come to participate. He is very powerful and no one can beat him."

Galwin shook his head. His father wouldn't let him go.

"Your father is too strict. You should live for yourself at least once, right?"

Galwin still shook his head and focused on swinging the hammer.

Clang——

The force was so great that the axe broke.

"Well, I'll ask my man to call your father away to discuss ordering sickles, so you can have an afternoon to watch the game!"

Bitley's father was the largest farm implement merchant in the city, and that's how the two became friends.

Galvin hesitated.

"That's settled then! I'll go back and prepare now!"

After a while, Old Di Lin rode on his old horse and walked out of the house.

"Hurry! It's about to begin!"

Beatrix called to Galwin.

Just this time, just this time!
Galwin gritted his teeth and ran out the door with Bitley.

The arena was already packed with people.

"Look! That's the royal box! I heard that on the last day, the two princes will present awards to the top ten!"

"They will also be admitted to the Royal Knight Academy!"

Bitley was very excited and pointed to the box under the Palaiologos family emblem at the highest point and spoke loudly.

Galwen didn't say anything, but he was still a little worried.

"Don't worry, now that you're here, just enjoy the game!"

Galwin found a place to sit down and stared at the field intently.

The arena adopts an elimination system. 64 people will participate in the competition every day to determine the top eight. The competition ends when the final score is reached and no killing is allowed.

At the same time, the top eight players from the previous day will be challenged on the next day, regardless of life or death. If the challenger succeeds, he or she can directly inherit the position of the challenged.

Today's knockout round is almost over, and we have reached the finals. A Latin knight is beating a Greek warrior.

"It seems that the Orthodox Christians failed to hold their ground again today."

Beatri said dejectedly, "The winners in the past few days were either from Latin countries or Turks, and the only Orthodox Christian was an Albanian."

Galwen shook his head and stared at the battlefield.

“The Latins are going to lose.”

"What? He almost broke his opponent's shield."

Beatley pouted.

The situation on the field suddenly changed.

No longer content to overpower his opponent, the Latin rushed forward heavily, stabbing at his foe.

The Greek warrior raised his shield and stepped forward.

There was a sigh of regret from the audience.

The shield was clearly no longer able to hold out, and without its only defensive measure, it was unable to withstand the enemy's fierce offensive.

puff-

Sure enough, the wooden shield was pierced by the sword and went straight into the heart of the Greek warrior.

At this moment, the Greek warrior grasped the shield with his left hand and pushed it out with all his strength.

blah-

The Latin's sword pierced his opponent's left shoulder.

The Greek warrior dodged the Latin sword that was still powerful, and lightly touched the Latin man's right hand with the sword in his right hand.

bang——

The sword flew out of his hand, announcing the victory of the Greek warrior.

The scene suddenly became lively.

"You are amazing! You can even guess this correctly!"

Beatley clapped excitedly.

Then, the challenge began.

A warrior dressed in Turkic costume walked onto the stage, walked around the arena, and waved his sword provocatively.

The audience in the arena cursed, but no one dared to go down to fight.

"That person became the top champion on the first day of registration, and all those who challenged him died miserably."

"I come!"

A strong man jumped over the fence.

After two or three strikes, the strong man was injured. The Turkic man stabbed him here and chopped him there with a faint smile. The strong man screamed loudly and knelt on the ground begging for mercy.

The Turk walked over and cut off his head with a sword.

There was silence.

"The Romans were too weak to resist being beaten. No wonder they lost land and money."

"Remember, my name is Yeerhan, from Ramazan!"

Yarhan shouted loudly in Greek, raised his sword and looked around. All the people he saw lowered their heads and did not dare to look at him.

In the stands, Galwin's face flushed and he clenched his hands tightly.

"Let's go!"

Galvin pulled Beatley away from the stands.

Galwin returned home and could not sleep at night, as the ridicule of the Turkic man Yarkhan kept ringing in his mind.

At midnight, he got out of bed, took out an iron sword from the firewood pile, and started swinging it.

This was made by Galwin for himself using scraps from the blacksmith's shop.

What should I do if my opponent is Yeerhan?

In the next few days, he always sneaked out of the house with various excuses and went to watch the game with Bitley.

Old Emperor Lin was busy going out to discuss business and didn't care.

The Turks were still as cruel and arrogant as ever, deliberately provoking the Roman people in the stands and then destroying their self-confidence to pieces.

The audience on the stage were furious, but could do nothing.

"Tomorrow is the last day, Galwen, will you come tomorrow?"

Galwen nodded.

"Why do you seem unhappy these days?"

Beatrix was a little confused.

"A Turkic barbarian insulted your country like this, and you feel happy?"

"We are weaker than them..."

"Nonsense! The Ironclad Paladins will crush them all!"

"That was centuries ago... If they really had such strong soldiers, how could they just sit there and watch the empire decline?"

Galwen's face suddenly turned blue and red.

Beatley shrugged and ran off.

Walking back home, Galwin found that the royal envoy had come again, carrying many gifts, but was driven out by his father again.

Galwen apologized to him and opened the door.

My father was sitting at the dining table, still very angry.

Galvin had no appetite.

"Father, have you ever thought that His Highness Isaac is different from other Paleolithic people?"

"What's the difference? Just a lobbyist with good words."

"He went on expeditions to distant lands and brought a powerful fleet to the empire. He defeated the Ottoman navy and saved the Wall of Corinth. He brought hope to Rome!"

“Let’s go! Let’s go!”

Di Lin was furious.

"You clearly know this! People outside are talking about it! Even the Patriarch is full of praise for His Highness Isaac, you just don't want to face it!"

"You're just trying to find an excuse for your weakness!"

Di Lin stood up and pointed at his son's stubborn face with trembling fingers.

"You...get out of here!"

Galwin ran out of the house like crazy, ignoring the screams of his mother and sister behind him.

I walked along in a daze and unknowingly arrived at the chapel.

It was completely dark, and the old priest had finished his story and was cleaning up the church.

"Child, why are you here?"

"Your parents will be worried."

the priest asked kindly.

For some reason, Galwen's tears suddenly welled up in his eyes.

The old priest put a robe on him and brought him a bowl of soup.

"Child, if you have any worries, you might as well tell me. Although I am useless, I have seen a lot and can give you some advice."

Galwin wiped away his tears and finished his story.

"Father Malvi, I want to be a knight, to charge like my ancestors, to fight for Rome like them, but I can't bear to leave my sister and mother behind."

Malvi smiled.

"My child, we are a nation that has been forced into a desperate situation. If the Turks or Latins conquer this place, what will happen to your mother and sister?"

"You don't need to become a professional, just follow your heart, and God will bless you, kid."

"Go home, your father must be waiting anxiously."

After wiping away his tears and drinking his soup, Galwin forced a smile at the old priest.

"I understand."

(End of this chapter)