Chapter 1010 - 233: Confrontation

Chapter 1010: Chapter 233: Confrontation

From Tarsus to Hades.

Along the way, there were often armed forces from local Iqta nobles and Crusader troops joining the army. Originally a force of sixty thousand, it swelled by five thousand as they were about to reach Hades.

Riding on a robust horse from the river, Ali Atabeg and several dozen personal guards gazed distantly at the endless procession of troops behind him.

Thirty massive war elephants led the front of the formation. These beasts, fed with magic potions, had reached an unprecedented height of six meters, and with the huge iron tower on their backs, their total height reached eight meters.

These behemoths were purchased as young calves from South Asia following Saladin’s defeat, fearing the threat of the Franks. Bahram VI personally dispatched people to acquire them, and with the meticulous care of Casters, they grew into such terrifying beasts in just three years.

Apart from carrying a metal tower that housed Shooters and Drivers, their heads and forelegs were armored, and each tusk was fitted with an iron blade over two meters long.

Aside from that, their most significant modification was their temperament.

Traditional war elephants often served merely as a deterrent in battle, more form than function, afraid of fire and pain, easily going into a frenzy, ignoring their Drivers’ commands, and turning back to rampage through their own lines—a scenario that often occurred.

But now, these magical elephants had completely discarded these flaws. Their temperament had become more bloodthirsty, requiring a large intake of meat daily, and during battle, they would enter a frenzy, seemingly devoid of pain.

Crucially, the Casters nurturing them established a spiritual connection between these beasts and their Riders, akin to Hawk Trainers, allowing them to comprehend their Rider’s commands even when in a frenzied state.

"The original war elephants were fearsome enough. I can’t even fathom who could counter these improved magical elephants once they enter the battlefield!"

Ali Atabeg was particularly fond of these voracious creatures that consumed vast quantities of food every day. He even chose one as his "command post," believing it would give him a superior vantage point to observe the battlefield during combat comprehensively.

The Attendant nearby chuckled, "If those ignorant Franks saw these magical elephants, they’d be scared out of their wits. I fear they might flee Hades straight away without even daring to face us in battle."

Ali clearly reveled in the Attendant’s flattery but maintained a humble demeanor, "We mustn’t underestimate the enemy. Even Saladin’s forces once included a beast army. The Franks’ ability to defeat him is already proof that they are formidable."

"Indeed, the Franks are ferociously brave. Fortunately, we have a valiant and battle-hardened general like General Ali."

Everyone eagerly flattered, wishing to extol Ali as a rare commander throughout the ages, with none able to compare, not even Saladin, Nuruddin, or Alslan.

The core strength of the Sassan military was cavalry, a principle established when they replaced the Parthian Empire at the very founding of their state.

Add to that the threats surrounding Sassan, mostly from nomadic tribes like the White Huns, Alans, Turkic people, and Qidan people...

This has made Sassan cavalry the absolute mainstay of their military.

The main force of Sassan cavalry was comprised of military nobles granted fiefs, these military nobles fought as elite heavy cavalry during wars, while their subordinates mostly served as light cavalry and auxiliary cavalry.

Infantry was mainly conscripted from citizens and farmers, with little guarantee of combat effectiveness.

Overall, the military system of the Sassanid Dynasty bore little difference from that of European Countries, with Iqta lords lacking only hereditary rights in name, they are practically no different from the feudal lords of Europe.

The military nobles forming the heavy cavalry were the feudal knights.

"First, make camp and have the chiefs of the surrounding villages bring provisions."

"Send the Undead Army’s cavalry to carefully guard against enemy ambushes."

"The Franks have so few people, yet they dare act recklessly before such a grand army of ours?"

"The Franks are indeed wild and arrogant. They’ve never been graced by civilization’s teachings, don’t read military texts, nor adhere to any norms. They are only slightly better than the Tatars, making them barbarians whose combat is driven solely by raw courage. At first glance, they are intimidating, but if you withstand their assault without defeat, it is they who will be defeated."

"Yet, our infantry is weak, I’m afraid they cannot withstand the enemy’s charge."

"Don’t worry, the Undead Army will hold the line in critical moments!"

General Ali wore a disdainful look but never truly underestimated these barbarians in his heart.

The battlefield is no place for talk of civilization.

"But didn’t Your Majesty say to minimize losses to the Undead Army?"

"As long as we can win, none of this is a mistake."

Ali let out a cold laugh. Under his command, he relied on the Undead Army and his own Iqta cavalry as his main forces. If they don’t step up in critical moments, how can they fight a war?

His voice was calm as he said, "If we lose, even if I bring back the Undead Army intact, I’ll still be expected to offer my head as penance."

"Indeed, the Franks are ferociously brave. Fortunately, we have a valiant and battle-hardened general like General Ali."

Everyone eagerly flattered, wishing to extol Ali as a rare commander throughout the ages, with none able to compare, not even Saladin, Nuruddin, or Alslan.

The core strength of the Sassan military was cavalry, a principle established when they replaced the Parthian Empire at the very founding of their state.

Add to that the threats surrounding Sassan, mostly from nomadic tribes like the White Huns, Alans, Turkic people, and Qidan people...

This has made Sassan cavalry the absolute mainstay of their military.

The main force of Sassan cavalry was comprised of military nobles granted fiefs, these military nobles fought as elite heavy cavalry during wars, while their subordinates mostly served as light cavalry and auxiliary cavalry.

Infantry was mainly conscripted from citizens and farmers, with little guarantee of combat effectiveness.

Overall, the military system of the Sassanid Dynasty bore little difference from that of European Countries, with Iqta lords lacking only hereditary rights in name, they are practically no different from the feudal lords of Europe.

The military nobles forming the heavy cavalry were the feudal knights.

"First, make camp and have the chiefs of the surrounding villages bring provisions."

"Send the Undead Army’s cavalry to carefully guard against enemy ambushes."

"The Franks have so few people, yet they dare act recklessly before such a grand army of ours?"

"The Franks are indeed wild and arrogant. They’ve never been graced by civilization’s teachings, don’t read military texts, nor adhere to any norms. They are only slightly better than the Tatars, making them barbarians whose combat is driven solely by raw courage. At first glance, they are intimidating, but if you withstand their assault without defeat, it is they who will be defeated."

"Yet, our infantry is weak, I’m afraid they cannot withstand the enemy’s charge."

"Don’t worry, the Undead Army will hold the line in critical moments!"

General Ali wore a disdainful look but never truly underestimated these barbarians in his heart.

The battlefield is no place for talk of civilization.

"But didn’t Your Majesty say to minimize losses to the Undead Army?"

"As long as we can win, none of this is a mistake."

Ali let out a cold laugh. Under his command, he relied on the Undead Army and his own Iqta cavalry as his main forces. If they don’t step up in critical moments, how can they fight a war?

His voice was calm as he said, "If we lose, even if I bring back the Undead Army intact, I’ll still be expected to offer my head as penance."