Chapter XXII: Prussian Crusade and Tactica.

When I was with my wife near Crimea, Goerge found out what events happened to me and sent me a letter and an handful of Knights of Lazarus, they are still loyal to us both but not to the Emperor Justinian but still he continued to serve the Emperor to avoid exile or being an enemy. He sent me letters telling that his situation is okay but the Seventh Crusade is slowly being a failure. He decided to pull out his remaining forces in the Levant and return to the Roman territories.

He asked me a favor to help the Teutonic Knights in capturing and spread the holy gospel in the Prussian lands, doing this will greatly benefit both sides and for me to gain another fiefs and allies. I immidiately contacted my Polish strzelcy to help me with the war, and I never forget my Saint Lazarus Knights. Still clad in chainmail and surcoat which shows the green cross. I have been hearing rumors from my personal spies that they have spotted Roman Scouts in Crimea. So I went from the lands of the Golden Horde, to Galicia–Volhynia, Mazovia and finally the city of Toruń.

I was protected by my Knights and strzelcy, we were warmly greeted by the populace and the elites due to my reputation as a great military general.

Toruń was a thriving city located in the heart of what in northern Poland. It was one of the most important trade centers of the region, with a bustling port and busy marketplaces. The city was surrounded by sturdy walls and gates, which protected the residents from invaders and provided a sense of security.

Toruń was a lively and diverse community, home to merchants, artisans, and farmers, as well as members of various religious orders. The city was renowned for its thriving culture and artistic scene, with many churches, monasteries, and institutions of learning, as well as taverns, inns, and other places of entertainment.

The streets of Toruń were lined with beautiful buildings made of brick and stone, and the city was home to many impressive structures, including the imposing Gothic castle, St. John's Church, and the massive brick church of the Holy Spirit. The city also had a rich history, having been established in the 10th century and having played a key role in the spread of Christianity in the region.

Despite its many challenges, including frequent wars and outbreaks of disease, Toruń is still flourishing, attracting visitors from far and wide who came to trade, learn, and experience its vibrant culture.

And entering the keep of the city, I have discovered a book called Tactica which is a book made by Emperor Leo VI the Wise, and this book will prove useful in the upcoming crusade.

In the year 887, the Byzantine Empire was facing its greatest challenge yet. The army of the powerful Caliphate of Baghdad was marching towards the city of Constantinople, determined to conquer the last bastion of Christianity in the East. Emperor Leo VI the Wise was faced with a difficult decision – how to defend his city and his people against a vastly superior enemy.

Leo was a man of great intelligence and cunning, known throughout the empire for his wisdom and strategic thinking. He had studied the ancient military treatises of the great generals of the past, and had a deep understanding of the tactics and strategies that had been used to defeat armies in the past. And so, as the Caliphate's army approached, Leo set to work, devising a plan that would turn the tide of the battle and save his city.

The first thing that Leo did was to fortify the city's walls. He ordered his engineers to repair and strengthen the walls, building new towers and gatehouses and stocking them with supplies. He also ordered the construction of a new fleet of ships to defend the city from the sea.

Next, Leo began to prepare his army for battle. He drilled them in the tactics that he had learned from the ancient treatises, teaching them the art of phalanx formation, the importance of discipline, and the value of surprise. He also made sure that they were well equipped, providing them with the best weapons and armor that the empire could provide.

As the day of the battle approached, Leo made his final preparations. He ordered his army to form a phalanx at the front of the city, with the soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder, shields interlocked, and spears pointing outwards. Behind them, he placed his archers and catapults, ready to rain arrows and stones down upon the enemy.

The Caliphate's army arrived outside the city, and the two sides faced each other across the battlefield. Leo stood atop the walls, watching as the enemy forces began to advance. But as they drew closer, something strange began to happen – the phalanx at the front of the city started to shimmer and change, as if it were made of smoke or water.

The Caliphate's soldiers were taken aback, and for a moment, they hesitated. And in that moment, Leo ordered his archers to fire, raining a hail of arrows down upon the enemy. The soldiers of the phalanx then stepped forward, brandishing their spears, and charged towards the enemy.

The battle was fierce, with both sides fighting with all their might. But in the end, it was Leo's tactics that won the day. The enemy was caught off guard by the shimmering phalanx, and the rain of arrows and stones from the catapults had taken a heavy toll. The Caliphate's army was eventually driven back, defeated and dispirited.

And so, the city of Constantinople was saved, and Leo VI the Wise was hailed as a hero throughout the empire. His tactics, recorded in the "Tactica of Emperor Leo VI the Wise", would become the model for generations of Byzantine generals, and would be studied by military leaders for centuries to come. The story of Leo's victory over the Caliphate would become a legend, inspiring all who heard it to strive for greatness, and to defend their homes and their people against all odds.