Eagle Flag of Epirus

　　 Agrinion is located between the Peloponnese peninsula and the strait of Epirus, and Justinian’s territory is located in a remote castle on the west coast.

　　 During the reign of Emperor Alexi I more than a hundred years ago, the Normans from the sea turned out. They occupied Sicily and Naples and landed at Durazzo and defeated the imperial army.

　　 Despite the efforts of several generations, the Normans were finally hit hard in the era of Manuel the Great and eliminated their threat to the West Coast, but it still had an indelible influence over the centuries. For example, Ilovan Castle was built on the foundation built by the Normans at that time. These Western-European military models have subtly changed the classical Roman world.

"This is your territory, Lord Justinian." The Turks who arrived at Ilovanburg with Justinian took the reins. They did not put this young man in their eyes and handed it to Justin. Nei’s commission left.

　　 Looking at these leaving Turkic cavalry, Justinian's expression also became cold. I have to say that the Turkic cavalry are extremely good mercenaries. It can be said that the Byzantine Empire has always relied on their Li Liang, but eventually became its gravedigger.

　　 The biggest mistake of the later Paleolig dynasty was to introduce Turks to interfere with the situation in the Balkans. Naturally, Justinian would not be willing to follow in his footsteps.

　　 led the horse, Justinian walked to the front of his castle, I have to say that this is really a very dilapidated castle, it has not been renovated for a long time, and the bricks are rotten and covered with moss. I saw a few soldiers on the city wall saw Justinian walking to the city gate and quickly let the people below open them to greet them.

"Is it Chief Justinian? We have been waiting for you for a long time." An elderly veteran came up and introduced himself: "I am your deputy. The sheriff here, Abdra, is very happy to be You serve."

　　 Looking at the other party so friendly, Justinian felt a little strange. He suddenly parachuted here and became the other party's immediate boss. This man seemed very happy instead.

Justinian nodded and walked into the castle under the guidance of the opponent. The poverty inside was beyond Justinian’s imagination. The population did not exceed 500 people, including the army stationed inside, and more importantly. Most of them are old, weak, sick and disabled and the soldiers lack training.

　　 It seems that Mikhail is more stingy than I thought. Justinian sneered in his heart, this kind of weak castle is not worth three melons before giving it to himself.

"Are these the people in the castle? How many people are there in the other villages?" Justinian asked the veteran next to him. Now he can only hope in those villages. Own source of troops.

　　 But Abdera was embarrassed and replied awkwardly: "Your Excellency Justinian, you may have misunderstood it. These are all the people under your jurisdiction, including several villages. Usually only soldiers are stationed in the castle."

　　 "Are you joking?" Justinian looked at the white-haired man with an incredible look. If you know that there are only so few people in the village, isn't his territory impoverished.

　　 But Abdera nodded the leader Justinian completely desperate.

　　 "This is really the worst thing." Justinian couldn't help but muttered to himself, his start was actually more difficult than expected.

　　 At this moment, Justinian suddenly discovered that there was also a defender among the residents of the castle. It seemed that someone was wounded and wrapped in a bandage, which seemed to have been caused not long ago.

Justinian seemed to realize something, and his expression suddenly became serious. "Abudra, I have something to ask you? Has something happened here before? Why are people injured and the villagers hiding? Into the castle."

　　 As soon as he entered the castle, Justinian felt an atmosphere of fear permeate it.

　　 And Abdera obviously didn't expect Justinian to feel something wrong in the castle so sharply. "Sir, please forgive me for concealing it before. I originally wanted to tell you later. Now that you have found out, there is no need to cover up. Not long ago, Ilovan Castle was attacked by pirates. We only It’s been almost a week since I was able to hide here."

　　 "Pirates?" Justinian frowned slightly, there are such rampant pirates, "Didn't Lord Theodor not mobilize reinforcements?"

　　 I saw a bitter smile on Abdera's face and shook his head: "If that's the case, please go in and I will tell you everything."

　　 "Okay." Justinian nodded and followed the castle soldiers into the interior of the castle, and Abdera immediately told Justinian what he knew.

　　Ilovan Castle declined a long time ago, especially when maritime trade was monopolized by the Venetians. And now, the imperial navy has completely disappeared~www.ltnovel.com~ Croatian pirates also became rampant in the narrow waters of the Adriatic Sea. Like the predecessor Illyrian pirates, they controlled countless small straits by driving small Ships attacked past merchant ships, and even the Venetians couldn't help them. Now they are so arrogant that they dare to land and ransack the village on the shore.

　　 Ilovan Castle itself is weak in defense, and poverty has never been taken seriously, so it has become the focus of pirates' attention. Often the harvest in the past year was taken away by these pirates, and even the young and middle-aged in the village were forcibly taken and used as slaves by Croatian pirates. Nowadays, the villagers can only hide in the castle, but the food has almost bottomed out, and they have been hesitating whether to return to the village or not, and do not know whether the pirates have left.

　　 "So this is the case?" Justinian can't help but frown. Pirates are really a confidant. If this continues, I am afraid that all the population under his management will escape. It's no wonder that these people in the castle are so happy to see their appearance, and they also hope that someone can solve their dilemma.

　　 "Do you know what's going on in the village now?" Justinian looked at Abdela and asked.

"I don't know. We have limited manpower. No one dares to approach there." Abdera shook his head and replied. No one dared to go to death. Most of the army is old, weak, sick and disabled, even young and strong. The unruly soldiers and hooligans were unable to command them, and they ran back halfway when they were forced to go.

"Order everyone to gather, I have an order to give it, immediately." Out of this, Justinian said angrily. There must be a limit to the depletion of arms. The situation in Ilovan Castle has obviously exceeded his bottom line, and he understands that he must do it. What can I do to clean up this castle?