Yusuf ordered a tily withdrawal before further damage could be done.
However, this was a very unsatisfactory situation for the military commanders.
They had almost captured the eastern wall, so if they just attacked a little more, they would definitely secure victory.
Since it could definitely end things, it was right to accept so damage.
But seeing them step down, it seed that their lord, who would soon beco Padishah, was too sympathetic.
Yusuf's army had consud a lot of supplies, and his soldiers were exhausted.
However, the actual casualties were relatively small considering the reckless all-out attack.
On the contrary, Bursa's forces suffered terrible losses, and its walls and gates were left in tatters.
It looked like they would definitely be able to capture it with one more attack.
Everyone expected Yusuf to take his ti and eat away at the enemy, and in response, Yusuf gave the sa order once again.
"We will attack again at sunrise tomorrow. Until then, let the soldiers rest and prepare the siege engines."
The morale of the Tumaria army, which had failed to capture Bursa despite an all-out attack, seed sowhat dampened. However, when Yusuf's order was delivered, their losses were not significant, and it was widely believed that the enemy would soon fall. Their spirits quickly lifted.
On the other hand, the rebels who had endured a terrible day in Bursa were caught up in an atmosphere of such misery that they could barely do anything.
"It's all over now... I should have surrendered when the Sultan promised rcy..."
"I don't want to die..."
The soldiers muttered gloomily as they carried away the corpses strewn about on the walls. Repairing the wall was out of the question; so many areas had been destroyed that any effort seed pointless.
The water wizard had poured a lot of water between the bricks of the wall, weakening them, while the earth wizard had dug into the structure as if it were clay. Combined with the catapult attacks, the walls had no chance of holding.
There was not a single sound spot on the wall, as if tens of thousands of rats had gnawed away at rotten old wood.
"... I wish..."
A soldier, carrying a corpse on the ramparts, stared blankly at the enemy camp in the distance. The enemy soldiers were peacefully eating and lighting fires, completely at ease.
Food rations in Bursa had been cut due to the blockade of supplies. The corpses needed to be disposed of to prevent disease and to restore morale.
While the enemy sang songs and feasted, the rebels cleaned up the bodies of their fallen comrades after a grueling day of battle, their stomachs empty.
"When darkness falls, a hero appears.
The darkest night when not even the moon rises.
Give us light when we are lost.
Look at the eastern sky, for the sun is rising there!
It shines brightest in the darkest of tis.
A new sun has risen, so welco it joyfully.
A hero has appeared who can drive away the darkness."
As the song spread, the military camp led by Yusuf was lit up as brightly as day with soldiers preparing als.
In contrast, only a few torches flickered along the walls of Bursa.
As autumn drew to a close, the desert nights beca bitterly cold. Hands froze, feet stiffened, and teeth chattered.
Everyone in Bursa now knew: they were dood.
On the other hand, the Tumaria soldiers were seen as righteous and glorious warriors under Sultan Yusuf, the "new sun" who brought light to Tumaria.
The rebels were simply pawns in this grim conflict. All they wanted was to survive, to return ho, and to embrace their families.
The miserable night deepened.
Perhaps there was no need to wait for tomorrow. At any mont, it seed, Bursa might collapse.
---
A large shadow moved through the darkness.
It glided smoothly like flowing water yet dashed swiftly, like a fish cutting through the depths.
It took less than a minute for the shadow to travel from the walls of Bursa to the garrison of the Tumaria army led by Yusuf.
Wrapped in the cloak of night, the figure remained unseen, even when standing right in front of its victims.
The shadow broke through the periter and entered the garrison silently.
Inside the camp, the scent of freshly baked bread and faint traces of beer hung in the air, a rare treat for the soldiers.
The shadow paused in a corner, then lunged at a soldier who had stepped out to relieve himself.
"Ugh!"
The soldier, caught off guard, tried to scream, but a fierce grip stifled him. Only faint murmurs escaped as a strong hand clamped over his mouth.
"Fizzle…"
A sweet, almost intoxicating voice whispered from the shadows.
At that mont, the soldier's eyes rolled back. They fluttered for a mont, trembling, before calming unnaturally.
Even as the hand covering his mouth released him, the soldier stood motionless, entirely subdued.
"Where is Sultan Yusuf?"
The voice poured like honey into his ears, seeping into his mind.
The soldier, entirely under the shadow's thrall, whispered back softly.
"The Sultan is in the center of the garrison."
There was no doubt, no hesitation, no fear in his voice. He still revered Sultan Yusuf, yet at that mont, he obeyed this unknown being without question.
"The security will be tight," the shadow murmured.
"Yes. The Master and the wizards are guarding the area. No one without permission can even approach," the soldier replied.
"And when does he co out? Sultan Yusuf is said to be so fond of his soldiers. Wouldn't he co out to see them occasionally?"
The voice teased, warm and moist, tickling the soldier's thoughts.
"He already ca out in the evening. I think he's probably asleep by now. He'll likely appear again before the attack tomorrow morning. Truly great…"
The soldier's words trailed off as his throat was abruptly crushed like a dry reed.
"Let's go."
The shadow discarded the lifeless body carelessly, as if throwing away the bones of a finished al, and began moving again.
Its destination: the center of the garrison, where Sultan Yusuf rested.
The torches flickered nervously in the wake of the shadow, as though they too were terrified.
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