The pursuit by Lin Tian's army was something the Crusader Army had never anticipated.
They believed that once they began their retreat, they would have a chance to survive.
However, they soon discovered that even in retreat, there was no escape.
"Why? Why would they march out of the city again? Why wouldn't they let us go?"
"No, I don't know! I have no idea what they're thinking. I only know we're in grave danger this time!"
"Run! Scatter now! If we stick together in one direction, we'll all die here!"
Many already sensed that Lin Tian's army had no intention of sparing them.
At this point, their only hope for survival was to flee in all directions.
Yet, even as many scattered, Lin Tian's army continued to pursue most of them.
This was a terrifying realization for the majority.
"Don't chase me, please don't chase me, I don't want to die!"
"Ah! Someone save me, who will save me! I don't want to die here!"
"Forward! Let's run forward now! There's a city ahead, maybe there are reinforcements for us there!"
Relying solely on their own Crusader Army, they saw no path to survival.
Now, they needed outside help.
Fortunately, they were also part of the Roman Empire, and the Empire acknowledged their existence.
Therefore, they decided to head to the next city to seek aid from the Roman soldiers stationed there.
It must be said, their plan was quite sensible.
If a proper army were to assist them, they might indeed have a chance to survive.
However, when they reached the next city, they were met with despair.
Although it was a city, there were not many soldiers on its walls.
Moreover, the city gates were wide open, showing no signs of defense.
How could such a city and its soldiers possibly save them?
At this moment, the Crusader Army's general was contemplating whether to request help from this city or to move on to the next one.
He debated this for several breaths.
Before he could make a decision, the soldiers behind him acted first.
As the soldiers were being pursued by Lin Tian's army, they felt immense pressure.
Every moment, they yearned to escape the pursuit and find a safe haven.
Seeing a city that belonged to them, they treated it like a lifeline.
Without hesitation, they began to shout:
"Save us, please save us!"
"Defend! Prepare for battle! We have a large enemy behind us, get ready to fight!"
"Let us in quickly, let us in to hide! Our enemy is coming, let us in!"
Many soldiers not only shouted this but also rushed towards the city gates without a second thought.
Their actions spurred many soldiers behind them.
Initially, many soldiers were awaiting their general's strategy, unsure whether to enter this city or proceed elsewhere.
But seeing others enter, they followed suit with no hesitation.
In this situation, others had no choice but to join them and enter the city.
Even the Crusader Army's general, after only a brief moment of hesitation, chose to enter the city.
His soldiers' hearts were already set on this city.
If he continued to flee forward, he might find himself escaping alone.
Therefore, entering this city was the best option for them.
The Roman Empire's army within the city was also greatly surprised to see the Crusaders.
The arrival of the Crusader Army was completely unexpected.
Especially since many of them had heard news that the Crusaders were engaged in battle with an enemy.
At this time, they should have been on the battlefield eliminating their foes, not appearing here.
Therefore, they asked with curiosity:
"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be on the battlefield?"
"Indeed! You say an enemy is pursuing you, what kind of enemy is it that has chased you so miserably?"
"Don't worry, everyone. We have thirty thousand troops in our city. Even if the enemy comes, we are fully capable of dealing with them. So, just tell us what happened."
Thirty thousand soldiers was indeed a substantial force, as other Roman Empire cities typically had only twenty thousand troops.
Thus, when the Romans spoke of thirty thousand soldiers, they were filled with confidence.
However, their confidence seemed like a joke to the Crusaders.
Their own army of two hundred thousand had not held out against Lin Tian's army; how could this force of thirty thousand possibly withstand Lin Tian's onslaught?
Their most urgent task now was to enter the city, close the gates, and rely on the city's defenses to withstand Lin Tian's army.
Therefore, when the Romans asked such questions, the Crusaders became anxious.
"Now is not the time to discuss these things! Behind us, an incredibly powerful army is in pursuit. If we don't enter the city quickly and close the gates, we will all be doomed!"
"How is that possible? We have thirty thousand troops here. Even the strongest enemy, I can fend them off. You don't need to panic, we've got this!"
"What are thirty thousand troops? We had two hundred thousand troops before, and now from that two hundred thousand, only a handful of us remain!"
"What? You are the two hundred thousand strong Crusader Army?"
The Roman soldiers were astonished by these words.
Earlier, they had heard that the Roman Pope had mobilized two hundred thousand Crusaders to attack an enemy.
This enemy had caused devastation within the Roman Empire, and they had even killed members of the Crusader Army.
Therefore, the Roman Pope's intention was simple: to destroy this enemy and avenge their fallen Crusader soldiers.
And to showcase the might of their Crusader Army.
But the Roman soldiers never imagined that the Crusaders they were seeing now were indeed that two hundred thousand strong Crusader Army.
After all, what stood before them was not two hundred thousand men, but a scattered force of only twenty to thirty thousand.
Such a force, at a glance, lacked combat power and resembled a group of defeated remnants.
Who could possibly associate such an army with the grand two hundred thousand strong Crusader Army?
However, while they were still doubting, the Crusaders provided them with a definitive answer.
"Yes, we are the two hundred thousand strong Crusader Army!"
"Our enemy is too powerful. We are barely surviving!"
"If you don't close the gates now, not only will our army likely cease to exist, but you and your city could also be annihilated by them!"