Three years later, in the world of the Middle Ages.
Ivan and Fulk were aboard a massive oared sailing ship, traveling across the Red Sea.
Over the past three years, the situation in Central Asia had undergone earth-shaking changes.
Three years ago, under Kutlug's leadership, the Khitans halted the Tatars' westward advance. Though it was only a costly victory, it still brought immense prestige to the exiled prince.
Even among the Khitans, many nobles had been intimidated by the formidable strength displayed by the Tatars and believed that only Kutlug could lead the Khitans against such a powerful foe.
Thereafter, relying on Khan Zhilugu's trust, Kutlug seized power a year later and placed Khan Zhilugu under house arrest. Though Yelü Zhilugu remained Khan in name, the Naiman refugees Kutlug had brought from the east had become the new rulers of Western Liao in truth.
After that, Kutlug threw himself into reorganizing his army and preparing for war. He allied with Khwarazm in the west, campaigned against the Ghurid Dynasty in the south, and forged an alliance with the King of Kings of Eranshahr, feverishly preparing for another war with the Tatars.
Unfortunately, the Tatars' new western campaign was clearly no longer a minor incursion. An army of one hundred thousand bore down upon them.
Having completely conquered the Jin and fully integrated and absorbed their newly conquered territories, the Tatars' strength had expanded to unprecedented heights.
Kutlug, who had spent an entire year reorganizing his army and preparing for war, led the Naimans and Khitans against them for barely half a year before suffering defeat and being killed.
Like a praying mantis struggling to straighten itself before an eagle, waving its arms in ceaseless provocation, all his plans and resistance were crushed to pieces like a joke.
Fortunately, Ivan's unit