The Ayyubid Empire's fleet consisted of thirteen warships: four Tier IV ships (scout ships), two Tier III ships (cruiser ships), six troop transports, and a flagship (Tier II ship, also known as a capital ship) located in the center of a T-formation.

Meanwhile, on the flagship's bridge, an old man with a turban and a goatee was looking at Lone Rock City through a monocular telescope.

The flagship's commander approached him and announced loudly, "Lord Latib, all the ship's cannons are ready and can fire at any time."

The old man, known as Latib, continued to observe the direction of the city, asking, "Approximately how many soldiers are stationed on the mountain behind Lone Rock City?"

"Around three hundred people."

Latib put away his binoculars and burst into laughter: "Those followers of God will never imagine that we've outflanked them! Listen to this, three hundred men, what can three hundred men do? One charge and we'll wipe them all out!"

The commander whispered a reminder: "Sir, those three hundred men have occupied a narrow pass in the mountain road, and the terrain is very dangerous."

Latib glared and patted the warship beneath him: "Do you think these cannons on the ship are just for show? Pass down the order to aim at the defenders on the back hill and fire hard!"

"I will obey your command!"

The commander turned around and shouted at the flag bearer: "Target, the enemy's garrison camp on the hill behind the city! Adjust the sights! Single gun calibration! One salvo!"

The flag bearer at the bow raised his five-colored flag, and after a series of actions, all the warships adjusted their course and loaded their ammunition.

After a period of silence, the deafening roar of artillery fire shook the entire battlefield.

Nearly a hundred solid cannonballs swept through the mountain path behind Lone Rock City like a steel storm. Small trees as thick as bowls were snapped in half, and rocks the size of millstones were shattered into pieces. From a distance, the area ravaged by the cannonballs was a scene of utter devastation.

While the gunners were reloading, an army staff officer leaned close to Latib and whispered, "It seems that the emperor of that empire still hasn't taken Lone Rock City."

Latib sneered: "A traitor who ascends the throne through betrayal and conspiracy will one day be punished by Allah!"

The staff officer said with a fawning smile, "Sir, your troops have already eliminated seven or eight tenths of the reinforcements, yet that man still hasn't been able to take the city after so many days... So, the rumors in the country that Saladin is a god of war are really nothing special to me."

Latib gestured to stop his advisor from speaking further, saying, "Saladin is indeed skilled in warfare, that's an undeniable fact. The reason he hasn't captured the city yet, I suspect, is that the enemy has concentrated most of their forces at the main gate, hindering his advance. But that's perfect; I can enter the city first without lifting a finger..."

The staff officer continued, "If you, sir, can be the first to enter the city, it will mean that we, the former subordinates of the Abbasid Empire, have accomplished a great feat. In the future, as long as we can gradually increase our influence, restoring the Abbasid Empire, welcoming back the royal family, and regaining power will definitely not be difficult."

Latib, stroking his goatee, couldn't contain his smugness. He shouted to the commander, "Pass down the order! Command our troops to break through the defenses of those three hundred men and storm Lone Rock City!"

Two hours later, the flagship commander approached Latib with a look of anxiety and whispered, "Sir, our troops launched three charges, all of which were repelled by the enemy..."

"What did you say?!" Latib, who had been full of confidence, was so shocked by the commander's words that he accidentally tore off a few hairs from his beard.

He walked up to them and shouted, "They were driven back?! How could they be driven back?! Four thousand men! With guns and cannons! And they were driven back by a bunch of farmers with wooden bows and pitchforks?!"

Sweat beaded on the commander's forehead: "According to reports from the battlefield, twelve knights clad in black armor are guarding the only road to the city. Our soldiers are unable to deploy their formations on the narrow mountain path, and the pressure from gunfire is being reduced by the complex terrain..."

"A bunch of cowards! Even the rats in the fields are braver than you!" Latib roared, pointing at the city on the mountain, his anger blazing. "Order all warships to aim at the enemy forces on the back mountain and give them a good beating until they dare not show their faces!"

On the seventh day of the Battle of Lone Rock, in contrast to the silent frontal battle, the battlefield on the back mountain of Lone Rock was filled with the sounds of gunfire and shouts of soldiers for a full day and night.

By sunrise the next day, Latib's army was still firmly held back at the foot of the mountain.

Latib, who hadn't slept a wink all night, looked at the report from the front lines, his face flushed. In a fit of rage, he tore the document in his hand to shreds and threw it into the sea.

"Those black-armored knights among the enemy are impervious to swords and spears; lead bullets can only slow them down slightly. Even the night is as bright as day to them. Sharp spikes can emerge from under their armor, capable of taking a life in an instant..." Latib roared, "Listen to this! What these cowardly bastards are spouting to shirk responsibility! Utter nonsense!"

The staff officers and generals on the ship looked at each other, but no one spoke.

Just as Latib was enraged, the sentry on the watchtower sounded a warning.

"A small vessel is rapidly approaching the fleet from the northeast."

Upon hearing this, Latib stopped roaring, took out his binoculars, and looked into the field of vision. There was a small sailboat with a strange shape and a black body.

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