I am assuming 3 things. 1- he had warning perhaps the force is passing through pseudo-Georgia or pseudo-Armenia. 2- He got his infantry into the most threatened city. 2 his is marshaling his missile troops and cavalry near his pseudo-Byzantium as it is the logical place to pull all his troops together and then be able to launch a campaign.
As they set out they can at least cover the retreat of the rural population.
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We are ignoring the European invasion route...
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