1605 Summer(June – August)

1605 July

It’s an almost one-sided victory for the United Kingdom. Spain’s economy, which was already in the dumps even before the war thanks to hyperinflation and an overwhelming amount of national debt, was too devastated to continue the war. France – Lioness to be exact – has only Ile-de-France, the French Royal’s territory - with all feudal lords revolting or refusing to send both troops and military supplies to the France Army. In short, only some German Feudal Lords adjacent to the Netherland borders were present and continued to fight with the United Kingdom. Hanseatic League and Denmark? The former has declared bankruptcy a long time ago and the latter has been blasted into smithereens with the alliance of the United Kingdom and Sweden and has stepped out from this war.

Thus, although the number of soldiers that anti-United Kingdom alliance had was 280,000, which was almost twice the number of troops that the United Kingdom has – 160,000 – on paper, in reality, it was the opposite. For one thing, Spanish Army – which is slightly over 100,000 – is currently on strike due to unpaid salary. Also, half of the 64,000 French Army has deserted their troops and returned to their home with the lack of supplies and the remaining half was not in good condition as well.

In conclusion, the foe’s actual troops were just 150,000 and to make matters worse for them, with the Kaiser absent, all German Feudal Lords were just commanding their army, without any commander in chief – ignoring the Lioness, whom they’ve named as commander in chief before. And that made the matter easier for United Kingdom’s army.

In the land, Philip Sidney’s detached forces entered into the Holy Roman Empire(Germany)’s territory and crushed the German Feudal lords who took France’s side, burning their domain one by one.

In the sea, Royal Navy led by Earl of Essex took full control of Atlantic, with the anti-United Kingdom alliance troops not daring to sail a single ship at waters. And there was no threat to armed merchant ships of West India and East India Company, which accounted for most of the trade revenues of the United Kingdom.

From this point, I’ve secretly started to send messages to the high-rank aristocrats and priests of Spain and Portugal.

(*Spain and Portugal is currently a Personal Union serving Felipe III, under the name of Iberia Union.)

“I, Edward Philip Albert Charles von Tudor Habsburg, eldest son of Felipe II, solemnly swear to Holy Father, Jesus Christ, and Virgin Mary that if you ditch my incompetent half-brother Felipe III and swear allegiance to me, I’ll respect your rights and assets. What do you say?”

Of course, I didn’t mention what will happen if they refuse, because they too would know what happened to Cuba and all other foreign colonies and how’s the war going on in Europe right now.

And most answers were in 2 categories.

The former was fervent advocates.

“Long live King Eduardo I, the one and only legitimate King of Iberia!”

“I’ve been waiting for your message, my lord. Kick that incompetent donkey by the name of Felipe III and claim your rightful throne!”

“Oh, sweet mother of God, make Spain great again!”

Some were opportunists, but most of them were expecting Edward VII/Eduardo I the Rich King to solve Spain’s bankrupt budget and economy. Yes, it’s just like what Bill Clinton said.

‘It’s the Economy, stupid!’

It doesn’t matter whether they are aristocrats or high-rank priests. If their current king doesn’t bring home enough bacon, they put other things aside and try to find a more competent master.

They blamed Felipe III for devastated monetary policy, outstanding national debts and credit default. Although the main cause of this economic disaster was endless wars that took place in Charles V and Felipe II’s reign, their impact occurred mostly in Felipe III’s time. Also, even though his father and grandfather were to blame for outstanding national debts and credit default, it was Felipe III himself who caused hyper-inflation by lowering the % of silver in Spanish coins, thereby ruining the monetary economy of Spain.

So, logically, to Spanish nobles, I - who made my country rich for the last 30 years – was a more ideal king than Felipe III, my half-brother – who devastated Spain in less than 10 years.

Meanwhile, the latter were those who suggested to me conditions as a price of their loyalty.

“I need more time to consider.”

“As a king of Spain, swear to Holy Father, Jesus Christ, and Virgin Mary that you’ll stay in Spain for 6 months every year.”

“Promise that you’ll dedicate the rest of your life to the crusade against the Pagans and Heretics as the ‘Protector of (Catholic) Faith’”

They were more patriots or nationalists than the former, in concerning the future of Spain. In short, if the former was just saying

‘Yes, we’ll serve you as our king, so please save our economy!’

They claimed that

‘Yeah, since we don’t have the power to stop you, you’re our king. But, if you become our king, act like Spanish!’

‘In Rome, do as the Romans do, huh?’

And my replies to them were

“I’ll be expecting a positive answer.”

“No problem.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Although I gave a positive answer, I didn’t directly say ‘yes’ to any suggestions. It’s them, not I, who is currently in hot waters. I can withstand at least another decade, monopolizing the Far East, America, and Africa trades and attacking the port cities and coastlines of Spain, Portugal, France and Germany with Royal Navy and privateers of East and West India Company. But they? They don’t have a single cent to sail the ship or pay a salary to Armada.

In this situation, I would be a fool to give them an affirmative answer and tie my own hands and start on low grounds at the negotiation.

Anyway, the fact that most replies were either of these 2 shows that Felipe III is no longer considered as the legitimate king of Iberia to most nobles of Spain and Portugal. Actually, from the start, after my older half-brother Don Carlos’s death, I was a more suitable heir to the throne of Spain, since I’m older than Felipe III. However, since Felipe II and Cortes Generales(*Spanish Parliament) both worried about the advent of the Personal Union of England of Spain, which is being led solely by England, they ignored Lex Salica and designated my half-brother Felipe III as an heir.

If I had officially sworn in front of Pope that I’ll abandon my succession rights, I would have been speechless.

However, this preposterous inheritance was observed thanks to several, secret give-and-take between me and Felipe II, - I keep silence and Felipe II borrowing me money, giving me Far East ports, etc.

With Felipe II dead, and I breaking the silence and claiming my rightful place, Felipe III didn’t have any legitimate claim to keep his seat. Because in Spain, normally they don’t designate an heir but inherits to the eldest son.