1620 Late Fall(November)

I’ve arrived in Crete along with the latecomers of the 3rd division – Iberian army. Since the 3rd division’s number was 180,000, even without any battles, there were several losses during the voyage from Barcelona to Crete.

‘No worries. This is just a drop in the bucket, compared to the losses of African slaves during the voyage of crossing the Atlantic from Africa to America.’

Of course, there were no ambush or surprise attacks from the Ottoman Navy till now. Meanwhile, Budapest delivered the news that the clashes began in the Transylvania region between the 2nd division – united forces of Denmark, Sweden, Austrian Habsburg, Prussia, and other several German feudal lords – and the Ottoman troops led by the grand viceroy of Serbia.

At the same time, 1st division – troops from the British Isles, Netherlands, and France – reported from Tunisia that they haven’t encountered the enemies yet.

‘Ha! The Ottoman calls itself an empire, when all the grand viceroys are acting on their own, without any commander-in-chief, while entire Europe is united under my command for the sake of the 10th crusade?’

Well, since it’s the era of the Sultanate of Women, in which either the wives or mothers of the Sultan take full control of the empire, the empire has sure gone to the dogs.

Also, since the current sultan - Murad IV, who’s known both for restoring the authority of the empire and for his brutality – is only 7 years old, it’s just perfect timing!

Heraklion, Crete

“Now, what do you say, gentlemen?”

In the Koules Fortress – which became the headquarter of the 10th crusade, which the Venice lent to my troops – I questioned the several generals from the 1st and the 3rd division, who were prostrating themselves before me.

“Which do you prefer? Attacking the Ottoman with our full strength from the start or do hit-and-run until they’re knocked out?”

Of course, I didn’t ask them not because I had no idea what to do but to respect their wills before I give them orders. I also have lots of war experience, too, you know! I’ve defeated my aunt Elizabeth to become the king of England when I was a boy. And I crushed my late daughter Elizabeth - the late regent of France – my half-brother Felipe 3rd, German Protestants, etc, although I didn’t fight in the frontline but made strategic decisions and provided supplied at the rear.

“Feel free to express your candid opinion.”

“Imperator, if I may - ”

And the moment when Italian generals were about to give their opinion

“How dare can we suspect your will, imperator!

“We’re just instruments for your ideals, give us orders, imperator!”

the Iberian – Castillian, Aragonese, Portuguese – generals silenced them, showing their full trust to me.

‘Is it a check towards Italians? Well, I don’t think so.’

In fact, it shows that Iberians worship the Imperator – me, Eduardo Ivlivs Caesar Avgvstvs/Edward VII/Eduardo I, the first Imperator of the New West Roman Empire, the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Netherlands and Iberia, King of Two Sicilies, Kaiser of the Holy Roman Empire – just like Jesus Christ or Virgin Mary, let alone many Saints.

However, giving up their critical mind and letting the commander-in-chief to do all the decision and saying yes to whatever the boss says isn’t a good attitude, especially on a battlefield.

I don’t want the 10th Crusade to fail, just like JFK failed the Bay of Pigs Invasion due to Groupthink syndrome, you know!

So, I scolded the Iberian generals, saying

“Thank you for your confidence in me. But as I’ve said, I wish to hear your candid opinion, not flattery.”

And then the Iberian generals replied

“Sorry for not understanding your true intentions, Imperator!”

and prostrated themselves.

At that moment

“Please send me, Imperator! I shall reclaim Egypt, following the footsteps of the Louis the Saint!”

my grandson and my son-in-law, Louis XIII, bravely claimed to go to the frontline.

“If you allow, our French troops currently stationed at Tunisia will swiftly sail to Cyprus and land at the Levant and reclaim Egypt, Imperator!”

‘Hmm? That’s strange. Of course, if it works, the Ottoman will have to gather troops even from the front lines with Persia to protect Egypt and Levant, resulting in the 2 or 3 front war.’

‘But, as far as I know, Louis XIII isn’t that kind of bold man. Now, who might be the machinator that suggested this bold act to him?’

And it was no other than the French Cardinal in his 30’s, Duke of Richelieu or Armand Jean du Plessis.

‘That brat!’

As I stared at the young cardinal, who was prostrating himself before me, right behind Louis XIII, he bowed his head more deeply, trying not to look at me in the eye.

Well, it’s either shot or poison for him now, with France being surrounded in every direction – Iberia, Netherlands, British Isles, Italy, Holy Roman Empire(Germany). So, it’s no wonder that he has decided to wiggle France out of this encirclement by advancing towards the Mediterranean.

‘Well, as you wish.’

“Very good. I’ll let Italian smith have your supplies made and provide full support for French troops. And from this moment, troops of Great Britain – British Isles and the Netherlands – shall follow my grandson Louis XIII’s orders till the end of this Crusade!”

As I replied with a warm smile, promising Louis XII full support, just like Santa Claus giving out presents to kids during Christmas

“Thank you for your trust, Imperator! I won’t let you down!”

Louis XIII was delighted, while his schemer – Richelieu’s expression got stiff. Why’s that?

Because full support means that France can’t get a full share of what they’ve conquered because of the help they’ve received so far.

‘You’re far behind me, Richelieu! You would have been a nice archenemy for me and my kingdom if you were born, let’s say, 10 or 20 years earlier! You should know how to hide your expressions!’

‘But, he’s way ahead of my son, the idealist, Richard.’

Should I assassinate that young French cardinal? No, not yet. The crusade has just barely started, and France is not my enemy, yet. So, assassinating him will be opening a can of worms, triggering entire France to unite under Louis XIII, regardless of their religion and status.

‘For now, let’s trust my son.’

“And I’ll entrust the entire 2nd division stationed at Budapest to Ferdinand, King of Bohemia. Tell him that he needs no permission from me to decide whether to retreat or to advance.”

“Of course, Imperator!”

And who replied to my orders was not Ferdinand – cousin of the late Matthias, the Kaiser of the Holy Roman Empire, Ferdinand II in original history – but John Sigismund, King of Prussia and my 3rd father-in-law.

‘Sending John as a proxy because he’s busy fighting with the Ottomans? Fat chance!’

The real reason that Ferdinand didn’t come here is simple. He’s still sulking that if it wasn’t for me, the Kaiser of the Holy Roman Empire(Germany) would have been him.

‘Understandable, but stupid.’

Of all the others, he has sent my 3rd father-in-law and the new leader of the German Protestants, King of Prussia and the Margrave of Brandenburg, John Sigismund. It's setting the fox to guard the henhouse!

Of course, it’s most likely that John would have first proposed to Ferdinand that he’ll visit Heraklion, but if I were Ferdinand, I would have either visited myself or would have sent the other as my proxy.

Although all supplies for this crusade are evenly produced by German, Iberian, Italian, British Isles, and Dutch factories and smith, all the war chests for those supplies are mine! Also, it’s me who places all that order!

In short, unlike other crusades, other kings and feudal lords have no choice but to read my countenance endlessly. It’s not only because I’m the 1st Imperator of the New West Roman Empire or I have the most number of soldiers at my command, but I also provide them the supplies from head to foot.

‘If you wish to be a figurehead that much, have it your way, Ferdinand.’

“Hmm, John, I remember that you’ve become the king of Prussia after the last war, right?”

“Y, yes, Imperator!”

“As far as I know, Prussians are the descendants of the Teutonic Order, whose tales are well-known in entire Europe, with the battles against the oriental heretics. I’ll look forward to that kind of feat in this crusade.”

Since Teutonic Order is well known for their cavalry tactics on the vast Eastern European plains, I delivered John my true intention – that he’ll be the true commander in chief and the Imperator wishes the 2nd division to aggressively attack the Ottoman. Also, I’ve once again reminded him that he’s also the same king as Ferdinand.

“I’m very honored, Imperator! You can rest assured!”

His expression was determined. Whether he understood my true intentions or wants to keep up my expectations, I didn’t know. Anyway, the more Prussian troops aggressively fight with the Ottoman, the more their achievements will come to light, making John the de-facto commander-in-chief.

‘And that’s for not controlling your temper, Ferdinand. You reap what you sow.’

“Last but not least, the 3rd division shall stand by with me in Crete. We have to wait for the final guest.”

“Dismissed.”

‘Clap’

And that was the end of the ‘official’ meeting held at Koules Fortress.

‘Clap’

“Bring in the wines!”

“A toast! Toast to my late father, Felipe II, defender of faith! We shall reclaim the lost territories of the East Roman Empire and crush the Ottoman!”

“Hoooray!”

“Long live Imperator!”

“Cheers!”

With the end of the reception, kings and feudal lords of the 1st and 2nd division departed to either Tunisia or Budapest, where their troops were waiting for their commanders.

However, Louis XIII’s French army went straight to Cyprus, joining the French navy - which departed from Tunisia weeks ago - from the Cretan shores. So, the Royal Navy and the Dutch fleet, which were still stationed in Tunisia, had no choice but to follow the French troops who were way advanced and had to provide supplies to them.

“That cunning fox!”

‘Tut’

However, since I had a long way to go, I’ve had the Venetian merchants to provide the supplies for the 1st division instead of revenging to Louis XIII or Richelieu, for that moment.