1620 Late Fall(November)

2 weeks after the 1st division and the 2nd division’s departure, my special guests arrived in Crete.

One was Lord Phillipe, head of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the other was Lord Diego, leader of the Ordem Militar de Cristo – the descendants of Knight Templar’s Portuguese division.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Imperator!”

“It took longer than expected since we wandered entire Europe to find the most sincere, most earnest knight errant and mercenaries, who’re truly willing to reclaim the sacred land!”

Yes. Before the departure, I’ve summoned them to collect the ‘Diamond in the rough from entire Europe and they’ve done exactly as I told.

“Well done. So, how many are them in total?”

At my question, both of them replied, prostrating themselves,

“5,672 brave knights await you, Imperator!”

‘Hmm...that’s only 5-6% of the entire 100,000 mercenaries and knight errant who’ve voluntarily joined the crusade. Considering the acceptance rate, they must be the best of the best, I believe.’

“Good. Very good. Take me to where they are. I wish to inspect them.”

“Of course, Imperator!”

“This way, Imperator!”

After a bow, they led me to the harbor.

‘What a view!’

On my right-hand side, knights of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, dressed in a black uniform with a white Maltese Cross symbol embedded were standing. And on my left-hand side, knights of the Ordem Militar de Cristo, dressed in a white uniform with a blood-red Saint George's Cross symbol embedded were present.

Of course, those knights who were waiting for me, not only witnessed me but also several barracks of 3rd division – with 230,000 soldiers from entire Iberia – which filled the entire Crete.

From those 230,000, 10,000 Iberian marines were also standing from the Heraklion city square to the harbor, to greet those two military orders.

And it hit the jackpot. All 5,672 knights became red, with excitement and joy.

‘Could they have ever imagined, that they could witness 230,000 army – and it was only 3rd division, let alone the 1st and 2nd division – 1,238 battleships and supply ships, 100,000 marines waiting for them from the harbor, and the old, benevolent Imperator of the New West Roman Empire, in their lifetime?’

‘Yes, I can! This Crusade will succeed! This time, those evil Muslims will be wiped from the Old Roman Empires' territories! And the Mediterranean Sea will once again be the Mare Nostrum of the New Roman Empire!’

“Fascinating.”

I could also feel the knights’ joy as well. My belly got tightened, and I could feel my blood concentrating on my navel.

‘If I was only 20, no, even 10 years younger, I would have charged with them at the front lines, just like Richard the Lionheart or the Louis the Saint!’

But it did not matter. I’ve felt at least 30 years younger at that moment.

‘Are you seeing this, mother and father? I’m flipping the page of the history right now!’

How can I let this moment go away?

“Crusaders!”

At my shout, all knights looked at me.

“You shall be on the frontlines, along with the Iberian marines who were waiting for you!”

“You shall be the liberators of the Constantinople! God and Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ shall greet you in heaven!”

After a short silence,

“Yeah!” Woah!"　"Arrrrgh!“

shouts of joys filled the air. Although being on the frontlines meant a higher risk of death, they didn’t care.

Religious fervor and lust for glory have made them forget the fear of death.

‘Well, it seems they worth their salt. If they feared or expressed complaint, it would have been a waste of royal assets.’

I didn’t ask Lord Phillipe and Lord Diego for nothing, you know! I have given them all they asked for, under the condition that they hire only those who have both militaristic talent and religious heat, regardless of their social status.

“At this crusade, we shall free Constantinople, Balkan, and Anatolia from the Ottoman!”

“It won’t be easy, since that antichrist Muslim Sultan will give his best shot to resist. But remember! God only helps those who help themselves!”

‘Whoop’

After taking a deep breath, I exclaimed

“Ask, and it will be given to you! Seek, and you will find it!

Knock, and it will be opened to you!”

“By the name of the Almighty God, we shall be victorious, for I am the Imperator of the New West Roman Empire and the Basileus of the New East Roman Empire!”

“Varangian Guards of the New Roman Empire! Your aim is Greece! Forward, march!”

“Yeah!!!”

“Roma Invicta!”

“Long live New Senatus Populusque Romanus!”

“All hail Imperator Eduardo Ivlivs Caesar Avgvstvs!”

Roars of excitement filled the entire Crete. Shouts of Neo-Varangian Guards, Iberian marines, Heraklion citizens, 230,000 soldiers of the 3rd division rattled the whole island.

1620 Winter(December)

2 weeks later, the 3rd division – including the Iberian marines and the 1,672 crusaders – board the ships.

Destination? Basileuousa, the Queen of cities, or Constantinople for short.