1621 Spring(Late April)

The 2nd division, including the Prussian army led by John Sigismund - King of Prussia and my 3rd father-in-law – was arriving in Greece. After hearing the news that 80,000 Ottoman soldiers were trapped in Thessaloniki, they went berserk. The 2nd division hadn’t had a decent battle since most of the Ottoman army gathered to protect the Sultan, leaving most of the Balkan region helpless against the Franks.

“Deus lo Vult!”

“Death to Muslims!”

“Take down Thessaloniki!”

“Allahu Akbar!”

“Let’s revenge Osman II!”

So, the fierce fight between the 2nd division - which was hungry for military exploits – fiercely attacking Thessaloniki and the trapped 80,000 Ottoman soldiers took place.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Ottoman army either headed for Thessaloniki to save their ally or stationed at Tekirdag to prevent the 3rd division's 110,000 soldiers - who’re currently stationed at Alexandroupoli – from advancing to Kostantiniyye(Constantinople).

So, the Ottoman’s reinforcement troops which came from Anatolia all gathered at Tekirdag-Corlu, making there their Maginot Line.

“Hmmm....so, even though their Sultan/Padishah – Osman II – was dead in Alexandroupoli, they’re still resisting quite effectively?”

“Y...yes, Imperator.”

‘Well, it seems either Valide sultan(Legal mother of a ruling sultan of the Ottoman Empire) or Haseki sultan(Chief consort of an Ottoman Sultan) of the late Osman II is still alive, nagging generals to prevent the Constantinople from falling into the hands of Franks to save her neck.’

Although their Maginot line built at Tekirdag-Corlu was made up of less than 40,000 soldiers, it was their last straw to protect their metropolitan area, sacrificing public peace and the protection of Constantinople.

“50 out of 1000. If it was my late daughter, the Lioness, she would have stationed all remaining troops in Constantinople, fighting till her last breath!”

If the current head of the Ottoman acted like zealots of the Masada, stationing 40,000 soldiers in Kostantiniyye, even the 10th Crusade – which is made up of 700,000 soldiers - would have cost an arm and a leg to take down the city. Even Constantine XI Palaiologos fought against Mehmed II’s 300,000 soldiers for almost 2 months with only 8,000 soldiers, you know!

But to prevent her precious city from being burned into ashes, she just put that precious 40,000 soldiers on the plain field, with only low mountains and hills as an obstacle for foes?

“If you were to make Tekirdag-Corlu as your Maginot Line, you should have acquired at least Qassam Rocket, ha!”

“I...I beg your pardon, Imperator?”

“Forget it. Ah, here we are. The Golden Horn.”

Yes, I have finally arrived at my destination – Constantinople - with my fleet.

1621 Spring(May 1st)

Constantinople

“I...impossible! H...How...in the world...those Franks..”

“W...what was our navy doing till now?!”

Of course, the Turks were shocked at the sight of the enemy fleets, which arrived at daybreak, when the sun was just about to rise.

Well, it’s no surprise to me. If 230,000 enemies landed in England or Iberia, even I would pay all attention to them and ignore everything else. Compared to that, 10,000 navy, which was scattered over the entire Aegean Sea - taking control of all islands in the East Mediterranean sea – is a drop in the bucket. (*Rise of Balkans, 10th Crusade 4)

In short, since they weren’t trying ‘Invasion of Normandy’ on Constantinople immediately, they were easily forgotten at the sight of 230,000 soldiers in Alexandroupoli and Thessaloniki.

Of course, if Ottoman had a competent minister like Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, it would have also paid attention to the sea, but it was a too big task for the late boy Sultan and corrupt, incompetent Valide sultan/Haseki sultan.

And the result? All Ottoman admirals didn’t receive any orders from the HQ, forced to either stuck in his port only begging for the Franks’ navy to bypass his island or crushed by the Franks’ navy, exclaiming ‘Allahu Akbar’ as his ships sank.

With the Ottoman navy being defeated in detail, all islands in the East Mediterranean sea were seized by the 3rd division’s navy made up of 10,000 marines. And led to the absence of basic naval patrol and reconnaissance, which made the Turks unaware of me and my fleet's whereabouts till I arrive at Golden Horn.

“All enemy forces left in the city to defend it are either police or poorly trained militants. Charge!”

I ordered the soldiers and knights to take the city.

‘Kabooooooom!’

“Long live, Imperator Edward Julius Caesar Augustus!"

“Death to Muslims!”

In my words, 10,000 marines and 5,672 knights from the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and Ordem Militar de Cristo(*Roma Invicta - 10th Crusade 3) landed in order, and then the Ottoman soldiers retaliated by firing cannons. But it was no use. Less than 10% of those were working properly, and even those rarely shot their enemy.

Even the soldiers who were assigned for the protection of the city barriers were less than 10% of what was required and they were poorly trained. Since they were rookies who were recently drafted, the walls were merely a house of cards to my marines and knights.

At that night, with most Turks in the city surrendered or fled – most of them were corrupt Janissaries – I have entered the Topkapi Palace with knights escorting me.

Although the Sultan was absent, there were many beautiful wives and concubines of Harem and royal princes of the Ottoman Royals, thanks to the late Sultan Ahmed I, who locked up all his brothers in the palace.

Upon my arrival, an old wife of Harem – who seems to be the current leader of the Ottoman Turks – stood up before me.

“W...we, surrender. Y...you’ve won. This city is yours now. Please, show us mercy!”

“Ah, you must be Valide sultan, huh? I’m afraid that’s not enough.”

I replied.

“W...What do you want? Treasure? There’re loads of gold and silver at the royal vaults! We can give you everything! P...please, have mercy!”

She knelt before me, crying.

But I neither want gold nor beautiful women. My answer was thumbs down.

“I.want.your.doom.just.like.you.did.to.Byzantine.”

“Oh, Allah, are you deserting the Ottoman...”

‘Slash’‘Slash’‘Slash’

“Long live, New Roman Empire!”

“Long live, Imperator Edward Julius Caesar Agustus!"

“S.P.Q.R!”

In a split second, the knights all drew up their swords and stabbed the Ottoman royals and wives and concubines whom they were surrounding to prevent escape.

‘Split’

The Ottoman royals were all at once become corpses – the youth, the old, the pregnant, etc.

“Now, gather all corpses and burn them. We must not let a single Ottoman royal live. Kill all the women in this palace. Don’t spare even the lowest maids. They might bear a child of the Ottoman royal. Kill all the royal relatives of the Ottoman empire, even though they are remotely related. But spare the eunuchs, they have their purpose.”

“Yes, Imperator.”

“It shall be done.”

After that, I turned my back and walked and sat on the royal throne of the palace.

“Nooooo!!!”

‘Slash’

“P...Please, have mercy...”

‘Slash’

“Allah...”

‘Slash’

Sounds of screaming and slashing swords and firing arrows filled the palace. Mixed sounds of joys and sighs filled the streets. Although some Greeks were really excited at the fall of the Ottoman and welcomed the 10th Crusade, the most crowd – Turks and Greeks alike – were just cheering, out of fear that bloodthirsty soldiers would kill them as well if they didn’t.

‘Well, no wonder. The Constantinople citizens must remember the nightmare which happened 4 centuries ago, by the name of the 4th Crusade. They have every reason to believe that this one might be the same.’

“But, I’m not Enrico Dandolo. I’m the 1st Imperator of the New West Roman Empire and 1st Basileus of the New East Roman Empire. I won’t follow the Venetian’s footsteps.”

The next day

“Hear me, hear me. A new law in the city and the empire!”

“Huh?”

“W...what’s going on?”

“It’s said...the Ottoman has fallen!”

“What?!?!”

“Unbelievable!”

‘Clash’

“Silence!”

“...”

“On behalf of the Imperator Basileus Eduardo Ivlivs Caesar Avgvstvs, I hereby announce 5 decrees given by his imperial majesty!”

Ⅰ. Abolishment of Sharia and reincarnation of the East Roman Empire’s laws in 1453.

Ⅱ. A new Millet system, which is a reversal of the rights of duty of Muslims and Christians. Muslims paying more taxes in exchange for their freedom of religion and Christians performing mandatory military service.

Ⅲ. Orthodoxians, East Orthodoxians, and Oriental Orthodoxians alike have the same rights and duties as Catholics. Also, I, Eduardo Ivlivs Caesar Avgvstvs, the Imperator and Basileus of the New Roman Empire, commands that Bishop of Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople denounce the excommunication of one another, which led to East-West Schism.

Ⅳ. All cathedrals which were defiled into mosques will be repaired into cathedrals once again, by the royal asset. Also, looting and vandalism towards mosques are forbidden. Mosques will also be repaired if damaged by natural disasters.

Ⅴ. The city’s name is once again Constantinople, not Kostantiniyye. And the official language of the New East Roman Empire will be Greek, Constantinople dialect, and Greek words.

In short, it’s a return to 1453, before Constantinople fell to Ottoman.

“...Long live Imperator Basileus Eduardo Ivlivs Caesar Avgvstvs!”

“Long live New Roman Empire!”

“God bless the 10th Crusaders!”

After the proclamation did the Constantinople citizens became relieved. Public order soon came into place since I strictly forbid massacre, looting, and arson. And I wrote letters to the remaining viceroys of the Ottoman realm, suggesting them to surrender – in Greek.

2 weeks later

“Y...you’ve won. We surrender.”

“Please, have mercy, Kayser-i Rum(Caesar of Rome)!”

40,000 Ottoman soldiers – the last soldiers of the Ottoman Empire - who were stationed at Tekirdag-Corlu surrendered.

After the fall of Constantinople, with their supplies were cut and being besieged by Franks of Thessaloniki, Alexandroupoli, Constantinople, they had no choice but to throw in the towel.

“Good choice. Surrender all your weapons and return to your homes.”

“Thank you!”

“Thank you for your mercy, oh benevolent Kayser-i Rum!”

After they’ve done as told, I went to the Hagia Sophia, which was fully repaired into a cathedral, to wear to golden laurel wreath made by Italian goldsmiths.

It was an official moment that the Ottoman empire fell.

It was an official moment that the Roman empire fully revived.

No place for you, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Recep Tayyip Erdogan!