1624 Winter(December)

On Christmas, I’ve visited and pay respect to the rebuilt cemetery of the Old East Roman Empire’s emperors.

From those graves, I’ve spent most of my time at the grave of the 116th emperor of the Old East Roman Empire - Alexios V Doukas, who was thrown to his death from the top of the Column of Theodosius by Latins – especially Venetian mercenaries.

Adding icing on the cake, I’ve returned to St. Sophia's Cathedral and announced in front of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and other bishops of the Eastern Orthodox Church

“The 4th Crusade, which occurred about 4 centuries ago by Franks and Venetians is a crime that can never be justified. How can that be called a Crusade when the Bishop of Rome at that time was shocked by their deed and excommunicated the participants?”

“Even though it happened 4 centuries ago, it must be corrected!”

At my words

“Long live Basileus!”

“God save Eduardo Ivlivs Caesar Avgvstvs!”

“Death to Franks!” “Death to Venetians!”

Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and other bishops of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Greeks who’ve heard this news cheered with joy

Meanwhile, Venetians went bananas

“Ridiculous!”

“Nonsense!”

“Why bring over the matter that happened 4 centuries ago?”

“That sly old fox is trying to steal Crete from the most serene republic!”

It was no surprise.

Unlike France, which wasn’t king but the few nobles and knights who’ve taken part in the 4th crusade – currently left without heir or went to the dogs – Venice still occupied Crete, which was the main Greek territory that it seized with the 4th Crusade.

So, if Venice were to admit its’ fault and try to compensate for the 4th Crusade, it has to return Crete to the East Roman Empire – the Kingdom of Greece, which is the Basileus’ domain, to be exact.

And who wants to give their territory away, to their future archenemy?

So, this shameless attitude of Venetians sparked fury among Greeks and Crete’s public mind worsened day by day.

Venetians realized the war was looming and started looking for its’ allies, which was in vain.

Why? Because no nation wanted to join forces with them.

First, 7 vassal states of New East Roman Empire, Eastern Mediterranean - Albania, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Cyprus, Egypt – have no choice but to keep silent in front of 120,000 troop - 2nd Division from the 10th Crusade, which came from Iberia - stationed in Greece. Also, Austrian Habsburg remained silent because it received entire Hungary from me at the 10th Crusade, which was an additional 30% of its' previous territory and people.

In addition, other city-states of Italy – like Milan, Naples, etc – were also my vassal states, in theory, or reality, which were under Iberian Mediterranean Navy’s influence, leaving no room for betraying the New East Roman Empire – me.

France? After I’ve scolded Louis XIII, the current king of France & Jerusalem, in 1621 Fall(*Give & Take - The New Roman Empire 3), it kept silent to prevent Jerusalem from being burned by Persia.

In short, Venice had to confront the fury of the Basileus without anyone’s help.

1625 Spring(March-May)

‘Crunch’

“O benevolent Basileus! We’re willing to repent our sins that occurred 4 centuries ago during the 4th Crusade.”

“...”

“To express our regret, we will pay the reparations and return the Crete to the new East Roman Empire. Please, have mercy, Basileus!”

“...”

If I was 10, no, at least 5 years younger, I would have accepted their throwing-in-the-towel, but I didn’t.

To prevent the New East Roman Empire from being torn into pieces after my death – which is imminent – I need to crush Venice, since it’s the number 1 archenemy after my death to the New East Roman Empire and the 2nd Basileus, Arthur.

If it was possible, I would have burned entire Northern Italy. However, because it was too far-fetched, I have chosen Venice as a scapegoat and decided to drag it into hell.

“I’m afraid that not enough.”

“B...basileus?”

“In addition to the reparations and the return of Crete, the current Doge of Venice must come to the Constantinople by himself and apologize for the Sack of Constantinople that took place in 1204, in front of me and the citizens of Constantinople!”

“...”

“Also, I want Enrico Dandolo - the Doge at that time - ’s corpse being dug up from the grave, chopped into pieces, and hanged on the Walls of Constantinople! Take it or leave it.”

“...”

Surely, not everyone can agree to this unconditional surrender. France didn’t surrender to Prussia even after Napoleon III was captured in Sedan! Also, Japan in WW2 didn’t surrender to the USA until Hiroshima and Nagasaki were struck with Fat Man and Little Boy, you know.

And so was Venice.

“Fuck off!”

“Death to Edward!”

“Let’s burn Constantinople one more time!”

After hearing their refusal, I’ve proclaimed them as traitors, who’ve dared to disobey the Basileus.

Soon, soldiers and ships were assembled. To my surprise, it was not only my Iberian troops stationed in Greece after the 10th Crusade but also about 50,000 Greek volunteers who’ve wanted to burn Venice with their own hands.

“My oh my, they must be more eager than Kongo people who’ve given chance to burn Belgium and rip off Leopold II’s corpse in the original history, huh?”

And I wasted no time in accepting those volunteers and training them as marines of the New East Roman Empire. I and the Greeks were in the same boat.