The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 69

69. Back to Ireland (2)

—1187, Ireland—

It’s been a while since I’ve seen my brother-in-law.

He was once a man who fought with old man Friedrich [Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor] to seize the hegemony of the Holy Roman Empire, but now he has become a strong supporter of the Safe Zone.

What kind of person is Heinrich, my sister Matilda’s husband?

According to old man Friedrich’s biography, which I heard during the last Crusade, he was ‘quite a charming little rascal.’ In other words, even for old man Friedrich, brother-in-law Heinrich was a worthy opponent to keep in check.

After taking a sip of wine and gathering my thoughts, I asked my brother-in-law again.

“Brother-in-law, is the territory in West France alright?”

I hadn’t been able to properly grasp the situation in the Kingdom of France while traveling by ship, so I needed information from my brother-in-law Heinrich, who also had eyes (close aides) there.

“Fortunately for you… Duke Norfolk, the temporary regent of England, is properly defending West France.”

With those words, brother-in-law Heinrich told me about the current situation, explaining how Duke Norfolk was leading the regency council and defending France.

‘Duke Norfolk… to be able to handle this chaotic situation so well. As expected, he’s not the Duke my father favors the most for nothing.’

In any case, the West France region, which can be said to be England’s lifeline, is a stronghold that England must never lose.

Losing the West France region is the same as losing a foothold and economic base on the European continent!

It’s not for nothing that the original King John, who had his soul taken by Philip II and lost all of the West France territory, was criticized!

“What about Wales?”

“Wales rebelling following Scotland will not happen until the Second Coming of the Lord.”

That means it will never happen.

Like Scotland, Wales was a region with many grievances against England. But what was different from Scotland was that they had long given up fighting England with their lives and had completely surrendered.

‘Essentially, Wales, which had already been divided in the past, was weaker than a complete nation like the Kingdom of Scotland.’

As I was thinking that, my brother-in-law said.

“But nephew, we can’t completely let our guard down. Duke Norfolk and I have released pro-English figures in the Welsh territory. We’ll probably be contacted if anything happens.”

Seeing my brother-in-law with such thorough preparations, I don’t think things will be difficult in the future.

The Lionheart Heinrich is as good as an SSS-class talent. He has already accumulated a lot of experience as an elector of the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire, like the Eastern Roman Empire, sees ‘rebellion’ and ‘slander’ as enjoyable folk games, so my brother-in-law will be of great help in suppressing the Scottish rebellion!

‘The important thing is how I utilize the help of the Lionheart Heinrich.’

Of course, the Lionheart Heinrich is only a helper, so he won’t do everything for me. The important decisions must be made by John Anjou Plantagenet, the suppressor of the rebels whom my father trusts and has entrusted to me. Of course, I will also take responsibility.

Next is France.

“Did the French get involved?”

Unlike England, which loots like a macho man, France is all about scheming, and when you think of France, you think of scheming! It was obvious that Philip II and the nobles had incited Scotland.

“Well, that’s under investigation. But…….”

“Is something going on in France?”

“Actually, the factional strife that has recently occurred within France has spread to the territorial wars of small and medium-sized nobles. Fortunately, the territorial wars of the small and medium-sized nobles are limited, but still, it’s too artificial of a movement.”

I heard news that territorial wars had broken out among the small and medium-sized nobles of France. Others are fighting hard to protect the Holy Land, but the French are fighting among themselves! They’re really full of it.

No, if it’s this much, aren’t they pretending to fight each other to show foreigners? In the Middle Ages, there was a pseudo-territorial war to add excitement, so I thought this might be that kind of trick.

“We are looking into anti-English forces centered on France, but there is no clear evidence yet.”

“Let’s move on from the French issue for now. Can I get information about the Scottish rebel command?”

Scotland clearly didn’t start with unreasonable suppression. I need to think about who is resisting, with what thoughts, and in what way.

“I investigated as soon as I heard about your dispatch. First of all, the ringleader is Robert…….”

The mastermind of the rebellion is Robert, the lord of Annandale, the ancestor of Robert I, the Scottish independence hero I know from the Netflix drama.

Could there be such a coincidence?

After conveying information about the command, brother-in-law Heinrich said to me with a serious face.

“Suppressing a rebellion costs as much money as a war, so I found someone to help you materially. Come out.”

Then the door opened, and a woman came in and greeted me politely.

“Hello, Prince John.”

“How did you get here?”

A woman with a radiant beauty comparable to my mother, even though she was over forty.

She was Peter’s biological mother and Henry II’s most beloved mistress, Rosamund Clifford.

* * *

—Ireland, Leinster Reception Room—

While Prince John was having a serious conversation with his brother-in-law Heinrich, John’s closest aides were invited to the reception room by Queen Eleanor.

“Your Majesty, Queen Mother, did you call for us?”

Godfrey greeted on behalf of the knights.

“You are John’s safe knights. I’m so glad to meet you like this.”

Having received the knights’ greetings, Queen Eleanor carefully examined Prince John’s knights.

‘Interesting knights.’

Godfrey, whom even Eleanor considers the best of countless bastards.

Charles, who came from southern France and became a vassal of England to become a true pirate.

Robin, who was born as the eldest son of Duke Norfolk and is called a master of the bow.

And even 악불회 (Akbulhoe) [likely a transliteration of a name, possibly meaning “Evil Buddha Society” or similar, but context suggests it’s just a name], who came from a Chinese noble family and converted to Christianity.

Each of these young knights, who can be said to be noteworthy in many ways, gathered under John’s command.

Enough to look forward to the future.

“I have heard of your achievements. You were at the forefront of saving your lord during Prince John’s crisis?”

“No. Everything was done by Prince John.”

“Anyway, as Prince John’s mother, there must be a reward for your loyalty. Francois!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Give these heroes the rewards I have prepared.”

Well-honed swords and gold coins revealed a magnificent appearance in front of the safe knights.

“I give you swords to protect your lives and wealth to help you make a living as gifts.”

‘What is this…….’

악불회 (Akbulhoe), who came from the Confucian country of Song [Song Dynasty China], which despises corruption among officials but also takes bribes, was surprised that an ‘ordinary’ queen could give such 탐스러운 [desirable/tempting] rewards.

But 악불회 (Akbulhoe) had no choice but to humbly accept the reward while managing his expression. Because Europe is now familiar.

European loyalty is completely different from Chinese loyalty. In the West, loyalty becomes more solid when there are such shiny rewards or territories.

As John’s knights received the gifts with at least a humble appearance, Queen Eleanor said.

“I have heard very well of your achievements, so don’t let your guard down and keep doing what you are doing. You will be John’s swords, shields, and armor.”

Right then, Mary entered the reception room, and she immediately asked Eleanor for permission.

“Mother. Can I speak now?”

“Mary, now that the rewards are over, start your work.”

As Eleanor made a statement that seemed to allow it, Mary, the mistress of Ireland, came in, approached Prince John’s knights, and said.

“I have finished talking with the regency council about the Scottish issue. So there are many things to tell you.”

Now that John’s knights have finished suffering during the Crusades, she is telling them about the things they will suffer in the future.

* * *

Crusades, Persian Campaign—

The Crusades in the Persian Campaign decided to take a break for a while.

But resting doesn’t mean staying still.

It means repairing the castles in the occupied territory, stockpiling food, and stabilizing the land taken from the heathens.

Balian of Ibelin.

The most capable knight who was most loved by Baldwin IV in the Kingdom of Jerusalem became the commander of the Kingdom of Jerusalem’s army dispatched to the camp of the Eastern Roman Emperor Alexios II in order to carry out the most important mission because he was most loved by Baldwin IV.

[You should assist the Eastern Roman Empire and have a good relationship with them. Isn’t your wife Maria the cousin of the Eastern Roman Emperor? You should assist Alexios II and mediate between the West and the Eastern Roman Empire.]

Because of his beloved lord’s orders, Balian had to leave the Kingdom of Jerusalem and go to the Eastern Roman Empire for dispatch.

In fact, Balian didn’t want to leave Baldwin IV. He is not jealous of Richard, who is assisting his lord and making achievements.

He is distressed because he wants to assist the lonely and lonely Baldwin IV.

As a knight, Balian defeated many Muslim armies, made achievements that were recognized by the Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire and the King of England, and sometimes mediated between Western and Eastern knights as ordered by Baldwin IV, but the wine he is drinking now is not sweet.

“Sir Balian.”

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?”

Then the young Alexios II came to Balian.

“I heard that there was a problem in the Kingdom of Jerusalem.”

Thanks to the fact that the Holy Roman Emperor Friedrich I briefly controlled the information, after hearing about the chaos of the Kingdom of Jerusalem’s army in Alexandria.

“Huh…….”

Balian couldn’t lift his head because he was ashamed.

It was absurd to hear this news from the Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, and above all, he resented himself for thinking that the purge of the Kingdom of Jerusalem had been properly completed last time.

The Kingdom of Jerusalem was so rotten, and the incompetent himself did not properly see the essence of such a kingdom.

Since when have there been groups colluding with Muslims?

Since when have there been so many Muslims disguised as Christians in the Holy Land?

‘Monsieur Renaud… even in death, you are ruining our Jerusalem.’

Those who were close to Renaud de Chatillon, prostrated themselves during the purge, swore allegiance, donated their property, lost their power, and avoided death, and the nobles who had already colluded before, joined forces. They were making some kind of deal with ‘Islam’.

Looking at such Balian, Alexios II said.

“Knight Balian, the Kingdom of Jerusalem is a country that will disappear into the annals of history with the death of Baldwin IV. Your wife is my cousin, so won’t you come to the Eastern Roman Empire?”

“Your Majesty, I’m sorry, but I will die with the Kingdom of Jerusalem even if I die. Now that the fighting here is also in a lull, can I go back to my country?”

“…….”

Alexios II looked at such Balian.

And, he admired in his heart.

‘I envy you.’

He was not at all envious of the leprosy of Baldwin IV, the King of Jerusalem, but he was really envious of Baldwin IV, who had a knight with upright loyalty despite having abilities like Balian as his vassal.

But when I thought about it without romance, I thought Baldwin IV would not be comfortable now.

Because the Kingdom of Jerusalem is a country with many problems.

* * *

—Kingdom of Jerusalem, Capital Jerusalem—

The information that Friedrich I had temporarily controlled was conveyed to the King of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

During the Battle of Alexandria, the Kingdom of Jerusalem’s army suddenly shouted Allah and targeted John.

What’s really shocking is not Muslims disguised as Christians.

No matter how smart and scheming they are, is it possible for them to infiltrate the Kingdom of Jerusalem with a disguised identity with the power of the Islamic forces alone? This means that there were nobles in the Kingdom of Jerusalem who were helping them.

The fact that the same Christians helped the Islamic guys to make the Kingdom of Jerusalem a state of chaos.

Anyway, this fact made Baldwin IV retreat back to the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Although a large-scale purge was carried out after the Crusades, the first half of the Kingdom of Jerusalem was still rotten. Too uncontrollably.

Why did you do the purge if it was going to be like this? Why did you defeat Saladin’s army?

Of course, the existence of the Kingdom of Jerusalem itself is due to various interests in the Middle East, but at least Baldwin IV had a sense of mission to protect the Holy Land.

The sacred ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ of the knights who protect the Holy Land of Jesus Christ. This incident shattered Baldwin’s heart, which he had protected throughout his life, fighting against illness with such pride.

But as misfortune comes one after another, Baldwin de Montferrat, Baldwin IV’s nephew and also suffering from leprosy, became seriously ill and died.

“My nephew… earlier than me…….”

Baldwin IV’s beloved nephew crossed the Jordan River before his uncle.

It was a suspicious matter, so the Kingdom of Jerusalem conducted a series of investigations, but in the end, it was concluded that it was due to the cursed leprosy.

Baldwin IV was in despair when his nephew, who was the successor to the throne, died, even though he had a headache with just one problem.

“God, this bitter cup is too painful.”

Baldwin IV cried and cried again. However, he did not resent God. He thought that he was experiencing the same hardships as Job in the Bible, who did not lose faith even after losing his family and property and suffering from all kinds of diseases.

But it was inevitable that he was mentally exhausted.

“Richard…….”

“Your Majesty…….”

Baldwin IV, who was running out of energy, said.

“I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 1:2 [Vanity of vanities, all is vanity]. What have I been protecting?”

“You must be strong as a monarch, especially at times like this.”

“My cousin.”

“Yes, Your Majesty…….”

“There is something I want to show you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Show Prince Richard that document.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”