The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 130

130. Duke John of Aquitaine (1)

—English Territory, Anjou Estate—

The weather is fine.

And like the weather, Crown Prince Richard was in a good mood.

He had finally been acknowledged by his father, whom he had both loved and hated throughout his life.

He had even heard these words recently:

‘Richard, if you intended to use John to fulfill your ambitions, you have succeeded. All your goals are recognized. I now acknowledge you as the Crown Prince and recognize you as John’s guardian. I won’t ask you to forgive my past mistakes. However, strive to become the true Crown Prince of England, proving your worth despite any resentment you hold towards me.’

Aquitaine was a gift for John. After all, he was born with Henry II’s recognition and legitimacy.

Many people mistakenly believe that the Aquitaine territory is like the royal seal, but that is not the case. The Anjou territory is the land that designates the heir. That is why Henry II never allowed his eldest son, Prince Henry, to have Anjou.

“Sibylla, thank you for supporting this decision.”

“It’s said that the men of Anjou—the Plantagenet dynasty—are known for betraying women. Ah, except for you and John.”

Sibylla gave a bitter smile.

The philandering of the English Anjou dynasty was already famous, even known to Sibylla, who was a princess of Jerusalem.

‘John, that child has no such tendencies and is even quite competent.’

John made things easier.

After all, the French kingdom, which lacked political unity, had already been subdued during the civil war. Spain wouldn’t dare to stand against England and would instead act like a local power in Africa.

At that moment, a report arrived.

While the nobles were busy dividing up the land and boasting about their accomplishments, the recently unified Polish kingdom was causing trouble.

The report stated that Poland, which had been steadily gathering strength, was beginning to project its power, disregarding Sweden and Denmark. More precisely, Poland had begun to attack the Kievan Rus’ [a loose federation of East Slavic tribes], which was now fragmented.

The power dynamics in Northern Europe, where Slavs were dominant, had begun to shift.

“Something is happening in Poland. But what does that have to do with us?”

Of course, Crown Prince Richard wasn’t particularly interested.

He was currently focused on the French kingdom under Philip II, which was starting to rally the nobles again, and the Holy Roman Empire, which was slowly falling apart. He was also monitoring his father, who had inherited the Anjou territory and returned to the British mainland for various political reasons, and his mother, who was acting as a restraint by his father’s side.

“The problem is that Casimir II admires Prince John the most.”

“What?”

Crown Prince Richard was dumbfounded.

But he soon read the report and chuckled.

“John, that fellow has really done something amazing.”

Casimir II was a huge fan of the world star, John.

So much so that he even included Prince John’s name in their country’s name.

Of course, what really surprised Richard was that Casimir II and John were already in a mutually beneficial relationship.

* * *

—Somewhere in Eastern Europe—

Casimir II had already completely consolidated his power.

He decided to take full advantage of the moments when the eyes of Europeans were diverted by the Third Crusade and the Anjou civil war.

‘I am the monarch of the Polish kingdom.’

Now, Casimir II no longer saw himself as merely the head of the Polish nobles, but as a king who held power over them.

The unified Polish kingdom was gradually regaining its former glory.

Not only had the nobles who had been challenging Casimir II been subdued, but the nobles who were friendly to the king shared a deep sense of camaraderie with him. Before fighting over their shares, it was important to make those shares substantial.

Turning internal discontent into external conflict is a common tactic throughout history. And there was a suitable target nearby. Casimir II saw an opportunity after witnessing Denmark and Sweden suffer from the aftereffects of their ‘civil war’ following their power struggles.

The Kievan Rus’ alliance, centered around the Grand Duke of Kiev, had long been fractured. Recently, the Principality of Vladimir-Suzdal had revealed its ambition, and the alliance had fragmented into the Novgorod Republic, the Grand Duchy of Vladimir-Suzdal, and others.

A united and powerful Kievan Rus’ was fearsome, but now that they were divided and fighting among themselves, they were easy prey.

In any case, Casimir II, having subdued the nobles, immediately attacked his hesitant neighbors and proudly declared:

“I am not a tribal chief or a great noble, but the King of Poland. Therefore, by my command, we have attacked those Kievan Rus’ bastards! To reclaim our lost territories from them!”

—Long live the Polish Kingdom!

—God, protect Casimir II.

—Glory to the highest!

He grabbed the nobles by the scruff of their necks and restored power close to centralization. Even while attacking his neighbors, he paid attention to diplomacy.

He needed the two ‘Romes’—the Eastern Roman Empire, which was becoming stronger again, and the Holy Roman Empire, which was sure to be devastated by a major civil war soon—to remain neutral.

And he also purchased military supplies from England, or more specifically, from Prince John.

“Crown Prince Richard is one thing, but Prince John, who started with just Ireland and Mortain and then gained Ireland, is also a formidable person.”

He would ascend to the throne in the form of a fraternal succession [where brothers succeed each other], but already the figures of Europe believed that Prince John would be able to achieve the ‘safe’ succession that he himself often talked about.

“Keep attacking. Advance. After all, the plan we have established is bound to succeed.”

“The Polish kingdom, dominating the Vistula and Warta rivers, will be established. John Plantagenet has shown us the way to victory!”

To think that Prince John’s name is in the Polish national anthem. It would be shocking news for Safe John, but perhaps it is only natural.

John Plantagenet was also Casimir II’s mentor.

The ridiculed world star who had been rejected by Princess Agnes hundreds of times had transformed into a true world star, and Casimir II had not missed that process.

Casimir II believed that Prince John, his excellent mentor, had started with Mortain in that difficult, dysfunctional family and become a hero who seized Aquitaine and the right of succession. How could he call himself the monarch of the Polish kingdom if he couldn’t do the same?

“Charge!”

The fearsome Polish cavalry were descending from the mountains.

* * *

—Eastern Roman Empire, Constantinople—

The empire’s morning dawned again.

Alexios II smiled.

He was now an adult and an emperor wielding complete power. Of course, since the time of Constantine the Great, the emperor’s power had been somewhat limited. However, Alexios II, who had suppressed a major rebellion and had already surpassed the achievements of Alexios I, who had the same regnal name, wielded immense power.

This was not only due to his achievements but also because he had proven his abilities as emperor.

From the beginning, the Eastern Roman Empire was struggling with just Anatolia, but it had even gained some direct control over parts of Syria.

There were side effects similar to those during the reign of Justinian the Great, namely a lack of administrative power due to overexpansion.

However, it could now be said that the digestion was almost complete. The governors, who held both military power and autonomy, also wanted to enjoy peace. However, the nobles who discussed peace wanted power, and Alexios II cleverly used their greed to increase royal authority.

In the Eastern Roman Empire, if one did not strive to be the wisest, one’s eyes could be gouged out, one’s nose could be cut off, and ultimately, one’s neck could be severed. Alexios II, who had almost been killed by his sister and uncle, used that experience to act wisely.

In any case, the internal affairs of the Eastern Roman Empire were settled.

Now, it was time to show the world that the Eastern Roman Empire was still alive and well. More specifically, it was time to reveal the power they had been suppressing, rather than thinking about expanding their territory further.

Alexios II said to his chancellor, Ioannis:

“What did Poland say?”

“They requested our neutrality as they continue to attack the Kievan Rus’.”

They asked for us to turn a blind eye to their attacks on the Slavic people of Kievan Rus’, and now they want us to turn a blind eye a little longer. It’s not that I don’t feel resentful.

“The Polish are going to weaken the Kievan Rus’… That’s quite impressive. To think that such entities would emerge while we were taking a breather.”

“However, their activities are beneficial to our Roman Empire. Weren’t the Kievan Rus’ just Slavic bandits who had been plundering all along? It’s not a bad idea to let the incompetent fight among themselves.”

“Hmm… I need to consider it.”

The emperor, who had been contemplating, said:

“It might not be a bad idea to remain neutral.”

“Understood.”

“The surroundings need to be a little noisy… It seems like the rebellious traitors like Bulgaria and Serbia will be dealt with more harshly. Send pro-Roman Empire forces as spies to prolong the internal strife.”
The emperor, who had been dragging out the conversation, said with a complicated expression:

“It seems I must go and meet that person after a long time.”

“I will escort you.”

The emperor went to the underground prison.

“Sister… Haven’t you committed suicide yet? Are you more afraid of the hell of the afterlife than the hell of reality?”

The beautiful woman, who was known to have died in prison after having her eyes gouged out and her nose cut off, was perfectly fine. No punishment had been inflicted upon her.

To be precise, the punishment was to erase her existence without doing anything to her.

Then, the beautiful woman, who looked similar to Mary, said with a hollow expression:

“You knew Anna’s identity from the beginning… And you’re still keeping it a secret. Perhaps you’re the most cruel of all.”

Then Alexios II said:

“Although I used different methods, I truly love both of my sisters.”

* * *

—1192, Aquitaine Territory, Southern France—

Adam ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil and suffered the pain of death and labor.

I, too, have become a person of power, so I can work until I die to protect that power as much as possible and pass it on peacefully.

The Aquitaine territory is like Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey [a biblical reference to a land of abundance]. Thinking about that phrase carefully, it means that various interests are concentrated there.

I am at peace, but the world is not.

“The world is a strange place.”

The axis of evil, Islam, has been virtually pushed to the eastern Middle East, and the Mongols have converted to Christianity.

And the dark horse-like Polish friends are attacking the divided and weakened principalities of Kievan Rus’.

“My former rival said that he would not get involved in that issue because of various rebels.”

My former rival.

I am referring to Alexios II, who is rumored to have competed with me for Agnes.

In any case, whether it’s the Balkans or Eastern Europe, it doesn’t matter. The important thing is that I have obtained a new iron rice bowl [a secure job] called Aquitaine.

The residents of the Aquitaine territory, from the serfs to the native nobles, were proud.

They knew better than anyone that they were one of the key territories in England.

But I am an experienced looter who has looted Paris, and I am even more proud than them.

So, as a demonstration, I summoned some of the native nobles who were trying to cross the ‘line’.

‘I shouldn’t kill them, but rather touch their pride a little.’

The nobles of the Middle Ages were sensitive to honor and face, to the point where they claimed to be the greatest knights of Christ.

In particular, I held a banquet for the French nobles who were centered in Aquitaine.

I knew very well that they were trying to establish dominance over the lower-ranking nobles I had brought, but that was a separate matter.

As we were having a peaceful and prosperous banquet,

I suddenly called in soldiers and said to the native nobles:

“I know that the main residence is talkative. I was lucky enough to become the lord of this land. But let me ask you. Do you think I received the Aquitaine territory as a gift?”

“….”

Of course, my father Henry II’s influence was not absent in receiving this territory, but why would my brother Richard give me this land so willingly?

That’s right, Aquitaine is a trophy I received in the civil war, albeit after going through various political interests. So, I had the luxury of being serious.

“You may have ill feelings towards the vassals I brought with me. I understand. But… now you are my vassals.”

I spoke forcefully, but no one resisted. They could feel the difference in power.

In the feudal system of the Middle Ages, the royal family cannot arbitrarily treat the nobles as they please. There is a certain limit to their power. But conversely, the nobles should not treat the royal family arbitrarily either. Especially powerful members of the royal family like me.

Perhaps some of them still haven’t forgotten my brother Henry, and they may see me, who is more benevolent than my brother Richard, as easy to deal with. But I was John, a well-prepared great noble who had not only a power base but also military strength.

French people always say that England is vicious, but frankly, if you know the history of the Bourbon era, France is also a formidable axis of evil.

‘Charles V’s tactics are about to begin.’

Charles V of the Valois dynasty was a legendary monarch who, like Prince Gwanghae of Joseon [a Korean king known for his political maneuvering], suppressed the nobles with superhuman abilities when his father, John II, was disgracefully captured by the English like King Seonjo of Joseon [another Korean king who faced a national crisis], unable to escape.

“But isn’t it too much to commit corruption when the lord is absent? I have already gathered the evidence. You must be punished. Now, Robin, arrest those on the list.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“This is slander!”

“Prince John, what on earth are you doing?”

“When did we commit any sins!”

“Don’t raise your voices.”

So, I decided to set an example. I suppressed several nobles who could be ruined by the Duke’s orders.

“These people were disloyal to King Henry II, my brother Henry, and me.”

The nobles of Aquitaine were taken aback by my sudden surprise attack, which I had launched while I was busy trying to understand the affairs of Aquitaine. But they were already finished.

I had already sent informants through Robin from the time I was in Ireland to investigate the misdeeds of the nobles I could take over in the three territories I could occupy.

So, instead of using forced methods like so-and-so’s sin, I punished them for clear sins that were visible.

After finishing the fiery Charles V-style surprise attack, I was thinking of various ways to appease the public when I heard strange news. It was the news that my Polish friends were praising me while killing the Kievan Rus’ army.