The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 153

153. Aquitaine is a Wave (2)

-Venetian Republic-

The unexpected death of Enrico Dandolo, who could have become a pivotal figure in a time of upheaval, was both a blessing and a disaster for Venice.

It was a blessing because they leveraged his death to gain economic advantages from the Holy Roman Empire.

“Great, let’s go to Germany!”

“We will avenge Enrico with money!”

War booms were profitable in any era, and the reparations extracted under the guise of ‘consolation money’ were substantial.

However, the people of the Venetian Republic, basking in their golden age, overlooked a fundamental truth: good fortune is often accompanied by misfortune.

More precisely, the disaster was the loss of Enrico Dandolo, the capable merchant who was expected to succeed Doge Orio Mastropiero.

Doge Orio Mastropiero lamented, ‘Enrico is dead; what will I witness in my old age?’ and subsequently passed away himself.

With the Doge’s seat vacant, Venice had to elect a new leader.

Regardless of the power shifts driven by the interests of the ‘merchants,’ the position of Doge in the Venetian Republic was highly coveted.

Consequently, many individuals vied for this position, and ambitious merchants began mobilizing their resources and connections in preparation for the election.

Among them, Roniero Dandolo was confident of his victory. He had commanded the Venetian fleet, generating significant profits for Venice, and, more importantly, he possessed a deep understanding of the global political landscape.

‘I am not merely Enrico’s son, but a politician, Roniero.’

Roniero did not solely rely on his lineage. He sought recognition for his abilities from his Venetian peers.

He had proven himself as a politician through his extensive career, and he believed that the discerning people of Venice would acknowledge his merits.

‘We must be astute observers of the times. The future of Venice lies in capitalizing on our position between the powerful England of Western Europe and the Holy See, the successors of Saint Peter, while keeping the Eastern Roman Empire in check.’

Thus, instead of merely trading on his deceased father’s name, Enrico, he presented a vision for safeguarding Venice amidst the rapidly evolving European political landscape.

However, Pietro Ziani was elected as Doge.

That damned Pietro, he exploited his father Sebastiano Ziani’s legacy, who had been Doge long ago, to get elected.

The same guy who used to fawn over my father Enrico when he was alive!

Of course, Roniero was not naive. Despite his political defeat, he did not refuse to obey the new Doge, provided his command of the fleet was guaranteed.

But the new Doge began to overstep his bounds.

“Our future lies in seeking new profits from our relationship between France and the Eastern Roman Empire… Why should we share profits with England? The calculation is flawed!”

Roniero understood that Venice’s foreign policy could change.

In diplomacy, there are no permanent allies. The Holy Alliance, the economic partnership between Venice and England, was formed because their interests aligned, and it was subject to change.

However, the Doge increasingly crossed the line, such as initiating the withdrawal of the Venetian escort fleet stationed at the Poland-England trade port.

The foolish Venetians had forgotten the nature of the two lions of England, John and Richard.

Roniero urgently sought out the new Doge.

“Admiral Roniero, what brings you here?”

“I have something to discuss with the Doge.”

Despite the lingering anger in his heart, Roniero respectfully addressed the new Doge and spoke politely, for the sake of Venice.

However, Doge Pietro, oblivious to Roniero’s true feelings, responded condescendingly,

“Yes, our esteemed Admiral, tell me your concerns.”

“Doge, frankly, we may not have had a cordial relationship in the past, but I sincerely wish to convey something to you.”

“…”

The Doge, anticipating Roniero’s intentions, paused for a moment before speaking.

“Speak.”

“Doge, John, the schemer who has endured countless hardships, will not ignore this. You are well aware of how he manipulated Egypt and France, are you not?”

Why did his father Enrico Dandolo befriend Prince John, who was just a young boy, when he was alive?

It was not merely because Prince John was of English royal blood, but because he possessed significant potential.

Moreover, England has more than just John.

“Is he that dangerous?”

“Not just John. Richard I is in England, remaining silent for now, isn’t he? If we turn our backs on England without justification, we cannot predict the disaster that will ensue. It may already be too late, but Venice must immediately suppress the North Sea pirates who are plundering Poland.”

“That seems difficult. Isn’t the Mediterranean more important than the North Sea?”

-Bang.

At that moment, the door burst open.

A junior commander who had served with Roniero in the fleet for a long time entered the Doge’s room urgently and announced in a hurried tone.

“Your Excellency, Doge, and senior. Urgent report.”

“What is it?”

“A new battleship has appeared in England!”

Duke John of Normandy was about to unleash a wave that would shock the world.

* * *

-Kingdom of France, Paris-

The monarch of the Kingdom of France, of Frankish and Gallic descent, gazed out the window with a sense of foreboding.

His situation was precarious.

In the original timeline, he was a great king who humbled the incompetent King John and reclaimed France’s former territories.

However, due to the altered course of history caused by the reincarnator named Safe Zone, France, instead of regaining its past glory, was now wary of England rather than dominating Western Europe.

It was understandable that the pride of the French people, who had once looked down on the English, was severely wounded.

The nightmare of the old Sacco di Francia [Sack of France, referring to historical invasions and pillaging of France] had become a source of PTSD for the citizens of Paris, even in the 13th century.

The Kingdom of France had become a pitiful entity that could only engage with England ‘diplomatically,’ unlike during the War of the Lions, but lacked the ‘military’ strength to confront them.

‘I, Philip, am an incompetent monarch witnessing the loss of Gaul’s stolen fields.’

His predecessor, King Louis VII, died regretting the loss of Aquitaine and other French territories. While he himself had not lost territory, he faced even greater humiliation.

“Still, I won’t give up because I am the King of France.”

Philip II was the King of the Kingdom of France. And his focus remained on his adversary, John.

John’s unusual behavior was promptly reported to Philip II.

“So… John is pursuing something called Anjou Integration?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Philip II, after listening to the Count of Blois, paused to assess John’s intentions.

Philip and John had been wary of each other for a long time, allowing them to understand each other’s true motives.

‘This guy has no intention of ever relinquishing the West French region. But I have a strategy too.’

‘Geoffrey I.’

Admittedly, the third son of the Anjou family is a mess.

But now he is a pitiful man who has gone to a place far from mainland Europe as the King of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Therefore, he is someone who will be a good pawn for France to use. Philip II was planning to use this Kingdom of Jerusalem to play tricks.

“Your Majesty, something terrible has happened. Those English bastards are now!”

However, England did not remain idle, and a report about the new battleship reached the Kingdom of France.

The emergence of a new battleship made by England! It is news that already strong England has become even stronger.

* * *

-1202, England-

I had lived as Charles Lee, a Korean-French mixed-race in my previous life.

While converting medieval French into modern French, I thought, ‘Ah, ah, this is the language of Anjou,’

And taking that moment as a starting point, the Anjouization that had been implemented with a 10-year plan was happening in real-time.

Of course, I am a realistic person, so from the beginning of the integration policy, I did not expect people from West France, England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland to unite, saying, ‘Ah, we are Anjou people.’

At least, the priority is to eliminate conflicts ‘on the surface,’ and the goal is to instill the idea that Englishmen are Anjou people under the rule of the Anjou family through the Sunday school generation.

Anyway, Aquitaine, which I rule, is a showcase for Anjouization. So, there were many things to think about and do.

Behind it, there were also medieval things like increasing military power.

Yes, more important than cultural and social governance was the military power to protect the territory and the country.

So, I thought the ‘fleet’ was important.

The expansion of the army had already been achieved. It’s no exaggeration to say that the English army under our Richard I has long surpassed the military power of Henry V of the Hundred Years’ War.

Secret weapons were also prepared in Area 42, a secret laboratory built in Mortain.

Now, our new battleship was just rising on the sea.

“Your Highness, both battleships have succeeded in operation.”

“Good work.”

News of the success of the plan that I had invested a lot of money in the southern region came.

Until the early 20th century, the fleet symbolized the power of great powers. Well, even in the 21st century, it is an important force to the extent that people say, ‘Wow! Aircraft carrier!’, ‘Wow! US 7th Fleet!’

Now it was time to show it to my brother.

“Lord Godfrey, Aquitaine must become the wave of a new era.”

“I know it well.”

“Now I have to show it to His Majesty. The new spear of England!”

The fleet is like a sharp spear.

With the well-fed Venetians showing suspicious behavior, it was necessary to massively showcase this asymmetric power.

Anyway, I heard the good news, so I have to tell Richard I now.

So, I came to Normandy after a long time on the new battleship. To show this battleship to Richard I.

“What brings you here, Duke of Normandy?”

Richard I’s tone towards me has changed from before.

It means that he will now respect me completely as a vassal, not as a brother. And he was pretending not to know about the new battleship even though he already knew.

I humbly prostrated myself as a medieval vassal and said to my lord.

“One of the promises I made to Your Majesty has been fulfilled.”

I had sincerely promised Richard, who was pro-English and my lord.

One of them was the development and construction of a new battleship.

“Oh… does that mean the time has finally come to dominate the sea?”

“Your Majesty! Everything is thanks to the greatness of Your Majesty, who believed in this incompetent vassal and entrusted the work to me.”

“Let’s go see the new battleship first. Everyone, move to the Normandy coast.”

And a little later.

Richard I, who saw the two enormous new battleships, said in an emotional voice.

“Now our England will be a more just balancer of Europe.”

Yes, just England!

* * *

-Aquitaine, Poitiers-

John had gone on a kind of business trip, but Aquitaine was peaceful.

‘As expected, you are my eldest grandson. You will surely be a ruler.’

I have now adapted to being strictly disciplined by my grandfather, Duke Henry of Brittany.

The world was turning in a complicated way, so my grandfather’s education was more comfortable.

What made James feel burdened, in particular, was the Aquitaine territory, which became more prosperous as time passed.

‘To follow in the footsteps of my great father. What greater hardship could there be?’

The feelings of a son watching the death of King David, the feelings of a son watching the empire of Charlemagne, the feelings of William II (William Rufus) [William the Conqueror’s son], son of William the Conqueror, watching William I.

I think I understand now.

I also know that the road ahead will not be smooth just by trusting the family name. This is because my talented father John and uncle King Richard are constantly updating their achievements.

But I couldn’t help it, the smile that leaked out of my mouth. It is true that I am afraid of what lies ahead, but there was excitement.

‘Santa Matilda [likely referring to Empress Matilda, a claimant to the English throne in the 12th century] and Great William… that was really amazing.’

Maybe it was because I saw the new battleship my father made.

“When I think about it, it’s not all bad.”

“Lord, what do you mean?”

James said to his subordinate who asked about his intentions.

“Lord Timothy.”

“Yes, Lord.”

James, who paused for a moment, said with a faint smile.

“I think there will be something fun in the future.”