The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 156

Peace Envoy (2)

The people of Lubeck were truly experiencing the terror of England, a devastation far exceeding even the Huns.

Acrid smoke choked the air. Lubeck, unable to withstand the relentless English assault, teetered on the brink of collapse.

Moreover, no mercenaries were willing to throw their lives away for a lost cause.

“Run away!”

“I don’t want to die like a dog!”

Self-preservation reigned supreme.

However, the range of the English longbow proved even deadlier than anticipated.

“Fire!”

The English soldiers, loosing their arrows, displayed no remorse. In their eyes, England was justified in its actions.

Besides, wasn’t sanctioned looting the most lucrative way to earn a living in this era?

-Agh!

The arrows, raining down mercilessly from afar, elicited a chorus of agonizing screams.

Far away.

-Boom!

The terrifying coastal bombardment commenced.

“The English are summoning Satan!”

“I’ve never even heard of such weapons!”

Lubeck, already reeling from the surprise invasion, could no longer endure. A white flag of surrender was raised in desperation.

“We surrender, we surrender!”

Richard I was somewhat disappointed that the merchants of the North Sea Alliance, a burgeoning merchant union, hadn’t put up a more substantial fight.

“Already?”

As an Angevin [a dynasty of English monarchs], he had hoped to witness the Germanic people struggle for a while longer, potentially yielding greater gains. However, with their surrender, his options were limited. He had, after all, already secured his primary objectives.

Since they had capitulated first, he was obliged to accept their surrender, wasn’t he?

“Your Majesty, have mercy.”

“Mercy… but England’s mercy always comes at a price.”

Richard I was not a king who reveled in conflict, but neither was he one to shy away from it.

A ruler who understood that war was a tragedy, not a romantic adventure, only feigned enthusiasm for heroic tales and was not genuinely bloodthirsty.

‘Now that I’ve mobilized the troops, I can’t simply let them off the hook.’

He might have been lenient if they had merely employed pirates to stir up trouble. But their transgressions went far beyond that. The King of England could not afford to ignore such blatant defiance.

The reasons for his refusal to forgive the North Sea Merchant Alliance were multifaceted:

They had engaged in dishonest financial practices to orchestrate the ‘Northern War’ and had colluded with Venice and Sweden to interfere in the affairs of the Kingdom of Poland.

Consequently, the conditions imposed upon the North Sea Merchant Alliance were numerous and severe.

“These conditions are far too harsh.”

The elderly merchant who served as their spokesperson voiced his protest.

But Richard I remained resolute.

“Harsh? We are merely seeking just compensation from the unscrupulous merchants who disrupted the peace.”

A pirate who cloaked himself in the mantle of justice was no longer a pirate but a hero, enforcing the law.

“Sign the treaty for peace immediately.”

“I… I will sign.”

“Your Majesty, everything has been finalized.”

“Well done.”

Why is the lion considered the king of beasts? Because it is an animal that fights for survival in the perilous savanna, despite its immense power.

Having concluded the ‘etiquette education’ for the North Sea Merchant Alliance, Richard I turned to the liaison who had arrived earlier.

“What are the movements of France and Spain?”

“They are maintaining a cautious silence.”

“Those cunning fellows… It would have been preferable if they had made a foolish move.”

With both the King of England and the Duke of Normandy absent.

If they had succumbed to temptation and launched an attack, he would have had ample justification to thoroughly plunder their territories.

But Spain and France were not so easily provoked.

So Richard I declared.

“Now, we set our sights on the Low Countries [Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg].”

* * *

-Kingdom of Denmark, Capital Roskilde-

‘As expected of my brother.’

News had reached me that Richard I, having punished the North Sea Merchant Alliance, was now ‘re-educating’ the merchants of the Low Countries. He wouldn’t completely strip the Benelux region bare, but he would undoubtedly deliver a stern warning.

He would ensure they didn’t make any regrettable decisions.

Of course, I wasn’t merely idling my time away. Just moments ago, a mutually beneficial treaty between the Kingdom of Denmark and the Kingdom of England had been finalized. Upon closer examination, the core of the agreement was quite favorable for England.

“Thank you for your wise decision, Your Majesty, and Duke Valdemar.”

“It was a treaty that was destined for approval the moment England established its justification.”

“Haha, I am pleased that the esteemed Duke of Normandy and I share aligned interests.”

The King of Denmark was a reasonable man. And his heir and brother, Duke Valdemar, was equally wise and understood England’s objectives.

Their collective will effectively dictated the official stance of the Kingdom of Denmark, ensuring the treaty’s validity until its eventual abrogation.

“Our Denmark will strive for mutual prosperity with the Kingdom of Poland, as England desires.”

“Thank you.”

Denmark, partly willingly and partly under duress, agreed to cooperate with England and support Poland.

In addition, they hosted a lavish banquet.

It seemed that King Knud VI of Denmark, who seized the opportunity to eliminate some troublesome nobles, was secretly pleased by the chaos England had inadvertently caused.

This Knud VI, despite his seemingly healthy complexion, must be suffering from a serious ailment.

“Being treated with such deference is gratifying, wouldn’t you agree, Sir Charles?”

“Indeed, it is a direct result of the strength we have demonstrated.”

Denmark was once a formidable power, even ruling England and establishing the ‘North Sea Empire.’ But now, it was considered a nation a step below our England.

Charles, my most trusted advisor and confidant. A nobleman from the Kingdom of France, he is a vassal whom I deeply value and respect.

“Charles, the naval command structure must be gradually reformed.”

“I am already aware of that. The battleship that Your Highness developed with Lord Ark embodies ‘progress’ simply by its existence.”

The naval command policy of medieval England cannot be overhauled ‘completely’ overnight. But we must make necessary adjustments to the best of our ability.

A 10-year plan.

My ultimate goal is to fortify England’s strength.

Having achieved some success with the initial 10-year plan, I now intend to lay a solid foundation that will endure beyond my lifetime. I must create a century of prosperity that will last at least 100 years.

My son James… and my descendants will completely subjugate France and usher in a 100-year golden age, symbolized by the indomitable Angevin Empire.

With Sir Charles’s expertise, I can envision a future-oriented fleet.

To accomplish that, I need to rest today.

“Allow me to refill your glass.”

Pour.

I replenished Charles’s empty glass with wine.

“It is an honor, Your Highness.”

“The Admiral has worked tirelessly. You deserve some respite.”

“Of course, there are times when we exert ourselves and then indulge in moments of relaxation like this.”

I shared a drink with Charles and engaged in lively conversation.

About an hour later?

“Your Highness, the Queen requests your presence in the garden and has asked that you come as soon as possible.”

My niece wishes to speak with me on a personal matter.

“Sir Charles.”

“Hmm, I’m feeling a bit tipsy, so I shall take my leave now.”

I proceeded to the garden, accompanied by my attendants.

Soon after, a woman with our family’s blood and striking beauty approached and greeted me.

“It’s been a while, Uncle.”

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty.”

The Queen of Denmark is the daughter of my brother-in-law, Duke Saja, and my sister Matilda, making her my niece in private.

One of the children my brother-in-law brought with him when he was living as a tenant in Mortain [a region in Normandy].

“Everyone, step back.”

At my niece’s command, the guards and maids discreetly distanced themselves, allowing her to speak freely.

“Now that the eavesdroppers have retreated, you may address me as family, Uncle.”

She was suggesting that I could speak informally.

“Yes, it’s been a while, Gertrude. Your eyes seem weary.”

“Well, I am the queen of a country, after all.”

If there’s anything that distinguishes her from her former self, it’s the world-weariness reflected in her eyes.

‘That innocent girl… has undergone a profound transformation.’

Gertrude in English, Gertrud in German.

The once gentle girl had matured into the Queen of Denmark, hardened by the realities of her position.

“By the way, aren’t you overstepping your bounds, Uncle?”

“Overstepping?”

“You know what I’m referring to.”

“Didn’t I provide you with pocket money?”

“Pocket money… do you still perceive me as a child? Rather than that, I came to discuss matters of the future. He may appear to be in good health now… but he will soon cross the Jordan River [a euphemism for death].”

“I see….”

He may have experienced a temporary recovery, leading to a false sense of hope, but it was undeniable that Knud VI’s condition was deteriorating. He might pass away soon. If she were to become a widow, my niece might be forced to retreat to Saxon territory or a monastery.

The former Queen of Denmark, having failed to produce an heir, would hold a meaningless title.

“Don’t fret, I’ve already made all the necessary arrangements. You’ll be able to live out the rest of your days in comfort.”

“Thank you immensely. Whether it was when you cared for my family who were living as tenants in the past or now… I rely on you, Uncle.”

I responded to my niece.

“I should pay my respects to the King now.”

“That is a wise decision. He needs peace and tranquility at this time.”

The next day.

The time had come for me to depart, not least for the sake of the Danish monarch, who was feigning good health despite his illness. So I bid farewell to the King and Queen and prepared to set sail.

“Your Highness, an envoy has arrived from the Kingdom of Poland.”

A diplomatic envoy.

They likely have much to convey.

“Bring them in.”

“I am truly honored to meet the Duke of Normandy.”

Because I was monitoring the surrounding countries, I was unable to visit the Polish palace directly.

Zygmunt, the diplomatic envoy with full authority, expressed his gratitude.

“Thanks to England, the pirates have vanished.”

Of course, pirates could not be completely eradicated, but it signified that there would be no more individuals disguised as pirates, at least.

I engaged in various conversations with the envoy. There were numerous flowery pronouncements, but in essence, the Kingdom of Poland’s concerns had been alleviated thanks to our intervention.

“What are Your Highness’s thoughts on our Kingdom of Poland?”

It was a straightforward question, designed to gauge my true sentiments.

“The sacred shield of Catholicism.”

If our England was the sharpest spear in Europe, the Kingdom of Poland, alongside the Eastern Roman Empire, had to serve as a formidable shield.

Zygmunt responded with evident pleasure, as if my words resonated deeply with him.

“The sacred shield of Catholicism. We will demonstrate a Poland that remains steadfast in that role. Our great King Casimir is a ruler who clearly distinguishes between public and private matters.”

“I am well aware of the wisdom of King Casimir.”

In the original historical timeline, the King Casimir referred to in Poland is not Casimir II, but his distant descendant Casimir III. However, considering his current actions, the attribution doesn’t seem entirely inaccurate.

Casimir II was a capable monarch who prioritized the security of his realm.

* * *

-Normandy Coast-

-Boom.

Using the remaining gunpowder, we once again demonstrated to the Swedes and some pagan [non-Christian] pirates of the North the harsh realities of the world.

The surging waves are a testament to England’s growing power, but the challenges we will face will be even greater.

Some time ago, news from the East reached us through slaves. The Holy Mongol Empire was a force to be reckoned with. The two tribal chiefs, Jamukha and Temujin, conquered China without even engaging in a civil war.

While the stabilization of such a vast territory, the so-called Christianization, would take time, we could not afford to lower our guard.

That’s why I’m pressing forward with even greater urgency.

As I approached the naval port, the Great William was visible. It appeared that Richard I had arrived in Normandy ahead of me.

After landing in Normandy, I greeted Richard I… no, my brother.

“I’m back, Your Majesty!”

“Brother, I heard that the discussions with Poland went well. You must have worked diligently.”

“No, Your Majesty, it was simply my duty to serve England.”

“How modest. Come, receive the people’s welcome.”

Soon after, as we entered Rouen, the people erupted in cheers.

“Long live England! Long live Richard I, Long live the Duke of Normandy!”

Three cheers.

Of course, their enthusiasm stemmed from the enormous benefits that Richard I and I had brought to England. After all, no one offers their support without expecting something in return.

‘But this is merely a prelude to our endeavors in the North Sea. I need to move on to other places.’

“Your Highness, His Holiness the Pope is urgently seeking your presence.”

“His Holiness?”

* * *

-Papal States, Rome-

The Pope, who should be mediating among the Christian brethren, displayed a nonchalant demeanor.

Perhaps it was due to the Pope’s longstanding amicable relationship with England, which granted England the moral high ground from the outset.

The North Sea Merchant Alliance, along with the Danish parliamentarians, had interfered with the trade of other nations, earning the disapproval of many Europeans who relied on commerce. Even Philip II, who considered England an adversary, concurred with this assessment.

Because Pope Pius II suddenly collapsed and was confined to his bed.

“…Cardinal Lothaire.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

Pius II, gazing upon the Lord’s servant he had groomed for John, reminisced about the boy who had saved him in his childhood.

“I wish to see John.”