The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 112

112. Bonjour, Brittany (4)

—Italy, Papal States

Parchments and papers piled high on the desk, filling the air with the pervasive scent of ink.

“Haa…”

The source of the sigh amidst this aromatic chaos was Pope Pius II, the successor of Peter, who styled himself as the world’s mediator.

This aged ruler, who once narrowly escaped assassination at the hands of Henry II, continued to enjoy a surprisingly robust life despite his advanced years.

“I long to pass away peacefully.”

He found himself sympathizing with the notion that longevity wasn’t always a blessing.

The Vatican was perpetually bustling.

Of course, this was generally a positive sign. A busy Vatican implied a capable Pope. However, the sheer volume of work threatened to overwhelm him.

Frankly, he was exhausted, especially since the demands hadn’t lessened even after the Third Crusade’s triumphant conclusion – a truly comprehensive holy war.

“When will this ever end?”

What was the true value of the vaunted reputation of being Peter’s successor, Christ’s representative – a position every Catholic monk (clergyman) aspired to? He was old, his body ached, and he wondered what wealth or glory had truly motivated his ascent to the papacy.

‘Of course, in my younger days, I… certainly craved this illustrious position.’

Thomas Becket, during his time as a clergyman in England, had also dreamt of becoming Pope. He’d colluded with the rulers of England and the Holy Roman Empire, employing every available means. He’d risen to the position of Pope, a feat he hadn’t even dared to imagine.

But as the days turned into years, the weary old Pope found himself filled with regret. He hadn’t become Pope to simply work himself to death, or so he now felt.

As the supreme pontiff, he faced a multitude of responsibilities: the operational management of the Papal States, governed as a secular entity; mediating disputes within the Holy Roman Empire; dealing with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople; and countless other matters.

Even broadly categorized, these issues fell into three main areas, but a detailed breakdown revealed a seemingly endless list of problems.

Around this time, the Angevin civil war erupted.

The War of the Lions, pitting the Black Lion against the White Lion, had begun.

Prince John and Prince Geoffrey each served Prince Richard and Prince Henry, respectively, as their lords. They were orchestrating a game of thrones for their lords, who would ultimately become Richard I and Henry III.

This English civil war, a source of such turmoil, was the work of a disciple he himself had nurtured.

“Prince John…”

Many viewed this family feud as an inevitable occurrence. Pope Pius II, however, held a slightly different perspective.

The world was changing.

Many of these changes were beneficial for Christians, but could one truly expect to enjoy only positive developments? On the contrary, the more Christians benefited from the world, the more they needed to address the issue of equitable distribution.

Since the civil war in England was unfolding within a Catholic nation, many clergymen were already contemplating the advantages they might gain depending on the conflict’s outcome.

Thus, the Pope’s thoughts returned to his former disciple.

“Did I underestimate Prince John?”

Perhaps his own status as only the second Pope of English origin played a role, but it was undeniable that Prince John, whom everyone had underestimated, had instigated this conflict.

Initially, Thomas Becket hadn’t recognized Prince John’s potential either.

Unlike his brothers, Prince John had displayed no exceptional brilliance in his childhood. He simply demonstrated a moderate aptitude for learning.

‘But that wasn’t the whole story.’

He had attempted to introduce Angevin culture to England, opening doors through his activities during the Crusades and the High Shrine controversy. [The High Shrine refers to Canterbury Cathedral, a significant religious site in England.]

Now, he had maneuvered Richard onto the throne, securing his own family’s position as the royal lineage through a strategic cousin marriage.

The news trickling in from Brittany frequently surprised the Pope, and he eagerly anticipated the civil war’s outcome.

As Pope, he couldn’t directly assist Prince John, but he offered his support from afar.

Above all, he had faith in Prince John.

‘Prince Geoffrey cannot defeat Prince John.’

Pope Pius II never overestimated his disciples, but Prince John possessed a brilliance that allowed him to shine even among other great princes.

* * *

—February 1191, throughout Brittany—

Though snow was absent, the biting cold of winter persisted.

The harsh weather hampered both the Black Lion Army and the White Lion Army, yet they pressed on, battling through ‘Rennes’ even in this bleak winter.

—Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!

At the point where the fortress showed a slight crack, a volley from a couple of New John’s Bows, an 8-shot siege weapon, would simply collapse the castle.

A traveler from Ireland captured Rennes, an important economic city in Brittany.

“Spare those who surrender.”

“However, supplies are to be donated.”

Regardless of one’s desire to show benevolence, the Middle Ages remained the Middle Ages. Maintaining a steady supply line required both local requisitioning and provisions from the mainland.

Like a bird soaring on two wings.

“Please, just save us.”

“We possess valuable information.”

The fortress had fallen, and the people who raised the white flag begged for mercy. As the victor, I granted it.

Surveying the conquered city of Rennes, I experienced a novel sensation.

“The god of the sea aids travelers.”

I recited an ancient Breton legend. Godfrey, standing beside me, responded.

“I believe that traveler is us.”

Indeed, we were travelers and looters.

Brittany was, in truth, a pitiable region. Like Ireland, a land inhabited by fellow Celts, it had long endured Viking raids, and in the original timeline, the ruthless British Empire had inflicted tragedy upon it more than once or twice.

Of course, I wouldn’t recklessly endanger the lives of the Bretons, as I hoped to eventually welcome them as citizens of our great England.

We had already revealed our hidden card: Burgundy.

Since all the cards have been revealed and we have taken out a hidden card.

Besides, I know very well how Philip II of the original history supported Prince Geoffrey through the history of the Capetian dynasty. [Philip II was a King of France from the House of Capet.]

Of course, it’s useless now.

Because our proud brother Richard and the Earl of Oxford are taking care of both France and Anjou.

I felt confident after hearing the successive victories of my brother Richard.

If the elite troops of the Kingdom of France do not enter here. There is no worry about the Burgundy army, which is only the second team of France, and the Duchy of Brittany army.

* * *

—March 1191—

Spring arrived, bringing with it the thaw.

The fierce battles raging across Brittany intensified.

‘Our Black Lion Army will prevail.’

‘You are nothing but blackly corrupted traitors!’

We had launched a successful offensive initially, but they had responded with a defensive campaign to recapture key economic cities, resulting in a kind of high-stakes territorial struggle.

Fortunately, we had managed to seize control of most of Brittany’s vital economic hubs.

Duke Geoffrey, relying on Brittany’s resources, found himself in an increasingly disadvantageous position as time wore on.

‘Damn father. It’s about time to return. There’s still no news.’

It wasn’t as if he was simply wandering around in agony. King Henry II, alive and well in the Angevin territory, seemed content to observe the conflict from a distance.

He appeared to be holding back until the very end.

At this point, I found it rather heartless of the battle-hardened veteran, who should be roaring ‘Kuaaaang’ on the side of the righteous Black Lion.

From the perspective of a king who even keeps a close watch on Richard, I couldn’t entirely fault his actions, and if I played my cards right, this situation could provide an opportunity to demonstrate my abilities to all of Europe.

Geoffrey’s mistake lay in failing to properly assess me, Prince John, his opponent. While it was true that I was less capable than other prominent figures,

I possessed a clear understanding of my limitations and knew how to delegate tasks to talented individuals.

Godfrey planned, Robin shot, Charles looted, and Akbulhoi led a Chinese-style charge. [This refers to a military tactic involving a rapid, overwhelming advance, similar to those used in Chinese warfare.]

In this way, I was dominating the battlefield.

“There are no issues with the supply base.”

“But the White Lion’s offensive is strong.”

“We’ve been pushed back this far, and their momentum is truly frightening.”

Scary Middle Ages!

But as I expressed my concerns, Godfrey smiled and said.

“Your Highness, are you feigning weakness? We’ve already taken Nantes.”

Ah, Nantes.

Nantes reminded me of King Henry IV of King God France’s Edict of Nantes. [The Edict of Nantes was a decree issued by King Henry IV of France in 1598, granting religious freedom to Protestants.]

Around that time, an envoy arrived from Spain.

“Little Queen Eleanor sent it?”

The special envoy dispatched by my little sister Eleanor had arrived at our camp. I was overjoyed, almost to the point of tears. What was she planning?

“Little sister Eleanor…”

From the beginning, siblings avoided each other. I also treated little Eleanor like a stranger. In many ways, I helped Spain’s founding, but she’s helping me like this?

There is no favor without a reason in the world. Maybe little Eleanor is doing me a favor because she wants something from me.

This time, little Eleanor didn’t send a letter, so I don’t know what she’s thinking.

Anyway, I said in a solemn voice.

“Welcome to the distinguished guests from Spain.”

‘My sister has become a behind-the-scenes power in Spain. No, should I call her the queen of internal affairs at this point?’

When I think about it, even if our brother-in-law Fernando is weak to his wife, he is not the kind of person who will be dragged around by his sister’s words. They help each other, but my sister is leading the issue of Great Britain.

Originally, in this case, you have to mention the King of Spain for external face.

“What does King Fernando want?”

“It is Prince John’s victory.”

“Besides that, what else do you have to say?”

“Your Highness, our Spain wants to regain its old territory. We want to receive fair pay as mercenaries.”

Old territory, I nodded with an indifferent face.

So. It means to have some fun in North Africa and stay quiet during that time.

“I will.”

Anyway, from our point of view, we don’t need to know about the North African issue. The Islamic forces in the area became weak in the last Crusade, so I have to leave it alone for my sister’s allowance.

What’s important now is victory.

I have to firmly grasp Brittany so that my damned father Henry II has many opportunities to get up from his sickbed and participate in the war. So, I have to fight hard.

In addition, there is a dispute over the command of Burgundy and Brittany, and the spy knights I planted are active in Brittany.

After a while.

I got back on my horse and smelled the fresh spring scent and ordered.

“Charge!”

* * *

—Brittany, White Lion’s camp—

“Ha.”

Geoffrey turned to face a large map depicting the terrain of all of Brittany.

On that map, the Black Lion Army was advancing relentlessly, while the White Lion’s forces were shrinking.

Not long ago. Taking over as commander of the Brittany front. To his brother Prince Henry.

Prince Geoffrey, who had confidently declared, ‘Don’t worry, I will either confine that child John to a Jerusalem monastery or see him fall from his horse,’ now struggled to comprehend the situation.

How could he, with such overwhelming power, be so easily manipulated by Prince John?

He was genuinely frustrated.

“Why is this happening…?”

“… Th, that’s.”

“Ha….”

Prince Geoffrey couldn’t understand.

When the Burgundy army arrived previously, Geoffrey had already foreseen the end of the Brittany front.

But the result is more important than the process. The time to deal with Prince John is getting longer and longer, and the war situation is starting to become unfavorable.

But the outcome mattered more than the process. The struggle against Prince John dragged on, and the war’s tide was turning against him.

Now, the White Lion Army was plagued by internal unrest and guerrilla attacks from the Black Lion Army.

Furthermore, the Black Lion army’s tactics – a land fence consisting of halberd-wielding infantry and pikemen, and the barricades made of sword cars and carts – began to ruin the atmosphere of the honorable French second team, the Burgundy army.

Economic cities have become trees that give generously to solve Prince John’s supply one by one.

Of course, Prince Geoffrey is not blind, so he is making recapture operations as much as possible. He is also preparing for the enemy’s new tactics.

As time goes by. The situation is getting strange.

The Black Lion has the initiative on the battlefield.

“Your Highness, it’s a big deal! The Black Lion Army is launching an offensive in our direction!”

“Ha.”

Prince Geoffrey sighed again, feeling as though he was destined to be the prince who would fall from his horse.