The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 165

165. It Rains (1)

(The history of 1204 is simple: Temujin in the East, John in the West.

―Robespierre, The Era of John I―)

* * *

‘Is this the East?’

The young, handsome Westerner looked at the battlefield reeking of blood and raised his hand. Seeing this, his adjutant raised the flag.

It was the order to bombard.

―Kwang!

The artillerymen confirmed the signal, and the bombardment commenced as planned.

‘A sudden bombardment. Do they also possess gunpowder?’

The Mongol army was taken by surprise.

It wasn’t just the sudden bombardment that surprised them.

The Mongols knew they weren’t the only ones with gunpowder.

“Execute a counter-bombardment!”

―Kwang!

The Mongol army returned fire, keeping the new armies at bay, but Jochi, the Mongol commander in the direction of Goryeo [ancient Korean kingdom], was reeling.

“What on earth is happening? What were the chiliarchs [Mongol military unit commanders] doing?”

They had come to conquer Goryeo, but several unexpected forces had appeared.

The sudden surge in the Song Dynasty’s revival army, the Kamakura shogunate army, and then this…

The influx of Westerners was something they could never have predicted. This sudden variable forced the Mongol army to reassess the situation.

Most urgent was figuring out why they hadn’t detected the new army’s approach.

“Retreat!”

The fact that the Mongols’ eyes and ears hadn’t noticed the approach of these ‘enemies’ was terrifying.

Seeing them retreat, the Westerner raised his hand and said,

“Do not pursue. There must be an ambush.”

The man was a loyal knight who had journeyed to the distant East, following John’s orders.

Not just loyal, but capable.

He was the commander who had overcome countless hardships to establish the ‘Gunpowder Road’ that Prince John had envisioned.

‘Coming all this way was truly difficult.’

Seeing the Mongol army retreating, Choi Chung-heon [military dictator of Goryeo] asked the Westerner,

“Who are you?”

“Don’t worry. I am quite fluent in the language of the East.”

“…!”

A slight accent, but his Goryeo language was easily understood.

‘A Westerner so fluent in our language.’

Choi Chung-heon was surprised.

Of course, many Middle Easterners and Westerners came to Byeokrando [international port in Goryeo] to trade with Goryeo, and some spoke the language.

But it was rare to find someone so fluent.

This English language genius, fluent in Chinese, Goryeo, and Arabic thanks to Eastern slaves and the Akbulhoi [secret society], was Longsword, one of the illegitimate children of the man formerly known as Henry II.

He had reached Goryeo through the gateway of the Red Sea.

This was possible because the Alexandria Duchy and the Suez Duchy aided John.

It was a poorly kept secret that the owner of the Suez Duchy was a close aide to Count Zülzbach, but only those in the know were aware that Count Zülzbach, who effectively managed the Suez Duchy, was the maternal grandfather of Duchess Mary of Normandy.

“The Mongol general who has come to conquer Goryeo is Jochi. The Mongol emperor is marching west. Since it is not their main force, Goryeo has a chance to survive.”

Choi Chung-heon, still dumbfounded, asked,

“How are you so proficient in our language?”

“For the sake of my lord, John.”

In the original history, Longsword, furious at King John’s foolish actions, helped the Kingdom of France. Now, with history changed, he came to help Goryeo for Prince John—or, more accurately, to grab the Mongols by the scruff of the neck.

* * *

―1204, Europe―

For a while, Safe John was quiet.

Many rulers in Europe were relieved.

And there was a reason.

William, the joint grandson of Richard I and John, had been born.

With the birth of an heir of unquestionable legitimacy, John refrained from any significant political or diplomatic moves and returned to Aquitaine to spend time with his family.

With John inactive, Western Europe was quiet.

‘Is Europe peaceful now?’

Of course not.

What kind of place is Europe? It was a battlefield of countless invisible conflicts.

The diplomatic scene in Europe was like a beast, constantly seeking opportunities to strike a country that showed weakness.

Of course, countries like France, Spain, and England outwardly proclaimed peace, but could small and weak countries afford to do the same?

“… Good, this is good. An opportunity has arisen for us.”

The count of the Habsburg family, a close ally of John, smiled.

“Lord, give the order.”

“The Holy Roman Emperor has already granted permission. Divide it from within.”

The Count of Habsburg prepared to occupy the outskirts of Helvetia, which would later be known as Switzerland, piece by piece.

As historically accurate as possible.

* * *

The King and Queen of England, my brother and sister-in-law, were busy with state affairs and had already left for Rouen.

‘Ha… I have to go to Rouen too.’

I didn’t have much time left with my grandson.

I wanted to spend more time with William, who was still so innocent and adorable.

“Awoo!”

“Yes, I’m sad too.”

My lovely grandson, whom I never tired of holding. I was completely captivated by the baby angel who showed me affection as if he recognized his grandfather.

As if sensing my impending departure, his cuteness seemed to intensify.

I guess I can’t help but be a grandfather.

Saying that makes me sound old, but I’m only 38, born in ’66, and my birthday hasn’t even passed yet.

I spent a considerable amount of time with my grandson William.

Perhaps I’m more affectionate because he’s my first grandson.

“Your Highness, a letter.”

“Thank you.”

[Your Highness, I have arrived in the East. I have gathered the strength of those who hate the Mongols and converted them to Christianity.]

Longsword.

He is a brother who confidently volunteered for this task among my many half-siblings.

Even with the Suez Duchy’s help, the journey must have been arduous.

“He’s working hard.”

After reading my half-brother’s letter, I went to see my father.

“John.”

“Yes, Father.”

The expression on the Duke of Brittany, Henry’s face, was unusual.

What’s with the sudden serious face? Surely, you don’t have another illegitimate child you haven’t told me about, Father?

“I have decided to embrace my title, Duke of Brittany.”

“You have.”

“Now… you have to earn the title. This father is now going to England. I’m thinking of spending the last of my life there.”

“You’re going to Brittany?”

“Yes….”

Brittany is a large region encompassing parts of modern-day France and historically linked to England.

My father, who held the title of Duke of Brittany but had never set foot there, seemed to be finally embracing the title.

I think I know why, but I asked as if I didn’t know anything.

“Why don’t you just stay comfortably in Rouen?”

“With King Richard there, how can this old man go to the capital? Besides, England is not my hometown, but it is also a historically significant place for me. It was my crown there.”

It’s a minor point, but it’s true. My father’s hometown was Le Mans in the French region, and the reason my father started the British civil war was because the crown of England was there.

“My man has become the Pope, my country has become strong, and my descendants have prospered, even seeing my great-grandson William. This father has achieved everything as a man.”

Father Henry, having seen his reliable grandson James, who was like his last disciple, and his adorable great-grandson William, seemed to have no regrets.

But I knew very well what my father had not yet resolved.

“But Mother remains.”

At my pointed words, my father smiled bitterly and said,

“Yes, I have to end the war of the couple. Before I die.”

In fact, my mother and father, who had fought marital battles to the level of civil war, had reconciled long ago in their old age. But in his youth, my father had committed more sins than my mother at her peak. And he still felt guilty.

“I wish you luck, Father.”

“I hope your reforms succeed….”

And so my father left. With my mother.

I thought my father was amazing and admirable.

* * *

I called the names of my six vassals.

“Amiar, Peter, Godfrey, Robin, Charles, Akbulhoi.”

Six men who were born in different circumstances but became my vassals.

I believe these are the people who will be known as my closest aides among Safe John’s many close associates.

―Yes, Your Highness.

Everyone here knows what I mean.

However, I am calling their names because I have something important to say.

“We may create chaos in England in the future.”

Through intelligence, I learned that my opponents were forming factions. The ‘prudent faction’ is concerned about the upheaval in England across generations.

These are not simply anti-Normandy Duke factions. They are simply people who love England in a different way than I do.

In addition, small factions such as the British faction, the Normandy faction, and the Brittany faction have emerged. It means that the political landscape is slowly changing.

So I took a moment to catch my breath. From the outside, it may seem that I took a kind of sabbatical due to the birth of my grandson, but it was nothing more than thinking about the situation more seriously.

No, to be more precise, I quietly prepared a great deal for a sure victory.

Reform is ultimately war. Because no matter what reform you make, there will be people who lose out, and the resistance of the conservatives, who have the most to lose, is inevitable.

Fortunately, there is no need to fight with King Richard I. There is a conflict of interest. What is that conflict of interest? My brother Richard and I agree on reforms to prepare for the Mongols.

‘But there is no reform that can be achieved by relying solely on the king.’

You shouldn’t naively trust only people. You have to trust the ‘situation’ as well. Politics is so cruel that you have to think more about the future.

‘So maybe I need more people to help me.’

There is one person. Right next to me.

The white-haired nobleman in front of me.

Perhaps he is the most favorable nobleman to me among the old nobles.

“Uncle.”

It is the Earl of Surrey, my great-uncle (born out of wedlock).

“Tell me, Duke.”

“It will probably be chaotic in the future.”

“When was England peaceful? Considering the fall of the Norman dynasty, the current England ruled by the Angevin dynasty is peaceful.”

My uncle laughed. It was as if he thought that compared to the chaos that took place in his youth, the present was child’s play.

“I hope you will help this nephew in the future.”

“It’s not a difficult task.”

After the story was over, I got into the carriage.

“Mary, are you ready too?”

Then my wife said confidently.

“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely support you.”

Yes, now the preparation is over.

* * *

After arriving in Rouen, in the fleeting moment of bowing to Richard I, I observed the nobles present.

I felt several gazes.

People who have friendly eyes towards me are nobles who have a conflict of interest with me. They will probably follow me even if I reform. Most of them are people who are looking for opportunities in the future.

People who have indifferent eyes towards me are nobles who are officially on a different line from me. They are watching my actions coldly. They are people who will change to protect their own interests depending on my actions.

People who have worried eyes towards me are neutral. For now, they will be bystanders, but they are people who will change their political position depending on my actions.

Anyway, I paid my respects to my brother Richard and said,

“Your Majesty, I have something urgent to tell you.”

But I couldn’t convey those words to my brother Richard.

“Your Majesty, something terrible has happened. The Earl of Oxford… has passed away.”

A giant of England who was an aide to my Safe John’s grandmother Matilda and served Henry II and Richard I has passed away.

Earl of Oxford. He was an old nobleman who hated conflict despite being a powerful figure in England.

His death means that his son Robert will inherit his position.