The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 53

[53. Land of the Black Desert (1)]

―Levant Front―

This is a battlefield where people cannot survive without faith in God and Allah.

However, even Crusaders and Islamic forces fueled by faith can’t fight on empty stomachs or without rest.

No matter how driven by fighting spirit and greed, people need respite.

The fierce battle paused, a momentary lull.

The Crusaders and Ishmael’s Swords [a poetic term for Islamic warriors] were in a tacit truce.

Just like Saladin and Baldwin IV used to rest during their truces.

The problem was that while the Levant Front was quiet, a major battle erupted on the Egypt-Syria Front.

Around that time.

The fighting broke out again in the Egypt-Syria Front.

The Crusaders in the Levant Front, catching their breath, also heard the news.

The first report concerned.

Richard and Baldwin IV’s impressive teamwork.

‘Your Majesty, Saladin values grand strategies, prioritizing the war’s overall objective over immediate skirmishes. What those men fear most is their grand plan unraveling. Of course, his plans will be complex and meticulously laid out.’

‘Then we should cooperate even more closely, shouldn’t we? Richard, nothing is impossible if you and I are together.’

Unlike the Levant Front, where the Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire and King Henry II of England were overwhelming Philip and the other princes,

The combination of Baldwin IV and the Duke of Normandy, who were of similar age and had similar strategic minds, was proving formidable.

And the news spread that they were battling Saladin’s powerful army on the Syrian Front.

And then there was the news of John, the youngest prince of the Angevin-Plantagenet dynasty.

John was already known as a libertine.

He became even more famous for surviving an arrow wound.

He became even more famous for creating a new ‘market’ by partnering with Venetian merchants.

The story of ‘Ake,’ a Chinese slave who converted to Christianity and became a knight of the East, was also gaining traction.

The story went that Prince John bought a pitiful Eastern slave and showed him Christian love.

Moved, ‘Ake’ created various war materials for Prince John.

In particular, the bizarre weapons made by Ake: the Brown Bess crossbow, the Brown Bess longbow, and the siege weapon Jones’ Bow.

Among them, the latest siege weapon, Jones’ Bow, a five-shot catapult, was already shocking the world.

Of course, John didn’t just make weapons.

‘Long live Henry II, long live the great king!

The great king has three abilities:

To drink, to fight, and to sire bastards!’

A popular song often heard in the English camp among the Crusaders.

Prince John’s instant hit, ‘Long Live Henry II,’ was popular in the English camp.

Safe John simply adapted a few lyrics from the future French Bourbon dynasty’s ‘Long Live Henry IV’ and used it as a military song.

Thanks to the exciting melody and cheerful lyrics, it was a hit.

And the song was so popular that even Crusaders from other countries

Added the titles of their lords to the first verse of ‘Long Live Henry II’ and sang along.

‘Long live Philip II, long live France!’

‘Long live Alexios II, long live the Roman Empire!’

Anyway, Henry II, who became the subject of such a trendy song, was delighted.

‘My son John’s filial piety is touching.’

‘But… Your Majesty, what about the lyrics?’

‘I do have as many bastards as Zeus.’

Although the lyrics containing praise related to his illegitimate children were a bit much.

Still, he felt good that his name was being celebrated.

Anyway, Henry II was in a very good mood.

‘Prince John is performing better than expected.’

Alexios II, who had been furious when Prince John was shot by an arrow and faced a life-or-death situation,

Was pleased with John’s success.

‘The better John does, the more resentful John’s cunning brothers will be.’

The better John, the youngest of the Angevin-Plantagenet dynasty, did, the more intense the conflict with his brothers would become.

From the perspective of Alexios as a person, he simply liked Prince John, but from the perspective of Emperor Alexios II, he wanted England to be a little weaker.

As Alexios II thought, John’s brothers were not in a good mood at all.

Not because of their youngest brother John’s achievements.

Young King Henry and Duke Geoffrey of Brittany had already achieved brilliant feats and gained the support of many young Christians.

‘Damn it, did I 괜히 [unnecessarily] join the Angevin family’s festival?’

So much so that Philip II was jealous.

Of course, John’s territories were only Mortain and Ireland.

Ireland was an undeveloped island of rebels, and the Mortain territory in the French region was a rural backwater.

There was no immediate danger in the territory itself, but the problem was John’s growing influence.

By associating with bastards that no one cared about.

Prince John, who pioneered the blue ocean of the youngest sons of noble families, the equivalent of the Third Estate [commoners] in the future, gathered many talented individuals.

Not only was the economic power of Ireland growing, but also the security of the Irish territory was defended like iron.

‘The spies in Ireland. They say they were dealt with along with the heretics and pagans.’

‘Then, could it be…’

‘That’s right. It seems that Bishop Rothaire betrayed us and sided with John.’

‘Why on earth?’

Bishop Rothaire.

Strictly speaking, a young clergyman who belonged to the clergy line led by young King Henry.

He had shown great promise in the past and was recognized by many high-ranking clergymen as a promising prospect for the future.

Originally, he was a person whom young King Henry had planted in Ireland.

For such a person to betray them. In an instant, young King Henry’s expression soured.

‘Perhaps, he was swayed by that John.’

‘I can’t stand still.’

Young King Henry, who heard the news that Bishop Rothaire had sided with Prince John.

The next day. He pleaded with Henry II.

‘Father, we must proceed with the war quickly.’

‘My brother is right. Our holy Crusaders must not rest.’

Henry II was angry at his sons’ nonsense.

‘These damn bastards.’

He was annoyed by his hateful sons, who were obviously plotting something.

‘Your Majesty, I have something to say.’

At that time, William Marshal, a capable commander known as Henry II’s sword, who had been silent, opened his mouth.

‘Speak.’

Henry II asked for his opinion.

‘There is a report that the internal situation of Ishmael’s Swords is unstable right now.’

At William Marshal’s words that the Islamic camp was unusual.

‘What do you mean?’

When Alexios II’s expression, who had been silent, changed strangely.

William Marshal took out a letter.

‘Someone far away in the East sent a letter.’

The letter was written in broken Latin.

* * *

―Levant Front Caliph’s Camp―

‘May the holy war end quickly.’

The soldiers, exhausted from several battles.

Felt that they wanted the damn war to end quickly.

No matter how strong their faith in Allah, the soldiers, whose bodies and minds were exhausted, only wanted to return home quickly.

Yes, like the Crusaders, the Islamic forces were also very tired.

Of course, peace would be short-lived. From the beginning, there was no real possibility of the war ending.

Whether it’s Ishmael’s Swords or the Crusaders.

If they don’t have a satisfactory ‘profit’ to enjoy, they will never give up first.

Anyway, the Islamic commanders used this short time to replenish the soldiers’ strength and supplies.

If the despicable Christians ever attack with swords, they would have to retaliate fiercely, of course.

The commanders also.

‘I wish I could return to my territory quickly.’ They thought.

Because they were also someone’s husband, the head of a family.

It would be nice to drive out the meddling Christians quickly and end the war.

Anyway, everyone knew that Allah’s warriors also needed to catch their breath.

As the Islamic forces were taking a long-awaited break.

The Caliph was shocked by the newly received urgent report.

‘Is that true?’

‘Yes, Caliph…’

It was the news that Saladin, one of the supreme commanders of Ishmael’s Swords, had been nearly assassinated.

Allah forbid!

Even if they were rotten bastards, they never expected them to plot such a sinister scheme.

The Caliph, who had initially accepted it calmly, eventually uttered profanity.

‘These foolish bastards!’

The Caliph doesn’t like Saladin either.

Saladin was a Sultan (king) who was threatening enough to the Caliph, who could be called the secular leader of Islam.

But now.

The control of the Middle East, known as the center of the world,

It is a very important situation where Christians and Muslims are fighting.

It means that it is a delicate situation where the history of the world can change with just a slight mistake.

Moreover, the current situation in the Islamic world is not good.

The Khitai (Western Liao) forces, who refused mercenaries and started looting India and Afghanistan.

And the merchants of the Southern Song and Jin dynasties, who knew that they were in a difficult situation and were overcharging them.

The Ghurid Sultanate, the ruler of North India, which should be the core force of Ishmael’s Swords, reduced its support.

And the riots caused by the Indians, who believe in primitive Hinduism, reduced the support troops and supplies.

Moreover, Sultan Tekish of Khwarazm was busy suppressing the remaining rebel forces.

Even if they gathered under the name of Islam, everyone was helpless because their own situation was difficult.

‘Did I become a Caliph to do this? I feel a sense of self-disgust.’

Really, the Caliph was tired.

He wanted to quietly stay in Baghdad and do politics.

Since the Crusader friends led a huge army, he had no choice but to become the leader of the huge Islamic coalition.

The front was fierce. The Crusaders’ momentum was stronger than expected.

Moreover, the Christian bastards who had been hiding underground until then.

‘It’s not Allah, it’s God!’

‘Those who believe in the false prophet Muhammad, step back!’

‘Down with Allah!’

It’s not just the hidden Christian bastards that are the problem.

Looking at the progress of the war, there were several threats to Ishmael’s Swords.

The most important thing is to unite the forces with Saladin and create a unified Islamic alliance.

In other words, the dream of creating a true Ishmael’s Sword,

It was blocked by commanders Richard and Baldwin IV.

The waist of the Islamic coalition was cut off by being divided into Syria and the Levant Front.

Moreover, the cunning Prince John converted the Eastern pagans to Christianity.

And he made huge profits by using it.

It was also a variable that he was making threatening siege weapons called Jones’ Bow and was active as a new commander in the Egyptian Front.

Above all, Prince John was a major threat because he was creating a safe supply route for the Crusaders.

‘Division is not allowed in this situation.’

The Caliph knew very well.

There are hardly any commanders with genuine faith in Ishmael’s Swords or the Crusaders.

The reason why hundreds of thousands of large troops and many nobles are fighting so fiercely is.

It’s because they’re aiming for a ‘jackpot’ [a big win or reward].

‘From the beginning, there are those who hate the war dragging on, and there are those who like to drag the war on…’…

After finishing his thoughts, the Caliph said to his adjutant.

‘Send a letter to Saladin.’

The Caliph was not just conveying simple condolences to Saladin.

He felt that he had to acknowledge it firmly now.

That is, if Islam is divided now.

Only Christian friends will be happy.

And after a while.

Several commanders of the Islamic forces were dismissed.

The charge was treason against the Caliph, the representative of Allah.

* * *

―Middle East, Egyptian Front―

We marched and marched again.

Of course, things like winning every battle didn’t happen.

The Islamic forces are already seasoned veterans.

Because war is where the war situation changes depending on various environments.

The blazing sun is too hot. I really hate the sun.

‘Is this Egypt?’

Egypt’s annoying desert, desert, and more desert!

After fighting with the Islamic forces who screamed and struggled, hitting and chasing.

I finally entered the mainland of Egypt.

Egypt is an important stronghold in the Mediterranean in the 12th century and the 21st century.

Therefore, even in many unfavorable situations, the Islamic forces fought desperately.

When I was thinking about that. Old Man Friedrich came to my side and said.

‘John, what should we do?’

‘Your Majesty, the great Holy Roman Emperor, just needs to do his best diligently.’

‘Work hard and do your best?’

In the last battle.

I saw the leadership of Friedrich I, who led the troops like a madman.

The person who ‘does’ well when he actually does it.

I felt like he had a lot of pent-up frustration!

But why is he asking for my opinion? He must want to test me.

Like stagnant water looking at fresh newbies.

Anyway, our army crossed the desert and saw an oasis.

‘Prince John, listen. There is a history made by Allah here.’

Over there, there was an Islamic commander speaking in awkward Latin.

The voice exhaled with diaphragmatic breathing is so loud that it echoes as if speaking into a megaphone.

‘Ah, it’s noisy.’

‘Your Highness, it’s Saphadin.’

‘Those guys again…’

Looking at his face from afar, there was the familiar Saphadin.

‘…’ And next to him, Prince Ala-ud-Din was looking at Saphadin’s expression, and I raised the Brown Bess longbow.

Land of the Black Desert (2)