The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 63

63. Alexandria is a Port (1)

—Levant Region, Islamic Camp—

The loss of Cairo, the heart of Egypt, was still a major blow to the Islamic world.

The problem with losing Cairo was that the Crusaders gained a secure supply route, while the Muslims lost a vital supply base in the Nile Delta.

However, even in that situation, the Caliph was smiling.

The reason wasn’t that the Caliph was an exceptional individual who smiled in the face of adversity, but because despite the significant losses, there were potential gains.

‘Of course, this doesn’t mean I’m ruined.’

From a Muslim perspective, the Islamic forces had lost Egypt, a painful setback.

However, from the perspective of the Abbasid Caliph, one of the leaders of Islam, Saladin’s two power bases—Syria and Egypt—had been reduced to one.

‘Then Saladin won’t have many options left. He’ll have no choice but to pledge allegiance to me more fully.’

Of course, Saladin had previously deferred to the Caliph, the secular and religious leader of the Islamic world. But in reality, he reigned over Egypt and Syria with considerable autonomy.

But now, Saladin had lost Egypt to the Crusaders.

Even if he held onto Syria until the Crusades were over, his position would be precarious.

Just then, a report arrived.

“Caliph, the French have begun to move.”

“As expected. Philip II, that man hates England… a holy war for God, how amusing. The Crusades are merely a stage for their ambitions.”

The Caliph had been gathering information about Europe, keenly aware of the threat posed by the Crusades.

The key players in this Crusade were the Holy Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire, and England.

Among them, England showed the most signs of internal division.

Henry II, known as the Great King, faced challenges from his sons:
the young King Henry, Duke Richard of Normandy, Duke Geoffrey of Brittany, and Duke John of Ireland. A powerful father and four ambitious sons.

Moreover, there was the long-standing rivalry between France and England.

The Holy Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire would likely view any conflict between France and England as an opportunity to benefit themselves.

Although they had united under the banner of the Crusades because of an unexpected figure named ‘John,’ the situation remained unstable.

Unlike the Islamic forces, who clearly remembered the days of the Islamic Empire unified under Sharia [Islamic law], the Crusaders might fail to achieve their full potential due to the conflicting interests of various ethnic groups, religions, and factions.

Having finished his thoughts, Caliph Al-Nasir smiled for the first time in a while and said.

“The moment the Christian dogs show cracks, they will squander resources and face a great catastrophe.”

The slander that the West often engaged in was something the Islamic forces could also employ, and Islam decided to acknowledge Prince John.

Thus, the Swords of Ishmael began a movement even more secretive than the Manhattan Project [the WWII project to develop the first nuclear weapons] that would take place in the future.

They started the [John is the Christian hero who will make young heroes like Henry, Richard, Geoffrey, Philip, and Alexios into ‘mere’ figures] project.

Of course, this plan would take effect after the outcome in Alexandria was decided.

* * *

—France, Aquitaine Territory—

Europe was a place where wars could erupt over the slightest provocation.

Therefore, the Third Crusade could be seen as just another backdrop for existing conflicts.

Aquitaine Castle, a territory that the nobles of both France and England regarded with a mix of desire and resentment.

Princess Marguerite, slightly less beautiful than her younger sister Agnes but still strikingly attractive, was deep in thought.

Of course, she couldn’t help but be preoccupied. The way the world was changing was beyond her expectations.

‘It’s all because of that capable Prince John.’

While it would be simplistic to attribute all the changes to Prince John alone, many significant events had indeed occurred because of him.

‘Anyway… what’s next?’

After adequately warning her brothers-in-law in Brittany and returning to Aquitaine, Queen Marguerite, who had been largely inactive except for attending Mass, summoned the knights who served her.

It was to discuss the future and explore various options.

Marguerite, having addressed the issues of ‘supplies’ and ‘dispatching troops’ to her husband, the young King Henry, whom she disliked but was still bound to, spoke kindly to the knights.

“You may all return.”

After dismissing her knights, she summoned a noble known for his neutrality in the French region but who maintained a cordial relationship with her.

“Your Majesty, you summoned me?”

“Welcome, Earl Surrey. What is my dear nephew, Prince John, doing now?”

As soon as Earl Surrey arrived, Queen Marguerite inquired about Prince John’s activities. Despite hearing rumors, she wanted more accurate information from Earl Surrey.

“He sent several treasures of the Pharaoh to Ireland and is currently building a cathedral commemorating Saint Abbas.”

“I see, but I’m more interested in John as a knight.”

“The Holy Roman Emperor will send Prince John as the vanguard again this time.”

“What is that old man up to?”

“Emperor Frederick is indifferent to any conflict between England and France. In fact, he hopes for a major war between them to benefit the German King [the Crown Prince of the Holy Roman Empire].”

“I suppose so. By the way……”

Queen Marguerite, displaying a keen interest in her youngest nephew, said.

“I’m disappointed that our youngest nephew still hasn’t sent a letter.”

Despite being outwardly in a politically opposing position to Prince John as the consort of the young King Henry, Marguerite couldn’t understand Prince John’s rejection of her political support.

“Hasn’t Your Majesty sent a letter either?”

“I should send news to my eldest sister-in-law from time to time.”

“Hmm……”

Just then, Earl Surrey gave an awkward smile.

“Your Majesty, urgent news has arrived from Poland.”

Kazimierz II, the High Duke of Poland [a title indicating a senior duke among several], was causing a stir in Poland by cracking down on the nobles.

It was a shock to the Polish nobles.

Kazimierz II, the High Duke of Poland, who had been seen as incompetent for decades and largely ignored, was now taking action.

He started a civil war with the declaration [The current divided Poland is a fake Poland; the true Poland must become a kingdom], occupying duchies and counties alike.

He even formed an alliance with the Kievan Principality, which adhered to Orthodox Christianity, to counter Denmark.

Upon hearing that news, Queen Marguerite smiled and said.

“There’s a commotion in eastern Poland?”

“Your Majesty, wouldn’t you say this is a major upheaval?”

Of course, other people’s conflicts are always fascinating. The Crusades, and now Poland.

Queen Marguerite was more concerned about the implications.

* * *

—January 1187, Cairo, Egypt—

“Your Highness, a letter from a Polish nobleman named Kazimierz II, the High Duke of Poland, has arrived for the Duke.”

The High Duke of Poland? Why him, of all people?

Besides, isn’t Poland still in a state of fragmented rule, divided among several nobles?

Sometimes, you receive letters from unexpected people. It’s a strange feeling.

On the bright side, the fact that someone in Poland would send me a letter suggests I’m becoming somewhat well-known?

As was typical of the Middle Ages, the content was simple, aside from the rhetorical flourishes that mixed biblical references and various verses.

[Prince John, thank you so much.]

While the Polish nobles were relieved and participating in the Crusades, he had launched his grand undertaking to unify Poland.

And he’s thanking me.

It meant that he was deeply grateful because the young Polish nobles who were trying to make a ‘killing’ in the Crusades had inadvertently allowed him to pursue his ‘great cause.’

Judging from this letter, a war of conquest for the unification of Poland must have already begun. The Polish nobles who had ignored Kazimierz II would face severe consequences.

Well, to each his own ambition. It’s not particularly important that my Polish friends are fighting.

Whether Poland is unified or divided, as a prince of England, I wasn’t very interested.

“It’s nothing. The situation in Poland is an Eastern European matter, anyway.”

Godfrey seemed to agree with me.

In the distant future, when Poland forms a personal union with Lithuania, I might think, ‘Oh, Poland’s doing well?’

But to Western Europeans now, Poland and those Russian ancestors, the Principality of Vladimir-Suzdal [a predecessor to the Grand Duchy of Moscow], are just unsophisticated neighbors.

After reading the letter, I looked out the window and muttered.

“Already, the new year has arrived.”

Egypt doesn’t have distinct seasonal changes, so I didn’t really feel the arrival of the new year.

In 1186, Safe John worked really… really hard to stay safe.

Despite my efforts as the faithful son John (Yohane), many European friends slandered me instead of acknowledging my sincerity.

Ah, anyway, another year has passed, and Safe John has gotten another year older.

Is this what it means to grow old? My body is still young, but I’m Old John, reincarnated with memories of my past life.

“Happy New Year.”

The new year is special to Europeans, too. Of course, I can’t just ignore it.

I gathered my knights and soldiers and held a proper New Year’s banquet.

Of course, the main dish was Eastern Roman-style ‘pork.’

* * *

Before I knew it, the year 1187 had dawned, and the young commanders seemed eager to seize the city of Alexandria as the new year began.

Of course, the commanders who had witnessed Guy de Lusignan’s miserable failure and imprisonment didn’t act rashly.

But Frederick didn’t simply say ‘wait’ indefinitely. Despite the recent lull, the Crusader allies were always eager for action.

So, as soon as the new year began, Frederick willingly uttered the words everyone wanted to hear.

“From now on, we will plan the operation for our Crusaders’ conquest of Alexandria.”

That’s how the operation was initiated.

The faces of some Crusader knights, previously disheartened by Alexandria, lit up.

Now, for the long march ahead. My mouth is bored; I need a military song.

A military song by the Crusaders, for the Crusaders, was needed.

Having recently experienced the benefits of money and political influence, I felt the need to introduce new culture to the Crusaders, who were humming dull military songs.

The currently popular Hail Henry II was limited because it was specifically suited for England.

Crusaders from other countries, caught up in the fervor, substituted the names of their lords, but that also had its limitations.

After finding a member of the youngest club among the chaplains, I prepared a song suitable for the Crusaders that could boost morale after thorough censorship.

That’s the ‘Song of Cairo.’

—Arise, soldiers of the Lord, the day of glory has come. Against us, the bloodstained banner of the infidels has risen! To test our faith, the infidels have risen. Do you hear? The cruel laughter of the infidels in the Holy Land; they are Satans trying to mock our faith.

Take up arms, Crusaders, form ranks~

Forward, forward! Let us soak our furrows with their filthy blood!

—Forward, forward! Let us soak our furrows with their filthy blood!

Perhaps impressed by the sight of the Crusaders singing the military song, intoxicated with Crusader fervor thanks to my inspiring song, Frederick asked me.

“John, are you confident?”

“Your Majesty, all my aides are very talented, but I believe Charles will excel this time.”

“Indeed… how could there be rumors in Sicily and Castile that they were trying to recruit that friend?”

“They are not brothers-in-law but rivals.”

My brothers-in-law had been acting suspiciously incompetent recently, leading to speculation in Europe [Are they doing this on purpose?].

Our brothers-in-law, the kings of Castile and Sicily, respectively, said.

[If we only had admirals like John and Charles, we would have conquered the sea long ago.]

They were eager to take Charles away, and I barely resisted the urge to write lengthy letters to my sisters who shared the same mother and father.

Charles had gone to sea, but after seeing my reliable three knights, Godfrey, Robin, and Akbulhoe.

I said to Knight Godfrey.

“Sir Godfrey, put on my armor.”

Alright, it’s time to go to war.