The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 68

68. The Return to Ireland (1)

—1187, Scotland—

Although invasions by foreign tribes were frequent, unlike China, where Qin Shi Huang established order and maintained Chinese traditions, Europe never unified after the collapse of the ancient Roman Empire.

Of course, Westerners, including the Germanic people who were once considered barbarians, admired the brilliance of the ‘Roman Empire’ and aspired to build a great empire like ancient Rome.

However, the golden age created by an exceptional people, including the Latins, was not easily replicated.

Looking at its initial state, the Holy Roman Empire was neither holy nor truly a Roman Empire. The Eastern Roman Empire, after several golden ages, was ruined by internal conflicts that resembled petty squabbles. The great powers that claimed to be the Eastern Roman Empire failed to achieve the monumental accomplishments of the ancient Roman Empire.

The underlying reason was that after the fall of the ancient Roman Empire, a tradition arose in Europe: [Gang up on whoever is successful!]

Historically, the successful entities in Europe were the Holy Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire. But now, England, having acquired several territories and unofficially dubbed the ‘Angevin Empire’ by some, had become the new ‘successful guy.’

England.

More precisely, the formidable England ruled by Henry II’s Angevin dynasty.

Though different from Great Britain, which would later become the British Empire, this was a super-powerful England that had conquered Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and even regions of western France.

With a formidable army, they transitioned from acting as a mere suzerain state (a dominant power with nominal authority) to directly merging Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, creating a super-sized England.

Moreover, all four of Henry II’s sons were remarkably talented. Even the youngest, John, was considered a hero.

Even King Henry II, called the Great, was vexed by their capabilities. Were his children like lion cubs? It was a situation that naturally stirred jealousy!

Of course, the Crusades were ongoing, preventing overt aggression, but many European countries, led by France, gradually agreed that England should be undermined in various ways.

Why? Because England was thriving?

What was Scotland?

Nominally, a country located in the northern mountains of England.

Once, they were Celts from the entire island of Britain (the island encompassing Wales, England, and Scotland) who had gained sophisticated knowledge under the Roman Empire.

However, after the ancient Roman Empire withdrew its troops, Germanic barbarians called Anglo-Saxons, the ancestors of the English, invaded, causing chaos in the mountains and fields. The Celts fled to survive, experiencing both despair and joy, ultimately escaping to Scotland. It was a region inhabited by those who had suffered greatly.

Nevertheless, they resisted England and even established the Kingdom of Scotland, forging their own traditions.

But was it due to the butterfly effect of Safe Zone [referring to a previous event or ability that altered the timeline]? They, who would be conquered by Edward I in the original timeline, were eventually conquered by Henry II and his sons hundreds of years earlier.

Just as Joseon [Korean kingdom] served Ming China as its suzerain, the Kingdom of Scotland, which nominally served England as its suzerain, was annexed by England’s forces and reduced to a region of England. A member of the Dunkeld dynasty was exiled.

But who were the Scots?

They possessed a spirit of resistance, as would be depicted in the future movie *Braveheart*, and a legacy of struggle passed down from their ancestors.

Of course, their nobles were Norman, but the majority were Celtic people who had suffered greatly at the hands of England.

They thought:

[Why should we be ruled by those English?]

The wicked Henry II! What grudge did he hold against them that he used Prince John as an excuse to dominate them completely?

The Scots believed that cruel England, the great, corrupt city of Babylon in the Bible, was England itself, and, more harshly, the Antichrist itself.

‘Damn them.’

‘Damn English barbarians.’

‘Even though we sided with Philip II and harassed Prince John, how dare they annex us for just that?’

‘Even if it means going to hell, we will take revenge!’

As the Scots sharpened their swords, someone approached.

‘Ah, we also feel like we’re going crazy with hatred for England. Would you like to work with us?’

Countries that found it difficult to directly target England instigated rebellions, using Scotland as a proxy.

Of course, the Scottish nobles knew very well that this would ultimately mean acting as hunting dogs.

“Our Scotland belongs to the Scots.”

But Lord Robert of Annandale knew that if they didn’t act now, while many countries were providing support behind the scenes,

this precious opportunity would not come again!

‘Even if it means going to hell, we will fight, fight, and fight again.’

“Let’s drive out the English barbarians!”

“What, they exiled our royal family? They must have thrown them into the Thames!”

“Let’s avenge our Scottish William I, who was a true Lion King!”

“Waaah!”

A hail of shouts!

Yes, it was a rebellion.

Lord Robert of Annandale, who had briefly bowed his head to Henry II, knew that while

the Angevin dynasty was strong, its weakness was its dysfunctional family. If they exploited that, the probability of this rebellion succeeding would increase significantly!

* * *

—Blois, Kingdom of France—

Although Scotland was in turmoil, the territory of France was peaceful.

As if they weren’t French, a middle-aged couple was drinking wine like water in broad daylight while conversing.

“So, the rebellion in Scotland has begun under Robert’s leadership?”

As with all of Queen Eleanor’s daughters, Alix, John’s half-sister, who inherited her mother’s beauty, smiled and shared the news of the Scottish rebellion with her husband.

“The cute Scottish friends have launched a large-scale rebellion. This has become interesting, don’t you think, dear?”

As if something came to mind at his wife’s words, the Count of Blois asked with a serious expression.

“Was this the reason you told me not to go on the Crusade?”

At her husband, the Count of Blois’s words, Princess Alix said.

“Well? Anyway, the Crusade is just a stage for our son Louis, not you.”

“The Crusade was necessary for our son, the future Count of Blois, to gain achievements.”

The Count of Blois thought of his son, Prince Louis of Blois, who was suffering far away, and felt a slight regret.

‘I should have gone too.’

The Crusade was also an opportunity for the Count of Blois.

‘Of course, now is not the time to feel regret. My wife has it all figured out.’

However, despite his regrets, the Count of Blois listened to his wife. As the second daughter of the heroine Eleanor, Alix was also a wise woman, and he had never failed by following her advice.

“So, what should we do?”

“We have to watch. Whether it’s Philip’s scheme or someone else’s, there are many things we can benefit from, right?”

Born as the daughter of Louis VII and Eleanor, Alix supported Philip II, who shared the same father, rather than John, who shared the same mother.

Although he is a cunning and ambitious younger brother, wouldn’t a half-brother be preferable to a step-brother?

Of course, Alix knew very well that what she needed to be recognized by Philip and gain influence in France was skill.

For Alix, who lived as a French princess and the Countess of Blois, the most important thing was to use others.

‘It’s time to release the hounds.’

Looking at her husband, the Count of Blois, with a lovely expression, Alix harbored the same cunning heart as her mother, Eleanor.

Indeed, blood is thicker than water!

* * *

—Throughout Persia, Crusader Camp—

Henry II, who had granted Prince John permission to suppress the Scottish rebellion,

summoned his hateful sons, the young King Henry, the co-ruler of England, and Duke Geoffrey of Brittany.

“Did you call for us, Father?”

“I rushed here at Father’s call.”

Henry II, looking at his sons who entered with calm faces, immediately got to the point.

“Is the Scottish rebellion your doing?”

On the surface, it seemed that the rebellion was caused by the unique resistance spirit of the Scots or by foreign forces that envied England.

However, rebellion does not happen easily. Henry II, who had once caused a ‘rebellion’ with a grand vision against his uncle and developed it into a ‘civil war,’ knew very well that rebellion is difficult to instigate without tremendous effort.

‘It’s definitely not a rebellion that would happen so easily.’

Since annexing Scotland, Henry II had exiled all the royal family to territories in southern France and began to divide them.

He began to legally extort money from the Scottish region, using the powerful justification of the Crusades.

But even in that situation, they raised the banner of rebellion? In Henry II’s opinion, the only people who would do this were Henry II’s sons, except for John.

Of course, he suspected Richard at the same time, but he shook his head.

After obtaining Damascus, that guy, who was already having a hard time weeding out Islamic spies and reorganizing the Crusaders, would he bother to cause a rebellion in Scotland, which is neither England nor a territory in western France?

The person who would not only cause the Scottish rebellion itself but also create chaos in England starting with the Scottish rebellion and aim for Henry II’s neck.

‘It’s highly likely that those guys plotted it.’

There were only two cunning sons.

However, the two princes immediately retorted.

“Father, if we were going to cause a rebellion, we wouldn’t do it so trivially.”

“Would we, who properly learned from Father in the last great rebellion, do things this way?”

Henry II’s hateful sons denied Henry II’s words with indifferent expressions, neither feeling wronged nor impatient.

Rather, they even pretended that if they were going to cause a ‘real rebellion,’ they would do it on a larger scale.

“Then…….”

As Henry II pondered, the third prince, Geoffrey, said.

“There are nobles and royals all over Europe who are keeping an eye on John. Isn’t it to separate Prince John from his strong ally, Frederick I, and make him act alone?”

“I think Geoffrey is right. Our youngest is so talented that he has so many enemies, doesn’t he?”

When Henry II was about to sympathize with the words of his hateful sons, a knight came in and said urgently.

“Your Majesty, there is a big problem in France right now.”

“What!”

But this era is the Middle Ages.

Since Scotland has rebelled, there are bound to be forces taking advantage of this.

The situation behind the Crusades is slowly becoming precarious!

Because now that they have done everything, it is time to seize what they can.

* * *

—Irish Territory—

Scotland is now a good excuse to quit the Crusades! I have planted my people in the Abbass Church [likely referring to a religious or political organization], so there is nothing to worry about afterward.

Well, the Crusader knights might be plotting something in the gap where I left, but it won’t be easy!

I suffered a lot during the Crusade, and the sea route was still difficult.

“Haha, Your Highness. How can the hero of Egypt be so tired?”

“What can I do if I still can’t adapt?”

Rather, Charles, who gets seasick on land, rebuked me for not adapting to life on board, but what can I do if I feel nauseous?

I was able to realize this because I was in a difficult situation on the warship. After all, people belong on land.

—Ugh!

Look, even the descendant of the great Yue Fei [famous Chinese general] can’t stand the sea route.

“Ugh, that Chinese guy is vomiting. He’s so weak.”

Charles, who spoke kindly to me, was annoyed by Yue Bu-hui’s vomiting.

Well, I am the lord, and Yue Bu-hui is a colleague, so he seems to be saying it more openly.

Anyway, after the sea route ended, I arrived at my territory.

Ireland, an island of peace and tranquility resembling Safe Zone.

“The great hero Prince John has returned.”

“May God’s glory be with His Excellency Duke John of Ireland.”

I returned to my territory, welcomed by the people of the Irish territory.

“Dad, did you miss me? I really missed you, Dad!”

James, born in 1182.

I hugged the child, who had grown into a boy, tightly.

Tears welled up. I felt like I had suffered while my son grew up like this.

‘I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you, son.’ With the same sorry heart, I hugged the grown-up James again. Of course, I didn’t shed tears because of the pride of a medieval nobleman!

“Can’t you see this mother?”

“Honey, I’m disappointed.”

I smiled and looked at my mother Eleanor and my wife Mary, who were disappointed in me, and said.

“Mary, and Mother, I have returned safely.”

But.

“Elizabeth, where is Charlie?”

The most urgent thing is:

New children who didn’t even see me being born.

“Aboo?”

“Eungae!”

Elizabeth, who showed curiosity when she saw me, and Tears John, who burst into tears because he was unfamiliar. “Oh, I really missed our twins.”

I burst into tears when I saw my cute twin children. Is this what they call crocodile tears?

“It’s disgusting! Our son.”

“Honey, are you that happy?”

Yes, I wish this time would stop like this!

I didn’t have much time with my family.

What is the reason why I nominally left the battlefield of the Crusades and returned to my territory?

‘Suppressing the Scottish rebellion is not easy, and the fact that most of it is mountainous… Now, how should I deal with them?’

As I was pondering for a while, reinforcements came.

“Brother-in-law, my father-in-law ordered me to help you.”

Henry the Lion, one of my brothers-in-law, smiled and looked at me.

Come to think of it, isn’t Henry the Lion an experienced rebel suppressor? No, is he a failed rebel who tried to challenge Frederick [likely referring to Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor]?