Chapter 922 - 145: The Crusaders’ Awe
The news of a minor coup in Constantinople soon reached Losa.
He was not surprised by it.
The Imperial Princess Ira is indeed not very smart. This pampered, overly protected little princess loves to do those impulsive acts just to prove herself.
And since she sees me as the main supporter of Ragaya, she will take the opportunity to make a choice as soon as I leave. By then, as long as she cripples her mother, even if Anna and the Sicilian Expedition Army return, they won’t be able to stop her from ascending to the throne.
Although a bit naive, it’s not completely impossible.
Jeanne remarked with amazement: "Our Her Majesty the Empress is truly remarkable, to lay such a heavy hand on her own daughter."
Losa nodded: "Indeed, it is remarkable."
The Imperial Princess Ira and Empress Ragaya are not of one mind. As long as Ragaya wants to reform the weakened noble class, there will be people who are hurt by the change that jump out to support the princess, to set things right.
If she wants to solve it once and for all, she’ll have to follow the tradition of the Eastern Empire—that those with crippled limbs exit the political stage.
Nearby, Lavinia sighed: "People who are transformed by power are truly terrifying. When I used to read books, I often felt that ’Crown Prince’ rebellion was outrageous, all made up by novel authors."
Losa, however, was quite understanding of the Empress’s actions: "As a monarch, you gain a lot, but you will inevitably lose much as well. If she were shackled by familial ties, one day she’d have no choice but to face an internal rebellion led by this princess she has raised, losing daughters for parents, parents for children, and not knowing how many more would be lost."
"Is this why you never wanted to"
"Indeed, this woman consumed by lust for power, as long as it’s to her benefit,"
"I quite admire her."
In this era, the sense of nation isn’t strong. In the heart of the Eastern Empire’s Emperor, there’s hardly any thought of ’reviving the Empire,’ after all, whether the Komnenos Family’s Empire revives or not has nothing to do with the Ducas Family.
"Did you recently find any reliable newcomers?"
"No, met a few strong ones, they’re either ambitious doomsday devotees or"
"They have grand aspirations, not willing to leave your world at all."
"Ahead is Alexandria Port!"
Leopold stood at the bow of the ship, his red and white cloak fluttering in the sea breeze.
As the fleet approached Alexandria Port, the first sight was the magnificent lighthouse standing four hundred feet high, waves crashing into pieces on the rocks of Pharos Island, and the setting sun reflecting dazzlingly on the giant cross hung on the lighthouse.
"This is the Pharos Lighthouse, it was damaged in an earthquake a century ago, repaired by the Saracens, and now returned to the embrace of Christendom."
"Praise the Heavenly Father, praise Saint Losa!"
"Thinking of such a great miracle occupied by heretics, I understand why His Holy Throne calls for the great crusade."
Dong, Dong, Dong!
The bell tower of Alexandria rang solemnly during the evening prayers of priests.
Splashing water in the dusk outlined the silhouette of a magnificent port city.
A monk traveling with the army drew a cross on his chest, his lips trembling: "Even the Babylon recorded in the Apocalypse is no more than this."
The Archbishop of Vienna stood up, loudly explaining: "This is the reward of the Heavenly Lord for the valorous Christ Warriors—a city flowing daily with countless gold, silver, gems, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet, all kinds of fragrant woods, all sorts of ivory vessels, precious wood, and bronze, iron, marble utensils, cinnamon, cardamom, spice, ointment, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, chariots, horses, and slaves."
Here he quoted the Chapter of Babylon’s destruction from the Apocalypse, which wasn’t a good reference, but had a great effect on stirring people.
The Crusader Knights from countryside one after another, were stunned, all calculating how much profit Losa could gain by capturing this city.
Comparing their own or their lord’s land, those nobles in fine clothing they’ve always envied seemed no better than the rural mobs, entirely unworthy of their envy.
"There’s also Aleppo, Damascus, and Antioch before us, and even further is the towering city in Mesopotamia. They all will belong to Christendom!"
Knights began to clamor, even though they knew they were unlikely to become the lucky ones who own these cities, as long as they capture them, they could loot them at will, take the wealth back home to buy castles and manors—it was easy.
The red-robed Witch looked at the shocked expression on Leopold’s face, teasing: "If you capture Antioch, Damascus, or Aleppo, will you stay to become a Duke, or go back to that barren Austria?"
The shock on Leopold’s face gradually subsided, he took a deep breath and said softly: "I must admit, it’s a difficult choice."
"Ha, yesterday you were ambitious, aiming to rule in Austria, today you’re wavering after just one glance at Alexandria? Don’t forget, Losa’s got Cairo besides Alexandria."
Leopold couldn’t help but laugh: "Who could compare with him under the heavens? Scarlett, ever since you met His Majesty Losa, you’ve been somewhat off balance. Trust me, the future Vienna will eventually be as grand as Alexandria."
The red-robed Witch rolled her eyes, not believing it one bit.
The Crusaders following Losa’s ship must be immune to this grand port city, after all, they have seen with their own eyes the ’Empress of Cities’ of the Western World in this era, which Alexandria pales in comparison to.
The massive fleet quickly caught the attention of the port soldiers.
Lookouts reported the news, dozens of dinghies rowed out to guide this vast fleet into the berths.
The Crusaders following Losa’s ship must be immune to this grand port city, after all, they have seen with their own eyes the ’Empress of Cities’ of the Western World in this era, which Alexandria pales in comparison to.
The massive fleet quickly caught the attention of the port soldiers.
Lookouts reported the news, dozens of dinghies rowed out to guide this vast fleet into the berths.
The Crusaders following Losa’s ship must be immune to this grand port city, after all, they have seen with their own eyes the ’Empress of Cities’ of the Western World in this era, which Alexandria pales in comparison to.
The massive fleet quickly caught the attention of the port soldiers.
Lookouts reported the news, dozens of dinghies rowed out to guide this vast fleet into the berths.
The Crusaders following Losa’s ship must be immune to this grand port city, after all, they have seen with their own eyes the ’Empress of Cities’ of the Western World in this era, which Alexandria pales in comparison to.
The massive fleet quickly caught the attention of the port soldiers.
Lookouts reported the news, dozens of dinghies rowed out to guide this vast fleet into the berths.