1620 Fall(September-November)

“Deus Lo Vult!”, “God wants it!”

“Oh, Virgin Mary, pray for the Heaven on Earth!”

“All hail the New West Roman Empire!”

“Long live Imperator Eduardo I!”, “Death to Muslims!”

Entire Europe was filled with voices of citizens chanting for war. Indeed, it was a crusade that was announced almost 1 and a half-century later after the fall of the Nasrid kingdom of Granada in 1492. Also, it was declared at the moment the New West Roman Empire came to life after the ‘Original’ West Roman Empire fell 12 centuries ago in 476(or 480). Finally, it’s a Reconquista to take back realms of the East Roman Empire, which currently belonged to the Ottoman after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453.

Everything successfully fascinated all Europeans. Yes, not only Catholics but also Lutherans, Calvinists were excited by the 10th crusade which was declared by the Imperator in London – me, 1st Imperator of the New West Roman Empire, Eduardo Ivlivs Caesar Avgvstvs – and recognized by the Pope in Papal State, setting aside their religious feud.

In short, entire Europe was filled with passion and yearning.

‘Ah! Roman Empire! An empire that lasted almost 1 Millenium and 5 centuries! An ideal empire!’

No other things can excite Europeans more than that. Reviving the Roman Empire, consolidating the entire European continent, revenge on the Muslim invaders which threatened Europe for the last Millenium, with their own hands!

‘As a knight, as a noble, as a faithful Christian, nothing is a more worthy life than that! I’ll gladly sacrifice my life for it!’

“Fat chance!”

Of course not. I sneered in my room.

Certainly, there may be some fervent zealots, but 100,000 volunteers from entire Europe, let alone 600,000 drafted soldiers from my empire and my vassal states?

That’s too much if you consider the previous 9 crusades, which failed and the Sack of the Rome by the German mercenaries, and the 30 Years’ war of Catholics vs Protestants! The Catholic authority has long been down in the dumps, but suddenly 100,000 crusaders gathered on their will, just because the New West Roman Empire came to life and the 10th Crusade was declared?

Did the bird haven’t fight its way out of the egg yet?

Hell would freeze over! Although humans aren’t 100% rational, they aren’t 100% ignorant, neither. So, that makes 100,000 volunteers as...

“...Mercenaries or Conquistadores hungry for slaves, feud and gold.”

Even if I exclude those 100,000 wolves, I’ve gathered 600,000 troops from entire West Europe. The Roman Republic gathered 768,500 soldiers to fight against Hannibal during the Second Punic War, but that was the total amount of troops it gathered for the entire 17 year-long war period!

Thus, if my descendants were to gather another 600,000 soldiers, it would be at least at the era of Lumières, when the term democracy - ‘We the people...’ - has settled.

It is as clear as the light that I – Europe to be exact - can’t lose this war against the Ottoman. Ottoman’s victory is possible, if all generals in the 10th Crusade are stupid as a Gamelin in WW2, while all generals in the Ottoman Empire are clever as Manstein or Rommel in WW2. Even if Ottoman successfully defeated the 10th Crusade, they would have no choice but to collapse, just like Venice did at the Cretan War, with the loss of strength.

On the other hand, the New West Roman Empire wouldn’t necessarily fall, even if the 10th Crusade fails. Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Germany(Holy Roman Empire), France, Venice, and several city-states of Italy might gain independence or escape from the status of vassal states. Nonetheless, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Netherlands, Iberia will remain in the New West Roman Empire.

And that’s enough base for Richard, Henry, or my great-grandson to reunite the West Europe one more time.

In short, it’s a fight between Goliath and David, in which the power gap is so clear that not only politicians and aristocrats but also mere gentries or serfs can grasp.

“That’s why those 100,000 Hyenas gathered from all over Europe for slaves, gold, and feud, huh?”

How rude! Do they dare to steal the Emperor’s property? This Crusade - 10th Crusade’s aim is conquering and liberation, not rape and plunder! However, if I let those rascals have their way, I would repeat the mistake that Venice made in the 4th Crusade, which conquered the East Roman Empire and established Imperium Romaniae but got kicked out 57 years later.

“Hmmm...but I can’t kill 100,000 ‘Volunteers’, even before the war starts. Let alone moral issues, it's a too big enemy to crush, even with 600,000 standing army!”

After a short contemplation, I’ve decided to make full use of them.

“Fine. I’ll let you fight on the front lines. Death shall be.”

It’s an honor on the bright side, but a meat shield for the foe’s cannons on the dark side. But who cares? They’re not my soldiers, but adventurers who’ve joined the crusade on their own will.

‘Yeah, fight till your death. If you manage to survive, then I’ll let you have your way.’

In the meantime, 600,000 soldiers drafted from entire West Europe started to gather.

60,000 troops from the British Isles and the Netherlands, and 100,000 French soldiers gathered at Tunisia, the territory of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies via Marseille, which was the 1st division.

And the 2nd division – 25,000 troops from Denmark and Sweden,

80,000 soldiers from Austrian Habsburg, 65,000 troops from several German feudal lords, 40,000 soldiers from Prussia – gathered in Budapest, Hungary.

Last but not least, the 3rd division, which was made up of 180,000 troops from Iberia – Portugal, Castille, and Aragon – and 50,000 soldiers drafted from several city-states in Italy gathered in Crete, Venice.

Meanwhile, 100,000 volunteers - wandering knights and mercenaries, to be exact – freely went to Tunisia, Budapest, Crete on their own.

Even though there was a possibility that the Ottoman Empire’s first strike could occur, all troops march was conducted very slowly, according to my orders. Military parades were held at every city which was on the way to the gathering spots. Also, if something was to be expropriated at the local, it was to be paid at a higher price than the market price, to show the majesty of the Imperator.

Of course, it led to an astronomical amount of spending. Even before the 1st battle started, it was estimated I would spend at least 100 million Ducats. And that’s why I’ve secretly summoned Steven Bernstein, the current Head of the Bank of England.

“If I were to get a loan, how much is the limit?”

Haven’t forgotten their Jewish, vagabond habit of flattering to the aristocrats – if they didn’t, they were usually kicked out, with all their property forfeited or dead – the banker answered, with flattery.

“All the empire’s banks belong to you, sire! How can be there’s a limit? But, since your majesty asks, I shall humbly answer. It’s exactly 13 billion and 692 million and 359, 236(=13,692,359,326) Ducats, Imperator!”

“Okay, then. How much royal asset remains?”

“I’m terribly sorry, your majesty. But, your current asset which can be swiftly changed into cash is currently only 1 billion and 853 million and 850,000(=1,853,850,000) Ducats!”

“However, your asset that can be used as a guarantee is no longer marked into ‘mere’ cash, Imperator!”

“Hahahaha! Is that so?”

I replied, pleasantly nodding my head.

As a matter of fact, 13 billion and 600 million ￡, which he suggested as my credit loan limit, was not my limit, but the limit to the number of goods and services that the Bank of England can gather at entire Europe.

Also, if I had 1.8 billion ￡, this war is just a piece of cake. If this crusade was to last a bit longer, then I just needed to borrow 4.5 billion ￡, with 1.8 billion ￡ worth of royal assets as a warrant. And that was enough money to last for 10 years. But for now...

“Then, I would use 1 billion ￡ worth of royal assets as a guarantee. Give me a 3 billion ￡ worth of the loan.”

“Of course, your majesty! I’ll have it ready by tomorrow noon, Imperator!”

And he kept his word.

‘He’s not a Jew for nothing, you know. That speed is only possible if he considers his credit the same as his life, in the deal.’

And 3 billion ￡ was enough war chest.