While the entire empire was immersed in the atmosphere of welcoming the new empress, the crusaders on the other side of the Balkans were planning their first offensive since the beginning of spring.

Hunyas expected that the Ottomans would concentrate a large number of superior forces and fight the Crusaders as soon as possible. Therefore, the crusaders had to be targeted accordingly. The Ottoman-Hungarian border was densely fortified, and no matter how they attacked, they would inevitably attract reinforcements from nearby armies, and a major battle could not be avoided.

During the winter talks between Constantine, Pope Eugene IV and Władysław, a new crusade was ready. In addition to the knights, who had been fighting on the border for two years, the crusader army received support from Poland, Lithuania, Venice, the Papal States, Burgundy, Bosnia, Serbia, Wallachia and many other powers.

The Knights Hospitaller, who still had some strength on Rhodes, would also participate in the offensive against the Ottomans.

The crusaders' strength on paper had reached an unprecedented level of strength. A large number of heavily armed heavy cavalry and heavy infantry, a firearms regiment equipped with new Venetian muskets and artillery, and papal knights from the Papal State, such a ratio of troops is not unluxurious.

However, the Pope still appointed the white knight Hunyadi, who was known as the nemesis of Venice, as the leader of the crusades, which made Władysław III, who had also accumulated a lot of military exploits and was more belligerent, resentful in his heart.

In early spring, the Crusaders stationed in Serbia suddenly received a letter from the Ottomans.

"Your Majesty, what does the letter say?"

Hunyadi bowed slightly to Władysław III at the head of the tent, and then asked.

"Muhammad's Letter of Peace." Władysław casually tossed the letter to Hunyadi, "I told you before that the Ottomans were already facing a huge disadvantage, and they simply could not get any chance of turning the tide in this war!" At this time, the weakness of the Ottomans was exposed! ”

"Your Majesty, the Ottomans are not as vulnerable as we think......"

Hunyati read Muhammad's letter, which was indeed a request for peace with the Crusaders. And in it, Muhammad stated the absolute inferiority of the Ottomans in this war. It also revealed to the crusaders the pressure and risk of rebellion within the royal family. In his heart, Muhammad even prayed to the Crusaders to release his uncle, who had been captured in the previous battle.

"How could Mehmed II, as the son of Murad, be so useless......"

"The infidels are already trembling under the majesty of God, my dear General Hunyadi!" Władysław leaned back slightly, and laughed loudly, "However, the crusaders will not accept this kind of wagging tail and begging, and his emperor of Eastern Rome will kill Murad with a sword, and I will take the head of Muhammad myself!" ”

"Your Majesty...... What do you mean? ”

"We will never accept any form of truce, unless, the Crusaders have entered Edirne and recovered the whole Balkans!" Władysław shouted.

"Your Majesty! Don't be impulsive! The peace talks between the Eastern Romans and the Ottomans were already a foregone conclusion, and Karaman, who had originally intended to attack the Ottoman territory in Asia Minor, had already been beaten by Murad last year and had not yet recovered. It is almost impossible for us to receive any aid from the east. Even if we have a certain advantage in our troops, we are not sure of a big victory! ”

"Hunyadi! I advise you not to shake the morale of the army again! The Crusaders were all well-armed and heroic, but what was the army of the Ottomans? Jagged armor and weapons? And what reason do they have to be our opponents? ”

"Your Majesty, this offensive is likely to turn into a fateful bloody battle! We can't make decisions so lightly! ”

"Hunyadi! I know...... I've been able to inherit the throne and I've had a lot of help from you, but don't forget! The pagans were constantly cruising the borders of Hungary, and the subjects of Hungary were not at peace. We are the strongest shield of the Church, but when necessary, we must turn into the sharpest spears and pierce the hearts of the Ottomans! ”

Władysław was still convinced that even the Eastern Roman Empire, whose national power had weakened to such an extent, could defeat the Ottomans to the ground and sue for peace, and that a victory would not be a problem for the powerful Crusaders!

"Your Majesty......"

"That's it! Say no more! You are the leader of the Crusaders, but you are still a vassal of Hungary...... Since you are willing to negotiate peace, let us let the Pope make this decision. ”

Władysław retrieved the peace letter sent by Mohammed and sent it to His Majesty the Pope as quickly as possible through the ports of Serbia.

Once the Pope has replied, this decision will also point the way for the future of the Crusaders.

……

"Say it. What kind of attitude should the empire show. ”

In the purple palace, above the Imperial Council, Constantine XI also had contradictions about the indecisiveness within the Crusaders.

There is no doubt that the empire has already established itself in the Balkans, so there will inevitably be a conflict of interest with the crusaders. Although the name of this crusade is to save the Eastern Roman Empire, it is up to the Western Pope to decide how much benefit the empire can give at that time.

"Your Majesty...... The strength of the Crusaders was close to its peak, and at this time, there was really no reason for peace talks. Agrippa the Elder replied, "If the Crusaders had really established great superiority, the Empire would at best tear up the armistice and seize the Balkans." ”

"That's right. If the Crusaders and the Ottomans had ceased war, it would have been difficult to say whether Muhammad would respect the armistice with us...... Most of the credit for our superiority in the Eastern Balkans is actually due to the Crusaders. Giovanni echoed, "The Crusaders attracted a large number of the main Ottoman legions. If the Ottomans had withdrawn their forces, the eastern front of the empire would have been nothing short of fat. ”

Constantine XI nodded, and suddenly, his gaze was fixed on John, who was sitting beside him, frowning.

"John, do you have any ideas?"

"Well...... Yes? ”

John looked up in astonishment, for most of the recent royal meetings had chosen to listen and think, and not to make his own judgments. Constantine suddenly asked for his opinion, which made him a little unresponsive.

"I ask you, do you think the Crusaders should cease fighting, or continue fighting?"

"If the signing of the armistice is perfect enough...... What I would like to hear more is news of peace. ”

John pondered for a long time, and then gave his own answer.