"Of course, we can assist the Knights in Cyprus, after all, the descendants of Lusignan are nothing more than puppets of the Mamluks. However, considering that the Knights' current economic situation and military resources are very worrisome, I heard that the professional soldiers of Rhode Island are ...... Oh, I mean the number of knights is already less than a thousand, and the empire can look at God's sake and help the empire defend Rhodes, and even Cyprus......" Sophia smiled, "The empire can always be your strong backing, and the infidels will never dare to set foot in the land of God......"

"We have been holding on to Rhode Island for countless years, the infidels have been suppressing it for many years, and there is no gain, and the city defense of Rhode Island is probably not to worry about Her Royal Highness the Princess."

"Sophia......" The little girl wanted to answer, but was stopped by John. The knights of Rhode Island are different from most of the forces. Albania could survive in the shadow of the empire in search of independence, but the Knights Hospitaller were very different from them.

There are factional strife within the Order, and there are outside forces that intervene, but they show a terrible unity when faced with heretics, or indeed with any heresy. In terms of warfare, both the Mamluks and the Ottomans launched more than one large-scale conquest of Rhodes, but they were all defused by the knights one by one.

Successive Grand Masters have fortified the city defenses of Rhodes, and the treacherous terrain will bring a lot of trouble to the landing and supply of the infidels. It is precisely because of this, relying on stubborn resistance, that the Knights have always been able to survive until the infidels are the first to collapse, and have created countless miracles in which less wins more.

"We show goodwill to the Roman Empire, hoping that it will treat us with the same kindness, rather than assimilating or even vassalizing the Knights. Even if they are all under the light of God, but the essence is different......"

"So what's there to negotiate? Behind Cyprus stand even the shameful infidels, and if you are able, you should conquer them yourself. The Empire's military strength can be said to be stretched at present, not to mention the losses in the previous Balkan wars, and even the current rebellions are constantly consuming the Empire's national strength. Mobilize the main army to capture a well-defended sea fortress without any benefit? Empires are not philanthropists. John also smiled and said, "Internal affairs and religious issues are currently the primary issues to be solved by the Empire, and sending troops to rescue your so-called heretics is probably not on the Empire's plan of action." ”

"We will never betray the sovereignty of the Order...... But we can give the empire an equal amount of benefits. Our Grand Master knows that the Empire will never fight a war without profit. ”

"Empires are not businessmen, but every country puts its interests first and needs to be considered." John bowed slightly to the knight and said, "Tell me your terms." ”

"Our Grand Master believes that the Romans' future attack on Asia Minor will require aid from the sea, as well as a large number of supply points near the coast. Rhode Island was willing to open port access to the Empire. As long as the Order remains, all our ports will be open to the Empire's fleet unconditionally...... Of course, this is based on the premise that the Empire maintains friendly relations with our Knights of St. John......"

"I'm afraid that's not enough...... The islands of the East Aegean Sea have been recovered from Genoa, and they will be transit points if supply lines need to be extended. As control of the Bosphorus stabilizes, the islands' role will become less and less effective. This condition was not attractive enough compared to sending the main army to recover Cyprus in Lusignan. "Not to mention John, Constantine XI was also a little amused in the Holy See. If the knights did not come up with more favorable terms, it would be more like a contempt for the empire to simply open the port.

"Your Majesty, please listen to me patiently...... In addition, in all the wars of the Empire against the infidels, if the Knights of St. John did not participate in the war, then the Roman Empire could hire the entire Knights, including the fleet, to participate in the war at half price. The Order will not ask for any additional help. Of course, this is only possible if the Order controls at least Rhodes and Cyprus. ”

It has to be said that this condition is quite tempting.

But John was not without worries. Because of the long-term friendly relations with Hungary and Albania, the direction of the empire's expansion would have been to choose direct confrontation with the infidels. That...... Recovering the ecumenical patriarchate that has long been lost.

This suggests that sooner or later there will be a direct conflict of interest between the Empire and the Order, especially with regard to Jerusalem and Antioch. Now that these two holy cities are in the hands of the infidels, the Pope of Rome swallows his anger, but if the empire gains control of these two cities through war, I am afraid that the Pope will be the first to jump out and declare the holy city recaptured by holy war.

If the Knights of St. John were to make a choice, they would probably still be on the side of Catholicism. In this way, to allow the Knights of St. John to grow bigger is to lay the groundwork for the future expansion of the empire. Therefore, this condition must not be agreed to lightly.

"Half-price mercenary knights...... Sounds like a very good deal. Truth be told, the main enemies of the empire at the moment are still the Ottomans. But if the empire launched an attack on the Ottomans, especially a major war in the whole of Asia Minor, according to the current strength of the Knights, it could be the icing on the cake, but it would not play a key role...... We continue to believe that the terms of this deal are not equal. John deliberately pretended to be very embarrassed, and thought as he thought, "Since you have been able to hold Rhodes for so long with such a small number of troops, no one can guarantee that we will not suffer huge losses when we attack Cyprus, and even that our army and fleet are in danger of being destroyed." Our current friendly relations with the Mamluks will also be destroyed...... All in all, the possible losses of the empire are immeasurable. ”

"So, what more do you Roman Empire want?"

"In the event of the occupation of Cyprus, the Empire will need to build a coastal defense fortress on Cyprus at the Empire's expense."

"What did you say?"

"That's the real thing. Otherwise, everything is empty talk. Cyprus has our interests, and if the infidels attack Cyprus in the future, we will have sufficient reasons to persuade all the powers in the country to send troops to help, otherwise we will stand on the same side as the heretical Knights, and in any case, the reasons for sending troops will not be so legitimate. What do you say? Mr. Knight? ”