December 1, 1005, on the island of Cyprus. (BAIDU SEARCH DUKANKAN.WIN Q COINS, READ AND SEE THE NOVEL NETWORK) FRANCE AND GERMANY, ITALY TROOPS ARRIVED A DAY EARLIER THAN EGIL. See a large number of fortifications, ports, docks, fortresses, settlements and newly cultivated farmland built by the Normans on this island, as well as vineyards and lemon groves. These soldiers and nobles from Western and Central Europe were amazed. It seems that it was only a short time before the Normans reclaimed the island. It was built into an extremely strong fortress.

At the same time, on the island, they also met with troops from Greece and Eastern Rome, as well as the Eastern Roman Emperor Basil II. Unsurprisingly, the emperor was very cold to these potential enemies, as well as to the traitorous and barbarian peoples of the Roman Empire. Although many people want to find an opportunity to talk to this emperor. But Basil II only replied very coldly: "Wait until the Normans come." That seems to mean that you people are not worthy of talking to me. I don't like to deal with you. This was very much delighted by King Philip of France and Emperor Albert of Holy Rome.

Although the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire fought against each other, it was a feud. But today, as the Norman Empire grew, grew stronger, and became more and more threatening. The two former rivals eventually came together and formed a fragile alliance. And they agreed on many things - as in the present crusade. Both sides have always believed that the Norman Empire could no longer be allowed to be in the limelight, and that Egil could not be allowed to be the commander of this crusade and take away all the glory and fame. Otherwise, the momentum of the Norman Empire would have been even greater.

So, after a series of exchange of interests, King Philip of France assured Emperor Albert that he was willing to support Albert as commander of the crusade. In exchange, Albert supported him as deputy commander-in-chief of the coalition, and was willing to take a biased attitude in favor of France on some border issues between France and Milan.

However, after meeting the cold-hearted Basil Emperor, the king and the emperor realized that things were not as simple as they thought - although they were not Catholics, the emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire brought with him 80,000 professional soldiers who could fight well. Such a huge force accounted for almost one-third to one-quarter of the combat power of this crusade. So, whether they want to, or don't want to. It must be admitted that this emperor will inevitably have enough say in this war.

And now, the powerful would-be ally was cold to them, and seemed to be unusually biased in favor of the Normans - who knows if there was any secret agreement between them, and Philip and Albert were not at ease as a result of this, especially after hearing of the arrival of the Norman Emperor and the kings and dukes of Hungary, Burgundy, Hesse, Brandenburg, and Bavaria gathered around him. Albert was so angry that he didn't even want to go to the docklands and pick them up. In the end, Philip pulled him over—even though there was a constant deal of blackmail under the table. But you have to get by on the face.

"Your Majesty Albert, can you influence the Dukes of Hesse, Brandenburg and Bavaria who have come this time to support you as the commander of this coalition?" Philip, King of France, said to his allies with concern.

"Of course - I am the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. My words are a holy decree to the princes of the Empire!" Although the words were quite domineering, Philip could hear them, and Albert did not actually have any confidence in himself - most of this was due to his fragile self-esteem. And the other half also has the meaning of cheering themselves up.

Unlike his predecessor, the cunning and bloody Frederick, Albert had very little control over the princes of the Holy Roman Empire. Not only Hesse and Brandenburg in North Germany, but also did not have much respect for him as an emperor. Even the two southern henries (Henry VI, Duke of Swabia, son of Frederick; Henry the Lion of Bavaria) were not very interested in the emperor. Albert's recent efforts have been spent on consolidating control over the newly acquired territory of Bohemia. For the other princes of the empire, he is really powerless. ...,

"However, we still have the support of Milan on our side. In addition to this, the three kings of Spain also wrote letters in support of us, not to mention the Pope of Rome...... It's just that there is something wrong with Venice's attitude. But it's nothing, it's just a small and insignificant country......" Thinking about it again, Philip felt a little reassured: "However, you can't be too persecuted against the Norman Empire. After all, we're on the other side's territory now. The other side has more troops than we do. In particular, their naval power ......"

Thinking of this, Philip turned to Albert and said, "We need some appeasement with the Norman Emperor - or we can give him the title of deputy commander." ”

"Well, that makes sense. "Looking at the approaching, massive, almost suffocating fleet. Albert nodded, agreeing with Philip—however, when the fleet drew closer and the ships in the front row could see clearly, Albert gloated. The Norman fleet, which had just gone through a fierce battle yesterday, looked a little embarrassed at this moment. The broken hulls, broken masts, and smoky charred black made the fleet look like Hanako.

"Did they get caught in the storm? or pirates?! Ha, God forbid, that damn Norman bastard would be better if he died. Albert thought to himself, and his face became brighter and brighter. And beside him, the kings of other countries, as well as the Norman army, the Admiral Carter of the Open Sea Fleet, etc., were also uneasy and confused.

"Send a ship over and ask. What the hell is going on, does it matter?!" Carter ordered immediately. In a few moments, small ships were heading towards the fleet. The Norman sailors climbed up the soft ladder that had been taken down from the ship. When you receive the message, you jump back and quickly paddle back. At the same time, the fleet began to enter the port area, and each found a free place to anchor. The soldiers, who looked slightly tired, began to disembark. Others, guided by Cypriot ships, sailed towards other, more vacant ports.

Upon receiving the news, the Norman sailors returned to the harbor, saluted Marshal Carter, and reported: "Marshal, it was yesterday - the night before, to be exact. The fleet was attacked by a large number of Barbary pirates. After a fierce naval battle. That's why it's like this. And the sovereign has nothing to do. Do not worry. ”

"That's good. Carter breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the news that Egil was fine, and then proclaimed in a loud voice: "Our great Emperor has won a naval battle of unprecedented proportions! Tens of thousands of Barbary pirates have been defeated! This is a great victory of Christians over the heathen, rejoice, everyone! Celebrate our victory, praise our Emperor, praise the blessing of Jesus Christ!!"

Hearing such a slightly exaggerated statement from the admiral, the Norman soldiers who had come to greet him began to cheer. The Greek soldiers of the Roman Empire and the Venetian soldiers also shouted twice in response. At such times, the French and Germans were particularly isolated. Philip smiled hypocritically, but Albert was jealous and whispered, "Who knows what's going on? ”

However, the little caution of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Soon, after Emperor Egil disembarked, it was shattered. As the HMS Victory sailed into harbour, the massive hull of the HMS Victory, people looked at it and let out a real exclamation. Especially those Italians. They could not have been more sensitive to ships - such a large number of warships was also an indication of the Normans' strength at sea - and for some time the Normans in the Mediterranean had become more and more numerous...... It's already reached a point where people have to look sideways.

-- When Emperor Egil ordered his knights of the guard to open the wooden box in their hands and show the people the skull, which was soaked in lime and looked fresh, some nobles and soldiers from the Italian city-states began to shout in surprise: "It's Hayreddin, it's Hayreddin, the pirate king of Barbary!!, it's his head!!"

The Italians, who had suffered the innumerable losses of the pirate king over the years, began to cheer loudly and sincerely when they heard the news - for these merchants who had been sailing in the Mediterranean for many years, the concept of the Barbary pirate king was more than that of the sultan of Ottoman Turkey and the caliph of Fatimid in Egypt, and that he was the greatest enemy of the infidels. The significance of killing him was even greater to the Italians than the capture of the Holy Land.

"Damn it......" Albert felt particularly harsh at the sound of the Italians cheering - the cheers made him look like a clown and a fool. And next to him, Philip's forehead was not good-looking. The Norman Empire's removal of this figure was a great favor to the Italian city-states. In addition, it also has the meaning of further demonstrating its naval strength, which is particularly important for Milan and Venice, which are sea powers......

￥b