On December 1, 1005, on the island of Cyprus. (duk,) France, Germany, and Italian troops arrived one day earlier than Egil. Seeing the large number of fortifications built by the Normans on this island, ports, docks, fortresses, residential areas and newly reclaimed farmlands, as well as vineyards and lemon trees, these soldiers and nobles from Western and Central Europe were amazed. It seemed that in just a short period of time, the Normans reclaimed the island and built it into an extremely solid fortress.

At the same time, on this island, they also met the army from Greece, Eastern Rome, and the Emperor Basil II of Eastern Rome. As expected, the emperor was very cold to these potential enemies and traitors of the Roman Empire, and the barbaric peoples. Although many people wanted to find opportunities to talk to the emperor, Basil II just replied coldly: "Let's talk until the Normans come." The meaning seemed to be to express: You people are completely unworthy of talking to me. I don't like to pay attention to you. This made the French king Philip and the Holy Roman emperor Albert very delicious.

Although the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire attacked each other as a feud. However, today when the Norman Empire continued to expand, became stronger and more developed, it showed threats. These two former enemies finally came together and formed a fragile alliance. And reached an agreement on many things - just like now, the Crusades. Both sides have always believed that the Norman Empire could no longer be allowed to show off, and that Egil could not be the commander of the crusaders and plundered all glory and reputation. Otherwise, the Norman Empire would be even more powerful.

Therefore, after a series of exchanges of interests, King Philip of France assured the Imperial Emperor Albert that he was willing to support Albert as the commander of the Crusade. In exchange, Albert supported him as the deputy commander of the coalition, and was willing to take a partial attitude towards France on some border issues between France and Milan.

However, after seeing this frigid Emperor Basil, the king and an emperor realized that things were not as simple as they imagined - although they were not Catholics, during this Eastern Expedition, the emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire brought 80,000 professional imperial soldiers who could fight well. Such a huge force occupied almost one-third to one-quarter of the combat power of this Eastern Expedition. Therefore, whether they wanted or did not want to, they must admit that the emperor would have enough voice in this war.

Now, this powerful quasi-ally was cold to them and looked particularly biased towards the Normans - who knew if there was any secret agreement between them? Philip and Albert were therefore uneasy - especially on the second day of their arrival, he heard about the arrival of Emperor Norman and the arrival of the kings and dukes of Hungary, Burgundy, Hesse, Brandenburg and Bavaria gathered around him. Albert was so angry that he even went to the dock area and didn't want to greet them. In the end, Philip pulled him over - although he kept fighting each other under the table, he had to be able to get by with his face.

"His Majesty Albert, can you influence the Duke of Hesse, Brandenburg and Bavaria who came here this time, so that they can support you as commander of this coalition?" As the black dots in the horizon gradually expanded, revealing the outline of a huge fleet. King Philip of France said to his allies with concern.

"Of course - I am the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. My words are imperial edicts to the princes of the empire!" Although the words were quite domineering, Philip could hear them. Albert was actually not confident about himself - mostly this statement was due to his fragile self-esteem. The other half also had the intention of cheering himself up.

Unlike his predecessor, Frederick, who was cunning and bloody, Albert had very low control over the various princes in the Holy Roman Empire. Not only Hessen and Brandenburg in North Germany, he did not respect him as an emperor. Even the two Henry in the south (Henry VI, Duke of Swabian, son of Frederick; Henry the Bavarian lion) were not very interested in this emperor. Albert's energy in recent times has been mainly devoted to stabilizing the control of the newly acquired Bohemia territory. He was really powerless to the other princes of the empire.

"However, at least we have Milan's support. In addition, the three Spanish monarchs also wrote letters to support us, not to mention the Pope... but Venice's attitude was a bit inappropriate. But it was nothing, it was just a small country of insignificance..." Thinking of this, Philip felt a little relieved: "However, we can't force too much to the Norman Empire. After all, we are now on the other side's territory. The other side's troops must be more than us. Especially their naval power..."

Thinking of this, Philip turned around and said to Albert: "We also need some comfort to Emperor Norman-or we can also get him the title of Deputy Commander."

"Well, it makes sense." Looking at the approaching, huge almost suffocating fleet, Albert nodded, and Philip's opinion - however, as the fleet got closer and the front row of warships could see clearly, Albert smiled gloatingly. The Norman fleet, which had just passed a fierce battle yesterday, looked a little embarrassed at this moment. The broken hull, broken masts and the scorched black burning made the fleet look like beggars.

"Are they storms? Or pirates?! Ha, God bless, that damn Norman bastard would be better if he died." Albert thought so in his heart, his face became brighter. And beside him, the monarchs of other countries, the Norman army, General Carter of the Outer Sea Fleet, etc., were uneasy and confused.

"Send a ship to ask. What happened to the Lord? Is it important?!" Carter immediately ordered. After a while, a small ship drove towards the fleet. The Norman sailors climbed up along the soft ladder that they had taken from the ship. After receiving the message, they jumped back and quickly rowed back. At the same time, the fleet also began to enter the port area and found free places to park. The soldiers who looked slightly tired began to disembark. While other warships, guided by Cyprus ships, sailed towards several more idle ports.

After receiving the news, the Norman sailors returned to the port, bowed to Marshal Carter, and then reported: "Marrior, it was yesterday - to be precise, the night before yesterday. The fleet was attacked by a large number of Barbary pirates. After a fierce naval battle, it became like this. The Lord has nothing to do. Don't worry."

"That's good." After hearing the news that Egil was fine, Carter finally breathed a sigh of relief, and then announced loudly: "Our great emperor, His Majesty, won a victory in a naval battle of unprecedented scale! Defeat tens of thousands of Barbary pirates! This is a great victory for Christians against pagans. Everyone, cheer! Celebrate our victory, praise our emperor, and praise the blessing of Jesus Christ!!!"

Hearing the slightly exaggerated statement of the Marshal's Armour, the Norman soldiers who came to greet him began to cheer. The Greek soldiers of the Roman Empire and the Venetian soldiers also shouted twice. At this time, the French and German people seemed particularly isolated. Philip also smiled hypocritically, but Albert was jealous and whispered: "Who knows what's going on? Maybe they were all made up by the Normans themselves."

However, the little thoughts of the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire were soon destroyed after Emperor Egil got off the ship. After the Victory of the Royal Navy, the huge and unparalleled hull slowly sailed into the port, people exclaimed in real exclamation when they looked at it. Especially the Italians. They were so sensitive to ships - such a huge warship also showed the strength of the Normans on the sea in one aspect - over the past period of time, there have been more and more Normans on the Mediterranean... which has reached a point that people have to look at them.

——When Emperor Egil ordered his follower's guard knight to open the wooden box in his hand and show people the head soaked in lime and still fresh, some nobles and soldiers from the Italian city-state began to shout in surprise: "It's Hereading! It's Hereading, the pirate king of Barbary! It's his head!!!"

Over the years, after hearing this news, Italians who have suffered countless losses, began to cheer sincerely. For these merchants who have been sailing in the Mediterranean for many years, the Barbary Pirate King has a concept that surpasses the Ottoman Turkish Sultan and the Caliph of Fatima in Egypt. It is the biggest enemy of the pagans. The meaning of killing him is even more important for the Italians than capturing the holy land.

"It's so damn..." Albert felt particularly harsh when he heard the cheers of the Italians - these cheers set him off like a clown and a fool. And beside him, Philip's face was not good-looking. Apart from this character, the Norman Empire exerted great favors to the Italian city-state. In addition, it also had the intention of further demonstrating its naval strength. This was particularly important for Milan and Venice, a maritime country...

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Chapter completed!