Near the border of Hungary and the imperial territory of Raška, in the vicinity of Petrovaradin.

Dazzling sunlight sparkled over the Danube River. Admiral Horthy of Hungary, who was guiding the crusaders passing through Hungary with dozens of vessels, pointed ahead and spoke.

"In about one more day, we'll reach the Roman fortress city of Nándorfehérvár (Belgrade). The imperial army is probably waiting there for the crusaders."

Godfrey, the crusader leader standing at the bow of the ship alongside Horthy, nodded as he gazed at the endless expanse of river.

"I see. Thank you for all your hard work. God will not forget your kindness and that of King Ladislaus."

"Haha, kindness is too generous a word. Please convey your thanks to the Eastern Roman Princess who arranged this meeting."

Horthy waved his hand with a modest smile.

Eastern Roman Princess. It was a name Godfrey had been hearing frequently since arriving in Hungary. Curiosity gleamed in his eyes.

"This Eastern Roman Princess seems to have a great interest in Hungary. Is there perhaps a marriage arrangement with the royal family?"

"Ah, no. Nothing like that."

Horthy thought for a moment, then continued as if asking a question.

"Didn't the first crusader contingent pass through Magyar (Hungary) recently?"

"You mean Pierre's crusaders."

"Yes, exactly. When they had conflicts with locals over provisions, the Princess personally sent merchants and supplies, expressing her intention to guide them herself."

"A princess sent merchants?"

"Yes, a merchant group led primarily by Pisan and Genoese traders."

Horthy added.

"Um... Italians?"

While a princess sending merchants was one thing, why Latins of all people? Godfrey was somewhat confused.

"Yes, yes. When King Coloman accepted her proposal, that began the relationship between the Princess and our Magyar people."

But Horthy didn't seem to notice his bewilderment and concluded with a bright voice. His tone still conveyed deep trust in the Princess.

"So Pierre's group is now under the Princess's protection?"

Setting aside thoughts about the relationship between the Princess and the merchants, Godfrey asked what seemed a more important question.

He had heard that they had safely arrived in Constantinople, but having no particular connection with the merchants who typically spread such news, he had no way of knowing more specific information.

"Yes, that's right. They became the Princess's loyal right hand and helped her reclaim Asia Minor."

"...?"

The crusaders became the Princess's right hand? No, before that, the Princess personally led an army and spearheaded the reclamation of Asia Minor?

"Hmm? Haven't you heard the news yet?"

"Well... yes. Wasn't Nicaea recaptured by the Emperor himself?"

What he knew about the distant Anatolian situation was that the Emperor, having restored internal stability, had mobilized large forces again to recapture Nicaea and some other regions of Asia Minor.

Since Roman Emperor Alexios's exceptional military prowess was widely known even in the Holy Roman Empire, he naturally believed those rumors.

"Haha, people always react that way when they first hear this story."

Horthy smiled leisurely and shook his head lightly.

"But Nicaea was recaptured by the Princess herself. She personally led the crusaders she had gathered."

What followed was a serious and confident tone, without a trace of jest.

Could the Princess really have taken action personally? Godfrey, who had unconsciously let out an impressed "Oh," asked with a surprised expression.

"I didn't know the Roman Emperor had such a grown daughter."

The Roman Emperor was clearly about forty years old.

Not much different from Godfrey himself.

"A grown daughter... haha, so you think so too, Duke."

But Horthy again laughed heartily and shook his head.

When Godfrey looked puzzled, he added in an excited voice, as if he were a Roman himself.

"Actually, the Princess just celebrated her thirteenth birthday."

"...?"

Godfrey was confused once again.

※※

Around the same time, near Innsbruck in the Holy Roman Empire.

"Duke Bohemond, stationed in Brindisi, has almost completed preparations for the expedition. Count Robert of Flanders has already left his domain."

In a lavishly decorated tent in the papal style, Bishop Adhemar, the true representative of the Roman Pope, the nuncio, spoke in a gentle voice.

"At this rate, we'll appear to be lagging behind."

Raymond, Count of Toulouse and Rouergue, Duke of Narbonne, and Margrave of Provence, sitting opposite him, replied with a joking smile.

Adhemar also nodded with a light smile.

"The faith of the other lords was deeper than I expected. A pleasant miscalculation."

Then, stroking his snow-white beard, he asked.

"So you still plan to take the land route?"

"Yes, I negotiated with Venetian merchants, but they expressed reluctance due to the large size of our forces."

Of course, they later made the sinister proposal that they could somehow prepare if paid double, but Raymond knew Adhemar's character well and decided not to expose the merchants' dark intentions.

"I see. Even the Venetian brethren probably have no experience transporting an army of over thirty thousand."

Perhaps because arrival by land would inevitably be delayed, Adhemar's voice carried unavoidable regret.

"Then we should hasten our steps as soon as the papal supplies arrive. I'll ask if we can get donkeys and carts donated from the locals."

Still, he didn't show his disappointment. Raymond also breathed a sigh of relief and responded, "Please do."

"By the way, Bishop, have you heard any news about Lord Conrad?"

"Well, there's no special news yet."

News of Conrad's participation would be enough to stir the entire crusade.

But Conrad himself had remained silent since expressing his intention to join.

Rumors suggested that Conrad had gone to Rome himself for secret negotiations with the Pope, but even that was unconfirmed. Adhemar fell into thought for a moment, then shrugged and said.

"Still, I know his sincerity well. If circumstances don't allow, he'll at least send a representative."

"Hmm, I suppose so."

Raymond nodded with a slightly stiff expression.

Conrad's participation would change the political landscape of the crusade.

As the largest lord in the crusade, he honestly wanted a definitive answer soon.

"Whatever the outcome, God will protect him. By the way, Duke, have you heard the rumors about the Roman Princess?"

"The Roman Princess?"

Had his thoughts been read? Raymond raised his head, slightly flustered by Adhemar's sudden change of subject.

As their eyes met, Adhemar nodded and continued.

"Yes, they say she established control up to Philomelion through negotiations with the Sultan in Iconium."

"So they couldn't occupy Iconium after all."

"That's the conclusion. But in the process, the Princess achieved complete conquest of Cilicia by inciting the Armenians."

"Cilicia... Do you mean she carried out the reckless operation of besieging Iconium for that purpose?"

In terms of geographical value, Cilicia, a strategic point connecting the triangular trade between Greece, Persia, and Egypt, had far greater strategic significance than Iconium, located in the barren highlands of inland Anatolia.

"That must be it. That clever Princess surely didn't sincerely believe she could capture Iconium with just ten thousand exhausted soldiers."

Adhemar continued in a calm tone.

"The Armenians are, after all, fellow believers who serve the same Lord. The Princess must have already completed some kind of deal with them."

No matter how awkward the relationship between the Empire and the Armenians, it was nothing compared to the realistic threat of the Sultanate of Rûm.

'For the Empire's benefit, she would willingly use even former enemies...'

This didn't seem like the thinking of a girl in her early teens. Feeling slightly chilled, Raymond carefully asked.

"Should we consider this fortunate for us?"

Cilicia was a strategic point that had to be passed through to reach the Holy Land.

If there was a secret agreement between the Armenians and the Princess, it would become a practical challenge for the crusaders.

"Well, we'll have to meet the Roman Princess in person to know that."

Adhemar took a cautious stance.

"Merchants who have met the Princess say that her actions, which sometimes seem whimsical, always have clear reasons."

"Are you saying this Cilician occupation was also done in anticipation of our march?"

"I think that's highly likely. If the Armenians block the sea route, our supply line will inevitably stretch deep inland."

Extended supply lines always meant danger. Moreover, the Turks were nomads experienced in targeting supply routes.

And since the actors were "Armenians," they couldn't formally object to Rome, their ally.

"...I wonder what the Princess will demand from us."

Raymond muttered in a concerned voice.

Adhemar shook his head, saying he didn't know either.

Then, with an even more serious gaze, he looked outside the tent and continued.

"But there's no doubt that her demands will be beneficial to Rome."

※※

"Then I'll attack Hadrian with Justinian I."

"Hehe, I anticipated that. I activate my trap card, Fire of Rome!"

"I already blocked activation with the magic card Theodosian Walls last turn. You can't use Fire of Rome."

"Eh? The Theodosian Walls have that effect too?"

"Yes, read it yourself."

The card game is a language game, my brother.

After handing the card to rabbit-eyed Andronikos and turning my head, I saw Haakon standing at the doorway, staring at us. I don't know when he arrived.

I just wiggled my fingers to beckon him closer.

"His Majesty has granted you an audience, Princess."

Haakon approached as if he'd been waiting. After giving a polite greeting to Andronikos as well, he took his place right behind me.

How unusually prompt of the Emperor. I nodded and handed the deck of cards I was holding to Haakon, then stood up.

"I'll be back soon. Play with this big guy until then."

"Ah, sister! Are you running away after winning?"

"I'm not running away. I said I'll be right back."

Saying that, I gave Haakon a look, and he knelt with a resigned expression.

"That's right, Prince. The Princess will return soon, so I'll keep you company until then."

"Are you good at this game?"

"Of course. I learned directly from the Princess."

In fact, Haakon could be considered my direct disciple.

The standalone version of the Emperor Card Game, King of Rome.

While adapting this game to 11th-century tastes, the Varangians, including Haakon who was familiar with board games from various countries, learned the game directly from me and offered their opinions.

"Alright. I'll just take care of something quickly, so wait here."

Was he eager to beat me just once? Andronikos left the room almost at a run.

As I quietly watched his retreating figure, Haakon straightened up and asked.

"By the way, did you overexert yourself last night? Is your waist not hurting?"

"That sounds strange?"

This Viking was still being cheeky even in front of the Princess who was formally married. I just sighed and glared at him.

"Never mind that. Have you met Nikephoros?"

"Yes, he explained in great detail the punishment I would receive if rumors about the contract marriage spread."

As expected of Nikephoros, he's reliable in that regard.

Nodding, I said "Use your discretion" and patted his stomach as a sign of trust.

"Yes, Princess. ...So nothing really happened last night?"

"You're quite persistent. Why do you keep asking the obvious? You already know everything."

"Ahaha... well, you never know."

I have no idea what "you never know" means here.

Anyway, if Nikephoros had already talked to him, I had nothing more to add. I just shrugged and walked toward the door.

"What do you plan to discuss with His Majesty?"

Haakon asked again as I reached the doorway. At least this was a normal question. He didn't seem to be following me either.

I turned my head slightly to look at Haakon and answered calmly, as if it were nothing special.

"Preparations for receiving guests."