Chapter 1000 - 223: The Envoy Arrives

Chapter 1000: Chapter 223: The Envoy Arrives

From the very beginning of its establishment, the Overseas Empire faced an important issue — where to build the Empire Capital.

The elders of Jerusalem, devout Christians, felt that it was only appropriate for the capital to be established in Jerusalem.

Copts in Egypt hoped that Losa would consider relocating the governance to Cairo, this ancient capital, to ensure that the Copts, who made up the largest population in the Empire, would not be marginalized and would continue to hold the central position in the Empire.

The new noble Crusaders under Losa leaned more toward having Losa establish the capital in Alexandria or one of the coastal cities in the Nile Delta.

The newly converted Saracen nobles had the least say; they hoped Losa would continue Saladin’s choice to establish the capital in Damascus, and their idea turned out to align most with Losa’s intentions.

Cairo City and Alexandria Port were too remote, unsuitable as the heart of the Empire.

Jerusalem’s geographical location was decent, but it was surrounded by mountains, making transportation inconvenient, and it lacked water sources, inherently capping its developmental potential — if one were to ignore its religious significance, this Holy Land of Three Religions should really only be a small town able to accommodate one or two thousand settlers at most.

As for Damascus, while it wasn’t as grand as Cairo, nor was its trade as prosperous as that of Alexandria, its geographical location was exceptionally favorable.

To the west, through the pass in the Lebanon Mountains, one could reach Tripoli and enter the Mediterranean; to the south, along the Jordan River Valley, one could reach the trade hub Eira Port on the Red Sea; to the east, one could gaze far into Persia and intimidate roaming bandits.

The geographical location is excellent, and the land isn’t barren like Jerusalem’s.

The Balada River runs through Damascus City, nourishing fertile land for miles; it also sits on a crucial route of the Silk Road, with developed craftsmanship and a thriving economy, making it most suitable to be a nation’s capital.

Three years ago, representatives from various nobles and the petty bourgeoisie quarreled over the location of the capital for a whole week at the "Three-tier Conference" convened by Losa, nearly coming to blows.

Ultimately, Losa chose Jerusalem as the capital.

The reason is simple: among the three religions, Jerusalem holds sacred status, making it exceedingly important for an empire encompassing Christians, Saracens, and Jewish people.

In comparison, the poor geographical conditions of Jerusalem were not insurmountable given Losa’s power far beyond that of a Legendary Mage.

The Overseas Empire is still a very young country, and Losa has plenty of time to build and transform it into the Ideal State he envisions.

...

When Losa received the news of the "Tatar Delegation’s visit" from Eira Port, he was hosting Anna, the envoy from the Eastern Empire.

Since two years ago, when Anna led the Eastern Empire’s army to reclaim the Sicilian military district, the frequency of Anna’s visits to Jerusalem gradually increased.

"Losa! Why are you, a grown man, so worried? With our Empress’s looks and figure, except for being a bit older, what else is not to your liking? Now, we don’t even demand that you must hold a royal wedding; Her Majesty the Empress only needs you to give her a child!"

Losa could only smile bitterly; if there was anyone whose appearance could compete with his followers, it would be this Empress from the Ducas Family.

Though, Her Majesty the Empress’s situation has never been particularly good.

The Eastern Empire is too old, like a dying, ailment-riddled elder. The Empress’s desire for reform is akin to curing with bone-scraping; applying too much force might ruin the entire Empire, thus she must proceed cautiously.

Externally, tiny Asia’s emerging Crusader nobles and newly occupied landholders, military nobles, and granted soldiers from Sicily provide support.

Internally, Anna herself, nearly a Legendary Mage, along with the Imperial Guard she personally trained, serves as the pillar, allowing the Eastern Empire to maintain a relatively stable situation for the time being.

"You should understand Her Majesty’s predicament now; I have always believed that if a ’Philosopher King’ truly exists in this world, only you and Her Majesty would be deserving. You naturally should be the firmest allies and confidants; the current issue is, she needs a child as her successor."

A successor had been an issue even before Princess Ira’s coup because of her completely different political beliefs to the Empress; otherwise, Ragaya would not have always been unwilling to allow her into real governance and form her own team.

"The problem now is, I cannot provide that."

"Why?"

Losa earnestly explained: "You aren’t even legendary; how can I make this clear to you?"

He isn’t sure whether he still possesses fertility, given that his followers comprise Ghost Race, Wolf Race, Holy Spirit, Vampire, and only Viviana counts as a rare normal human.

...

"Regardless of whether the Tatar Delegation arrives or not, we should consider how we might interact with this new neighbor in the future."

"We should fight, Your Majesty. Nomadic tribes of the plains are inherently aggressive and will not abandon the chance to loot the Empire’s borders."

ps: The book is to conclude after preventing the Tatars’ westward assault; the day has finally come.

The tentative title for the new book is "Both Holy, and Roman, Especially Imperial," about an exiled Palaeologus prince ascending the Holy Roman throne and reclaiming Constantinople.

...

"Regardless of whether the Tatar Delegation arrives or not, we should consider how we might interact with this new neighbor in the future."

"We should fight, Your Majesty. Nomadic tribes of the plains are inherently aggressive and will not abandon the chance to loot the Empire’s borders."

ps: The book is to conclude after preventing the Tatars’ westward assault; the day has finally come.

The tentative title for the new book is "Both Holy, and Roman, Especially Imperial," about an exiled Palaeologus prince ascending the Holy Roman throne and reclaiming Constantinople.

...

"Regardless of whether the Tatar Delegation arrives or not, we should consider how we might interact with this new neighbor in the future."

"We should fight, Your Majesty. Nomadic tribes of the plains are inherently aggressive and will not abandon the chance to loot the Empire’s borders."

ps: The book is to conclude after preventing the Tatars’ westward assault; the day has finally come.

The tentative title for the new book is "Both Holy, and Roman, Especially Imperial," about an exiled Palaeologus prince ascending the Holy Roman throne and reclaiming Constantinople.

...

"Regardless of whether the Tatar Delegation arrives or not, we should consider how we might interact with this new neighbor in the future."

"We should fight, Your Majesty. Nomadic tribes of the plains are inherently aggressive and will not abandon the chance to loot the Empire’s borders."

ps: The book is to conclude after preventing the Tatars’ westward assault; the day has finally come.

The tentative title for the new book is "Both Holy, and Roman, Especially Imperial," about an exiled Palaeologus prince ascending the Holy Roman throne and reclaiming Constantinople.