Three months after the Crusaders finally marched east, Suleiman had led the Karaman Beylik into the heartland of Ottoman Anatolia, completely annihilating an enemy legion of more than one formation.
Upon learning that the Christians of Eastern Europe had finally decided to go all out, he, who had already conquered a large inland area south of Ankara, couldn't help but beam with joy.
When asked by his trusted Rutaoglu about the next course of action, the Bey's delight was evident.
"Continue the attack, take Ankara.
Murad, you Takfiris who have long since abandoned Allah in your actions, it's time to let you know that on this land of Asia Minor, you are the challenger!"
After a burst of euphoria, Suleiman then learned about the recent movements of his close friend, Manuel.
When he realized that the other party still showed no signs of mobilizing troops, he couldn't help but be full of questions, "What exactly is Olubey up to?
Forget it, if he misses such a great opportunity, that's his own problem, it has nothing to do with us."
After this final thought, he gave up on trying to persuade the other party to join the war.
At the same time, the Polish-Hungarian allied army, having just crossed the Danube under the guidance of the Serbia Autocratic State Branković, was temporarily stationed north of Vidin, awaiting good news from their allies.
Therefore, in the main camp, the young King Ulaslo I was indignant at his ally's broken promise after learning that the Romans had not yet moved.
"Where are the Romans?
Didn't they promise us they would send troops to help us sandwich the Ottoman Turks?" The fully armed young King questioned his allies.
"Caesar, according to the replies from the Basileus of Constantinople and the Caesar of Pontus, they are raising troops and preparing for war, and will arrive on the battlefield in a few days.
" Cardinal Cesarini, now also in armor, respectfully reported the Roman side's attitude to the King.
The young and impetuous Władysław was not convinced by the Roman monarch's statement; instead, he scoffed, half-angry and half-laughing, "This is how we Catholics, who uphold the true faith, are."
As he spoke, thinking of the already declining orthodox power, he inadvertently pouted, "The Romans only need to follow behind the allied army and pick up the scraps; we Catholics have many things to consider."
After hearing Ulaslo I's words, whether it was Hunyadi, Cardinal Cesarini, or the nobles present, all were so astonished that their mouths hung open in an "O" shape, unable to utter a word for a moment—
No, Caesar, even if we don't mention that the Roman Emperor only just agreed to church unity, and both sides are currently ostensibly of the same denomination, not to mention that these Romans are all allies in this Crusade, standing on the same front.
Whether your words are factual or not is beside the point, but given the current situation, is this really something that should be said!?
But it was also true that those Romans were indeed too late in sending troops this time.
Therefore, in the end, Cardinal Cesarini and Hunyadi merely exchanged glances, pretending not to understand the atmosphere, and helped the King smooth things over, bypassing the topic.
While all parties involved in the Holy War were, to some extent, subtly criticizing Bosporus, in the city of Trabzon, the Autocratic State Chief Minister, Justinian Seresnus, who had been back in the country for some time, discussed the Crusade with his colleagues and monarch after reporting on recent official duties.
After talking about the irresistible momentum of Karaman and the Crusaders, even Serenus, who had originally not held much confidence in it, grew anxious because Bosporus had not participated in time, "Caesar, what are we still waiting for?"
"Don't rush, wait for the right moment."
Manuel showed no particular reaction to his Chief Minister's anxiety; he merely extended his right hand and made a gesture as if issuing an interdiction, telling his subordinates to listen quietly to his speech.
"Because I have thoroughly learned the virtues of the Ottoman Sultan and have left myself plenty of room for retreat.
I will not prematurely anticipate the Crusaders, and therefore will not prematurely collapse because of it.
"So, remember two 'prematurely's and one retreat…"
"Caesar, is this the time for such a tasteless joke!?" The Chief Minister, feeling as if he was about to faint from his Caesar's antics, finally couldn't help but interrupt his nonsense.
The other cabinet members seated with him also secretly nodded, clearly they too wanted to hear their Caesar make some practical statements.
Seeing this, Manuel reined in his playful expression, and his entire demeanor became serious, "Gentlemen, the Ottoman are not as easy to defeat as we imagine."
"But Caesar, didn't you defeat them once back then?" Dungar asked in confusion.
"Are you referring to the time when the domestic economy was on the verge of collapse and farmers even revolted?" Speaking of the war from over eight years ago, a rare bitter smile, one that had become uncommon over the years, appeared on Manuel's face, "Perhaps.
But if we were to win again at such a heavy, even excessive, price, then what difference would there be between our victorious country and one that had lost?
"Moreover, it should be noted that although the Ottoman are now besieged on both sides and fighting on two fronts, Murad II and the high-ranking nobles under him are not ordinary individuals.
Not to mention that the Ottoman have vast territories as support and a strong national power.
Before suffering a large-scale attack or a natural disaster, their war potential is so deep that even if we enter the fray, it would be difficult to reverse."
"Caesar," Falero's face instantly turned pale, "You mean the Crusaders will lose?"
"Probably not."
If Władysław III in this timeline were more flexible, Manuel silently added this in his heart.
"Then why, Caesar, you…"
"Tukharovsky," Manuel calmly interrupted him, "But not losing does not equal a great victory.
Let's get straight to the conclusion: because Suleiman entered the fray too early with the Karaman Beylik, the Ottoman still have ample reserves to deal with Asia Minor; and the Sultan's Rumelia Legion, due to the Crusaders' subsequent declaration of war, was not entirely dispatched to Asia Minor.
If I'm not mistaken, this will instead allow the Ottoman to slow down the Crusaders' offensive and have enough resources to deal with Karaman.
"So now, only when the Ottoman forces in Anatolia are greatly weakened, or after one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse ① fiercely treads across Ottoman lands, will we have the opportunity to launch an effective counterattack in Anatolia.
Otherwise, even a narrow victory over the Ottoman would be a good outcome, and if we make one wrong move, then Bosporus will be finished along with Karaman."
After listening to Caesar's explanation, all the cabinet ministers suddenly understood.
And seeing that he had explained everything clearly, Manuel immediately discussed with the Chief Minister the follow-up to the task he had assigned him in Buda, "Speaking of which, Serenus, my Brother-in-law replied that he has already gone to Morea.
I hope he can successfully launch the Northern Expedition there, as planned, in the name of the Moria Despotate."
As Manuel said this, the Basileus of the Roman Empire, Constantine XI, had already arrived in Mistras, the capital of the Despotate of Morea, by fast ship.
Facing his brother Thomas's surprise at his sudden arrival with more than half of his cabinet, Constantine merely replied, "Thomas, quickly tally the troops; it's time to act."
"Brother, this, how do we act?" Although Thomas knew that the Roman Empire would participate in this Crusade in its own way, he was still momentarily bewildered by his brother's actions.
Facing his brother's confusion, Constantine simply looked directly at him and ordered decisively:
"Launch a holy war against the Ottoman, but not in the name of the Roman Empire, but in the name of the Despotate of Morea."