---

The Butterfly Effect (3)

Golden hair fluttered softly across my chest, and a sweet voice reached my ears.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

I lowered my head slightly at the ticklish sound of her voice.

The girl I had looked up to defiantly had turned into a woman in her twenties.

“Time has certainly passed.”

Having just ascended as Padishah, the news had come from Hirem not long after, signifying that much time had elapsed since we seized the Empire.

With the same golden hair, the rebellious Aishe I first met came to mind, as Yusuf brushed his tousled hair back with his hand.

“What am I thinking? I was pondering that while some things change, others never do.”

The original history was altered significantly by Yusuf’s involvement. Even Hirem beside me fell into the category of those whose fates had completely transformed.

Yet, there was also a flow that remained unchanged.

“Like the Italian War, for example.”

A war was once again looming, ready to erupt in the Italian Peninsula, a famed landmark of this era.

It would be the armies of France and Venice allied against Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Papal States.

Although it started a few years later than the original timeline, the course was perfectly aligned with the existing history—perhaps a given.

“The war was ignited by Francis, who felt disgruntled after being outvoted in the Emperor’s election for Charles V.”

Unless the canal had been established far earlier and Francis had ample bribe money to pass to the electorate, history would flow exactly as it had.

Yusuf gently patted Hirem’s head, who looked as if she didn’t quite understand what he meant, and slowly stood up.

“Just a little incident.”

“Understood, Your Padishah.”

Hirem, who had learned during her time in the harem that needless curiosity could hasten one’s demise, swallowed her questions.

After Hirem finished preparing his bath, Yusuf donned his clothes and stepped out of the room.

“Ali Pasha.”

“Yes, Your Padishah.”

Yusuf issued a command to Ali Pasha, who bowed respectfully.

“Where are the envoys?”

“They have arrived and are waiting.”

“I see.”

Though they had been left alone in the audience room since early morning, Yusuf leisurely made his way there.

Such a display of power play was always common in diplomatic relations.

As the door to the audience room opened, those who had been standing for a long time showed no sign of discomfort and took their places.

“That’s enough. No need for formalities with incomprehensible words. What business does Carlos have in sending envoys?”

Yusuf’s casual mention of the king’s name made the envoy frown slightly as he responded.

“The King’s message is for the return of ships and crews captured by the Empire.”

“Hmm, I don’t know what ship you’re referring to. Hadim Ali Pasha, were there any ships recently handed over by the Barbary Pirates to us?”

“As far as I know, there are none.”

“According to what I’ve heard, there are none.”

Though Yusuf lightly joked by bringing up the long-standing annoyance of pirates for Spain, the envoy answered calmly.

“I’m talking about the ship captured near Malacca.”

“Hmm, I recall now. Are you referring to that pirate ship?”

“Not a pirate ship, but an exploration vessel belonging to a kingdom. It was a harmless ship that was seized while attempting to return home after completing its mission.”

Yusuf replied sharply to the envoy’s words.

“An exploration vessel that kills people for refusing to convert is ‘harmless’? You’re talking nonsense.”

“…This is not something the Empire should be involved in. This is just a matter that happened to primitive people.”

Setting aside the discriminatory notion of ‘primitive,’ what transpired on that distant island was indeed unrelated to the Empire.

Whether they kill each other was not our concern, but this time, there was sufficient justification to intervene.

“I am the Padishah of the Empire and the Caliph of Islam. It is laughable to say that forced conversion has nothing to do with me.”

Seeing the envoy turn into a mute, having just swallowed honey, Yusuf suddenly understood why missionaries were used during the imperialistic era.

Even if missionaries couldn’t be utilized recklessly, the seeds they had sown could still serve as useful tools as they did now.

The envoy, faced with Yusuf’s cold stare, sighed.

“I will relay the Padishah’s intentions to the King. And this is the King’s letter.”

As Yusuf saw the letter handed to him by the chamberlain, his eyes lit up.

“This one is genuine.”

Even Spain must have known it wouldn’t get their captured goods back, no matter how much they protested.

They had no good relationship to speak of, and just looking at North Africa, they were essentially at war with one another.

Battles frequently broke out between Spain, seeking to regain Algiers, and the Barbarossa brothers, who had occupied it.

“The exploration vessel is just a façade, and if this letter is genuine…”

That would mean it contained information that shouldn’t be exposed easily.

Yusuf tore open the letter sealed with wax and ran through the translated message in Arabic, raising the corners of his mouth.

“Is this really what Carlos intends?”

“That’s what I heard, Your Padishah.”

From the envoy’s returned response, it seemed that he too was unaware of the contents of the letter.

“The translator of the letter must have also been killed.”

That meant it contained information that must be kept under wraps, and Yusuf became curious about Carlos’s mindset.

“A marriage alliance, then.”

The contents were suggesting a marriage with Hasna to form an alliance.

Upon reflecting, it was easy to understand why Carlos had reached such a conclusion. Yusuf handed the letter to Ali Pasha.

“What do you think? An interesting idea, isn’t it?”

“Indeed, Your Padishah.”

Yusuf had not obtained Magellan’s voyage records, and with the canal opened, any new routes explored would likely be less profitable.

Forming an alliance with the Ottomans would allow the use of the canal and effectively isolate France and Venice from the Ottomans, worsening their relationship.

The criticisms of marrying an infidel could be somewhat suppressed by converting Hasna.

“If this marriage is successful, it would create a union between Carlos, who possesses vast territories in Europe, and the Ottomans.”

This would send shockwaves through the world.

Yusuf chuckled at the thought and passed the letter back to Ali Pasha.

“Give this to Hasna.”

“To the princess?”

As if doubting the sincerity of Yusuf’s request, Ali Pasha responded as Yusuf nodded.

“Word has it she’s raising a filly these days, so just give it to her as fodder. This letter is utterly trivial.”

The envoy, who interpreted the King’s private letter as fodder for horses, was outraged.

“What an affront! How dare you treat the King’s letter that way?! It’s an insult of the highest order!”

“That’s much better than wasting paper unnecessarily.”

What utter nonsense!

An alliance with Carlos? Not a bad thought. After all, he ruled the widest expanse of European land for a millennium between Charles the Great and Napoleon.

The collusion of the two empires would surely wield considerable influence.

“But what basis is there for forming an alliance?”

The land directly governed by Carlos has seen the Reconquista, expelling infidels, for nearly 800 years.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Hasna were to be stabbed in the back halfway through, and if Carlos betrayed the Ottomans after strengthening his fleet via the canal, the Empire would bear the consequences.

Considering the risks and benefits, Yusuf saw no reason to comply and clicked his tongue at the envoy, whose face had flushed with anger.

“Once you’re finished speaking, take your leave. Carlos won’t express any dissatisfaction over being offered fodder.”

Instead, disclosing the letter as a means to press Carlos would be a foolish move.

Revealing such confidential correspondence is an act worse than killing the envoy, and since it was translated through the hands of the translator, Yusuf could claim it was an Ottoman plot.

One could see that Carlos had taken minimal precautions.

In any event, weighing the gains and losses, it would be better to let this matter pass.

“What are you doing? Are you not leaving?”

Annoyed by Yusuf’s words, the envoy bit his lip and parted.

“It seems I haven’t seen any envoy’s blood in a long time.”

As Yusuf cast a glance at Silahtar, Ali Pasha responded firmly.

“Neither beheadings nor finger removals are permitted.”

“I know.”

“Nor should we resort to kidnapping via pirates.”

“Hmm, it would seem inappropriate to use a method I’ve already employed before.”

Having used it once during the Knights of Rhodes, this time it wouldn’t work as well.

With a good image of the West being built, there was no reason to accumulate notoriety over a trivial envoy’s life.

“However, it wouldn’t hurt to instill a little fear. Keep our ships close as we approach the Spanish territory. Since we have supplies and letters bound for Algiers anyway.”

It would take quite a while to journey from the capital to southern Italy, and the stress from being stalked could be quite unbearable.

Ali Pasha let out a sigh at Yusuf’s mischievous command.

“I’ll give the order that bombardment and seizure will be off the table instead.”

“Who said anything about that?”

In that response, Yusuf flicked his fingers.

Having rejected the alliance, it was clear that the relationship would only worsen with the imminent war in Italy.

“We ought to respond to France.”

The reason France desired assistance from the Barbary Pirates was likely to curb the influence of Spain and the Papal States across the Italian Peninsula.

“I could step forward and perhaps secure an alliance with France, but do I really need to?”

He didn’t yet feel any necessity to get directly involved in the Italian War.

With trade in the East now on the rise, he didn’t want to meddle in someone else’s quarrels.

While someone else fanned the flames of conflict, the Empire could reap the benefits from a distance.

“I will also provide additional weapons to the Barbary Pirates. Let them either pay a fair price or take a portion of the spoils for the trade.”

While the quality of iron produced by Mehmet wasn’t fantastic, it was still acceptable for making cannons and shells.

Originally, cannons made of iron, which were less stable than bronze, were valued for their cost-effectiveness.

“Ask France and Venice for their opinions. See if they are considering importing cannons.”

“I’m not sure about France, but would Venice buy them?”

They might acknowledge the performance of cannons said to be produced in Venice.

“But isn’t it still lacking compared to the Empire’s cannons? If they think they need it, they will buy it. You can say that payment can be deferred.”

Essentially, it was a kind of installment plan, but there was no worry about getting cheated.

With the canal under their control, there was no way they could back out.

“There’s a slim chance that the weapons being sold now will turn against us.”

Venice, which clung like a bat, was unlikely to betray them because of the canal, and France had enemies on all sides.

It’s no surprise they even allied with the Ottomans in the original history.

“The Empire’s Eastern trade is still in its infancy. More time is needed to increase its scale.”

While the revenues from the pepper coming from India were sufficient for now, in the long run, they would need to sail further afield for profit.

Eventually, trade routes would need to stretch all the way to the Ming Dynasty.

“Opening the door to the Ming Dynasty due to the maritime ban won’t be easy, but given time, it should be sufficient.”

The Ming dynasty, focused on internal consumption after issuing a maritime ban because of pirates, was not the most welcoming of nations.

Moreover, approaching while bowing would likely lead them to look down on the Ottomans, who had too much pride.

“That I cannot tolerate.”

While war may not be necessary, there was a need to demonstrate strength to achieve equality.

To solve the inevitable gaps in military might, they needed to prevent the West from turning their focus towards the Ottomans.

“Then we must act on multiple fronts, Ali Pasha.”

“Please issue your orders.”

“I think it’s time to throw in some tinder.”

Yusuf wore a mischievous smile.

*

It had been less than two years since Leo X passed away and a new pope took office, yet the atmosphere in the city of Rome was not good.

“A pope who can’t even speak Italian—this is absurd.”

“They brought a barbarian to be the pope! The world has gone mad! Isn’t that right?!”

Even noble families of Italy who hailed from the north were treated like rubes by the Roman citizens. To them, a pope from Northern Europe was the epitome of barbarism.

Unlike the previous pope, Hadrian VI’s reforms to purify a humble and secular church had been met with constant failure, due to the hostility of the Roman citizens and the backlash from Italian cardinals.

Amidst the winds of the Reformation, instead of improvement, the pope was becoming increasingly isolated, when a letter arrived at the Papal States.

– …During these times of religious reform, the effort to shed your secular demeanor and return to the pure essence of religion is indeed commendable. If the opportunity arises, I would wish to engage in fruitful discussions for the future of healthy religion. I look forward to the bright future of the Papal States.

The pope’s hands trembled as he read the letter.

The correspondence that had begun in Constantinople was one he should have never received.

News that the pope had been praised by a pagan emperor sent shockwaves through Rome.