A Guide to Becoming a God Starting from a Monastery

Ever since he became the Grand Commander, he has been working diligently to prepare for this wave of heavenly tribulation.

Once you fail, even if you don’t die and your country is destroyed, at least you will be ruined.

But now, it has finally emerged from the cocoon and become a butterfly, completely surviving the heavenly tribulation. Finally, it has the best ending.

The Knights were now safe for the moment. Not only did they no longer have to worry about others coveting them, but they could actually covet others.

Thomas sighed softly.

Unfortunately, he completely destroyed the Sultanate of Rum, conquered the Turks, and established a kingdom in Anatolia... He even went further, destroyed Byzantium, marched to Constantinople, and seized the throne, achieving immortal achievements...

It’s not impossible!

Unfortunately, Thomas's family knows their own business.

Although the Knights seem to be doing well at the moment, the external conditions are actually even more dangerous.

It's also because the Turks don't understand the Knights' situation...

Otherwise, they would never send envoys to seek peace, let alone cede territory or pay compensation.

Thinking of this, Thomas suddenly laughed out loud.

I am still greedy after all.

Being able to survive the calamity safely is already the greatest victory. Yet, he still covets other things.

Moreover, there is still a long way to go.

Well...if I fail in my final quest for the truth, it will still be time for me to come back and slowly deal with those guys.

If the path of seeking the truth is successful...

Apart from anything else, Thomas now has no intention of returning to Kiev.

Although he was originally said to be "leaving for a few years", his position after returning was already determined: the head of the Novgorod branch.

And because he had become the Protector of the Nation, he knew that as long as he returned, he would definitely be able to become the Grand Master of the Sunflower Knights.

But what's so good about being the Grand Master of that damn Knight Order?

They don’t have their own territory, their own laws, independent diplomacy, military, or finance... not to mention that they have a father and a mother who are right next to them to control them.

How can it compare to the Knights of Rhodes Island?

Thomas, the Grand Master, was an independent monarch. He was only called the Knights Templar in name. Above him was a distant and distant pope, who could obey orders or disobey them.

Now he has nothing to do in the Knights.

For now, just wait patiently and see if your fortune can return to normal.

The cold winter wind slowly dissipated.

It is hard to say from which day on, the cold wind from the Anatolian Plateau completely lost its power.

The warm spring breeze took over the area.

In his mansion outside Venice, Doge Balbo moved his aching leg and leaned it against the fireplace to warm it.

The weather was getting warmer, but he still kept the fireplace burning every day.

This was an old wound from a battle in his youth. When he was younger, leg injuries weren't serious injuries; they healed and healed without much notice. But at his age, every time the spring weather got humid, the wound would become sore and painful, unbearable.

The situation this year is more serious than in previous years, and even walking is extremely uncomfortable.

It’s not that you can’t walk, but the pain is so severe that you don’t even want to take a step.

It seemed as if Christ was using this wound to remind him of the approach of old age.

Only the close-up roasting of the fire can provide some relief.

"Master, the messenger is here again." The servant outside the door came in, holding a letter in his hands. "He brought a letter from the Holy See."

"Read it to me." Governor Balbo waved his hand lazily.

The servant began to read.

The letter was not very long and its content was very simple. The Pope was urging Governor Balbo to take action as soon as possible.

The letter contained a warning: because - it was very obvious - the strength of the Knights would be restored a little with every passing day.

The longer it drags on, the more disadvantageous the war against the Knights will be.

"Master, what is your reply?" the servant asked after reading the letter.

"Tell the Holy See," the Doge snorted. "War isn't so easy to start. Venice needs more time to prepare for war. We need to mobilize the fleet, prepare supplies, recruit personnel, and hire mercenaries..."

"Master, you have already answered him with this reason last time." The servant kindly reminded.

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Author's words: Thanks to my readers Yeye and Wudi Zhanlong for the rewards. I will update today.

Section 381 Consequences of Choice 1

"That's all right. It's worth using twice," the Governor replied. "How long ago was the last time?"

"Over half a month, Master," the servant reminded again. "And I suspect... the Vatican has noticed that Venice isn't making any war preparations."

The Governor made a disdainful sound through his nose.

Servants are servants after all, and the lower class people are just ignorant.

He could feel that the servants were full of awe for the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope.

He did not want his master to go against the Pope.

But in the eyes of Governor Balbo, he didn't think much of the new Pope.

The previous pope was a very secretive person, rarely expressing his views, and there were no loopholes to exploit. Everyone felt that Leo XI was a man of great mystery.

His main activity was to wander around Rome disguised as an ascetic, seemingly doing nothing serious.

But everything he did had great significance.

For example, he appointed Thomas as the Grand Master of the Knights Templar. At first, all nations were puzzled, thinking that the Pope had completely abandoned Rhodes Island or that he was senile.

Then it turns out the opposite is true.

Although there are complaints about the Pope's giving out two artifacts and five protectors to support such a naval-based knight order, it must be admitted that the entire situation has indeed changed greatly.

Today, the threat to the northern Holy Land has been basically eliminated.

If Leo XI had not died, he would have been planning to deal with the Buyid Dynasty in the east of the Holy Land, or the Mamluks in the south.

Although it is unclear what cards he will play or what measures he will take, it is definitely worth looking forward to.

And now the new Holy See...

Well, in Governor Balbo's opinion, the new Holy See was overly clever, impatient, and lacked a proper understanding of the situation, obsessed with taking shortcuts. He also lacked suitable advisors and subordinates, and one even wondered if he had ever been a cardinal.

Cardinals, they are all very smart people.

Of course, there are exceptions to everything.

After all, the Vatican... that's just how it is. If your father is an emperor or a king, then no matter if you're a dandy or a loser, you're likely to wear a red robe.

Of course, it doesn’t matter if you are not an emperor or a king, you can just use money to attack him.

The Holy See really values ​​money!

"It's okay. Even if the Pope is displeased, I can tell him that this is a war against a fellow brethren, so secrecy is essential. The Knights must not learn of it," Governor Balbo said patiently. "If he wants to speed up preparations, I suggest he contribute a portion of the military expenses."

Of course, this is impossible.

No matter how stupid the new Pope is, he wouldn't be so foolish.

Even if he really brought the money, the governor would definitely accept it without hesitation and put it in his own pocket.

If you don’t take this kind of money, you would be a fool!

"Just write him a letter back," the Governor ordered.

Although the servant looked like he wanted to say something, he finally just took the order and left.

"The Holy See..." Governor Balbo muttered to himself beside the fireplace. "...I'm so anxious..."

Of course he knew the reason behind it.

There are reports that the Knights have reached a peace treaty with the Seljuk Sultan.

The Pope issued an edict to reprimand him, but the Knights Templar ignored him completely.

It seems like they replied with a letter saying "absolutely not." And then they just left it alone.

The Knights, from top to bottom, were happily taking over the Ephesus area.

Although Captain Thomas publicly declared that it was a counterattack after the victory of the war and a "military occupation", the monarchs of various countries were not blind or stupid.

The Knights directly occupied the entire territory with only a few officials and soldiers... The Turks withdrew in a very orderly manner, without any resistance or destruction.

The two sides had a tacit understanding as if they had discussed it beforehand.

However, in some other nearby towns and villages, the Turks did not retreat, and the Knights did not move at all.

Although the Knights are backed by five protectors, this approach is still too obvious.

The Governor fully understood the Pope's anxiety.

If the two sides really make peace...

That means the Knights will have free hands and their ability to resist external pressure will be greatly enhanced.

Originally, we had to use 50% of our strength to deal with the Turks, and only 50% could be left to deal with the Four-Nation Alliance...

Now you can use all your strength.

From a purely war perspective, speed is of the essence, and the sooner we act, the better.

The problem was that Governor Balbo had no intention of going to war.

It wasn't like he wouldn't participate at all. If the other three coalition forces went to war with the Knights and gained the upper hand, he would send... well, a squadron of ships.

With this level of military force, the Republic of Venice does not need any mobilization and can set off at the command of the Doge.

Of course, they would definitely not participate in any major combat missions. They would just follow behind and cheer, and do some transportation, escort and other work.

Anyway, the governor has a plan in mind.

Regardless of whether I contribute or not, regardless of whether we can win the war or not, or even regardless of whether a war breaks out, the benefits of the Republic will not be diminished in the slightest. My own son, what is there to worry about?

If that’s the case, then why bother working so hard?

While I was thinking about this question, there was suddenly a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

Another servant opened the door and walked in. He walked up to the Governor and said softly, "Sir, there is news."

"Are the Genoese ready to take action?"

"No, no..."

"No?"

"The Genoese have recalled a fleet, increasing the number of fleets stationed in the city by half compared to normal, but that's all."

“They didn’t mobilize?”

"No! There has been no material dispatch... Of course, this may have been done in secret, not in Genoa."

"what about others?"

"The Florentines... and the Milanese... at least the top brass has covered up the relevant information. Their soldiers and civilians know nothing about this war. There is no sign of their troop movements. But in Rome... the Vatican, rumors are everywhere. Everyone seems to have heard that the new Pope wants to punish the disobedient Knights."

Governor Balbo laughed.

I even forgot about the pain in my legs and feet.

"Our Holy See... Our Holy See..." He laughed uncontrollably. "...It's really funny!"

"Want to use the Knights' Order's affairs to establish your authority?"

"But he didn't seem to think about the consequences of failing to establish his authority!"

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