A Guide to Becoming a God Starting from a Monastery

If it were someone else, the old man would definitely not dare to say this. After all, this is politically incorrect, and even the Pope can't suppress it!

"So, teacher, what do you mean?"

"Ending the war won't be easy, but we have to do something. We have to take the first step!" the old man said. "I hope to send a delegation of envoys to the East to communicate with those countries that support the jihad."

"This journey is filled with little hope and many dangers!"

"The Buyids, the Fatimids, and the Seljuks—these three nations are directly adjacent to the Holy Land and are constantly at war. Convincing them is extremely difficult. Only after achieving an overwhelming victory can there be a chance for peace talks."

"The North African countries are also very difficult. Although our land forces don't have many opportunities to clash, conflicts at sea have never ceased!"

"But on the contrary," the Pope emphasized, "the Star-Moon Cult states east of the Buyid Dynasty have no direct conflict with us. If we can make them understand our stance, and let them know that we won't continue to expand, and that this won't affect their safety or their interests...then they probably won't be so supportive of the war in the Holy Land."

Thomas immediately understood that this was a plan to cut off the source of the problem.

It is very difficult, but it is possible to succeed.

Strategically speaking, it was very wise, just like Zhang Qian's diplomatic mission to the Western Regions.

"And this delegation of envoys must first be strong enough to protect themselves, and secondly, they must have sufficient status to earn the trust of other nations. After careful consideration, I believe that in terms of status, they must be cardinals, and in terms of strength, they must be able to protect the country!"

If you are not a cardinal, no one will believe your proposal at all!

If you don't protect the country, there is no guarantee that you will come back alive!

"You want me to go?" Thomas was also surprised. "But the Knights..."

"I know, so this is not an immediate request, and it's not an order, it's a request," the old man sighed.

Rome has plenty of cardinals, but if they are not protectors of the country, embarking on this long diplomatic journey is almost like committing suicide.

Because if you happen to encounter a fanatical lord, he is likely to mobilize his army to besiege you, and after killing you, he will slander you as a "bandit from afar."

These days, there is no other way to protect yourself except using your own force!

"There is no such opportunity for the time being." Thomas thought for a moment and replied.

He didn't want to go.

After all, there is no good in this matter, unless Thomas becomes Pope after he returns... Well, even if he becomes Pope, I won't go!

Thomas knew his own level. He knew that he could be the Grand Master of the Knights Templar without any problem, but he could not be the Pope.

Instead, Thomas felt he could emulate the Jews.

Just hit them six times and you can defeat all the Star-Moon Cultists.

After conquering them, as long as you don't expand, occupy, or throw yourself into the vast ocean of people's war...

Peace has come!

Of course, the old man's plan of removing the fire from under the cauldron was also a good one. If Thomas had not been asked to serve as an envoy, he would definitely support it.

"Indeed, not yet." The old man agreed.

The atmosphere in the Eastern Mediterranean is very tense now.

Apart from anything else, Thomas himself faces multiple huge threats.

"I have a few things to tell you," the old man said. "My spies have learned that the Byzantine navy has recovered somewhat! They have secretly rebuilt at least one squadron."

“Ah, so fast?” Thomas replied.

That being said, Thomas wasn't worried.

After all, he had personally experienced the reconstruction of the Knights' fleet, so he understood that building a navy—even a navy of this era—was not so simple.

The Knights' navy was able to rebuild in a short period of time, mainly because their ships were stolen but there were no losses in personnel.

The Byzantine navy was completely annihilated.

Recovery is not that easy! At least for the next five years, there is no need to worry!

Chapter 231 Master and Disciple 3

Although it will definitely be a threat to the Knights in the future, at least it can be placed at the bottom of the threat list.

"Don't underestimate the Byzantines. After all, they're an empire that's been passed down for hundreds or even thousands of years," the old man said. "No one knows how much they've accumulated!"

"I'll be careful," Thomas answered sincerely.

He had already secretly decided in his heart that after he withdrew his hand, he would find a way to go to Bulgaria.

Provoke the Bulgarians into a rebellion! See if the Byzantines have enough strength to deal with the Knights.

Thomas has no psychological burden about this.

The Byzantine Empire was not a human being. Since they did it on the first day, Thomas could naturally do it on the fifteenth.

And Thomas had a great advantage in this matter.

After all, the last time the Byzantines attacked Smyrna, they left behind the Bulgarians and Russians as the rear guard, trying to sacrifice these vassal troops to attract the enemy and give themselves a chance to escape.

Unfortunately, things went against their wishes, and in the end, these abandoned cannon fodder were led by Thomas all the way back. The Byzantines themselves were besieged by the main force of the enemy and were almost annihilated.

These Bulgarians were naturally taken in and employed by the Knights, and later played a significant role in the Knights' attack on Smyrna.

Considering the situation of the Bulgarians within the Byzantine Empire...

Thomas felt that as long as he was willing to provide money and equipment, it should be easy to instigate a major Bulgarian rebellion.

"Another thing, I accidentally found out Ferdinand's whereabouts... You should know this name, right?"

"Ferdinand? The traitor?" Thomas immediately remembered this traitor of the Knights Templar who had only been heard of but never seen.

It was thanks to him that the Knights Templar had fallen to their previous state. It was only since Thomas became Grand Master that things had become so difficult.

Of course, from another perspective, Ferdinand might be Thomas's benefactor.

If the situation of the Knights Templar was not so dire, it would not be Thomas' turn to be the Grand Master!

"Yes, that's him..." The Pope sighed. "He's also a protector of the country now!"

"what?"

"The Star-Moon Sword made him the Protector of the Nation!" The Pope sighed again. "They used up one of the quotas!"

You may not have understood it before, but now it is very clear.

This is Ferdinand's reward for betraying the Knights!

“I see!” Thomas replied.

Just a defense of the country... Although it is very important, for Thomas now, that's all!

"Where is he now?" Thomas thought for a moment and asked.

"He should still be at the Star-Moon Sword headquarters. But a traitor like him will never stay out of it. The Knights are growing stronger, and the Star-Moon Sword will definitely send him back to deal with them! And there's one last thing."

"The Venetians are very unhappy with you!"

Thomas smiled.

The Venetians attacked him first, and now they seem to have become victims?

"So he came to Rome this time to deal with me?"

"Probably not," the Pope said. "But it's best if you don't leave the city or its surroundings without permission. And when you return, make sure you don't leave his itinerary. He's bringing a fleet with him, after all."

Thomas only has one ship.

On land, especially within the city of Rome, even Governor Balbo had to be cautious if he wanted to do anything.

But at sea, there are no laws or rules to take care of you.

A fleet against a single ship is difficult to fight against even for the defense of the country.

But Thomas didn't care much about it. After all, the ocean was too big in this era.

Even if the concept of a "channel" existed, it was too vast. There was a vast space for maneuvering, so there was no such thing as sitting back and waiting. Not even a fleet could do that.

"What happened to his son, the one called Little Balbo?"

"He's probably a martial arts fanatic!" the Pope said. "It's said he's now known as Venice's greatest warrior. Of course, how much of this reputation is earned through his own strength or due to his father's status... only God knows. But his extraordinary talent is undoubtedly an objective fact."

Martial arts fanatic?

It’s troublesome, it’s really too troublesome!

A few days passed like this.

Thomas hid in his own residence and bided his time, and asked Louis to go to various places in the city to buy the medicine he needed.

He had wanted to make potions for a long time, but perhaps it was God's will that he could never get enough medicinal materials, whether in Rhodes Island or Smyrna.

But Rome was different.

These few days are just the right time to make enough medicinal materials, and then I can try to contact the seventh level of the magic network.

The seventh layer of magic network is the difference between ordinary magicians and great magicians.

Although it cannot be said that anyone who has come into contact with the seventh layer of the magic net will definitely be a great magician, but if he has not come into contact with the seventh layer of the magic net, then he is definitely not one!

On the surface, the key is that the latter's life span is greatly extended, so there is enough time to delve into the mysteries of magic.

But in fact, there is another unknown benefit.

That is, contact with the seventh layer of the magic network can enhance human intelligence.

Magicians live by their intelligence, so coming into contact with the seventh layer of the magic web means a spellcaster undergoes a change from quantitative to qualitative.

That's what Thomas cared about.

Who doesn't want to become smarter?

As for invitations to any party, he always declined them all on the grounds of "feeling unwell".

At dusk, in a tavern in Rome, little Balbo and a group of his companions were drinking.

He booked the entire pub, so there were only him and a few companions, no outsiders.

"That commander is like a turtle, he never goes out!" Little Balbo felt a little regretful.

Even if I want to find an excuse to provoke you, I won’t have the chance!

"The captain is playing coward, but we can find other targets!" A companion suddenly suggested.

"Another target?"

"This time, he was accompanied by a knight named Joseph, acting as his bodyguard. According to my research, he's likely a native of Italy, originally a mercenary. He later joined the Roman army and became a member of the Papal Guard. After Thomas was appointed Grand Master, he also joined the Knights Templar and is now their lieutenant."

"Tell me in detail." Little Balboa became a little interested.

In fact, he had no grudge against the Knights, he just felt unhappy for some unknown reason.

After all, the Knights claimed to have killed a patriot of the Crescent Moon Cult!

Although Thomas explained lightly that he had killed the other party with a trap, little Balbo still felt uncomfortable.

Protecting the country is a legendary realm.

It is impossible for a normal person to achieve the goal of protecting the country, and those who can achieve it are definitely one in a million.

The companion, evidently having inquired thoroughly, began to give a detailed account of Knight Joseph's situation.

Born into a local family, although not aristocratic, his family had considerable assets, so he was able to find a good teacher to learn martial arts when he was young.

When he reached adulthood, his father passed away and according to custom, his estate was inherited by his elder brother. Joseph then joined the mercenaries hoping to secure a better future.

Eventually, he gained a little fame and was recruited as a guard of the Pope, and then followed Thomas into the Knights Templar. For someone of Knight Joseph's background, this was considered a successful career.

Chapter 232: Protectors of the Nation 1

Although Thomas stayed at home and did not go out, Joseph was not affected.

You still have to go out when you need to, and you still have to meet the people you need to meet.

After all, this is his hometown, and he has a lot of relatives, friends and colleagues!

He had only been away from Rome for a few years, and his old comrades and colleagues were still around. Furthermore, he was, after all, an adjutant of the Order, a high-ranking figure in the Order. His status had greatly improved, so naturally he wanted to show off.

Every man has this psychological need.

It's a pity that he couldn't show off his most important achievement, which made Joseph feel a little regretful.