I Became the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

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The country most shocked by the attack on the Papal States by the pirates is Spain.

Spain’s communication with Southern Italy, including Sicily, which it absorbed, depended entirely on sea routes.

For the stability of the Italian war and occupied territories, the movement of supplies had to be active, but the Barbary pirates that pillaged in between were always a thorn in their side.

The news that a pirate they had been keeping an eye on attacked the Papal States meant they could strike at any Spanish territory, and the decision of the Spanish fleet, which was in conflict with the Ottomans, was singular.

“We will retreat.”

“What do you mean? Retreat?! Does that mean the pirates are more important than those infidels?!”

The declaration by Governor Hugo de Moncada of Sicily surprised the commanders of the Papal States and Venice, but Hugo’s attitude was firm.

“What’s more frightening than those infidels is the pirates. And we aren’t the only ones thinking of retreating, are we?”

At Hugo’s remark, the two wore embarrassed expressions.

The fleet under the attack from the pirates, belonging to the Papal States, was waiting for the order to return.

Venice, which had suffered greatly at the hands of the Ottomans, also had no intention of maintaining the frontline alone if Spain and the Papal States chose to return.

The reluctance to return was out of a desire to wait for the Pope’s decision, and Hugo left a warning.

“Make sure to tell the Pope. Those who want everything lose everything.”

It was a Spanish proverb pointing out the situation of the Papal States.

One could only expect the new Sultan, who was known as a prophet and undermining the authority of Christianity, to be displeased, and he likely wished to curb the expanding Ottomans.

However, the situation in Italy was no time to look outside.

After pointing this out, Hugo led the fleet back, and the remaining two also ultimately chose to withdraw.

To give up on directly containing the Ottomans was akin to confirming their retreat, and this was verified by Kemal Reis, who also returned.

Thanks to the fleet returning without major losses, the capital found stability after about a month.

A strange atmosphere enveloped the peaceful Bosporus Strait.

“From now on, all ship departures are prohibited.”

“Could you at least explain what’s going on? Suddenly, departure is prohibited!”

“Departure is forbidden. Those who resist will be executed immediately.”

It’s true that trade in Constantinople had decreased compared to the Eastern Roman Empire, but it was still quite significant.

The soldiers occupying the always-busy harbor placed their hands on their weapons, and even the roughest sailors were unable to raise their voices in defiance in front of the soldiers’ momentum.

Amidst merchants asking each other why this was happening, a captain who was usually friendly spat and said,

“This isn’t just an order to prohibit departures. Do you not see over there?”

Beyond the harbor where departures were prohibited, several ships were afloat, merchant vessels one would be familiar with if they traversed the waters regularly.

The sight of warships seemingly ready to attack if orders to depart were ignored left the merchants startled.

“The Bosporus Strait itself is under control. Not a single ship has passed through the strait since earlier.”

“What on earth happened for the soldiers to be blocking like that?”

“It’s not that something happened, but someone is coming. It seems the keen-eyed have already noticed?”

As he spoke, some murmured their displeasure about the departure prohibition, while others wore slightly excited expressions.

Especially the sailors seemed to huddle together and head somewhere.

The captain patted the merchant’s shoulder, and the merchant, struck on the bicep the size of a thigh, wobbled slightly. The captain chuckled at the sight.

“Who would need to block the harbor? The Padishah is returning.”

If it were the master of the empire, such an uproar could be understood.

The inexperienced merchant couldn’t know if other sultans in history acted similarly, but considering the current Sultan’s reputation within the empire, it didn’t seem excessive.

Though he had only just ascended the throne, the subjects’ support was so steadfast that even uttering a small complaint about the Sultan could lead to being discovered as a corpse the next day.

“So what shall we do? If we want even to see the Padishah’s feet, we must move now.”

“Is it really necessary to go to a place where even the slightest mistake could cost us our heads?”

“What sort of person is the Padishah? Is he not the one whom Allah accompanies? Just seeing his feet would allow us to share in that grace and ensure a safe sailing. Do as you please; I’m going.”

Even the Mediterranean, a relatively safe inland sea, posed navigational risks, and seafarers always risked their lives at sea.

Thus, it was customary for them to believe in all sorts of omens and superstitions.

The sailors, sharing the captain’s beliefs, gathered, and even those living in the city flocked to witness the Sultan’s return.

A grand galley bearing the Sultan’s flag docked at the harbor.

The great Padishah returns.

*

The road from the harbor in the Golden Horn to the Topkapi Palace is less than 1 kilometer long, but the crowd gathered along it was immense.

It wasn’t merely a crowd celebrating the successful conquest of Georgia and retribution against the Safavids; it was far too many people.

Even the two women, somewhat used to such receptions, widened their eyes, and Hasna, cradled in her father’s arms, blinked in wonder.

“Isn’t that fascinating? Though, it’s praise you won’t receive, Hana.”

Those kneeling flanked the path densely, and voices praising the Sultan rang out loudly.

This was a reception only a master of the empire could receive, and no woman could become the master of the empire in the Ottomans.

Of course, there had been instances of female rulers in foreign lands referred to as Sultanas, but the possibility of a female Sultan arising in the Ottomans, both in the past and in the future, was slim.

Yusuf smirked slightly at Hasna, who looked up at him.

“Well, if we line up those who admire you, it might just create a path for you.”

While one could only guess how high Hasna’s charm truly was, her noble status seemed to lend it a hand.

Naturally, the saying “stunning beauty” exists for a reason, and while being charming as a woman could be challenging in such times, there was no need to fret over issues arising due to a single woman if one became the Sultan. It sufficed to simply take delight in his daughter’s future.

‘As long as Charles V doesn’t take a liking to Hasna, there won’t be any problem.’

In the blink of an eye while pondering Hasna, they entered the Topkapi Palace, where a crowd led by the two children welcomed them.

“Father, have you returned?”

“We missed you!”

In stark contrast to Mehmet’s calm greeting, Murad beamed as he hugged him, showcasing their differing temperaments.

Gently patting their heads, Yusuf looked over at the two, glancing at their mother.

“Hasn’t it been a long time since you’ve seen her? Go on.”

When Yusuf’s permission was given, the two dashed off toward Aishe and Hatice.

Yusuf, lightly amused by their antics, asked Ahmed Pasha, the Grand Vizier.

“Grand Vizier, has everything been well in your absence?”

“Thanks to Allah’s watchful eye, there have been no significant problems, but Mengli Garay passed away not long ago.”

“Mengli?”

It seemed he had been forced out of the khanate of the Crimean Khanate, and upon hearing of his eldest son’s death, he appeared to have given up and eventually succumbed.

“Send the corpse to the Crimean Khanate. Saadet should be allowed to conduct the funeral rites.”

Saadet wasn’t foolish, so he would likely use this politically.

Besides Mengli’s death, there was no special news, and Yusuf turned his attention to his family, enjoying the reunion.

“Aishe, Hatice.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What do you plan to do? Will you go to the harem?”

At Yusuf’s question, they both gave the same answer.

“I will go see Valide Hatun and inform her I have returned safely.”

“If His Majesty permits, I would like to go to the harem where I will be living from now on.”

“Do as you please. And Mehmet, Murad, you too will stay in the harem from now on.”

As there would be a busy daily life ahead, it was likely he wouldn’t have much time to mind them otherwise.

Better for them to stay in the harem, though they would only be able to until they reached puberty, which wouldn’t take long.

“I will abide by your wishes.”

“I understand!”

The family departed for the harem, and alone in the third courtyard, Yusuf settled into his usual chair.

Yusuf looked around his bedroom.

Though it felt slightly unfamiliar after being away for a considerable time, the scenery remained the same.

‘There’s much to be gained from this conquest.’

He acquired land in Georgia, where the Shamsi were working to stabilize, and financially benefitted by seizing noble properties as a secondary income.

Moreover, he decimated the Safavids in the west while keeping Ismail in check.

“On top of that, I’ve gained 40 points for the conquest of Georgia.”

Out of the 100 points he received from his accession, 80 points remained, and when the new year arrived, thanks to the vaccination method, he gained an additional 40 points.

Combined, he had a total of 160 points, accumulating enough to select a new trait.

After a long time of pondering which trait to choose, he finally settled on “Exceptional Immunity.”

“As I continue to go on expeditions, the most fearful thing is illness.”

Expeditions place one in ideal conditions to catch diseases.

Clean drinking water is scarce, and many around go unwashed; the chances of catching endemic diseases are high when roaming unfamiliar territories.

Having that trait didn’t guarantee one wouldn’t catch an illness but certainly reduced the likelihood, which was valuable enough.

Even in the original history, many count Selim’s death from anthrax while on campaign as noteworthy.

As he thought of the next expedition, Yusuf’s eyes glinted with resolve.

“And next, I must surely kill Ismail. He has become too dangerous.”

The Ismail of original history lacked patience.

After using scorched earth tactics to immensely trouble the Ottoman forces, he went on to try a full-frontal assault and got wrecked.

However, the current Ismail had acquired enough patience to endure losing without pinning down his forces.

This was a more perilous shift than anticipated, and if he didn’t manage to kill him in the next expedition, he could return as an even more terrible monster.

“If it becomes an obstruction, I shall engage the Mamluks in battle as well.”

His green eyes glinted with fiery intensity.

*

Just because the Sultan wasn’t present doesn’t mean peace descends upon the harem.

While no new women gained status through the Sultan’s favor, some had already been favored.

The power struggle among two women occupying the title of concubine stirred new waves in the harem.

“Thank you for enduring the long journey.”

“I am relieved to see you in good health, Valide Hatun.”

Seeing Fatima, the Valide Hatun, hold the hands of the two women with a kindly expression left the others in the harem slightly astonished.

Fatima, the Valide Hatun, was a clear example of what kind of woman could survive in the harem.

Behind her smiling face lay a hidden dagger, and even her seemingly casual words bore heavy undercurrents.

They never dreamt such a woman could smile so kindly, and as they thought of the differences between herself, the two Hatuns, and themselves, a shadow fell across the women’s faces.

“This will be where you stay. Are you satisfied?”

At Fatima’s question, Aishe leisurely surveyed the other women.

When the green-eyed Valide Hatun scanned her body, even the fiercest harem women couldn’t help but shudder.

“I am content here. Though there seem to be many who fall short of being Padishah’s women.”

“Hatice Hatun, how about you?”

“I shall assist the Valide Hatun in her education from now on.”

At their answers, the Valide Hatun smiled gently and replied.

“We shall see how you educate them.”

“Trust me with it.”

“I won’t let you down.”

At the conversation among the three women, the accompanying concubines and the harem women turned pale.

It hinted at new turbulence in the harem.

*

“Baba Uruji, say it again. Who are these two?”

“One is a Venetian envoy, and according to him, he is a capable sculptor named Michelangelo.”

“Is this what those two beggars look like?”

Yusuf pondered briefly as he looked at the two men with sooty faces and tattered clothes.

‘…Are they impostors?’

They looked so unbelievable.