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Chapter Seven: Deus Vult!
The road to Koln is long and hard. The rain beats down on Nenad. He starts to cough and cough. But walk on he must.
Nenad works hard on his social skills, and helps to feed some fellow pilgrims.
When he encounters a group of knights, he asks them many questions about God and life. It's a good conversation.
At long last, he reaches Koln. It's a beautiful city and Nenad is prepared for the day.
Nenad overcomes his shyness and starts to talk with the other pilgrims.
The man who came back from Koln is a very different one from the one who left.
Shortly after he gets back, his wife reveals that she is pregnant.
But Nenad soon runs into problems. The local bishops are getting unruly and Nenad needs to deal with them. After sending some subtle threats about donations, the bishops back down.
However, Nenad isn't happy about doing that. He's still dealing with the trauma he suffered in his childhood and being forced to be locked up in his room.
He takes to learning about horse riding to cheer himself up.
Later, his wife gives birth to a son, named Uros after his great-grandfather.
Meanwhile, heretics from England make their way to Zeta, where they preach their doctrine.
Continuing Nenad's depression, he learns of Pirvu's attempts to kill him. While sociable, Nenad takes much longer to trust people.
The Waldensians make their move and rise up against Nenad. The levies are raised, the soldiers are organized and Nenad prepares to smite some heretics.
Meanwhile, a recent victory against the Golden Horde has brought Moldau under Serbian control. Deceitful Penguin is assigned to oversee the region.
Nenad adds a third crown to his titles.
DP is also made Steward of Serbia-Bulgaria-Wallachia.
And Nenad brings the hammer down on the Waldensians.
He also makes a large donation to the Teutonic Order.
However, his weight is starting to become a problem. After being extricated from the door, Nenad breaks down and sobs in his room.
His flabby flesh would have ended up as a bear's dinner were not it not for a eunoch's quick actions.
Back at the capital, DP shares some advice on improve tax collection. Nenad implements it immediately.
While walking home, Nenad comes across a street brawl. Waving his guards aside, Nenad decides to join the melee.
Despite weighing about 300 pounds, Nenad trounces the peasants.
Knowing that DP is an excellent administrator and very loyal, Nenad makes him the Regent in case things go south.
While Nenad is enjoying a good snack, a small kitty comes up to him. He pets it.
This event is a very rare easter egg. If he tried to kick the kitty, he could have ended up maimed.
Petting the kitty has made Nenad feel good about himself. He snaps out of his depression and decides to head for the next Crusade.
On his way there, Nenad's son Uros asks to join the knights of Calatrava. Nenads grants him permission.
Ninjahedgehog has another son, by the name of Petar.
I only put this in here because I love the patronymic "ninjahedgehogic".
18,000 soldiers make landfall at the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
The initial battles go well, as the Crusaders score several victories over Egypt.
But Egypt's troops seem limitless, and the Crusaders begin to be pushed back.
Nenad dies after he falls off his horse, and Ivan IV of Bulgaria-Serbia-Wallachia now leads the kingdoms.
Next Time: How It All Came to an End