While the Second Fleet was locked in a bitter struggle with the Ottoman Navy, the First Fleet had already completed its assigned objectives, capturing Rhodes and Karpathos in succession and taking control of the Karpathos Strait.
The issue of Crete had become pressing. On April 17, the First Fleet directly delivered an ultimatum to the "Ottoman Empire garrison" on the island: surrender, or be destroyed!
The Greeks on the island were completely dumbfounded. Since when had they become Ottoman Empire troops? Those with quick minds had already guessed it—the Bulgarians had set their sights on Crete.
As for the war ultimatum, it was merely an excuse. In theory, sovereignty over Crete belonged to the Ottoman Empire, while George I served as Governor of Crete. In wartime, it was only natural and proper for Bulgaria to eliminate unstable elements!
Upon receiving the news, the Greek government exploded with rage. This was simply outrageous bullying! Given the relationship between Greece and the Ottoman Empire, it was already good enough that Greece had not kicked them while they were down. How could they possibly pull chestnuts from the fire for them?
George I cursed furiously, "Bastard! That scoundrel Ferdinand—does he think he has us in the palm of his hand? Push me too far, and I'll fight him to the end..."
The George I of this world had not enjoyed the same easy life as his counterpart in a parallel timeline. First, he had suffered a disastrous defeat in his clash with the Ottoman Empire; then he had been betrayed during postwar negotiations; afterward, the government went bankrupt, and Greece's finances were taken over by the Great Powers.
That alone would have been nothing. He was not someone incapable of accepting defeat. The problem was Ferdinand right next door as a comparison. Bulgaria's