I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 37

Angel’s Eyes (2)

* * *

To His Holiness, the holy and most venerable Pope, I, a humble servant, offer my greetings.

May God’s blessings be upon Rome, all monks, priests, princes, and people.

As you have commanded me, I, your humble servant, send you this account of the situation in Constantinople [modern-day Istanbul, Turkey].

The chaos that had engulfed Constantinople has now subsided.

The only sounds heard in the streets are those of children playing and merchants selling their wares.

As I mentioned in my previous letter, the turmoil occurred within the Imperial Palace.

Had Duke Baldwin not thrown himself to block the assassins’ swords, only the Lord knows what might have happened.

The instigators of the assassination—Mani Komnene and her husband—hid in the Hagia Sophia [a renowned Byzantine church, now a mosque], but were soon driven out by the cries of the faithful.

The foolish actions of Mani Komnene and her husband must have been the work of Satan’s wicked temptation.

Lord, please punish their evil deeds.

The Emperor’s misfortune continued thereafter.

Andronikos.

That devilish man brought his fleet all the way to Constantinople to usurp power.

I believe His Holiness is well aware of who Andronikos is.

From his youth, he has committed numerous wicked deeds, robbing women of their purity and driving the innocent to death and poverty.

He is a man who has shown no shame or remorse, even after being excommunicated.

He besieged the city with his army, and the walls were in danger of being breached by his followers.

The miracle occurred at that moment.

The Archangel Michael descended upon Duke Baldwin, personally revealing Andronikos’s followers.

This was later confirmed by letters and evidence found in their residences.

Although further investigation by the Miracle Committee is needed, I do not believe they will reach a different conclusion than I have.

Thereafter, the Emperor and Duke Baldwin’s army, under the Lord’s protection, drove out the rebels.

Andronikos was captured while attempting to flee disguised as a farmer, and his fate will be placed before the Lord’s mercy.

Thanksgiving services are already being prepared in the Hagia Sophia.

The courage and faithfulness shown by Duke Baldwin and the Knights of Jerusalem in this crisis are worthy of praise.

Furthermore, Duke Baldwin, having been called upon by the Archangel, has softened the Greeks’ animosity towards the Western Church and the Latins [Western Europeans].

It must be the Lord’s will that Duke Baldwin came here at the most critical moment.

Even a single bird caught in a trap is part of the Lord’s providence, and where His will is present, there is never a bad ending.

May blessings be upon those who live in the holy city of Jerusalem now and in the future, and upon all who pray.

I have heard that Your Holiness has fled to northern Italy due to the persecution and oppression of the Roman nobles.

I pray that the day Your Holiness returns to Rome will come soon.

May you enjoy serene glory and joy in the embrace of the Almighty Lord.

In the Year of Our Lord 1181,

Gerard, Papal Envoy,

From Constantinople.

***

Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Royal Palace.

“So, here you are,” Sibylla said as she entered the room.

She looked at her husband.

“I heard you haven’t been attending the noble council meetings lately.”

“I thought you were still angry with me, Guy?”

Guy replied, brandishing his sword.

The tip of the sword pointed towards Sibylla.

“Have you finally decided to forgive me?”

“It will take a very long time to forget the stupid things you’ve done, Guy,” Sibylla replied, crossing her arms.

Only she and Guy were in the room.

“Then why did you seek me out?”

“Haven’t you heard the news from Constantinople yet?”

“Constantinople? I’ve heard about the various incidents that have occurred. There was also talk of the city being besieged by rebels.”

He swung his sword again.

“Did young Baldwin get captured as a prisoner or something?”

“Quite the opposite. Baldwin, along with the Emperor, defeated Andronikos’s rebels. He even went to the front lines himself.”

“…What?”

Guy frowned.

He let out a hollow laugh as if he couldn’t believe it.

“The rumors are exaggerated. In the first place, that little brat…”

“If they’re holding an event for him at the Hagia Sophia, it’s probably not just a rumor,” Sibylla said with a smile.

“Why don’t you go and see for yourself if you’re so suspicious?”

“…”

“You probably thought that child wouldn’t gain anything in Constantinople. That’s why you readily agreed to His Majesty’s proposal.”

“That’s quite a leap. I made that proposal solely for the benefit of Jerusalem.”

Guy stopped swinging his sword.

He looked at his wife.

“And it seems my choice has been proven correct, wouldn’t you say?”

“…”

Sibylla looked at her husband.

When was it that she fell for him?

When she first saw him, he was different from the other stuffy nobles.

A wild horse unbound by convention.

But she learned his true nature after they were married.

A runaway colt.

With the addition of his ambition for power, her husband had transformed into someone like the other nobles, or even worse.

“Was it also the right choice for you to dip into the royal treasury?”

“Yes, it was the right choice for you as well as me. No matter how much money is piled up in the royal treasury…”

He added, swinging his sword.

“What good is it if you can’t use it?”

“You only used that money to bribe your subordinates.”

Sibylla clicked her tongue.

“I’ve already spoken to the scribes. No one will give you any more money now.”

“Don’t worry. I can get that much money from Ascalon [ancient port city in Palestine]. And the King still needs me.”

He scoffed.

“Who else can keep those big-mouthed nobles like Raymond in check if not me?”

He continued.

“It’s the same for you. No matter how young Baldwin is, it’s better to have two strings, don’t you think?”

“It’s a different story if one of those strings is rotten,” Sibylla scoffed, turning her head.

She added as she left the room.

“I’m not stupid enough to cling to a rotten string.”

“We’ll see about that,” Guy said, furrowing his brow.

He muttered, looking at the door Sibylla had left through.

“Which string is rotten.”

The sword cut through the air, making a sharp sound.

***

That night,

Imperial Palace.

“You need to practice your spear technique more. I’ve been…”

Hugh shouted.

He continued, his voice slurred with drunkenness.

A grand celebration was held to commemorate the victory.

Me, Aig, Hugh, and all the other knights were enjoying the celebration, tearing into meat.

Unlike the other knights, who showed remarkable restraint, Hugh was guzzling elixir like a whale.

“King Baldwin IV was also so good at using the sword. If it weren’t for that damn leprosy…”

“Yes, yes. Let’s get you to bed first.”

Aig and I threw Hugh onto the bed.

Already drunk, he fell fast asleep.

“I thought the knights were supposed to abstain from alcohol,” Aig said with a sigh.

He collapsed onto the bed, looking exhausted.

“Rules are meant to be broken, aren’t they?”

I said with a laugh.

Aig shook his head from side to side.

“I still can’t believe it. Stopping assassins who were trying to kill the Emperor and even fighting a siege against the rebels.”

He continued.

“The Duke even rode a horse and charged directly into the enemy.”

“It was a crazy few weeks.”

“So, did you follow the Archangel Michael’s words from the beginning? From Eilat [port city in Jordan] to the elixir, and now Constantinople…”

“What if I did?”

“Th, then…”

Aig swallowed hard, looking flustered.

I couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction.

“You should get some rest too.”

Maybe this is a good way to go.

My abilities and future knowledge.

There’s nothing more suitable than religion to package these things.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

I had accomplished my purpose in coming here.

‘If I hadn’t come…’

Andronikos would have seized power by now.

Then, naturally, the connection between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Jerusalem would have been severed…

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

“I’ll get it.”

Aig opened the door and then turned back.

“He says he’s a messenger sent by His Majesty the Emperor.”

“A messenger?”

I got up.

A messenger at this hour.

As I stepped out, a figure cloaked in black robes greeted me.

An ominous aura.

A familiar atmosphere…

I belatedly realized the figure’s identity.

“Are you not Princess Theodora?”

“You’re quick to notice. Or did the Archangel Michael tell you this too?”

The figure took off the robe, revealing a familiar face.

Princess Theodora.

She smiled brightly.

“I wasn’t caught by anyone on the way here. You’re the first to recognize me, Duke.”

At that moment, Hugh’s snoring echoed from inside.

Theodora laughed and asked.

“Did I interrupt something?”

“It’s not that, but should you be out here alone like this, Princess?”

I whispered, looking around.

Fortunately, there were no guards in sight.

I didn’t want to be misunderstood.

“Normally, I shouldn’t. But you don’t have to worry this time.”

She said.

“His Majesty the Emperor ordered me to do this.”

“If His Majesty ordered it…”

Then there shouldn’t be any problems.

But what could she have been ordered to do?

“I’ve come to deliver good news to the Duke. His Majesty has decided to finish the festival in time for the celebratory service.”

She smiled.

A playful emotion could be felt.

“Although it’s more of a celebration for you all than a festival.”

“I see,” I said.

The festival had ended awkwardly after the assassination attempt.

It would be good for me if the Imperial Family took the initiative to resume it.

The celebratory service was scheduled to be held at the Hagia Sophia.

The Emperor seemed to be preparing a great gift for me.

“But that’s not why you came all the way here…”

“Of course not. There’s something else important. A significant ‘proposal,’ I should say.”

She said.

“I know the situation in Jerusalem well. A Saracen leader named Saladin is besieging and tightening the noose from all sides, isn’t he?”

“Yes, that’s right. What does that have to do with…”

“I am still unmarried. Of course, I am a few years older than you, but that shouldn’t be a problem for marriage…”

She asked, seeing me cough.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” I said.

I choked without realizing it.

Marriage? With me?

“What could be more certain to solidify the alliance between our two countries than marriage?”

She moved closer to me.

I could feel her breath.

“There’s nothing more I can do here. My sister, Princess Mani, caused such a rebellion…”

She continued.

“At best, I’ll marry some mediocre noble and live a confined life forever, or grow old like a sinner in a convent.”

“…”

“We can both benefit each other.”

“So, His Majesty the Emperor thinks so too.”

I looked at her.

This isn’t something that can be done just because the Princess wants it.

“His Majesty also thinks the same way. The choice is up to the Kingdom of Jerusalem, though.”

“I don’t think it’s a problem I can decide on my own.”

“Of course, that’s right. I’ve only come to inform you in advance.”

She turned her head and smiled.

“What are your thoughts, Duke?”

“……”

I blankly stared at her.

Marriage is indeed the most common form of alliance in this era…

But I never thought I would be the one involved.

Seeing my reaction, she chuckled softly.

“Have a good night, Duke. Let’s postpone listening to the Archangel Michael’s voice until next time.”

She put on her robe again and walked away.

Left alone, I shook my head and sighed.

As expected, the women of the Eastern Roman Empire are something else.

Hugh’s snoring echoed from the room again.