I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 82

The Roman Empire (2)

* * *

“The Emperor is going to strike Lombardy? Did you notice any signs of that from the Count?”

“Yes, I was certain.”

I said.

It was hard to miss such intense emotions.

A condescending confidence.

The emotions meant only one thing.

“Emperor Friedrich is planning another expedition.”

I relayed what I had heard from Marco before coming here.

Baldwin IV muttered, looking thoughtful.

“Why this mess now of all times? First Rome, and then swallowing the Kingdom of Sicily through marriage….”

“It’s the same as unifying all of Italy.”

I said.

If such a situation were to occur, the Emperor’s authority would soar.

Imperial power that makes even the Pope kneel.

Just imagining it makes me dizzy.

Of course, it’s doubtful whether the nobles of Sicily would willingly give up their throne.

“But the risk of failure is too great. The Emperor has already suffered defeat in Lombardy. If that happens again….”

Baldwin IV said.

“The entire empire will be shaken.”

“The Emperor himself must know that.”

Is he taking such a risk?

If the Eastern and Western Churches reconcile….

The influence of the Holy Roman Empire would naturally decline.

He must be trying to prevent that.

The snowball I started by saving the Eastern Roman Empire has rolled this far.

Installing an antipope [a rival pope appointed in opposition to the legitimate one] who listens to him and invading Rome.

It’s going to be a mess again.

Emperor Friedrich’s priority is strengthening imperial power.

Protecting Jerusalem is secondary.

“The envoy’s words were practically a threat to stay put. If you’re right, Italy will become a battlefield.”

“Probably.”

I nodded.

The Pope and the Holy Roman Empire fighting at a time like this.

It’s absolutely perfect.

Baldwin IV sighed.

“If I had my way, I’d keep you here…. But I don’t think you’d just stay put if I did.”

“I will go and stop this conflict. I don’t know how yet, but….”

I said with a smile.

If something happens to the Pope, the Third Crusade is as good as gone.

I have to prevent that situation at all costs.

“I have to figure something out. But I need to go first.”

I looked at Baldwin IV.

His hazy eyes stared at me.

“I trust Your Majesty understands my intentions.”

The importance of Rome and Europe.

Baldwin IV of all people would know.

“I will double the number of knights accompanying you. Hire as many mercenaries as possible.”

He sighed.

“I need to discuss this with the commander of the Ruark Guard. If the Holy Sepulchre Guard follows you, I can rest a little easier.”

“That will cost quite a bit in special allowances.”

I replied with a smile.

Vikings going from Northern Europe to Constantinople, Jerusalem, and now Italy.

It’s like a 12th-century world tour.

“We’ll need more ships for transport too. I’ll contact Venice and Genoa separately. Besides that, there’s more to prepare….”

Baldwin IV waved his hand.

“You don’t need to worry about such trivial matters. I can handle drafting knights and raising funds. The same goes for cleaning up the Knights Templar. You have other things to focus on right now.”

He grabbed my shoulder.

“Focus on the wedding. No matter how busy you are, you should spend a few days with your bride. If you take the first step wrong, everything will go awry. Whether it’s a battle or a marriage.”

He burst into laughter.

“I never thought you’d get married before me.”

“I didn’t expect this either.”

I didn’t think I’d be marrying an Imperial Princess of the Roman Empire.

Baldwin IV slumped back into his chair.

“We need to move the ceremony forward.”

* * *

A few days later

Jerusalem

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The church was silent.

In the silence, I walked into the church.

Hundreds of candles placed throughout the walls emitted a bright light.

It was a similar sight to the knighting ceremony.

‘The atmosphere is 180 degrees different from then.’

Petals and pieces of cloth with ornate decorations.

Latin hymns sung by clergymen echoed.

On both sides were nobles, knights, and envoys.

In the center was a tall altar.

Only Patriarch Heraclius stood before the altar.

A scene like a masterpiece painting.

It’s quite magnificent in many ways.

It feels like a royal wedding.

As I entered, someone shouted loudly.

A familiar voice.

It was the proclaimer.

“The noble royal of Jerusalem, the rebuilder of Eilat, the creator of the sacred elixir, the friend of the Roman Empire and Magistros [Master; a high-ranking official], the conqueror of Cyprus….”

I’m used to that list now.

The proclaimer took a breath and continued.

“The liberator of Hama and Homs, the Knight of the Cross, the protector of Christianity, Lord Baldwin!”

I walked alone to the center.

I was now used to walking without stepping on my cloak.

The people on both sides came into view.

Baldwin IV and Hugh.

Sibylla, Ruark, and even Aig.

All familiar faces.

I looked at Baldwin IV, who stood alone in front of the altar.

He was sitting in a chair, as if it was hard for him to stand.

A white formal dress.

The same outfit he wore when he knighted me.

I felt a strange emotion from him.

Not jealousy….

It was worry.

Worry for me.

How nice would it have been to have such an uncle in the 21st century?

I bowed slightly to him.

Among the familiar faces, I saw unfamiliar ones.

The great nobles from Constantinople.

They were all dressed in splendid silk robes that contrasted with the Jerusalem royal family.

Right next to them were the envoys of the Holy Roman Empire.

The Eastern Roman Empire and the Holy Roman Empire.

What would happen if you asked which of the two was the real Rome?

Come to think of it, did the Eastern Roman Emperor ever acknowledge the existence of the (self-proclaimed) Holy Roman Empire?

Either way, it wouldn’t end well.

After passing through the very center of the church, I stopped in front of the altar.

Now, the next turn is….

The sound of trumpets echoed.

“The Imperial Princess Theodora of the Roman Empire!”

Theodora walked the same path I had taken.

Two noble women followed her.

Purple clothes and jewels.

It was more splendid than any clothes I had ever seen.

How many artisans must have painstakingly made it stitch by stitch.

She stopped next to me.

I felt nervous.

No.

Am I nervous?

Theodora whispered, looking at me.

“Are you alright? Your face looks a little pale.”

“….”

I guess it shows.

“It’s my first time getting married.”

“…That’s a relief.”

She said with a look that suppressed a smile.

“It’s my first time getting married too.”

Patriarch Heraclius approached us.

He made the sign of the cross.

Now it’s our turn to kneel.

Theodora and I knelt together and looked at the Patriarch.

“Do you swear by this sacred Bible, the two of you….”

The ceremony didn’t take long.

Marriage vows and three short kisses.

That was the end of the wedding.

Until black hair turns gray….

“You’re leaving for Europe right after the wedding.”

Theodora whispered in a playful tone.

“Other people will think you’re leaving because you don’t like me.”

“That’s definitely not….”

“I know.”

She smiled and turned her head.

Where the Holy Roman envoys were.

“I also know why the Holy Roman Empire sent envoys. Still, I’m glad we could have the ceremony like this before you leave. As I said before….”

She added.

“We must enjoy the opportunity when we have it. The candle is bound to go out someday.”

“….”

Somehow, those words are meaningful.

I swallowed hard without realizing it.

You have to be most careful of quiet people.

It’s the way to transform into a demon.

I took her hand and came down from the altar.

The sound of trumpets echoed again.

I looked out the window.

Loud bells rang throughout the city outside the church.

* * *

“Waaaaa!”

All of Jerusalem was filled with cheers.

Trumpets and bells.

The excited voices of the people shook the streets.

They weren’t just celebrating the wedding.

“Gifts from the Constantinople and Jerusalem royal families!”

“All heads of households, come out and receive bread and money!”

The tax collectors who used to collect taxes were now handing out money.

Food and silk clothes filled the streets.

Men staggering drunk.

Pickpockets targeting their purses.

Muslim citizens also came out to the streets to enjoy the festival or sell goods.

“Blessings to Constantinople! Glory and eternity to the Archangel Michael….”

The clergymen were the same.

Roman Latin Church, Constantinople Church, Armenian Church, Egyptian Coptic Church, Judaism, Islam, Manichaeism [an ancient religion that combines elements of Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Gnosticism], etc.

Priests, ministers, and scholars also came out to the streets to enjoy the festival.

Even the envoys participated in the heat by scattering gifts.

Constantinople, Antioch, Tripoli.

Even the envoys of the Holy Roman Empire.

But not all envoys were welcomed.

Only one envoy.

The envoy from Damascus was not welcomed.

“The only reason I’m not cutting off your heads right now is because today is my beloved nephew’s wedding.”

Baldwin IV leaned forward on his throne.

“It was only a few weeks ago that your envoys brazenly lied to me. And yet you come back like this.”

He asked.

“Are you truly not afraid for your lives?”

“I swear to Allah, we are not trying to insult King Baldwin.”

The head of the envoy bowed.

Deep wrinkles and hair that had turned white.

Usama Ibn Munqidh [a Syrian poet, author, faris, and diplomat].

The old man looked like he was having trouble even standing.

“The commander of the brave warriors, Sultan Saladin, has sent gifts to celebrate Lord Baldwin’s wedding. Also, the minor misunderstandings that occurred before….”

He added.

“He hopes to correct them through this opportunity.”

“Minor misunderstandings. It doesn’t seem like a minor misunderstanding to try to deceive me with all sorts of lies.”

Baldwin IV scoffed.

“Usama. You and your father once worked for the previous kings of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. That’s why I haven’t cut off your head.”

He rested his chin and asked.

“Say what you have to say. Has Saladin collected all of Al-Adil’s ransom?”

“Not yet. But the entire Islamic world is raising money….”

Usama replied.

“It won’t take long.”

“Such gifts when you haven’t even collected the ransom yet.”

Baldwin IV pointed to the bundles brought by the envoy.

Dishes made of gold and silver.

There were also the finest silks brought from the East.

“If you’re trying to reduce Al-Adil’s ransom with a few gifts like these, tell him to give up.”

“The Sultan intends to pay the designated ransom without missing a penny.”

Usama bowed his head.

He stroked his beard and continued.

“Rather, he says that Al-Adil’s ransom was set absurdly low. The Sultan plans to pay an additional 10,000 dinars.”

“He’s going to pay more ransom.”

Baldwin IV scoffed again.

“It’s like he’s possessed by Caesar, who told the pirates to get more ransom.”

“….”

Usama opened his mouth.

“For the hero of the jihad [a struggle or fight against the enemies of Islam], Muslim believers can raise as much money as possible. That is the will of Allah and Islam.”

“Then how about handing over Egypt instead of the ransom?”

Baldwin IV stood up and said.

He burst into laughter.

“Please enjoy the festival, Usama. It may be your last festival. A storm is coming. A very big storm.”

“I have lived my whole life on the battlefield, Your Majesty. Whichever side wins this war….”

Usama raised his head and replied.

He slowly looked around.

“I fear that this beautiful city and its people will burn.”

* * *

Church of the Holy Sepulchre – Mayer Luigi (Public Domain)