I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 28

Became the King of Crusaders – Episode 28 (28/215)

The Greatest Acquisition Operation on Earth (3)

* * *

The Constantine Imperial Palace was located at the eastern end of the city center.

A massive marble road stretched out in front.

Not just the road was made of marble.

Everything, from the pillars and statues to the lion statues,

was either marble or gold.

“Originally, this is a private road that only His Imperial Majesty can use.”

Princess Mani said, frowning.

The dissatisfaction was palpable.

“However, His Majesty has granted Duke Baudouin the use of this road as a sign of special honor and favor.”

“I’m honored.”

I nodded lightly.

There couldn’t be a place as steeped in customs as the Eastern Roman Empire.

*Does that mean they consider my visit that important?*

I was the only one allowed to walk in the center of the road.

I carefully took steps, making sure not to step on my cloak.

The stairs leading up to the Imperial Palace were longer than expected.

“It is Duke Baudouin of the Kingdom of Jerusalem!”

The sound of trumpets echoed from both sides.

Nobles, warriors, and generals.

Numerous people looked at me in front of the palace.

*It’s like a scene from a movie.*

“Princess Theodora will guide you to the upper part where His Majesty is. Then, goodbye.”

Princess Mani and Rainier nodded and quickly disappeared.

Only Theodora remained.

“I will guide you from here. The others will go to their designated rooms in advance….”

“I am under orders to guard Duke Baudouin.”

Wig said.

“Even inside the Imperial Palace, I must be in charge of security.”

“Do you trust this person, Duke?”

Theodora looked at me and asked.

A serious look with no hint of a smile.

“Yes, I trust him.”

“Then come along. If you are someone trusted by the Duke, it doesn’t matter.”

Aig and the other attendants headed to their designated rooms.

Wig and I were guided by Theodora deep inside the Imperial Palace.

Numerous rooms and corridors.

Varangian Guards [elite Viking bodyguards of the Byzantine emperors] soldiers stood everywhere.

“I heard you were attacked by the Imperial Navy on your way here?”

“Yes, that’s right. But the exact reason….”

“The one currently commanding the Southern Navy is Grand Admiral Kontostephanos.”

She said.

“He follows the orders of Andronikos Komnenos, not this Imperial Palace.”

“….”

I examined her.

*Why is she suddenly saying this?*

Mani Komnene’s sister.

Then she must be the Emperor’s half-sister.

*What’s the scheme?*

Even when I concentrated, I didn’t feel any particular hostility.

Curiosity and interest were faintly felt.

And desperation.

“Then, are you saying that Andronikos tried to stop me from coming to the capital, Princess?”

“Perhaps. Or maybe he received a request from my sister.”

She nodded.

“My sister is afraid of you. To be more precise, she is afraid that the plans they have set up will go awry.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

I stopped and looked at her.

Wig also stopped, keeping his mouth shut.

“My father dedicated his life to stabilizing the empire. He spent more time on the battlefield than in the Imperial Palace.”

She continued.

“I can’t let the Roman Empire, which has lasted for thousands of years, collapse because of petty political squabbles. Especially if Andronikos brings his troops….”

“Constantinople, no, the entire empire will be a bloodbath.”

I said.

The reason I came in the first place was to stop that.

It was obvious what would happen if that guy seized power.

“Rebellions will break out all over the empire, and eventually he will die himself. His eyes will be gouged out and his limbs will be cut off by the rebellious army.”

“…. You speak as if you see the future.”

“Anyone can make this much prediction.”

I said with a smile.

Theodora probably knows this much too.

But I’m just a stranger who just arrived in Constantinople.

“But why are you telling this to me, not the Emperor? If you knew your sister had such a plan….”

“The Emperor and the Regency Council already know, but they haven’t obtained any solid evidence. And they can’t punish the princess without evidence.”

She added.

“Rather, the people will rise up. My sister has the support of quite a few citizens of the capital.”

“….”

“His Imperial Majesty has high expectations for your visit. I hope you will keep that in mind.”

“I understand. I’ll keep that in mind.”

I chuckled.

*In the end, is she asking me to help the Emperor?*

It is also in the best interest of the Kingdom of Jerusalem for the current Eastern Roman regime to be maintained.

Saladin would be waiting for this alliance to break.

“Then come this way. I’ll guide you to the place where the holy relics are displayed….”

The palace was full of all sorts of treasures.

An uncountable number of rooms.

Among them was a place where sacred objects, that is, holy relics, were kept.

The Lance of Longinus, known to have pierced Jesus’ side.

Pieces of wood and nails from the cross.

A crown of thorns, sandals, and even clothes.

The Varangian soldiers guarded the room full of holy relics.

*It’s like a collection of fan goods.*

I wonder if any of these are real?

I don’t feel anything sacred.

But Wig seemed to think differently.

He knelt down and prayed.

“Oh, our holy Lord Jesus Christ….”

Thanks to him, I had to kneel down and pray next to him.

I should have gone to church a little more if I had known this would happen.

No, should I have gone to a cathedral?

After finishing the holy relic tour, we headed straight to the upper part of the palace.

The hall was packed with nobles and officials.

The golden throne was in the center, and even higher up.

The sound of drums and trumpets stopped as I entered.

“Welcome to the capital of the Roman Empire, Duke Baudouin of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.”

The boy sitting on the golden throne said.

He looked about the same age as me now.

The Emperor of the Eastern Roman, Byzantine Empire.

Alexios II.

*Was he twelve years old now?*

Splendid robes and crown.

Next to him sat a girl who looked just as young.

*The Empress was about the same age.*

Agnes of France.

Before she was even ten years old, she would be forced to marry Andronikos, an old man in his sixties, a year later.

Even raped, breaking the unspoken rule that they would not sleep together before the age of 12-14.

“Thank you for such a warm welcome, Your Majesty.”

I bowed my head.

In front of the ‘young Emperor and Empress’ stood another woman.

Maria of Antioch.

The Emperor’s mother and the representative of the current Regency Council.

“I heard you had an unpleasant experience coming to Constantinople, Baudouin of Jerusalem.”

She said.

“Our Roman Imperial Family is making every effort to find and punish those responsible.”

“Thank you for the concern of Your Majesty and the Imperial Family. I will hand over the criminals I caught so that you can interrogate them.”

I said.

I feel a little sorry for them thinking that they will receive Eastern Roman-style torture.

Castration, blinding, amputation.

*Wouldn’t it be better to die?*

“As Emperor, I also felt a great insult in this situation.”

The young Emperor said, blushing.

He slowly rose from his throne.

The officials and nobles buzzed at the sight.

“The empire will adequately compensate for the suffering of Duke Baudouin and the delegation.”

He continued.

I felt a slight tension.

“You must be tired from the arduous journey, so let’s just say hello today. We will start full-fledged conversations and receptions from tomorrow.”

“Of course.”

I approached him.

Hugging and the kiss of peace.

*Ugh, I can’t get used to this either.*

I saw Agnes smiling brightly as she looked at her young husband.

A couple who are both under twelve years old.

*It’s kind of cute, like watching an elementary school talent show play.*

Then Maria opened her mouth and said.

“The atmosphere in the capital is not very good right now. There have even been protests against the news of your arrival.”

She said.

“Please be careful with your words and actions. Discussions on various treaties can begin tomorrow, as His Majesty said.”

“I will keep that in mind. Ah, there was one thing I wanted to ask for permission from His Imperial Majesty and the Regency Council.”

“Please ask comfortably.”

She asked with a soft smile.

“We will try to grant you whatever you wish.”

“I would like to sponsor a festival commemorating the friendship between our kingdom and the Roman Empire on this occasion.”

“You want to sponsor a festival…. What exactly is the scale you are talking about? With the current imperial budget….”

“Well, I’m thinking of sponsoring about tens of thousands of dinars [gold coins]. With this amount, the imperial family won’t have to spend any money separately.”

There was a murmur from the nobles.

*It’s surprising that they’re surprised by this much.*

“Of course, the glory of hosting will be His Imperial Majesty’s. We will only sponsor the chariot race, food, alcohol, and other necessary supplies….”

The exclamations of the people continued to increase as my words continued.

I smiled slyly.

*I have to spend it lavishly when I have the chance.*

It was money I had saved for this anyway.

Considering the benefits I will get here, that amount is a drop in the bucket.

* * *

Aig and Wig greeted me when I returned after the audience.

“You’re going to spend that much money here in Constantinople, not Jerusalem? Are you serious?”

Aig asked.

Wig nodded as if he agreed.

“I understand that you want the Emperor to gain the support of his people, but is it necessary to spend this much money?”

“It’s even more necessary because this is Rome. With just one of these large-scale events, you can change public sentiment.”

I answered with a smile.

Eastern Rome, the Byzantine Empire.

Unlike the European kingdoms where bloodlines are most important, here, even if your background is ambiguous, you can become emperor if you have the support of the citizens.

*That means the citizens of Constantinople have that much power.*

The Last Crusaders.

Even when playing the game, donations, charity, and festivals were important for Eastern Roman play.

One of the most important forces for building affinity, that is, winning hearts.

“It’s not just for the Emperor. Right now, the citizens of Constantinople hate the Latins, don’t they?”

I asked.

The Greeks of the empire hated the Europeans, that is, the Latins, for taking away their jobs and money.

“If we from Jerusalem hold a large-scale festival, we can change that atmosphere too.”

We need to fill the Eastern Romans with some national pride.

*’Eastern Rome is the best! This is the only legitimate Rome!’*

*’Europe is crying over the Greek fire [Byzantine flamethrower] that doesn’t exist in Europe, admiring the touching and amazing technology!’*

*’The reason why Europe burst into tears at the purple silk of Constantinople!’*

*Yuck.*

It feels kind of disgusting when I think about it like this.

I got up from my seat.

“And we don’t have to be the only ones paying for it, do we?”

“You mean….”

Aig scratched his head.

He asked with a puzzled expression.

“Are you planning to ask the Imperial Family for funds as well?”

“Of course, the Imperial Family will contribute to some extent. But the place that benefits the most when the festival is held is determined. Venice or Genoa. Let’s squeeze some out of them too.”

I answered as I moved my steps.

This was just the first step.

My master plan that I had been preparing since Eilat.

“Let’s go quickly, there are more than one or two things to do now.”