I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 38

Angel’s Eyes (3)

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Constantinople

Hagia Sophia Cathedral

I stared at the crowd before me.

‘Are all these people here for the thanksgiving service?’ I wondered.

‘It feels like all the citizens of Constantinople have gathered.’

From adults to young children.

The path to enter the cathedral was already teeming with people.

A path was only cleared after the soldiers stepped forward.

I walked along the carpet spread out in the center.

Wig followed right behind me.

A feeling similar to when I first came to the Imperial Palace, yet different.

Only the two of us were in the center of the escorting soldiers.

‘I never thought I would be welcomed like this when I first arrived.’

I looked at the city.

Constantinople, the institution of the Roman Empire that has lasted for hundreds of years.

And the countless citizens living within it.

I waved to the gathered citizens and headed towards the cathedral steps.

“The blessing of Archangel Michael…!”

It feels like I’ve become an idol.

‘Did I bring up the Archangel for no reason?’ I thought to myself.

After the battle defeating Andronikos, all sorts of rumors spread in Constantinople.

From rumors of seeing Archangel Michael in the sky during the battle to claims that the elixir was actually a potion giving eternal life.

A woman holding a child came past the guards.

“Please bless my child…!”

“You wench!”

“It’s alright.”

I waved my hand at the soldiers.

I awkwardly took the infant and placed my lips on its forehead.

The guards handed the baby back to its mother.

“Now, step back!”

“Thank you! Thank you!”

Wig and I went up the stairs.

As we entered the building, an even larger crowd greeted us.

A hymn echoed.

Light streamed through the domes, illuminating all directions.

I feel it every time, but it’s truly magnificent.

It feels like an ant standing in front of a giant building.

I walked through the center to the sound of hymns and trumpets.

Two young children came up and held my cloak so it wouldn’t fold.

The Emperor and the Patriarch were standing at the end of the cathedral.

Alexios was dressed in imperial robes.

Silk clothes made of gold thread, and a purple cloak.

It contrasted with my white cloak.

‘Was that Ruark?’ I wondered.

The captain of the guard who fought with me during the assassination attempt was also standing next to Alexios.

Standing before the Emperor, I shared a hug with him.

The ceremony began.

“Baldwin of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, through your courage and dedication, you have proven yourself to be a friend and protector of the Empire,” he announced in a calm tone.

“Therefore, I, Alexios, Emperor of the Roman Empire, have decided to bestow upon you the title of Magistros [Master of Offices, a high-ranking administrative position] as a reward.”

He placed the gold medal he received from the captain of the guard around my neck.

“The achievements you have made will be forever remembered here in Constantinople.”

I bowed my head.

‘Okay, I didn’t expect this,’ I thought.

Magistros.

A title given to high-ranking officials who have made remarkable achievements.

The privileges granted to this title are probably….

There were so many in the game that I can barely remember.

A manager appeared with a long parchment list.

He shouted as if declaring.

“As Magistros, Duke Baldwin will be granted the following privileges! First, access to the Empire’s ports at any time……”

The manager read out the privileges I would enjoy.

Among them was an item that allowed me to requisition food in the Imperial territory.

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘This is probably the greatest honorary position an emperor can give to a foreigner,’ I mused.

I didn’t expect such a big gift.

‘No, isn’t it too much?’

I looked at the reactions of the officials and nobles standing on both sides of the aisle.

Everyone had a calm expression as if it were natural.

‘Well, good for me then,’ I thought.

Alexios came to me and whispered.

“I wanted to give you a bigger gift, but I think we should start with this for now, Duke.”

“It seems like a rather large gift to call it this much.”

I answered with a smile.

The young emperor also burst into laughter.

“I will give you other gifts when you return to Jerusalem. Oh, and….”

He asked with a serious expression.

“I believe you have heard the proposal conveyed by Princess Theodora.”

‘Ah, is he talking about marriage?’

Alexios said in a playful tone.

“I am planning to send an official delegation soon. There is nothing that can strengthen the alliance between the Empire and the Kingdom as much as marriage. Of course, it would be different if Duke Baldwin does not wish it.”

“…How could that be.”

I barely held back my laughter.

‘Did I underestimate him too much because he was a kid?’

‘I’ve been had,’ I realized.

After the manager’s recitation was over, I shared another hug with him.

“It seems there is still someone left to give a gift to.”

Alexios smiled and answered.

He turned his gaze towards Wig.

The old knight trudged towards the Emperor.

A sight I couldn’t have imagined a few days ago.

After the battle on the walls, Alexios offered to personally reward Wig.

The captain of the guard and other officials couldn’t dissuade him.

“I heard that you led the knights of Jerusalem at the forefront.”

“I only did what I was ordered to do by His Majesty and Duke Baldwin.”

“That doesn’t diminish your contribution.”

Alexios placed a silver medal around Wig’s neck.

“I bestow upon you the title of Patrikios [a high-ranking noble title] for your outstanding contribution to the defense of the institution.”

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

Wig bowed politely.

This is the first time I’ve seen that old man so serious.

I whispered to him as he came down after receiving the medal.

“Now you have become an Imperial nobleman. And you will receive gifts….”

“No matter how many gifts there are, there is nothing I can receive. It all belongs to the Knights.”

He replied with a smile.

“More patients will be treated with this money, and that is truly the will of the Lord.”

He muttered with a thoughtful expression.

“What we have done here in Constantinople will remain forever until the final judgment. That is what is important to me.”

“Forever….”

I fell into thought.

Alexios II eventually defended his throne despite several confusions.

The justification for the Fourth Crusade has disappeared.

What will happen to the Eastern Roman Empire in the future?

Without a tyrant like Andronikos…….

I looked at the young Emperor.

‘It depends on that emperor.’

As Wig said, what we did will remain forever.

‘The Knights of Jerusalem who defended the Eastern Roman Empire.’

How will the people of Jerusalem react when they hear this news?

I think it would have been delivered by now.

They must have been surprised.

Imagining the reactions of the surprised king and nobles, I couldn’t help but smile.

It was worth making a big noise.

The hymn echoed again.

“If there is anything else you two want, please feel free to tell me at any time.”

Alexios said, looking at both of us.

“I and the Empire will do whatever we can to help.”

“Then, there is one request I would like to make to Your Majesty.”

I said.

‘There’s no reason to refuse if you tell me to speak first,’ I thought.

There was something I wanted to test.

“I would like to meet the glass craftsmen belonging to the Imperial Palace.”

“Glass craftsmen, you said?”

Alexios tilted his head.

Looking like he didn’t understand.

“Of course, there is no problem. Is there anything else you want?”

“You could say that. I don’t think I can tell you exactly yet.”

I said with a smile.

‘I don’t even know if I can make it yet,’ I thought.

Telescope.

Now that the mess is cleaned up, it wouldn’t be bad to try it.

The problem is that I don’t know the exact principle….

The goal was clear.

Two transparent glass lenses.

Concave or convex shape.

Something will come out if I experiment with this and that.

I heard that the first telescope was invented by accident.

Wouldn’t something come out if I roll the best craftsmen in the Empire?

There is no more certain method than mass production.

“I understand. Then I will issue an order to the palace today.”

Alexios smiled.

“First, you two should turn around. The citizens will collapse while waiting.”

As Wig and I turned around, applause poured out.

The storm-like sound echoed in the cathedral.

* * *

Imperial Palace Dungeon

“So, how is he today?”

“It’s the same as usual. He keeps screaming without rest….”

Dark and gloomy corridors.

Only a few torches cast a dim light.

“He doesn’t bang his head against the wall anymore. Thanks to that, I was able to rest a bit.”

“That’s a relief. I don’t know where that old man gets such strength.”

The guards’ voices echoed through the corridor walls.

“Last time, three people clung to him to barely stop him from banging his head against the wall.”

The old guard sighed.

“Usually, cutting off his manhood would calm him down, but he’s the opposite, I don’t know. Is he out of his mind?”

“Why would he scream all day if he wasn’t out of his mind?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Anyway, thanks for your hard work today. Let’s change shifts.”

“Did you bring the food?”

“Of course.”

The old guard showed a bowl of food and spat on it with a ‘kaak’ [onomatopoeia for spitting sound].

“…….”

“My cousin Leotis died on the Theodosian Walls [the main defensive walls of Constantinople] because of that stupid bastard. Would he die if I mixed in some of my spit?”

“Besides, they found a death list in the tent that bastard abandoned. There were thousands of names written there.”

Another guard chimed in.

“Is that true?”

“Enough with the chatter, let’s go up. My wife will nag me again.”

Everyone burst into laughter at someone’s words.

Then a shout echoed through the corridor.

“I am Andronikos Komnenos!”

Some of the guards flinched.

But most of the guards frowned as if they were used to it.

The sound continued to echo.

“I am a royal born with sacred blood! How dare you imprison me in such a place!”

“I don’t know how he can keep talking like that without getting tired.”

“It’s scary when you pass by. He looks this way as if he can still see.”

“If you don’t release me right now, I will cut off your limbs and throw them to the dogs! Where did you dirty bastards dare to…!”

The cry echoed again.

“I am Andronikos Komnenos! Is there no one there?! Answer me quickly!”

No one cared about his words anymore.

The guards who had finished their shift went up the stairs one by one.

“We’ll go first. See you later.”

“Everyone worked hard.”

The old guard with the bowl stopped in front of a cell.

Damp and humid cell.

A few rats ran away from the guard.

There wasn’t even light to shine on the walls here.

But it didn’t matter much to the imprisoned prisoner.

The guard put the bowl under the door.

The prisoner flinched at the sound of the bowl clattering.

“Today’s meal. I put it in front of the door, so eat carefully.”

“You rude bastards! How long are you going to keep me locked up! Go to His Majesty the Emperor and tell him quickly! I am Andronikos Komni….”

The guard sighed and turned around.

He shook his head and muttered.

“I wonder how many times I have to hear that sound before the shift change comes.”

* * *

1849 Gaspare Fossati painting (Public Domain)