Episode 56
In life, there are times when common sense is put to the test.
Especially after being thrust into the medieval era, I’ve grown almost numb to the sheer number of things that defy logic.
So, I no longer entertain thoughts like “Surely not” or “Could this really happen?”
In this place, anything can happen, and no disaster is too strange.
Having heard a rough outline of what Isaac II was planning, I was already mentally prepared.
Let’s see just how ridiculous this gets.
Even with my resolve, the first meeting was unexpectedly challenging.
A face that believes the world revolves around him without a shadow of doubt.
And to match, a floating status window above him reading [Overinflated Ego].
Honestly, if it were Richard or Philip Augustus, I might have let it slide.
But seeing this from one of the main culprits who ruined the Byzantine Empire and recently suffered a crushing defeat to Bulgaria, I could only laugh.
If not for my superhuman patience, I might have burst out laughing right in front of the emperor.
As I continued to feign innocence and flatter him, I quickly grasped the emperor’s character.
True to the [Overinflated Ego] label, he was someone who saw everything through his own lens, endlessly spinning fantasies of happiness.
His greed that plunged the empire into chaos, his inexplicable feud with the Holy Roman Empire, and his nonsensical strategies that led to repeated defeats in war.
All stemmed from his baseless belief that everything he did would succeed.
The way he looked at me was no different.
It was the typical reaction of someone from Seoul looking down on a country bumpkin from a rural village.
But Isaac II couldn’t possibly know.
That I have memories of living in a city twenty times the size of Constantinople, far more prosperous than this place.
So no matter how much pride Isaac II flaunts, I can only scoff.
Especially since he’s the one destined to bring this thriving city to ruin.
As I glanced at the women pouring drinks beside me, I compared them to the information I received from the patriarch.
“The wine is exquisite. The company makes it even better.”
“We’re honored to share this moment with you, Prophet. Have another drink.”
The most forward one, flirting by my side, was the daughter of the imperial guard captain, Papias.
“I heard you fought bravely during the Crusades, Prophet. Could you share some of those tales with us?”
“Of course. Back then, I was even younger and more reckless. For instance…”
The woman subtly pressing closer was the eldest daughter of the palace administrator, Caniklios.
Among them were daughters of high-ranking imperial officials, responsible for banquets and entertainment.
The one I conversed with the most was the daughter of the military commander, who was also Isaac II’s brother, Angelos.
As the emperor claimed, they weren’t women who easily mingled with men, and even when they did, they maintained a level of decorum.
But with such carefully selected beauties from the imperial court fawning over me, what man wouldn’t be swayed?
I didn’t mind. In fact, I quite enjoyed it.
”…And so, after the defeat at the Battle of Hattin and the prophecy that Jerusalem would fall to the Muslims, I left the army in tears. It wasn’t easy. When five Muslim cavalrymen spotted me on guard duty, I knew I had to fight.”
“Oh my, you fought five men alone?”
“I was fulfilling my duty, guided by the voice of Christ. And indeed, none of the five could lay a finger on me.”
With the wine flowing and the women showering me with praise, no man could resist feeling elated.
Anna, Angelos’s daughter, who reacted to my tales with laughter and gasps, offered me more wine.
“Prophet, your glass is empty. Let me refill it for you.”
“Then please, with that one over there. It suits my taste best.”
“It’s a wine from Moldova, used in ceremonies presided over by His Majesty. As expected, your discerning palate is impressive, Prophet.”
“You’re too kind. Ha ha ha!”
Feigning intoxication, I gently caressed the waist of the woman pouring my drink, and she leaned in closer.
The emperor, observing this, spoke with a sly smile.
“By the way, Prophet, are you married?”
“I’ve received proposals from various places, but I haven’t found the right match yet.”
“So you’re not opposed to marriage. You’re not a clergyman, after all.”
“Yes. I suppose I’ll marry someday.”
As I downed another glass, Isaac II chuckled.
“You’re as bold as one would expect from a man of the battlefield. Seeing you enjoy yourself so much pleases me.”
“With Your Majesty’s generosity, I’m simply grateful.”
Even as I spoke, I brazenly caressed the thigh of the woman beside me.
Technically, I was flirting with his niece right in front of him, yet Isaac II didn’t seem offended. Instead, he couldn’t hide his amusement as he asked.
“I’ve noticed you seem particularly fond of that girl, Marshal.”
“Oh, my apologies! I must have had too much to drink. How could I be so rude in front of Your Majesty…”
“No, no. Don’t worry about it. I just noticed you were talking to her a lot.”
Isaac II, with a friendly smile, lowered his voice conspiratorially.
“She’s actually my niece. And I happen to know she’s quite interested in you.”
“I-I had no idea and was so disrespectful to a member of the royal family…”
“It’s fine. It’s only natural for a man. I’m not so narrow-minded, so don’t worry.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty.”
“Well then, there’s still plenty of time left, so eat and drink to your heart’s content. There’s more of that Moldovan wine you like, so have as much as you want.”
As soon as the emperor finished speaking, Anna refilled my empty glass.
Perhaps thinking I wouldn’t notice in my drunken state, the emperor signaled to her openly.
Please, consider my position of having to pretend not to notice such a blatant scheme.
It’s almost insulting to have to play along with such obvious machinations.
But what can I do? This is enemy territory, and no matter how foolish, an emperor is still an emperor.
I just wish they wouldn’t make it so obvious… Even Anna looks embarrassed.
I turned my gaze away from the two and downed the contents of my glass.
It was another lesson in how pretending to be a fool isn’t as easy as it seems.
After the banquet, I was led back to my room by attendants, barely able to stand.
Naturally, the emperor discreetly sent Anna, the one I had spoken with the most, into my room.
By now, the outcome was clear as day.
Once I succumbed to the alcohol and sprawled on the bed, Anna would make her move, and that would be the end of it.
Isaac II would likely see his niece’s union with me as advantageous and support it wholeheartedly.
“Prophet, you seem quite inebriated. Let me take care of you.”
At Anna’s signal, the attendants nodded and left the room.
Even as I swayed from the alcohol, I gestured for Fatima to stand guard outside, and she left with a promise to keep watch.
Once we were alone, Anna sat across from me, smiling as if she found the situation amusing.
“Oh, I’m so drunk~”
“Everyone’s gone, so you can stop acting now.”
“They might still be eavesdropping outside, so it’s best to be thorough.”
Despite my words, I sprang up as if my drunkenness had been a lie.
With Fatima on guard outside, there was no chance of anyone listening in.
“First, I apologize for my earlier rudeness. Even if it was necessary, it must have been unpleasant…”
“We agreed on this beforehand, so it’s fine. I’m just appalled at His Majesty’s lack of common sense for involving his niece in such matters.”
Indeed, even if it was a political marriage, it’s abnormal to smile while watching someone touch your niece’s thigh and embrace her.
I offered her a glass of water with a wry smile.
“Your mouth must be dry from drinking non-alcoholic grape juice. Rinse it out with this.”
“Thank you. You did well with the act, Prophet.”
Anna and I simultaneously gulped down the water, washing away the lingering taste.
The Moldovan wine I had been drinking like water at the banquet was actually swapped by Anna.
It was all a ruse.
In truth, Anna had been pouring a concoction of crushed grapes into my glass, not wine.
Thanks to the cooperation of Angelos, the emperor’s brother, this elaborate charade was possible.
“I truly appreciate your trust and willingness to work with me, especially on such short notice.”
“It’s nothing. My father has faith in the prophet, so I simply follow his lead.”
Anna placed the empty glass on the table and shrugged nonchalantly. She was only about fourteen or fifteen, yet remarkably astute.
“So, when might I have the pleasure of meeting Lord Angelos in person?”
“My father plans to visit the palace himself tomorrow.”
“That’s sooner than I expected.”
“Given what the prophet has said, it’s only natural.”
After all, when someone hears that “God has anointed you as the next emperor of Byzantium,” who could remain idle?
I crossed my arms, observing Anna’s reaction carefully, and nodded slightly. It was clear from my own assessment that Isaac II was hopeless. Even if he were to be used and discarded, a fool like him couldn’t steer the nation properly.
The best course of action would be to install someone more capable and manageable as the new emperor.
The fortunate individual I had chosen was the sole hope to restore the crumbling Byzantine Empire.
That person was Alexios III Angelos, who would overthrow his tyrannical brother Isaac II and ascend to the throne.
Dropping my previously feigned smile, I spoke in a serious tone.
“Now, let me share our plan moving forward, future princess.”