Episode 91
With the execution of the Count of Boulogne, it seemed that the recent turmoil had finally come to a satisfactory conclusion.
Particularly pleased was Heinrich VI, who considered the outcome a personal triumph as he began his journey back home.
“By the way, I heard you played a significant role in this affair.”
“Did His Majesty Richard mention it?”
“If he hadn’t, I might not have believed it. Regardless, the results are excellent, and I’m glad I made the trip.”
Heinrich VI chuckled as he watched his attendants bustling around.
“The outcome was unexpected, but it turned out well for me. Perhaps the heavens truly favor me.”
“As long as Your Majesty keeps your faith, the divine will always guide your path.”
A man who never entertained the thought of misfortune. The recent events only reinforced Heinrich VI’s belief that he was a chosen emperor.
Even now, the praises of other lords for the emperor echoed in his ears. From the perspective of the Holy Roman Empire, it was understandable.
Not long ago, they had been on the brink of war with England due to the schemes of a wicked neighboring noble.
Unlike Richard, Heinrich VI had done nothing in this affair. In fact, he had been so ensnared by France’s machinations that he was ready to go to war, gathering his troops.
Yet, the situation resolved itself, and he even secured a promise from France to indirectly support his Sicilian campaign.
Heinrich VI must have felt that even just breathing was enough for the heavens to aid him.
“Marshal, you must visit my court sometime. We should have the chance to receive your blessings, don’t you think? Hahaha.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll make sure to visit when the opportunity arises.”
“Good, good. I’ll look forward to our reunion.”
With those perfunctory words, Heinrich VI departed.
Philip II also returned early, citing the need to address domestic unrest.
But even with the guests gone, the business here was far from over.
Richard’s long-awaited purge had yet to begin.
“Anyone even remotely connected to this affair will not escape unscathed.”
Normally, such a declaration of a purge would meet with resistance from the nobility.
However, the gravity of the situation was different this time.
Nobles, fearing suspicion, rushed to proclaim their innocence and demanded severe punishment for the Viscount of Limoges.
Everyone knew that when Richard said he would do something, he meant it.
Getting caught up in this could lead to a real downfall.
In truth, no noble would have supported such a reckless act, but the most terrifying thing in times like these was slander.
Nobles with poor relationships or many rivals were anxious about being falsely accused.
What could these people do?
The answer was clear.
Align themselves with the king, becoming his most loyal supporters, and wield the sword on his behalf.
“Your Majesty! The Viscount of Limoges must be executed! Just as King Philip II executed the Count of Boulogne, we must set an example!”
“Indeed! Traitors to the state deserve a fitting end!”
“Anyone defending the viscount is complicit!”
Typically, nobles maintained a certain cartel and refrained from calling for such active punishment.
They set boundaries, knowing they could end up in the same situation.
It’s a sort of gentleman’s agreement.
Moreover, they understood that if nobles fought among themselves, the king would be the one to benefit.
But what choice did they have?
Whether the king’s power grew or not, they had to secure their positions first.
“Since this is the will of all, the viscount will be punished as an example, and his lands will be directly managed by someone trustworthy.”
Given the rebellion-like incident, placing the area under royal control was a reasonable measure.
Thus, Richard, unable to capture Philip II, vented his frustration by strengthening the royal authority and expanding his influence.
However, the brighter the light, the darker the shadow.
For now, the nobles lay low to survive, but they knew.
If the royal power continued to grow, they would eventually become mere puppets of the king.
Philip II had deftly curtailed their power to delay such thoughts, but Richard chose a different path.
Stronger and faster.
By showcasing the king’s power and eliminating dissenters, what kind of butterfly effect would this approach have?
Watching from the sidelines, it seemed to me like a precarious tightrope walk.
For the Count of La Marche, each day felt like a living nightmare.
His lands, situated just north of the Viscount of Limoges, bordered France.
This meant that any communication or goods exchanged between France and the Viscount of Limoges had passed through his territory.
Naturally, he was the prime suspect as an accomplice to the viscount.
But he could confidently declare his innocence.
How could he possibly monitor everything in his vast lands?
He wanted to ask the suspicious nobles and the king themselves.
Do you inspect every carriage passing through your lands?
The borders were merely lines drawn for convenience, and few knew what happened beyond the major cities.
Thus, the Count of La Marche felt a deep sense of injustice.
Especially since his family had a long history of loyalty as vassals to the Duke of Aquitaine.
Feeling no resentment towards a king who doubted him would be inhuman.
The real issue was the hyenas trying to nibble away at his interests instead of offering support.
Particularly the Count of Poitou.
The powerful Poitou County, adjacent to La Marche, dominated the western coast.
Once, it had boasted a status even greater than the Capetian dynasty of France.
Why such a prestigious family would constantly target him and curry favor with Richard was beyond him.
Their argument was simple yet devastating.
Therefore, his lands should be confiscated and given to those capable of proper management.
What a twisted logic, fitting whatever narrative they wanted.
“Sigh… It’s true what they say about the rich being the worst.”
“You seem troubled.”
“Of course. Look at my situation. How can those who should support each other be so divided?”
An unexpected meeting in the capital.
Four counts and two viscounts.
Nobles, twisting themselves to avoid being listed in Richard’s purge, sighed heavily as they shared their grievances.
“So, what’s your issue? I thought you were in the clear this time.”
“I thought so too, but it seems His Majesty thinks otherwise. I truly did nothing…”
“I’m in the same boat. If His Majesty investigated a bit, he’d see that the Count of Poitou is slandering me to seize my interests…”
The Count of Périgord, sharing his woes with the Count of La Marche, looked exhausted.
The Count of La Marche could easily guess why the king was targeting the Count of Périgord.
If the Viscount of Limoges’s title was confiscated and the area became royal land, what would be next?
Naturally, the County of Périgord, situated between the Duchy of Aquitaine and the Viscount of Limoges, would be the target.
In truth, the Count of Périgord and the Viscount of Limoges had no reason to be enemies, having been close to the Duke of Aquitaine.
But Richard seemed intent on expanding royal lands and redistributing them to those who suited his preferences.
“What should we do… If His Majesty truly moves against us, can we withstand it?”
“Resist, and you’ll end up like the Viscount of Limoges. Do you want that? Even if we united, the lords are divided. How could we resist?”
“Still, if we gather those in similar situations, there might be a chance…”
Where there are hyenas ready to devour, there are also helpless sheep about to be devoured.
But no matter how many sheep gather, they can’t stop a lion.
No matter how much they racked their brains, they couldn’t find a shield to protect them from the king’s blade.
After lamenting for a while, the Count of Périgord cautiously mentioned a man’s name.
“What about him?”
“Who?”
“The Count of Auvergne. Perhaps Prophet Marshal could petition His Majesty on our behalf.”
“Do you think I haven’t considered that? But isn’t he known for staying out of politics? He’d likely remain neutral…”
“No, no. If we just ask for help, sure. But what if we involve the church? Then he might be willing to act.”
The Count of La Marche’s eyes widened.
It seemed plausible.
Simply asking the prophet to side with the nobility wouldn’t be enough to sway him.
But what if the church were involved?
Marshal was not only the Count of Auvergne, a vassal of Richard, but also a prophet recognized by the Papacy.
If they could align themselves with the church, they might just navigate this crisis unscathed.
”…But how do we bring the church into this?”
“We need to direct His Majesty’s blade towards the church as well. Even if it means framing them…”
“If that’s the only way…”
In a world already rife with deception, what harm could a little more falsehood do?
In the grand scheme of things, this wasn’t just about their own survival.
The nobility believed that a nation should maintain a balance of power between the king and the aristocracy.
However, in the Angevin Empire, the scales were tipping increasingly in one direction, with no sign of stopping.
The need for a force capable of checking the king’s power was growing ever more urgent.
Were those who currently played the role of the king’s sycophants truly doing so out of loyalty?
It was likely they clung to him out of necessity, given his overwhelming power.
If a force emerged that could rival the king, they would undoubtedly rally around it.
And in this kingdom, aside from Eleanor, there was only one person Richard dared not challenge.
Edward Marshal.