Episode 219

The opulent reception room of the Parisian royal palace was a sight to behold.

Even though King Philip II himself wasn’t present, the place was under tight security.

And for good reason—inside the room was none other than Edward Marshall, myself.

“Haha! I was genuinely worried I might not get a chance to meet our esteemed prophet here.”

The Holy Roman Emperor, Heinrich VI, was engaged in conversation with me.

“Of course not. Meeting King Philip II first was simply because he was the host of this event, and we had important matters to discuss. Naturally, I intended to speak with both King Richard and Emperor Heinrich VI as well.”

“Indeed, I was quite taken aback when I first heard the news. I barely slept! But after hearing your words on the day of the announcement, I must admit, I felt somewhat relieved.”

“If that’s the case, then I must have succeeded in my intentions. We should remain cautious, but there’s no need to be afraid. What we should truly fear is stagnation.”

“I’ve thought this for a while, but it seems you place great importance on technological advancement, Prophet.”

Naturally. What could be more crucial than that?

It’s not that I’m obsessed with development for its own sake, but because it’s the only way to prepare for the future.

“This is something I plan to discuss with King Richard as well, but it’s a point Your Majesty should also consider.”

“Yes, I will listen to whatever you have to say, Prophet.”

“What do you think is the greatest threat to this peace in the future, Your Majesty?”

“Well, perhaps wars driven by human greed or disasters like the Black Death you prophesied. Or maybe some madmen like the Mongols could emerge again.”

“Those are all threats, but the biggest one is the population explosion.”

In this era, the Malthusian Trap wasn’t a recognized theory, so Heinrich VI looked at me with a puzzled expression.

He genuinely seemed unable to grasp how population growth could disrupt societal peace more than a great disaster.

Perhaps it’s time to instill some awareness.

“Your Majesty, what is the current state of agricultural productivity in the Holy Roman Empire?”

“It’s not as high as in France, but thanks to the new farming methods and fertilizer techniques from your lands, it’s been increasing significantly. Many predict that we’re on the brink of the greatest era of prosperity in the Empire’s history. Thanks to you, I’m also closer to achieving my goals.”

“Indeed. That will likely be the case. For your reign and perhaps your children’s, prosperity will continue as agricultural productivity outpaces population growth. The problem arises after that.”

Before the development of chemical fertilizers, humanity couldn’t escape the Malthusian Trap.

The fundamental concept of the Malthusian Trap is that while resources increase arithmetically, population grows geometrically.

Simply put, if people keep reproducing without restraint, poverty is inevitable.

For now, there’s plenty of land to cultivate and new farming methods to introduce, so the issue isn’t apparent.

France and England, for instance, can still support several times their current populations without much trouble.

The problem will arise when there’s no more land to cultivate and agricultural advancements stagnate.

In the medieval era, harsh environments, poor hygiene, and recurring wars and diseases naturally offset population growth.

The Black Death alone wiped out a third of Europe’s population, according to records.

But what about now?

The importance of hygiene is spreading, and with increased emphasis on sanitation to prevent the Black Death, the likelihood of disease has significantly decreased.

With love and peace becoming the main values of the world, the frequency of wars will noticeably decline, and as agricultural technology continues to improve, fewer people will go hungry.

This means the rate of population growth will be incomparable to the original history, and in a few centuries, Europe’s population might reach levels similar to the modern era.

After hearing my brief explanation, Heinrich VI seemed to finally grasp the gravity of the population issue, as the smile faded from his face.

“But we can’t just tell people to stop having children. Labor and population still greatly influence a nation’s power.”

“Of course. Even if people wanted to stop, without proper contraceptives, it’s not feasible. The answer lies in technological innovation.”

“But land is finite, so won’t we eventually hit a limit? As far as I know, land needs to rest after a harvest.”

“That’s a challenge we can overcome. Not completely, but to a significant extent.”

The Malthusian Trap theory was largely dismissed after the mid-20th century, but some argue it merely bought us time.

Imagining future scenarios, even I find some aspects daunting.

If the population continues to grow unchecked, and if no world wars occur?

Such an ever-increasing population could become a disaster for all humanity.

Even if it doesn’t reach that point, this explosive population growth might trigger conflicts on a scale similar to world wars.

When there are more people than resources can support, the best solution might be to seize land from others.

“Therefore, Your Majesty, you must not become complacent in this era of prosperity. Encourage technological advancement at a national level. I’ve already spoken to King Philip II, so France will soon follow suit.”

“Hmm… I understand. If France and England advance rapidly, neighboring countries won’t want to fall behind and will join the competition. But there’s something important I need to discuss with you…”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

Heinrich VI hesitated for a moment, then scratched his temple awkwardly.

“As you know, our Empire is heavily influenced by the princes. No matter what I try to do, there are always those who oppose me. Haha.”

“Surely not. From what I’ve heard, your authority is among the highest of any Holy Roman Emperor. Am I mistaken?”

“You’re not wrong. But, how should I put it… Compared to France, we’re a bit lacking. After visiting here, I felt that King Philip II truly embodies the image of a supreme ruler.”

“He’s a man of great skill.”

In the original history, Philip II gradually weakened the power of the nobility, paving the way for centralized governance in France.

Now, with the added prestige from the Crusades and my backing, it’s no wonder.

France is practically on the verge of absolute monarchy, and for Heinrich VI, who hasn’t even secured a succession plan, it must seem enviable.

If it were just France, one might concede, but England is no different.

Unlike Philip II, Richard rules with charisma, keeping the nobility in check, and his charisma is now off the charts.

The English Church openly refers to Richard as the first king to host the Prophet, calling him the Great Disciple, further bolstering his authority.

With his outstanding performance in the Crusades, it would be abnormal if his authority were weak.

If things continue this way, we might witness an absolute monarchy in England, unlike the original history.

And this trend isn’t limited to Western Europe.

In the Byzantine Empire, the emperor’s authority is soaring, so there’s no need to discuss it.

In the Ayyubid dynasty, Saladin, who lived longer than in the original history, has seen his royal power ascend as if on wings.

Seeing all this, it’s no wonder Heinrich VI is anxious.

Perhaps he sought a private audience with me because he wants to become a true emperor as soon as possible.

Still, his effort to link my advice on scientific advancement to his ambitions is commendable.

“I’ve thought about it, and I believe that for such initiatives, strong state leadership is essential for success. Research inevitably requires funding.”

“Indeed.”

“And if research is scattered across various places, it’s hard to track progress. It can also lead to inefficiencies, with money wasted on similar projects. So, centralized management is necessary, and this requires the king’s responsibility more than ever…”

Heinrich glanced at me, gauging my reaction. Seeing no disapproval, he passionately continued to argue why he should become an absolute monarch.

“Moreover, even if I die, this policy must remain consistent. Selecting and educating a successor from a young age is crucial, and hereditary succession is the most reliable method. No other family in the Holy Roman Empire reveres you as much as ours. I’m sure you’re aware of that.”

“Of course. But does that mean there are other princes who don’t view me favorably?”

“Oh, no. That’s not it. Everyone reveres you, but there’s a hierarchy in their reverence. And I’ve heard that in Constantinople, you greatly elevated the emperor’s authority, with remarkable effects…”

“So, you’re asking for a similar blessing for your own kingdom, Your Majesty?”

Without hesitation, Heinrich VI nodded eagerly, as if a tantalizing treat had been dangled before him.

“Please grant me the ability to handle the plague and the immense responsibility of advancing science, as the prophet has advised. I, Heinrich VI, swear to God that I will dedicate my body and soul to fulfilling these duties!”

“If your resolve is truly that strong, I shall offer a prayer. Only God knows what answer will come, though.”

“Th-thank you! I’m sure God will recognize the sincerity of my heart and provide a favorable answer. If the prophet receives a response, could you announce it officially at my court…?”

-You’ve come all the way to France, surely you can visit my home too!-

I couldn’t help but chuckle at how clearly Heinrich VI’s inner thoughts seemed to echo in the air.

In the past, the idea of Heinrich VI consolidating all power in the Holy Roman Empire wasn’t exactly a welcome prospect for me.

That’s why I had set up various checks against him. But if he’s now seeking to borrow my authority, there’s no reason to refuse.

In fact, it might be wise to use this opportunity as a foothold to influence Poland or Hungary through the Holy Roman Empire.

As I shook Heinrich VI’s outstretched hand, I began to devise ways to amplify his value to the fullest.

Perhaps I could make the not-so-holy Holy Roman Empire a bit more sacred.