Episode 223
As soon as the Emperor’s decree was issued, the most prominent lords of the empire began to flock to Aachen.
In the Holy Roman Empire, where centralization was a distant concept, it was rare for the lords to gather unless it was a significant event.
And this was indeed such an event.
I, Edward Marshall, the head of the world’s religious order, had arrived, and the Emperor had called for the cooperation of all the lords in response to the prophecy of the impending Black Death.
If this wasn’t a major event, then what was?
No lord wanted to risk the plague ravaging their lands by ignoring the Emperor’s call.
Even the most defiant of medieval lords couldn’t shake off such thoughts.
The official reason for this assembly was to discuss measures against the Black Death.
But because of this, the lords sought me out before even approaching Emperor Heinrich VI.
“Prophet, I am Adolf of Holstein. It’s an honor to finally meet you, whose name I’ve long admired.”
“I am Engelbert, Archbishop of Cologne. As a member of the global religious community, we will wholeheartedly spread your teachings.”
“I am Bernhard, Duke of Carinthia. Meeting you has been my lifelong wish, and now it has come true…”
The words were the same, only the names and faces changed, like a copy-paste of flattery that sent shivers down my spine.
It seemed I wouldn’t be free until I had greeted every single lord in Aachen. Matching names to faces was becoming a chore.
I could remember the more notable lords, but with so many nobles in the Holy Roman Empire, it was impossible to remember them all.
Honestly, I bet even Heinrich VI couldn’t tell them all apart.
The line of lords continued, and Heinrich VI watched them with a contemplative look.
“At this rate, it seems like every noble in the Holy Roman Empire is coming. Wouldn’t you say your plan was a great success, Your Majesty?”
“If you hadn’t come with me, not even a third of them would have shown up. It seems my authority alone isn’t enough.”
Of course.
Every effort to strengthen the imperial authority was tied to me.
If he wanted to act alone, he should have weakened the nobles’ power like Philip II or crushed them with overwhelming charisma like Richard.
Without that, he inevitably had to rely on another authority.
“But, Your Majesty, you must have noticed. The lords know what you want.”
“I expected as much. Though they seem more eager to cling to the Prophet than I anticipated.”
“You didn’t hide your feelings well, considering you expected it.”
“Honestly, it irks me. Most of them were lounging around while I risked my life in the Crusades. If they had any conscience, they’d keep their mouths shut.”
Ah, so that’s what it was.
I thought he was upset because they were bowing to me first instead of him.
Even if that were the case, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to show it in front of me.
“So, what do you want to do, Your Majesty? Keep in mind, I can’t take sides.”
“I understand. But you came with me, so I assume you agree with my stance?”
“Considering the future, it would be easier if things went your way. But that’s as far as it goes. I’m cautious about making decisions that could shake the foundations of the Holy Roman Empire.”
“Then… could you at least pray about what might happen and let me know?”
“That might be too much of an intervention, but I’ll seek guidance.”
I understood Heinrich’s earnest gaze, but giving a definitive answer would make it seem like religion was meddling in politics.
He might be anxious, but he’s aiming to be the ruler of the empire.
I hope he proves he’s worthy of it, but we’ll have to see.
Still, rulers who dedicated themselves to the Crusades shouldn’t meet unfortunate ends.
This principle is directly tied to my authority, and I intend to uphold it.
But if I tell him, he might relax and make mistakes, so I need to keep the tension high.
There’s one thing that bothers me.
Heinrich VI isn’t the only one involved in this who fought in the Crusades… It seems a deeper conversation is needed.
“Prophet, Lord Otto wishes to greet you.”
He came on his own without being summoned. He must be in a hurry too.
Let’s move somewhere Heinrich VI can’t hear us.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
As Otto entered, bowing deeply, I noticed a mountain of gifts loaded on a large cart behind him.
“Did you prepare all of that?”
“Of course. Meeting the Prophet requires this level of sincerity. Other lords might have been lacking because they only know of you in theory. I apologize on behalf of the Holy Roman lords.”
“You know I don’t care much for such formalities.”
“Even so, I believe there are courtesies that must be observed.”
Otto looked at me with pure reverence and respect.
At this point, even if I told him not to, he wouldn’t listen.
In fact, many who fought alongside me in the Crusades were already in a similar state.
The Assassins of Alamut and Syria had been like that for a while.
“Have you faced any difficulties since returning? With the Emperor, perhaps?”
“Things have been smooth. The Emperor seems to have forgotten about me since the successful end of the Crusades. Even if my father had his full power, he might not have cared.”
“Didn’t fighting two great wars together foster some camaraderie?”
“I can’t forgive him for my father… But it wasn’t the current Emperor who exiled him, so it’s complicated.”
“I’m not forcing you to bond with him. But it’s true that opposing the Emperor won’t benefit you. Richard wouldn’t want you to walk a thorny path either.”
Words like these won’t erase deep-seated grudges.
Otto’s grudge is against the former Emperor, not the current one, but a grudge is a grudge.
You can’t just forget the past and look to the future because you fought a war together.
“I know you and Richard have shown me great kindness. I’m grateful and will live with a sense of gratitude until I die. But… I can’t accept it.”
“You can’t forgive the Emperor?”
“No. Honestly, I can come to terms with the Emperor himself. He did restore my father’s status. And as you said, we fought together.”
“Then what can’t you accept?”
“I can acknowledge the Emperor’s right to wield absolute power. He led the Crusades, after all. But if his family, the Hohenstaufens, tries to take over the empire… I can’t accept that.”
Otto sighed deeply and clicked his tongue.
He probably hadn’t shared these feelings with other nobles.
Unlike other lords, Otto’s opposition to Heinrich VI’s succession was rooted in personal feelings.
Even if he could accept the current Emperor, he couldn’t accept the Hohenstaufen family rising to power.
Otto’s father, the Lion Duke, was exiled by the former Emperor, and that was related to this.
So naturally, Otto couldn’t stand seeing Heinrich succeed.
He couldn’t bear the thought of the Emperor’s family rising, not just the Emperor himself.
In a way, acknowledging Heinrich VI’s absolute power was a generous concession.
But this could lead to greater conflict than expected.
Heinrich VI was indeed the Emperor who led the Crusades to victory, but Otto also risked his life on the front lines.
As the Lion Duke’s son and Richard’s adopted son, he could easily rally the lords around him.
“Have you spoken with the Emperor?”
“I was planning to see him after meeting you.”
“The Emperor will likely try to win you over.”
“I understand. Even if I’m the only one supporting Your Majesty, what you desire can be easily achieved.”
So, he’s saying he has no intention of supporting me.
If he had any inclination to cooperate, he wouldn’t be saying such things to my face.
Come to think of it, this is the first time the Crusaders have been so divided. Until now, conflicts like this were rare, making resolutions easier. But I have a feeling similar issues might arise more frequently in the future.
It would be convenient if I could clearly side with one party, but if I can’t support either, how should I mediate?
Both Otto and Heinrich VI need to be seen as having reached a satisfactory conclusion from an outsider’s perspective.
The ideal solution would be to mediate between Otto and Heinrich VI, but that’s unrealistic, so let’s set that aside for now.
Heinrich won’t yield to Otto, so forcing Otto into submission would only be a temporary fix.
That leaves us with only one viable option.
“Otto, you know what Emperor Heinrich wants, don’t you?”
“Uh, yes? Obviously, he wants to secure the imperial throne for his family.”
“And if that happens, what do you think will occur?”
“The power of the Hohenstaufen family in the Holy Roman Empire will skyrocket, and eventually, no matter how hard the nobles try, they won’t be able to challenge the imperial authority. The empire will transform into a true absolute monarchy.”
This is the fear most of the princes have.
In fact, establishing a hereditary monarchy is essential for solidifying absolute royal power, so it’s not an incorrect assumption.
Heinrich VI is determined to achieve this, while Otto, regardless of anything else, cannot stand the idea of the Hohenstaufen family seizing control of the empire. At first glance, there seems to be no room for compromise.
But is that really the case?
“Otto, may I ask you something? If hereditary succession is established, does it necessarily mean the emperor will wield unchecked power?”
“What? Isn’t that the inevitable outcome?”
Logically, yes, but isn’t it the power of religion to turn the illogical into the logical?
After all, the Holy Roman Empire has “Holy” in its name, so it’s fitting.
I should encourage them to live up to their name and become a nation that truly embodies it.