Episode 224
Otto stood before the emperor, his posture as rigid as possible, chin held high.
Once, he wouldn’t have dared to act this way, but now, it didn’t matter.
“Come to think of it, I never properly thanked you for your efforts in Paris.”
“Thank you. I hear you’re doing quite well rebuilding your family. That’s commendable.”
Empty words, devoid of sincerity.
During the war, there was a semblance of civility, but now the atmosphere was growing increasingly tense.
To be precise, Otto had been the one to bow down, valuing his life. Now, with no need to do so, their relationship was reverting to its original state.
Especially since the princes had chosen Otto as their representative, the chances of mending ties seemed slimmer by the day.
“I hear the princes have been gathering every night, debating until dawn. Yet, none of it reaches my ears. If it’s such a significant matter, why am I the last to know?”
“Perhaps because it’s not as significant as it seems. It’s rare for the princes to gather like this.”
“If it were just a brief meeting, I might understand. But hours of discussion? What ruler would dismiss that as trivial? So, tell me, what was discussed yesterday?”
“We had an open conversation about the future of the empire. The world is changing rapidly, and we must prepare to avoid being swept away.”
So, that’s how he plans to play it.
Heinrich VI felt a slight irritation.
After all, it was his leniency that saved Otto’s life and allowed him to rebuild his family. True, it was his father who had destroyed Otto’s family, but he had done his part.
Shouldn’t Otto, as a vassal, do his part to maintain balance?
“Discussing the empire’s future without me seems questionable, even considering a looming catastrophe.”
”…”
“Let’s be honest. Isn’t it just that you’re all discontent?”
“Your Majesty, since you wish for honesty, let me ask: would you have no grievances if you were in our position?”
The successor to the Holy Roman Empire is chosen by the vote of the highest-ranking princes, known as the electors.
If the emperor establishes hereditary succession, the prestige of these electors would naturally diminish.
Otto, having succeeded his father, the late Duke of Saxony, was one of these electors and had voting rights.
Naturally, he had no reason to support the emperor’s scheme.
“I’ve spoken with all the electors: the Archbishop of Mainz, the Archbishop of Trier, the Archbishop of Cologne, the Count Palatine of the Rhine, and the newly joined Margrave of Brandenburg and Duke of Austria, including myself. We all oppose hereditary succession. Can Your Majesty still push your agenda?”
“All of them oppose?”
Heinrich VI chuckled.
“Are you sure every elector is against it?”
“I’ve already spoken with them.”
“And there’s no chance some have already aligned with me?”
Otto narrowed his eyes, leaning slightly toward the emperor.
“Didn’t you just say you didn’t know what we discussed?”
“Who shows all their cards from the start?”
“If you had truly secured their support, you would have announced it. This means you’re bluffing.”
“Perhaps, but what if I’m just one vote short? That’s why I’m trying to bring you in.”
Currently, there are seven electors.
If he’s one vote short, it means he believes he’s secured three or is confident he can. Bluff or truth?
“Your Majesty, I assure you, none of the electors favor your succession plan.”
“But what if I have a bargaining chip?”
“There’s no such thing.”
“Actually, some electors haven’t firmly established hereditary succession. I’m willing to guarantee their succession as well. Wouldn’t that balance the scales?”
As expected, it was a predictable offer.
Some might be tempted, but it wouldn’t be enough.
Especially since the archbishops, close to the papacy, would never agree.
If all the bishops voted against, that would be three votes, and with Otto, four.
No matter what Heinrich VI tried, it was hopeless.
“Otto, let’s set aside our families’ old grudges. History has a flow, and we can’t resist it.”
“Are you saying your succession plan is part of that flow?”
“Of course. My predecessor tried hard but couldn’t lead the Crusades to success. Yet, I did, naturally. Not that I’m claiming credit.”
“The timing was just right.”
“And now, after the war, there’s talk of a greater catastrophe. France, England, even Rome in the east are centralizing their command. A scattered system won’t cope with the coming era.”
It sounds plausible when laid out like this, but it’s just a convenient narrative.
If divine will truly favored an absolute Holy Roman Emperor, there would be simpler ways.
“Your Majesty, if you truly believe that, why not ask the Prophet for guidance? Or is that why you brought him along?”
“The Prophet agrees that a strong imperial power would better prevent catastrophe.”
“That’s objectively true. But it’s not the only way to avert disaster. And…”
Otto stopped himself from mentioning what Marshall had told him before coming here.
He didn’t fully understand its implications yet.
“And…? Is there more?”
“No. But Your Majesty, you must know this: the Prophet won’t allow a direct clash between you and the electors.”
It might sound like the Prophet was above the emperor, but Heinrich VI showed no reaction.
It might be uncomfortable to hear, but what could he do?
The fact that the Prophet, as God’s true representative, was above a mere secular ruler was almost a given now.
“Did the Prophet say anything before you came here?”
“Yes, several things. He hopes our relationship doesn’t end in ruin. So, I’ll propose a compromise.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“I’ll support your son as the next emperor and won’t interfere if he pursues succession. But you must abandon the idea for your reign.”
In short, “Do what you want in the next generation, but not now.” Otto was offering a concession.
But Heinrich VI, of course…
“I’m sorry. Since you’ve been so honest, I’ll be clear. The only answer I need from the electors is this: support for hereditary succession.”
He had no intention of compromising with the electors from the start.
As tensions between the emperor and the electors reached their peak, I met with three electors who came to me with grim faces.
The Archbishops of Mainz, Trier, and Cologne knelt before me with utmost humility.
They were the top three ecclesiastical electors in the empire, but their power ultimately stemmed from the church.
So, standing before me was likely more daunting than facing the emperor.
Especially the Archbishop of Mainz, known as the Pope’s representative north of the Alps, couldn’t even meet my gaze.
They called themselves the papal faction, but the Pope was now under my authority.
Though they seemed overly tense, I refrained from telling them to relax.
I knew such words would only add to their burden.
“Does anyone know why I’ve called you here?”
“N-no…”
“We apologize. We should have come to you sooner.”
“In fact, we were just discussing visiting you tomorrow.”
Though I had spoken with them at the welcoming ceremony, Otto was the only elector to visit me directly.
Amidst their standoff with the emperor, visiting me might not have looked good.
“I understand. That’s why I’ve called only the three of you.”
Meeting the electors directly could be seen as exerting influence, but the archbishops were different.
It would be stranger if I didn’t meet them.
“First, I’d like to hear your thoughts on the current situation. Do you share the same views as the other electors?”
“Of course. While other electors might be swayed by the promise of establishing hereditary succession, it doesn’t concern us. The Hohenstaufen family already wields significant influence in the southern empire. If they were to secure hereditary rule as well…”
I didn’t need to hear the rest to understand the implications.
The lands of the papal supporters, like Cologne, Trier, and Mainz, were mostly situated in what is now northern Germany.
But if Heinrich VI were to seize all imperial power?
The papal faction would find themselves surrounded, north and south, and would have no choice but to yield to the emperor’s might.
“So, you’re the most fervent opponents of this plan.”
“Yes. The three of us will vote the same way, and with Otto’s strong opposition to hereditary succession, that’s a guaranteed four votes against. His Majesty’s plan is doomed to fail.”
Indeed, in history, Heinrich VI’s attempt at establishing hereditary rule failed for similar reasons.
With three out of seven votes consistently aligned, the archbishops were effectively the swing voters.
Of course, if the other four secular electors united, they could still decide the outcome, highlighting the limits of the archbishops’ influence.
“Your concern is being encircled by the emperor’s influence, north and south. I understand.”
“Oh! Does this mean the Prophet will intervene?”
“If the Prophet speaks, the decision will naturally follow.”
“Absolutely. We all follow the Prophet’s guidance, and Otto is even more devoted than we are.”
The archbishops seemed utterly convinced that I was on their side, like crabs sticking together, as the saying goes.
I had no intention of alienating them, either.
“Originally, I had no intention of getting involved in this conflict, but now I must.”
The archbishops looked up at me with eyes brimming with emotion, understanding the weight of my words.
“Does this mean the oracle has spoken…?”
“I will entrust the imperial throne to the Hohenstaufen family.”
A silence as profound as a thousand years of awe settled over the room.
They wanted to question if they had heard correctly, but dared not.
I poured wine into their glasses, signaling my intent.
“So, in the upcoming meeting, I ask you to represent my views.”
The archbishops’ faces visibly brightened upon hearing my decision.
It just goes to show, you should always hear someone out to understand their true intentions.