Episode 226
“So… does this mean the imperial succession is definitely settled?”
Heinrich VI asked, his voice tinged with unease, as if things weren’t going as he had anticipated.
“Yes, that’s certain.”
“But when you say the crown will be taken away if the duties aren’t fulfilled…”
“I mean it literally. The Empire already has a system in place to elect an emperor, doesn’t it?”
The faces of Otto and the other electors visibly brightened.
“Prophet, does this mean that if it’s determined the Emperor has lost his qualifications, a new imperial family will be elected?”
“That’s a fair understanding.”
“In that case, what’s crucial is what exactly the Emperor’s duties entail.”
The words sounded grand, but if the Emperor’s duties were simple, such restrictions would be meaningless.
Of course, I had no intention of creating such a flimsy shackle.
“Then let me explain. Naturally, the Holy Roman Emperor must respect the church and govern in accordance with divine will as a faithful member of the global faith.”
“That’s something that should obviously be upheld.”
“By divine will, I don’t just mean following religious doctrine. The values of love and peace must be upheld. In other words, it means His Majesty cannot handle everything in this country unilaterally.”
“What do you mean by that?”
This time, not only Heinrich VI but also the other electors looked bewildered.
“Exactly as I said. The position of Holy Roman Emperor is not an ordinary one. It has always been a protector of the church and holds significant influence both domestically and internationally. If you intend to fix such a position within a single family through inheritance, naturally, greater responsibility follows.”
“That’s true.”
If the succession had been established purely through personal ability, it might be different, but otherwise, the Holy Roman Emperor is inevitably tied closely to religion.
So, as a safeguard, I decided to introduce a system I had been wanting to experiment with.
“I haven’t received detailed instructions to share everything with you yet, but the general framework is as follows.”
The Holy Roman Emperor will be inherited by the Hohenstaufen family, but with the responsibility of fulfilling the duties of an emperor.
The duties of an emperor include not only religious doctrine but also setting an example as an emperor who adheres to the teachings of the global faith.
While it sounds noble to set an example, it essentially means strictly adhering to moral and legal values.
Heinrich VI and the electors, who couldn’t possibly misunderstand this, showed starkly contrasting reactions.
Heinrich VI, who had relied on a trusted axe, looked as if he had lost a kingdom, while Otto stood tall, as if he had hit a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Sorry, but it’s not over yet.
“Of course, this isn’t a duty imposed solely on His Majesty. While great power comes with great responsibility, those with power comparable to His Majesty also bear significant responsibility.”
“What? Us?”
“Of course. You have the authority to elect the next emperor in case of unforeseen circumstances. It would be contradictory if the authority of the electors lacked morality.”
If only the emperor were burdened with excessive duties, the electors’ authority would effectively become much stronger.
After all, if the emperor is merely a titular monarch bound by rules, it resembles a quasi-constitutional monarchy.
In such a system, the electors’ power could be practically stronger than the emperor’s, which is why their reactions were mixed.
Of course, my intention wasn’t to trouble Heinrich VI, so I had no intention of leaving the balance of power as it was.
How dare they try to enjoy all the benefits themselves.
“Since you hold the potential voting rights for electing an emperor, you too will be subject to similar duties as His Majesty.”
“So if we’re deemed unfit for our positions…”
“There’s a high possibility you’ll be removed from your positions.”
Otto and Heinrich VI’s expressions swapped completely.
“Please, wait a moment, Prophet…”
“To avoid any misunderstanding, let me clarify that this isn’t a coercion. I’m merely providing an answer to your request. If it’s difficult to accept, we can pretend this conversation never happened.”
“Well, that is…”
While Otto and Heinrich VI fell silent, the Margrave of Brandenburg and the Count Palatine exchanged glances.
Their eyes seemed to suggest that if they could withdraw now, it might be worth considering.
However…
“This is nonsense! To seek divine guidance and then retract because the answer isn’t satisfactory? Aren’t you afraid of divine retribution? Prophet, at least we have no intention of defying your words.”
“I share the same sentiment as the Archbishop of Mainz.”
“So do I!”
As the three archbishops urgently raised their voices, the Margrave and Count Palatine, who had been gauging the room, stiffened.
Given the situation, if they were to say, “Upon reflection, we don’t like the conditions, so we’re backing out,” how would that be perceived by those around them?
It would clearly appear as disobedience because they didn’t receive the answer they wanted.
Once Otto had gathered his thoughts, he quickly followed the archbishops’ lead and bowed his head.
“I have no complaints. I vow to strive to become a person worthy of this significant position and to ensure thorough education for future generations.”
“If Lord Otto feels that way, then we too…”
“We weren’t absolutely opposed. We just thought it might be worth discussing briefly.”
From the electors’ perspective, they had avoided the worst-case scenario.
They had managed to prevent the establishment of an absolute monarchy by the Hohenstaufen family, which was their primary concern.
However, in exchange, they too had to share in the shackles, but Otto seemed to judge that this was acceptable.
Even Heinrich VI, who had been hesitating, soon nodded.
“I have no complaints either. As the Holy Roman Emperor, it’s a well-known fact that I must set an example for all secular rulers, and I accepted this crown with that resolve. In fact, I’m honored to be entrusted with such a significant responsibility.”
In any case, Heinrich VI had achieved the succession structure he so desired, marking a partial success.
Moreover, given the current situation where he had to be mindful of the global faith, he neither had the intention nor the circumstances to wield imperial power arbitrarily.
So, upon reflection, it was only natural to conclude that not much would change.
I wasn’t sure what Heinrich VI truly thought, but in the current situation, it was impossible to bind this most divisive land with absolute imperial power.
So, for now, I would patch things up temporarily and observe how the situation unfolds.
Above all, I was curious to see what kind of chemical reaction this quasi-constitutional monarchy would trigger in this era.
Somehow, England, France, the Holy Roman Empire, and even the Byzantine Empire and the Ayyubids below all ended up with subtly different political systems.
I wonder which one will stand out more.
I suppose it’s in my nature to be excited about such things.
The agenda following the succession discussion was handled swiftly.
To boost the spirits of the emperor and the electors, I offered as many encouraging words as I could.
Otto, having already done his calculations, actively aligned himself with me, and since the three archbishops were practically my subordinates from the start, the electors’ opinions naturally aligned.
The emperor, perhaps planning to strengthen his influence through his response to the plague, took the lead in the meetings once more.
And so, after more than half a day, the meeting concluded.
“Prophet, I never expected you to intervene in this way.”
Otto approached me as soon as we exited the cathedral, speaking with a mix of complex emotions in his gaze. I let out a light sigh as I met his eyes.
“I hoped for a peaceful resolution without intervention, but it seems that wasn’t possible.”
“I admit that. Neither His Majesty nor we could afford to yield.”
“Still, with this level of compromise, you can accept it, can’t you?”
Otto had said he couldn’t stand by and watch the Hohenstaufen treat the empire as their personal property.
“With the succession structured this way, the Hohenstaufen emperor won’t be able to treat the empire as his own. I admit, I never expected you to propose such a compromise.”
“I was surprised by the direction it took as well.”
“An absolute emperor being bound by laws and rules is, in a way, a contradictory situation, but the logic is flawless. Such an idea could only be conveyed and accepted by someone like you, Prophet.”
“I’m glad. It seems His Majesty accepted it without much resistance as well.”
“Prophet, then what direction will this country take from now on?”
Well, that depends on how you handle it.
Personally, I hope that with the country’s framework set like this, it will specialize in law and institutions. It’s not an impossible wish.
With the archbishops, I can provide appropriate guidance to adjust the direction.
“His Majesty won’t be overly ambitious, and you’ll all want to avoid extreme conflicts, so keep pondering. How power, institutions, and law should blend to truly create a great empire.”
“I see. Now I understand. This is a kind of task given to us by the divine. Depending on the answers we come up with, the future will take on different forms.”
“It’s all about how you interpret the dream, isn’t it? If you see it that way, it works out well for me.”
I responded with a vague smile and turned away.
Otto, as if struck by some profound revelation, remained rooted to the spot, not moving an inch until I was out of sight.
A week had passed in Aachen, and before leaving the Holy Roman Empire, I had one last conversation with the Emperor.
“The draft of the contract is nearly finalized.”
“Thank you for your hard work. It seems like we’ve created something that could truly make history.”
Unlike the original history, where religion played no part, this contract between the Emperor and the nobles was drawn up much more swiftly. It was particularly noteworthy because it didn’t just limit the Emperor’s power; it also clearly defined the boundaries the nobles had to respect.
Interestingly, the contract bore a striking resemblance to a charter from a neighboring country in the original timeline.
Some of the key points included:
These were practices that had been followed by custom, but now they were formally codified.
“When you look at it piece by piece, it’s hard to say… It feels like I’ve dug my own grave, but from another perspective, it might not be so bad.”
The Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire was never an absolute ruler to begin with. In fact, having clear limitations might make it feel like there’s more that can be done within those boundaries.
“From now on, it’s entirely up to Your Majesty. I hope the Empire flourishes under your reign for many years to come.”
“Thank you.”
The Emperor, who had been expressing his gratitude, suddenly seemed to remember something and asked a question.
“By the way, Prophet, what should we call this contract? Since it’s the first agreement made by the Emperor and the nobles after hearing the word of God, everyone feels it deserves a monumental name. And who better to name it than you?”
“A name… Yes, it certainly needs one.”
I had a name in mind ever since I watched the contract take shape. Unlike the original history, where King John would never rule, and Richard was establishing absolute monarchy in England with his charisma, this agreement would never have emerged there.
In the annals of world politics, this document would inevitably be discussed time and again. There was only one name that could encapsulate its significance.
Without hesitation, I told Heinrich VI what this monumental contract should be called.
“The Magna Carta Libertatum.”