A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

Cesare spoke as he walked, ensuring every Tuscan vassal in the main hall could hear his voice.

”I was willing to trust the Marchioness. We all know she is wise and sharp, rational and elegant—despite being a woman. I was still willing to trust her judgment.

For a time, I was even pleased with the Marchioness’s marriage.

Because the Normans are natural-born Knights, and if they wish, they can defeat any outsider.

I believed as much until a week ago. But why has that changed?

Because something nauseating has occurred.

A man of noble birth lured a married woman into sin. And that man just so happens to be a Norman.

This is enough to make an old man like me break out in a cold sweat.

It reminds me of the plight of the Lombards in Apulia to the south.

We all know that in Tuscany, an unmarried man who seduces a married woman is to be hanged. And yet now, he stands here brazenly, celebrating the new Marquis, having escaped the punishment he deserves.

This makes me worry for the future of Tuscany. Marquis Eric has declared the Marchioness his equal in rank. I thought this meant he intended to respect the people and traditions of Tuscany, that he wished to pursue justice here.

But now, the guilty man has not received the punishment he deserves. Is this justice?”

Cesare looked at Belem and began walking toward him.

”Damn you, Cesare, who do you think you are? You lowlife scum born of wool-sellers! Lord Belem is the Earl of Shrewsbury, a great Count of the England Kingdom! Son of the great Roger de Montgomery!

Would he do such a thing? Ha! Don’t make me laugh. Even if it did happen, what of it if a wife serves a man as noble as a Count? Besides, from what I can see, it was that married woman who seduced Lord Belem,” Antonio said, shielding Belem and defending him for some inexplicable reason.

And yet, he was supposed to be the victim.

However, Antonio’s tone made it clear he was only there to fan the flames. The more he defended Belem, the more it enraged Belem.

”Bah, Antonio, you ungrateful wretch! I’m speaking up for you! Doesn’t your ass, the one Lord Belem stabbed, still hurt?” Cesare, the nobleman from Pisa, abruptly slapped Antonio on the rear.

Antonio tried to dodge, but couldn’t avoid the blow entirely, and proceeded to act out his pain in a highly exaggerated manner.

But he still shoved Cesare away and shouted, ”We’re not talking about asses today! We’re talking about seduction. Lord Belem did not seduce anyone!”

”So what if he’s a Count? Does that mean he can do as he pleases? As it happens, the Holy See is present today. In the Catholic World, all matters, be they spiritual or temporal, are to be judged by the Seat of St. Peter. Could there be anyone better suited to judge such a thing than the successor to Saint Peter and Saint Paul, God’s own representative in the secular world?

Since Lord Belem here has committed the sin of lust—gentlemen, do you not recall the seventh commandment, ’Thou shalt not commit adultery’? He is guilty of the crime of adultery. Even if he is of the Nobility, a high and mighty Count, the Holy See can still punish him,” Cesare said with a casual, smiling air.

”Bullshit! It was that woman who seduced me!” Belem immediately grabbed Cesare by the neck.

He didn’t use much force, however.

’If I act now, more than half of our plans will be ruined. And this is Eric’s coronation ceremony.’

’I can’t ruin this.’

’Damn it, I should have been more careful.’

’Mad, these accursed Tuscans.’

Belem gritted his teeth.

Cesare was quite pleased by Belem’s enraged state. He clapped his hands, and a young woman entered from the doorway. It was none other than Antonio’s wife, Lucrezia. She had a bruise around one eye, a clear sign she had been struck.

”Lucrezia, speak! Did Lord Belem seduce you? Do not be afraid. Your husband will not stand up for you, but the Holy See is here, the just Marquis Norman is here, and all the vassals of the Tuscan Feudal State will see you get justice!” Cesare declared.

”It... it was him.” Lucrezia lowered her head and, with a trembling hand, pointed at Belem.

”Bullshit!” Belem kicked Cesare to the ground. He reached for his Sword, about to charge at Lucrezia, but ultimately, he held himself back.

’The situation simply wouldn’t allow for such recklessness.’

’The Holy See is still present. So is Eric.’

’Fucking hell... damn it, if we were in Normandy... this Cesare would have died ten thousand times over. No, I’d have him castrated... I’d perform eye surgery on him...’

Though he cursed Cesare with the most venomous words in his mind, all he said aloud were three words: ”You seduced me.”

”So we agree it was seduction! How straightforward! Lord Belem, I am impressed, I am impressed,” Antonio said, bowing to Belem. He looked just like a fawning lapdog.

Yet the more he behaved this way, the more pitiful he seemed to the onlookers, and the more detestable the Norman Belem appeared.

”You coerced her,” Matilda said suddenly. She looked at Cesare, then pointed to Antonio. ”Furthermore, in Tuscany, a woman does not have the right to bring a complaint. That right belongs to her husband.

And her husband has clearly relinquished that right. This matter is closed, Administrative Officer Cesare.”

Her tone was devoid of any emotion, but inwardly, she was anything but calm.

’She didn’t like this law. She had always worked to have it abolished.’

’She never imagined that one day she would have to uphold it.’

”Yes, her husband has abandoned her! Because in the face of the Count’s power, he is weak and helpless.

So now, we Tuscans shall seek justice for him! This is the birthright of all Tuscans—the right of collective appeal!

Because this ruling is not just, I will now appeal this matter to the Holy See—”