A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

Though he was sincere, the words sounded empty and powerless.

You can never compensate someone who has walked through Hell for you. You can only live with the guilt.

He thought of the Franconian soldiers sent to Saxony, hoping for a better life, whose children were now orphans.

He thought of the bones of his brother and the infant, washed clean by the spring rains.

May they find some purity and peace.

After sending the Archer away, Henry nearly collapsed, but Theodoric caught him.

He saw the Old Count had no intention of leaving. ”God have mercy on me. Is there more bad news?”

”I am sorry, Your Majesty, for adding to your troubles. Word has come from Notheim—from Otto von Nordheim. He was powerless to prevent the resolution of the Imperial Dukes. While the Bishops expressed their loyalty to you, they feel your methods have been too radical, and so he is inclined to remain neutral.

”The result of the meeting requires you to...” The Old Count paused.

”Requires what?”

”It requires... it requires you to travel to Italy and beg the Holy See for forgiveness. If you refuse, they will consider you to have released them from their oaths of allegiance to you.”

”AAAAARGH! Rudolph, you viper! I’ll kill you! Welf, you’ve betrayed me too! I curse you! I curse you both to Hell, may your souls be damned for all eternity!”

Henry roared, tearing down the bedsheets and canopy, ripping them to shreds.

However, this did nothing to help his dire situation, nor did it soothe his rage.

”I am the lawfully anointed king, son of the Emperor, grandson of the Emperor, a descendant of Charlemagne’s bloodline! My power comes from God, and I rule the world by God’s will! How dare they! How dare they!”

”Alright, Henry, calm down! It’s not that bad!” Theodoric restrained Henry. ”So what if you go? Think about it, Henry, what’s the harm in going? If you make a sufficient show of penance, could Hilbrand really refuse you?

Once this matter is over, you can deal with Rudolph, Welf, and Saxony. What leverage will Hilbrand have then? You have an entire Empire! You’re still so young—you can afford to wait him out!”

”What if he insists on refusing me? That Demon hates my guts. He’s more detestable than Rudolph!”

”You still have your army! Your army! And this time it’s different. Milan is on our side. Perhaps I should have told you this sooner—the citizens of Milan have rebelled against the Patulin Sect.

The citizens and lower Clergy, who had become infatuated with the near-heretical sermons of that sect supported by Hilbrand, have finally angered the Bishop of Milan and the Marquis of Milan.

The Marquis of Milan has long despised the sect. The Milanese have executed Elrond, the leader of the Patulin Sect, Hilbrand’s dear friend and his puppet.

Hilbrand was trying to control Milan through that man.

”Just yesterday, a messenger from the Marquis of Milan came to me. He told me the Marquis wishes to swear fealty to you as his Lord.” Theodoric cradled Henry’s head, trying to soothe the young man. ”Even before that, Cesare, the Administrative Officer of Pisa, sent word. They utterly despise the rule in Tuscan, and if you support his bid to become a ruler, he is willing to swear direct fealty to you and plot a rebellion against Tuscan.

Henry, there are still many who stand with you. Things are far from being that terrible!”

”Tuscan, Tuscan! Matilda... I was the one who recognized her rights, yet she sides with Hilbrand! And she is my cousin! Why? Why!” (Matilda’s mother was the cousin and sworn sister of Henry’s father.)

”She believes your father had her father killed. And your father also imprisoned her and her mother. By the way, she recently married.”

”Who? Who permitted it? I am her Feudal Lord! Arranging her marriage is my right! Hilbrand, it must be him again! Tuscan is a territory of the Empire!”

”A Norman...” Theodoric hadn’t finished speaking.

Just then, another knock came at the door.

”Who is it now!”

”Your Majesty, it’s unclear. He says his name is Godfrey, a Frank from Boulogne. He has come to ask you to grant him the honor and rights due to him in Lower Lorraine.”