The Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev was undoubtedly the greatest miracle of Rus', standing alongside the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod. Both exhibited a strong Eastern Empire style—their construction involved designers and craftsmen from the Eastern Empire—representing the close ties between the Great Duke Rostislav and the imperial capital, as well as the Great Duke Rostislav's strong control over the Rus' territory.
The people of Kiev were quite proud of this magnificent cathedral. After all, it was Kiev's wonder, their wonder. Grand Prince Yaroslav's glorious victory over nomadic invaders when this place was still wilderness gave it even more special significance. It was also because of this majestic presence that many people converted to Christianity. It had become a manifestation of God's power in Rus'.
It was for this reason that when the perun followers unleashed turmoil that swept across the entire city, this place became their primary target for destruction. Meanwhile, Christians, especially many Kiev magnates, sought refuge here, hoping to rely on the sturdy cathedral to hold out until the chaos subsided.
After all, chaos never lasts. When people's passions dissipate, the value of life and the fear of force will surface, and then chaos will begin to subside.
Those who instigated the riot also knew this. Surrounded by fanatical rioters, they launched an attack on this house of the Lord.
Today, the Saint Sophia Cathedral is like a fortress. The area in front of the cathedral's main entrance is covered with barricades made of furniture. The cathedral's defenders stand behind them, fully armed. The blood on their armor and weapons, along with the corpses on the barricades and in the square, indicate the fate of the previous attackers.
"Die! You damned Christians!"
Wielding stolen weapons, frenzied rioters surged towards the towering cathedral in groups. The very next moment, countless arrows shot out from the shattered glass windows, raining down upon them.
Dozens of rioters were immediately struck down. Death and blood curbed their fanaticism, finally clearing their heads. The rioters abandoned the bodies of their companions and scattered like birds.
A cheer erupted from within the cathedral, celebrating their latest victory over the rioters.
Before the holy icons, Metropolitan Ilarion, already clad in chainmail, was praying. When news of the victory arrived, the Metropolitan Ilarion murmured, "God bless," and rose to look at the praying crowd behind him.
"Thank God for His grace and the soldiers' dedication! The rioters have been defeated once again!"
"Thank God!"
The armored magnates and monks shouted in unison. Deep down, they all knew the emphasis was on the Metropolitan Ilarion's latter statement, but it could not be said so openly. This was the Lord's house; how could such rebellious words be uttered?
Above the cathedral's dome, mosaic portraits of saints and rulers silently observed everything, watching the myriad aspects of the world, yet never interfering.
Everyone present was ready for battle. Their wives and daughters had been sent to the basement, and the entrances were well concealed. As soon as the rioters breached the defenses at the front, they would come to the cathedral's inner door for the final fight.
After finishing the prayer, everyone immediately returned to their respective posts. The wounded needed to be transported, supplies needed to be replenished, and defenses needed to be strengthened. There was still much to be done.
The Metropolitan Ilarion called over a trusted priest and handed him a silver cross.
"Go to Prince Rostislav's Red Mansion and tell them we need help. This is my token; they will understand when they see it. Believers have already informed me that a large group of pagans is approaching, not the kind we've seen in Kiev, but genuine pagan fanatics. We need support, or we won't be able to defend the Lord's house at all."
"Yes, Metropolitan Ilarion, but I don't understand. Why must we seek help from that Prince Rostislav's subordinates? Is there no one else in such a large Kiev whom we can ask?"
The trusted priest accepted the Metropolitan Ilarion's arrangement but also voiced his confusion. Why seek out that Prince Rostislav? Wouldn't it be better to seek help from the Vladimir Palace or those Kiev magnates?
"The guards of the Vladimir Palace will not leave their fortress. We can only seek help from that Prince Rostislav."
The devout Christians among the magnates are already here. Among the rest, no one will help someone whose political future is dead—except for Vladimir's son.
These were the words the Metropolitan Ilarion did not speak aloud.
He had once been Vladimir's man, and this label had stuck with him. He had once wanted to switch allegiances, but those people were unwilling to accept him. After all, the positions were already filled; where would they find room for him? His political future was almost dead.
In the preceding years, he had vigorously assisted Vladimir's son. Later, seeing Prince Rostislav's excellence, he increased his investment out of opportunism, hoping that this Prince Rostislav would achieve even greater accomplishments. This was partly out of help for an old friend's son, and partly because Prince Rostislav was, after all, his last fallback.
He still harbored fantasies about switching allegiances, so he did not clearly show his stance, continuing to indicate his desire to join those people. After all, siding with Prince Rostislav, no matter what the future held, would ultimately mean leaving the prosperous Kiev. For an old man who had adapted to the city's prosperity, leaving this place would be too much torture.
He had once fanatically spread the Lord's faith in the wilderness, but now, the privileged life in Kiev had changed him.
However, even though his thoughts wavered, his actions ironically convinced those people that he was Prince Rostislav's man. To this, our Metropolitan Ilarion merely played dumb. After all, reality was too cruel; it was better to fantasize. But now, the threat of death prevented the Metropolitan Ilarion from continuing to play dumb.
The Metropolitan Ilarion secretly swore that if he survived today's disaster, he would fully commit to Prince Rostislav. Given the circumstances, what more could he fantasize about?
"Metropolitan Ilarion wants us to save the Saint Sophia Cathedral?"
About an hour later, Prince Rostislav's Red Mansion welcomed a visitor completely shrouded in a black cloak and hood. When the guards inquired, he revealed his identity: a priest from the Saint Sophia Cathedral, and a trusted confidant of the Metropolitan Ilarion. Subsequently, he was naturally invited into the Red Mansion to meet Zoe, the mistress currently in charge of the situation. After the priest revealed his purpose, the amazed exclamation above followed.
"Yes, we can only rely on your husband's strength. The pagan siege is very fierce, and the Lord's house is in peril!"
The priest's words were filled with sincere hope, hoping that the lady before him would send forces to help the church.
Zoe sat in the main seat, her hand on her forehead. She was very troubled. She was aware of Metropolitan Ilarion's help to her husband, but also knew his ambiguous attitude.
Zoe faced a dilemma: helping Metropolitan Ilarion would weaken the Red Mansion's defenses, and after helping, this ally might continue to be ambiguous. Not helping, however, her husband might lose his greatest potential political ally in Kiev.
Everyone present was silent, waiting for Zoe's decision. Everyone understood how enormous the risk of this decision was, and how difficult it was to make. So they just waited; no one offered an opinion, and all the pressure fell on this 16-year-old girl.