ConstantinopleHagia Sophia
I looked at the crowd before me.
Are all these people here for the thanksgiving service?
'It feels like every citizen of Constantinople has gathered.'
From adults to small children.
The path leading into the cathedral was packed with people.
Only after soldiers moved in was a path barely opened.
I walked along the carpet laid out at the center.
Hugh followed directly behind me.
It felt similar to when I first came to the palace, yet different.
Among the soldiers escorting us, there were only the two of us at the center.
'I never imagined I would be welcomed like this when I first arrived.'
I looked out over the city.
Constantinople, capital of the Roman Empire that had endured for centuries.
And the countless citizens who lived within it.
I waved to the gathered citizens as I headed toward the cathedral steps.
"Blessings of the Archangel Michael…!"
This feels like being an idol.
Perhaps I should not have invoked the Archangel so lightly.
After the battle that defeated Andronikos, all manner of rumors spread through Constantinople.
Some claimed they saw the Archangel Michael in the sky during battle; others said the elixir was in truth a medicine granting eternal life.
A woman pushed past the guards, holding a child in her arms.
"Please bless my child!"
"You foolish woman!"
"It is fine."
I gestured to the soldiers.
Without thinking, I took the infant in my arms and pressed my lips to its forehead.
The guards returned the child to its mother.
"Step back!"
"Thank you! Thank you!"
Hugh and I climbed the steps.
Inside, an even greater multitude awaited us.
A hymn filled the air.
Light streamed between the domes, illuminating everything.
Every time I see it, I feel the same.
Truly magnificent.
Like an ant standing before a towering building.
With hymn and trumpet sounding behind me, I walked toward the center.
Two children approached and held my cloak so it would not drag.
At the far end of the cathedral stood the Emperor and the Patriarch.
Alexios wore imperial ceremonial robes.
Silk woven with gold thread, and a purple mantle.
It stood in contrast to my white cloak.
Was it Ruaak?
The captain of the guard who fought beside him during the assassination attempt stood at his side.
I stepped before the Emperor and embraced him.
The ceremony began.
"Baldwin of the royal house of Jerusalem. You have proven yourself a friend and protector of the Empire through courage and devotion."
He spoke in a calm tone.
"Accordingly, I, Alexios, Emperor of the Roman Empire, have decided to bestow upon you the title of Magistros."
He placed a golden medal around my neck, handed to him by the captain of the guard.
"Your achievements shall be remembered in Constantinople forever."
I bowed my head.
Good. I did not expect this.
Magistros.
A title granted to high officials of distinguished merit.
The privileges that came with it were—
There were so many in the game that my memory was hazy.
An official stepped forward holding a long parchment scroll.
He proclaimed loudly,
"As Magistros, Prince Baldwin shall be granted the following privileges! First, unrestricted access to the ports of the Empire…"
He read down the list of privileges.
Among them was the right to requisition grain within imperial territory.
I nearly laughed aloud.
This was the greatest honorary office an emperor could grant to a foreigner.
I did not expect such a gift.
No—was it not excessive?
I observed the reactions of the officials and nobles lining the aisle.
All appeared calm, as though it were only natural.
Well, that suits me fine.
Alexios leaned toward me and whispered.
"I wished to grant you an even greater gift, but we must begin with this for now, Prince."
"For something you call 'this,' it is rather generous."
I replied with a faint smile.
The young Emperor laughed.
"I shall present the remaining gifts when you return to Jerusalem. Ah, and…"
He asked with a serious expression,
"I trust you have heard the proposal conveyed by Princess Theodora."
Ah. The matter of marriage.
Alexios spoke lightly.
"I intend to dispatch an official delegation soon. There is no better way to strengthen the alliance between Empire and Kingdom than marriage. Of course, if Prince Baldwin does not desire it, that would be another matter."
"…Why would that be?"
I barely suppressed a laugh.
Perhaps they underestimated me for being a child.
I have been struck in return.
After the official finished reading, the Emperor and I embraced once more.
"It seems one more gift remains to be given."
Alexios said with a smile.
He turned his gaze toward Hugh.
The old knight stepped forward before the Emperor.
A scene unimaginable only days ago.
After the battle at the walls, Alexios insisted on personally rewarding Hugh.
Neither the captain of the guard nor the officials could dissuade him.
"I am told you led the knights of Jerusalem from the front."
"I merely followed the commands of Your Majesty and Prince Baldwin."
"That does not diminish your merit."
Alexios placed a silver medal around Hugh's neck.
"In recognition of your distinguished service in the defense of the capital, I grant you the title of Patrikios."
"It is an honor, Your Majesty."
Hugh bowed deeply.
I have never seen him look so serious.
As he returned, I whispered,
"You are now a noble of the Empire. And you will receive rewards besides…"
"No matter how many rewards there are, I shall receive none of it. All belongs to the Order."
He smiled.
"With this money, more of the sick will be treated. That is truly the Lord's will."
He murmured thoughtfully,
"What we accomplished here in Constantinople shall endure until the Last Judgment. That is what matters to me."
"Endure forever…"
I fell into thought.
Alexios II retained the throne despite several disturbances.
The pretext for a Fourth Crusade had vanished.
What would become of the Eastern Roman Empire now?
Without the tyrant Andronikos—
I looked at the young Emperor.
'It will depend on him.'
As Hugh said, what we did would remain forever.
'The knights of Jerusalem who defended the Eastern Roman Empire.'
How would the people of Jerusalem react upon hearing this news?
It must have reached them by now.
They would be astonished.
Imagining the reactions of the startled king and nobles made me smile.
It was worth speaking so boldly before coming here.
The hymn rose once more.
"If there is anything either of you desires, please speak freely."
Alexios said, looking at the two of us.
"If it lies within the power of the Empire, I shall grant it."
"In that case, there is one request I would make of Your Majesty."
I said.
If invited to speak first, there is no reason to refuse.
There was something I wished to test.
"I would like to meet the glass artisans attached to the palace."
"Glass artisans?"
Alexios tilted his head.
He looked puzzled.
"Of course there is no issue, but do you seek something specific?"
"You could say that. Though I cannot yet explain it precisely."
I smiled.
I do not yet know whether it can be made.
A telescope.
Now that matters have settled, it would not be a bad time to attempt it.
The problem is that I do not know the precise principles.
The goal is clear.
Two transparent glass lenses.
Concave or convex.
If we experiment enough, something should result.
I recall hearing that the first telescope was discovered by accident.
If we employ the Empire's finest craftsmen, perhaps something will emerge.
There is no method more certain than relentless labor.
"Very well. I shall issue the order within the palace today."
Alexios smiled.
"For now, both of you turn around. The citizens will collapse from waiting."
When Hugh and I turned, applause thundered.
The sound echoed like a storm within the cathedral.
The imperial dungeon.
"So, how is it today?"
"The same as usual. He has not stopped shouting…"
Dim corridors.
Only a few torches cast faint light.
"At least he no longer throws himself against the walls. That allowed us some rest."
"That is a relief. I do not know where that old man finds such strength."
The guards' voices echoed along the stone walls.
"Last time it took three of us to stop him from smashing his head against the wall."
The older guard sighed.
"Usually after they are gelded, they quiet down. But this one is the opposite. Perhaps he has lost his mind."
"If he has not lost his mind, why would he shout all day?"
"That is true. In any case, good work today. Let us change shifts."
"Did you bring the food?"
"Of course."
The older guard held up a bowl of food and spat.
"…."
"My cousin Leotis died on the Theodosian Walls because of that fool. A little spit will not kill him."
"And they say they found a death list in the tent he abandoned. Thousands of names written there."
Another guard added.
"Is that true?"
"Enough chatter. Let us go up. Or your wife will scold you again."
At that, the guards laughed.
Then a shout echoed down the corridor.
"I am Andronikos Komnenos!"
Some of the guards flinched.
Most merely frowned, accustomed to it.
The voice continued.
"I was born of sacred blood! How dare you confine me in such a place!"
"He does not tire of shouting."
"It is unsettling when you pass by. As if he still sees us."
"Release me at once, or I shall have your limbs cut off and thrown to the wild dogs! You filthy mongrels—!"
The shouting continued.
"I am Andronikos Komnenos! Is no one there? Answer me!"
No one paid attention.
The guards who had finished their shift climbed the stairs.
"We shall go ahead. See you later."
"Well done."
The older guard carrying the bowl stopped before a cell.
A damp, fetid chamber.
Rats scurried away from him.
There was no light inside.
But that hardly mattered to the prisoner.
The guard slid the bowl under the door.
At the sound, the prisoner flinched.
"Your meal. I have left it at the door. Eat carefully."
"You insolent wretches! How long do you intend to keep me imprisoned?! Go at once to His Majesty the Emperor! I am Andronikos Komne—"
The guard sighed and turned away.
Shaking his head, he muttered,
"How many times must I hear that before my shift ends?"