Unification War (1)
I informed Zoi of the plan to attack the Optimatoi. Upon hearing this, she wore a grave, contemplative expression.
"I may not know much about military matters, but something bothers me."
"Something bothers you?"
"Yes. It feels like the nobles are still hiding something. Otherwise..."
"They wouldn't act so aggressively."
Zoi nodded silently in agreement with my words. As she said, unless the nobles were fools, it was highly likely they were preparing something.
"Himerios's defection has made large-scale expeditions impossible for them ever since."
Kerularios had ordered him to lead the imperial fleet in pursuit of us. But when he surrendered to us instead, the noble faction lost the ability to dispatch major forces to the east.
"Even if they've recovered somewhat, waging war against the Optimatoi would still be a stretch for them."
In war, logistics were paramount. While land routes played a role, sea routes were equally vital. With supplies flowing through every possible avenue—over land and sea—the nobles were undoubtedly in chaos right now.
"Cunning Kerularios couldn't possibly miss that we're targeting their weakness."
The man who had tried to excommunicate us by using his own son. It was unlikely someone like that would overlook such a basic truth.
"It probably means they have something reliable up their sleeve."
"Something reliable in the current situation..."
A few possibilities came to mind.
"The Bulgarian remnants, and the Georgian remnants."
The Bulgarian holdouts from Basil II's annexation. Most of the mercenaries hired to suppress them and maintain order answered to the nobles or took their coin. That meant they already had channels for negotiating with local Bulgarian forces.
"Besides, the Bulgarians harbor grudges against Glicemou."
An undeniable fact. I had slain Bulgaria's famed general, Nestoric. Then I plundered their royal palace, staining Bulgarian honor. Resentment against me pierced the heavens. With rare exceptions like Andronikos's deputy, Peter Deljan—a commoner Bulgarian—most Bulgarian nobles had every reason to hate me.
"And Nestoric's whereabouts remain mysterious, which nags at me. He fought me personally."
Once security in the occupied territories was secured, he should have been captured. Even after Basil II's death, there were no reports of him being taken prisoner.
"From the nobles' perspective, they've likely conscripted him by promising autonomy in exchange for joining the war."
Zoi's explanation made sense. Bulgarians were seasoned warriors—forest fighters who had given even Vikings trouble.
"Georgia harbors resentment toward Glicemou too."
"Indeed."
Georgia hated me even more than Bulgaria. Slaying their hero, demolishing and looting their palace—that was the same. But the outcome differed greatly: they lost vast Lazica, a third of their territory. From the Georgian king's viewpoint, killing me alone wouldn't sate their fury.
"Plus, we took their sacred vestments."
I had smashed the doors made from holy lightning wood and seized the Georgian royal family's sacred vestments. For a Christian nation, it was an unspeakable humiliation.
"Allying with Bulgaria and Georgia... It fits as the nobles' scheme."
Zoi nodded.
"But I doubt those two alliances alone would suddenly rouse the nobles who've hunkered down in Constantinople for so long."
"You mean there's more?"
"Possibly. It's a slim chance, but... there's someone who bothers me."
"Someone who bothers you?"
"Heinrich IV. Or rather, his regent Anno II is connected to Lord Kerularios by marriage."
European royals were infamous for marriage alliances. The Habsburgs had ballooned their power this way, leading many to mistakenly think they were the only ones intermarrying across houses. In truth, the Eastern Roman nobles had been expanding influence through weddings long before that.
Marriages between East Rome and Western kingdoms were commonplace. Not purple-blooded, of course, but prominent Eastern families intermingled with Western royals. Kerularios was no exception. His son's ascent to Ecumenical Patriarch owed much to these unseen ties.
"The Holy Roman Empire might intervene."
"With Heinrich IV coming of age, tensions between them are sharpening. For Anno II, supporting an army could be a prime chance to seize military control."
Her words rang true. To hold power, one needed the military. The surest way to seize it was fabricating an external enemy. With a foe outside, forces coalesced naturally, concentrating command under one figure. Actual war might upend that, but politically, it was effective. Anno II wouldn't miss such an opportunity if he craved power.
"But we might be overthinking it."
"In that case, we need intelligence."
Acting on hypotheses was risky. We required evidence to back our theories. In diplomacy, that meant spies. We had to peer deep into the enemy's heart.
"Isn't this Count Zeno's affair?"
"Duke of Lorraine's recent moves were excessive."
"We must advance eastward. Only by pioneering the east can we spread the Gospel further."
"Shouldn't we address internal matters first?"
The court buzzed with chaos. A young man, just shedding boyhood, listened silently before raising his hand.
"Count Zeno's issue seems a legal dispute. I'll dispatch someone to resolve it."
The nobles halted their arguments at the youth's calm voice. One, looking sheepish, offered proper courtesy and thanked the emperor.
"A judgment worthy of Solomon's wisdom. My thanks."
The youth smiled, nodded, and turned to another noble.
"Count Bodemon Gerard acted in the Duke of Lorraine's stead, honoring his father's will. Pray, set aside your anger."
"Haha... if that's the case... I misunderstood."
The noble who spoke grinned, satisfied, and expressed gratitude.
"The eastern pioneering expedition continues unabated. It aligns with my goals and will never halt."
"Your Majesty proves your piety; I kneel to affirm my loyalty."
The noble crossed himself. The clerics behind him also paid homage to the emperor's faith.
"Internal matters are tangled; I'll consult the nobles. Will you share your wisdom then?"
"How could I refuse Your Majesty's summons?"
The moved noble seemed ready to heed the call anytime, offering thanks.
"With everyone's concerns addressed, let us proceed."
In moments, the young emperor had resolved four disputes. He was none other than Heinrich IV.
"The Empire faces manifold trials, yet as ever, we shall prevail. Set goals, devise solutions, and the glory of Great Charles shall endure eternally."
Heinrich IV's words flowed like clear water. A man watching closely from nearby chimed in agreement.
"Your Majesty speaks truly."
Heinrich IV smiled leisurely in reply.
"I have not forgotten the regent's devotion to the Empire. Nor do I doubt it will continue."
Anno II smiled back. But inside, his heart rotted blacker than ever. The reason was plain: the emperor he had raised was visibly surpassing him.
Archbishop Anno II of Cologne. He had ousted the tyrannical Agnes, who clutched the boy-emperor, and steadied the chaotic Empire. In the process, his followers multiplied. He began believing only he could pull the realm from darkness into light.
When that conviction peaked, the child in his shadow underwent majority rites and reclaimed his throne. Rumors now swirled of demands for sole rule. For Anno II, this unwelcome news compounded the gnawing from Adalbert, who chipped away at his power bit by bit.
He had saved the Empire. Yet he fantasized this inadequate emperor would plunge his hard-won realm back into abyss. Thus, Anno II's heart blackened, and thoughts of deposing the emperor took root.
"Regent?"
"Forgive me. A message from East Rome distracted me briefly..."
Anno II snapped to at the emperor's call, blurting an unplanned excuse to mask his thoughts. The emperor seemed to notice but showed no sign, instead praising the regent with a smile.
"Thanks to your attention to diplomacy, my duties ease. In any case, tell me of East Rome? This is news to me."
A barbed remark from the young emperor, implying why the East Rome update was withheld. Anno II had no choice but to explain.
"Due to rebellion in East Rome..."
The regent described the Eastern chaos, framing it favorably for his marriage-allied Kerularios. The defiant duces became rebels. Among them, the most perfidious was Rogerius, who betrayed his patron's favor.
"For these reasons, House Kerularios seeks aid from us, fellow Christian realm."
The emperor fell briefly pensive. Anno waited silently to see his decision.