Unification War (2)
“Help.”
The emperor broke the long silence with that single word. Rather than a hasty reply, the regent responded by slowly nodding his head.
Gazing steadily at Anno II, the emperor posed a question. “What are your thoughts on the matter, Regent?”
“I believe we must aid them.”
“Why is that?”
“If Eastern Rome falls, those infidels will ravage the Anatolian Peninsula—Rome’s ancient heartland—and plunge the entire Christian world into peril.”
Eastern Rome stood as the bulwark of Christendom. Though it was now known that Anatolia was not the edge of the world, many still regarded it as such. Beyond lay the heathens, their lands devoid of God’s light and grace, filled instead with temples adorned in bizarre idols. Thus, Christians everywhere viewed Eastern Rome as the final bastion of the faith.
With that bastion now in crisis, it was only natural for any shrewd enemy to exploit the weakness. Should Eastern Rome crumble under the heathens’ wicked schemes, Western Europe would soon follow—it was merely a matter of time. Anno II’s argument was eminently reasonable.
“That is why we must save them.”
The emperor nodded silently at the regent’s words. He sat lost in deep thought for a moment before raising his hand. A chamberlain approached at once, and Heinrich IV issued quiet instructions.
A knock soon echoed at the door. It opened to reveal a tall cleric. At his appearance, Anno II could not help but frown.
“Your Majesty, and Your Grace, Archbishop of Cologne.”
The cleric offered a formal bow. The regent’s stomach churned at the reminder of how this man had wrested control of the emperor’s education from him, meddling deeply in state affairs. Yet he could not show it. Forcing a smile, he returned the greeting.
“Archbishop of Bremen. What brings you here?”
“I was summoned by Your Majesty to discuss the Eastern Roman matter.”
Adalbert turned to the emperor, who nodded in confirmation, affirming the cleric’s words through action.
“Archbishop of Bremen,” the emperor said, “the regent believes our empire should aid Eastern Rome amid their civil strife. What say you?”
“I believe we should not help them.”
“And why is that?”
“Simple. It is their affair.”
The Bremen Archbishop’s reply was curt. Infuriated by this stance entangled in personal interests, the regent lashed out at the cleric’s irresponsibility.
“A neighbor’s trouble can become our own. Do you intend to stand idly by while a Christian realm faces danger, Archbishop of Bremen?”
Dismissing the accusation with a wave, the archbishop replied as if no such thought had crossed his mind. “A misunderstanding, it seems. I am not advocating neglect of a Christian nation’s peril. I merely suggest we help them resolve their own problems.”
“What sophistry is this?”
“Giving food to the hungry is kind, but temporary. Teach them to fish, and the issue is solved.”
“Do you think that fits the crisis at hand? Eastern Rome’s plea concerns one state aiding another.”
“I merely state facts. Eastern Rome fractures repeatedly amid discord—can we guarantee it won’t again, even if we intervene?”
It bordered on casuistry, leaving Anno II without retort. History proved Eastern Rome’s chronic divisions. No assurance could prevent future splits, backed by such evidence.
Yet the regent was not one to be swayed by wordplay. Straightening his posture, he attacked Adalbert on religious grounds. “Your lack of virtue proves harsh even to neighbors, Archbishop of Bremen.”
“To insult my character so? Is that fitting for a man of the cloth?”
“Why not? Who among your circle is ignorant of your pride—the sin no cleric should harbor?”
The archbishop’s face flushed with rage. Rumors of his immense arrogance had spread far, especially since overseeing the emperor’s tutelage. He had portrayed himself as a prophet during the Wend conversion, an act verging on blasphemy. Protected under Heinrich III, he had escaped punishment. But everyone knew his flaws—even Pope Nicholas II reportedly plotted his excommunication. As the emperor’s tutor, however, he remained shielded.
Anno II struck at this vulnerability, undermining the archbishop’s position by exposing his personal blemishes. The exchange between Bremen’s archbishop and Cologne’s—now crossing lines—intensified.
The emperor, who had listened quietly, raised a hand to intervene. “The argument grows too heated.”
Both men stepped back at his word. Satisfied, the emperor smiled faintly and proposed a resolution. “The regent has a point, as does the Archbishop of Bremen.”
Regent and archbishop alike faltered in surprise. The emperor elaborated.
“Eastern Rome’s fall would trouble us on many fronts. Yet aiding them won’t erase the chaos entirely.”
“Your meaning is…”
The emperor rose. Fixing his gaze on Anno II, he issued a command. “I order you, Regent: levy the imperial army and march with the imperial forces gathering in the Reich cities to support Eastern Rome.”
The Holy Roman Empire, feudal in structure, rarely saw princes muster troops at the emperor’s mere word. Typically, the emperor first raised forces from his own lands, then hired mercenaries in imperial cities with coin.
Regardless, the empire’s intervention in Eastern Rome’s civil war was now certain. Anno II could not hide his inner delight. “My thanks, Your Majesty.”
“Lead as supreme commander, Regent.”
Appointed supreme commander, the regent bowed formally and departed to muster troops.
As he left, the emperor beckoned his chamberlain with a gesture. At the order, the chamberlain cleared the study of all but Adalbert.
Alone with the Bremen Archbishop, the emperor confirmed the perfect seclusion and issued a separate command. “Can you feign support for Anno II while obstructing the levy as much as possible?”
“You mean to eliminate him?”
The emperor’s lip curled slyly, revealing a capricious, scheming side utterly at odds with his prior fairness and wisdom.
“Why tolerate one who covets imperial authority any longer?”
Satisfaction lit the archbishop’s face at the reply. The young emperor outlined further plans.
“Obstruction has limits. Then march to Eastern Rome and pretend to aid them.”
“Pretend to aid…”
“‘Beware stray arrows in battle,’ as they say?”
An assassination in all but name. Knowing his own life might be at risk, the archbishop hesitated to assent.
Noticing, Heinrich IV approached and reassured him. “No mishaps. My ordered troops will rescue you.”
“…”
“Ruling this vast empire alone is taxing. I cannot leave the regency vacant indefinitely.”
“You mean…”
“My teacher—you are the one to lead the empire to boundless glory.”
The emperor whispered that, with Anno II gone, the archbishop would be next regent. Second only to the throne. Adalbert knew Anno II had built ties with Eastern Roman nobles and others during his regency, amassing power for his entire house.
Becoming regent would bring eternal glory not just to Adalbert, but his lineage. A devilishly sweet temptation. Though a cleric, he had tasted power’s allure and found refusal impossible.
“If you doubt, we can draft a contract now.”
The emperor scrawled on paper and handed it over—a personal pledge promising the regency.
Adalbert needed no more convincing. “I shall obey Your Majesty’s command.”
“As expected of my teacher. Your wisdom is essential to oust the arrogant regent and forge a new empire.”
The emperor lavished praise. Coming from him, it thrilled the archbishop inwardly.
“Yet, as you know, teacher, we must act swiftly.”
A call to haste. Eager to remove his insulter, Adalbert grasped it at once. “I shall move without delay.”
“My thanks, teacher.”
The emperor clasped his hand, eyes conveying utter trust. Feeling that boundless faith, the archbishop departed unquestioning to execute the orders.
Alone now, the emperor stood by the window. A man emerged from the shadows.
“Eliminate them both. Death in wartime will suffice.”
A voice too cold for a child’s lips. The man bowed and vanished into darkness.
“Power is not for sharing, my teachers.”
The emperor’s wicked laugh echoed. His teachers were mere pawns on the imperial board.
