A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

”Because I know that once I lose my honor, I will be doomed to wander in an abyss of evil for eternity. There will be no place left for me in this world, for the Bible teaches us that the faithless are to be scorned by all!

That is why I refuse. I will only fight for what is mine.”

With that, Eric gave Robert a slight bow and left the room.

Robert picked up the ring and clutched it in his hand.

Just then, a middle-aged man emerged from behind a nearby bookshelf.

It was none other than the Earl of Kent, Earl of Essex, and Bishop of Bayeux, Conqueror William’s maternal half-brother, Odo de Conteville.

”Arrogant! How dare he refuse? The rumors are true, then. He actually takes that nickname the rabble gave him seriously. ’Kingmaker.’ The sheer audacity.

The ring, a Divine Office—these are gifts from the King. Who does he think he is?

He has no royal blood, no distinguished lineage. He’s nothing but a bastard, and the Outville family are nothing but upstarts.

Crass and arrogant, with no sense of reverence. I’ve heard they even have the gall to trace their lineage back to Rollo, trying to claim kinship with the Normandy Clan to prove their bloodline is ancient and noble.

I’m sure it was premeditated. His claims are flimsy and weak, but nauseating all the same. His insubordination today proves it. He has designs on this Kingdom. Perhaps he’s conspired with his father—that Giscard is capable of anything,” Odo ranted.

”I don’t like these games, Uncle,” Robert said, shaking his head.

”My dear nephew, it is necessary. A king’s first lesson is to trust no one outside his own blood.

The Power of the Nobility comes from the bloodline, from the unity of the family,” Odo stressed.

”And yet, Uncle, you rebelled against my father,” Robert pointed out.

”I was forced to. I often feel guilty about it, but I firmly believe it was worth it. I believe you should inherit the throne because you are the firstborn, and the firstborn deserves everything! It is as the Bible says.

We cannot turn a blind eye to the truth. Anyone could see your father’s error, which is why they chose to follow you. Even those wretched Saxons followed you, because they, too, believe the firstborn should receive everything!

Believe me, my dear nephew, if your father had left the Duchy to Rufus and the Kingdom to you, I would never have dreamed of rebelling.

No, this was not a rebellion. It was a correction—a Holy War in accordance with God’s will.” Odo spread his hands wide, as if to demonstrate the sanctity of his actions.

Although he was dressed as a Count today, his fingers adorned with rings of all kinds, the bishop’s ring was conspicuously absent.

”He has proven his loyalty. He is not greedy. At least, he knows what is his to take and what is not.”

”But he defied your authority! No one can refuse the King’s request!” Odo stepped in front of Robert and declared loudly.

”Defied the King’s authority?” Robert suddenly laughed.

”Yes, he...”

”The lands of Cornwall were my promise to him! And you! My trusted uncle! You restored a traitor’s lands without making him suffer any punishment. You allowed him to seize the lands of a great hero, and when that hero—my dear friend—came to me to appeal, you even tried to make me cover for your shame!

And you dare stand before me and speak of the King’s authority? Yes, there is a traitor in this Kingdom, but I’m starting to think it’s not who you claim!”

Robert snatched the inkwell from the desk and hurled it at Odo’s feet.

Black ink instantly stained the floorboards.

”Robert is your uncle! He fought for your crown as well.” Odo was startled by Robert’s sudden outburst but tried to remain composed, even as he instinctively took a step back.

”If he weren’t my uncle, do you think I’d have let him keep his title as Count? He should be grateful!

As for ’fought for me’... heh. You mean by dividing our forces to lift a siege that never even existed?

If Eric hadn’t returned with reinforcements when he did, I’d be languishing in my father’s prison right now!”

”He was merely showing brotherly affection. You can’t blame him for that. There is nothing wrong with a man loving his brother,” Odo continued, trying to explain.

”Whatever. A man is responsible for his own actions. He stood with my father half the time, if not more, so he deserves half the land, or even less. But I’m sure that’s more than enough to feed that crafty swine.” Robert laughed and leaned back in his chair. But the next moment, his expression turned cold. ”So, by my rights as King, I would like to ask my Regent, my dear Uncle Odo... how much land did you restore to my... brother-loving... Uncle Robert?”

”...”

”Answer me! I am the King! Lord of England and Normandy! I command you by my authority as King!” Robert slammed his hand on the desk, roaring at Odo.

Odo bowed his head and said nothing.

After a long moment, Robert sighed and shoved the ring into a drawer.

”There will not be a next time, Uncle. And don’t you dare think I know nothing.”

.....

After leaving the room and taking his leave of Robert, Eric decided to find Belem.

However, as he was heading down a corridor toward the stairs, he saw a court secretary hurry past him, making for Robert’s room.

He had already started down the stairs, but he turned, went back up, and blocked the court secretary’s path.

”Lord Gloucester.” The court secretary recognized Eric and gave him a slight bow.

”The King is changing and cannot be disturbed,” Eric said with a nod. ”Is it an urgent matter?”

”My Lord, I cannot...” The secretary lowered his head and took a step back,

”Don’t be afraid. I’m concerned it might be a matter related to Gloucester. After all, the Royal Court is meeting here, so I am responsible for its security, am I not?”

As he spoke, Eric took the court secretary’s hand and pressed a few pence into his palm.

”My Lord, it is not about Gloucester. It is about the midlands.”

Eric pressed a few more pence into his hand. ”Go on. Is it the Danish? Or the Saxons?”

”The trouble isn’t external. It’s internal.”

Eric added a few more coins. ”Internal what.”

”Some of the Norman Lords. They’re rebelling.”

The court secretary seemed a bit slow on the uptake, only giving him one sentence at a time.

Eric found it rather exasperating.

Finally, Eric simply handed the entire small Money Bag to the court secretary.

”They’re protesting the punitive articles! They object to Count Odo’s tyranny! They claim they’re defending their property, so they’ve occupied their castles to protect their lands!”

”Good lad. I’ll remember the help you’ve given me.”

With that, Eric patted the secretary’s shoulder and went down the stairs.

Eric was on his way to find Belem when he spotted a familiar face.

It was Emma.

As usual, she was being pestered by someone. It seemed she was always being pestered.

”Miss Emma, did you know? I was stargazing from the castle tower last night and discovered a new star! I plan to name it ’Henry’s Star’.”

”How very interesting, Sir Henry. You are so creative. Though, I think a discovery that great is best kept to yourself.”

Emma forced a smile, but her hand was already twitching, ready to rise.

She fought the urge, turning to get away from him, but he followed close behind.

”No, no, no! Knowledge is meant to be shared! Let me tell you, this star is unlike any other—it’s as bright as my grandmother’s silver hair! Oh, by the way, have you ever heard of my grandmother? She’s the most famous knitter in the entire town.

Once, she knitted me a sweater so large you could have fit all our family’s dogs in it! And speaking of dogs, I’ve recently been teaching my hound to dance.”