But when there are enough ants, they can devour an elephant.
A bearded Knight squatted on the ground, carefully examining the corpse of the fallen Cavalry, and said in a deep voice, "It’s the Magyars (another na for Hungarians), most likely infiltrating from the border region."
The Peacock Knight roared angrily, "Damn Dachsmier, actually hiring a bunch of Magyars to attack the Countess. I shall go before His Majesty the Emperor and accuse him of his cris!"
Murder among nobility is all but a commonplace affair.
The reasons are varied and strange.
However, most likely they are over inheritance issues.
For instance, if Losa were to murder Otto, he would beco the primary heir to Algo County. It’s hard for anyone not to be tempted.
Losa shook his head: "Without evidence, accusing a real power Count would be difficult, not to ntion he is a vassal under a Duke."
Losa is aware of Dachsmier, the Duke of Saxony from the North, a vassal under Lion Henry.
Not every Duke has Counts under their command. Although the Duke’s title is higher than that of a Count, in the Great Germania, counts are mostly independent lords directly under the Emperor’s leadership.
It is said that my vassal’s vassal is not my vassal.
If a Count pledges allegiance to a Duke, he no longer needs to fulfill his duties to the Emperor. The Emperor can control the Duke but cannot bypass the Duke to control his vassals.
The Peacock Knight smiled and approached, removing his Helt to reveal a mane of golden curls: "Thank you for your assistance, brave Knight. You must be from the Habsburg Family, right? I’ve seen your crest."
Losa also returned the smile: "Indeed, I am Losa of Algo. My father is Count Werner. This journey is planned to head south through the Austrian Border Region, then take a ship to the Holy Land and participate in this Crusade."
"Ah... So you are a great Crusader Soldier!"
The Knight and Attendants suddenly stood in respect.
A servant rushed over from the convoy, shouting, "Brave Knight, given your heroic valor, please co with . The Countess wishes to see you."
Losa didn’t refuse, dismounted gracefully, and said to the Peacock Knight, "My Attendants are still behind. When they arrive, have them wait here for ."
Losa was soon led to the center of the carriage.
There stood a noblewoman in a white linen gown with long hair draping over her shoulders.
The noblewoman smiled and said, "I recognize that crest. I have good rapports with Count Werner. Which mber of the Habsburg Family are you? Otto or Losa?"
Losa replied with dignity, "Yes, madam, I am the second son of Count Werner, Losa von Habsburg."
The Countess’s voice was enchanting, her looks remarkable, but upon closer inspection, one would notice the fine lines around her eyes and her dense freckles.
She smiled: "I am Marianne from Augsburg, a widow. Dachsmier wants to seize my late husband’s estate, and without any doubt, this attack was orchestrated by him single-handedly. He is the only one closely associated with several princes in Hungary."
"Co back with , Losa. Algo is a poor place but has fierce Warriors, whereas Augsburg is wealthy but lacks Warrior like you. Our two sides should form an alliance, complenting each other."
Losa expressed so doubt: "For an alliance, madam, you should be looking for my father."
The Countess hesitated for a mont, then smiled: "Perhaps I haven’t made myself clear. I hope for you to be my husband and beco the Count of Augsburg."
"Frankly speaking, this is a political marriage. I need your family’s Power to support against Dachsmier."
Losa furrowed his brows.
The Countess paused in confusion: "What are you hesitating for? To soone like you, a second son from a noble family, marrying a wealthy widow like would imdiately earn you a large dowry along with the inheritance of my estate and title. Isn’t this what you dream of?"
In Europe, noble widows indeed are sought after.
However...
Losa chuckled lightly: "Pardon , madam, I have no interest in it. If I truly wanted to live as a kept man, I’d rather go to Constantinople and win the Empress’s favor."
After the previous Emperor Alexios of the Eastern Empire passed, his widow, Empress Ragaya, held the power, claiming she would relinquish it once the Crown Prince ca of age.
Yet, this has made her the pri target of desire among all nobles.
Anyone favored by the Empress could instantly rise to prominence.
"Bah, wishful thinking!"
The Countess exclaid: "The royalty, rcenary leaders, and district generals aspiring to court this wealthy woman are countless. What qualifies you?"
Losa grinned broadly and replied: "Ha, I have a strong stomach; I never intended to live off others."
"Heh, think carefully about it. My relations with several Prince-Electors are quite favorable. The current Majesty has no Crown Prince. If you desire, I could even fight for your claim to the throne."
The Countess’s tone was a bit harsh, her suitors were many, choosing Losa was due to his Martial Arts prowess and good looks, but more for leveraging the Habsburg Family’s Power.
Even though Count Werner dwells in Switzerland, he is far from a nobody within the Empire’s borders. Previously, the Emperor personally appointed him as the Commander-in-Chief during the conquests against the Slavs.
"Throne claim?"
Losa fell silent.
The Great Germania Empire parallels Losa’s previous incarnation’s Holy Roman Empire.
Voltaire’s evaluation of the Holy Roman Empire was: "Not holy, not Roman, not an empire"— though biased, it holds reasonable points.
For instance, the current ruler of the Great Germania, Emperor Henry of the Hohenstaufen Family, his direct territories do not compare to several major dukes of the Empire.
This period Great Germania, while territorially extensive, the Emperor’s inco probably equates to less than a tenth of the Eastern Empire Empress’s.
Bear in mind, the Eastern Empire has waned miserably; the inland of Asia Minor has almost entirely fallen, with northern Bulgarians sotis rebelling and raiding south.
The Borobonia Peninsula often encounters incursions from Normans and pirates from North Africa.
Even under such circumstances, the Eastern Empire remains far wealthier than the Great Germania.
The strong among the weak has always been a troubling issue for the Great Germania.
Yet, fortunately, Great Germania has not descended to the point of the Golden Seal Imperial Decree, where the Emperor is elected collectively by seven Prince-Electors.
The election was a tradition carried over from tribal tis, but it hasn’t yet deep-rooted, there’s still hope.
Therefore, the question arises, should one indulge in this soft comfort?
User Comments
0 comments from readers