Mount & Blade: Rebuilding Rome from Mercenaries

In a side hall of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

Pope Leo IX sat in a high-backed oak chair, draped in a white robe embroidered with a gold cross, the wrinkles on his forehead appearing particularly deep in the candlelight. The armrests of the oak chair, worn smooth by countless hands, bore witness to the years of successors of St. Peter. Tapestries depicting the martyrdom of St. Peter hung on the walls of the side aisle; the image of the apostle nailed upside down on the cross appeared and disappeared in the flickering candlelight, silently reminding each cardinal gathered there: the Church has always marched on in blood.

This pope, in the prime of his life, was a relative of Holy Roman Emperor Henry III and came from a Germanic noble family. Since ascending to the Holy See in 1049, he had dedicated himself to reforming the Church, cracking down on the practice of selling ordination, and attempting to restore the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. At fifty-one, he shouldn't have appeared so old, but his three-year papacy had already taught him the bitterness of the position—dealing with the entanglements of nobles both inside and outside Rome, navigating between the Holy Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire, and constantly guarding against the predatory Norman knights.

But the Norman problem in southern Italy was like a thorn in his side. These descendants of the Vikings were expanding their territory in southern Italy with impunity, seizing Papal lands and completely ignoring the Pope's decrees, which made him restless.

Just yesterday, three more bishops from near Benevento sent an urgent letter, stating that Norman cavalry had crossed the border, forcibly confiscating the harvests of three dioceses and whipping tenant farmers who refused to pay. These tenant farmers were people who had cultivated the lands of the Papacy for generations, and now they had to endure the exploitation of these outsiders. King Leo IX remembered that when he finished reading that letter last night, his fingers almost crushed the parchment. But he could only suppress his anger, because the Papacy's directly subordinate army numbered only a few hundred men, scattered throughout the castles of Lazio, and was simply unable to march south and confront the Normans head-on.

At this moment, the side hall doors of St. Peter's Basilica were tightly closed, and all the cardinals were gathered there, watching Leo IX listen to Bishop Alfredo's report.

In the side hall sat about twenty cardinals, dressed in various bishoprics' robes. Some came from ancient Roman noble families, while others were scholar-type bishops selected from monasteries throughout Europe. Beeswax dripped from the candlesticks into the brass dish, making a soft hissing sound. Some fidgeted with their crucifixes, while others exchanged uneasy glances with their neighbors. Everyone had vaguely heard that something major had happened in southern Italy, but the specific details were still unclear.

Bishop Alfredo bowed and presented a parchment letter, reporting in a low, respectful voice: "Your Holiness, the letter from Father Lysus has arrived. He wrote it before this mission and entrusted it to a reliable messenger to be taken back to Rome. In it, he details his plans for the operation at the Château de Iraro."

Prince Ryōguku took the letter, unfolded it, and read it. The letter was written in Latin:

To our most blessed Pope Leo IX:

Your humble servant, Lysus, bows down to you in the affliction of Apulia and kisses your feet.

The Norman heretic Drogon has become a great enemy of our religion. He leads those barbarians, seizes the legacy of St. Peter, and defies the authority of Rome.

I have found my opportunity, and I am willing to sacrifice myself for the cause of the Holy See, to eliminate this man by the justice of the Lord, leaving the Normans leaderless. Even if my blood is spilled on this desecrated land, I will not hesitate.

May the Lord protect the Holy See, bless the warriors who accompany Him, and grant them the strength to eliminate the unrighteous.

Your humble servant, Lysus, prays for you day and night before the altar.

In Apulia, 1052 years after the birth of the Lord.

After reading it, Pope Leo Ninth frowned, slamming his fist heavily on the chair. The chair back thudned, startling the young deacon standing beside him, who nearly dropped the holy water bottle. The Pope's face went from pale to flushed, then gradually returned to pale—the complexion of someone who had been fasting for a long time and was overwhelmed with worry. He handed the letter to the cardinals, his voice weary:

"Lysus! How foolish! Does he think he's a martyr? That eliminating Drago will leave the Normans leaderless?"

The letter passed from cardinal to cardinal. Some shook their heads and sighed after reading it, while others looked solemn. Cardinal Johannes from the Diocese of Porto read the words from the letter in a low voice. When he read the line "May the Lord's justice remove this man," he paused and looked up at the Pope.

Liang Jiu continued, "These Normans are as ferocious as wolves. Without Drogon, a relatively mild leader, who can restrain them? Look at them now: the Norman forces in Southern Italy have not fallen into chaos, but have instead quickly rallied after Drogon's death! This Lysus's self-serving actions will only embolden those bloodthirsty barbarians to rampage even more wildly into our land!"

The cardinals exchanged glances, inwardly cursing at Lysus.

An elderly cardinal sitting in the back muttered under his breath, "That Lysus, I met him at a synod in Amalfi. He's a devout man, but too fanatical, seeing everyone as a heretic. He advocated for a hardline approach against the Normans, but was dissuaded by the bishops present. I never expected him to still..."

"What does he think he's doing?" another cardinal from Ostia chimed in. "Assassinating a leader? That will only enrage the Normans and make them even more ruthless. Drogon's brother, Humphrey, has already declared he'll massacre all the Latin churches in Apulia."

What the Pope said is indeed true; although this Lysus is devout to the Lord, he really lacks foresight.

Although Drogon was the leader of those bloodthirsty Normans, he at least maintained a superficial peace with the Papacy while he was in power. Moreover, he even sent envoys to Rome, expressing his willingness to recognize the authority of the Holy See in exchange for the Roman Apostolic Recognition of his lands.

As a result, now that he is dead, his men will only become more unscrupulous in their encroachment on Italian territory.

Liang Jiushi rubbed his temples and sighed, "Does Lysus consider himself a saint willing to die for his country? Doesn't he consider what will happen to the Normans without Drogon's restraint? They already see us as enemies, and now Drogon's death will be blamed on the Papacy! This isn't weakening the enemy, but giving them an excuse for revenge!"

A brief silence fell over the side hall. The faint sounds of commotion from St. Peter's Square drifted in from outside the window—prayer chants, vendors' cries, and the neighing of mules and horses mingled together. But in this secluded room, only the occasional crackling of candlelight could be heard. King Leo IX's gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on a slender cardinal with sharp eyes.

That was Hildebrand, a close confidant of King Leonid IX, born into a noble family in Tuscany. He joined the church at a young age and was a staunch supporter of its reforms, while also deeply resenting the Norman expansion.

Hildebrand was in his early thirties, considered young within the College of Cardinals, but his intelligence and courage had already earned the Pope's appreciation. He had been educated at the Cluny Abbey and possessed an almost obsessive passion for Church reform. At this moment, he sat upright, hands folded on his knees, his gaze fixed on the ground ahead, seemingly lost in thought. When the Pope's gaze fell upon him, he immediately looked up, a glint in his eyes.

Hildebrand, seeing the Pope's gaze, stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Holiness, although Lysus's actions were reckless, things have come to this point, and we should not sit idly by and wait for our doom. On the contrary, this may be an opportunity given by the Lord for us to completely eradicate the Norman cancer."

His voice was clear and firm, echoing between the stone walls of the side hall. Several cardinals turned to look at him; some nodded slightly, while others looked doubtful.

Pope Leo IX looked up, gesturing for him to continue. The Pope leaned slightly forward, his hands clasped on his knees, a habitual gesture during important meetings to indicate his willingness to listen attentively to advice.

Hildebrand's voice was steady and persuasive: "Your Holiness, although the Normans are powerful in battle, they have many enemies. The governor of Calabria of the Byzantine Empire has always maintained contact with our Holy See in Rome, and he is equally dissatisfied with the Norman expansion, having sent envoys many times to complain about those barbarians encroaching on Greek lands."

He paused, then took out a document from his sleeve. "Just last month, the governor of Calabria sent a secret letter, expressing his willingness to join forces with the Papacy to curb the Norman expansion. Although the Greek army suffered considerable losses in the battles against the Seljuk Turks, they still have a considerable force stationed in southern Italy, enough to tie down a portion of the Norman forces."

"And the nobles of Lombardy, whose territories have been gradually eroded by the Normans, hate the Normans even more," Hildebrand continued. "The princes of Benevento secretly sent envoys to Rome last week, pleading with the Papacy for military assistance. They said that if the Holy See were to give the order, the knights of Lombardy would be willing to form a coalition army and obey the Papacy's command."

"As for the Holy Roman Empire to the north," Hildebrand's voice rose a few decibels, "their Emperor Henry III has long coveted the wealth of southern Italy. He considers the Normans barbarians and will not stand idly by while they grow stronger. Moreover, His Holiness the Holy See is related to His Majesty. If you personally go north and explain the advantages and disadvantages, His Majesty will surely be willing to send troops to help."

Hildebrand paused, then raised her voice:

"Your Holiness, with your prestige, you could easily rally these forces and establish an encirclement against the Normans. The Greek army could advance from the east, the Lombards could rebel from within, the Holy Roman Empire could exert pressure from the north, and our Papacy could gather the army of St. Peter's legacy to drive the Normans out of Italy in one fell swoop! This would not only greatly enhance the prestige of the Holy See but also expand the legacy of St. Peter. Those lands seized by the Normans rightfully belong to the Papacy; now we can reclaim them all. The Lord will surely bless such a just war!"

After Hildebrand finished speaking, he bowed deeply and returned to his seat. The side hall was silent, save for the flickering candlelight. Ryogoku nodded slightly, but worry remained in his eyes. He slowly rose, walked to the window, and pushed open the wooden panes, letting the afternoon sun stream in. Golden light fell on his white robes, making the gold thread of the cross gleam.

“Bishop Hildebrand, you are indeed right,” said King Leo IX, his back to the crowd, his voice coming from the window. “But the Patriarch of Constantinople seems to be growing increasingly dissatisfied with our Latin Church, and the dispute over our religious jurisdiction is becoming increasingly intense. He has even claimed that Constantinople is the true apostolic throne. I worry that under the shadow of such a schism between the two major patriarchates, is it really appropriate for us to cooperate with the Greeks again?”

The side chapels of St. Peter's Basilica fell silent as the Pope addressed the concerns of all the cardinals in Rome.

A bishop from Calabria, Greece, couldn't help but speak up: "Your Holiness, I have lived in that land for many years and know the Greeks well. They do indeed believe their rites are more ancient and purer. But faced with the common enemy, the Normans, they are willing to temporarily set aside their differences. The envoy of the governor of Calabria told me personally, 'Before the swords of barbarians, differences in rites mean nothing.'"

The Roman and Constantinople churches had been gradually separating and growing more distant over the centuries. Essentially, this stemmed from the old rivalry between the Latin and the Greek, and between Rome and Constantinople.

In 70 AD, the Romans conquered Jerusalem, and the center of Christianity naturally shifted to Rome, then the capital of the Roman Empire. According to ecclesiastical tradition, Peter was the first bishop of Rome and was ultimately martyred there. Therefore, the Roman Church enjoyed immense prestige in the early Church, and the Pope attempted to act as an authoritative arbitrator in some church affairs. In 325 AD, the first ecumenical council in Christian history—the Council of Nicaea—was convened in Nicaea. In the decrees issued by the council, the Roman Church was listed first among the local churches.

However, in 330 AD, the Roman Emperor Constantine I moved the capital to Byzantium, renaming the city Constantinople. In 381 AD, the Second Ecumenical Council of Christianity—the Council of Constantinople—was convened, elevating the Diocese of Constantinople to the patriarchate, second only to the Pope. Then, at the Fourth Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, the Papacy passed Decree 28, elevating the Patriarch of Constantinople to a position of primacy, equal to that of the Pope.

Since then, the Popes of Rome have strongly protested this decision, arguing that the decree infringes on the Pope's primacy and claiming that the Pope is the successor of Peter, the chief apostle, and therefore the sole head of the Church!

This year, these divisions have intensified further, with the Patriarch of Constantinople closing all Latin churches in Constantinople due to his refusal to use Greek worship services and accusing the Pope of altering the Bible and its doctrines!

Everyone could sense that an irreversible schism was taking place within Christianity.

Leo IX slowly turned around, the sunlight casting a halo behind him that slightly blurred his face. "Gentlemen," his voice was low, "I received a letter from Constantinople last night. Patriarch Michael Caruelarios again accused us of using unleavened bread for the Eucharist, calling it a 'Jewish custom,' and claimed that we had altered the Nicene Creed without authorization. He even hinted that if Rome did not correct these 'errors,' Constantinople would consider severing all communion with Rome."

A low gasp rose from the side hall. The severing of communion was a harbinger of a formal split between the Eastern and Western churches.

"Your Holiness, it is precisely because of the crisis of the Great Schism that we need this battle!" Hildebrand said excitedly.

He rose from his seat, strode quickly to the Pope, knelt on one knee, and said, "Please forgive my frankness, Your Majesty. Although the Greeks have disagreements with us, the Normans are our common enemy. If we can unite and defeat the Normans, it will not only be a victory over the pagans, but also a demonstration to the entire Christian world that the Holy See in Rome is the true leader, the core capable of uniting all forces to resist external enemies!"

His voice trembled with excitement: "Consider this, Your Majesty. If we stand idly by and watch the Normans continue to grow stronger, they will eventually threaten all of Italy, and even Rome itself. At that point, the Patriarch of Constantinople will only laugh at our inability to protect our own land. But if we take the initiative, unite the Lombards, the Greeks, and the Germans, and win this war, then the entire Western world will see: it was the Pope who led them to victory!"

"While the Greeks have their differences with us, the Normans are our common enemy. Cooperating to eliminate the Normans will actually enhance the prestige of the Roman Holy See in the West, proving that we are the true protectors of the Christian Church. Moreover, His Majesty Emperor Henry already harbors deep suspicions about the Eastern Church; he will certainly support us. If we win this battle, we will actually gain the upper hand in our conflict with Constantinople. The Roman Cross will illuminate the entire Christian world!"

After a moment of contemplation, Ryogoku finally nodded:

He gestured for Hildebrand to rise, then walked back to the oak chair and slowly sat down. The candlelight illuminated his face, making his wrinkles appear deeper, but his eyes held a hint of determination.

"You're right, Hildebrand. Lysus's folly may have brought disaster, but perhaps the Lord is using it to guide us."

He surveyed all the cardinals present, his voice steady and powerful: "I have decided to accept Hildebrand's suggestion. We will organize a coalition army to completely eliminate the Norman threat."

A slight commotion arose in the side hall, but it quickly subsided. Everyone watched the Pope, awaiting his next instructions.

"Go, contact the Lombards and Greeks, and seek out the Byzantine governors and nobles. Tell them that the Holy See of Rome is willing to join forces with them against the Norman infidels."

King Leo IX looked at Hildebrand, "You are in charge of this matter. Select reliable men, carrying my personal letter, and send them to Benevento, Salerno, and Bari respectively. Tell those Lombard nobles and Greek governors: if they are willing to send troops, the Papacy will recognize their jurisdiction over their respective territories and will help them reclaim the lands seized from the Normans after the war."

Hildebrand bowed: "Yes, Your Holiness. I will do it immediately."

"And I will personally go north, cross the Alps, and meet those Germans. Henry is, after all, my relative; he will listen to me. We need his army and support. At the same time, gather all the soldiers of St. Peter's legacy! Fight for the Lord's cause! The Normans must pay the price!"

King Ryōguku rose and walked to the altar in the center of the side hall. On the altar sat a golden cross, beneath which lay the reliquary of St. Peter. He knelt on the brocade cushion before the altar and bowed his head in prayer. All the cardinals present followed suit, and the entire side hall was filled with the rustling sound of robes scraping against the floor.

The prayer lasted about fifteen minutes. When King Ryōnin rose, his face was much calmer, but his eyes remained resolute. He sat alone in his chair, gazing at the cross on the wall, and prayed softly:

"Lord, guide your servant. Let the glory of the Holy See in Rome be restored to the world."