Chapter 309 - 231: Remission of All Sins (Part 2)

The only thing he couldn’t accept was Gregory’s belief that, on a material level, merely stopping at money was too conservative. The Pope felt he could go much further—for instance, by personally leading the Crusaders on an expedition against the heretics.

Ultimately, thanks to some smooth-talking from Gerard’s Otto, the increasingly absurd conversation was brought to a close.

Henry and his Empress stayed one more night in Canossa, as they still needed to maintain their humble posture.

Of course, the more important reason was that Henry had to ensure Rudolph left first. Otherwise, he couldn’t be sure what tricks that snake would play before the scorpion, Hilbrand, to land him in another difficult situation.

Fortunately, Rudolph departed the next morning. He had clearly failed to change Hilbrand’s mind the previous night. In stark contrast to the excitement and joy of the others, he left filled with resentment and bitterness.

Watching the spiteful Rudolph leave, Henry thought, ’Perhaps the Eastern Expedition is a good option after all. If I must go to the East, I have to make sure Rudolph comes along. I will never hand over the Empire so easily to that detestable pretender.’

Thus, he also prepared to leave as soon as possible. With the affairs of the Roman Curia temporarily concluded, the matters in Saxon still awaited his attention.

He had also been urged by Hilbrand to begin war mobilization immediately. The Pope had warned him that he did not wish to see any civil wars break out within the Empire; otherwise, any instigator would come under the scrutiny of the Roman Curia.

He was to immediately lead the lords of the Empire in mobilizing for war, grant the Saxons their due freedom, and quell their anger by any means short of violence.

「On the third day, Gerard’s Otto and Saint Gregory departed for Rome.」

「On the morning of the fourth day, Henry decided to leave Canossa and begin his journey back to the Empire.」

Outside Canossa Castle, Matilda was bidding farewell to her childhood friend, Empress Bertha.

Henry’s relationship with his Empress seemed poor. Despite her having borne him an heir, Bertha had spent most of her days in Canossa with Matilda, bringing Prince Conrad along.

"You were the one pulling the strings, weren’t you? He never actually intended to spare me, did he?"

Eric realized Henry was speaking to him.

This was a good sign.

He replied with a smile, "Perhaps."

"I won’t be thanking you for this. Do you think I should be grateful just because you threw me a dead branch as I was drowning, after you were the one who pushed me into the swamp in the first place?

I will not forget this humiliation. One day, I will repay in full the wounds the Normans have inflicted upon the Empire. One day—no, in the near future—you and your father will be driven out of Italy with nothing to your names.

And that ridiculous Robert... he will pay the price for his arrogance. I will make him understand that provoking the Emperor of the Romans was the most foolish decision of his life."

"That sounds very imposing," Eric said, still unmoved, and chuckled. "I await you, great German Emperor. By all means, cross the Rhine River, cross the La Manche Strait—the French name for the English Channel—and launch your attack.

However, all that must wait until your return from the Eastern Expedition. I do hope you don’t lose all your armies there. Otherwise, you truly will be left with nothing.

In any case, I look forward to you bringing a little excitement to Normandy."

"Is that so," Henry snorted. He then looked over at Bertha, who was still whispering endlessly with Matilda. "That is enough, Bertha."

Empress Bertha, however, acted as if she hadn’t heard him. Henry strode over, grabbed her arm, and yanked her toward him.

Matilda frowned, clearly displeased by his offensive behavior. "Empress Bertha deserves proper respect."

"A wife’s obedience to her husband *is* respect. I see nothing inappropriate in my actions." Then, perhaps feeling he had overreacted, Henry released her. "Fine. I will have a proper talk with Bertha later about how we interact.

In any case, give my regards to my aunt. I regret that I was unable to see her during my visit these past few days.

And, Matilda, I am grateful for the kind words you spoke to the Holy See on my behalf."

Just then, Goth Shalke led Henry’s mount over. Henry swung himself into the saddle. "I do not believe we need to repeat the mistakes of the previous generation. Your mother was my grandfather’s favorite child. I have always felt that you should stand with the Salians."

"Your mother, Empress Dowager Agnes, is still in Canossa," Matilda pointed out.

"She is better off staying here with my aunt than in Aachen." Henry waved to a Knight at the head of the column. The Knight sounded a horn—the signal to depart. "The greatest help she can be to me is to do nothing at all."

Bertha reluctantly bade Matilda farewell and climbed into her carriage.

The Emperor’s procession gradually receded into the distance.

"It seems he has great respect for your mother," Eric commented.

"The last time he saw my mother, he was five years old," Matilda said, at a loss for words. "But... as he said, my mother was indeed married to my father as an Imperial Princess at Emperor Conrad’s behest. That truly was unprecedented.

But that hardly matters anymore. After Emperor Conrad’s death, his father, Emperor Henry III—who shared his name—gave my mother far too many bad memories."

Matilda saw Eric gazing up at the sky. "What is it? Is it going to rain?"

"No, it’s still quite early in the day, isn’t it?"

.....

The matter concerning Emperor Henry was mostly resolved, and the promises made to the Holy See had been fulfilled.

Eric’s mission was essentially complete.

However, Eric needed to stay in the Tuscan region for a while longer. He had originally planned to have Belem lead the majority of the Knights back to Normandy ahead of him.

But the Knights all insisted they could hold out a while longer in the Tuscan region, telling Eric not to rush and that they were perfectly fine.

They were clearly all anticipating the distribution of the lands seized from the Milan Marquisate. Their past few months here had been enough to make them realize that this region, Northern Italy, was far better than England, and even better than Normandy.

Realizing this, Eric went ahead and made a simple distribution.

The twelve Knights who had distinguished themselves most in the campaign against Milan were enfeoffed. Belem received a small town and two small villages—unremarkable, but far better than anything in England—though in return, he would have to swear fealty to Matilda.

The remaining lands became Eric’s personal demesne in Italy, to be managed by Matilda in his absence.

And so, Eric remained in the Tuscan region from August until the end of October, diligently working on producing an heir.

Only when autumn set in did he begin his journey back to Normandy.