"Woooooooo ....."
The sound of wailing horns echoed deafeningly, accompanied by a tremendous cheer that soared skyward. Even the Hagia Sophia, constructed with top-quality stone blocks from various parts of the Eastern Roman Empire and standing for centuries, seemed to tremble slightly from the sound waves.
Inside this most luxurious church of the known world, filled with the most beautiful artworks, the masterpiece of physicist Isidore and mathematician Anthemius (the architects of the Hagia Sophia), and beneath the most magnificent and grandiose hemispherical dome in the world, tiny candle flames flickered, like stars descending to the earthly realm. Illuminated by these candles were faces marked with weariness and joy.
The sudden upheaval had made Constantinople anxious and restless. The psychological pressure from the Ottoman siege had exploded. Rumors spread wildly within the city, with all sorts of alarming tales circulating. To stabilize the situation and reassure the people, Emperor Constantine had called for this grand sermon and collective prayer.
On the streets of Constantinople, tens of thousands of residents simultaneously left their homes, holding candles flickering in the wind, silently reciting prayers, and slowly converging towards the Hagia Sophia. Soldiers gathered around the crowd to maintain order while also praying. The streets of this decaying city had not seen such a large gathering in a long time. From above, the crowd on the ground looked like a galaxy of twinkling stars.
Inside the Hagia Sophia, the church was brightly lit. The colorful marble tiles and vivid mosaics on the church walls gleamed under the lights, dazzling the eyes. Such a scene was not uncommon during the height of the Eastern Roman Empire. But in this era of the empire's extreme decline, this grand scene deeply moved every attendee.
Patriarch Gregory sat on the towering pulpit in the center of the Hagia Sophia's main hall. Behind him, the altar was draped with curtains woven with silk, gold, and silver, featuring exquisite images of the emperor and empress receiving blessings from Christ and Mary. Devout believers densely packed around him, their eyes filled with fervor. At this moment, the patriarch, dressed in his most splendid robe and wearing the ornate crown of the Patriarch of Constantinople, began his sermon loudly:
"Innocent lambs, only under the glory of God can you seek His mighty protection, gain strength and glory in life, and have your souls ascend to the heaven surrounded by angels after death, to live forever.
Only those who are pure-hearted and wholeheartedly dedicate everything to God will receive His most generous blessings. The brave warriors who die on the battlefield for the glory of God will have their souls praised and sung by angels, both in life and after death. And those who cannot fight, the old, the young, and the women, your prayers will reach the Lord, making His glory even more radiant, illuminating every inch of darkness and chaos. All you need to do is to believe, to revere, and to follow the Almighty Lord."
As the believers gazed at him in rapture, Patriarch Gregory waved a pure silver bell covered in intricate carvings, producing a crisp ring. The priests responded, and the entire church echoed with the devout prayers of the believers. The priests gently shook their ornate censers, releasing fragrant smoke that filled the air, making one feel as if they were in a fairyland.
"Innocent lambs, as long as you believe in God, fear God, and worship God, you will know that both your body and soul, in life and after death, will receive the happiest satisfaction and the most generous rewards. Even if the enemy possesses immense power, as long as we have the blessing of God and our Savior, and our hands and the strength given by God, this great city protected by the Virgin Mary will never be conquered by infidels! The miracle we witness today is the best proof! Today, God has led us to this unknown land, showcasing the power of the great God..."
Silently observing Patriarch Gregory's sermon, Emperor Constantine rubbed his nose. He also attended this grand sermon, but not in his emperor's attire. He wore simple clothes and stood in a dim corner of the Hagia Sophia, his guards similarly dressed, scattered around him, quietly watching the holy and fervent mass. Looking up from the church floor, the high round dome, with its intricate mosaic patterns and a ring of closely spaced windows at the base, glowed with a charming light. The soft curves extending from the darkness to the light offered a sacred and solemn visual experience.
In this hall of God, various luxurious ritual vessels were displayed: golden censers, silver candlesticks, gem-encrusted sacred objects, silk, and sandalwood, dazzling the eye. However, many of these items were actually fake; the gold and silver were mostly plated. Of course, ordinary people couldn't tell. Previously, to ensure the payment of the Constantinople garrison, Constantine had taken most of the gold and silver items from the Hagia Sophia and melted them into currency.
However, the incense burning in the censers was indeed the highest quality. Despite the Eastern Roman Empire being in its most declining era, the Hagia Sophia, the main place of worship, still maintained its peak appearance, as if time had stopped here, and the empire remained in its glorious era. Even after the devastating plunder by the Crusaders and the incompetent rule of the Latin Empire, the Orthodox Church quickly restored its former splendor, with devout believers from across the Orthodox world still dedicating their wealth to God.
Suddenly, while the emperor was engrossed in the patriarch's sermon, a figure approached him, unimpeded by the guards. This man shared the emperor's black curly hair, dark skin, and typical Greek features—it was his relative, Theophilus Palaiologos, responsible for the defense of Pegae.
"After yesterday's meeting, the Latins gathered to discuss something unknown," Theophilus said casually as he walked up to the emperor, his eyes fixed on the grand ceremony. "I can confirm that Venetian ambassador Girolamo Minotto, Genoese governor of Galata Anzano Nocmarino, and Catalan consul Pere Julio attended this secret meeting. Additionally, as you anticipated, the Latins attempted to send out their ships, but we managed to intercept them. However, Galata seems to have sent some people out, which we are powerless to prevent, Your Majesty."
The emperor continued to watch the ceremony, seemingly oblivious to the words just spoken. "Galata is not a concern. I am more interested in Giovanni Giustiniani Longo. What is our selfless general up to?"
"He has followed your orders and strengthened the defenses of the Charisian Gate. It is certain he did not attend the Latins' secret meeting, as our spies observed him with his soldiers all night," Theophilus reported, his voice almost drowned out by the crowd's enthusiastic cheers in response to the patriarch's speech. "However, our spies noted a suspicious individual visited him, though we couldn't discern their conversation. Our men attempted to track this suspicious figure, but he had strong counter-surveillance skills and disappeared in a deserted area. Our men dared not pursue further, as anything could happen in those places."
"My dear Theophilus, heed my command," the emperor said, arms crossed. "Keep a close watch on the Latins, especially the Venetians; I never trust those vampires. Also, have John deploy some troops to the Brachial Gate. The sea wall doesn't need as many men, so move them there. If the Latins inquire why, tell them it is a military maneuver. Keep an eye on Galata as well; have Lucas send some ships to patrol nearby. If the Genoese ask, say it's to guard against possible northern threats. And instruct Demetrios to keep a close watch on Giovanni without letting the Genoese know we are wary of him."
"As you wish, Your Majesty. Additionally, our scouts encountered more 'little green skins.' The fishermen caught by Duke Lucas called them goblins. These creatures attacked us on sight, but our cavalry, following your orders, engaged them with arrows from a distance, aiming to eliminate them without direct contact. We also discovered they fight among themselves. Based on our information, these goblins have their own intelligence; they make rudimentary weapons, build crude structures, and follow their leaders, albeit not always promptly," Theophilus reported, leaning against the wall of the Hagia Sophia. "Our scouts found several large goblin tribes scattered across the plains, constantly warring over rivers and resources. The locals call this area the Goblin Coast."
"I understand, my kin. I think it's time for a meeting with my generals. You may withdraw now," the emperor said calmly, touching his chin.
With a bow, Theophilus discreetly left the emperor's side and blended into the crowd.
Watching his relative disappear into the throng, Constantine thoughtfully touched his own face. Strangely, he had noticed recently that the wrinkles from years of toil had almost vanished. His servants and attendants frequently commented on how youthful he looked. More surprisingly, it wasn't just his appearance; he felt his body had returned to the vigor of a thirty-year-old. He now had boundless energy and no longer felt fatigued by the heavy demands of state affairs. After completing his duties, he could even play several rounds of polo without tiring.
However, along with these changes, he often dreamt of being another person in a world filled with all sorts of novelties. There were moving metal boxes, colorful drapes, and glass boxes with seemingly endless information. These dreams broadened his horizons; he even learned the term "transmigration" from them, which helped him quickly understand and accept his situation.
When did this start? Constantine pondered. Perhaps it was when the Turks began their advance on Constantinople. But why did these changes occur? The emperor fell into deep thought.
Never mind, thinking about it is pointless; it must be a blessing from God. After some contemplation, the emperor concluded this and resumed watching Patriarch Gregory's fervent sermon, now discussing their mission to spread the Lord's glory.
"...we must believe that nothing can stop the people of God. Whether it is vile infidels, wicked heretics, or disgusting monsters, none can prevent the spread of God's glory. Though we are now in an unknown land, remember that when you walk alone, the burden is not yours alone to bear. Sincerely pray for God's protection, and at the darkest edge, you will see God..."
As the Patriarch of Constantinople and leader of the Orthodox world, Gregory was undoubtedly capable. The sermon captivated the attending masses, immersing them in the patriarch's fervent speech. This pleased Constantine greatly; it seemed wise not to have fallen out with Gregory over church unification issues. Although it meant the merger with the Roman Church failed, it was no matter; even if agreed upon, Western reinforcements would not have arrived. And if Gregory had fled, finding a compliant patriarch would have been challenging. The anti-unionists, especially Gennadius, often embarrassed him publicly. Controlling these stubborn monks was exceedingly difficult.
Yes, all of the patriarch's actions were directed by him. For instance, Gregory's rebuke of the loathsome Venetian in the emergency meeting was at his behest. Despite the empire's decline, the emperor still maintained control over the Orthodox Church. The Holy Patriarch of Constantinople was merely a mouthpiece for the emperor.