A few days after the Crown Prince concluded his long conversation with Sophia.
The Crown Prince could not hide his surprise upon meeting an entirely unexpected person.
He was well aware of the cliché that extraordinary individuals often lurk unnoticed among the ordinary, but he had never expected such a thing to happen to him.
More than the revelation of the person’s identity, what astonished him was the realization that he was experiencing one of those “predestined developments” so often spoken of.
And the figure who had remained faintly in his memory turned out to be none other than a mere maid!
“If you thought I was just an ordinary maid, that’s unfortunate!”
A troublemaker known for her excessive energy, constantly drawing attention wherever she went.
Many would have found such a situation unbelievable, yet the Crown Prince, surprisingly, accepted it rather easily.
It wasn’t just that she often appeared near him—every time she entered his field of vision, she had an oddly captivating presence.
She was the kind of person who managed to get under one’s skin, but only ever so slightly, making it difficult to openly suspect her. And yet, to think the cliché had come true after all.
“But really, I never expected to have a conversation like this with Your Highness! Given how poorly you got along with Miss Sophia~. The fact that this meeting was arranged must mean your relationship has improved somewhat, hasn’t it?”
As she smiled at him, the Crown Prince’s expression hardened. Maria. Such a common name that he never thought to be wary of it.
She had acted clumsily enough that he had never paid her much attention.
By the time he realized that those very qualities made her the perfect spy, it was already too late. Their standoff did not last long, as Maria was relentless in her approach.
“Well then, considering Your Highness’s temperament, shall we get straight to the point? You don’t like long-winded introductions, do you? Such a shame for the atmosphere~.”
“…Fine. In that case, I will ask the first question.”
“Oh my? You’re suddenly seizing control of the conversation? So much so that one might wonder which of us is the more desperate?”
“Naturally.”
To lead a conversation, one must first seize control. The fact that Maria—who claimed the name of the Jews—was trying to do the same meant she understood this well.
One could not simply denounce such actions as wholly improper. However, knowing full well that she was speaking to the Crown Prince and still daring to behave this way—he would never tolerate that.
Not because he was an aristocrat. Not because he looked down on Jews.
A ruler is one who leads their people.
An insult to the ruler is an insult to those who follow them. A ruler’s authority is the source of their people’s pride, and the ruler’s glory and achievements are the fruit of their subject’s labor.
In that case, between two people carrying such vastly different weights of responsibility, was it not obvious who should rightfully hold the upper hand?
—A ruler is one who represents their people.
Having come this far for those who trusted and followed him, the Crown Prince had no intention of yielding, not even a little.
The sharpness he had honed in preparation for his enemies was on full display. And yet, there was nothing odd or condemnable about it.
“You have wagered your own abilities, while I have staked the fate of those who follow me.”
He had endured a ceaseless tightrope walk, where a single misstep could mean utter ruin.
The empire stood on the precipice of survival and destruction, and he bore the hopes of those who still believed it could rise again.
Maria, who stood before him as the leader of the Jews, and the Crown Prince, who upheld the millennial empire—there was no comparison between the weight of their burdens.
“I do not know what purpose you serve by aiding the Lady. But I can at least guess why you have chosen to do so.”
A people who had wandered for over a thousand years, finding no true place within either Christianity or Islam.
A people who, in a world that constantly changed around them, had no choice but to preserve themselves through the accumulation of wealth. And so, what could they possibly desire?
“If you wish to receive my protection, then bow your head first. If you wish to remain an ally, prove your worth. But if you expect me to lower my head before you, then do not speak to me of laws written millennia ago—crush me with rightful, non religious authority instead.”
He did not think cooperation with the Jews was necessarily a bad thing.
They were a people who never lacked for wealth, and financial support from them could even be an advantage. In the bleak reality the empire faced, this was a rare opportunity to reclaim what had been lost. But in pursuing this, he could not overlook what mattered most.
His people had already been wounded too deeply. He had risen as their leader to protect even the tattered remnants of their pride. How could he now turn his back on that?
This conviction was reflected in his unwavering gaze, which burned with resolute determination.
Faced with that, Maria could only let out a pained groan.
“…You’re way too harsh. Ugh… Miss Sophia, you actually went up against someone like this?”
“Whatever you were thinking is beside the point. As I said earlier, there’s something I must ask you first.”
Maria trembled, exaggerating her movements. A more ordinary person might have been swayed by the sight of a delicate woman appearing weak and vulnerable. But a leader, a ruler, could not afford such indulgence. Not when the fate of those they led was at stake.
The Crown Prince’s eyes gleamed sharply, even in the dim light.
“Why are you helping me?”
If the source of Sophia’s remarkable intelligence network truly lay with the Jews, then they, too, must have had a keen understanding of the current state of affairs.
They would know just how drastically the balance of power between the Empire and the Ottomans had crumbled, as well as how difficult it was to form a Crusade.
It was futile to say they were intervening to restore balance—this war had already been completely lost, to the point that even the involvement of the Jews would barely make a difference.
Among those the Prince had been forced to confront, there were Greeks as well—but the power disparity was so overwhelming that he could not even afford to resent them.
The past two hundred years had been a brutal reality in which it was only natural for them to lose faith in their homeland. It had taken every ounce of strength to gather the shattered fragments of that faith and reforge them into something resembling unity. In the past, it had been Manuel who had achieved that; now, it was the Prince.
And now the Jews were choosing to side with them?
Some might dismiss his doubts as paranoia.
But those who bear the responsibility of leadership cannot afford to be swayed by personal feelings. Those burdened with the fate of others must always seek the most rational judgment.
And if the woman standing before him—Maria—held any position of authority among her people, then she, too, would have approached matters with the same logic.
And sure enough, the Prince’s suspicions were correct.
“Would Your Highness believe me if I told you that we are still debating which side to choose?”
“Between the Ottomans and the Empire?”
“The debate only started recently. Until then, our main considerations had been the Ottomans and Serbia. Phew… let me take a deep breath before continuing, if you don’t mind?”
The Prince gave a silent nod, and Maria composed herself before continuing, as if steeling herself for what was to come.
“The land is in turmoil, as I’m sure Your Highness knows better than anyone. With rulers constantly changing, we had to prepare in advance. As part of that preparation, we debated what to do in the event of a Crusader victory versus an Ottoman victory.”
“But every Crusade has failed.”
“Which is why, for over a decade, most of us leaned toward supporting the Ottomans. But then we heard news that the Ottomans had been defeated by a conqueror from the East and had fractured. That caused a shift in opinions among our people. Though… I imagine this next part may be unpleasant for Your Highness to hear.”
Was that why she had hesitated before? The way she carefully watched his reaction made it clear she was gauging his mood.
But could she truly think that he, of all people, would not understand? A man who claimed to seek the Empire’s salvation had no choice but to confront brutal realities head-on.
There was nothing shocking about what she was about to say.
“It’s fine.”
“…Are you sure?”
“I’ve already come to terms with it.”
“………Up until then, the Empire was never even considered. That, I believe, is why I sought out Sophia before Your Highness.”
Who could have imagined that the Empire, once believed to have ruled the world, would become so pitiful? What would those who once sang of its eternal glory and prosperity say if they saw it now? Would they sigh in lamentation—or scream in despair?
But.
The Prince clenched his fists tightly.
“So, what you are saying is that the reason we are having this meeting now is that the Empire has once again earned your people’s recognition?”
“H-hearing it phrased that way makes it sound like we were being incredibly arrogant…”
“…..Forgive me. The way I speak has become a habit. I was simply reflecting on things.”
After reassuring the flustered Maria, the Prince silently reaffirmed his own resolve. How many had chosen to flee from reality rather than face it?
—The Empire had turned to ashes.
The so-called “Pax Romana,” the rule that had once claimed dominion over the world, had left no trace—not even remnants. Its once-glorious prosperity and splendor now existed only in records. With despair and resignation clouding the hearts of its people, they no longer seemed capable of moving forward.
“Maria, you are not the ‘true’ leader of the Jews, are you?”
“Y-Your Highness! Wh-what kind of question is that?! I have no idea what you mean!”
“Then, as their representative, let me say this—I am glad to have regained your people’s recognition.”
“…..!”
“Even if, for now, it is only half-hearted belief…”
Between the Ottomans and the Empire, the Jews—caught between the rising forces of Islam and Christianity—would never support just one side.
Their cooperation at this stage was nothing more than an effort to keep their options open. They likely also understood that in the Ottoman realm, where regional rulers held great power, Jewish advisors would never be allowed to exert true influence.
But the Prince had already made up his mind.
“…One day, I will win your people’s full faith.”
He would make the world believe in the Empire again.
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