xymnovel Chapter 184 Simeon Dukas
Chapter 184 Simeon Dukas
Chapter 184 Simeon Dukas (Part 1)
Leaving the battlefield on the banks of the Sangarios River, a place steeped in bloodshed and humiliation, the atmosphere among the Jerusalem army was somber and oppressive.
They fought desperately for the imperial army, allowing Branas to wipe out several hundred-man squads of the Turks almost without bloodshed, and causing thousands of Turkic cavalry to be routed, either killed or wounded.
But instead of showing gratitude and preferential treatment, Branagh responded with blatant exploitation and contempt.
Lyon, mounted on his horse, looked much calmer than before, but he still suppressed his anger and dissatisfaction.
He wasn't concerned about his own pride; he was indeed too young and had grown accustomed to criticism. But he couldn't accept the way his soldiers, who risked their lives for him, were treated.
Through this encounter, Lyon was convinced that Branagh, this "wild boar," had bared his tusks and was completely out of control.
If he continues to remain on the Eastern Front, he will not only be unable to fulfill the promise of "checks and balances," but may also be repeatedly exploited by them, or even fall into a more dangerous situation.
Returning to Constantinople and informing Cantorstaphanos and the Emperor of the truth seemed to be the only rational choice.
But should we just go back looking dejected?
Supplies need to be replenished, soldiers' morale needs to be restored, and he also needs to sort out his thoughts and determine how to present his case to his allies. He can't just act on anger and subjective feelings, can he?
His thoughts drifted involuntarily to the map of the Eastern Roman Empire in his memory.
He was heading to Nicaea, the capital of the Opushkin Military District, one of the most important military and administrative centers of the Empire in northwestern Asia Minor, and the second key barrier protecting Constantinople.
He vaguely remembered the 1178 scenario in the game, where the governor of the Opushkin Military District was Joannis Dukas.
The name gave him a boost.
The Dukas family is the second most powerful noble family in the empire after Komnenos, and has close ties with the royal family.
More importantly, in his memory, this Ioannis Ducas had a trait that impressed him on the game character panel—loyalty.
This usually means that the character is highly loyal to the monarch and less likely to betray or get involved in conspiracies.
Moreover, he vaguely remembered that when he was a child, he had seen his grandfather receive this Joannis Dukas many times at his grandfather's house, and he had also written to him many times. In his grandfather's words, this Joannis Dukas was one of his good friends.
When my maternal grandfather was alive, he was a staunch royalist, and his close friend should theoretically have also tended to support the legitimate emperor.
"Perhaps—this is a breakthrough," Lyon thought to himself.
If we could meet with the governor and explain the situation, even if we couldn't directly check and balance Branas, we could at least get some supplies, rest, and, more importantly, information about the attitude of the powerful local factions in the empire towards Branas.
This is far more valuable than them returning directly to Constantinople.
"Henry," he turned and whispered to Henry, who was riding beside him, "we're going to Nicaea. It's the capital of the Opushkin Military District, and the governor is Ioannis Dukas. From what I know, he's a trustworthy man and an old friend of my grandfather. We need supplies, and we also need to hear the voices of the imperial local officials."
Henry's eyes flickered as he pondered, "We do need to go to Nicaea to resupply and rest. However, are you sure you want to meet with a local official you don't know? Would Governor Ducas really risk a falling out with the Eastern Front commander, who commands a large army and has just achieved victory, based on the one-sided account of a grandson of an old acquaintance? He might be more inclined to maintain the status quo, or even—maybe—already be a member of Branas's faction?"
"So we need to test the waters," Lyon nodded. "But it's worth a try. It's better than retreating and remaining silent about what happened here."
The previously slow and unsteady group changed course and decided to head northwest towards Nicaea along the main road.
The exhausted soldiers were slightly invigorated when they heard they were going to a big city to rest.
The road to Nicaea is relatively flat and is an important thoroughfare connecting Bithynia with the Anatolian interior.
On the afternoon of the second day of the march, the Catalan skirmishers on the front line reported that a large amount of dust raised by the marching army was moving southeast from the direction of Nicaea, and the scale of the dust seemed to be quite large.
"Is it Branas's follow-up force? Or something else?" Lyon ordered the entire army to be on high alert, but to maintain a normal pace of advance.
Soon, they encountered the army at an open area where roads intersected.
This was a standard Imperial mixed legion, consisting of approximately four thousand infantrymen, including spearmen, lightly armed shieldmen, and a small number of heavy infantry, nearly a thousand archers and crossbowmen, and a small number of cavalry escorts.
The procession marched in perfect order, with their flags clearly visible.
At the very front and center, the red and gold double-headed eagle flag of the Roman Empire fluttered, along with a blue and white family banner with a prominent cross.
That's the coat of arms of the Ducas family.
When Lyon saw the Imperial Eagle Banner, his heart tightened at first, but then relaxed when he saw the Ducas family flag.
Moreover, the opposing military was well-disciplined, but did not show any hostility.
To Lyon's surprise, when the Jerusalem flag appeared to clear the way, the soldiers and junior officers on the flanks of the opposing army cast curious but respectful glances at them. Without any orders from their superiors, the ranks in front spontaneously and orderly parted to the sides of the road, clearing a passage in the middle, as if they were making way for their friendly forces.
This is in stark contrast to the arrogant and indifferent soldiers under Branaghmo.
"It seems the Ducas family's style of military command is completely different from the Branagh's," Henry whispered beside him. "At least they do a very good job of putting on a good show."
Lyon felt somewhat relieved.
He signaled for the troops to halt, and then, with Henry and a few flag bearers, rode up to the enemy's army formation.
An Imperial Legion centurion stepped forward and politely inquired about their identities and purpose.
"I am Lyon de Anjou, Crown Prince of Jerusalem. I have come to the Eastern Front to provide support on the orders of His Majesty Basilius and Grand Marshal Cantostefanos of your kingdom," Lyon announced in fluent Greek. "Please inform your Commander-in-Chief, Governor of the Opushkin Military District, that I have some business to attend to."
Upon hearing the name of the Crown Prince of Jerusalem, the centurion became even more respectful and immediately dispatched a messenger on horseback to report to the central army.
The wait was short. Soon, a small elite cavalry squad of about fifty men emerged from the army formation, led by a rather young-looking general.
He was about twenty or thirty years old, handsome, with dark hair and deep eyes common to the Ducas family, and skin that was a light brown, typical of the sons of imperial nobles, the result of military training but not excessive sun exposure.
He wore a fine suit of scale armor, covered by a high-quality dark blue cloak, the edges of which were embroidered with the Ducas family cross in silver thread.
The young general reined in his horse at a suitable distance in front of Lyon, placed his right hand on his chest, and performed a standard knightly salute.
"Your Highness Crown Prince of Jerusalem, may God bless your journey," he said respectfully. "I am Simeon Dukas, the current Governor of the Opushkin Military District. I was unaware of Your Highness's arrival and have failed to greet you properly. Your Highness mentioned 'descendants of the deceased'—"
He tilted his head slightly, asking with a mixture of doubt and curiosity, "Your Highness is of noble status, and the Ducas family naturally treats you with the utmost courtesy. But I wonder, who is this 'old friend' Your Highness refers to—"
Lyon nodded inwardly; the young governor's demeanor was indeed extraordinary.
He replied, “Your Excellency need not worry. I mentioned an old friend because I feared Your Excellency might be too busy with military affairs or already have arrangements for the reinforcements to Jerusalem to meet with me. I was referring to the esteemed Lord Joannis Dukas. He was a close friend of my Foreign Minister Joannis Komnenos. I have come east to fulfill the covenant, and also to visit my grandfather’s friend and convey my mother’s regards if the opportunity arises.”
Upon hearing this, Simeon Dukas's polite smile faltered slightly, followed by an expression of surprise and regret.
"I see—" He sighed softly, and said sadly, "Your Highness, the Dukas family appreciates your kindness. However—you may not know this. The person you are referring to is my grandfather, Joannis Dukas the Elder. Three years ago, he was transferred to the western front by the then Regent Andronica to assist in the defense of the Hungarian border. My grandfather was old, and after years of fighting, coupled with the harsh conditions on the western front, he unfortunately—passed away in office."
He paused, his gaze towards Lyon filled with sympathy: "The current governor of the Opushkin Military District is me, Simeon Dukas. After my grandfather was transferred west, I was able to succeed him in this position thanks to His Majesty's grace. Therefore, if Your Highness wishes to seek out my grandfather for a reunion, I'm afraid—"