The Restoration of Rome: In the Name of Augustus

Chapter 192 Trip to the Port of Kizicus

Chapter 192 Trip to the Port of Kizicus

On the third day after the torrential rain, the sky was finally wiped clean by an invisible hand.

The sunlight poured down unhindered onto the humid land of Nicaea, causing a misty vapor to rise.

Lake Ascanius shimmered with golden light, and the distant hills were clearly outlined.

In the morning, Isaac Angelos visited the official residence again.

"Your Highness, Lord Henry, the weather is excellent today, an auspicious day for departure," Isaac said cheerfully. "News has come from the port of Kizicus that all ships have been deployed, inspected, and are well-supplied with provisions and crew, and are ready to set sail at any time. I wonder, Your Highness—what has your decision been?"

His gaze swept over Lyon and Henry's faces, a smile plastered on his face, seemingly not in a hurry for Lyon's answer.

Lyon and Henry had already reached an agreement.

Lyon nodded calmly: "Thank you for your trouble, Your Excellency. We have discussed the matter with the soldiers and decided to return to Constantinople by sea. We will proceed according to the plan we agreed upon earlier."

Isaac breathed a sigh of relief and laughed, "Excellent. Well then, without further ado, I will accompany Your Highness out of the city to meet with General Stephen."

The group left the official residence, walked through the still somewhat muddy but beginning-to-be-recovered streets of Nicaea, and headed towards the city gate.

Outside the city gate, the area where the army camp was stationed yesterday has been cleared out.

The soldiers in Jerusalem, under the command of their centurions, were conducting a final check of their gear, lining up in formation, and preparing to depart.

Near the camp gate, a squad of about ten Imperial cavalrymen stood at attention, waiting.

They were well-equipped and disciplined, clearly carefully selected guards.

The leader, riding an unassuming brown warhorse, was quietly gazing toward the city gate.

When Lyon and the others approached, he slowly dismounted.

Isaac introduced Lyon to him: "This is my colleague—the garrison commander of Nicaea, Stephen."

Lyon looked at Stephen.

This person is unremarkable in appearance, and one could even say that he lacks any distinctive features that would make him memorable at first glance.

He was of medium build, neither burly nor thin, and looked to be between thirty and forty years old, though it was difficult to judge precisely.

His hair was dark brown, shaved into a standard military short haircut, and his eyes were calm, almost lifeless.

He wore standard scale armor and a worn-out brown short cloak. He was ordinary, and when he stood there, he looked like a gray stone casually placed by the roadside, inconspicuous.

Isaac stepped forward and introduced the two: "Your Highness, General Stephen will be responsible for escorting you and your army safely to the port of Kizicus and coordinating the subsequent voyage until you safely enter the Golden Horn. General Stephen, this is His Highness Lyon of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and his squire, Sir Henry."

Stephen stepped forward, placed his right hand on his chest, bowed, and said in a flat, unremarkable voice: "Your Highness Prince of Jerusalem, Your Excellency Henry, by order of Governor Simeon Dukas and Governor Isaac, Stephen is here to await your command."

May your journey be successful, God bless you.

The other party's manners were impeccable and their attitude was respectful enough, but for some reason, a slight sense of annoyance subconsciously rose in Lyon's heart.

This aversion doesn't stem from hostility or fear, but rather from a kind of social discomfort.

Stephen is too much like the kind of impersonal, standard cog in a large bureaucratic machine or military that you can find everywhere, who just follows orders without any personality.

He lacked the human touch that Isaacs displayed even in his melancholy, and was completely opposite to the aggressive personal aura that Branas exuded.

He stood there silently, almost invisible, about to intervene in an important part of your journey, and perhaps even accompany you for quite some time.

Lyon didn't consider himself a social butterfly; he thought such people were boring and difficult to deal with, so he simply ignored them.

Therefore, Lyon simply nodded slightly and said calmly, "Thank you for your trouble, General."

After saying that, he turned his gaze to Isaac.

Henry stood a little further back, observing Stephen discreetly.

He had met too many people, from arrogant nobles to treacherous spies, from forthright warriors to merchants who smiled while hiding their daggers.

But this Stephen in front of me—he's too ordinary; I can't see anything special about him.

Isaac, however, seemed oblivious to the subtle coldness in the atmosphere, or perhaps he simply didn't care.

He turned to Stephen and gave him a few more instructions about the route, supply points, and details about coordinating with the port authority upon arrival. Stephen agreed to everything, still maintaining a businesslike demeanor.

"Well then, Your Highness, Lord Henry, I'll stop here," Isaac said to Lyon and Henry. "The Governor is too busy to see you off any further. I wish you a safe journey and a speedy arrival in Constantinople. May the bells of Hagia Sophia toll in your triumph."

After bidding farewell to Isaac, Lyon and Henry, surrounded by Stephen and his guards, headed toward the assembled army in Jerusalem.

After a simple order was given, the eager team finally set off again, heading west towards the port of Kizikus.

The weather was fine throughout the three-day overland journey from Nicaea to Port Kyzikus.

Although the roads had been washed by rain, the main road was still quite solid, and the marching speed was not slow.

Throughout the journey, Stephen was not entirely silent; he would occasionally initiate conversations to break the monotony of the long march.

However, unlike Isaac's conversations, which occasionally touched on sensitive personal topics, Stephen's questions were very restrained and tactful.

For example, they might inquire about the condition of injured members of the team, whether more frequent rest is needed, or point out shallow areas or steep slopes ahead, suggesting adjustments to the formation.

They will inform you whether there is sufficient water at the next scheduled rest stop, whether it is necessary to send fast horses to coordinate in advance, and discuss the order of soldiers boarding the ships upon arrival at the port, as well as the loading and unloading plan for horses and heavy equipment.

It must be said that Stephen was quite responsible, which made Leon's opinion of him change considerably.

Even Henry, after observing carefully for three days, had to admit that, from the perspective of the role of "escort officer" alone, Stephen's performance was almost flawless.

Although the initial sense of alienation is still there, at least it no longer feels so abrupt and unpleasant.

After all, a guide who only cares about whether you can board the ship on time and safely, and doesn't ask about anything else, is much more worry-free than a scheming companion who is constantly testing you.

On the afternoon of the third day, the team finally arrived at the port of Kizikus.

The city is situated deep in a wide bay on the southern shore of Propontis, with excellent port conditions, a breakwater extending into the sea, and boats of all sizes moored on the calm water.

Port officials had been notified in advance, and under Stephen's coordination, everything proceeded smoothly.

Five somewhat bulky but sturdy and large Panfilon transport ships, along with more than ten merchant ships and cargo boats of varying sizes, were neatly moored at the designated berths.

The sailors are doing final checks and loading supplies.

Lyon immediately began deployment according to the original plan.

Although the Bohemian soldiers were still pale, they were the first to silently board the three Pamphilon ships, urged on by Henry and Fritz and encouraged by each other.

Then, two hundred Catalans boarded the remaining two ships in a sparse and scattered manner.

The remaining personnel set up camp in a designated area near the port.

Lyon and Henry, accompanied by Stephen, checked into a relatively clean hotel in the harbor.