xymnovel Chapter 193 Stephen of Nicaea
Chapter 193 Stephen of Nicaea
Chapter 193 Stephen of Nicaea
During the two days of waiting for the ship to return, the sea was calm and the sun was shining.
Stephen spent most of his time in the port with the port officials and sailors’ leaders, seemingly repeatedly confirming the route, the weather, and the details of the return voyage.
His conscientiousness and responsibility almost dispelled the last vestiges of doubt in Lyon and Henry's minds.
Perhaps Simeon and Isaac really did send a reliable person who only knows how to bury himself in his work.
Two days later, the five Panfilon ships returned to the port of Kizikus on time.
As planned, Lyon, Henry, and a hundred elite Jerusalem crossbowmen boarded one of the finest flagships.
The remaining four hundred Jerusalem crossbowmen, along with their baggage, boarded four other panphilon ships.
The Danish knights boarded several larger merchant ships and small boats.
Stephen naturally sailed with Lyon and Henry.
At noon, with favorable winds, the fleet slowly sailed away from the port of Kizicus, hoisted its sails, and headed northeast toward Constantinople.
The voyage was so smooth it made me sleepy.
The three of them stayed in the cabin, bored out of their minds, and made awkward small talk.
After chatting casually about the weather, sailing, and seabirds, Stephen casually asked, "Your Highness is truly a young hero, shouldering such a heavy responsibility at such a young age, embarking on a long sea expedition. To be frank, perhaps not very respectfully, Your Highness seems older and more composed than our Emperor Basilius of Constantinople."
No, do the Imperials really speak so casually? Don't they take Basilius seriously?
Lyon felt a slight stirring in his heart, but didn't think much of it.
He touched his still-smooth chin and said with a wry smile, "General, you jest. His Majesty Basilius was born in 1169 AD."
I was born in 1172, the year of the Lord's death, making me three years younger than Your Majesty. Perhaps it's because Your Majesty has long resided in the palace and enjoyed a superior diet, while I have appeared older these past few years traveling with the army, exposed to wind and sun. Or perhaps it's been several years since the last time the General saw Your Majesty?"
Stephen smiled, a smile that seemed somewhat blurred on his otherwise expressionless face: "Perhaps—time really flies."
After a pause, he asked again with some difficulty, "I have no intention of offending Your Highness's family affairs, but I am simply curious—as far as I know, Your Highness's elder brother, His Majesty Baldwin IV, ascended the throne in 1174 AD after the death of the late King Amory. Your Highness was born in 1172—well, please forgive my curiosity, I really have no other intention, but sometimes I wonder, given the late King's great talent and ambition, why did he choose—well, the more physically weaker eldest son to inherit the throne, rather than—the more healthy younger son? Of course, this is just my ignorant opinion as an outsider, and I'm sure the late King had his own profound considerations."
A slight alarm bell rang in Lyon's mind, but the other party's attitude was too natural, as if he was simply curious about the inheritance customs of a foreign royal family.
He himself knew very little about this past event, only vague mentions from his mother and uncle, and his childhood at his maternal grandfather's manor.
He remained expressionless, paused briefly, and replied, "Although my brother has been ill since childhood, he possesses extraordinary talent, especially in military strategy and strategic vision, far surpassing ordinary people. When Father was alive, he often kept my brother by his side and personally taught him. You all know about the Battle of Montgisa; at the age of sixteen, my brother strategized and decisively defeated Saladin, shocking everyone. I think—"
Perhaps it was this talent and will that, while my father felt deep pity for him, also saw in him the potential to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of the kingdom. As his younger brother, I can only offer my respect and support.
Upon hearing this, Stephen's face showed an expression of sudden realization, and he nodded without asking any further questions.
He stood up, dusted off his robes, and smiled, "It has been a pleasure chatting with Your Highness. I've unknowingly kept you occupied for so long. I must go up to the deck to check on the sailors and confirm the sea conditions and route. When I return, I wonder if Your Highness might have the honor of telling me about your brother's legendary Battle of Montgisa, and the recent battles of the Bekaa Valley and Beirut? I've long yearned to hear them firsthand; it's a truly rare opportunity to hear from those who participated!"
Lyon, naturally unable to refuse, nodded in agreement: "If the general is interested, I will certainly share."
Stephen turned and left the cabin with a smile.
Lyon and Henry exchanged a glance, both seeing a subtle sense of relaxation in each other's eyes.
It seems that Stephen was indeed just curious and did not pursue the matter further.
As dusk fell, the fleet slowed down, and the sailors began preparing a simple dinner, filling the ship with the aroma of grilled fish and flatbread.
While waiting for food, perhaps to pass the time, or perhaps to build rapport, Stephen suddenly returned to his cabin and looked at Henry with eager eyes: "I've heard that in Nicaea, even someone as learned as Steward Isaac was defeated by Your Excellency Henry's sword."
Stephen's tone was filled with admiration and eagerness: "My meager skills are naturally far inferior to those of General Isaac, but I am truly itching to personally experience the prowess of Jerusalem's top knights. I hope you will be generous in your guidance, but please stop short of succinctly."
Henry glanced at Lyon, who nodded slightly.
He also wanted to see if this seemingly ordinary Stephen had any hidden surprises in martial arts.
The two men went to the relatively wide foredeck, where a group of idle sailors and Jerusalem crossbowmen quickly gathered, ready to watch the spectacle.
However, what happened next surprised all the onlookers, including Lyon and Henry.
Stephen's martial arts skills were even inferior to Isaac's.
His swordplay was unremarkable, resembling basic swordsmanship common in the military, with some personal refinements.
What left Leon speechless was Stephen's lack of emotional intelligence.
Despite the vast difference in skill level, and after several rounds he was already struggling, he showed no intention of admitting defeat. Instead, he stubbornly tried to turn the tide with brute force or some clumsy tricks, which only made him more vulnerable.
Lyon shook his head. Why doesn't this guy learn from Isaac? Even he knows to admit defeat and save face.
Henry initially held back, wanting to see if Stephen had any other tricks up his sleeve, but he quickly lost patience and struck Stephen in the throat.
Time seemed to stand still for a moment.
"Hey one"
The soldiers and sailors watching were taken aback at first, then burst into a cacophony of boos, exclamations, and laughter.
They had been hoping for a thrilling battle, but it ended so quickly, which was disappointing.
Stephen's face flushed instantly, his usually calm expression contorting with embarrassment and awkwardness.
But he quickly forced himself to remain composed, his Adam's apple bobbing with difficulty. He took a step back, lowered his sword, and forced an awkward smile: "Lord Henry is indeed—as expected. I admire you, I admire you! The Kingdom of Jerusalem is full of talented people; even a squire knight possesses such superb skills. It is truly astonishing."
He gave a hasty salute, made an excuse about arranging tomorrow's route and sailor duty, and almost fled from the foredeck, squeezing into the crowd of sailors who were preparing dinner, seemingly trying to cover up his embarrassment with his busyness.