Chapter 700: Leo’s Request
"I have a request for you, Father."
"Sure thing, my son." It seemed the old emperor already knew what the boy was about to say and approved with ease.
"But I haven’t asked anything yet!" Leo said, startled.
"No, you are a man. You are the next sovereign." The emperor opened his mouth again. "You shall be the one making decisions, but remember, you must hold responsibility for your decisions."
"I... Father..." Leo gulped a bit, a question forming, but he immediately shook his head and turned to the burly Varangian commander beside him. "Uncle Cerberus, how is my father’s condition right now?"
"Your Highness, although His Majesty has received some level of treatment, it would be best if the emperor remained here for some time under the care of the court physicians from Constantinople. Ideally, he should stay here for about a month before continuing this trip."
Leo turned back to his father. "Please, Father, it is time for us to head back to Constantinople."
Antonius thought for a while and shook his head in determination. "That is a request I cannot grant."
"Then, Father, I have some thoughts in mind, and I would like to go around the province myself, travel the region, to see if my conclusions are correct and understand the conditions of our people better. Please, give me a month’s time."
"Your Highness..." Cerberus attempted to say something, but was interrupted by the emperor, who reached out his hands and gently touched the face of his son.
"It is time for you to learn how to become independent, my son," Antonius said with a gentle smile. "I look forward to seeing your development, but you must bring one man with you on your trip, along with several Varangians, of course."
"Who is it?"
"Your brother, Giovanni Junior, who is in Seres now, training there on how to become a proper general."
It took only a week before Giovanni Junior was called from his mentor in the barracks to join the emperor and Leo in the village, arriving with his blade by his side. Already resembling a fully grown soldier, Giovanni anticipated finally embarking on a proper military career. However, he was taken aback when he received news from his father—who appeared to be in perfect health—about his new assignment: accompanying his brother on a tour of the region.
"Lieutenant Giovanni," the old emperor addressed his grumbling adopted son with a stern face. "Treat this as a military mission. This shall be the very first mission that I, as your head of command, give to you. You must protect your brother at all costs."
Giovanni Junior had no choice but to comply. "Yes, Father."
The two boys, accompanied by several Varangians, set off immediately after the court physician from Constantinople arrived.
Giovanni Junior did not hold his younger brother in high regard, viewing him as a spoiled child who merely wanted to go on a leisurely tour of the beautiful plains of Drama and experience the riches of Thessaloniki. He likened Leo to the sons of nobles and wealthy men he had seen before in the academy: totally incompetent, unwilling to take on challenges or sacrifices, and only acting for his own pleasure.
This perspective was evident in Giovanni Junior’s demeanour as they left the village, giving his younger brother cold, disdainful looks. However, Leo didn’t seem to mind at all. He kept talking to his older brother about the things he observed along the way. Soon, Giovanni Junior began to notice something different about Leo. Unlike the rich men’s children, he had previously judged him to be like, Leo preferred visiting places where commoners lived rather than those with beautiful sceneries and luxuries.
Leo was curious and attentive, genuinely interested in the lives of the people he encountered. This difference in approach slowly started to shift Giovanni Junior’s perception, though he remained sceptical and reserved. As they journeyed together, Leo’s genuine concern for the common folk began to reveal a depth of character that Giovanni had not expected.
In just two weeks, Leo traversed three different villages in the region, concealing his true identity as the prince of the nation. Instead, he claimed to be a student from the Academy of Thessaloniki on an assessment trip. Leo lived, worked, and ate with the villagers, assisting with their farm chores, interviewing them, and documenting everything he heard, saw, and felt during his investigation. At night, he would compile his notes and continue discussing his findings with his older brother. Gradually, Giovanni Junior realised that his younger brother was not a spoiled teenager but a serious and committed individual with a purpose. This led him to start taking Leo more seriously, seeing him less as a child and more as someone on a mission.
Under the summer heat, Leo’s once young and fresh skin began to tan and even bear scars. After two weeks, on a day when Leo intended to continue his work in the fields, Giovanni Junior confronted him.
"We cannot stay any longer in the countryside, Leo," Giovanni Junior said, blocking his brother at the doorstep.
"Why not, my brother?" Leo asked, puzzled.
"We are a big country, my brother," Giovanni Junior explained. "You have spent too much time in the countryside. Remember, our country is not only composed of villages but also built on ships, with our commerce thriving in ports and cities, and our strength rooted in barracks."
Leo hesitated. "But..."
"Remember, my brother," Giovanni Junior said, taking a step closer. "You are going to become the ruler of this country in the future. When I was in the army under my mentor, he always used to tell me that a squad leader must consider all five men in his squad, who come from various backgrounds. Decisions should not cater to just one or two men while neglecting the others. I believe the same applies to policy making. You must see the bigger picture and understand all aspects of the nation, not just one."
Leo thought for a moment and nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Giovanni grabbed his brother’s hand and led him to his already prepared mount, with the four Varangians standing by. "Remember! We only have a month! And it’s time for me to take you somewhere else!"
The Varangians, tired of lurking around the villages for over two weeks, cheered and roared as they followed Leo and Giovanni, galloping down the country road heading south.
As the six men left the village, the village elders were immediately informed.
"They’ve finally left?"
"Yes, just minutes ago."
The village elder sighed, patted the dirt off his clothes, and stood up. "O Jesus Christ, who knows what’s truly up with that boy, going around with four Varangians—guards of the court—and what looks like an army officer carrying a blade all the time..."
"I don’t get it," a villager said, shaking his head in confusion. "If he’s really someone from the palace coming down to help us, shouldn’t we be happy?"
"Silly goose!" The elder glanced back at the young villager. "We’re just an ordinary, quiet village in the middle of nowhere. Remember, we don’t want attention from anyone. That boy, yes, he’s a good boy, but what if he draws the attention of higher authorities to us? Is it good or bad? What if we offend that boy? What if we give that boy, or the person behind him, a bad impression? Have you considered that?"
The villager fell silent.
The elder sighed again. "Well, the good thing is he’s finally gone."
On the horse, Leo asked his brother, "Where are we heading?"
"Not that far away!" Giovanni replied. "My barracks! In Prosotani! Let me show you the daily life of a true Roman soldier, the type of training we receive, and how we live!"
"But won’t they see through my identity?"
Giovanni Junior hesitated, realising he hadn’t considered this.
Their first problem arose as they approached the barracks.
The soldier standing guard, who knew Giovanni Junior, gave him a salute. "Welcome back, Lieutenant Giovanni!"
Giovanni returned the salute and started to lead the Varangians and Leo in. But immediately, the soldier on guard called out again. "I’m sorry, Lieutenant, may I see the passes and identities of these five men?"
Giovanni was taken aback, not expecting this from a soldier. He turned around and hissed under his breath, "I am Giovanni Giustiniani Junior."
"I know, Lieutenant Giovanni," the soldier replied. "But these five men cannot enter without a pass."
Giovanni was speechless, wanting to threaten the soldier but not daring to cause too much of a fuss.
"Lieutenant Giovanni, without a valid pass, I cannot let them in. You know, this is the standard procedure established by Lord Julian years ago."
"It’s fine, Giovanni," Leo said. "Let’s go somewhere else then."
Giovanni was caught in a dilemma, unsure of what to say or do in this situation.
The Varangians at the back looked at one another and spoke in their heavily accented Greek, "We have passes!"
