Vikings: Lords of the Ice Sea

Chapter 332 Triumph

Upon learning of the request from the top contributor, Basil fell into deep thought in his seat.

Based on the rumors surrounding Niels, who was described as a greedy and power-hungry beast, why did he voluntarily withdraw from the central leadership?
Are these rumors wrong, and Nils is a rare loyal subject who did everything out of necessity?
Basil glanced coldly at the middle-aged eunuch in the corner of the hall, suspecting that there was a problem with the intelligence work, which frightened the man so much that he broke out in a cold sweat.

Basil is now in a dilemma. If Niels is truly loyal and is allowed to retire, it means the Empire will lose one of its most capable commanders.

Throughout the war, he commanded more than 10,000 hastily assembled mercenaries, holding back the main Bulgarian forces for a long time. Despite being at a disadvantage, he achieved a great victory. His command ability far surpassed that of many Greek generals, placing him on par with outstanding generals in history.

The conquest of Bulgaria is not the end; the Arabs in the East are powerful, and another battle is inevitable.

Ideally, Basil and Niels would each lead a contingent, with one side holding the enemy back while the other attacks their weak points, replicating their victory in Bulgaria.

However, assuming the rumors are true, and Niels betrayed Ragnar and Uber, harboring an uncontrollable greed, keeping such a person around would inevitably lead to a rebellion sooner or later.

Reuse?

eradicate?

Or should we retire him and leave him idle?

The first option was too risky. Basil, who had seized power through a coup, was most afraid that others would use the same method to take over. After much deliberation, he decided to stick to his previous idea and replace the Varangian Guard with a simple-minded barbarian.

As for the second option, Nils had performed exceptional feats and was obedient, never taking any outrageous actions. Basil could find no excuse to kill him, and if he were to act forcefully, it would surely frighten the generals in various places.

After much deliberation, Basil realized he had no choice.

Basil's gaze lingered on the map before granting Nils a derelict seaport in the southern part of the peninsula—Sudakso—and the surrounding land as a hereditary fief, allowing him and the retired Varangians to thrive and provide the empire with a steady stream of high-quality heavy infantry.

Moreover, Crimea was frequently raided by nomadic tribes, and allowing retired Varangians to settle there would help alleviate the defensive pressure on Xeniso (the largest Greek town in the southwestern corner of the peninsula).

"Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty."

Niels bowed respectfully, handing over the seal representing command of the guard, feeling an indescribable sense of loss, but he had no other choice.

Early in the coup, he noticed something amiss within the guard. It was speculated that at least three of the twenty centurions were Basil's informants.

After ascending the throne, Basil's control over the empire deepened day by day, and he planted more and more spies within the guard, leaving Nils with almost no secrets.

The remaining mercenaries are even less reliable; their respect for Nils's achievements doesn't mean they'll fight for him. If Basil offers a suitable price, it's expected that half of the mercenaries will defect on the spot.

After personally writing the edict, Basil affixed the imperial seal and said with a hint of regret, "You are the most capable general I have ever seen. I really hate to let you go." Receiving such praise, Nils showed a trace of sadness.

"Command ability is not an innate talent, but rather the result of decades of combat experience. I was born into a peasant family in rural Sweden and was raised by my uncle Ragnar from a young age, where I learned swordsmanship and archery, and followed him on adventures and campaigns."

Initially, we only knew the shield wall tactic, relying entirely on individual bravery in battle. Later, with each battle we experienced, my brothers and I gained insights, learned from each other, and ultimately grew to where we are today.

Looking back, Nils felt that the happiest years of his life were under Ragnar's command. Unfortunately, everyone had their own desires. Ivar, Gunnar, Vig, himself, Bjorn, Sora, and Aslach were constantly embroiled in internal strife, which ultimately led to the collapse of the Vikings' golden age.

Britain may appear powerful now, but in Nils’s view, it has strayed from its past traditions and is no longer a true Viking nation.

"The good old days are over, and sadly, we destroyed them ourselves. Ah, I wish time could stand still back then."

In March, the Eastern Roman army returned to the outskirts of Constantinople. The soldiers stayed up all night, polishing their armor, sorting out the captured banners and weapons, and loading them onto wagons.

The following morning, horns sounded, and the Golden Gate of the western city wall slowly opened, aided by machinery and manpower. This gate was not made of gold, but rather symbolized glory and power, used for the passage of the emperor and his triumphant army.

The clergy were the first to enter the city, followed by spoils of war and prisoners, and then the various armies of the Eastern Roman Empire. The Varangian Guard, having distinguished themselves in battle, was thus placed ahead of the allied forces.

Niels rode a white horse, draped in a magnificent cloak, his armor gleaming in the March sun, accepting the cheers of the crowd with an expressionless face. Behind him, heavily armored Varangian soldiers marched forward, their menacing battle axes drawing gasps of amazement from many.

The remaining troops followed closely behind, and then, as the emperor's carriage passed through the Golden Gate, the cheers of the crowd reached their peak.

The emperor stood atop a magnificent chariot drawn by four pure white horses, its gilded body inlaid with numerous jewels. Clad in a purple robe, he stood majestically, holding a cross-shaped orb in one hand and gesturing to the people with the other.

A eunuch also stood on the chariot, holding a golden laurel crown above the emperor's head as is tradition, repeatedly reminding him: "You are ultimately just a mortal."

The emperor ignored the eunuchs' murmurs, his ears filled with the people's praise. Flower petals were scattered from the houses on both sides of the street, and vendors took the opportunity to sell a special "victory bread" or other souvenirs.

The triumphal procession proceeds eastward along Messer Avenue, the widest and most sacred road in Constantinople, making brief stops at important locations such as Theodosius Square.

After a long while, they arrived at the end of the triumphal procession—the Hagia Sophia, where the emperor, generals, and some of the meritorious soldiers participated in the ceremony.

At 2 p.m., the emperor appeared at the Grand Arena. He executed one prisoner of war according to procedure and pardoned the rest, demonstrating his magnanimity. Next came the grand chariot race.

That evening, a grand banquet was held at the palace, the scene was extremely luxurious. Nils patiently talked with the people around him until the banquet ended, and he left the palace exhausted.

Even now, the entire city was still immersed in a celebratory atmosphere. The taverns were packed, and street performers were putting on victorious shows. Occasionally, drunkards would wander the streets, praising the emperor's glorious victories. Nils paid them no heed; the excitement belonged only to the Greeks. He was eager to get away from this place and enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside.

(End of this chapter)