Chapter 961 - 84: Overseas Empire
The coronation ceremony was held at the Saint John’s Cathedral of Baptism, a church governed by the Eastern Orthodox Church, built eight hundred years ago.
Although Christians have become a minority, there are still a few ancient churches remaining in Damascus. Most belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church, which has diverged from the Orthodox Church.
The Coptic Church of Egypt and the Apostolic Church of Armenia are both branches of it.
Besides the merchant ports with a few Latin merchants, Damascus has almost no Catholic residents. Most Christian churches available for pilgrimage belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church, with Catholicism, the "Great Orthodox Church," not having established a diocese here.
Losa, accompanied by a grand entourage, crossed through a series of magnificent Fire Temples with towering minarets to reach the front of the "Saint John’s Cathedral of Baptism."
This church is old enough, but its scale cannot compare to the large Holy Fire Temple in the city.
He has already repurposed the largest Holy Fire Temple in the city to establish the "Damascus Cathedral," appointing Urding as Diocesan Bishop, but distance remains an issue. Truly rebuilding it requires more time.
In reality, the Alexandria Major Archdiocese, though nominally under the Latin Patriarch Sebastian, sees Urding handling most of the affairs as Sebastian lacks actual power.
Despite Egypt’s vastness, the many Coptic churches are enough to fulfill the religious needs across various locations, contrasting with the situation in Damascus.
Having seized Damascus, Losa is determined to build numerous Latin churches to accommodate the accompanying clergy and "educate" the local heretics, reversing hundreds of years of transformation.
As Losa entered the church, the pipe organ immediately played grand sacred music, spreading a unique Eastern style across the long street, causing many gathered Christians outside to shed tears uncontrollably.
"Oh God, since Damascus fell to heretic hands, this is the first time in centuries that a Christian monarch has entered this city."
"The great Christian King, a Miracle Worker capable of taming Demon Dragons, this is God’s will!"
The Christians in Damascus rejoiced, not least because a Christian monarch meant at least the "tax on non-believers" would be lifted, and regardless of how benevolent a heretic ruler might be, they were ultimately outsiders.
However, some were worried: "They won’t force us to convert to the Western Great Orthodox Church, will they?"
The differences between Public Teaching, Orthodox Church, and Eastern Church are more than just leavened bread and unleavened bread. Fire Worship can convert Syrians, but cannot swallow the Syrian Church, highlighting the danger of heresy even more than idolatry.
"How could that be? My relatives in Aegyptus told me they continue to practice the Coptic faith, and His Majesty Losa respects their Archbishop greatly."
"That’s good."
In the spotlight, Losa walked slowly into the church’s grand entrance.
"Praise great Saint Losa, your presence brings glory to the entire church!"
The anxious bishop hurriedly approached. His attire was extravagant, serving as the "comprador" upheld by the Saracens. He would advise Christians to obey internally while outwardly appeasing Saracen nobles to stabilize his power. This sort of person has not yet been purged by Losa.
This time, Losa plans to engulf the entire Syrian territory, and internal violence is not wise. It’s better to wait until the situation stabilizes before dealing with these treacherous individuals.
The Imperial Guard Winged Cavalry handed Losa the "Basileus Robe" acquired from Constantinople to the bishop, who dutifully draped it over Losa’s back: "The earthly messenger of Jesus Christ, you have finally arrived in Damascus, liberating the miserable Christians from heretic slavery. You are the liberator of all Eastern Christians, and Christians across Damascus await you eagerly."
Losa listened expressionlessly as the bishop rambled on, reciting prayers such as "justification by faith." Inside, he was mocking them coldly.
Having self-coronated in Jerusalem, emulating Napoleon I, he had no intention to receive coronation from anyone else.
As the coronation ceremony proceeded, the bishop took the crown from the tray of a monk and was about to place it on Losa’s head when he saw the Frank Monarch, who had been bowing in prayer, suddenly raised his head. The overwhelming pressure from the golden eyes almost caused him to drop the simple and lightweight crown.
"Ah!"
Losa opened his mouth slowly, "Do you think you are more qualified to represent God than I am?"
"No... I do not dare."
Losa pressed, "Do you believe you have the authority to crown me?"
"I do not!"
Trembling, the bishop’s teeth clashed audibly.
Beside him, the Knight of Radiance acting as a Holy Spear Guardian suddenly reprimanded: "If that’s the case, step down!"
She took the crown, slowly handing it to Losa.
Losa smoothly placed the crown upon his head, loudly proclaiming: "By the grace of God, I am crowned today as King of the Damascus Kingdom."
You already hold three kingdom-level titles and possess a quarter of an Imperial title. You may use this to declare departure from the Old Empire’s jurisdiction, establishing an Empire of your own.
Finally, the day has come.
Losa
Please name your Empire.
Losa filled in "Overseas" without hesitation.
In the Middle Ages, besides the Eastern Empire, Imperial names were generally derived from geographical names or emphasized the residing peoples.
For example, Normandy means the land of the Normans.
Frankonia is the land of the Franks.
Based on this naming convention, calling this nascent country "Jerusalem Empire," "Egypt Empire," "Levant Empire," or even "East Frankonia Empire" would all be conceivable.
Moreover, countries can be founded based on the founder’s name, such as the "Carolingian Empire" established by Charlemagne, where "Carolingian" in Latin means "Charles’s."
Therefore, naming this country "Losarlingia" is also plausible.
Also, naming based on the core city, such as the Kingdom of Jerusalem, The Most Serene Republic of Venice, means that the "Damascus Kingdom" Losa mentions actually refers to the "Syrian Kingdom." The reluctance to continue using this name stems from the many disasters in his past life in these lands and their neighboring Bale Region, feeling inauspicious.
As for the term "Overseas," it already exists,
Losa noticed Leopold with red eyes filled with tears, yet not out of emotion, as a nearby incense lamp bathed him in white smoke, making him appear ethereal.
He walked slowly out of the church, where dozens of prominent Saracen captives lined up on the square’s baptismal pool.
The Demon Dragon climbs
Its muscular and heavy dragon body appears capable of crushing the fragile ancient church with ease, yet it casually perches atop the church, with broad dragon wings spanning over the entire square.
"Heavenly Father above, I have spent more than a year in the East, consecutively donning the crowns of Egypt, Jerusalem, and Damascus; the ancient soil roamed by Christ Jesus, the overseas realms spoken by His Holiness the Pope, have all been unified under my rule."
"The Basileus of the Eastern Empire grants me the title of Vice Emperor, transferring the legal rights of three kingdoms along with Cyprus to me. Today, I reconfigure these kingdoms into a cohesive whole, establishing an unprecedented ’Overseas Empire’!"
Many nobles were shocked; does declaring oneself as Emperor not require coronation by His Holiness the Pope?
"Losa wants to rely on"
Richard was slightly moved, as the vast Anjou Family territories in Gaul and Albion were once humorously dubbed the "Anjou Empire." Now, seeing Losa nearing this achievement, he couldn’t help but feel a trace of yearning.
My God