Reincarnated Into The Middle Ages

It was still that same exquisite courtyard. Despite the city descending into a hellish chaos, the steward was preoccupied with his book.

The butler cautiously pushed the door open and entered, standing quietly in front of the desk.

After a long while, a voice came from behind the desk:

"How did it go?"

"The princess has escaped, but His Majesty the Emperor is still with us."

"Useless. You let a child slip through your fingers," the steward said, his face dark with irritation as he looked at the butler.

The butler thudded to his knees with a loud smack. "Please, my lord steward, punish me as you see fit!"

"Forget it. A girl, after all, can't amount to much," the steward said, returning to his desk. "Do you know what to say?"

"A mob stormed the palace, and the princess has vanished."

The steward waved his hand, signaling the butler to retreat without raising his head.

"Remember, there will be no next time."

"Yes, my lord!" The butler was sweating bullets.

At the port, Otto stood on the dock, anxiously scanning the entrance to the harbor.

"Uncle Otto, what are you looking for?"

"I was looking for Norn..." Otto spun around abruptly, only to find Norn and the others right behind him.

"Lord, thank you for answering my prayers."

Otto strode forward quickly, checking Norn over in a hurry.

Seeing the disheveled state of Norn and the others, Otto asked urgently, "Norn, are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine! And I brought back a girl," William interjected.

Only then did Otto notice the cute little girl holding Norn's hand. She was probably scared, because she hid behind Norn and didn't speak.

"Thank the Lord for watching over you. I knew you'd make it back safely, sir!" Marco ran over, his face beaming with relief. "We'll talk once we're on the ship. I've got word that the rebels are about to take over the Golden Horn. If we don't leave now, the harbor will be locked down!" Hearing Marco's words, everyone wasted no more time and hurried aboard.

The ship's anchor was quickly raised, and the white sails billowed in the wind. The "Fortune" seemed truly blessed by the Lord, with both the monsoon and the tide aiding their departure. They managed to slip out of the city, now a living hell, just before the iron chain across the Golden Horn was raised.

Watching the city grow smaller in the distance, Norn felt incredibly fortunate.

"Rome is grand, but it's not our home," Norn mused.

"By the way, what's your name?" Norn finally remembered he didn't know the little girl's name.

"Anna," the girl glanced at Norn cautiously and whispered, "Anna Komnene."

After 13 days at sea, Anna finally emerged from her shadow and returned to her childlike self.

"Hey, Norn, look!" Anna stood at the bow of the ship, calling out loudly.

"Ugh," Norn groaned, hanging over the railing like a deflated salted fish. Despite having been at sea for a while, he still couldn't get used to it.

A seagull landed in front of Norn, tilting its head as if curious about the sudden appearance of such a large salted fish.

"Shoo, shoo," Norn waved his hand, unable to tolerate the bird's mockery.

The seagull flapped its wings, leaping into the sky from in front of Norn and soaring upwards. The white gull freely sliced through the clouds, and in the distance, a port city came into view.

Port Acre finally arrived! Norn muttered weakly.

The next day, inside a church in Port Acre.

In front of the massive icon, Baron Otto stood in full battle gear, holding his sword with both hands. Behind him, a Templar Knight and a priest in white with gold trim were conducting the Mass.

Norn, dressed in a linen shirt, knelt on one knee facing Baron Otto, with a shield laid out in front of him. William, Patrick, and DeMol, all three knights fully armed and holding their swords, stood behind Norn.

"Repeat after me, child."

"I will always hold reverence for God."

"Maintain loyalty to my lord."

"Cherish the friendship of my allies."

"Treat my subjects with humility."

"Protect the labor of the people."

After reciting, Otto placed the tip of his longsword under his armpit and handed the sword to Norn, who received it and laid it flat on the shield.

"I will use this sword to sweep away all wrongs, and this shield to protect all that is good."

Otto removed the signet ring from his hand and handed it to Norn. "Now, I dub you Baron Norn Adler of Valenstein."

Norn took the ring with both hands but didn't put it on, just held it in his palm.

"From this moment on, you will exercise the rights of nobility," Otto said, and then slapped Norn hard across the face. "And remember the duties of nobility!"

Norn's face was swollen on one side as he got up, turned to his three knights, and raised the ring high.

"From this moment on, I will exercise the rights of nobility and fulfill the duties of nobility!"

"Swear fealty to our lord," the three knights all knelt on one knee and responded respectfully.

Norn looked at everyone, but couldn't help but recall last night when Otto had come to him alone.

"What?! You want me to inherit the title?" Norn exclaimed. "Is Uncle Otto not feeling well?"

"I'm in perfect health!" Otto was left speechless.

"It's just that once we reach the Holy Land, the Grand Master of the Templars will conduct my initiation ceremony. At that time, I will renounce all worldly possessions and take up the sword for the Lord."

Norn blinked a couple of times. It felt almost like becoming a monk and leaving the secular world behind.

"Norn, you're a good boy, smart and eager to learn," Otto said with a smile.

"Except for being too money-minded," Otto thought but didn't say it out loud.

"Throughout this journey, I was initially worried whether you could handle it or not, but your performance has exceeded my expectations. Whether in Mainz, Veneto, or Constantinople, your wisdom and courage have truly impressed me."

"I feel confident leaving the family in your hands. I believe you will surely continue our family legacy."

"Then Uncle Otto, can I still visit you often?" Norn looked pitiful, but in reality, he was trying to cling to his uncle's coattails.

"I'm just joining the Order. I'll visit you often when I'm not on duty," Otto said with a touch of nostalgia. "William, Patrick, and DeMol have been my friends since childhood. I hope you will treat them well."

"Of course I will!"

Back at the church, after the ceremony, Norn and the others returned to the inn.

"Norn, are you a baron now?" Anna asked timidly.

"Yes, why?"

"Will you still want Anna?"

"Of course, I wouldn't just abandon you because of something like this. You're my big sister, after all," Norn patted Anna on the head. Although she didn't quite understand what "big sister" meant, Anna felt reassured.

However, Norn glanced to the side and saw William, Patrick, and DeMol all sitting stiffly.

Normally at this time, William would be boasting or lining up for food, Patrick would be cleaning his weapons, and DeMol would be counting supplies. But now, ever since they had sworn their allegiance, the three of them sat there rigidly, waiting for orders.

"Uncles, you don't have to be like this!" Norn walked over, looking at them with seemingly innocent eyes.

"I'm still your little Norn! And you'll always be my uncles! Besides, I'm just holding onto this ring for Uncle Otto. When his service is over, we'll all go back to Valenstein together!"

Seemingly sensing the sincerity in Norn's tone, the three of them relaxed.

"Hahaha," William jumped onto the table. "Pay up, pay up! Ten silver denarii each. I knew my little Norn wouldn't change."

Patrick tossed ten silver coins onto the table, smiling at Norn. "These are the ten silver denarii I'm happiest to lose to this brute."

DeMol, as always, chuckled and handed over ten silver denarii to William.

"You guys!" Norn was left speechless. "You actually bet on me!"

William winked at Norn. "I said Norn wouldn't change even if he became a baron, but these two wouldn't believe me. Look, they lost!"

Norn knew the old guy was probably bluffing again. He pretended to be angry and kicked William's butt. William laughed and teased Norn, and the two of them played a game of tag around the table.

Everyone watched the two of them, big and small, frolicking and having a good time.

William grabbed Norn. "Come on, come on. We rarely made some money today. There's plenty of Frankish wine. Oh, and juice for the little one."

Otto watched the group leave, lost in thought, as if transported back to his youth.

"Uncle Otto, if you don't hurry, there won't be any left for you!" Norn shouted from a distance.

"Coming!" Otto, filled with warmth and contentment, followed along.