The march to Myr proceeded with surprising calm. Everything went smoothly, without any major setbacks. From time to time, the fat merchant would approach Alaric, striking up conversations on various topics. However, he soon realized that something Alaric had mentioned had piqued his curiosity.
The Catholic religion seemed to have become the focus of his questions. At first, his questions were simple, but seeing the devotion with which Alaric spoke about his faith, the merchant became increasingly interested.
Griffith watched everything from afar, a slight smile curving his lips. Satisfied, he moved forward. The scene before his eyes was nothing more than a reflection of what had happened time and time again in the history of the world in his previous life.
This is how Catholic conversions began in distant lands, in regions that previously seemed immune to such influences.
In many cases, the Catholic Church, or the fervent devotees of its faith, undertook these conversion campaigns in forgotten corners of the world.
Remote places, ruled by lords who, until then, had never considered the idea of the Christian faith or even wanted to know that such a thing existed. Once the peasants were made to pay attention, it was easier for the pilgrim priests.
As time passed in most territories, the inhabitants had already embraced the new faith, and eventually, those in power who were powerless could no longer do anything but accept it, or they found themselves faced with a much more complicated dilemma: the violent repression of faith.
However, Griffith knew well that resorting to violence would never bring good results. History had shown that religious fanaticism, when met with repression, has the potential to unleash forces that can become uncontrollable.
The merchant remained attentive, the glimmer of doubt and fascination visible in his eyes. Without saying a word, Griffith understood that the first step of his plan had already been taken. He planned to make Catholicism permeate every corner of Essos, somehow feeling that if he did so, the system would reward him with more lucrative things.
Although it seemed an almost impossible goal to achieve, he had a foolproof plan: start with the common people. The people, that mass of workers, peasants, and artisans who, for the most part, lived on the margins of power. What did they need most? Riches? Land? No, not at all!!! What they really needed was hope.
Hope to put bread on their tables, hope to survive the plagues that decimated their families, hope for a future that, in many cases, seemed bleak and hopeless.
And Catholics, in one way or another, knew how to offer that hope. If you asked a historian who the most educated people in medieval Europe were, they would undoubtedly answer: priests, friars, monks, bishops, archbishops, and, in general, all those who were part of the machinery of the Catholic Church.
This was no joke: these men were scholars, more than mere preachers of the faith. They were well-versed in philosophy, astronomy, history, literature, medicine, law... and, of course, theology. They knew the classical texts, read and wrote in Latin, and had access to books and writings that few could imagine. They were the intellectual elite of their time.
So why do you think they so easily won the hearts of the people? The answer was simple: when the people suffered, they were there. Whether it was plagues ravaging entire villages or natural disasters destroying crops, it was the priests who, with their knowledge of remedies, rudimentary medicine, and spiritual strategies, offered comfort and solutions.
When the plague ravaged a city, it was the priest who organized masses, prayed for the lost souls, and, if necessary, suggested which herbs or methods were most effective in alleviating the symptoms. "With faith and prayer, the disease will go away" was a consolation that, although not scientific, was all the people needed to find some peace amid the chaos.
In a world where the future seemed uncertain and hunger, disease, and war were constant companions, the Church offered something invaluable: the promise of a better afterlife. Not only did it provide a spiritual path to salvation, but it also gave people the illusion that their suffering had a greater purpose, that they were being watched over and cared for by a divine force.
In addition, the ecclesiastical community offered them a social support network that was very difficult to find in other sectors. Monks and priests were responsible for educating, healing, feeding, and even providing shelter in monasteries. In a feudal society, where nobles ruled with an iron fist and kings rarely cared about the masses, the Church presented itself as the only safe haven.
The hope they generated was more than just a word: it was a palpable force that kept the people united, even in the darkest times. And that hope, like any other, became a driving force for change and action, slowly transforming the popular mindset, giving them a sense of belonging to a higher order, whether on earth or in heaven.
And here, in that vast and complex machinery, my plan began to take shape. If it was a matter of winning the hearts of the people, religion was the most direct route. After all, Catholicism not only offered spiritual answers; it also had the power to restructure the very reality of those who embraced it.
I planned to implement this in this world. Of course, I would try not to give the church too much power in matters of state, but anyway, back to the point: his plan was to disperse believers to other parts of the world.
and have them preach the faith. This would allow him to gain popular acceptance in his future conquests. He didn't want to be like Daenerys, who abolished slavery with the stroke of a pen, causing public discontent.
DING THE SYSTEM SENSE YOUR GREAT DEVOTED FAITH
REWARD
50 BROTHERS OF THE ORDER OF SAINT LAZARUS
Warrior monks versed in the art of treating the sick, as well as other fields, mounted on horses and clad in chain mail, they are a heavy cavalry that can be used in charges. Although they can fight, they are more suited to treating the sick and professing the faith.
.....
DING NEW MISSION LAUNCHED
Please make the pagan merchant adopt Catholicism.
REWARD
NONE.
.....
Griffith didn't know what to say. At that moment, he just wanted to laugh out loud. He never thought that a plan that was barely taking shape in his mind would receive a reward from the system, and not only that, but it was what he considered to be the best Hospitaller Order.
Suppressing his excitement, Griffith closed the system window. He had no plans to summon his new troops; he would do so once he was in Myr.
And so the march continued, albeit a little slower. As they advanced, the landscape changed. It was no longer as hot and desert-like as before; now there were large expanses of green land and trees, if there was a word to describe it.
It must have been a tropical climate. After a few more days of marching, Griffith smelled the sea. At that moment, as they passed along a road on a hill, Griffith and his men caught a glimpse of Myr.
Griffith was surprised to see the city. For some reason, the city by the sea reminded him of Venice.
The fat merchant approached Griffith and said with a smile, "My good friend, welcome to Myr, the heel of Essos, the jewel of Ancient Valyria, and one of the most powerful Free Cities on the entire continent."
As he said this, the fat merchant enthusiastically puffed out his chest with pride. Griffith approached him and replied, "It's a pretty nice city." He wasn't lying after all. In the distance, he could see merchant ships coming and going, while others remained in the harbor.
Like all cities of the time, the city had enormous walls covering the exterior. Perhaps the only way to enter, in his opinion, was through the port.
The march continued until they reached the enormous gates of Myr. The guards on duty tried to stop them, but when the fat merchant showed them his badge, they let them pass without any problems.
As they crossed the gate, the transformation was immediate. Griffith felt the air become denser, filled with smells and sounds that overwhelmed him. The rumbling of blacksmiths' hammers, the clamor of merchants' voices, the laughter and disputes between buyers and sellers,
all mixed together in a cacophony that made it seem as if the city itself was breathing, like a living being, hungry for riches.
It was a sea of colors, bright velvet and silk fabrics hanging from the stalls, perfumes that mixed jasmine with exotic spices, baskets full of fruit, especially oranges. But what stood out most, what attracted his gaze like a magnet, were the people. There was a fine selection of people
men in worn armor who were probably mercenaries, scantily clad and flirtatious women whose eyes evaluated every man who passed by, ragged children who moved through the crowds like swift, almost imperceptible shadows, stealing here and there.
All of this greatly amazed Griffith, and although the smell was a little unpleasant, it was not unbearable.
Griffith walked ahead of his men, with the fat merchant and Alaric beside him. When they saw the group of men, everyone made way for them.
And, as always happens when a handsome face is seen, the women began to gossip, casting furtive glances that indicated more than just curiosity.
Seeing this, the fat merchant burst out laughing. "My good friend, you are quite popular with women, and not just the commoners. See that one over there?" The fat merchant pointed with his eyes.
Griffith looked in the direction indicated. There stood a young woman with beautiful facial features, ink-black hair that fell like a waterfall down her back, and tanned skin.
Her waist was slender, and her hips were wide. She had full breasts and a bare midriff. She was dressed in fine clothes and precious jewels. When she saw him looking at her, the girl smiled like a flower, her black eyes reflecting her passion.
.....
Griffith didn't know what to do, so he simply smiled and nodded at the girl, who blushed slightly as if she had been struck by an arrow.
"HAHAHAHA, my good friend, you are quite popular with the noble women of Myr. If I remember correctly, that one over there was the daughter of one of the most influential Magisters in the city," said the fat merchant with a smile.
....
"Ahem, ahem, ahem, well, to be honest, I don't know how to answer that," replied Griffith with a little cough that revealed his embarrassment.
"HAHAHAHA, don't worry, my good friend. By the way, I haven't asked, how old are you?"
Griffith thought about it for a moment. To be honest, even he didn't know, so he asked internally, "System, how old am I now?"
...
DING TO RESPOND TO THE HOST, THE AGE OF THE CURRENT BODY AT THE TIME OF THE CROSSOVER WAS 15 YEARS OLD. THE SYSTEM DID NOT MODIFY THE HOST'S AGE, IT ONLY INTEGRATED THE TEMPLATE AND ADAPTED IT TO THE HOST'S BODY.
.....
Griffith nodded to himself. This age in his previous life could be considered young, but in Game of Thrones, people were already killing people at this age. If he remembers correctly, Jon Snow and Robb Stark were 14 years old at the beginning of the books, and Daenerys Targaryen was 13 when she married Khal Drogo.
So, knowing his age, he felt satisfied that he would have time to do many things. After all, as they say, time is money, and the sooner the better.
"I'm about 15 years old, if I'm not mistaken," Griffith replied indifferently as the fat merchant led them to the magister's mansion.
"Ehhhh!?" the merchant exclaimed and opened his eyes in surprise upon hearing Griffith's response. He looked at him and then at the huge line of mercenaries. At that moment, he was surprised that at such a young age Griffith could lead troops, especially since they were all adult men and veterans from what he could see. At that moment, his interest in him grew.
In his eyes, Griffith was a diamond in the rough worthy of befriending.
The fat merchant nodded and laughed. "Hahahaha, my good friend, you are already an adult, have you already done that?"
....
Griffith raised an eyebrow in confusion, not understanding what this fat man was referring to. Seeing his confusion, the fat man smiled and said, "You know, my good friend, that action of enjoying the warmth and scent of a woman."
....
Griffith opened his eyes in surprise. Now he knew what this fat man was referring to. Seeing the "you're a virgin" smile on the fat man's face, Griffith felt like punching the fat man in the face.
"Cough, cough, cough. How long will it take to get to your residence?" Griffith, not wanting to talk about the subject any more, coughed and asked to divert the conversation.
.....
Seeing that Griffith was changing the subject, the fat man didn't ask any more questions but smiled more broadly and replied, "We're almost there. By the way, I have something to talk to you about. Would you have time for a chat with my brother? I'm sure he'd be delighted to meet you."
...
Griffith thought about it and nodded. Perhaps this fat merchant could give him another assignment that would generate more missions from the system, so he accepted without hesitation.
"Perfect, then I invite you and your men to our residence," replied the fat merchant.
After a few minutes, they arrived at the merchant's residence. Griffith was surprised when, at that moment, the mechanical sound of the system echoed in his mind again.
DING YOU HAVE ESCORTED THE CARAVAN SAFELY.
REWARDS
400 BROTHERS OF THE TEUTONIC ORDER
NOTE
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Guys, as you can see, the plot is a bit slow. I plan to release information like this throughout the plot, since I really like this medieval period. I hope you enjoy it, and I appreciate your support. :)))))