Aleppo.
As the launching point of the Fifth Crusade, a steady stream of supplies from Egypt arrived in Antioch by sea every day, then passed through this city by land to Rahba, Hadiseh, and even Baghdad.
Recently, Aleppo's governor, Otto—the overseas emperor's younger brother—had been scratching his head over the sudden increase in workload.
He closed the ledger before him and rubbed his bloodshot eyes. "I told you I'm not cut out for this. He should have taken me to the front lines. I'd rather fight ten heathens than bury my head in these account books all day."
Otto's confidant, Sir Barren, spoke up. "Your Highness Otto, you clearly have both the qualifications and the ability to take on greater challenges. Who in this world is more trustworthy than a blood brother? Yet ever since you came overseas, you have never truly been given an important role. You ought to make His Majesty the Emperor recognize your talents."
After arriving in the Overseas Empire, Otto had started as Aleppo's deputy. Only two years later was he appointed governor of Aleppo. He was Lothar's brother and, according to the laws of succession, the first in line to inherit the Overseas Empire.
Yet it was precisely because of this that his position was particularly awkward.
Everyone knew that His Majesty the Emperor, still in the prime of his life, could not possibly remain without heirs forever. Yet he had never married. In recent years, several great nobles of the empire had tried to bring up the matter, only for Lothar to reject it each time. This inevitably gave certain opportunists room to fantasize.
"You're right about that. Lothar and I are bound by blood, and we trust each other without reservation."
Otto smiled, then added, "But there's no need to say anything