I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 15

The Lion and the Bull Grazing (5)

* * *

“What could be the matter that they sent a letter from Cairo?”

“We’ll know soon enough.”

I said.

My pace quickened without me realizing it.

‘Saladin sent me a letter directly. What could it be?’

Saladin.

Actually, Saladin was a Westernized abbreviation.

Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub.

His full name was something like that.

That’s why it was called the Ayyubid dynasty.

Saladin’s family gained power under Zengi, and then under his son Nur ad-Din, becoming the rulers of Egypt.

After Nur ad-Din’s death, he seized Syria and later succeeded in retaking Jerusalem, becoming a hero of the Islamic world.

‘Born a Kurdish minority, he became the Sultan ruling Egypt and Syria….’

He was a man blessed with luck as well as ability.

And currently, my most dangerous ‘enemy’.

“Let’s hurry, Ayyub.”

The citizens on the street recognized me and rushed over.

Ayyub and Garnier pushed back the merchants and rabbis crowding around.

“Please, slow down a bit! I can’t breathe at this rate!”

Ayyub followed, panting.

The hall used as a reception room was already packed with knights and officials.

Amidst the sound of drums, I checked my attire and entered the hall.

“Baldwin, the son of the Jerusalem royal family, the Sword of the Kingdom, and the Rebuilder of Eilat, enters!”

The Rebuilder of Eilat, huh.

It’s so cheesy every time I hear it.

Still, I need to maintain some dignity.

I crossed the hall with the most serious expression I could muster and sat in my designated seat.

Garnier gestured and shouted.

“Bring the messenger from Cairo.”

Soon, a man trudged to the center of the hall.

A turban and a long, grown mustache.

Anyone could tell he was a Muslim.

The surrounding knights and soldiers all glared at him.

Even surrounded by adversaries, the man maintained a steadfast expression.

‘He seems a little nervous, though.’

I could faintly sense his emotions.

It was common to kill or torture messengers who delivered letters.

‘There was even a sultan who, enraged by the suggestion to convert to Christianity, threatened the messengers to convert to Islam instead.’

I heard only one out of ten converted.

No wonder he’s nervous.

He slowly read the letter.

“To Baldwin of Jerusalem, may the glory and grace of Allah be with you. This letter is…”

Garnier translated next to me.

The content was simple.

Mostly sentences expressing gratitude to me.

He didn’t directly mention that I had protected the Muslim caravans, but the nuance was clear enough.

The messenger read the last sentence.

”
…Having heard that you are in poor health, I am sending medicines and gifts made by the palace physicians with this messenger. May Allah’s peace be upon you.”

“….”

A long silence followed.

Why is the air so stuffy?

I cleared my throat and slowly opened my mouth.

“Thank you for bringing the letter all the way here. You may leave now.”

“The commander of the valiant warriors has instructed me to bring back your reply. That is, if you intend to send one.”

“A reply…”

Why did Saladin send me a letter in the first place?

To stop Reynald from rampaging?

Maybe that’s the first reason.

He might also be curious about a thirteen-year-old kid.

Then how should I respond?

I slowly opened my mouth.

“The reply to the letter I received today…”

It came out almost unconsciously.

“Tell him I will deliver it in Jerusalem.”

“In Jerusalem…”

Was that too out of the blue?

Either way, it’s obvious we’ll be fighting over Jerusalem later.

“Understood. I will convey your words to the commander of the valiant warriors.”

The messenger bowed his head and left the hall.

At the same time, the silent knights began to speak one by one.

“Saladin sending such a letter to the Prince… I don’t know what his intentions are. But…”

Garnier looked at me.

“To give the answer in Jerusalem. Those are meaningful words.”

“That moment will come someday.”

I shrugged.

Saladin’s goal was simple.

To drive the Franks [Western Europeans, especially the French] across the sea and reclaim Jerusalem.

Did he put forward such a cause to seize power?

Or did he seize power to achieve the cause?

Whatever the truth, it was clear that he and I would soon fight.

‘Did Saladin realize why I stopped Reynald?’

I shook my head.

Then Garnier asked.

“What should we do with the medicines, silverware, and silks the messenger brought, Your Highness?”

“Silverware and silks?”

Come to think of it, the messenger did bring a lot of gifts.

If I just accept these, it would look like I received compensation from Saladin.

‘Is that what Saladin was aiming for?’

But it’s too good to just send back.

Having thought it through, I slowly opened my mouth.

“For now, put them in the city treasury. Since it’s from Saladin, it’s better to treat it as public funds than to use it personally.”

I continued.

“We could distribute it to the residents and then get a portion back as taxes.”

Then there won’t be any complaints.

Garnier nodded as if agreeing.

“That’s a wise choice. I’ll have my men make a list right away.”

“How did the thing I asked for last time go?”

“It’s already been delivered to the other Knights Hospitaller fortresses. The escort will continue even after we leave.”

Garnier whispered in a small voice.

“Even if the Knights Templar side with Lord Reynald, our Knights Hospitaller will only follow the orders of His Majesty the King and Your Highness.”

“That’s a relief then.”

As expected of the rational Knights Hospitaller [A Catholic military order].

They must know that a peace agreement is needed right now.

“In a few years, there will be a war over Jerusalem. Until then, we must avoid fighting and build up our strength.”

Saladin would surely target Aleppo and Mosul in the north first.

Declaring a jihad [holy war] against the Kingdom of Jerusalem would come after that.

Excited shouts from the citizens could be heard outside the building.

I rose from my chair.

“Then let’s go back to enjoying the festival.”

I added with a smile.

“Looks like we’ve put out all the urgent fires for now.”

* * *

That night.

Even after the festival ended, I stayed in my office late.

“Alright, this should be enough.”

Endlessly stacked documents.

Mostly financial records.

Dull texts recording how much money came in and how much went out.

Why am I even doing this?

“Are you still reading late into the night?”

Ayyub came into the room with a lamp.

He yawned repeatedly, looking as sleepy as I was.

“There’s just so much to sort out.”

I yawned unconsciously.

In the game, I just had to check the numbers.

Now I had to look at the documents one by one.

Of course, the local officials handled the minor things, but the big decisions were still my responsibility.

“20,000 dinars [A gold coin] received from Venice as the remaining payment, and the soldiers’ salaries that went out…”

“Just get some sleep first. If you keep doing this every day, you’ll collapse before you even reach Jerusalem.”

“Then at least I can rest.”

I said with a laugh.

“Or maybe Ayyub, you can come and help me out a bit?”

“I can’t read, Your Highness.”

Ayyub muttered with a reddened face.

Ah, right, this is the Middle Ages.

Some knights deliberately didn’t learn to read, saying it was weak.

Not to mention the commoners.

“Come over here. I’ll teach you how to read.”

I taught him one letter at a time.

After a few minutes, Ayyub was able to read Latin letters haltingly.

“It’s not as hard as you thought, right?”

A smile appeared on my face at Ayyub’s nodding.

It’s funny that I can read and write Latin.

And even Occitan (Southern French).

If I go back to 21st century Korea, should I apply to be a priest?

‘Former royalty of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Has experience leading Crusades against evil heretics. Can ride a horse.’

I think I’m qualified enough.

That’s if I don’t get slapped and kicked out.

“It seems like you’ve been working late more often these days…”

Ayyub asked cautiously.

“Is there something you’re worried about?”

“Money. I’m worried about money.”

I shrugged.

In fact, the money earned in Eilat wasn’t small.

‘But strictly speaking, this isn’t my money.’

It’s money that goes into the Jerusalem royal treasury.

What I can use directly is limited.

“Maybe I should give back the coins I received last time…”

“You can just keep that money.”

I can’t take back the pocket money I gave to a kid.

I need some new measures.

‘If I ask Baldwin IV, he’ll give me money. But I’d have to give a good reason…’

Then things would get too complicated.

Was there a method I used when playing the game?

I played Last Crusaders so much, there must be something that comes to mind.

I searched my memory.

Several things came to mind amidst the drowsy consciousness.

Looting occupied cities.

Silk Road trade.

Begging Europe for donations.

All three are ambiguous in the current situation.

Then something came to mind.

‘Right, there was that!’

There was a way to make money quickly.

And in a very simple way.

‘I used it a few times when playing as the Islamic faction.’

It was practically an early-game money cheat.

I looked at Ayyub with eyes that had become clear again.

“Ayyub, tomorrow morning, call the Saracen alchemists from nearby.”

“Alchemists as in…”

“You know, the scholars who make gold from lead. There should be a few in the Saracen caravans.”

“Even if you’re desperate for money, you shouldn’t rely on such swindlers, Your Highness.”

Ayyub said in a serious tone.

“Of course, making gold from lead is a lie.”

No, it’s possible.

I heard you can make gold from other materials using a particle accelerator.

‘Of course, considering the cost-effectiveness, there’s no reason to do that.’

What I want from the alchemists is something else.

“Have you ever heard of something called a still?”

“A still as in…”

Ayyub muttered.

“Are you talking about the alembic [An alchemical still] that alchemists use? The one with the round cylinder…”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I need.”

“Your Highness needs an alembic. What are you going to use it for?”

“Well, would you believe me if I said I was going to use it to make alcohol?”

I asked with a smile.

What sells better than alcohol?

Whiskey, brandy, rum, gin, and even vodka.

With a still, you can make all of these.

“I think it’s late and you’re feeling dizzy. I’ll ask you again tomorrow morning.”

I burst out laughing at Ayyub’s shaking head.

The sound of laughter echoed through the darkness of the Red Sea.