I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 60

Two Cities (5)

* * *

Masyaf Castle.

In a deep, hidden chamber, two figures conversed.

“But Elder, the ability he displayed was certainly not false.”

The man spoke, his head bowed.

His voice echoed in the empty room.

“How could he have captured all those knights unless he possessed the power of an angel? Even our most devoted Fidais [self-sacrificing assassins] are incapable of such a feat.”

“To think that Isabah himself would be swayed by the games of infidels. I am greatly disappointed.”

Sinan frowned, glaring at the man.

“Anyone can chase down tired fugitives at night. If you speak so highly of him, our Fidais must have grown rusty.”

“But…”

“Have you forgotten the miracles I have shown you all?”

Sinan raised his voice.

“Only the Imam’s representatives can resurrect the dead and wield such power. What Baldwin displayed was merely the deception of demons.”

“Of course, Elder.”

The man lowered his head.

Sinan asked,

“So, what is the atmosphere like in the fortress these days?”

“Since the conquest of Hama and Homs, disrespectful rumors have been circulating among the believers.”

“Disrespectful rumors?”

“That we have become puppets of the Franks [Europeans, particularly the French]…”

“Puppets of the Franks? We have?”

Sinan burst into laughter.

The man bowed his head even lower.

“That’s amusing. Very amusing. What do you think?”

“How could I ever question the Elder’s will?”

“Remember this.”

Sinan rose to his feet.

As he straightened his back, his once-small frame seemed to double in size.

“Alamut [a mountain fortress in Iran, headquarters of the Nizari Ismailis] still treats us as traitors. They send warriors every day to take my life.”

“They are all deniers of the truth.”

“You speak truly. But without Alamut’s support, we need balance to survive here.”

Sinan said,

“Let Saladin and the Franks kill each other. If the infidels think we are their pawns, so be it.”

“But…”

“For now, it benefits us to have Jerusalem in the hands of the infidels. That is all that matters.”

Sinan stared at the bottle of wine before him.

Next to it, steam rose from the plate of pork.

“Now is the time when we must most strictly control the enemies within, not those without.”

He continued,

“Soon, we will be able to reduce the tribute we pay to the Knights Templar [a powerful Catholic military order]. Then, we will immediately prepare to increase the number of missionaries.”

“I will follow the Elder’s words.”

“Humans are moved only by profit and fear. Baldwin has so far emphasized profit.”

Sinan said,

“But he is one who will bring out fear at any time. For now, let us quietly build our strength.”

“Everything done in this land is the spirit of life…”

“The authority of the law has disappeared, and the secret has been revealed, so may the grace of the Imam [Islamic leadership position] fill the world.”

Sinan stood up and said,

“The world has not yet been created, so resurrection is spirituality. Now go and do Allah’s [God’s] will.”

* * *

“So, Saladin really sent frozen fruit to the Prince?”

Count Joscelin burst out laughing in disbelief.

He shook his head from side to side.

“He lost Hama and Homs right before his eyes, and he sends fruit? I thought he would have hurled insults at the Prince. Surely you didn’t eat those fruits?”

“The frozen fruit was helpful in the heat.”

I said with a smile.

Saladin wouldn’t send poisoned fruit.

“I also sent the Sultan a small gift to celebrate the conquest of Aleppo and Mosul.”

Generals exchanging gifts and good wishes.

A memory came to mind.

Richard the Lionheart.

The story of when he was fighting Saladin during the Third Crusade.

Richard fell from his horse during a fierce battle, and a Saracen [Arab or Muslim] soldier appeared, leading two horses.

‘What are these horses?!’

‘The Sultan saw your horse fall and sent these. Get on quickly!’

King Richard got on the horse and continued fighting.

A situation straight out of a martial arts novel.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Why are you smiling, Prince?”

“It’s nothing. I just had a funny thought.”

“Did you see the future again?”

“The future…”

Well, it’s not wrong.

What will happen in the future?

What could have happened?

Or something from a parallel universe?

“Let’s just say that’s the case. By the way, what do you mean by ‘again’?”

“You said the same thing when you said you would attack Hama and Homs. You said you had already seen them being occupied.”

“Did I say that?”

“That’s what you said. Didn’t you say you had seen it a few times before? And it came true like this.”

“No, that’s…”

I meant I had seen such events a few times.

There’s no way to explain it.

I smiled and said goodbye to him.

“There will be no danger of Saladin attacking for the time being. I’ll leave the two cities to the Count.”

“I will protect them with my life.”

Count Joscelin clasped the hand I offered.

I nodded.

“I would like to stay here longer, but I don’t think I’ll have the time.”

Saladin had gained Aleppo and Mosul anyway.

Masoud became Saladin’s official vassal.

When the Jihad [holy war] is declared, he will support the army and funds.

Gaining Hama and Homs was just a temporary diversion.

‘At least it’s a much better situation than in the original history.’

I still need European support.

Saladin was right.

The sea of Islam will gradually tighten.

Aleppo and Mosul were just the beginning.

I won’t be able to overcome the difference in forces when the great army is completed.

The only way is to bring troops from Europe.

‘I have to form the Third Crusade as soon as possible.’

I have to keep thinking about ways.

I have to settle the issue with Gi, too.

I have more than one or two things to do.

Count Joscelin said,

“If there is a problem in the palace… I and my knights will stand by the Prince’s side. So please call us anytime.”

“I will remember and contact you.”

I shook hands with him for the last time.

Hama and Homs.

Gaining Count Joscelin was more reassuring than gaining these two cities.

I turned my head forward.

Should I stop by Tripoli first?

* * *

Three days later, we arrived in Tripoli.

The air here was still cool.

A fresh breeze blowing from the sea.

A lively street.

“Hey! Hey!”

Eigg shouted, waving his hand.

Bult neighed and tugged at Eigg’s sleeve.

With a ripping sound, Bult put the piece of cloth in his mouth and chewed.

Everyone around burst out laughing when they saw that.

“This is real…!”

“It’s strange, he only plays pranks when he sees you.”

I said with a smile.

I reached out and gently stroked Bult’s mane.

Sometimes he really seems like a person.

A mischievous little rascal himself.

But he listens so well during battle.

I can’t help but like him.

“The Director will understand if you say Bult bit it, Eigg.”

Ganier also said with a smile.

A welcoming party could be seen across the street.

Count Raymond himself came out to wait for us.

A similar sight to before.

He approached, leading the knights.

“I heard you conquered Hama and Homs, Prince. You achieve feats so casually again.”

“Count Raymond.”

I bowed slightly.

“It would have been impossible without the support of the Tripoli army. Thank you for responding in time.”

“Rather, I am the one who should be grateful.”

Raymond burst out laughing.

“The economy has been revitalized by this transport of goods… and I have gained merit. Unlike a certain count who led a large army and achieved nothing.”

Is he talking about Gi?

I burst out laughing.

“What happened to Count Gi and the Grand Master of the Knights Templar?”

“The Grand Master of the Knights Templar has already stepped down. He said he never issued such an order. A committee has been convened to decide on the next Grand Master, but…”

Raymond scoffed and said,

“Because of the situation, it won’t end there. Attacking the transport in the guise of the Knights Hospitaller [another Catholic military order]. I wonder if he thought he would be safe after doing such a foolish thing…”

“He had done the same thing before. He must have thought he would never get caught.”

I nodded.

He had caused trouble a few times before, so he thought he would succeed this time as well.

Raymond clicked his tongue.

“Jerusalem cannot gain peace because of such fools. They are only thinking of fighting the Saracens…”

“Peace will not come immediately. Saladin will not stop until he conquers Jerusalem.”

I shook my head.

To prevent that, I can’t let people like Gi and Toros run wild.

“What about my stepfather, Count Gi?”

“Count Gi is the same. He shouted that he had nothing to do with it. For now, he will only be punished for touching the royal treasury.”

The royal treasury.

It seems Baldwin IV is aiming for something more.

“If so…”

I muttered.

Has the leadership of politics now definitely passed to Baldwin IV?

“Gi will do something even more foolish to make up for his mistake.”

I said with a smile.

And such foolishness will give me justification and profit.

Just like the arrest of the Knights Templar this time.

The Knights Templar willingly presented the justification to attack them.

The more desperate you become, the less you think properly.

“How about the Count and I set a trap together until then?”

“…”

Raymond looked at me without saying a word.

He shook his head from side to side.

“As expected, the Prince is not an easy person. I understand.”

He smiled.

“Let’s go this way first. I couldn’t give you a proper welcoming ceremony last time. This time, I have prepared the most splendid celebration to commemorate the victory. And there will be guests coming from Cyprus soon.”

“Cyprus…”

“The Allied Fleet will arrive at the port the day after tomorrow. The Princess is also accompanying them.”

Hugh, Rouark, and Princess Theodora.

My heart fluttered at the thought of seeing the three again.

Raymond said,

“They paid a huge sum of money to lift the siege in Damietta. I heard it was hundreds of thousands of dinars [gold coins]…”

“Hundreds of thousands of dinars?”

I blurted out without realizing it.

Anyone would think they had plundered the city.

I knew Egypt had a lot of money, but I didn’t know it was that much.

I won’t have to worry about money for a while.

The money I received from Constantinople for the elixir.

Even the money extorted from Damietta.

I have to think in advance about where to use it.

Raymond added with a smile,

“All the citizens are waiting for the fleet to arrive. It’s been decades since an imperial family member came to the port, so it’s no wonder.”

“Everyone will get used to it.”

I looked at the port.

Support troops coming from the Eastern Roman Empire.

It already felt like I could see a great army before my eyes.

“Because it will be a common occurrence in the future.”

* * *

Q: Would even the Assassins eat pork, which Islam considers a sin? Unless it’s lamb.

A: The Assassins belonged to the Nizari branch of the Ismaili Shia Muslims, and it is known that they consumed pork and alcohol through the declaration of Qiyama (the end of the law). Modern Ismaili scholars argue that there is no evidence for the abolition of Qiyama law.

Please understand that as a writer, I have no choice but to selectively choose information as historical records are determined by the writer and the situation at the time.

Separately, Sinan, as interpreted by me, the writer, is a realistic figure and I judged that he would not be greatly bound by the law.