I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 104

Became a King of the Crusades-104

The Crimson Eagle (4)

* * *

“What in the world is that formation?!”

“I, I’m not sure, Your Majesty. To extend spears like that even to the flanks….”

Emperor Friedrich and all the princes watched the battlefield.

Until just now, everything had gone as expected.

‘The knights on horseback will clear the obstacles and push through with numbers!’

Once the charge succeeded, the enemy formation would collapse.

They did use burning oil, but it wasn’t very effective.

The second and third ranks of German knights charged towards the enemy like angry bulls.

The problem arose right then.

The enemy spearmen, who were expected to just hold their ground, slowly advanced and overwhelmed the first rank on the right flank.

The second and third ranks were also floundering and being dragged in.

“They deliberately stayed still during the last battle. They used a petty trick to deceive us.”

Friedrich bit his lip tightly.

A square formation with spears sticking out in all directions.

It looked like an angry hedgehog with its quills raised.

From the outside of the formation, archers and crossbowmen fired arrows at the knights.

The approaching horses were blocked by the spears and fell, struck by arrows.

“We must take action immediately.”

Emperor Friedrich said.

The other princes remained silent.

“Everyone, look over there.”

He pointed to the battlefield.

“As they move, gaps appear in the formation. It will take time for the troops behind to fill those spots. We will strike there.”

“But then we won’t be able to save the knights in the front. Wouldn’t it be better to send reinforcements to the surrounded side….”

“We can only save our men by striking the enemy’s rear. There’s no one in the forest anyway.”

The Emperor said.

“Baldwin has already committed his forces. We have no choice but to fight back.”

As he pulled the reins, the horse moved forward.

The princes and knights followed behind him.

“I will lead the charge!”

“His Imperial Majesty is leading the way! Long live the Holy Roman Empire!”

“For His Imperial Majesty!”

Thousands of knights charged forward in unison.

The flags of the Holy Roman Empire fluttered in the wind.

* * *

“It’s much more impressive than I thought.”

Eig murmured as he watched the battlefield.

“Did the Young Lord know this plan would succeed?”

“To some extent.”

I said.

Knowing the future history, it wasn’t wrong to say that.

16th, 17th century.

The Spanish army came up with a way to fight against the French heavy cavalry.

A massive square formation mixed with pikemen and musketeers.

This mobile fortress-like square formation was ideal for dealing with cavalry.

The Spanish Square.

Or known by the name Tercios [Spanish infantry units], which used this formation.

In this formation, the pikemen didn’t just plant their spears in the ground and hold out.

The key was to move while maintaining the formation.

Although slow, it could exert great power in a narrow battlefield like this.

“Perhaps if it were a plain, they could have ignored our troops and detoured.”

But the German knights were already in a mess, with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ranks mixed up.

Add to that the pressure from the Milanese regiment.

It would be stranger if they didn’t fall into chaos.

“From now on, everyone will fight like this. There will be no place for knights.”

“No, if you put armor on the horses, you can break through.”

In this pike formation, the archers and crossbowmen were in charge of attacking.

The pike spearmen were close to a wall protecting them.

If you put armor on the horses, it would be difficult to kill them with bows or crossbows.

Unless a musket comes out.

At that moment, Wieg ran over.

He waved his hand and shouted.

“It’s the Emperor’s flag! They’re charging!”

I immediately picked up the telescope.

In the distance, I could see thousands of cavalry approaching.

The unique smell of horses stung my nose.

The remaining forces of the Imperial Army.

In fact, all the reserves were charging.

A yellow flag with a black eagle fluttering at the front.

It was the symbol of the Holy Roman Emperor.

I muttered without realizing it.

“The reaction is too fast than expected.”

Did he realize that if it wasn’t now, there would be no chance?

If the Milanese regiment continued to pressure, the German knights who were charging would be annihilated.

But the Emperor was going around the side, not the Milanese regiment.

Their goal was clear.

The gap created by the Milanese regiment’s advance.

“Tell the Cremona regiment to increase their marching speed right now!”

I shouted to Eig.

“A, understood!”

I took a deep breath and picked up the telescope again.

The only vulnerability in my plan.

That was the slow movement speed of the pike regiment.

The gap created by the Milanese regiment’s advance had to be filled by the Cremona regiment behind.

But Friedrich’s response was too fast than expected.

At this rate, they would break in before the gap closed.

“If we allow even one breakthrough, the archers and crossbowmen in the middle will be annihilated, Young Lord.”

“I know that.”

I looked at Wieg.

The Jerusalem knights were fighting on foot now.

“We need to call the knights and the Holy Sepulchre members back. They’re the only ones who can stop the charge now.”

“I’ve already given the order with the flags. They’ll be gathering soon.”

Wieg nodded.

I let out a sigh of relief.

As expected, he’s quick to judge.

The flags signaling the assembly order fluttered.

But even as time passed, only a small number of knights gathered.

Only about one hundred and fifty.

Those who arrived were panting, wiping away sweat and blood.

The squires brought out the warhorses that were waiting in the rear.

“There’s no response from the Holy Sepulchre members and the Italian knights. I’ve sent messengers, but….”

Wieg said.

“There’s no time now.”

“Even after all that training….”

I bit my lip.

They must have missed the signal because of the intensified battle.

I thought Ruark would be able to control them.

I turned my head and looked at the front.

The cavalry led by Emperor Friedrich was approaching at a rapid pace.

There were only a few minutes left.

My heart was racing like crazy.

I took a deep breath and thought.

The only card I have left now….

The only card I have left now….

Wieg said.

“I will lead the knights and intercept them. That’s the only way.”

“That number won’t be enough.”

I looked at the gathered knights.

The difference in numbers was too great.

At least a 1:10 difference in strength.

“Even a small sparrow can stop a hawk if it does its best.”

Wieg chuckled.

“And our knights aren’t sparrows. We can stop them at least once.”

“Then I’ll go with you.”

He stopped me as I tried to get on my horse.

“The commander only goes to the battlefield when victory is certain, or when it’s that desperate.”

Wieg said in a serious tone.

“You must stay here and continue to command, Young Lord.”

“…”

“You don’t have to worry. I don’t intend to overdo it either. I have to come back and kick Ruark’s ass, don’t I?”

He waved his sword at the knights and shouted.

“Come on, let’s go! You slow-moving slugs!”

* * *

“Stop the German bastards!”

“For the Holy City of Jerusalem! For His Majesty the King and the Kingdom!”

The horses charged forward.

Wieg took off his silver mask and put on his helmet.

They passed the Cremona soldiers who were advancing.

The soldiers waved their spears and cheered.

But there was no time to stop.

“Keep running! Spread out as wide as possible to stop them!”

As he signaled, the knights spread out to the sides, forming a wing shape.

The only thing that could be heard was the sound of hooves.

In front, a black wave was rushing towards them.

Knight and knight.

Horse and horse.

They charged towards each other.

Wieg tightened his grip on the spear.

His fingers trembled slightly.

“For the Holy City of Jerusalem…!”

The moment they collided with the wave, all sound disappeared.

The German knight who was hit by his spear fell to the ground.

Wieg threw away the broken spear and drew his sword.

Blood splattered everywhere, soaking his armor.

Wieg swung his sword.

Two men.

Three men.

Four men.

He stabbed the horse’s thigh and stabbed the fallen enemy’s armor gap with a dagger.

The black wave surged endlessly.

Something hit his body and knocked him down.

When Wieg regained consciousness, he realized that a spear was stuck in his body.

A large hole had been pierced in the chainmail.

He grabbed the spear and pulled the enemy knight down under the horse.

He tore off the chain and stabbed the dagger in, and the enemy died with a gurgling sound.

Wieg staggered for a moment while standing, then fell on top of the dead enemy.

He turned his head and looked at the other side.

The Cremona regiment was advancing forward, filling the gap.

Seeing that, he burst into laughter as if he were having a seizure.

“I can rest now.”

Wieg gasped for breath, lying in the blood.

Everything around him moved slowly.

The cloudy sky.

The shouts and screams of the warriors echoed in his ears.

A good day to die.

Thinking that, Wieg closed his eyes.

Memories of the past swirled around him like a vortex.

* * *

“You are destined to lead our family someday, Wieg. Always keep that in mind.”

His father always said that.

Eldest son.

The moment he was born as the first son, Wieg’s fate was decided.

He was the heir who would take over the family someday.

The wealth and attention of the entire family were focused on him.

And for Wieg, that was only natural.

When he came of age, he left his family and received training from the knights.

A warrior family made up only of men.

There, Wieg became a knight and was knighted.

Since then, he fought in numerous battles, raising the honor of his family.

Unlike other wandering knights, he didn’t have to take on dangerous jobs.

Plenty of money and squires.

Fighting was just a means to make a name for himself.

Soon he would inherit the family.

The glorious Ibelin family.

But all of that disappeared overnight.

― Tell me quickly. What kind of disease have I contracted?

― Well, it seems you have contracted leprosy. We’ll have to monitor the symptoms a little more, but….

Leprosy.

There was no place for lepers in this world.

That was the same even if he was a nobleman.

Wieg had to give up not only his long-promised marriage but also his position as heir.

He handed over the position of heir to his younger brother, Balian.

― I entrust the family to you, Balian.

― But brother, do you really have to go this far….

Wieg joined the Order of Saint Lazarus, the Lazarus Knights [a military order composed of leper knights].

The last refuge for nobles and knights with leprosy.

Their fate was to fight and pray here until they died.

Wieg refused that fate.

He went on a pilgrimage to the holy sites of Hispania and Italy.

Every night, he desperately grabbed his sword and prayed.

― If you heal my disease, I will dedicate the rest of my life to protecting Jerusalem.

But the Lord gave no answer.

After that, Wieg lived in a drunken stupor.

He thought alone.

Why did God give him such a harsh trial?

Why me of all people?

Only then did he realize.

The world was full of people more unfortunate than him.

Children who lost their parents in the war and were left in shelters.

Even farmers who had their lifelong wealth and families taken away before their eyes.

Nowhere was the love of Christ to be seen.

The moment he realized that, Wieg stopped praying.

After all, this world was irrational.

He returned to the Holy Land and fought against the Saracens again.

There was no particular purpose.

Just a fight to die.

He fought alone without comrades.

Fighting and dying against the infidels was the only way to raise his name and family.

He always fought at the forefront and retreated last.

Going to Eilat on the orders of King Baldwin was also to fight.

The young Baldwin, who was famous for being a rude brat.

But when he met him in person, he was different from the rumors.

― You look surprised. Did I speak too close to you?

― Not at all. It’s a great honor to have such wonderful people escorting me, Sir Wieg of Ibelin. Sir Balian.

As the time they spent together grew longer, Wieg felt a strange expectation for the young Baldwin.

Always with confident eyes.

Even the courage to go into battle to save the citizens.

Baldwin had a charm that drew people in.

Wieg decided to trust the boy.

From Eilat to Constantinople.

From Cyprus to here in Italy.

He always exceeded expectations.

The candle became a torch, and the torch became the sun again.

The Young Lord was a bright light.

― Why do you say we have to protect Constantinople?

― If we don’t step in, many people will die. Greeks will kill Latins, and Latins will kill Greeks. I want to stop that.

Even in the Imperial Palace of Constantinople.

― I wish Sir Wieg could have joined us for dinner.

― It’s okay. Greek food doesn’t suit me anyway.

Even in Cyprus and Italy.

― No one has fought more bravely at the forefront than Sir Wieg.

The image of the Hagia Sophia came to mind.

Even when he received the title and rank from Basilius, Young Lord Baldwin was by his side.

Ganier, Eig, and even Ruark.

Wieg laughed, joked, and fought with them.

For the first time since contracting leprosy,

Wieg realized.

The reason he met Young Lord Baldwin.

The reason he had to get leprosy.

He didn’t want to die anymore.

‘I want to live.’

He wanted to see and be a part of what Young Lord Baldwin would do in the future.

More than anything, he wanted to protect Jerusalem.

“Sir Wieg!”

A familiar voice.

At the sound of someone calling him, Wieg opened his eyes.

A pure white light filled his vision.

A burning light grabbed his arm.

“Sir Wieg!”