I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 109

Intermission (4)

* * *

“Are you sure this is the right way? It feels like we’re just going deeper into the forest,” Luark said.

“This area is mostly forest anyway. Marco got us the guide, so it should be correct,” I replied to Aig.

After disembarking, we passed through Aquitaine and headed towards Poitou.

The young Henry, Geoffrey, and Richard should be there.

“The sun is scorching. I’ve never missed Constantinople so much,” Luark said, removing his helmet.

“Battles usually don’t happen in this kind of heat.”

“And it rains often there too,” I added with a smile.

Hot and humid weather with frequent rain.

Fighting isn’t easy in these conditions.

Expensive armor and weapons can be easily damaged by the rain.

I looked back.

It had been a week since we landed.

The knights’ morale was high.

Not only the Knights of Jerusalem but also those who joined from Italy.

‘The number of people has actually increased since the battle.’

Knights from all over Europe gathered upon hearing the news of our arrival.

Mostly wandering knights.

Those who didn’t inherit much from their families.

They came seeking money, honor, and new opportunities.

It’s fortunate that not many pilgrims are flocking here.

Pierre seems a bit disappointed, though.

“My lord, the scouts have returned,” Aig said.

Horses galloped from the front.

The scout leader said, panting, “There are thousands of troops stationed in the village just ahead. We couldn’t confirm the exact number, but…”

“Thousands of troops? Report in more detail.”

A brief report followed.

“There were no flags or markings.”

No flags at all.

They were clearly hiding their identity.

Whose army is it?

This is Richard’s territory.

So, it’s most likely Richard’s army.

‘But we are at war.’

It could be the army of young Henry, Geoffrey, or even the King of France.

“Should we send an envoy first?” Aig asked.

“Then we can at least find out whose army it is.”

“They must have noticed us approaching. If they were going to send an envoy, they would have sent one already.”

I stroked my chin.

Sending an envoy first could be interpreted as a sign of fear.

There’s no need to be submissive right now.

I was leading nearly two thousand cavalrymen, including knights and squires.

Emperor Frederick brought twenty-five hundred cavalrymen in the Third Italian Expedition.

Practically the same number.

There was no need to be intimidated.

“Either way, after we pass through this forest, there will be a plain in front of the village. Whether they are enemies or allies, they will be waiting for us there.”

I waved my hand, giving the order to advance.

“Let’s go see for ourselves.”

As we emerged from the forest, a wide plain unfolded.

The unidentified army was encamped on a hill.

I raised my telescope.

From soldiers with crossbows to heavily armed knights.

A typical European formation.

They spotted us and hastily prepared for battle.

We did the same.

The horse archers readied their bows, and the knights and members of the Holy Sepulchre Order donned their armor and mounted their warhorses.

A tense atmosphere prevailed.

Then, a few horses emerged from the opposing camp.

The man at the head came into view through the telescope.

Reddish-brown hair and tall stature.

In my memory, there was only one person with that appearance.

“Aig, we need to move forward.”

“Have you identified who they are?” Aig asked.

I smiled at him.

“The Duke of Aquitaine. The Lionheart has come to greet us.”

* * *

“Alright, let’s go, Bulte.”

As I pulled the reins, Bulte trotted forward as if marching.

The other side stopped in the center of the plain and waited for us.

As the distance closed, the face became clearer.

Richard the Lionheart.

The hero of England who fought against Saladin and led the Third Crusade.

A man lacking nothing in terms of martial prowess, charm, political skill, and intelligence.

The Battle of Jaffa, where he charged with 80 men in sandals and drove back 60,000 enemies.

‘The demon sent by the Franks [Germanic peoples who established the Frankish kingdom].’

After the Third Crusade, Muslim parents would say that Richard would take away crying children.

Richard was such a monstrous figure.

I swallowed hard without realizing it.

As we got closer, I pulled the reins.

Bulte stopped, and silence followed.

“….”

“….”

Who will dismount first?

This is also a subtle battle of nerves.

I glared at Richard.

He glared back at me….

“Hahaha! Anyone watching would think we’re about to start a fight, Duke Baldwin. Let’s stop the games here,” he said, laughing.

He leaped off his horse like a nimble cat.

“Duke Richard of Aquitaine. I didn’t expect you to come out to greet me like this.”

I dismounted as well.

We approached each other.

Richard was a head taller than me.

And bigger in build as well.

Muscles bulged like balloons under his chainmail.

There’s a reason they call him the Lionheart.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a helmet like that before,” he said, pointing to the helmet in my hand as he approached.

“That shape must protect the front of the face and the back of the head. Do they all wear helmets like that in Jerusalem?”

“Most of the knights wear helmets like this. But this is a special one,” I replied.

Richard probably wouldn’t be familiar with the Great Helm.

Most of Europe still uses Norman helmets with only a nasal guard.

“It’s a gift from the Roman Empire.”

“The Roman Empire, meaning Constantinople. I heard that you married the daughter of former Emperor Manuel. Congratulations, belatedly,” he said with a smile.

“By the way, it looked like something was sparkling from your direction from far away. Did you bring a large mirror or something?”

“Sparkling…”

He must be talking about the telescope.

I took out the cylinder and handed it to him.

“You mean this.”

I said.

“‘The Eye of the Angel.’ It’s an object that makes distant things appear closer.”

“I’ve heard stories about such things. I thought they were certainly false,” Richard said, raising his eyebrows.

He put the telescope to his eye and exclaimed, “Everything looks so small!”

“That part is the outside,” I said, holding back a laugh and turning the cylinder around.

After adjusting the length, he exclaimed and reached out into the air.

“So this is what it feels like to see from above the clouds. It could be useful in battle.”

“If you wish, I will give it to you, Duke.”

“Are you serious?”

“It would be an appropriate gift as a sign of goodwill.”

I smiled slightly.

Politics in this era are all about debts and gifts.

To put Richard the Lionheart in debt with just a telescope.

It’s not a bad deal for me either.

‘But that’s not what’s important right now.’

I looked at Richard.

“Why did you hide your flags and advance, Duke? You could have sent a messenger first.”

“I wanted to see how you would react, Baldwin,” Richard said, fiddling with the telescope.

He continued to explain smoothly.

“This land is in a very chaotic state right now. My brothers have started a war to seize my Poitou territory.”

He said.

“My vassals told me that I shouldn’t accept you and the Jerusalem army into this land. They suspected that you would take my brothers’ side.”

“I understand what you mean.”

This guy is just as cunning.

He’s just saying his subordinates’ claims are his own.

I could feel curiosity and desire in his eyes at the same time.

The Duke of Aquitaine, Richard, wanted the same thing as his brother.

To take me as his ally and drive out his brothers.

“But you advanced without hesitation. Is that how you defeated Emperor Frederick?”

He burst into laughter.

“To defeat the Redbeard leading those wretched Italian cowards. I can’t believe it.”

“It wasn’t easy,” I replied with a smile.

It felt like walking a tightrope every day.

“There were many sacrifices as well.”

“It wouldn’t have been otherwise,” he clapped his hands.

“Duke Baldwin of Jerusalem. You and I are brothers of the same blood. My great-grandfather, King Fulk, was also the King of Jerusalem.”

“And he was also my great-grandfather. We’re not that distant relatives,” I nodded.

“But that’s the same for your other brothers as well.”

“You don’t give in easily,” he smiled slightly.

“I heard that you came here to stop the war under the orders of His Holiness the Pope. To stop the war, you must first drive out my brothers who have unfairly invaded my territory. Isn’t that so?”

“That would be one way,” I nodded.

But if I did that, both young Henry and Henry II would turn their backs on me.

Richard would also likely remain in Europe to clean up the mess.

The worst situation for me and the Jerusalem Crusaders.

“But I will not support you, Duke.”

“Does that mean you will help my brothers?”

Richard’s eyes turned cold.

I met his suspicious gaze head-on.

“I came to this land as an executor carrying out the will of His Holiness the Pope and the Lord. And an executor does not take sides,” I said, looking at him.

This needs to be made clear.

“I only swing the hammer.”

* * *

Jerusalem

Bethlehem Settlement

“Please wait here. The Princess will be here soon.”

“Thank you.”

A man was led into a room by a maid.

He opened his mouth as he looked at the silks placed everywhere.

All were embroidered with elaborate gold thread.

As he stood there blankly, Theodora entered.

“Your Highness! It is an honor to meet the Princess, who is called the most beautiful and noble jewel of Constantinople.”

“Please, sit comfortably, Mr. Terkios. I didn’t expect you to come so quickly.”

“How could I be late after receiving an invitation from Your Highness? Just being called here is an immense honor for my family.”

“You can be proud,” Theodora smiled.

“You contributed the largest amount of funds to the construction of this Bethlehem settlement. It was over ten thousand dinars [ancient gold coins].”

“I was just doing what was natural as an imperial subject. His Majesty Basilious (the Emperor) is also interested in this plan….”

Terkios lowered his head.

“I will serve the Empire and Your Highness as much as possible in the future.”

“That’s fortunate. There was something I wanted to ask you, Mr. Terkios,” Theodora smiled.

She looked at Terkios.

“Where did the donation you made this time come from?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m talking about the ten thousand dinars,” Theodora asked.

She still wore a faint smile.

“I’m asking where that money came from.”

“It’s money from the trading company I run. The items I handle alone….”

“But there’s no record of taking out ten thousand dinars in your ledger, is there?”

“How did Your Highness get our trading company’s ledger…?”

Terkios muttered.

He waved his hand.

“Ah, it’s common not to record this kind of money separately in the ledger. Investors might object.”

“I see,” Theodora replied.

She closed her mouth and tapped the armrest of the chair.

“Have you ever heard the name Nizam?”

“Ni, Nizam…?”

Terkios’ face turned pale.

He mouthed the name.

“It seems like a familiar name.”

“I don’t know well. When you run a trading company, you naturally meet all sorts of people….”

“Think about it carefully. You must have met him. In Jerusalem, two days ago,” Theodora smiled slightly.

“And a week ago and a month ago, you two met here in Bethlehem. Didn’t you wear black robes and go to a bar together?”

“I, I….”

Terkios muttered.

A few drops of sweat ran down his forehead.

“I heard that Nizam is a spy under the orders of the Sultan of Rum [historical Turkish state].”

“I just met him a few times and talked! I never knew he was a spy…!” Terkios shouted.

His hands trembled.

“How much did you receive exactly?”

“Excuse me?”

“How much did you receive in exchange for passing on information here?”

“I swear to God, I have never passed on any information. I did receive a few gifts from him….”

“Thirty thousand dinars is not a small gift. Even though you didn’t pass on any information,” Theodora said.

She stood up and gestured to a guard.

The door opened, and a man was dragged in.

A bloody face.

Guards were holding the man’s arms.

Behind him, a woman walked in.

The attire of a dancer.

Terkios stepped back when he saw the face of the dragged man.

“It seems you recognize his face,” Theodora said.

“Nizam confessed everything. From the information you gave, Terkios, to the plan to gain my favor and the Roman imperial family by donating to the settlement.”

“Th, that’s….”

“That’s him! That’s the guy who sold the information! So please, stop now….”

The man spat out blood as he looked at Terkios.

The blood stained the carpet red.

“It took two days to get a confession. Well, it’s amazing that he lasted that long,” Theodora placed her hand on Terkios’ shoulder.

A yellow liquid stained his lower body.

“Even if you don’t remember now, it doesn’t matter. The Empire’s torturers can make you remember any information.”

“Yo, Your Highness! I swear I didn’t know anything! It was just a new business opportunity….”

“Ah, Terkios. Shall we believe your words for once?” Theodora gestured.

The woman in the dancer’s attire took out a rope and put it around the bloody man’s neck.

The work was quickly finished.

The man, who had been gasping, collapsed on the floor like slaughtered livestock.

“Ugh….”

Terkios stepped back, crying.

“Go home. I will call you when I need you soon,” Theodora said, sitting back in her chair.

“I recommend you stay quiet until then. Give my regards to your wife.”

Terkios fled the room.

Guards dragged the body out, leaving only Theodora and the woman in the dancer’s attire in the room.

“Good work, Aile.”

“I didn’t know Your Highness would call me back like this,” the woman replied with a smile.

“I thought you were going to kill him too.”

“I will have to someday. But he’s useful right now. A corpse is useless,” Theodora said.

“I have his family held hostage, so he won’t have any strange thoughts,” Theodora sighed.

She pointed to the messy floor.

“First, call some guards outside. I need to replace the floor and the carpet with new ones.”

“Understood,” the woman smiled.

“By the way, I thought you would be enjoying your honeymoon right now.”

“The days are always short, and the nights are always long,” Theodora sighed.

“I need to finish what I have to do at night before the sun rises again.”