I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 126

I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (1)

* * *

I stared at the sword before me.

My heart pounded as if it would burst.

The hand holding the sword trembled.

I said,

“Let’s finish this.”

The two blades clashed, sparks flying.

The next moment…

My sword was at Marshall’s neck.

His was the same.

His sword poked at my chest.

“Your swordsmanship has improved a lot.”

Marshall smiled and lowered his sword.

I caught my breath and sheathed mine.

“I’m still not good enough to beat you.”

“I was using my full strength too. I can’t guarantee victory next time.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Sir Marshall.”

I replied, gasping.

‘I’ve never seen anyone as harsh as Garnier.’

The swordsmanship I learned from Garnier was thoroughly practical.

‘Marshall is the opposite.’

A flamboyant style mixed with all sorts of techniques.

In other words, closer to genius.

To receive swordsmanship training from someone like that is incredibly lucky.

“By the way, shouldn’t you be with young King Henry and Lincoln?”

“His Majesty ordered me to stay here and protect you, Young Lord.”

Marshall said.

“It’s best to be careful.”

“Judging by the atmosphere, no one’s going to kill me.”

I replied with a smile.

I looked around.

The sunlight streamed through the bars.

‘This is a prison cell, huh?’

A spacious room with sunlight.

A fluffy bed and three meals a day of meat and wine.

The guards treated me with respect.

It felt more like a hotel than a prison.

‘It wouldn’t make sense for Marshall to be my training partner otherwise.’

Several lords and clergymen flattered me.

“The prophecies have spread widely. The Queen is also making moves. The nobles are wavering.”

Marshall said.

He wiped his forehead.

“To King Henry II’s face, everyone is loyal, but many have turned away.”

“Not everyone, though.”

I nodded.

In this era, switching sides was life or death.

‘Depending on who you support, your family could prosper or be wiped out.’

That’s why the English lords are hedging their bets.

That was why I was receiving such treatment.

“Imprisoning you was a mistake by King Henry II.”

“It’s actually a good thing for me.”

I nodded.

I had guided it to some extent.

Affairs, lust for power, imprisonment of the Queen, and hiring mercenaries to attack his sons.

I had confronted the King directly.

It was treason, but I was a member of the royal family of Jerusalem.

“He couldn’t admit those things. He would have to give up the throne.”

I said.

From Henry II’s perspective, he had no choice but to raise the stakes.

“Young King Henry believes in you. He has secured funds to go to the Midlands.”

Marshall said.

His eyes sharpened.

The eyes of a hunting dog protecting its master.

“But if the earthquake doesn’t happen, His Majesty will be a laughingstock. He won’t inherit the throne.”

“Arthur’s Cross will be treated as a fake. But don’t worry.”

I said.

It was natural for Marshall to be worried.

His fate depended on young Henry.

If he fell, Marshall would fall too.

“What will happen, will always happen.”

A comet fell, so the next turn is an earthquake.

I can’t change those natural phenomena.

A major earthquake in the Midlands of England.

The most affected was Lincolnshire, especially its capital, Lincoln.

‘The cathedral completely collapsed.’

What could be more definitive proof that it incurred God’s wrath?

“…For now, we have no choice but to believe in you. Even if the earthquake doesn’t happen, young King Henry and I will support you.”

I nodded.

Since finding Arthur’s Cross, young Henry has treated me like a messiah.

He seems to be meeting with Father Pierre often too.

“The arrow has already left the bowstring. Whether it hits the target or not, we’ll know if we wait.”

I stretched and picked up my sword.

“Then, how about another round? If you’re tired, you can stop.”

“Tired from just this? You’re quite the comedian, Young Lord.”

Marshall laughed.

He smiled and took his stance.

“If you wish, Young Lord, I can do this all day. Now, let’s begin.”

It was well over four hours later that I realized Marshall’s words were sincere.

* * *

England was plunged into chaos.

“So, is an earthquake really going to happen?”

“Didn’t the Young Lord predict the comet? It will definitely happen.”

“An earthquake after a comet. It’s the end of the world. Judgment is approaching.”

The news that Baudouin had predicted an earthquake spread quickly.

Those who had seen the comet accepted the earthquake.

“The people of Lincolnshire must prepare and avoid stone buildings!”

“Those who spread rumors will be punished!”

“I represent young King Henry, the noble King of England…”

“We represent Henry II, the rightful King of England…”

Young Henry and Henry II’s heralds clashed.

Fights broke out.

The fighting was fierce even in the palace.

Father and son.

Bards and chroniclers criticized each other.

“The Lord is angry at the sinful kingdom of England! According to what King Arthur said, the throne…”

“It is only natural for a son to serve his father! How can this be wrong?!”

In the meantime, Lincolnshire residents left their towns.

They fled to the forests or hills.

Young Henry directed the evacuation in Lincoln.

As news spread that he was buying food and tents, merchants flocked from all over England.

Wagons and supplies arrived in Lincoln every day.

Young Henry bought them at a huge cost.

“At this rate, there will be no money left for the next jousting tournament, Your Majesty.”

“Is the jousting tournament important now? With my father doing nothing, I am the only one who can save the people of Lincoln.”

His message was clear.

“Isn’t it the duty of the King to protect the people?”

On the other hand, Henry II remained silent.

He skipped meals and visited Adele [his mistress].

The rumors spread.

“Even though his son, Duke Richard, is in the palace, he visits Adele. Isn’t that the act of a beast?”

“A witch from France has seduced His Majesty. She must have used magic to make His Majesty betray the Queen.”

But Richard showed no reaction.

Rather, he chatted with the knights or went hunting.

“Who has ever seen anyone scold his father like that? It made me feel good.”

Even in the face of his ridicule, Henry II showed no reaction.

The palace maids and servants whispered that the old king woke up screaming every night.

It was the servants and lords who followed Henry II who were trying to stop the rumors.

They released soldiers to block the rumors.

But you can cut off heads, but you can’t shut mouths.

All sorts of rumors spread as the day predicted by Baudouin approached.

* * *

Lincolnshire

Capital, Lincoln

The stained glass showed off its colors.

Jesus Christ, holding children, looked down.

“There’s a shortage of workers! We must complete this cathedral and offer it to the Lord!”

The monks bowed at Bishop Coutances’ cry.

“Due to the news that an earthquake will occur, many citizens have evacuated. Even from the monastery, there are those who have disappeared…”

“An earthquake in this sacred Lincoln! The Lord has blessed this cathedral!”

Bishop Coutances waved his hand.

“Did you stop construction because of such nonsense?!”

“Didn’t young King Henry also order an evacuation?”

The monks said.

“It seems better to avoid the situation first. Construction can resume soon.”

“We cannot stop the sacred construction because of the political fighting! Go and call the workers!”

Bishop Coutances shouted.

“Tell them that if they don’t return immediately, they will no longer be hired! Do you understand?!”

“…”

No one answered.

The monks looked at each other.

“Can’t you hear me?!”

It was then that the sound of birds was heard.

The sound of flapping wings was heard outside the window.

The sound grew louder.

“W-What’s going on?!”

“Look over there! The birds… the birds are all flying away!”

The monks flocked to the window.

The sky was dark with birds.

The crows flew around and gathered on a tree.

Soon after, the ground began to shake.

Kukukukung―――

The faint vibration turned into a violent wave.

The few workers shouted.

“It’s an earthquake! It’s an earthquake!”

“Everyone get out of the cathedral! Move!”

“I, I don’t want to die!”

The monks and artisans ran outside.

Bishop Coutances did the same.

He dragged his old body out, panting.

No one supported him.

The priests made the sign of the cross and recited prayers.

“Oh, Lord! Please forgive these humble sinners!”

Cracking sounds were heard, and cracks spread throughout the cathedral.

Some of the stone walls collapsed.

Stones fell and dust covered the surroundings.

Bishop Coutances stared at the cathedral.

Pieces of stained glass were scattered.

Only one was intact.

The face of Jesus Christ.

Bishop Coutances grabbed the glass shards without realizing his hand was cut.

“Oh, Lord! Why do you inflict such hardship on me?”

* * *

“Young Lord, just yesterday in Lincoln…”

“An earthquake happened?”

I slowly got up.

Aigre nodded.

“As you said, Young Lord, Lincoln Cathedral collapsed. Fortunately, thanks to the evacuation order, the damage was not great.”

Aigre said.

“Young King Henry is busy with relief efforts.”

“Richard must have started moving too. We should start taking action soon.”

As I walked out of the prison cell, the guards bowed.

I moved forward.

It was time for the eagle to fly.