I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 137

Shield and Spear (2)

* * *

“Truly amazing. Absolutely amazing.”

Henry II rose from his seat in the stands, speaking.

He gazed out at the plain.

“The Norsemen usually just rush in for the spoils. To see them fight with such order…”

“Duke Baldwin has a way of leading people.”

Eleanor said.

She looked at her husband.

Henry II continued to wear the Mamidan robes even after his penance at Canterbury Cathedral.

The rough clothes worn by monks in penance.

“You had that power when you first sat on the throne.”

She turned her head.

“But not anymore.”

“I’ve done a lot for England. I established clear laws and put a stop to the rampaging lords.”

Henry II frowned.

“If only you, Eleanor, hadn’t incited Henry and Richard…”

“Continue, please.”

“….”

“Adele was like a daughter to me.”

Eleanor said.

A voice utterly calm.

“I raised her from when she was young. I wouldn’t mind another whore, but to hold her in your arms…”

She added.

“Was that for England too?”

“….”

“You’re the one who messed up Richard’s marriage, Henry. Not me.”

Eleanor said.

“Don’t forget how many sons and daughters I bore for you and England.”

“That’s why I’m leaving England to you and Henry.”

Henry II said.

He slumped into his chair.

“At least in Jerusalem, I won’t have to bicker with my sons over the throne. I will fight for salvation.”

“Salvation is needed for the other lords who followed you as well.”

Eleanor replied.

The sun slowly set, bringing the tournament to a close.

The sound of trumpets announcing the end of the games echoed.

“….”

Silence flowed.

Henry II slowly opened his mouth.

“Henry and Richard won’t leave Geoffrey alone. To act so disgracefully in front of all of Europe…”

He said.

“Perhaps the public sentiment will turn away from Geoffrey as well.”

“Geoffrey is not one to be satisfied with Brittany. Soon…”

Eleanor said.

A hesitant tone.

“Soon, something bad will happen.”

“….”

Henry II muttered as he descended from the stands.

“Whatever happens, it’s no longer my problem to worry about.”

* * *

“I captured this man, I did! So why are you the one demanding ransom?”

“Because I caught him. He escaped while you were away. I just caught him. Shouldn’t I be the one to receive the ransom?”

Arguments and shouts erupted from all directions.

The sounds of spears, swords, and shields were no longer heard.

Only voices filled the air.

I walked with Aigh and Ruark, observing the scene.

As the sun set, the tournament concluded.

The knights who had fought on the plain were now tending to their wounds and negotiating their ransoms.

“It’s like looking at a marketplace,” Aigh said with a laugh.

“I didn’t know knights were so good at bargaining.”

“If they can’t pay the ransom, they’ll lose all their armor and weapons. I’d try to bargain too,” I replied.

Blacksmiths carried hammers, pounding on bent helmets and swords.

‘Geoffrey’s helmet was all dented too.’

He wouldn’t be able to take off his helmet until they hammered it out.

After the tournament ended, Geoffrey immediately gathered his troops and left the plain.

Ransom paid entirely in cash.

A pathetic retreat for someone who came so grandly.

‘Well, it’s no wonder.’

To suffer such humiliation in front of thousands of people.

His tearful face in front of me came to mind.

Ruark asked, “Are you just going to let Geoffrey go like that?”

“Geoffrey is already dead,” I said.

From the moment he tried to fight me, Geoffrey’s fate was sealed.

“You mean…”

I shrugged instead of answering.

Commoner non-commissioned officers were seen dragging captured knights away.

In shackles and ropes.

Anyone would think they were real prisoners of war.

On one side, members of the Holy Sepulchre Order and the Knights Templar were talking and laughing.

“What are the Order’s casualties?”

“Two have leg injuries, and five were captured. They should be released by now after paying their ransom.”

“Virtually a complete victory.”

It was a result that exceeded my expectations.

We captured about one hundred and twenty prisoners.

We also seized over a hundred warhorses.

How much would we get if we received the prisoners’ ransoms?

‘I never thought I’d make a fortune in a place like this.’

I looked at Ruark.

“The Holy Sepulchre Guard said they wouldn’t accept a salary this time.”

“And they still don’t intend to receive it,” Ruark said in a firm tone.

He shook his head.

“It’s enough to have regained the honor of the Holy Sepulchre Guard.”

“Then we should prepare a more splendid celebration,” I replied with a smile.

I would have asked for cash no matter what.

The Holy Sepulchre Guard felt very different from the beginning.

Well, this should be enough for now.

I looked at Aigh.

“What about France and young Henry?”

“Both sides didn’t fight that fiercely. It seems like it will end in a draw.”

“A fitting result for this tournament.”

It was a tournament held under the banner of peace and harmony.

Young Henry, Richard, and Philip probably didn’t fight actively.

In the end, the important thing was the confrontation between me and Geoffrey.

At that moment, a familiar voice echoed.

“Excellent charge, Duke.”

William Marshal.

He walked over with Richard.

“To charge through the formation with so few knights. It was probably the first time in the tournament.”

“All the knights who were fighting stopped and watched. Me too,” Richard interjected with a laugh.

“I heard Geoffrey was crying and peeing his pants. Is that true?”

“He was quite afraid of me.”

“If I had more time, I would have had a proper fight with the Duke,” Richard said, patting my arm.

“I guess we’ll have to wait for the next opportunity.”

I burst out laughing.

What if I had to fight Marshal or Richard with all my strength?

It would have been a much more difficult battle.

Maybe I would have lost.

Richard whispered closely to me.

“Geoffrey sent a request for support to Philip in the middle. But Philip didn’t answer.”

“I would have done the same,” I nodded.

The choice Philip made was right.

If he had intervened and helped Geoffrey, he would be running away with him now.

‘Nominally, I was on the same team as him.’

He abandoned Geoffrey rather than risk it.

“So what are you going to do now? Philip will return to France as it is…” Richard said.

“Are you going to believe his oath to go on a crusade?”

“I don’t trust Philip,” I smiled faintly.

“So I need to set up another contingency plan.”

* * *

That night.

A tournament after-party was held in young Henry’s tent.

“For King Henry of England!”

“For King Arthur, Archangel Michael, and Duke Baldwin!”

In a boisterous atmosphere, lords and knights raised their glasses.

Some priests also sat in the banquet hall, eating bread and talking.

Young Henry raised his glass and said to me, “Hoo, excellent battle, Duke. Marshal and others all praised the Jerusalem knights.”

“I agree. The rumors about the Duke are not exaggerated,” Philip interjected.

He shook his head with his unique smile.

“It would have been nice if Duke Geoffrey had stayed here and enjoyed the banquet.”

“He said he was sick, so there’s nothing we can do,” I answered, looking at Philip.

There was no emotion in his expression.

“Anyway, I’m glad we were able to finish this tournament safely,” Philip said.

“What greater joy could there be than to swear a crusade in a place blessed by the Lord?”

Everyone applauded him.

How hypocritical.

‘Then shall we start slowly now.’

I glanced at Richard.

I could feel curiosity in his eyes looking at me.

“Indeed, it is a place blessed by the Lord. I also received a revelation while watching the tournament today.”

“….”

The flute stopped.

Young Henry, Richard, and even Philip.

Everyone looked at me with their mouths shut.

A heavy silence flowed.

Young Henry stammered and asked, “Re, revelation? What exactly are you talking about?”

“There’s no need to worry, Your Majesty. It’s not an earthquake or a comet,” I gave a faint smile.

It’s an atmosphere that feels like you’re about to suffocate.

“Two young eagles soared out of the nest together. And they returned to the nest with a large bull in their claws.”

“Eagles, here?” Philip asked.

“I know there are no eagles in this area.”

“So that’s why you said revelation,” Young Henry said.

He leaned forward.

“Where did you see that revelation?”

“It was in the very center of the plain. When I came to my senses again, it was gone,” I said.

Then words poured out from all directions.

“I think I saw an eagle flying too!”

“Didn’t you see a crow?”

“No! It was really an eagle!”

People began to murmur one by one.

The tent was instantly filled with voices.

“Anyway, the important thing is that the Lord showed me that revelation,” I coughed and interjected.

If I mess this up, it will last for dozens of minutes.

“My interpretation is this. The young eagles leaving the nest is like going on a crusade.”

The lords who heard my words nodded.

“The young eagles caught a bull. Doesn’t that mean the crusade will be a great success?”

“The Duke is right! This is clearly the Lord giving us good omens!”

“That’s right! That’s right!”

I raised my hand to stop the commotion.

This is going to last for tens of minutes if I mess up.

“And the two young eagles probably mean Duke Richard and His Majesty Philip.”

“But it’s not just me and Duke Richard who are going on a crusade. Henry II is also preparing for an expedition,” Philip asked.

He looked at me.

“The two eagles could mean Henry II and Duke Richard.”

“If that were the case, it would have been an old eagle and a young eagle. What I saw was clearly two young eagles,” I shook my head.

I guess you’ve noticed how things are going.

‘It’s already too late to stop it.’

I continued to speak.

“The two eagles I saw left the nest together. And they came back to the nest together. To be successful in this expedition, we need to follow the revelation.”

I looked at Richard and Philip alternately.

“Duke Richard and His Majesty Philip must go to the Levant [historical region encompassing the Eastern Mediterranean] together. And they must return together. Otherwise, great misfortune will befall Aquitaine [historical region in southwestern France] and France.”

“…Duke Baldwin.”

Richard frowned.

A slightly reddened expression.

“I have to go to the Levant with His Majesty Philip. I think that issue needs more discussion.”

I smiled at him.

It would be difficult for Richard to accept it willingly.

He might not be able to go on a crusade.

But that was unlikely.

‘If Richard stays in Europe, it’s a loss for Philip.’

I turned my head and looked at Philip.

He kept his mouth shut and only smiled faintly.

He was calculating in his head.