I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 145

< 145 – The March of Fools (5) >

Damascus

Camels came and went through the city gates, carrying weapons and supplies.

On the streets, scholars and poets recited poems to encourage the warriors.

“Brave commander of the warriors, please, this humble one….”

“I don’t have time for this, Kamil. What’s the situation in Egypt?”

Saladin waved his hand.

He donned his chainmail with the help of his attendants.

“Still no information?”

“The battle continues around the fortress. And….”

Al-Kamil lowered his head.

“The Frankish prisoners are said to have joined the riot.”

“Then the rioters must have released them. Weren’t the prisoners building the citadel?”

“Uncle, we must leave for Cairo as soon as possible!”

Saladin’s nephew, Taqi ad-Din, said.

Dressed in armor, he stood beside Saladin.

“If we’re not careful, all of Egypt will fall into the hands of those Shia [a branch of Islam] bastards.”

“No.”

Saladin stroked his chin.

“The fact that they even used Frankish prisoners means they’re desperate. If the citizens of Cairo had responded to the rebellion, they wouldn’t have joined hands with the Franks.”

“···.”

Taqi ad-Din looked at Kamil.

“Is there any other news from Egypt?”

“Governor Al-Adil has not yet sent a request for support. He must believe that the Egyptian army is sufficient on its own.”

“Al-Adil will try to solve the problem himself. He’ll postpone asking me for help at all costs.”

Saladin said.

He looked out the window.

The signal tower in front of the Damascus walls creaked as it moved.

Already, dozens of signal towers connected Damascus to other cities.

The speed of information exchange had increased, but the enormous construction and operating costs could not be ignored.

Without the Franks’ ‘angel’s eyes’ [referring to advanced Frankish scouting or surveillance methods], they had no choice but to build more towers.

The enormous financial burden also affected military spending.

“Sibylla fled to Count Raymond around the time Baldwin returned to the Levant [historical geographical area encompassing modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan].”

Saladin said, looking at his nephew.

“And there was a rebellion in Cairo. Do you think all of this is a coincidence?”

“Cairo is a ploy to divert your attention, Uncle.”

Taqi ad-Din said.

“But even a small spark can spread like wildfire if left unattended.”

“Yes, and Egypt is a land we cannot afford to lose.”

Saladin said.

“But what if Al-Adil can suppress the rebellion without our support?”

“Uncle, you mean….”

Silence fell.

Both Al-Kamil and Taqi ad-Din looked at the Sultan.

“It’s a gamble worth taking. This isn’t a fight between Guy and Raymond. Guy is fighting young Baldwin for the throne.”

Saladin said.

“The King of Jerusalem may remain neutral for now, but he will try to help his nephew if things go wrong.”

“Then how about we strike Jerusalem while marching to Egypt?”

Taqi ad-Din said.

“Then Baldwin IV won’t be able to help his nephew either.”

“No, we need to draw him further away from Al-Quds (Jerusalem) [Arabic name for Jerusalem]. Besieging Al-Quds will only enhance the prestige of the sick king.”

Saladin shook his head.

“If we are to strike, we must strike a place between Egypt and Damascus.”

He pointed to a map on the table.

“Right here. Kerak.”

* * *

Hattin

I stood on the rocky mountain and looked around.

The Horns of Hattin.

A wide plain stretched to the west.

Bushes parched by the sun were scattered here and there.

To the east was the Sea of Galilee.

Dozens of horses and camels moved about, carrying water and food.

‘The perfect place to wage a decisive battle.’

How many more warriors will lose their lives here this time?

Some for Count Guy,

Some for Jerusalem,

Some for me.

As I surveyed the battlefield, I felt someone approaching.

A familiar feeling.

It was Theodora.

“The locals say that this mountain is where Jesus Christ preached about peace.”

She said.

Her maids hurried up after her.

All with tired expressions.

“And now two Christian armies are going to clash here….”

“It’s like a twist of fate.”

I said with a smile.

In the original history, it was famous as the place where Saladin defeated the Crusaders.

I wondered how it would be recorded in this world’s history books.

I looked at Theodora.

Her and Sibylla.

The two chose to come to Hattin instead of hiding in the Tiberias fortress.

The reason was simple.

‘If I stay in Tiberias, it will look like Count Raymond kidnapped me. I have to stand before the soldiers myself.’

‘And I can’t abandon my mother and hide in Tiberias alone.’

No matter how hard I tried to stop them, I couldn’t break their will.

Theodora took the lead in organizing the supply train.

Made up of people of Greek descent, they carried supplies, pulling camels and horses.

“Theodora, whichever side wins, this place won’t be safe. Even now, you should go to Tiberias….”

“Why should I run away when you’re not running away?”

Theodora said with a smile.

“···.”

“My father always told me stories while I sat on his lap when he returned from the battlefield.”

She looked at the plains.

“But this is the first time I’ve stood directly in front of a battlefield.”

“It’s not a very fun sight.”

I said.

It was the same for me when I first fell into this world.

The sight of knights in armor charging was like watching a movie right in front of me.

The earth vibrating with hooves, the sound of wind brushing against helmets.

But the battlefield was different from the movies.

Horses and soldiers collapsed, covered in blood.

Arms and legs and heads half-cut and dangling.

‘There were many times when I wished I didn’t have precognition.’

It was hard to stay sane when thousands, tens of thousands of emotions poured in like a tidal wave.

I had to feel their pain, excitement, frustration, and hope all at the same time.

“I’ll end this battle as quickly as possible. That’s the only way to reduce pointless sacrifices.”

I said.

This wasn’t a fight against Islam.

A civil war between the same Christian factions.

The blood spilled had to be minimized.

“And there’s Saladin too.”

Theodora nodded.

“Will he really take the bait?”

“He’s already noticed that Egypt is the bait.”

I said.

Saladin was a formidable opponent.

He would have figured out my plan by now.

The rebellion in Egypt and the civil war in the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Which one would he choose?

“But he can’t give up Egypt either.”

“If the worst happens, His Majesty the King will step in himself. Although his condition has worsened….”

Theodora muttered.

“A king must fight to protect his kingdom. That’s what makes you different from Count Guy.”

“···.”

Instead of answering, I nodded.

If Guy had tried to protect Jerusalem, he wouldn’t have done this.

He wouldn’t have brought in the Knights Templar to attack the Assassin transport in the first place.

Theodora raised her hand and pointed to the plains.

“So you’re planning to face them head-on there?”

She asked.

“It would be safer to lay siege to Tiberias. The castle has plenty of supplies.”

“If I were fighting Saladin, I would have. But I don’t have that luxury right now.”

I said.

I had to crush Guy’s army as quickly as possible before Saladin intervened.

If I holed up in the Tiberias fortress and fought a defensive battle, there was no telling when the civil war would end.

‘It would take at least a few months.’

I had no intention of recreating the Trojan War here in the Levant.

What I wanted was the Battle of the Horns of Hattin.

To do that, I had to make Guy come here in a frenzy.

“So you announced the trial by combat?”

Theodora asked.

“To find out who is right, Count Raymond or Count Guy, through battle… it’s really….”

“It’s like a children’s fight.”

I said with a smile, nodding.

Trial by combat.

Whether Count Raymond kidnapped Sibylla, or whether he was legitimately protecting Sibylla.

The side that wins the battle is justice!

What could be a simpler logic than this?

Guy must be happy now.

He must believe that he will win because he has gathered more knights.

He wouldn’t care about supplies.

‘The Lord is with us! Our army cannot be defeated!’

Once you fall into this kind of belief, it’s only a matter of time before you lose.

‘The Emperor’s army always wins!’

‘Allah has promised the Muslims final victory!’

This kind of repertoire is the same for hardliners in any era.

Then Aigh hurried up the mountain, panting.

“Master, they have arrived near Acre.”

“Then tell Count Raymond to proceed as planned. It’s time to block the wells and set fire to the fields.”

“Then I’ll go back and check the supplies. The drinking water should be enough with what we’ve collected so far.”

“The more, the better.”

I nodded.

Finally, it’s showtime.

* * *

‘War! War is coming! The final judgment is coming! Repent all your sins!’

With the return of Prince Baldwin, the Kingdom of Jerusalem fell into chaos.

The chaos grew even greater when it was revealed that the missing Sibylla was under the protection of Count Raymond.

‘Count Guy has oppressed the people of his territory for his own selfish desires, imposed excessive taxes, and used the noble royal Sibylla as a tool!’

‘To kidnap another lord’s wife like that! Count Raymond will pay the price!’

With the Jerusalem royal family remaining silent, the kingdom was divided into two factions.

[Lords who follow Raymond and Baldwin.]

And,

[Lords who follow Guy and the hardliners of the Knights Templar.]

As both sides mobilized their armies and tensions continued, Raymond’s announcement followed.

‘God will prove whose words are right! I will apply for a trial by combat against Count Guy!’

The story that Count Raymond had requested a trial by combat in front of Tiberias spread throughout the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

A trial by combat between lords, not individuals.

This was unprecedented.

But Guy readily accepted Count Raymond’s proposal.

‘Stupid fools! How can they propose to fight in front of the Sea of Galilee? They don’t even know basic tactics.’

‘Let’s push them into the lake! And let’s get Sibylla back!’

A large force of thousands left Ascalon and arrived in Acre via Nazareth and the Springs of Saffuriya.

The land ruled by Count Raymond.

They headed to the surrounding villages to requisition food.

‘If you don’t hand over the food, we’ll take it by force!’

‘Why are you wielding your swords?! Count Raymond said you are welcome to purchase supplies.’

They received supplies from Count Raymond’s territory without any resistance.

Rather, some merchants actively sold goods.

Guy’s men were confused by Count Raymond’s attitude.

‘Why are Count Raymond’s men selling us supplies so willingly?’

‘This isn’t a war, it’s a trial by combat, you idiot. He’s doing it so you don’t change your mind later.’

‘The fact that they’re giving us supplies like this means they’re trying to buy time!’

‘We must advance to Tiberias right now! They’re only a day away! The longer we wait, the larger Count Raymond’s forces will grow!’

Due to their continued insistence, Count Guy decided to march.

A long road leading from Acre to Tiberias.

The knights and soldiers marched with high spirits.

‘Let’s save Sibylla!’

‘God’s wrath on Count Raymond!’

But this excited atmosphere did not last long.

The sun in the center of the sky scorched them, heating their skin and armor.

The wells along the way were all dry or blocked with stones.

‘These wells are all dry too!’

‘Keep advancing! Tiberias is just a little further! We’ll get water there!’

‘Count Raymond will give us water anyway!’

The sunlight burned everything, like flowing lava on limestone.

No matter how much they wore coats, they couldn’t stop the chainmail from heating up.

In the middle, those who couldn’t stand the heat collapsed or were carried away by their comrades.

The water that individuals had brought quickly disappeared in the sand.

To make matters worse, fires broke out in various places along the road, covering them with black smoke and heat.

In the end, it was the next morning that they arrived in Tiberias.

‘The Sea of Galilee! I can see the lake in front of me!’

A black wall blocked them as they cheered in front of the water.

The appearance of the wall was visible through the swaying heat haze.

It wasn’t a wall.

Knights on horseback.

Raymond and Baldwin’s knights greeted them.