I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 157

< 157 – The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (2) >

Jerusalem Royal Palace

“Please sign here, Your Majesty. And here as well…”

I glared at the documents before me. Staring at the papers for hours had made my eyes as dry as if I were in the desert.

With Baldwin IV’s sudden passing, I was immediately thrown into the thick of state affairs.

“The paperwork is endless.”

“And there is one more thing I must tell you, Your Majesty.”

Balian cleared his throat and said,

“A king is the noblest and most honorable person in his kingdom. This must be reflected in his speech and actions.”

“You mean…”

I should speak in a manner befitting a king.

Indeed, many people had been surprised by my way of speaking until now.

I cleared my throat and replied,

“I understand, Lord Balian.”

“It concerns not only Your Majesty but also the prestige of the kingdom.”

Balian said with a smile.

“Being a king is not easy.”

Various revenues, the power struggles of nobles, the military, diplomacy, and even the church. There was a mountain of things to review.

Baldwin IV handled all this while suffering from illness?

I looked at my stiff arms. Using my Sixth Sense wasn’t as tiring as before.

The crow’s words from the coronation came to mind.

‘You won’t die of weakness anytime soon.’

Was that arrogant crow really a god? It felt more like an evil spirit than a god.

‘If I had accepted the offer, would Baldwin IV still be alive?’

There was no point in worrying about it now. I put down the pen and looked at Balian.

“How are the funeral preparations going?”

“The basic preparations are already complete. Oh, and there is one more thing to report…”

He took something from his pocket and handed it to me. It was a picture that looked like it had been printed by a printing press.

A man on horseback was in the center.

“The Knights Hospitaller printed it themselves. It’s a portrait of the late King Baldwin IV.”

Balian said.

“It has already spread throughout the church and the streets.”

“I approved it. It must have spread a lot in the meantime.”

I said as I accepted the paper. It had only been a few days since the Knights Hospitaller requested to print a portrait commemorating Baldwin IV.

I didn’t expect it to become so popular so quickly.

“So it was Your Majesty who initiated it. When I first heard about the printing press, I thought it was just an interesting toy…”

Balian scratched his head.

“To think it could even sway the people’s hearts. Now I understand why Your Majesty only allowed the Knights to use it.”

“It’s that powerful.”

I nodded.

In this era, there were no media like TV or radio, of course.

Pictures were a simple yet powerful means of propaganda that even those who couldn’t read could understand.

But was it right to use Baldwin IV’s death in this way?

‘He probably wouldn’t have cared if it was for the benefit of the kingdom…’

I tapped the table. There was nothing wrong with a picture commemorating the death of a king.

It would also help unite the kingdom.

“We should send the pictures to Europe as well.”

“Send pictures to Europe? What do you mean?”

“These pictures. Combined with the stories of the troubadours [traveling poets and musicians of the time]…”

I muttered. Now, Europe was in the midst of a Crusader craze.

But that was just a trend I had created.

Now that I had returned to Jerusalem, the atmosphere must have calmed down to some extent. With the right story, we could rekindle the flame.

The Leper King who fought to protect his kingdom until his death. What story could be more heart-wrenching than this?

“There is no European knight who doesn’t know the Song of Roland.”

The epic poem about Roland, a knight who followed Charlemagne and died valiantly fighting against the Islamic army.

Of course, it differed from actual history, but Europeans accepted this story as truth.

The legend of King Arthur was the same.

‘Baldwin IV could certainly become like that.’

There was no need to fabricate lies like the Song of Roland. The actual events were enough to evoke emotion.

Balian nodded at my words.

“No one has made a greater sacrifice than His Majesty Baldwin IV.”

“…”

“We should also hold a council. I’ll leave the preparations for the council to you.”

“A council… now is the most appropriate time. It must be resolved before the start of the Third Crusade.”

“The Italian cities, England, France, Eastern Rome, and even the kingdoms of Abyssinia (Ethiopia). Without a council, there will be no cooperation.”

I said with a smile. Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and even the Coptic Orthodox churches of Ethiopia and Egypt.

A true Christian dream team.

A council was an event where Christian priests and theologians gathered to discuss doctrines and norms.

The First Crusade was also formed at the Council of Clermont in 1095.

But what I wanted was a great council where all Christian denominations gathered, not just Roman Catholics.

“But the more sailors, the harder it is to set a course. If a compromise is not reached…”

Balian said.

“The situation could get worse. Constantinople, Rome, and Abyssinia will all think Your Majesty will take their side.”

“Then let them think that way.”

I stretched out. Expecting my help meant they were relying on me.

They would all come to the council.

It was time to reap the seeds I had sown in Europe and Eastern Rome.

“Once they come to Jerusalem, they will have to make a decision, whether they like it or not.”

Great unification or great division.

The wheel of the world was turning around Jerusalem.

* * *

Eastern Rome

Constantinople

“Haven’t you already sent a congratulatory delegation to Jerusalem? But you’re sending another delegation this time?”

Empress Agnes asked as she rose from the bed. She looked at her husband, Alexios II.

“Duke Baldwin. No, King Baldwin has requested a universal council.”

Alexios II said. He put on his imperial robes with the help of his attendants.

“It’s a universal council that’s being held for the first time in almost three hundred years. We must take the lead at all costs.”

“So you announced that you would join the Third Crusade?”

Agnes rose, covering herself. She grabbed Alexios’s arm and asked,

“It hasn’t been long since the last expedition. If we openly take Jerusalem’s side…”

She said,

“It could provoke a backlash from the citizens.”

“I’m not just trying to help Baldwin. Jerusalem is like a shield that protects the empire from the Saracens [Muslims].”

Alexios shook his head. He smiled and looked at his wife.

“To be precise, I’m not ‘joining’ the Crusade, but going to lead it. The empire can only be safe if Jerusalem survives. And if the Western and Eastern churches are reunited…”

He muttered.

“It might be an opportunity to extend our power back to the West. Your family in France might not welcome it, though.”

“I am already the Empress of the Roman Empire, Alexios.”

Agnes said, looking down at her hands. Small hands that were still growing.

“And an empress must fulfill her duties.”

“I won’t be leaving right away, Agnes. I don’t need to attend the council myself.”

He sighed.

“Let’s hope the council goes well first.”

“Baldwin will take Your Majesty’s side.”

Agnes said with a smile.

“Because Your Majesty will protect Jerusalem, not anyone else.”

* * *

Southern Aquitaine

“Do you swear before the Lord to fight for the protection of Jerusalem?”

“I swear.”

Richard knelt and replied. Amid the blaring of trumpets, knights and soldiers raised their swords and spears.

“Then I entrust this sacred sword to you. The honor and glory of the English royal family now rests with you. Duke Richard of Aquitaine.”

“My glory will be the glory of Your Majesty and the English royal family.”

Richard rose, accepting the sword.

The cheers of the people erupted as young Henry embraced him.

A knight rose from behind Richard. Young Henry looked at him and smiled.

“Sir William Marshal. You have taken on the duty to fulfill the oath of the cross in my place. Please make me and the kingdom proud.”

“I will do my best, Your Majesty.”

“Long live England! Long live King Henry!”

The cheers continued. Young Henry approached Richard and whispered,

“I… I’m curious if the preparations are going well.”

“First, my father will leave first. There aren’t enough ships to leave all at once right now.”

Richard said in a nonchalant tone.

“Next, we’ll go around the west of France to Cyprus. If the Lord wills it, we’ll arrive safely.”

“D-don’t worry about Aquitaine while you’re gone. I and the… Roman Church will protect it directly.”

“But it’s useless if Philip doesn’t leave France.”

Richard replied.

“Isn’t he making all sorts of excuses not to go even now?”

“P-Philip will eventually have to leave. But if the atmosphere changes…”

“I’ve already sent a letter to Baldwin. He might come up with something.”

Richard shrugged.

“I heard he ascended to the throne of Jerusalem this time.”

“I… I heard too.”

Young Henry nodded. He continued in an excited tone.

“The King of Jerusalem. There is no more sacred and noble duty than that.”

“If I were him, I would have been satisfied with England.”

Richard said with a smile.

“The King of Jerusalem? I guarantee that position is harder than managing a pigsty in hell.”

* * *

‘Baldwin V has requested a council!’

The story that the Kingdom of Jerusalem had requested a council spread rapidly throughout Europe.

From France, England, Italy, and Hispania (Spain), countless Christians shared stories about the council.

Among them were Germans.

“To hold a council with the Greek (Eastern Roman) Emperor without saying a word to me! The Roman Church has finally gone mad!”

Emperor Frederick shouted, breathing heavily.

“Isn’t this a blatant disregard for our empire!”

“King Baldwin is virtually leading this council. Your Imperial Majesty should send him a letter first…”

“You’re telling me to bow down to that bastard first?! The one who insulted and humiliated me in front of all Europeans…”

“Concession. Your Majesty conceded for the sake of peace in Europe.”

Empress Beatrice said.

“Now is not the time to fight with Jerusalem. Duke Heinrich is gaining more and more power in the north…”

“It was Baldwin who supported that detestable fellow! He’s using that stupid indulgence or whatever it is to deceive the citizens of the empire.”

“Y-Your Majesty. I have something to say regarding the indulgences [pardons for sins].”

The finance manager said, bowing his head.

“The number of villages using indulgences is increasing day by day. If this continues…”

“If this continues, what?”

“What if the Knights don’t exchange the indulgences for cash?”

The finance manager continued.

“Recently, the royal family of Jerusalem integrated all the Knights into the royal family’s direct control. If King Baldwin only gives orders to the German branch of the Knights…”

“The indulgences will become worthless trash.”

“T-that’s right.”

“To dare release such poison into my empire.”

Emperor Frederick muttered, tearing at his beard.

“Baldwin helped Heinrich with this in mind. He created the indulgences not to protect the Holy Land, but to attack me and the empire…”

Deep wrinkles formed on his forehead. Since returning from Italy, his wrinkles had only increased day by day.

“I haven’t been able to sleep properly since that day. Since that cursed day.”

Empress Beatrice reached out and stroked him.

“First, dispatch an imperial representative to the council in accordance with the papal delegation, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, we must do that first.”

The Red-Bearded Emperor sighed deeply.

“In the end, I will have to give something to Jerusalem.”