I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 159

< 159. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (4) >

Jerusalem

Knights Hospitaller Training Grounds

“You all seem to be mistaken! I don’t care what kind of lives you led back in Europe!”

A middle-aged man shouted, swinging a wooden staff.

“From the moment you join the Order, you are all fellow Knights! Brothers who will fight together until death!”

The man glared at each of the trainees.

“Whether you’re a commoner or a noble, you die the same when hit by a sword!”

Gaernier and Aygue.

The two watched the scene from outside the training grounds.

“The one on the far left and the second one will quit by tomorrow.”

“The fourth one seems like he’ll last a bit longer. Surprisingly, some nobles adapt well.”

“Sir Garnier is one of them.”

Aygue said with a smile. He stood up and adjusted the sword at his waist.

“But those people all came here by their own choice. I was born and raised in the Knights Hospitaller…”

“No, you had a choice too.”

Gaernier said.

“And risking your life fighting the Saracens isn’t a choice anyone can easily make.”

“…”

“You know it too. Since His Majesty Baldwin ascended the throne, many members have started following you.”

“Why would they follow me, someone who hasn’t even been formally invested…?”

“You’ve always fought by His Majesty’s side. Ailat, Constantinople, Italy, France, and even England.”

Gaernier grinned. He pointed to the trainees in the middle of their training.

“And in the process of integrating the Orders, the established powers have lost a lot of influence. New and young members are coming to the forefront.”

He muttered, looking thoughtful.

“For the Orders, this integration is like their last chance. A chance to create a pure Order free from political infighting and profiteering. The Order can only survive if the reforms succeed.”

“That’s exactly what His Majesty is pushing for.”

“That’s why you’re receiving so much expectation.”

Gaernier said.

“His Majesty trusts you. It’s not easy to earn the King’s trust.”

“…”

“I’ll suggest it to the Commander. You’ll soon be formally invested as a Knight.”

“I see.”

Aygue bowed his head. His chainmail rustled.

“You don’t seem very happy.”

“Why wouldn’t I be happy to become a formal member? It’s just…”

Aygue sighed. He hesitated, then glanced at Gaernier before speaking again, but then…

“Sir Gaernier! You were here!”

A Knight Hospitaller member approached, panting. He handed Gaernier a piece of paper he was holding.

“Isn’t this… Lord Reynald?”

“It seems to be Reynald.”

Aygue replied, looking at the paper. The picture, printed in black ink, was clear enough to be easily recognizable.

Lord Reynald standing on the deck of a ship.

Below it, a large Latin phrase was written.

‘The Conqueror of Mecca.’

Gaernier and Aygue both stared blankly at the paper. The Knight Hospitaller member pointed to the street and shouted.

“Hundreds of copies of this paper are piled up all over Jerusalem! Rumor has it they’re being spread in other cities as well.”

“Reynald hasn’t even left for the Mecca expedition yet, so what is this…”

“Didn’t His Majesty dislike Reynald in the first place?”

Aygue asked.

“There doesn’t seem to be a reason to print and spread Reynald’s picture like this.”

“…Lord Reynald didn’t volunteer for that mission. He received an order to entrust Kerak [a major Crusader castle] to the royal family and conquer Mecca. He probably would have tried to find an excuse to escape somehow.”

“In that case…”

Aygue clapped his hands.

“You’re spreading these pictures to prevent Reynald from backing out.”

“Yes, His Majesty is very thorough. He even does this kind of public opinion manipulation.”

Gaernier shook the paper and laughed.

“And Saladin will soon hear about this ‘picture’ too. Once it’s known that Reynald will attack Mecca, even Saladin won’t be able to stand still.”

He stopped laughing and said.

“Mecca is different from Damietta [a port city in Egypt]. If Saladin doesn’t respond and stays still, he’ll suffer a huge backlash.”

“In that case…”

Aygue muttered.

“You’re preventing Reynald from backing out while simultaneously informing Saladin.”

“But Reynald won’t be able to say anything to His Majesty either. He’s made him a hero of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. It’s a very subtle move.”

Gaernier said. His gaze turned to the trainees swinging their wooden swords.

“This printing press, you see.”

He turned his head to look at Aygue.

“It might be a weapon stronger than swords and spears.”

* * *

Knights Hospitaller Headquarters

“It’s the first time I’ve worked like a mule like this.”

Kang sighed, listening to the training sounds coming from outside. He looked at the wooden block placed on the table.

The Jerusalem royal flag was engraved on the wooden block.

“Don’t complain so much.”

Jernal approached with a smile. He stroked his beard and patted Kang’s shoulder.

“It’s less busy than when I was building signal towers. Is the preparation all finished?”

“This should be enough. It’s not a very complicated pattern.”

Kang replied, holding up the wooden block. A large cross in the center surrounded by four smaller crosses.

The Jerusalem royal flag was easily recognizable to anyone.

“Shouldn’t the royal flag be made of silk or something, not cheap paper like this?”

“His Majesty said we need to make as many as possible. So we can’t only use expensive silk.”

“Where are you going to use so many…”

“I heard he’s giving them out to the people who want them.”

“Giving them out to the people? Papers with the royal insignia on them?”

Kang frowned and asked. The royal insignia was essentially a representation of the royal family itself.

That’s why there were insignia officers who managed the insignia separately.

“I don’t really know exactly what His Majesty is trying to do either.”

Jernal shrugged and replied. He nudged Kang’s arm and burst into laughter.

“But we mules just need to do our jobs well. What answer would a mule come up with even if it pondered?”

“That’s not wrong either.”

Kang said, wiping away sweat. The sound of tightening and pressing the printing presses could be heard from the room next door.

“Giving the royal flag to anyone who wants it…”

* * *

Jerusalem Royal Palace

“His Majesty seems to be serious.”

Raymond said, putting down the paper he was holding. He looked up at Balian.

“From the picture tailored to Reynald’s expedition to Mecca to the royal flag this time. What do you think His Majesty is aiming for?”

“His Majesty said the royal flag will become a symbol of unity.”

Balian approached the table and said. He reached out and picked up the paper with the five crosses drawn on it.

“Why would he print the royal flag while announcing Reynald’s Mecca expedition?”

He continued.

“People will put this royal flag on their house doors or shops. They’ll be showing that they support the Christian Church and the Council, and the Mecca expedition.”

“If attention is focused on the Mecca expedition, the conflict surrounding the Council will decrease that much. In addition, the cross is a symbol that both Roman Catholic and Orthodox believers can accept.”

Raymond said.

“But the royal flag. Do you have any idea what will happen from now on?”

“…”

“The more this royal flag spreads, the weaker the lords’ power will become. The people will pledge allegiance to the kingdom itself, not to our lords.”

Raymond added.

“It could have a negative impact on the kingdom in the long run. The royal family is already managing the signal towers, aren’t they? More and more power will be transferred to the throne as the days go by.”

“It sounds like you’re saying we need to keep the King in check.”

“Keep in check? Not at all!”

Count Raymond exclaimed. He waved his hand in the air.

“I was just worried that something unexpected might happen in the future.”

“His Majesty Baldwin has already achieved so much. This Council is also his work.”

Balian said.

“It’s only natural that the people follow him.”

“Of course, I think so too.”

Raymond sighed and said. He turned his head to look out the window.

Sunlight filled the room, following the dry wind of Jerusalem.

“There’s no one as powerful as a king who is trusted and followed by the people. We can only hope that where we’re heading isn’t a cliff.”

The palace was full of all sorts of stories. In a room close to Raymond and Balian, two women were talking.

“I don’t care what orders you heard in Constantinople [modern-day Istanbul, the capital of the Byzantine Empire].”

Theodora said, frowning. She glared at the woman standing opposite her.

It was plain-looking silk clothing, but her sharp eyes were hard to hide even with silk.

Aile.

She was the head of the Levant intelligence network that followed Constantinople’s orders.

“Stop inciting the Romans in the Levant [a historical geographic area encompassing the Eastern Mediterranean]. Right now.”

“But Princess Theodora… no, Queen. We haven’t done any incitement…”

“I’m warning you in advance, don’t even think about telling lies in front of me. I’m not that stupid.”

“Understood.”

Aile said. She watched Theodora’s expression.

“Constantinople’s will is firm. Under no circumstances can we allow Roman Catholicism to gain an advantage in the Council.”

She said.

“No matter how much the two churches unite, if it’s Catholic-centered, the citizens of Constantinople won’t accept it. Preparatory work is necessary to prevent such a situation.”

“If that ‘preparatory work’ involves inciting people to fight, then it’s a different story.”

Theodora said, standing up.

“I know very well what His Majesty Basilious (Emperor) is worried about. But my husband won’t blindly side with Roman Catholicism.”

She added.

“I can guarantee that.”

“But the Roman Church has already given His Majesty Baldwin the title of ‘Defender of the Faith,’ hasn’t it? That means…”

“Then the Church of Constantinople can give him a similar title. That’s not a big problem.”

Theodora shook her head.

“But if Constantinople continues to incite people like this, you don’t know what will happen.”

“Are you threatening us?”

“I’m telling you the reality.”

Theodora said with a smile.

“Baldwin is a reasonable person. He’s someone who will remain neutral if Constantinople doesn’t cross the line.”

She continued.

“But if immigrants from Rome continue to cause problems, he’ll have no choice but to step in. The result won’t be good for Constantinople either.”

“…”

Aile stared at Theodora without saying a word. An awkward silence fell.

“If the Church of Constantinople stops, the Western Church must also stop. To stop the fighting, both sides must lower their swords together.”

“We can agree to that much. Tell Constantinople this as well. Baldwin and I will not favor the Western Church.”

Theodora said with a smile.

“We both know that the future of the Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Jerusalem depends on this Council.”

“I have no choice but to trust the Queen. Soon…”

Aile sighed and said.

“The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople will arrive here.”

“The Patriarch of Constantinople is coming in person?”

Theodora frowned and muttered.

“The Empire values this Council that much. No matter how the result comes out…”

Aile said.

“This Council will remain in history forever.”