I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 180

< 180. Lead Me to the Light (5) >

Damascus

“Is the atmosphere really that bad?”

“It wouldn’t be strange if a sword fight broke out right now. There are ominous rumors circulating, too.”

The man looked at Marco and nodded.

“It’s fortunate that the Muslims don’t drink alcohol. Of course, there are those who drink in secret, though.”

He added.

“If I were you, I would leave Damascus right away. Whatever happens, you have to survive first.”

“I wish I could, but… Anyway, thank you for this.”

Marco took out a gold coin from his pocket and handed it to the man.

“You’ve never met me.”

“Of course not, sir.”

The man bowed and said.

As he left the room, another figure entered.

Turpin asked.

“Is he a reliable informant?”

“He’s the most reliable guy in Damascus.”

Marco sighed and replied.

“The market atmosphere isn’t good either. Saracen [Arab or Muslim] men are causing trouble, but the guards are acting like nothing’s happening.”

“Then it seems His Majesty’s concerns were true. We must begin our preparations.”

Turpin sighed.

He had secretly come to Damascus before, hiding his identity.

Back then, he brought a printing press, but now it was different. All he could trust were a few subordinates.

“Send a letter to Jerusalem immediately. No, it would be better if you left as well.”

He looked at Marco.

“This place will soon become a battlefield.”

* * *

Jerusalem

Headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller

Jernal tried to run away as soon as I entered the laboratory.

“Where is the chief blacksmith?”

“He’s currently…”

The young apprentice said in an awkward tone.

“He seems to be away.”

“Lying to the king. You know that’s a serious crime, don’t you?”

“I, I’m sorry! Your Majesty. How could I commit such a crime…”

“Don’t worry. I was just joking.”

I said with a smile.

The laboratory was filled with black smoke and the unique smell of iron. I relied on my intuition and went deeper inside.

Jernal was hiding among the other blacksmiths in the corner.

“Y-Your Majesty!”

“There you are, Jernal. Is the work going well?”

“Of course.”

He sighed deeply and trudged over.

“With an overflowing budget and manpower, how could there be any problems? The only problem is that I only have one body.”

“I feel the same way.”

I replied with a smile. After the signal tower, I set up a laboratory within the Order [Knights Hospitaller].

Their task was to develop and improve new weapons, as well as produce more efficient distilled spirits.

“Is there something specific you’re looking for today?”

“I came to discuss something with you.”

I said.

To gain an advantage against the Islamic army, we needed more powerful new weapons.

To be honest, I wanted to make gunpowder, but…

[Ah, this is gunpowder. An explosive made of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal.]

I chuckled without realizing it.

‘If the manufacturing method is leaked, we’ll be at a disadvantage.’

The telescope wouldn’t cause much damage even if it was leaked. The same goes for the elixir recipe.

The true value of the elixir was that it was made in the holy city of Jerusalem.

But gunpowder was different.

What if the Islamic army used gunpowder to wage a siege?

The fortress structures of this era would have a hard time withstanding it.

Then the only useful thing is…

“I want to find a way to utilize Greek fire more effectively.”

After helping to suppress the rebellion, the Eastern Roman Empire had been steadily supplying us with Greek fire [an incendiary weapon that continues to burn even in water].

But aside from sieges, there weren’t many ways to use Greek fire on the battlefield.

“There aren’t many ways to throw Greek fire unless we use catapults.”

Jernal said, stroking his beard.

“We can’t exactly drag catapults around and set them up on every battlefield.”

“Can’t we make a smaller, improved version of the existing catapults?”

“It seems possible. But even if we make it as small as possible, we’ll still have to transport it in separate parts. We’ll need a lot more horses, too.”

“…”

I fell into thought.

If it lacks mobility, it’s practically useless.

Something flashed in my mind. A picture I had accidentally seen during my time at the military academy.

“Do we really need to use horses?”

“Yes?”

“Camels can carry much more weight than horses. The ancient Egyptians used to mount huge crossbows on camels and shoot them.”

In fact, it wasn’t just crossbows.

In the 18th century, the Safavid dynasty of Persia operated ‘camel artillery’ with rotating cannons mounted on camels.

Thanks to the performance of these camel artillery, called Zamburak [a type of swivel gun mounted on a camel], the Safavid dynasty won against the Ottoman Empire.

Jernal, after hearing the explanation, had a thoughtful expression.

“We do have camels for transportation… but I’ll have to try working on it to know for sure. I’ll try making smaller versions of catapults or ballistae [an ancient missile weapon that launched projectiles] and mounting them.”

“It doesn’t have to be powerful since we’re not using it for sieges. It just needs to have a longer range than a bow.”

If combined with my intuition like at Kerak, it could create a great synergy. Of course, some training would be needed.

At that moment, Aigh jumped into the laboratory.

“Your Majesty, an urgent letter from Damascus. It’s from Marco.”

“I didn’t expect it to come this quickly.”

I immediately tore open the paper and checked the contents. It was filled with reports on the situation in Damascus.

“Your Majesty?”

“I’ll leave the prototype production to you, Jernal. I must be going.”

I left the bewildered Jernal behind and hurried out of the laboratory. Aigh approached, matching my pace.

“What happened again?”

“We need to convene a noble council right away.”

“Saladin has led his army to march.”

“No, it’s more serious than that. A bloodbath will soon occur in Damascus.”

Aigh looked at me with eyes asking for more explanation.

“As you know, the cities of the Levant and Syria are inhabited by Saracens, Jews, and Christians.”

Among them, Islam is divided into Shia and Sunni. Christianity is divided into Orthodox and Catholic.

There are many factions within Judaism as well.

Anyway, broadly speaking, these three monotheistic religions coexisted.

“And in this jihad [holy war], the Saracens suffered a miserable defeat. So, what will the atmosphere be like in the Saracen cities?”

“Well, of course…”

Aigh hesitated and said.

“It wouldn’t be good. Didn’t you say that food prices have gone up?”

“Yes, and that dissatisfaction will inevitably explode someday.”

I said. Parents and children who have lost their beloved families.

“Who will they vent their anger on?”

“The Christians nearby, I suppose.”

Aigh stopped and muttered.

I nodded instead of answering.

People don’t stand still when the group they belong to suffers defeat, humiliation, or frustration.

They always look for a scapegoat.

‘The reason our Germany lost the war is because of the Jews, communists, and cowards!’

The stab-in-the-back myth that prevailed in Germany after World War I.

‘Koreans are collaborating with socialists to commit arson, terrorism, and rape! The earthquake was also caused by the curse of the Koreans!’

The massacre of Koreans that occurred after the Great Kanto Earthquake. The masses mainly used the surrounding minority groups as scapegoats.

Not only in the original history, but also in Last Crusaders, there were many similar events.

“And Damascus is the largest city in Syria. It’s also the capital where Saladin resides.”

“But wouldn’t Saladin just stand by and watch such a thing happen?”

Aigh asked.

“He has never oppressed Christians before…”

“Saladin will probably try to stop it. But he won’t be able to actively intervene.”

He might be misunderstood as siding with the Franks [Western Europeans or Christians].

‘You’re defending the Jews. Are you one of them too?’

‘You’re a Joseonjins [derogatory term for Koreans], aren’t you?!’

One person couldn’t stop this mass hysteria.

“The fact that we won the war has driven them to their deaths…”

“We can stop it. Of course, we have to take action right now.”

I’m glad I sent Marco and the Knights Hospitaller in advance. I wasn’t sure this would happen until I received the report.

I just suspected it.

I had prevented the Latin massacre that occurred in Constantinople in the original history.

I can stop it this time too.

The problem is that Damascus is the capital of the Saladin dynasty.

“I’ll go ahead and announce the convening of the council.”

With those words, Aigh ran off.

The royal palace was already in sight.

I took a deep breath and moved my feet. Another incident is happening as soon as the Battle of Kerak ends.

‘I wanted to rest a little more.’

* * *

“It’s too hot during the day and too cold at night.”

Henry II lay in bed, putting grapes in his mouth. Maids shook palm leaves beside him.

Henry tossed and turned, sighing.

“So you beat a knight named Garnier? I heard he’s the knight closest to Baldwin.”

He looked at William Marshal, who was standing opposite him, and asked.

“You’re so tactless. You should have lost on purpose.”

“With all due respect, a knight must always fight with all his might, Your Majesty.”

Marshal said.

“If I had held back even a little, the other party would have noticed. There is no greater insult to a knight than that. Sir Garnier didn’t harbor any resentment either.”

He added.

“It would have been the same even if I had lost.”

“Yes, that’s why I don’t do sword training with you.”

Henry II laughed heartily.

Marshal looked at him and sighed.

“Actually, he was quite skilled. If I had held back even a little, I couldn’t have guaranteed victory.”

“…”

Henry II put a grape in his mouth instead of answering. Only the sound of fanning echoed in the room.

“Why didn’t you fight the knights from Abyssinia (Ethiopia)? They seem like good opponents too.”

He chuckled and muttered in a small voice.

“We need to make achievements before Philip and Richard come. I wonder if we’re just wasting time like this and dying.”

“Everything depends on the Lord’s will, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, yes. Everything depends on the Lord’s will. Let’s hope His will is my victory.”

Henry II yawned and said. At that moment, a knight wearing a white surcoat [a medieval garment worn over armor] entered the room.

He looked at the two and bowed.

“Your Majesty Henry, Sir Marshal. The noble council has just been convened. His Majesty Baldwin said that if the English side wishes to participate…”

“A noble council. Has another war broken out?”

Henry II got up and said. He waved his hand to dismiss the maids.

“There is no detailed information yet, but it seems we will be advancing to Damascus.”

“Damascus? Isn’t that where Eleanor went during the Second Crusade?”

“She was the Queen of France at that time.”

“Yes, before she dug her claws into me.”

Henry II burst into laughter. He approached Marshal and patted him on the shoulder.

“Don’t just stand there, Marshal. You were right.”

He said.

“Finally, the Lord has shown me mercy.”