I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 181

< 181. The Great Escape from Damascus (1) >

Damascus.

This city, steeped in thousands of years of history, was the heart of Syria.

A center of trade and commerce overflowing with wealth, and the first capital of the Islamic Empire.

‘We must reach Mecca within a week! Move faster!’

Caravan merchants paused in Damascus to load goods, and Muslim pilgrims commenced their journey to Mecca.

‘The swords forged in Damascus are the real deal!’

Damascus steel, renowned for its unique patterns, was highly sought after not only in the Middle East but also in Europe.

At one time, Damascus was the most Crusader-friendly Islamic city.

‘The ignorant Franks [Europeans, often used derogatorily] are preferable to the Emirs who constantly covet our city!’

However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when the Second Crusade laid siege to Damascus.

Although the Crusaders eventually lifted the siege and retreated, a wave of anti-Crusader sentiment swept through the city.

Sultan Nur ad-Din capitalized on this sentiment to enter Damascus without bloodshed.

Saladin, who succeeded him as Sultan, followed the same path.

They established Damascus as the capital of their kingdom.

However, even amidst the ongoing conflicts, thousands of Christians continued to reside in the city.

Damascus held significance as one of the holy cities where the Apostle Paul was believed to have converted to Christianity.

Christians were guaranteed safety and protection by the Islamic regime in exchange for paying religious taxes (jizya).

But as the soldiers returned from Kerak, the atmosphere subtly, yet noticeably, changed.

‘The Jihad [holy war] has not failed!’

‘Let’s cast those devilish Frankish bastards into the sea!’

Rumors began to circulate, alleging that a Christian man had harassed a Muslim girl, and tales spread of someone desecrating the Quran.

Muslim men openly brandished clubs and intimidated Christian merchants.

‘Those filthy idolaters are corrupting our children!’

‘Let’s safeguard our sons and daughters!’

A grim atmosphere settled over the city, and an uneasy silence permeated the eastern district of Damascus, where the Christian community resided.

* * *

Damascus.

“So, the Sultan has sanctioned it?”

“The Sultan remains unaware of this matter. But once events are set in motion, he will have no choice but to acknowledge it.”

Al-Adil stated in a composed tone. Tribal leaders were seated around him.

All of them were influential figures from prominent Islamic families in Damascus.

In essence, they were the ones who shaped and swayed public opinion within the city.

“The General speaks wisely. There is no need for the Sultan to be informed.”

“The commander of our brave warriors will also concur when he witnesses the righteous anger of the Muslims.”

“Indeed! We cannot allow the idolaters of Damascus to persist in their ways. They were undeniably the ones who impeded the success of this Jihad!”

“That is correct!”

They all nodded in agreement.

“If weeds infest the garden, they must be uprooted without delay. Only by expelling them from our city can the Jihad achieve its purpose!”

Al-Adil remained silent, listening attentively to their words.

He mused to himself.

‘They’re all merely scheming to amass wealth rapidly.’

The chieftains were not motivated by the ideals of Jihad; their sole objective was to seize the wealth of the Christian citizens.

Jihad was simply a convenient and appealing pretext.

‘But it’s a necessary evil.’

It was impossible to atone for the failure of the Jihad by solely blaming other Emirs.

The enraged populace demanded blood.

“Are the strong men prepared?”

“Now that the sons who participated in the expedition have returned, there are more than enough of them. They are still inflamed with the fervor of Jihad.”

The white-bearded chieftain declared.

“Even those who are hesitant will join in once things commence.”

“This matter must be confined to the idolaters’ district.”

Al-Adil stipulated.

“You must maintain strict control over the warriors to prevent them from losing their senses.”

“Wouldn’t it be prudent to deal with the treacherous Jews this time as well?”

One chieftain suggested.

“They are practically in league with the Franks.”

“Our Prophet once received assistance from the Jews in Medina.”

Al-Adil shook his head.

“There is no need to involve them.”

“But didn’t the Jews of Medina ultimately betray the Prophet?”

“There. Is. No. Need. To. Involve. Them.”

Al-Adil asserted in a resolute tone, and the chieftains lowered their heads in deference.

“We shall adhere solely to the General’s will.”

“Good. I place my trust in you all.”

Al-Adil said as he rose to his feet.

“Everything is for the sake of the Jihad and Al-Quds [Jerusalem].”

“For the commander of our brave warriors.”

* * *

Two days later, men bearing torches gathered in droves. In the darkness, more than a dozen torches burned with a fiery red glow.

“Let’s drive the idolaters out of our city!”

“Let’s make those who harassed our daughters pay the ultimate price!”

The men congregated in the streets, armed with clubs and swords, as if fulfilling a prearranged agreement. Their shouts reverberated through the night.

“Join us! How long will you stand idly by while the Franks and idolaters defile this city?!”

“Allah commands it! Arise, Islamic warriors!”

Those who were shouting soon advanced towards the eastern district of the city. The soldiers patrolling the night streets deliberately turned a blind eye and abandoned their posts.

Some even shed their uniforms and joined the procession.

“Let’s expel them!”

Then, an unexpected event occurred. Those at the forefront came to an abrupt halt, one by one.

“What is that?”

“The Frankish bastards have erected a wall!”

A barricade constructed from carts and wooden furniture obstructed their path. Men wielding torches glared down at them from above.

“Throw!”

Stones rained down like a hailstorm. The rioters, who had been marching with high spirits, screamed in response to the sudden assault.

“Those bastards are pelting us with stones!”

“Bring shields! Shields!”

“Where are the shields! Go around and strike those bastards!”

But barricades had been strategically set up on other streets as well. Carts were positioned on all roads leading to the eastern district.

“You fools! Follow me!”

A Muslim man raised a wooden plank, using it as a makeshift shield. He advanced to the front of the barricade and clambered onto the cart.

“Are you intimidated by such a meager attack… Ugh!”

The man screamed and plummeted to the ground. A figure materialized above the barricade.

He brandished a club and shouted in Arabic.

“Anyone seeking a fight, step forward!”

He proceeded to knock down the rioters who attempted to climb the cart, one by one. Soon, the area beneath the barricade was filled with groans of pain.

The man with the club shouted.

“Is this all you’ve got? Huh?! If anyone desires a beating, come and get it!”

The Muslim men flinched and retreated in response to the resounding voice.

“It’s an Aldawiya [Frankish Knight]! Only the Aldawiya bastards possess such skills!”

“They excel at assaulting terrified citizens, but they must be afraid to confront a true warrior.”

Turpin spat and glanced back. Men with tense expressions stood behind him.

All of them were ordinary citizens who had never experienced combat on the battlefield.

They clutched clubs and poles, determined to protect their families.

“If you maintain composure and fight as I just demonstrated, you can repel them, no matter how many they send!”

Turpin shouted, straightening his posture.

He had to instill confidence in them, by any means necessary.

“Hurl stones at those who approach, and push them back when they attempt to climb! Never venture beyond the barrier!”

He commanded.

“If you heed the instructions of our knights, you can drive them away!”

The rioters soon launched another assault. They were armed with bows, spears, and swords.

“Show no mercy! Kill all those idolaters!”

Arrows whizzed through the air and landed behind the barrier.

The Christian men calmly blocked them, adhering to the instructions of Turpin and the other members.

Whenever the barrier, constructed from carts and furniture, trembled, Turpin and the knights charged forward and drove back the rioters.

Both sides continued to engage in combat, alternating between attacks and retreats.

“Sir Turpin, shouldn’t we attempt to escape through the east gate now?”

“We lack the necessary forces to seize control of the gate at this moment.”

Turpin replied, gulping down water from his leather pouch. His body was drenched in sweat.

“And even if we were successful in breaching the gate, we would be massacred by the cavalry pursuing us. That would be suicidal.”

He explained.

“But here, we can effectively hold them back with a small number. We have prepared an ample supply of food, haven’t we?”

“But we cannot simply endure this indefinitely. If Saladin deploys his army, we won’t last even a few days.”

“A few days is all we require.”

Turpin said as he stood up.

Then, the rioters surged over the barrier.

The rioters poured in like a flood through the breached defense.

Turpin waved his arms and shouted.

“Unit 1, retreat! Unit 2, advance!”

The men behind him pushed a small cart forward and ran.

Wooden spears with sharpened ends were affixed to the front of the carts.

The rioters who had crossed the barrier panicked and were either impaled by the spears or retreated.

“Unit 3, over the barrier! Unit 1 and Unit 2, return and rest!”

Turpin shouted.

He swung his club and knocked down another rioter who was attempting to cross the barrier.

“A few days is all we need.”

He firmly believed.

That Jerusalem would never abandon them.

* * *

Aman.

“Your Majesty, it appears it has commenced.”

Balian said as he dismounted from his saddle.

“I didn’t anticipate Saladin would commit such a foolish act…”

“It wasn’t Saladin who initiated it. But the identity of the perpetrator is inconsequential.”

I said.

I whistled to summon Bult.

“What truly matters is how to rescue the Christians in Damascus.”

I was grateful that I had ordered the troops to be summoned in advance. Had I issued the summons after the outbreak of hostilities, it would have been too late.

But only cavalry had assembled.

Even if I gathered every available infantryman, their numbers would not exceed two thousand.

“How long do you estimate they can withstand the siege?”

“Saladin will likely refrain from deploying his army immediately. Thus, we can gain a few days.”

Turpin and the other knights.

And even Balian’s spies.

All I can do now is place my trust in them. There are approximately three to five thousand Christians residing in Damascus.

At least two thousand of them are capable of fighting.

“And there are a few things I instructed them to do.”

The hocha 虎車 [Tiger Cart], which is created by attaching spears to a cart. This weapon, primarily utilized in Asia, proves effective in confined spaces such as urban warfare.

It can be constructed rapidly.

It would be challenging to breach unless confronted by well-trained soldiers. It was improbable that Saladin would target his own city with catapults.

Then Raymond approached.

“Your Majesty, we cannot engage in war at this time. Damascus, of all places, is Saladin’s primary stronghold.”

He said.

“The other Emirs will promptly dispatch their troops. We will be encircled in an instant.”

“I comprehend the Count’s concerns.”

“Furthermore, if we deploy only cavalry, our supplies will be inadequate. Have you forgotten the Horns of Hattin [a major defeat for the Crusader forces]?”

Instead of responding, I fixed my gaze upon Raymond.

He was a reasonable individual.

A wise commander who never formulated reckless plans. But it was impossible to devise a flawless plan.

I cannot meticulously plan every step when a tiger is in pursuit.

“There is no need to be concerned about supplies. We are not embarking on a war.”

“Then…”

“We are setting out to rescue the Christians, not to occupy Damascus. Those are two distinct objectives.”

As I gestured, the sound of trumpets reverberated from all directions.

A massive wave of soldiers surged before me. Knights from Jerusalem, Ethiopia, and England.

Flags adorned with vibrant patterns fluttered in the wind.

I mounted Bult and turned to Raymond.

“I will compel Saladin to release them.”