The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 64

64. Alexandria is a Port (2)

—Alexandria, Islamic Camp—

The Islamic forces weren’t fools; they anticipated that the Christians would come for them. The movement of the massive Crusader army from Cairo was too conspicuous to ignore.

Even among the warriors of Allah, there were those who feared death. They had witnessed their comrades dying and feared the same fate.

Perhaps sensing the soldiers’ apprehension, Safadin, representing the Egyptian command of the Sword of Islam, was also troubled.

Safadin, the brother of Saladin, the Sultan of the Ayyubid Sultanate, was virtually a ‘Bey’ [a noble of high rank, similar to a duke] and the governor of Egypt.

Yes, the Islamic forces were truly driven to consider the very last resort.

Betting their lives, betting their souls, Safadin, who had always managed to retreat by luck, was now prepared to die.

Safadin was growing weary.

The navy and army of the Islamic forces throughout Egypt were in unfavorable positions, and they would have to fight disadvantageous battles in the future.

‘Frederick I, one of the two emperors of the West, was as strong as I expected. But… the one I had in mind was only Prince John. That infidel is younger than me.’

Of course, the Holy Roman Emperor was a threat. He was clearly a seasoned commander with extensive experience.

However, Emperor Frederick I of the Holy Roman Empire was an old man. Although he was a complete commander with sufficient military might and power, Frederick was old, and his movements might be limited by his position as the Holy Roman Emperor. Because he *was* the Holy Roman Empire itself, in a way.

Therefore, Safadin believed that Prince John was the greatest threat to the Islamic forces, both now and in the future. He was a young commander with limitless potential, and he was a very capable young man who had accomplished many things that could no longer be attributed to luck.

He initially knew him as ‘John the Lover’ through his brother Saladin, but now, with the end of peace and the outbreak of the Crusades, he was a figure who posed a threat to Safadin as ‘Commander John.’

Safadin could not forget the ‘Shaitan’ [devil]-like expression of Sir John, whom he had encountered several times on the battlefield.

‘John’s appearance, cutting down our warriors like a butcher without any emotion, made me think he was truly Shaitan (Satan) from hell.’

That wolf-like figure, endlessly craving blood while cutting down Islamic soldiers, always employing efficient swordsmanship.

Apparently, rumors said that he did not experience great hardships in Westminster, Mortain, and Ireland, but the look in his eyes and his movements were those of someone who had lived in hell.

It was an appearance that surprised even Safadin, who had experienced all sorts of hardships.

Thinking of John, Safadin prayed in his heart, contrary to his calm appearance.

‘Allah, I know this battlefield is dangerous. But I only wish that our warriors at least defend this port.’

Soon, Muslims gathered in Alexandria, ready for the final battle.

“To Allah belong the east and the west, and wherever you turn, there is the face of Allah.”

A scholar of Islamic law opened his mouth.

“Brothers, let us all pray towards Mecca.”

The Islamic soldiers slowly closed their eyes. And they slowly prostrated, pressing their foreheads to the ground in the direction of Mecca.

—Allah is the greatest, the only creator. We are saved by believing in Allah.

—The right path that Allah has shown us is the righteous and just path that those who have incurred Allah’s wrath (Jews) and those who wander (Christians) have not taken.

The Muslims, with their eyes piously closed, moved their heads from side to side.

They were greeting the angels on the right who record the good deeds of Muslims and the angels on the left who record the bad deeds.

‘Oh, Allah… save us.’

Safadin prayed desperately, like the Prophet Muhammad in the past, when his life was uncertain due to the enemy’s siege.

Of course, Safadin also knew that saving his own life was ultimately only possible through his own strength.

The pious prayer ended.

“Allah Uddin.”

“Safadin Bey, what is it?”

“You have done everything as reinforcements. But this battle may be too much, so please take care of yourself. You are the future of Islam.”

Then, the young prince Allah Uddin spoke to Safadin with youthful, spirited eyes.

“Safadin Bey, I don’t mind dying in this place. Because my great father Tekish can have another child, and the history of Khwarazm will continue. But what I am ashamed of is not fulfilling my duty as a warrior of Allah. I will show my honor on the battlefield.”

“Yes, then show it. Show the honor of the prince from Khwarazm.”

‘That’s youth… that’s why I feared John. Have I grown old now?’

Safadin felt complicated as he looked at Prince Allah Uddin of the Khwarazm Sultanate, who had come from the far east.

The important thing is an unyielding spirit.

Wasn’t that the ‘youth’ that Safadin had when he pacified Egypt, which was in turmoil, with his brother Saladin?

At that moment, an urgent report came.

“The Crusaders are attacking from both the sea and the land.”

The anticipated event had become a reality.

“Let’s go defeat the infidels.”

Just as Christians treated Muslims as heretics, Muslims also hated Christians as heretics. But now, rather than religious fanaticism, it was more of a struggle to protect the history of the Ayyubid Sultanate.

‘Brother… I realize now. I have wasted so much precious time. But I cannot turn back time. But until the very last moment, I will fulfill all my duties as the Bey of the Ayyubid Sultanate.’

Safadin, who always envied and feared his brother Saladin,

“Let’s go.”

Pulled the reins.

—Heeheeheeing.

Safadin was thirstier than anyone else right now.

* * *

—Crusader Camp near Alexandria, Egypt—

Unlike modern Europe, which is a part of history that I like, there are so many uncomfortable things about medieval Europe.

The most uncomfortable thing is that you can’t put on armor by yourself.

Isn’t it common knowledge in the Middle Ages that heavy and uncomfortable armor must be worn by someone else?

“It’s all done, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Godfrey.”

My loyal knight Godfrey put chainmail on me.

‘I’m wearing medieval armor in the Middle Ages… I need to be properly prepared.’

As a knight preparing for battle, I steeled my heart calmly.

Did Guy de Lusignan’s failure only bring shame to the Crusaders? That’s not all.

Commander Guy de Lusignan was more incompetent than anyone else, but the capable knights under his command were a great help to the Crusaders.

They analyzed why they failed to capture Alexandria, and what variables there might be on the way to Alexandria now.

Because capable knights who thought they could learn something new from failure testified and recorded step by step.

Yes, our Crusaders wanted to take Alexandria, put an end to the holy war taking place throughout Egypt.

Alexandria.

As a trading port, as one of the five major patriarchal sees [important bishoprics] of early Christianity, and as a military stronghold. A precious port where the Trinity is achieved. Yes, Alexandria is a port. A really important port for the Crusaders.

“Okay, Nefertari. Are you ready?”

—Heeheeing.

As I stroked my comrade who I would entrust my life to, old man Frederick came up to me and said.

“There are no people as troublesome as enemies who are prepared to die. Even more so, heretics who are prepared to die. John, the fight ahead will be difficult.”

“That’s a fact I already know. I’m more worried about Your Majesty. Be careful of the Nile.”

“Again, again, the river… Why are you so obsessed with the river?”

“It’s all because I care about Your Majesty.”

That’s because the old man’s death by drowning in the river is recorded in history as a dog’s death.

Anyway, Alexandria, the place we’re aiming for, is the last stronghold of the Egyptian Islamic forces. That means the Islamic forces are really prepared to die.

Of course, our Crusaders are completely different from the army led by Guy de Lusignan, who screwed up last time. But war is a variable.

‘The variables of the Western Liao mercenaries and Khwarazm forces, who have finished adapting to Egypt, will make this a really difficult fight.’

Obtaining the port of longing, Alexandria, is not an easy task. I feel it on my skin again.

“John, all the troops are ready to move, let’s go now.”

“I will follow Your Majesty’s will.”

The experienced old man Frederick doesn’t seem to care, but.

* * *

Usually, like in Crusader movies, we didn’t ask each other how we were doing in a cool way.

We didn’t have time for that.

The Sword of Islam and our Crusaders knew how important the battle that would take place today was.

To make up for Guy de Lusignan’s failure last time, our Crusaders sharpened their swords.

The Islamic forces who stopped Guy de Lusignan last time seemed to be hoping that the same miracle would happen again.

But the important thing is that the armies on both sides will be fighting for practical benefits, not romance.

Because they know how important it is to kill as many of the opponent’s troops as possible in this battle.

—Pooooooo.

One of the soldiers in front blew a horn.

It’s the attack signal.

The flags of noble aristocratic families fluttered in the sandstorm.

It means that honorable knights are now engaged in battle.

My unit also has the flag of the Angevin family with three lions, the flag of Ireland with a harp,

And next to me were three knights who were much safer than the four horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Godfrey.

Robin.

Akbulhoi.

And me, Safe John.

Even though we all look different, we are all knights.

Now is not the time to say a lot of things like in war movies.

We have to fight right away. Where do we have time to share romance?

“Fire!”

The longbow unit began firing arrows with Brown Bess longbows, and in response, the enemy archers also began firing arrows at our camp.

Yes, the distance measurement has begun. And soon, screams were heard.

“Ugh.”

“God…….”

“Allah…….”

“Mother…….”

Screams of despair echoed everywhere, and the number of people dying while thinking of the gods and parents they believed in increased.

After the archers’ time was over, I gave the simplest but most important order.

“Charge!”

It’s time for the infantry and knights of each force to charge.

The distance measurement is over, and the probing is over.

The Turkic people of Western Liao and Khwarazm, unlike last time, were aiming for our weakest right wing.

Where is our right wing formation?

That’s where the army of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which has been demoralized these days, is located.

Unlike last time, the soldiers of Western Liao and Khwarazm have now finished adapting to the Egyptian terrain.

And the soldiers of the Ayyubid Sultanate are fighting firmly by their side.

Yes, the members of the Sword of Islam, a pan-Islamic military alliance established by them.

They fought desperately with expressions of being prepared to die. It was an expression of killing you so that I wouldn’t die today.

“Die, infidel prince!”

—Swish.

Even the Islamic soldiers who had their heads cut off right in front of me were desperately trying to kill me.

Like the Islamic forces, those who were prepared and engaged in battle stood tenaciously. Only those who relied on greed to fight fell from their horses and had their heads cut off.

“Save me!”

“I don’t want to die.”

Safe John, who always wants to be safe, is the same. If I die again this time, it will be the second time I die. How can I not be afraid of death?

But.

“Arise, warriors of the Lord.”

As I chanted through diaphragmatic breathing.

—The day of glory has come. Against us, the bloodstained banner of the infidels has risen! To test our faith, the infidels have risen. Do you hear? The cruel infidel laughter of the holy land, they are Satans trying to mock our faith.

Take up your weapons, Crusaders, form ranks~

Forward, forward! Let’s soak our furrows with their dirty blood!

—Forward, forward! Let’s soak our furrows with their dirty blood!

The war song I made began to be sung from mouth to mouth.

War songs are not only sung when marching. It is to overcome fear with war songs during the melee.

‘What is it?’

At that time, I suddenly felt a chill.

Since being reincarnated as John in the Middle Ages, I have had a ‘sense of déjà vu’ that has protected me several times.

When I feel this sense of déjà vu, I never see a good sight.

Some of the Jerusalem soldiers belonging to the Crusaders turned their swords at me.

“Capture Prince John.”

“Huh?”