I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 132

The Great Knight (2)

* * *

“Sultan Arslan has concluded a peace treaty with the Basileus of Rum [Byzantine Emperor].”

“It would be more accurate to say he raised the white flag.”

Saladin said.

He looked at the envoy across from him.

“Wasn’t it your lord who requested our support? How could he surrender so quickly?”

“It is not a surrender, but a peace treaty.”

“It’s hard to call paying off a robber and begging for your life a treaty.”

Saladin frowned.

“Sultan Arslan acknowledged Constantinople’s superiority. That’s like giving wings to the Basileus [Emperor].”

“The Sultan had no choice but to make that decision.”

The envoy said.

He stroked his beard.

“The Franks of Tripoli joined the Rum’s army, and a force of over 30,000 men besieged Ankara.”

He added.

“If the negotiations hadn’t been concluded in time, the entire city would have fallen into Constantinople’s hands.”

“And thanks to that, the Levant is now about to burn.”

Saladin said.

“The Rum [Byzantines] have already seized cities in southern Anatolia. They will come to Antioch and Tripoli through there.”

Saladin continued.

“And they will advance to the Levant. Your lord has opened the door wide for the infidels. Just the money I spent on this expedition alone….”

“Sultan Arslan will pay the full cost of this expedition.”

“It’s not just about the money.”

Saladin sighed.

He looked at the envoy and crossed his arms.

“According to reports from my spies in Europe, knights and soldiers are already flocking to the Crusades from all over the Frankish lands.”

He added.

“Baldwin has assembled a force the likes of which has never been seen before. Now even the Rum will join them.”

“Sultan Arslan did not make an agreement with the Basileus [Emperor] without a fight.”

The envoy said.

“The Rum have built strange towers all over Anatolia. They seem to be using them to exchange some kind of messages. If only those towers weren’t there….”

“You mean signal towers. I already sent a letter to the Sultan warning about the signal towers months ago.”

Saladin sighed.

“It seems it was considered unimportant information and was not reported.”

“…”

“The Franks in the Levant have also built such towers everywhere. They exchange messages faster than carrier pigeons.”

He muttered.

“That’s also something Baldwin made. From now on, we must destroy the signal towers before the battle.”

He looked at the envoy.

“So, Sultan Arslan is just going to stand by and watch the wildfire?”

“Sultan Arslan will provide all possible support for the Muslims in the Levant. But he cannot provoke Constantinople right now.”

The envoy said.

“Because of those towers, it has become virtually impossible to raid the Rum’s cities.”

The envoy said.

He drank the cold water in one gulp.

“The surprise attack strategy we have been using has also failed repeatedly. Thousands of brave warriors have lost their lives.”

“Believers who are martyred in battle with infidels are guaranteed a place in heaven. But that doesn’t mean we should accept death easily.”

Saladin said.

“I understand the situation Sultan Arslan is in. But if the Levant falls into the hands of the Franks, Anatolia will be next.”

He added.

“We are destined to either survive together or die together.”

“Of course. That’s why Sultan Arslan is willing to provide as much funding as needed….”

“I don’t need funds. The tax revenue collected in Damascus is already sufficient.”

Saladin raised his hand.

“What I need now are warriors. Warriors who can stand sword to sword and fight the Frankish idolaters.”

“But Sultan Arslan cannot move his troops according to the treaty.”

“I expected that. What I am proposing is only ‘volunteers.’”

“Volunteers….”

“If it’s not the Sultan’s direct command, but volunteers, it’s not breaking the treaty, is it?”

Saladin said.

“It’s just that individual warriors volunteered. The Sultan only needs to provide funds for those soldiers.”

“I think I understand what you mean.”

The envoy nodded.

“I will convey the Sultan’s proposal to my lord.”

“I would appreciate it. Now, let’s stop talking about serious matters and go have a meal together.”

Saladin rose from his chair.

His son, Ali, followed the two men out of the tent.

The cold evening air enveloped the three men.

The sandy desert air.

The sound of soldiers grilling meat and drinking water could be heard faintly.

The sun was slowly setting.

The muezzin’s adhan [Islamic call to prayer], announcing the prayer time, echoed.

“Allahu Akbar! God is great! Allahu Akbar!”

The soldiers who heard the adhan washed themselves one by one and prepared for prayer.

The camels chewed on dates with indifferent expressions, as if they were used to it.

“Now that I think about it, it’s already prayer time.”

“I will return to my tent first.”

“I understand. I will send someone when the meal is ready.”

Saladin nodded.

He sighed as he watched the envoy walk away.

Saladin’s son, Ali, approached him.

“Why did Sultan Arslan surrender so quickly? If he had waited a little longer until you arrived, we could have repelled the Rum together.”

“The situation must have been that bad. Arslan turned Constantinople’s blade towards us.”

Saladin said.

“He must have wanted us to fight the Rum instead. And it would be even better if the Basileus died in the Levant.”

“Then why….”

“Didn’t I question the envoy?”

Saladin smiled.

“What’s important now is not Arslan’s thoughts, but what the Muslims think of me.”

He said.

“I brought the army all the way here to help him. Now no one will call me a coward.”

“And that means more volunteers will gather.”

“Yes, it would be better than Arslan coming himself. He wouldn’t follow my orders. We didn’t just lose out either.”

He stroked his beard with a thoughtful expression.

“But to think that even the Basileus had signal towers built all over Rum. He must have been hit hard.”

“It’s their fault for not listening to your warning, Father.”

“Even I wouldn’t have thought those towers were dangerous if Al-Adil hadn’t been captured.”

Saladin sighed.

“People don’t know that fire is scary until they burn their hands.”

“…”

Saladin and Ali stood together and looked at the camp.

The adhan continued.

“I bear witness that there is no god but God! I bear witness that Muhammad is his prophet!”

Saladin slowly opened his mouth.

“We still have arrows left.”

“Arrows…?”

“Baldwin will be back soon. He will try to return somehow before his uncle, the King of Jerusalem, dies.”

“That’s so he can inherit the throne.”

Ali nodded.

“But it seems difficult to stop Baldwin from coming.”

“It will be difficult for us to stop him directly. But there is someone who will stop him for us.”

Saladin grinned.

He raised his index finger and asked.

“Who do you think will feel fear as Baldwin grows stronger?”

“Maybe….”

Ali scratched his head.

“Count Guy, Baldwin’s stepfather. Wasn’t he supposed to be the next king instead of Baldwin?”

“Yes, but he’s been holed up in Ascalon alone since the Knights Templar caused trouble.”

“Then isn’t he practically giving up the throne?”

“Have you ever seen a hungry lion give up the meat in front of him?”

Saladin burst out laughing.

“Those who are obsessed with power are like hungry lions. They can swallow a whole horse and still be hungry.”

He added.

“Guy will be waiting for an opportunity. He will be waiting for Baldwin to return to the Levant.”

“That’s the opportunity.”

“Yes, we need to stab Reynald, the rutting camel, once too. You need a spark to ignite the firewood.”

Saladin said.

“But the King of Jerusalem won’t just stand still. Maybe even Baldwin….”

The adhan was coming to an end.

The sun, which had been hanging on the horizon, soon disappeared, emitting its last light.

“God is great! There is no god but God!”

Only the sound of bowing echoed in the silence.

* * *

“A joust that Christ desires. Is that really true?”

“I heard that the Archangel Michael conveyed the Lord’s message.”

“Nonsense! Saint Beckett appeared specifically before Prince Baldwin and….”

“You’re all wrong! I heard it was King Arthur. They found his tomb….”

The news that a joust would be held in England set all of Europe ablaze.

Rumors spread everywhere.

“Has there ever been a joust held in England before?”

“I don’t think so. Isn’t it being opened by young King Henry?”

A joust for peace!

The citizens accepted the joust announced by Prince Baldwin as a sign that God had forgiven England.

European minstrels traveled through castles and streets, conveying what had happened in England.

“All the kings and lords of Europe must participate in this tournament and follow the Lord’s will!”

The first to announce his participation was Geoffrey of Brittany.

Following him, the kingdoms of Aragon, Castile, Leon, Portugal, Croatia, and Denmark in Hispania [Iberian Peninsula] announced their participation.

They paid extra to secure passage to meet the tight deadline.

Following them, the Kingdom of France announced its participation late.

Efforts to recruit famous knights also began everywhere.

“I will give you 30 sous [French currency] per day based on the day of departure. You won’t find better conditions than this.”

“Duke Geoffrey is spending a lot of money this time. If you give me 40 sous, I will depart sooner.”

Young Henry, Richard, Geoffrey, and even Philip.

They sent people all over Europe to gather knights to fight for them.

It wasn’t just the nobles and lords who were busy.

“Come on, let’s load the goods quickly! The sooner we go, the more we can reduce the fare!”

“No, you’re asking for five sous just to cross the strait? What kind of rip-off is this!”

“If you don’t want to pay, just go! There are many people besides you who will pay to ride.”

“Have you ever seen such swindlers? Alright, alright!”

Hundreds of ships carried people between England and France.

Horse traders, money changers, and blacksmiths flocked from all over Europe to cross the strait.

Making a fortune at the joust was the dream of all artisans and merchants.

Horses were defecating everywhere on the deck, and blacksmiths were hammering armor.

There were also many who flocked purely to see Prince Baldwin.

A prophet chosen by Christ!

Beggars and the sick headed to the port with the news that they could receive healing and blessings if they went to him.

“I bear witness that Prince Baldwin is a new prophet!”

The largest joust in European history.

Its beginning was approaching.