I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 134

Became the King of Crusaders – Episode 134

The Great Knight (4)

* * *

“I am disappointed in you all.”

Luark said.

The Sacred Sepulcher Knights before him lowered their heads.

“Getting into a brawl with the French before the jousting tournament? Do you have any sense at all?!”

The knights flinched as he strode towards them.

One of them stepped forward.

“Commander, that’s not it!”

“Not it? Then what is it?”

“Those French bastards insulted our Order first. We couldn’t just stand there and get beaten by those who came looking for a fight, could we?!”

Other knights nodded in agreement.

Luark asked him,

“What did they say?”

“Pardon?”

“You said the French insulted us first. What exactly did they say?”

“Well, that’s…”

“Tell me quickly. Don’t tell me it was a lie?”

Luark frowned as he asked.

“They called us ‘Lucifer’s lot with their wings torn off’.”

Shouts erupted from the knights.

Some brandished their axes in the air.

“We must show those arrogant French bastards a lesson!”

“How can we stand still after suffering such an insult?! They have tarnished not only the honor of the Order but also that of Lord Baudouin!”

Luark raised his hand, and the noise subsided.

“Who won the fight?”

“…Three out of ten of them were carried away. We had one casualty.”

“That’s enough then. That should be enough to keep the French from coming at us again.”

“But Commander…!”

A high-ranking knight stepped forward.

“We cannot simply let this pass! We must formally request an apology from the King of France…”

“The jousting tournament is just around the corner. Are you suggesting we fight the King of France now? Just because we heard some nonsense?”

Luark asked.

The knight fell silent under his blazing gaze.

“You were baited by their trickery. If we cause trouble, Lord Baudouin will have no choice but to clean up after us.”

He added.

“Then His Lordship will be indebted to the King of France. Is that what you want?”

“…”

The knights all exchanged glances.

Hissing breaths could be heard from all around.

“And it’s not wrong to say we lost our wings.”

“But we have served Lord Baudouin in the closest proximity! We were always by his side when he performed his ‘miracles’!”

“Father Pierre also said this: there is no greater honor than serving His Lordship right by his side!”

“Yes, there couldn’t be a greater honor than that.”

Luark nodded.

He bit his lower lip.

Nothing had gone right since coming to Italy.

The battle with Emperor Friedrich.

Many had to pay the price as knights, caught up in the fighting, ignored the assembly signal.

And just recently, almost losing the Holy Cross and the Cross of King Arthur.

‘If Kang hadn’t been there, the other pilgrims would have been massacred too.’

Lord Baudouin did not publicly reprimand them, but that only made the Sacred Sepulcher Knights more miserable.

“We have already received many privileges. Unlike the other knightly orders in Jerusalem, we are allowed to take women and amass wealth.”

Luark said.

He looked at each of the knights in front of him.

“Didn’t we give you a special allowance for every battle?! You all must have saved quite a bit of money already!”

“…”

“Anyone who doesn’t want to listen to me is free to leave! I will personally arrange for your passage. Anyone want to go?!”

Luark walked through the ranks of knights.

Hundreds of eyes followed him.

“If you want to stay with the Sacred Sepulcher Knights and by His Lordship’s side, you will have to prove your worth! Is it money you want? Or honor?!”

“…”

Silence fell.

Just as Luark was about to speak again, someone shouted.

“We won’t take any allowance this time!”

“I don’t need money either!”

The knights continued to shout.

“Good then. His Lordship promised to return our wings when we are worthy.”

Luark said with a grin.

“A warrior proves his worth with a sword and shield, an axe, and his fists, that’s all we need.”

The cheers grew louder.

Luark waved his hand and shouted.

“No individual actions will be tolerated in this battle! We don’t need any spoils!”

“All we want is blood and victory!”

“Yes, blood and victory for the Holy Land. Now, go and inspect your gear and fill your bellies!”

The knights rushed out as they had come.

The sound of blacksmiths hammering and horses neighing followed.

Luark sighed and watched the scene.

“Sir Hughes, if you were here, we would have made a bet.”

He muttered.

“Someday, I will bet with you again.”

* * *

“The Duke is inside.”

The guard said, lowering his spear.

I pushed aside the tent flap and went inside.

There was only one person inside.

Geoffrey.

The younger brother of young Henry and Richard, and the one who had stood in my way.

His face was illuminated by the dim candlelight.

‘He tried to frame Richard to continue the civil war.’

He even used the minstrel Bertrand to shake William Marshal.

“Lord Baudouin, you’ve arrived.”

He stood up and bowed his head.

A courteous attitude, 180 degrees different from before.

“Lord? Didn’t you call me a con artist from Jerusalem last time?”

I said with a smile.

Yes, I’ll play along with you for now.

I looked at him.

Short in stature with weasel-like eyes.

He was the first to come to England when the jousting tournament was announced.

‘With his brothers in power, there couldn’t be a worse situation for him.’

Young Henry had inherited the throne from Henry II, and Richard had helped young Henry.

Geoffrey was the only one who didn’t gain anything.

“I must be honest. I was afraid to admit my mistakes back then.”

Geoffrey said in a regretful tone.

An act that would have fooled me if I didn’t have precognition.

“I have already apologized publicly to my brothers. I have no right to say this, but I would like to apologize to you belatedly, Lord Baudouin.”

I held back a snort.

A public apology.

As soon as Geoffrey arrived in England, he knelt before Richard and young Henry and apologized.

The two forgave Geoffrey.

‘Only a superficial forgiveness, though.’

Young Henry and Richard now knew that Geoffrey was a con artist.

I looked at Geoffrey.

Should I denounce Geoffrey for not sincerely repenting?

‘Now that there are many who believe in me.’

But driving him out like that could give Geoffrey political power.

[He drives out a man who came to confess his sins and be forgiven!]

That’s how they would frame it.

I needed to deal with Geoffrey myself.

‘Let’s see how long you keep smiling.’

I smiled at him.

“Why wouldn’t I forgive you, Duke? Richard and young Henry have already forgiven you.”

It was time to test the waters.

“I heard that you have hired hundreds of knights for this jousting tournament. All of them are renowned in Europe.”

“It’s a tournament for peace and harmony, so I have to spend money.”

Geoffrey replied.

“How can I spare money for a tournament for the Lord?”

“I see.”

I nodded.

You’re lying so casually.

We looked at each other and smiled like good friends.

Geoffrey must know that I don’t believe him.

“Then the offer to team up with your brothers is also for peace and harmony?”

“Of course. And King Philip thinks very highly of you, Lord Baudouin. He wanted to fight on the same side.”

“…”

I nodded.

The team composition proposed by Philip and Geoffrey was simple.

The Plantagenet brothers, young Henry, Richard, and Geoffrey, on one side.

And me and Philip on the other side.

Young Henry and Richard would not actively try to fight me.

‘Both of them owe me a debt.’

Young Henry for the throne, and Richard for the release of Queen Eleanor.

Then the only one I would have to fight was Geoffrey.

Philip would probably subtly lead the situation that way.

‘If I lose in the tournament….’

The fame and prestige I have built up could collapse in an instant.

Then Geoffrey and King Philip would each get what they wanted.

I looked at Geoffrey, who was still smiling.

‘He thinks he has cornered me.’

He wasn’t completely confident.

I could feel a subtle tension and fear at the same time.

“It was a pleasure to have a conversation with you, Duke. I have nothing more to say.”

I said, getting up from my seat.

I had confirmed everything I needed to confirm.

Geoffrey wanted war.

But there was only one thing I could give him.

Death.

No, since he chose it himself, it would be better to call it suicide.

‘If he had stayed still, this situation wouldn’t have happened.’

Geoffrey stood up and took my hand.

“Then I will see you at the tournament. I will pray that the Lord’s blessing be with you, Lord.”

“Likewise.”

I said, shaking his hand.

* * *

Same time

Young Henry’s tent

“Isn’t it obvious that Geoffrey is plotting something, brother?”

Richard said.

He leaned back in his chair and looked at his brother.

“The reason why you and I were able to take control of England so quickly was thanks to Lord Baudouin.”

He continued.

“Wasn’t it Lord Baudouin who first discovered the tomb of King Arthur, predicted the comet and the earthquake, and opened the gates of London?”

“Y-yes, Richard is right.”

Young Henry nodded.

“W-without the Lord, we would s-still be fighting over Aquitaine.”

“Geoffrey is trying to use the tournament to defeat the Lord. He knows that if he defeats the Lord, he will defeat me and you as well.”

“A-and Philip will use that opportunity to cancel the Crusade, that’s his plan.”

“Philip won’t cancel it right away.”

Richard picked up a piece of chicken and put it in his mouth.

“He’ll probably test the waters and cancel it later. Who would say anything if he couldn’t go because of circumstances?”

“H-His Holiness the Pope won’t just stand by and watch. He will probably issue an interdict [ecclesiastical censure] on the e-entire land of France.”

“An interdict is lifted if you give them a few coins. Since when has Rome not accepted donations?”

Richard scoffed.

“Or we can build a few more cathedrals.”

“T-then what should we do? If we s-stand still, the Lord…”

“It just so happens that the Lord asked me for a favor.”

Richard leaned forward.

“He said he won’t need any help during the tournament. He just asked me to deal with King Philip appropriately. There is one thing he needs after that…”

He said.

“It’s something that requires your permission, brother. Now, you are the King of England, not anyone else.”

“S-something that requires the King’s permission. What are you trying to say?”

“The weeds in the garden steal water from the other trees.”

Richard smiled.

“Wouldn’t it be better to pull out those weeds as soon as possible? That way, the other trees can grow bigger.”

“You mean…”

Young Henry’s eyes widened for a moment.

The two’s gazes met in the air.

He slowly opened his mouth.

“Yes, maybe you’re right.”