I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 14

Became the King of the Crusaders-Episode 14

The Lion and the Bull Grazing (4)

* * *

Cairo.

“That’s where the Nubian soldiers resisted until the very end, my son,” Saladin said.

His finger pointed to the blackened ruins.

“‘We are the black coal that will burn all enemies!’ That’s what the black soldiers of Nubia shouted.”

He dismounted and gently patted the warhorse’s flank.

“We defeated them by a hair’s breadth. If we hadn’t won in Mansuriya that day, I wouldn’t have become Sultan.”

“Is that why you’re building this fortress?” the young boy asked.

His gaze turned towards the fortress under construction on the hill.

Cairo.

Elephant Lake, the Wazirs Gate, and the Turkish and Greek residential areas filled their view.

The desert, the river, and the city.

Everything around them sparkled in the sunlight.

“Is it to prevent the remnants of the false Caliph from rebelling?”

“You truly are my son. Yes, the first reason for building the fortress is to prevent the Frankish invasion. But…”

Saladin smiled.

“As you said, it will also prevent internal rebellions. From here, we can overlook Cairo.”

Kurdish guards gathered around them.

The spears and crescent-shaped swords they carried glittered in the sunlight.

“To build such an important fortress using stones from the pyramids and Frankish prisoners… The destiny Allah [God in Islam] bestows sometimes feels like a joke.”

“When will this castle be completed?”

“If Allah wills it, you will enter this castle as Sultan after I die.”

“…”

“Are you worried about me dying?” Saladin chuckled.

“We all die someday. It’s as natural as the sun rising and setting. But remember this: what we do will be remembered forever, even after our bodies rot away.”

He added with a thoughtful expression,

“That’s why we must reclaim Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and drive the Franks out of this land.”

Saladin’s gaze turned to his son.

He asked with a playful expression, “By the way, Tarabik tells me you’ve been secretly drinking wine lately. Is that true?”

“No! Tarabik saw the amphora [ancient Greek jar] of water I was drinking…”

“When I was young like you, I used to frequent the taverns of Damascus.”

Saladin burst into laughter at his son’s flustered expression.

“But remember that the great Atabeg Zengi [Turkish title of nobility] was assassinated while drunk. And you are the Sultan’s son. There will always be eyes watching you besides your father and mother.”

“Yes, Father. I will keep that in mind.”

“Then go to Tarabik. It seems Kamil has something to tell me.”

The boy nodded and ran towards the citadel.

A bald man passed by him and approached.

He bowed before Saladin.

“Greetings to the commander of valiant warriors.”

“Kamil, what brings you to the citadel? Do you have urgent news to report?”

“Yes, I do. Forgive me, but it’s a matter that requires the Sultan’s wisdom and discernment…”

“Skip the formalities and get to the point. What is it?”

“A few days ago, we captured the black men who incited the rebellion in the Mahmudiya district. Forty-two in total.”

“You think they should all be executed, don’t you?”

“Yes, Sultan. If we don’t punish them severely, it will set a bad precedent.”

Kamil bowed again.

“I fear that some may question the Sultan’s authority.”

“It seems you are the only one questioning it, Kamil,” Saladin said with a faint smile.

“Execute only the leaders who incited the rebellion according to the law. Those who simply participated will be forgiven on the condition that they join the army.”

“But…”

“I was able to become the Sultan here because the Egyptians recognized me as their ruler. The most important thing is mercy and compassion, Kamil.”

Saladin shook his head.

“And with the Holy War against the Franks approaching, wouldn’t it be better to have even one more soldier?”

“The Sultan’s words are wise.”

“Rather, I’m curious about what happened with the matter you reported last time,” Saladin asked.

His gaze turned towards Cairo below.

“About young Baldwin taking our merchants to Ayla. Have you found out anything more since then?”

“The merchants who were captured by Baldwin returned to Cairo a few days ago. They said…”

Kamil hesitated, stammering.

“As promised, they received all their goods and money back in Ayla. Baldwin only took a small amount as compensation.”

“You mean he really took our merchants to Ayla and just let them go? I didn’t think that could be true.”

“Yes, that’s right. He even provided them with ships to Mecca and Medina. I don’t know what his intentions are. If he wanted to win over the local merchants…”

“He wouldn’t have needed to use the excuse of an attack. I know that.”

Saladin stroked his chin, lost in thought.

“Ayla. Just north of it is Kerak. The land ruled by the mad dog, Reynald. He’s always looking for an opportunity to attack our caravans and pilgrims…”

“Are you saying he’s involved?”

“What if young Baldwin was trying to stop Reynald?”

“If he’s stopping Reynald…”

“He used the excuse of an attack but actually protected the caravans and pilgrims from Reynald.”

“But why would Baldwin do that? If Reynald continues to attack Muslims, the Sultan’s…”

Kamil bowed slightly, as if asking for permission.

“Authority and rule could be greatly undermined.”

“You’re right, Kamil. But it wouldn’t necessarily be disadvantageous to us. It would give us a clear justification to unite the Muslims.”

“Justification?”

“When the Franks first came to this land, why do you think we were helpless?” Saladin asked, raising a finger.

“It’s because we were divided. Instead of fighting against the infidels, we were busy taking from our brothers.”

He added, “Reynald attacking innocent Muslims—may he be cursed forever in hell—is something we must stop at all costs, but…”

“We could use that as an opportunity to ignite the anger of the Muslims. A fierce, blazing flame.”

“That’s right. Or we could claim that they broke the peace treaty.”

Saladin nodded.

“It’s hard to believe that a young child could see this far. Perhaps the Leper King ordered it himself.”

He looked at Kamil and asked, “Wasn’t young Baldwin the son of the Leper King’s sister, Sibylla? I remember him being about the same age as our Ali.”

“Yes, that’s correct. According to our spies, he doesn’t have leprosy but has a weak constitution.”

“I thought I heard in the last report that he was obsessed with falconry…”

Saladin looked beyond the fortress.

The holy land seemed to be visible in the distance.

Al-Quds, the place the infidels who worship two sticks as idols call Jerusalem.

“It seems our spies’ reports were exaggerated.”

“Before going to Ayla, he treated the sick at the Knights Hospitaller in Al-Quds. This could also be a lie spread by the Frankish royal family, but…”

“Treated the sick? What do you mean?”

“He used treatments found in medical books to treat the sick. A very simple method of mixing salt and sugar in water.”

“Salt and sugar? You can make medicine with just those things?”

“The court physicians say it’s actually effective for patients with diarrhea or vomiting.”

“This is truly amazing. A Frankish royal reading ancient medical books.”

Saladin waved his hand to summon a guard.

“Bring Imad ad-Din here. I need to write a letter right away.”

“A letter?”

“It wouldn’t be bad to send a letter to young Baldwin. Don’t you think?” Saladin smiled at his vizier [high-ranking political advisor].

“Let’s send a small gift and see his reaction.”

***

Eilat

“Woooaaah!”

The cheers of the people echoed through the harbor.

The sound of the waves couldn’t even be heard.

A knight in a black cloak gripped his lance.

A knight in a white cloak glared at him from across the way.

The contrasting colors made the contest even more spectacular.

The moment the cheers reached their peak, the two horses charged at each other.

A long wooden plank in the center separated them.

The horses grew closer and closer, and the moment the two lances collided…

Thud——

The knight in the white cloak fell from his horse.

At the same time, the shouts of the people erupted.

“Garnier! Garnier!”

The knight waved to the cheering spectators and left the arena.

“The Knights Templar will be seeking revenge for this for a long time. The knights who have been defeated by Sir Garnier already fill more than a cart.”

Aig shouted in an excited tone.

I smiled as I looked at him.

“I don’t know if they’ll hold such a grudge over just a jousting match.”

No, maybe they will even more because it’s a jousting match.

Three days since the festival began.

The jousting matches were held every day, but the enthusiasm of the citizens grew more and more each day.

I rose from my private seat.

Jews, Christians, Muslims, and so on.

A variety of spectators were enjoying the matches.

‘A game where two warriors charge at each other with lances.’

What could be more fun for a man than this?

At this rate, the festival will be a success.

I stretched my arms out.

It had already been a month since I started escorting Muslim merchants.

Reynald must have given up by now, as he was holed up in his fortress all day.

‘I think he’ll try to get revenge on me somehow….’

I don’t need to worry about it right now.

Eilat was now firmly established.

Trade, commerce, and even just transporting Muslim pilgrims to the Red Sea brought in enough revenue.

As I was lost in thought, a man approached me.

It was Garnier.

“After running for three days, my whole body feels like it’s falling apart.”

“Isn’t it about time you gave me a break?” I said with a smile.

Garnier also smiled and wiped away sweat with a cloth.

“Then there would be no meaning in the match. A knight must give his all, even if the opponent is the king.”

“Then I shouldn’t compete with Sir Garnier.”

I guess I can’t expect something like military soccer.

I wanted to try jousting at least once.

Unfortunately, if I went out there with my current body, I would probably break a few bones.

“I’m glad everyone seems to be enjoying themselves,” Garnier said.

“If you weren’t here, this place would still be a wasteland. If you plan to stay here…”

“I have to leave soon. I can’t stay long,” I said.

It had already been two months since I came to Eilat.

I had already achieved the two goals I had when I came here.

1. Increase the revenue of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Earn points with Baldwin IV.

2. Prevent Reynald from causing chaos.

“I’ve already sent a letter to His Majesty asking him to dispatch a new governor.”

“Then are you planning to return to Jerusalem as is?” Garnier asked with a surprised expression.

“Anyone would think you have something urgent to do.”

“I have something urgent to do,” I said with a smile.

I have to stop the Eastern Roman Emperor from being overthrown in a coup.

‘I’m the only one who can do it.’

I had to somehow save the young emperor so he could keep his position.

I couldn’t entrust that task to anyone else.

“One month,” I said.

That should give me enough time to prepare.

“I’ll return to Jerusalem in a month.”

“Then I’ll prepare accordingly. The necessary supplies and equipment…”

As Garnier was speaking, a soldier ran up.

The soldier knelt down, panting.

“What’s the matter?”

“A messenger has just arrived from Cairo. Saladin has sent a letter and wagons to you, and they are outside now…”

At those words, I unconsciously stood up.

Saladin?

“Who sent the wagons?”