I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 141

< 141. The March of Fools (1) >

The air in Italy was just as I remembered.

Warm, with the scent of the sea.

Latin hymns echoed against the backdrop of the harbor.

Hundreds of members of the Holy Sepulchre Guard.

Nuns stood before them, holding feathered wings.

“I didn’t expect His Holiness the Pope to suggest something like this first,” Aig said.

“It’s quite extravagant.”

“It must have cost a lot of money, too.”

I nodded.

A wing bestowal ceremony hosted by the Roman Church.

Could the ancient pagan Danes, the Vikings, have ever imagined such a sight?

Pride and joy emanated from the members of the Holy Sepulchre Guard.

It almost made me smile involuntarily.

‘The other knights are secretly envious.’

I looked at the Holy Sepulchre Guard members.

This should be enough of a reward for them.

They fought so hard to restore their honor.

“Still, wasn’t the Holy Sepulchre Guard nominally under the jurisdiction of the Church of Constantinople?” Aig asked.

“But to have the ceremony conducted by the Latin Church like this…”

“It’s just giving them wings. It’s not like they’re taking away command,” I said.

It was more of a gesture of reconciliation towards the Eastern Church.

“Constantinople will think of it positively, too.”

The Port of Anzio was crowded with people.

“Even so, I didn’t expect His Holiness the Pope to come out to see us off in person.”

I had refused the Pope’s invitation to come to Rome.

With time being so tight, I didn’t have the luxury to go all the way to Rome.

‘But instead of getting angry, he came all the way here to see me in person.’

Aig shrugged.

“He must think very highly of you, sir. Who else would stop Emperor Frederick without you?”

“That’s not wrong.”

Just then, a trumpet sounded.

The Pope’s procession.

The procession of cardinals approached.

The Pope was riding at the head on horseback.

A striking, pure white horse.

As I walked forward, all the cardinals around me stepped back.

“Lord Baldwin.”

“Your Holiness.”

I bowed and then grabbed his saddle.

He dismounted and smiled.

“I hear you don’t have much time to stay in Italy. That’s a real shame.”

“Please forgive my rudeness,” I bowed my head.

“Jerusalem is in danger right now.”

From the harbor, I could hear the sounds of workers loading food and supplies.

Not a single day could be wasted.

Time was of the essence now.

“The Roman Church and the citizens of Italy understand. Nothing is more important than the safety of the Holy City of Jerusalem. I have no intention of keeping you for long,” the Pope said with a faint smile.

“I have something prepared for you. I came to deliver it.”

He gestured, and a cardinal brought forward a cross.

A cross about the thickness of an arm.

A key-like shape made of gold.

“You have brought peace to Europe, which had been plunged into chaos by war. You have achieved the true ‘Peace of God’ that the Latin Church has been pursuing for decades—an achievement that no one before you has ever accomplished.”

He handed me the cross.

“You are the guardian of peace and, at the same time, the Defender of the Faith (Fidei Defensor) [Defender of the Faith in Latin]. I believe that you will protect the Holy City of Jerusalem from the infidels.”

I received the cross and bowed my head.

I didn’t expect to receive such a gift so suddenly.

Defender of the Faith.

I rose in the solemn atmosphere.

I could hear murmurs around me.

“There could be no greater glory than this, Your Holiness.”

“Christ is working through you by the Holy Spirit. He is in us and works through our lives and actions.”

I looked at him, keeping my mouth shut.

He wouldn’t be doing this service for nothing.

Defender of the Faith (Fidei Defensor).

It was an enormous power and symbolism.

I think Henry VIII received it in the original history.

As a reward for attacking Protestants and defending Catholics.

‘But he later broke up with Rome to get a divorce and even started the Reformation.’

Even Henry VIII maintained this title.

The whole of Europe and the Levant would be surprised if this news got out.

There was only one reason why the Pope would give such a gift.

To push me to become king.

‘The Pope must know about the struggle for the throne of Jerusalem.’

He had given me the key to becoming king.

I stood up, holding the golden cross in my hand.

“The protection of Jerusalem is now in your hands.”

“I will fulfill my duty.”

After a brief chat, the Pope returned to the Holy Sepulchre Guard.

The murmurs of priests and knights could be heard everywhere.

“Defender of the Faith. No royal family has received such a title since Charlemagne,” Aig said in a dazed tone.

“No, not even among emperors.”

“The title itself isn’t important,” I shook my head.

I had received the cheapest and most powerful weapon.

“What’s important is how you use that title. What’s the loading situation?”

“It should be finished by the time the ceremony ends.”

“Then we can set sail right away today.”

“In a few days, we’ll finally arrive in Jerusalem.”

“No, before going to Jerusalem, we need to go to Cyprus first.”

“Cyprus… Are you going to resupply there?”

“No, I’m going to wait there until the situation breaks out. To be precise, I should say I’m waiting for a signal.”

“Now I need to hear an explanation,” Aig frowned and crossed his arms.

“What exactly are you planning? Why do we have to stop by Cyprus before going to Jerusalem?”

“I’ll explain it simply,” I said with a smile.

I would have been frustrated too if I were Aig.

“I’m going to deal with Guy first.”

My stepfather, Count Guy.

The leader of the hardliners in Jerusalem.

It was time to deal with him.

I had already made a plan before leaving Jerusalem.

“Guy wouldn’t have been idle either. He’s probably increased his supporters in the palace,” I said.

By now, Baldwin IV’s condition must have worsened.

“He’ll try to wear the crown himself.”

Guy’s biggest obstacle was me.

A stepson and nephew of the king who had suddenly achieved great feats and performed miracles.

“Then shouldn’t we strike Count Guy first?” Aig asked.

“Baldwin IV will support you, sir. So will the other nobles and lords.”

“If I strike Guy first, it’ll look strange. It’ll look like I’m fighting my stepfather to get the throne. Well, that’s actually true,” I chuckled involuntarily.

“That way, I’ll be at a disadvantage in the battle for justification.”

“Then…”

“I had a plan set up before I left for Europe. By now, everyone should be ready,” I said with a smile.

“Guy will be the one to move first.”

“So going to Cyprus is also part of that ‘plan’ you made?”

“You could say that.”

I moved my feet.

The Holy Sepulchre Guard members had all put on their wings by now.

Hundreds of feathered wings fluttered in the wind.

“Before fighting Guy, we need to shake up Saladin first—to prevent him from taking the opportunity to intervene,” I said.

Saladin was likely to attack, taking advantage of the civil war between me and Guy.

‘I probably would have done the same if I were him.’

To fight Guy with peace of mind, I had to divert Saladin’s attention elsewhere.

“That’s where Egypt comes in.”

“Egypt… Saladin’s brother, al-Adil, is ruling there.”

“Only a few decades ago, Egypt was ruled by a Shia Caliph [A leader of the Shia Muslim sect]. But Saladin seized power and deposed the Caliph.”

I nodded.

“There are still many remnants there who are dissatisfied with Saladin. And the Assassins are also Shia like them.”

“Then…!” Aig’s eyes widened.

“You’re going to start a rebellion in Egypt.”

“The Assassins are already working hard on the groundwork. We provided the necessary weapons and funds,” I nodded.

Egypt was Saladin’s biggest vault and political base.

If that shakes, he won’t be able to easily interfere in Jerusalem.

“First, we need to check the situation in Cyprus. We also need to send additional weapons to Egypt,” I said.

“Going to Jerusalem is next.”

“But there’s still something I don’t understand,” Aig asked.

“You said you’d make Count Guy attack you first. How are you going to do that?”

“Guy is only qualified to inherit the throne because he’s the husband of my mother, Sibylla,” I said with a smile.

“But what if my mother disappears?”

* * *

Ascalon

Count Guy’s territory

“It seems the Count hasn’t noticed yet,” Theodora said.

She checked the doorway to make sure no one was eavesdropping.

Two shadows stopped right in front of the door.

The knights who followed her.

Sibylla replied.

“He’s been meeting with other lords all day, drinking with them and making plausible promises.”

“He’s trying to increase his allies as much as possible before Baldwin returns to Jerusalem,” Theodora said.

“Those who oppose the integration of the Knights also support Count Guy. They know they’ll be kicked out if Baldwin becomes king.”

“Fighting them head-on may not be a wise move,” Sibylla sighed.

She paced around the room and shook her head.

“If a battle breaks out, Guy won’t back down easily either. His Majesty won’t be able to intervene.”

“That’s what Baldwin wanted,” Theodora nodded.

“To defeat Guy himself without the King’s intervention. Didn’t he say he wanted that?”

“What if Baldwin loses in battle?”

“Even in the worst-case scenario, he won’t lose his life. Count Guy won’t be able to behead Baldwin either,” Theodora said.

“I won’t let that happen either.”

“You’re always so confident, Theodora,” Sibylla gave a bitter smile.

“I, the mother, am so scared.”

“I’m not fearless either. I’ve been waiting for Baldwin to return all this time,” Theodora said.

“From the moment I heard the story of him fighting the Redbeard (Barbarossa) Emperor [Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor] in Italy…”

She murmured in a small voice.

“Fighting mercenaries in France and even being attacked in England.”

She looked up at Sibylla.

“If I lost Baldwin, I would lose my purpose again and be alone.”

“I would have lost my only son, too,” Sibylla said.

“But Baldwin is coming back—here to Jerusalem.”

“Baldwin kept his promise, so we have to do our part, too,” Sibylla nodded.

“Then, first of all, the ones who are attached as supervisors…”

“I’ve already taken care of the guards, Mother,” Theodora said with a smile.

“Count Guy’s men aren’t as loyal as you think. Tomorrow morning when the sun rises…” She said.

“Knights will come and escort you, Mother. They won’t notice for at least half a day.”

Looking at her mother-in-law, she added, “I’ll go with you, too.”