I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 142

< Chapter 142 – The March of Fools (2) >

Egypt

Cairo

“We can supply you with as many weapons as you need,” a man in a white robe said.

“What we need are warriors to fight for the cause,” Dulino replied.

“So, you’re saying you want us to shed blood for you?” Dulino asked, looking at the men across from him.

The two men were wearing white and gray robes, respectively. Judging by the atmosphere, the man in the gray robe seemed to be of higher status. Dulino swallowed hard, almost unconsciously, after seeing their eyes. Everyone knew who they were.

The Assassins. Mad assassins who followed the orders of the Old Man of the Mountain, Sinan.

“We are here to help you. Weren’t you Nubian blacks the ones who suffered the greatest humiliation when Saladin seized power?”

“…” Dulino looked around. The market was full of all sorts of people, from men out shopping to merchants leading camels and carrying goods. But no one was paying attention to them.

“Al-Adid, the noble and righteous Caliph and Imam, appointed Saladin as the Wazir [high-ranking political advisor or minister] of Egypt,” Dulino said, his eyes blazing with anger. “But Saladin betrayed the Caliph and oppressed us, his loyal servants. Humiliation, you say? That word can’t even begin to describe what we’ve been through.”

“We Assassins are well aware of the suffering of the righteous Caliph,” the man in the white hood said in a calm tone. “He was the true Imam of the Ismailis [a branch of Shia Islam]. We have come to Egypt to avenge him.”

“I’ve heard rumors that you’ve joined hands with the Franks of Al-Quds (Jerusalem),” Dulino stated.

“The Franks and us are merely in a cooperative relationship. Nothing more, nothing less,” the man in the gray robe said. Dulino stared at him. The man’s face looked older than his companion’s.

“We need their help to drive out the false believers from Egypt,” the gray robe said.

“There was a time when the Egyptian Caliph sought help from the Franks, wasn’t there?”

“And they betrayed us. Idolaters are just as dangerous as false believers,” Dulino said. “You’re playing with fire.”

“Fire is needed to cook food. It all depends on how you use it,” the man in the gray robe replied, leaning forward. “The people of Cairo have already recognized Saladin as their ruler. If we don’t borrow the hands of the Franks, this land will be filled with nothing but false believers.”

“We’ve already tried to drive out Saladin several times. Each time, we’ve failed,” Dulino said, tapping the table nervously. “Do you know how many blacks were massacred in Mansuriya? Thousands, thousands.”

He continued, “They burned down the streets and dragged even young children by the hair. Then they were driven out to Giza and pushed back north again. That’s the peace and mercy Saladin speaks of.”

“I heard you also revolted in Coptos,” the man in the gray robe said. “So, you’re afraid to stand against Saladin now?”

“We’re just waiting for an opportunity. When Saladin clashes with the Frankish bastards, that will be the perfect chance.”

“Saladin is a cunning man. Do you think he’ll leave Egypt defenseless while he fights the Franks?” the white robe scoffed. “He’ll probably drive you all out of Egypt before the war even begins.”

“…”

“Now is the time to drive Saladin out of Egypt. We’ll create opportunities for you.”

“How can you few accomplish what we blacks haven’t been able to do for decades?” Dulino asked, picking up his glass. He took a sip of water and shook the glass in the air. “I’ve heard you’re not in your right mind, but I didn’t think it was this bad. We have no intention of joining your suicide mission.”

“How dare you insult the warriors favored by Allah like that…” the white-robed man began, but the gray-robed man interjected, “Be calm.”

The man in the gray robe looked at Dulino. “You’ve only been cutting off the snake’s tail. No matter how many times you cut off the tail, it’s useless if you don’t cut off the head.”

“…So, you’re saying you’re different?”

“We’ll cut off the head in one stroke. What will happen to Egypt if high-ranking officials and judges are killed on the same day?”

“It will fall into unprecedented chaos,” Dulino admitted. “But that’s impossible, even for you.”

“Nothing is impossible for us. Everything happens according to Allah’s will,” the man in the gray robe said. “The important thing is what comes next. A body without a master needs a new head, doesn’t it?”

“That’s when you want us to step in.”

“The Franks have already handed over the necessary weapons. They’re stored in the secret warehouses we’ve set up throughout Cairo,” the man in the gray robe nodded. “We can deliver them to you right now if you wish. The choice is yours.”

“…”

The sounds of merchants haggling over prices echoed around them. Dulino stood up from his seat and said, “I’ll discuss it with my colleagues. It won’t take long.”

“My offer is valid until sunset today. Keep that in mind.” Dulino left, leaving only the two of them behind.

“Sinan, this ignorant one does not understand,” the man in the white robe asked. “Why would you entrust such an incompetent man with such an important task?”

“Watch your words. I am not Sinan here,” Sinan said, taking off his robe and throwing it behind him. “And I have not entrusted him with any important task.”

“But…”

“It is impossible to destroy Egypt right now. The Franks know that very well. This is merely a distraction.”

“Then…”

“Those men are just pawns to be used and discarded. They have no meaning beyond that.”

“I clearly thought now was the right time to liberate Egypt. Please forgive this deficient disciple.”

“Egypt will once again become a land of true faith. Just not now.”

“I will keep that in mind, my noble Imam.”

The two men disappeared into the crowd in the market.

* * *

Ascalon

“How many innocent people will be harmed in the process of integrating the Knights?” The men’s shouts went back and forth across the table.

“Sir Toro, the former Grand Master of the Knights, has also gone missing at sea.”

“They must have been behind it. There’s no need to doubt it,” Gi said.

“If Baldwin returns to Jerusalem, the integration of the Knights will be unstoppable. If I ascend to the throne before that…” He said, raising his glass. “Wouldn’t that be better for the Knights as well?”

“The Count has already abandoned us once,” a Knight Templar with a white beard said. “Didn’t you turn a blind eye to the members who were captured while attacking the Assassins?”

“I had no choice at the time. Could I have avoided punishment even if I had stepped in?” Gi waved his arm. “I made an unavoidable choice. If I had stepped in then, we wouldn’t have this opportunity now.”

“…”

“Once the Knights are fully integrated, all command and finances will be transferred to the royal family of Jerusalem. Do you want that to happen?” Gi asked. “I believe you all understand what choice we must make for Jerusalem.”

The Knights and lords nodded. They all looked at the Count. Count Gi desperately needed their help to become king. On the other hand, Prince Baldwin could ascend to the throne on his own without their help. The choice between the two had already been made. This meeting was merely to confirm their loyalty.

At that moment, the door to the conference room burst open. The chamberlain rushed in with a pale face.

“Y-Your Excellency!”

“What is it?”

“Lady Sibylla has disappeared!”

“Sibylla has disappeared? You don’t mean she’s left Ascalon?!”

“W-Well, it’s not certain yet, but…”

“Not certain?! Not certain?!” Gi frowned and asked back, shouting, “Didn’t I tell you to increase the number of guards?! If you’ve been up to something, I’ll personally tear out your eyes and tongue…”

“I-I swear I don’t know anything about it, Your Excellency! Lady Sibylla went out for a walk with Theodora and…” The chamberlain waved his arms with a pale face. “It seems the knights in charge of guarding her have all been bribed.”

“That Theodora is behind this. That Greek whore. I should have stopped her from coming to this city in the first place,” Gi said, waving his hand. “We can find out the traitors later. Summon the knights and start the pursuit immediately. They can’t have gone far yet.”

“What about sending a message to the signal tower?” The chamberlain cautiously opened his mouth. “If Lady Sibylla passes through northern Ascalon, we can wait there and catch up with her.”

“No, the signalmen are all followers of Baldwin. They’ll definitely stop the message midway,” Gi shook his head. “We have to chase them directly. Issue a curfew in case they’re hiding inside the castle.”

“We’ll help with the pursuit, Your Excellency,” the Knights Templar stood up and said. They put on their helmets and left the conference room. “Even the best warhorses can’t run for long in this heat. Our Knights Templar have horses specifically for chasing fugitives,” one of them said. “They’re smaller, but they can run much longer.”

“Then I’ll entrust you with capturing Sibylla,” Gi said, raising his index finger. “But no matter what happens, Sibylla must not be harmed. Understood?”

“Don’t worry. We can’t harm the future queen,” the knights said as they went out the door. The sound of clanking chainmail echoed in the hallway.

* * *

“We can’t stop!”

“Damn it, they’re catching up!” The men’s shouts echoed. The heat-exhausted horses panted and exhaled. Theodora looked back. A huge sandstorm was chasing them, the storm caused by the pursuers’ hooves. The distance was gradually closing.

“Theodora!” Sibylla shouted, gasping for breath as she held the reins. “Go alone now, even if it’s just you. If I go back, they’ll stop chasing.”

“I can’t do that, Mother. Just a little further…just a little further,” Theodora said, turning her head and looking around. They had already arrived at the rendezvous point, but the escorting troops were nowhere to be seen.

“If you’re caught here, you won’t have another chance to escape. They’ll probably lock you up like Queen Eleanor,” Sibylla said, spitting out the words. In the meantime, the sandstorm was approaching them.

At that moment, a knight shouted, “Something’s coming over there!”

Both Sibylla and Theodora turned their heads. Another sandstorm was approaching from the north. A flag fluttered through the sand, a yellow cross on a red background.

“Tripoli! Reinforcements have arrived!” Theodora and Sibylla quickly turned their horses around. The knights of Tripoli rushed in and surrounded them. The knights of Ascalon and the Knights Templar charged towards them a step too late.

“Why have the knights of Tripoli come all the way here! If you don’t want to fight, get out of here!” The captain of Gi’s knights stepped forward. “We’ve come to escort Lady Sibylla! Lady Sibylla! Please come this way! The Count is looking for you!”

“We too have come at Lady Sibylla’s request for protection,” a man shouted from the Tripoli side. He waved his hand as he wore a helmet. “We have no intention of fighting you, so please step back.”

“You’re the ones who need to step back! This is Count Gi’s territory!” the captain shouted. “This is no place for you Tripoli bastards to be meddling!”

“And I’m not someone who will be insulted by the likes of you,” the man took off his helmet. The captain’s expression twisted when he saw his face.

“Count Raymond! I have committed a great discourtesy,” he bowed his head. “But this is Count Gi’s territory, and Lady Sibylla has made a marriage promise with the Count.”

“And she asked me for protection. I heard that Count Gi is committing atrocities in his territory. He’s collecting excessive taxes and using violence even inside the castle,” Raymond said. “Lady Sibylla has formally requested my protection.”

“Dragging away another lord’s wife is unacceptable, even for a count.”

“That’s interesting. What will you do if I don’t accept it?” Raymond smiled. “Are you saying you’ll attack me if I don’t hand over Lady Sibylla?”

“If necessary, I will.”

Silence fell. Under the intense sunlight, the two camps glared at each other.

“Well, try it if you dare. We won’t run away either.”

“…”

Sweat dripped down the chainmail, soaking his white coat. Soon, the knights of Ascalon retreated. “You have made a big mistake today, Count,” the captain gestured, and the knights of Ascalon turned their horses around.

Raymond, Sibylla, and Theodora stood together and watched the scene. Sibylla said with a strained smile, “You came just in time, Count.”

“I apologize for not coming sooner, madam. It was more difficult than I thought to locate you using the signal tower,” Raymond bowed his head. “I will escort you from now on. Let’s go to Acre together.”

“Acre…” Theodora said. “Has Baldwin returned?”

“He will be back soon,” Raymond said with a smile. “What will be, will be.”