I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 16

Heading to Jerusalem (1)

* * *

“Are you sure it’s okay to drink this, Young Lord?” Garnier asked, narrowing his eyes.

It was me, Zernal, and Garnier.

The three of us were gathered in the center of the workshop.

The workshop was sweltering from the steam rising from the large vats.

“Anyone would think I’m making some kind of evil potion,” I said with a laugh.

Yellow droplets were falling steadily through the copper pipes.

A total of ten distillers, combining those obtained from the Muslim alchemists and those replicated by Zernal.

All were busy boiling wine.

The boiling point of alcohol is roughly 78 degrees Celsius.

Since water boils at 100 degrees, boiling the wine allows you to extract only the alcohol.

What you need at this time is a distiller.

“To think that the vapor from boiling alcohol can be captured and reused. I never imagined wine could be made this way,” Zernal said, chuckling in disbelief. He tapped the copper pipe with his hammer. “I’ve heard that the Saracens use this device to make fragrant water…”

“It’s basically the same principle,” I said.

The principle of distilled spirits itself was simple: collect only the vaporized alcohol and transfer it separately. The taste varied depending on the ingredients added. All that was needed was to cool the copper pipes and control the temperature of the fire.

I picked up a bottle and handed it to Garnier.

“I’ll pass for the next round,” Garnier said, clearing his throat and shaking his head. “I’m feeling a bit queasy right now. And if the Order finds out I’m drinking at this hour, they won’t stand for it.”

“Just admit you’re scared to drink it, Garnier,” Zernal said, laughing heartily. He took the bottle from my hand. “Let me try it first.”

He took a few sips, then shuddered and coughed. “Good heavens! I’ve never tasted such potent liquor in my life. I can feel it going straight to my gut. Garnier, you should try it too.”

Barely stopping his cough, he handed the bottle to Garnier.

“I suppose I have no choice,” Garnier said, looking at the bottle with a dubious expression, then downed it in one go. Perhaps he had braced himself, as his cough wasn’t as violent as Zernal’s – just a short one.

“Hmm, the taste isn’t as bad as I thought. Is this really made by boiling wine?”

“In simple terms, yes.”

I brought the bottle close to my nose. A strong fruity aroma. I took a small sip, and a cough escaped me.

“Young Lord, are you alright?!”

I waved my hand to indicate that I was fine. It would be better to spit it out rather than swallow it. Drinking such strong liquor with a thirteen-year-old’s body would quickly lead to intoxication.

It seemed sweeter than the brandy I remembered.

“Living long enough to taste something like this… No one will dislike liquor this strong,” Zernal said with a smile. “They’ll probably buy it by the barrel. How on earth did you figure out this method?”

“Well, let’s keep that a secret for now,” I said, smiling.

In fact, distilled spirits were frequently used in *Last Crusaders* [a fictional game]. ‘If you start as a merchant, it was an absolute must.’ Of course, others would jump into the competition over time, but before that, you could make an enormous fortune. Selling this exclusively would alleviate any money worries.

I looked at the distiller.

Wine or beer… Distilled spirits were sure to be a revolution for Westerners who only drank such things.

The problem was production and distribution….

“To protect the recipe, it would be better to entrust production to the Order,” I said. There was no place as ideal as monasteries or knightly orders to protect secrets and recipes. It wouldn’t look good for royalty to directly set up a factory either.

“Commander Roger would gladly agree. It doesn’t violate the Order’s rules either,” Zernal said.

“We should start preparing as soon as we get to Jerusalem. We need to make more distillers right away….”

“Now the Order is even going into the liquor business,” Garnier sighed deeply. “Issuing promissory notes to merchants is one thing, but this….”

“What can’t we do to protect the Holy City? The Order already brings in and sells things like silk and soap,” Zernal said with a laugh. His cheeks were flushed, as if he was slightly drunk. “We operate dozens of vineyards and workshops.”

At that moment, someone burst into the workshop.

It was Ayyg.

He sniffed the air and frowned. “The smell of alcohol is overwhelming. Were you all having a daytime drink here without me?”

“Daytime drink? Let’s just say it’s an important experiment,” I said, bursting into laughter.

Ayyg looked like he had something to report.

“Did something else happen, Ayyg? If Saladin sent something again….”

“Knights have arrived from Jerusalem. They said they’ve come to escort you, Young Lord.”

“Knights from Jerusalem?”

The four of us immediately went outside. Soldiers were shouting from the outskirts of the city. A flag was visible through the sandstorm: a yellow background with a distorted red cross.

A flag I had seen a few times before. As I racked my brain, it finally came to me.

Ibelin.

The famous family of Balian [a noble family in the Kingdom of Jerusalem].

The moment I realized that, I shouted unconsciously, “Balian came to escort me?”

* * *

‘We will burn and kill the last mosque, the last Saracen. All that Saladin can obtain will be the ruins that were once Jerusalem.’

Balian, the man who secured Saladin’s concession with brinkmanship [negotiating tactic involving extreme demands]. Faced with this threat, Saladin was ultimately forced to guarantee the safety of the Christians in Jerusalem.

‘I’m sure he was a handsome man in the movie….’

Balian’s appearance was closer to that of a middle-aged warrior than a handsome man – a heavy build and armor, and an imposing appearance.

He stood before me and bowed slightly. “This humble servant of Ibelin greets the Young Lord.”

“Welcome to Eilat, Lord Balian. I didn’t expect you to come in person.”

“I heard that you were attacked by seaborne enemies on your way to Eilat,” he said. “His Majesty the King sent us to ensure that such a thing does not happen again.”

Ah, so that’s what it was. They sent an escort to prevent such an incident from happening again on the way back.

“His Majesty the King praised you for the excellent work you have done in Eilat. And…” He lowered his voice slightly. “The royal palace has also been buzzing with stories about you for a while.”

“I hope it’s been buzzing in a good way,” I said, turning my head to the side.

Next to Balian stood a man with a silver mask similar to Baldwin IV [the Leper King]. A white cloak with a green cross and a scabbard at his waist.

“And this person is….”

“It is an honor to meet you, Young Lord! My lacking brother has given you such a dull greeting!” He grabbed my hand and shook it – a voice that sounded over fifty, but full of energy. “I am Hugh of the Ibelin family, the older brother of this fool.”

A silver mask and white gloves on his hands. Then this person is also….

“As you can see, I am currently a member of the Order of Saint Lazarus,” he said, laughing heartily.

The Order of Saint Lazarus [a military order of leper knights]. It was overshadowed by the Hospitallers and the Knights Templar, but it certainly existed in the game.

“Oh, I see a surprised expression. Did I speak too closely?”

“Not at all. It is an honor to be escorted by such distinguished individuals, Sir Hugh of Ibelin,” I said, shaking hands with him. I could sense a slight surprise from him. Perhaps he didn’t expect me to be so friendly.

But there was no reason not to be. Balian and the Ibelin family were all excellent warriors and generals, and the leading faction of Baldwin IV. They were practically the ones who would support me in the next succession to the throne.

‘Baldwin IV even married his stepmother, Maria Komnene, to Balian.’ That meant that Baldwin IV trusted him that much.

Lost in thought, Hugh shouted loudly, “Is Garnier of the Knights Hospitaller here?”

“I am here, Master. It has been a long time indeed…,” Garnier sighed and stepped forward.

“Are you acquainted with Sir Garnier?”

“Acquainted? I was the one who taught this fool swordsmanship,” Hugh laughed heartily. “I heard that you were in charge of the Young Lord’s swordsmanship training. I’ll have to check it out later to see if you’re qualified.”

“Whenever you’re comfortable. Unlike some, I am an excellent teacher,” Garnier replied with a dignified expression.

I have a feeling I’m going to suffer.

“Please forgive my lacking brother, Young Lord. Ever since he contracted leprosy, he seems to have even more energy than before, I swear,” Balian sighed. He came closer to me and whispered, “I heard that you have treated many patients at the Knights Hospitaller hospital, Young Lord. Perhaps you know something about leprosy….”

“I’m sorry. The medical books I’ve read did not contain any cures for leprosy,” I said. Leprosy was not something I could handle with my limited knowledge.

‘If it were possible, I would have somehow treated Baldwin IV first.’

Balian sighed again. “No, I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“The guy who used to cry after getting hit by a wooden sword for the first time, where did he learn to talk back to his master like that?!”

“And what about you, Master, who spent all day drinking and singing?! Not to mention all the women you used to have by your side back then….”

Garnier and Hugh were still fighting.

This is going to take a while.

“Please, both of you, come inside. I’ll listen to the details inside.”

“Yes, Young Lord.”

As they entered the workshop, both Balian and Hugh widened their eyes. “Are you drinking alcohol from broad daylight?”

“Have a few drinks if you’d like. We have a lot to talk about,” I said, handing them a bottle of brandy. I felt like I had become a bartender.

“Thank you, finally something to wet this old man’s tongue,” Hugh took a swig of the bottle, then coughed, making a choking sound. “Good heavens! What on earth is this?!”

At the sight of Balian and Hugh’s bewildered expressions, Garnier and I burst into laughter.

The scenery outside was visible through the workshop window: the sound of children chattering, the ships coming and going from the harbor, and the sea breeze.

Before I knew it, this place had become familiar.

‘But I can’t just stay still.’

I was already in the middle of a typhoon. To survive, I had no choice but to face the typhoon head-on and escape.

It was time to return to Jerusalem.

* * *

Q : Brandy should also be distilled and aged in sherry oak or other oak barrels that have aged other liquors to give it flavor.

A : Some brandies, like eau-de-vie [a clear, colorless fruit brandy], are not aged separately! We ask for your understanding that we cannot provide additional answers regarding oak barrel aging, as it is related to future developments.