I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 17

Towards Jerusalem (2)

* * *

The streets teemed with countless citizens of Ailat.

It was the day of departure for Jerusalem.

“His Royal Highness Prince Baldwin, a member of the noble Royal Family of Jerusalem and the representative of His Majesty the King, is passing through!” the herald’s voice boomed through the streets.

But I heard something else, too.

“That swordsmanship was countered ages ago. You’d be better off grabbing the blade with your bare hands…”

“You utter fool! That only works on guys who aren’t wearing armor. You’d be better off…”

Ganier and Hugh were at it again, pointing fingers and arguing.

I felt like I’d witnessed this scene dozens of times in the past few days.

The two were constantly vying for the position of my personal instructor.

‘Am I just going to get squashed between these fighting whales?’ I wondered.

The training was getting tougher by the day, and I was just about dying.

I sighed, looking at the two of them.

“Both of you, stop bickering. People will get the wrong idea.”

“Ahem, fighting? The master and I are merely discussing the most appropriate swordsmanship for the Prince.”

“It’s because you keep making ridiculous claims. A guy who can’t even beat me properly when I’m practically crippled with leprosy…”

“I’m just being considerate of my ailing teacher…”

I cleared my throat loudly, and both of them immediately shut up.

Aigue, as usual, was chuckling beside me.

“I don’t think I can stop you two. I should go say goodbye to the citizens,” I said, shaking my head, and dismounted my horse.

Under the watchful eyes of the guards, people approached me.

I shook hands and greeted them one by one.

Among them was Emanuel, the Jewish tribal chief who had followed me to Ailat.

He held my hand tightly.

“Thank you so much for supporting the reconstruction of the synagogue. All of us will pray every day for Your Highness’s safe arrival in Jerusalem.”

“You’re very kind. I’ve already asked the Venetians to prepare the materials needed for the synagogue’s reconstruction. I commissioned it myself, so they won’t inflate the price.”

I said with a smile.

To be thanked so profusely just for allowing the temple to be rebuilt…

Was it really that uncommon?

Judaism, Coptic Christianity, and Eastern Orthodoxy were perpetually persecuted religions in the Levant [the historical geographical area including present-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and parts of Turkey and Egypt].

Both in reality and in the *Last Crusaders* game.

‘How would they react if they heard about the 21st century?’

I shook my head.

No, the 21st century isn’t perfect either.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The mass beheadings of Coptic Orthodox Christians by ISIL [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant].
The Kosovo conflict, and so on.

Even after a thousand years, things haven’t changed much.

Rather, the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Islamic states now seemed more open-minded than the 21st-century fundamentalists.

As I was embracing Emanuel, a man wearing a turban approached.

Dressed like a merchant.

He spoke in Arabic and reached inside his cloak.

The next moment, a scabbard was pulled out.

A scabbard?

“Assassin! How dare that bastard…!”

“It’s an Assassin!” Ganier, Aigue, and the other guards drew their swords.

Bult also seemed to sense the tension and raised his front paws, ready to defend.

“Stop! Everyone, stop!” I shouted.

I didn’t sense any hostility from the merchant.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

Confusion and fear.

If he were a real Assassin, he wouldn’t be feeling those emotions.

The merchant trembled and bowed.

He spoke in a hurried tone, but I couldn’t understand him.

It seemed like he was trying to give something to me.

I looked at Ganier.

“What is he saying?”

“He says that he was able to come to Ailat safely thanks to Your Highness’s escort. He brought a gift on behalf of their merchant group.”

Ganier shouted something at the merchant.

Soon after, he received a dagger from the merchant and brought it over.

The scabbard and handle looked expensive at a glance.

I drew the dagger and examined it.

The blade had strange patterns engraved on it.

Ganier continued to translate the merchant’s words.

“He says it’s a Damascus dagger. He really wanted to give it to Your Highness as a gift.”

Was this the famous Damascus steel?

Damascus swords, well known for their reputation of being able to cut through rocks!

There was some exaggeration mixed in, but it was supposed to be the highest quality steel available at the time.

I looked at the merchant and gave a faint smile.

“I didn’t expect to receive such a precious gift. I will make good use of it.”

I added, “But you should be careful next time. Approaching royalty with a drawn weapon is practically a suicide attempt.”

The merchant nodded after hearing Ganier’s translation.

Even after he stepped back, people continued to flock in.

It was almost an hour later that the procession began to move again.

Valian came up to me and said, “The citizens here are praising Your Highness greatly. They say Your Highness has been working almost every day…”

He smiled and continued, “You haven’t been going out hunting as often as you used to, have you?”

“Let’s just say I haven’t had the time.”

I shook my head.

Hunting was out of the question when I didn’t even have enough time to sleep.

Various administrative tasks, listening to citizens’ complaints, presiding over trials, and so on.

There were many things to do as a royal and a royal representative.

‘But it’s not without its rewards.’

I turned my head back, and the sight of Ailat came into view.

The streets were full of people.

The sound of ships coming from the harbor.

Even the repaired walls.

It was the complete opposite of the desolate scene when I first arrived.

The city wouldn’t have changed like this if it weren’t for me.

In the original history, Ailat wouldn’t be rebuilt until much later.

‘At first, I just came to secure funds and stop Renault.’

I felt good seeing the people who had returned home happy.

As I was lost in thought, looking at the city, I felt something strange.

A bad feeling.

Was it [Unexplainable Intuition]?

Or just my imagination?

Ganier approached and tilted his head as I stood there blankly.

“Is there something wrong, Your Highness?”

“Now that I think about it, I haven’t heard any news from Kerak for the past few days. How is Lord Renault doing these days?”

“He’s been holed up in Kerak Fortress. He’s been discouraged ever since Your Highness intervened…”

“I see.”

I fell into thought.

Would Renault give up so easily?

Or would he try to regain the initiative, even if it meant taking unreasonable measures?

I couldn’t accurately predict his next move.

‘Then should I take out some insurance?’

It’s better to be safe than sorry.

After finishing my thoughts, I gestured to Valian and Hugh.

“I have something to tell you three before we depart. Sir Ganier, please remain in Ailat for a while…”

“But I cannot leave Your Highness alone and remain here. His Majesty the King himself directly…”

Ganier frowned and protested.

I smiled as I looked at him.

“You don’t have to worry. I’m not planning on leaving you here and going straight to Jerusalem.”

With the three people in front of me wearing curious expressions, I continued to speak.

“Before going to Jerusalem, I’m going to stop by somewhere briefly…”

* * *

Bedouin territory near Kerak.

Dozens of figures flickered within a dark tent.

Numerous spear blades and swords sparkled like stars in the moonlight.

“Welcome to our tribe, Tariq of Kerak. May the blood of camels and the spirit of horses be with you.”

“Thank you for the warm welcome, Chief Kurubuga,” the black butler, Tariq, bowed and replied.

He glanced around and swallowed nervously.

The warriors of the tribe all stared at him with fierce eyes.

Ready to pounce and tear him limb from limb at any moment.

The chief opened his mouth with a stern expression.

“Our Badawi [Bedouin] tribes welcome all guests, even if they are traitors who grovel before infidels.”

He continued, “Forgive me for not being in a welcoming mood. Just a few days ago, dozens of our warriors died fighting the Franks [Western European Christians, particularly those involved in the Crusades].”

“You’re talking about Prince Baldwin, who was traveling from Jerusalem to Ailat, aren’t you?”

At Tariq’s question, the tribal chief only stared with cold eyes and did not answer.

The chief spoke again.

“Why did you, Renault’s butler, come to us? Surely the tribute you promised isn’t due for several months…”

“The Lord of Kerak is willing to waive this year’s tribute. We can also resume the food trade that was suspended.”

“Lord Renault is going to exempt us from tribute? I’d sooner believe he converted to Islam.”

“Of course, there is one condition.”

Tariq raised his index finger.

“That you and the other Badawi tribes attack Ailat. That is the condition for being exempted from tribute.”

“Attack Ailat? Are you out of your mind?”

Chief Kurubuga frowned.

“Isn’t that a Frankish city? I heard that a royal boy named Baldwin rebuilt it?”

“That boy left the city a few days ago. All that’s left in the city are Jews and riffraff.”

Tariq smiled faintly and shook his head.

His eyes shone brightly in the darkness.

“The Aqaba Fortress on the east side of Ailat will open its gates late the night after tomorrow. You can attack the city through there.”

“…”

A brief silence fell.

The chief soon opened his mouth.

“I think I know what Lord Renault wants. A Frank asking us to attack a Frankish city. He must be fighting over power.”

Kurubuga continued, “You want us to crush that young boy’s pride for you? Because you can’t step forward yourself.”

“The details are none of your concern.”

“I suppose so. But did you think we would readily accept such an offer?”

The Badawi chief stood up and continued.

“It’s not the first time you Franks have broken your promises to us Muslims.”

“I expected you to say that. But you need food right now, don’t you? Wasn’t there a famine this year?”

Tariq smiled faintly and looked around.

Women and children were peeking out of the tent.

They all looked exhausted from hunger.

“That’s why you attacked the Franks, even at the risk of overextending yourselves.”

“Until you occupied this land, we lived peacefully trading with the cities. We never starved, even in times of drought.”

Kurubuga’s voice bubbled with anger.

He pointed his finger at the black man.

“It was your master, that detestable demon of Kerak, who issued the ban preventing other cities from trading with us……”

“As I said before…”

Tariq snapped his fingers.

Then Frankish soldiers came carrying boxes with groans.

Fruits and vegetables.

And beans, wheat, and even oil.

The surrounding warriors swallowed hard at the sight of the boxes.

“The Lord of Kerak has broken his promises before. If you’re trying to bribe our tribe with just a few of these fruits…”

“You should think carefully before making a decision.”

The black butler said.

“If you reject this generous offer, the Lord said he will come and lead the army himself.”

“The same threats I hear every year.”

Silence flowed between the two.

An atmosphere where blood could be shed at any moment.

In the midst of the darkness surrounding the desert, the two finally shook hands.