I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 171

< 171. Siege of Kerak (1) >

“There are disgustingly many of them.”

Aig scratched his head and said.

“I should have followed Lord Garnier.”

“I’ll write you a pass if you want.”

I replied with a smile. I stood on the watchtower and looked across.

The tens of thousands of Muslim soldiers looked more like ants than people. An ant swarm that covered the ground in black.

Just looking at it was overwhelming. It’s on a different level than fighting in Europe.

How much supply would it take to support such a large army?

“Even if Your Majesty writes a pass, Saladin won’t let me through.”

Aig laughed along with me. I shook my head.

“No, he’ll probably just let you through.”

There was a funny episode in the original history.

After the Battle of the Horns of Hattin, Saladin led a large army and besieged Jerusalem.

‘Please, just let me take my family out.’

At this time, Balian made a vow to only take his family out and received a passage permit from Saladin.

‘If the lord doesn’t take command, who will?’

‘But I swore in the name of the Lord.’

‘You can break oaths with Saracens as much as you want!’

The citizens of Jerusalem asked Balian to take command, and he eventually broke his oath to Saladin.

‘Since things have turned out this way, I have no choice but to stay in Jerusalem and fight. Please, just let my family go to Tripoli.’

‘I understand. I will issue a safe passage and fifty escort cavalry so that your family can go to Tripoli.’

Thanks to Balian, who remained in Jerusalem, the Crusaders were able to negotiate surrender under favorable conditions.

“Even if I get out of the siege, Lord Garnier won’t accept me. He’ll probably tell me to go back to the castle.”

Aig sighed playfully. He muttered, looking over the castle walls.

“Won’t Saladin send an envoy first?”

“That’s when there’s room for negotiation.”

I shook my head. Saladin wanted Kerak, and I had to defend Kerak at all costs.

The possibility of a compromise between us without a fight was extremely low.

“But we have Abul Heija. If we negotiate on the condition that we release the Emir…”

“He won’t withdraw his troops for just one Emir. He’s come too far for that.”

I said.

This expedition was a gamble for Saladin.

‘If he doesn’t win this time, he is likely to collapse politically.’

If Saladin collapses now, the unified Islamic kingdom will also collapse. Like during the First Crusade, Islamic forces will be divided.

Then, the Islamic recapture of Jerusalem becomes virtually impossible.

‘Saladin himself knows that best.’

There was no way he would back down easily. I moved my stiff body and stood on the higher watchtower.

My muscles were screaming because I had been carrying water bottles with the soldiers for two days.

But I couldn’t groan in front of the soldiers. Standing on the watchtower, I felt the emotions of the people around me.

Fear and dread.

Conviction, confidence, and fighting spirit.

All sorts of emotions were mixed together.

Well, you can’t help but be overwhelmed when you see that many enemies.

I turned to look at Aig.

“There were soldiers who died fighting Abul Heija’s unit. How many in total?”

“There were ten seriously injured and two dead.”

“We need to hold funerals for those two. Gather people in the central square.”

“Now?”

Aig asked with a surprised expression.

“Wouldn’t it be better to do it all at once after the siege is over?”

“We need to rally the soldiers’ morale before the battle. And report about ten people who have made great achievements in the last battle.”

I said.

“We’ll have to give them separate rewards.”

The morale of the soldiers could not be raised simply by giving a few speeches.

‘Those who work hard are rewarded accordingly. Even if they die, the kingdom is responsible for their honor and their families.’

This was the minimum measure necessary not only for the morale of the soldiers but also for the kingdom.

“I’ll take a few members and prepare.”

Aig nodded.

“Are the catapults ready?”

“They say they’re in the final stages. They’ll be ready before the battle starts.”

“That’s a relief.”

Leaning against the watchtower, I felt the cold stone wall. If it weren’t for the Levant [historical region on the eastern Mediterranean], I would have built an outer wall outside the castle.

But it was not easy to find the necessary timber here in the Levant. Building a wall with stones would take too long. For now, we have to be satisfied with the catapults.

I looked at the sea of tents. It would take Saladin at least a few days to install the catapults.

If they attacked before that, we could hit them unilaterally.

“Come as much as you want.”

Because I’ll feed you a hot gift from Constantinople [modern-day Istanbul, a city in Turkey].

* * *

Kerak

Saladin’s camp

“That’s Kerak, Father.”

“Yes, that’s Kerak.”

Saladin nodded.

Kerak was the same as he had seen it a few months ago.

The fortress standing on the hill looked like a knight clad in armor.

“It was right here that Baldwin IV faced me. It feels like it was just yesterday.”

He muttered with a thoughtful expression. Baldwin IV’s appearance was still vivid in his memory.

The King of Jerusalem who tied his body to the saddle and approached.

At that time, there was a commotion from Kerak.

The sound of Franks [Western Europeans, especially the French] praying.

“They’re praying. Are they preparing for battle?”

Ali tilted his head, and then Saladin opened his mouth.

“Maybe so. They’re not much different from us. They must be anxious before the battle.”

“If Father takes that castle, you can kill the King of the Franks. Please order the army to…”

“Do you think I should kill Baldwin?”

“Then are you going to let him live?”

Ali asked, his eyes wide.

“Didn’t Father say that Baldwin gathered the Franks from across the sea?”

He said.

“If we get rid of that guy, Al-Quds (Jerusalem) will be Muslim land again.”

“…Maybe you’re right.”

Saladin sighed instead of answering. He could let go of guys like Guy and Raymond as much as he wanted.

Guy was incompetent, and Raymond was too timid.

But Baldwin was different.

“The newly gathered Crusaders from Europe, the Emperor of Eastern Rome, and even the Assassins of Masyaf. Baldwin was at the center of it all.”

“But now the initiative has passed to Father.”

Ali said in an excited tone, pointing behind him. Tens of thousands of soldiers lined up according to the officers’ instructions.

“That small castle won’t last a week.”

“Kerak is not an easy castle, son. And there is no fight as difficult as taking a castle.”

Saladin turned his head and said.

“But as you said, the initiative has passed to us. If we get Kerak and Baldwin, the Jihad [holy war] will be much easier. Now, let’s go to the command post.”

The two entered the command tent together. The governors and generals bowed their heads in respect.

“How is the situation?”

“The craftsmen have started installing the catapults. In a week, we will be able to pour stones at Kerak.”

“Finish the installation as soon as possible. What about the siege tower?”

“I’m sorry to say, but it seems that the siege tower will take more time.”

A governor said.

“There is not much wood around Kerak. The amount we brought in advance is insufficient, so we have requested other merchants…”

“There have been many who have recently fled, so it will take some time. I know what you mean.”

Saladin sighed and said.

“Prepare the engineers in advance. And…”

He stroked his beard and looked at the governors and generals one by one.

His eyes stopped at one man. A huge body with a flat nose.

“Abu Shama.”

“Yes, Sultan.”

“I will give you 3,000 troops, so probe Kerak’s defenses. There is no need to overdo it. It is enough to check their posture.”

“I will follow the Sultan’s order.”

The man bowed his head and went out of the tent. When he gestured, trumpet sounds echoed from everywhere.

Soldiers with spears, shields, and bows stepped forward.

A tense energy filled the camp.

“Allahu Akbar! [God is the greatest!]”

* * *

“Allahu Akbar!”

“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger!”

The prayer was recited before the attack.

All the soldiers put down their weapons and knelt.

Soon, the sound of drums echoed, and the soldiers began to march all at once. As they got closer to the castle, shouts gradually erupted.

Those with swords, shields, and ladders stood at the front.

“Charge!”

“For the Jihad! Paradise awaits the brave warriors!”

At that time, a loud noise cut through the air.

“Ugh!”

“It’s fire! Everyone, get out of the way!”

Flames soared from the ground everywhere.

Every time the sound of the wind, a large jar burst and spewed fire.

“They’re throwing naphtha (Greek fire) [flammable liquid used in warfare]! Everyone, keep moving!”

“R, run away!”

“Don’t retreat! Remember the Jihad!”

Those with fire on their bodies screamed and rolled on the ground. But the fire did not go out and burned more fiercely.

The smell of burning armor and flesh stung the nose.

“Don’t pour water! Bring the jars you prepared! Vinegar! Where’s the vinegar?!”

Some people hurriedly ran with jars. When they poured the whitish liquid inside, the burning fire went out one by one.

But already many had died or were seriously injured.

As time passed, more jars fell among the soldiers.

“Keep charging!”

What greeted the soldiers who avoided the fire was a deep moat. Those who could not reduce their speed stumbled and fell.

“S, stop!”

“Pour the sand and soil you brought! Fill the moat!”

“Ugh! My arm! My arm!”

Arrows and bolts poured down on them from above. Soldiers hit by arrows in their chests and limbs fell down.

Those who were terrified abandoned their ladders and weapons and ran back.

Before long, the initial momentum had disappeared.

“Retreat!”

“Run away if you want to live!”

“Allah! Please save your brave warriors!”

The blood flowing from the corpses stained the sand red.

* * *

“We won, Your Majesty!”

Aig shouted, waving his arms. He couldn’t speak properly because of the joy flowing through his body.

Cheers erupted from all over the castle walls.

“Waaaa!”

“Long live Jerusalem! Long live King Baldwin!”

Baldwin looked at him and gave a faint smile instead of cheering.

“The real fight hasn’t started yet. Saladin’s main force hasn’t left the camp.”

He said.

“At most three or four thousand. He sent them to check our readiness.”

“But winning is winning.”

Aig smiled.

Baldwin was as calm as if he was having breakfast even during the battle.

He continued to issue orders to the catapults installed in the castle.

‘Number 3, release two strings. Number 4, pull one more string.’

The catapults were installed so that the direction could be adjusted. There were also strings that could precisely adjust the tension.

As Baldwin’s orders continued, the catapults hit the enemies more accurately.

He immediately ordered the catapults whenever the enemies gathered on one side.

“How did you give orders right away? I couldn’t even see what was going on.”

“I can see it, Aig.”

At Baldwin’s words, Aig burst into laughter and shook his head.

The King of Jerusalem got up and looked over the castle walls.

“Tell the soldiers to rest and send the women out to collect the arrows that fell in front of the castle walls. We must recover as much supplies as possible.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Keep in mind. The battle has just begun.”

The soldiers and citizens were still cheering. As Aig was about to open his mouth, Baldwin said.

“But you can be happy right now.”