I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 176

< 176. Lead Me to the Light (1) >

“The Englishmen are moving through Cyprus to Ascalon….”

“There’s still time, brother.”

Al-Adil said. Raindrops fell, darkening the sand.

“Let’s push those bastards one more time. This time, we must….”

“The situation in Eilat is also unusual. If the army of Abyssinia (Ethiopia) has come, we shouldn’t stay here any longer.”

Saladin muttered, looking out of the tent.

“The soldiers are exhausted.”

“But, brother!”

“This is a letter Baldwin sent this morning. Read it.”

Al-Adil received the letter and began to read.

“Since you have already achieved great merit in this war, how about being content and returning?”

His hand trembled, crumpling the paper.

“How dare Baldwin send such a mocking letter to my brother….”

“It’s not just a mockery. It’s a threat disguised as an invitation to return.”

Saladin said in his usual calm tone.

“He says he will give up Abul Heija on the condition that we lift the siege.”

“We can’t end this battle satisfied with just Abul Heija! Didn’t you say that we must get our hands on Kerak no matter what?”

“That was when it was possible to capture Kerak. The Emirs are already preparing to retreat.”

Saladin said.

“Baldwin’s offer to release Abul Heija isn’t a condition for me. He’s aiming for the Emirs. They’re already….”

“They’ll be satisfied with saving Abul Heija.”

“Exactly. It’s a good excuse.”

Silence fell. The two brothers stared at each other without a word.

“How many soldiers died in the last offensive?”

“…Fifteen hundred. Approximately two thousand are injured, but we are still assessing the exact numbers.”

“Fifteen hundred.”

Saladin muttered. He stared at Kerak, blurred by the rain.

“Fifteen hundred Muslims died trying to take that pile of rocks. It’s all my fault.”

“The Franks must have suffered considerable damage too. Just a little more! If we push just a little more, we can win!”

“No, we can’t continue with meaningless offensives any longer. Send a letter to Taqi al-Din to retreat as well. We must preserve the Egyptian forces at all costs.”

“…Understood.”

Al-Adil replied in a small voice.

“But if we return to Damascus like this, the Emirs won’t stand still. They will somehow…”

“I also experienced defeat at Montgisard. But in the end, I rose again. It’s the same this time.”

Saladin shook his head.

“If we stick to the principles, the opportunity will come again at any time. We must return to Damascus first.”

He took a deep breath and added.

“Tell the Emirs to prepare for the Franks’ pursuit. Form a separate strike force.”

* * *

Three days later

“Are you really not going to chase them?”

“A chase in the rain isn’t a good choice.”

I said, patting Ayyub on the shoulder. Saladin’s army was dismantling the tents and retreating.

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers moved in orderly formation.

‘Saladin is Saladin, after all.’

To retreat so calmly.

He must have realized that continuing the siege would be a loss.

“And Saladin will definitely prepare for a pursuit. He’ll probably hide some of his forces.”

It was difficult to find ambushed enemies in the rain. If we chased them and got caught in an ambush, the castle would be in danger again.

“In any case, Your Majesty has won this war.”

Ayyub said with a smile. Cheers of joy echoed from all over the walls.

The Knights Templar carried the True Cross and circled the walls.

The citizens set up tents throughout the city and shared warm meat dishes and alcohol with the soldiers.

Laughter was heard among the rubble.

“Didn’t you defend against Saladin’s army without reinforcements? Saladin has lost face this time, so it will be difficult for him to maintain his throne.”

“I hope so, but….”

I stopped talking. Saladin was popular among the Muslims of the Levant [the Eastern Mediterranean region].

His power base was with the people, not the lords.

“We shouldn’t underestimate Saladin.”

Should I use propaganda like I did with Reynald? A way to undermine support for Saladin….

I shook my head.

‘No, if I do that too openly, it will backfire.’

Propaganda that is too obvious is worse than doing nothing. It could end up helping Saladin.

Then a soldier shouted.

“Someone is coming to the gate!”

Looking through the telescope, I saw a knight wearing a black surcoat [a tunic or coat worn over armor]. The uniform of the Knights Hospitaller.

It was Garnier.

“Open the gate!”

Garnier stopped as I went out into the rain.

“I came running as soon as I confirmed that they were lifting the siege!”

He shouted, getting off his horse.

“I’m glad to see you’re safe, Your Majesty.”

“I’m glad to see you’re safe too.”

I replied with a smile.

His armor was more worn than before. There were holes in his cloak as well.

‘He must have suffered while attacking the supply lines.’

Garnier approached me and then stopped suddenly. He looked embarrassed and said.

“I’m sorry. I feel like I smell something strange… I think my nose has gone bad.”

“You’ve been fighting while covered in urine for weeks, so it’s no wonder.”

“Urine? What do you mean?”

“It’s a long story.”

Ayyub sighed and interjected. I tried hard to hold back my laughter and approached Garnier.

I haven’t had a chance to check the news from outside while fighting the siege.

I needed to gather information first.

Raymond and Balian. Why didn’t those two come to rescue Kerak?

“Is there any news from Ascalon?”

“I heard that the battle ended two days ago. No, it wasn’t really a battle. Taqi al-Din just ran away.”

“Taqi al-Din ran away? Explain in detail.”

“The Egyptian army besieged Ascalon, dug trenches, and armed the soldiers with long spears.”

“Trenches and long spears?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Did they follow the tactics used against Emperor Frederick?

And trenches.

This is the same tactic Muhammad used when fighting the Meccan army.

Then Taqi al-Din had no intention of fighting the main force of Jerusalem from the beginning.

“He wasn’t trying to capture Ascalon.”

“Yes, he was trying to draw out the main cavalry. Count Balian tried to fight right away, but Count Raymond stopped him.”

“Count Raymond was right. If they had fought like that, they would have suffered considerable damage.”

But I understood Balian too.

He must have wanted to defeat them as quickly as possible and return to Kerak.

“So Taqi al-Din retreated without a fight?”

“As soon as the English army approached, they retreated by ship. The Venetians sank a few ships, but….”

“He saved the main force.”

Saladin must have ordered a retreat after hearing that the English army had landed.

Ayyub interjected.

“It’s a pity that we let them go like that. If only we had drowned them all at sea….”

“It’s a shame, but it’s not that bad of a result.”

I fell into thought.

Saladin’s siege of Kerak failed, and Taqi al-Din successfully pressured Ascalon and retreated.

Maybe I can use this too.

“Oh, and there’s someone I should introduce to Your Majesty.”

Garnier said.

“King Lalibela will arrive in Kerak soon.”

“Lalibela?”

I realized the meaning of Garnier’s words a beat late. The puzzle pieces were falling into place.

“I think I know why Saladin ran away in such a hurry.”

Unknown enemies appearing in Eilat. What could be scarier than this.

The years-long love call has finally come to fruition.

“Go and bring Bult, Ayyub. We have to go and greet our guest.”

* * *

France

The royal hunting grounds outside Paris

“A hit!”

“Excellent skill this time as well, Your Majesty.”

“It’s not excellent skill to hit a deer that’s staggering. Your flattery has increased a lot, Valois.”

Philip said with a smile.

Getting off his horse, he gestured for the hunters to bring the deer.

“How could I lie in front of Your Majesty?”

Count Valois bowed his head. Philip burst out laughing instead of answering.

“So, is there any news from the Holy Land yet?”

“The last news was that Kerak was besieged by the Saracens. The Knights Templar branches are already spreading papers everywhere.”

“King Baldwin is trapped in Kerak, you said.”

Philip said, handing the bow to a servant. A deer with an arrow in its neck was dragged in, dripping blood.

“If the King of Jerusalem is captured by the Saracens, won’t the legend end there?”

“It may be the opposite.”

Count Valois stroked his white beard and replied.

“There may be an atmosphere that we must go to the Holy Land immediately to save Baldwin.”

“Baldwin, Baldwin, Baldwin. People don’t seem to get tired of that name.”

Philip said.

“Do you know what songs the children are singing in the streets these days? They openly mock me by comparing me to Richard.”

“I….”

“No, there’s no way you wouldn’t know. Tell me.”

“Oh, please tell the great Duke Richard who is leaving for the Levant [historical region encompassing parts of the Middle East]. In my eyes, the Duke is a lion, and King Philip… looks like a lamb.”

Count Valois said hesitantly.

“But Your Majesty doesn’t need to pay attention to the songs circulating in the streets.”

“Richard is urging me to set out as soon as possible. A subject urging a monarch to set out. The late kings would be appalled.”

Philip chuckled.

“The atmosphere of some lords has been unusual recently, Your Majesty.”

Valois whispered in a small voice.

“If Your Majesty does not go on an expedition this year, some say they will go to the Holy Land first….”

“Let them do as they please.”

Philip said.

“Then will the other lords just sit still and watch? They will try to take away their land somehow. No one will go until I leave.”

“…”

“Let’s take some more time and watch the situation. We’re not the ones with a fire under our feet right now.”

Philip said with a smile.

“Even if the Holy City falls into the hands of the Saracens [Medieval term for Muslims], can’t we just go on a crusade to take it back?”

He added.

“Why should we go on a crusade when the Holy City is still intact?”

“The clergy will not like Your Majesty’s words. Especially in Rome….”

“Tell His Holiness the Pope that preparations for the expedition will be completed soon.”

Philip said, getting back on his horse. The guards and hunters flocked after him.

“We must somehow make that Richard leave for the Levant first. Only then will this ‘lamb’ have a chance.”

He added.

“If the King of Jerusalem is captured in Kerak, there could be nothing better.”