I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 177

< Chapter 177 – Lead Me to the Light (2) >

“…”

“…”

Silence fell.

I stared at the dark-skinned man standing across from me.

He appeared to be in his late twenties, dressed in golden silk and chainmail.

The escort knights behind him were similarly adorned. They all shimmered in gold, as if they had stepped out of the legendary golden city of El Dorado.

“Your Majesty, please say something. Anyone would think we’re about to fight,” Aig whispered beside me.

Bult swayed slightly, then slowly stepped forward.

The King of Lalibela and I locked eyes. Lalibela was the first to break the silence.

He stammered, speaking with a noticeable accent.

“I don’t feel anything special.”

“…”

“Our delegation said you received the Lord’s revelation. They said you know everything about our kingdom. Did you truly receive a revelation from the heavens?”

“You could say that,” I replied with a smile. Honestly, I hadn’t played the Ethiopia scenario much in strategy games.

In the first place, it wasn’t a major faction during the Crusades.

‘But King Lalibela is different.’

Upon hearing the news that the Holy Land had been conquered by the Saracens [a term used by European Christians during the Middle Ages to refer to Arabs or Muslims], he declared that he would build a new Jerusalem in Ethiopia.

As one of the few Christian kingdoms in Africa, he had quite a dedicated following.

“First, I must thank you. If the Abyssinian [historical name for Ethiopia] army hadn’t arrived, Saladin wouldn’t have been forced to flee.”

“Rather, I am the one who should be expressing gratitude. The knights led by Lord Garnier protected our kingdom from the Saracen invaders. And our priests say…”

He continued,

“At this council, Jerusalem favored our kingdom.”

Favored us at the council?

All I did was help them participate in the discussions a few times.

‘In the first place, it was a council that didn’t make any real decisions.’

It was like the 21st-century UN Climate Change Conference. Nothing of substance is ever decided, which is why everyone agrees to participate.

Even North Korea would agree.

‘Anyway, it’s enough if they’re grateful.’

There was no reason to refuse their gratitude.

“But I didn’t bring an army here just to express my gratitude,” King Lalibela stated. I nodded, looking at him intently.

As a Christian kingdom, the king needed to bolster his religious legitimacy. What better way than participating in a crusade?

Lalibela would gain legitimacy by participating in the crusade, and I would gain more troops.

A win-win situation for both of us…

“I want to move Jerusalem to our kingdom.”

“Excuse me?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Was this some kind of Ethiopian joke?

But King Lalibela’s expression was utterly serious.

“What I meant was that I want to relocate Jerusalem to the Zagwe Kingdom [the ruling dynasty of Ethiopia from the 12th to 13th century].”

“…”

You want to move Jerusalem?

“First, let us go to Jerusalem together. How about we discuss this further, step by step, once we are there?”

* * *

In every village we passed, the locals came out to welcome us.

Honey, meat, and countless other foods were offered.

We feasted as we made our way to Jerusalem. Two days after leaving Kerak, we finally arrived at the Holy City.

“The victory at Kerak is proof that the Lord is watching over our kingdom and its followers…”

The first to greet us were Pierre and Patriarch Heraclius. As always, their sermons continued for what felt like hours.

But the person I was truly eager to see was someone else.

Theodora.

She approached me on horseback.

“Theodora.”

“Baldwin, you’ve returned safely once again,” she said with a warm smile.

Pure joy and elation radiated from her.

And I sensed something more.

There was another life growing within Theodora’s belly.

My baby. Her belly wasn’t noticeably large yet. Had it grown enough for me to sense it instinctively?

“I was right, you are pregnant.”

“Excuse me?”

Theodora tilted her head, then smiled knowingly.

“I didn’t know you’d welcome the baby before you welcomed me.”

“That’s not what I meant. I just felt it…”

“I’m just kidding, Baldwin.”

Theodora said with a laugh.

“Henry II is waiting for you at the palace. His condition isn’t very good…”

“His condition isn’t good?”

Henry II?

Did he overexert himself crossing the Mediterranean? He’s over fifty, which was considered old in medieval times.

“The doctors say it’s a fever. But he’s much better now.”

“That’s a relief.”

I breathed a sigh of relief.

Come to think of it, I also felt unwell for a while after returning from the European expedition.

“Count Balian and Count Raymond are also waiting.”

“There are many people to meet.”

“Don’t forget to come to the bedroom when you’re done, Baldwin. I have a lot to talk about with you.”

Theodora said with a playful smile.

After speaking with her, I headed straight to the palace.

Henry II was lying in a bedroom deep within the palace.

“I heard you weren’t feeling well.”

“I’ve been practically dying for days. This damn Levant [historical term referring to the Eastern Mediterranean region], it’s hard to even breathe.”

His eyes were more sunken than the last time I saw him. He must have suffered greatly during the sea voyage.

“First, I must thank you. I heard the English army saved Ascalon.”

“It was nothing. Those Egyptians ran away as soon as they saw us.”

Henry II said weakly. Maids fanned him with palm leaves.

“I have something to tell you. Philip is still hesitant about joining the crusade. It seems he’s waiting for Richard to depart first.”

“He still hasn’t come to his senses.”

I thought pressuring him with the Knights Templar [a powerful Catholic military order] branches last time would have been enough.

It seems he’s still plotting something.

“It would be better to continue pressuring Philip to come here. Order the Knights Templar branches in France once again to sway public opinion…”

“Well, even the sharpest sword becomes dull if used too often.”

Of course, Henry II’s words were correct. It might be more effective to pressure him using the authority of Jerusalem.

But that was too blatant and coercive.

“Why do you think the Redbeard Emperor [Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor] gave me the Teutonic Knights [a German Catholic military order]? The Empire and I have fought in Italy before.”

“Isn’t it because you supported Duke Heinrich? My son-in-law, I mean.”

“Exactly.”

Henry the Lion [Duke of Saxony].

By supporting him, I indirectly succeeded in pressuring the Holy Roman Empire.

The Emperor not only gave me the Teutonic Knights but also couldn’t interfere during the council.

Rather, he groveled before me.

“We can use the same tactic in France. But this time, we won’t even need to spend money.”

The power I possessed wasn’t just money. It was the symbolic authority of being the ‘King of Jerusalem’ and the ‘Guardian of the Faith.’

That was a power comparable to the Emperor.

Some people even considered my words to be divinely inspired.

“I will send formal letters of gratitude to the French lords who are supportive of the Crusade. Something like, ‘Thank you for your efforts in protecting the Holy City’ would suffice.”

“A letter of gratitude from the Holy City of Jerusalem. Just receiving it would be a significant political advantage.”

Henry II muttered.

“It’s more important that you’re the one writing it, not just the Holy City of Jerusalem.”

“And I have already announced the prophecy that two eagles will come to Jerusalem. One of them is Duke Richard. If King Philip isn’t the other eagle…”

“One of the French lords could become the eagle.”

“Exactly. If the situation develops that way, Philip won’t be able to resist for long.”

The French royal authority wasn’t particularly strong in this era. That’s why they were constantly quarreling and fighting with England and other lords.

In that situation, would Philip simply stand by and watch the lords’ power grow?

‘Eventually, he’ll have no choice but to come.’

He wouldn’t be able to prevent other lords from joining the crusade.

“That’s a really interesting idea. The kind of idea I would have had when I was younger.”

Henry II chuckled.

“So, this is how you used to torment me in England. It’s amusing to see it from the other side.”

“My misfortune is a tragedy, and others’ misfortune is a comedy. But when have I ever tormented Your Majesty?”

I asked with a smile.

“I only gave opportunities to Your Majesty’s sons and released the Queen.”

“Yes, yes. I was the sinner. But rather than going back to England and living with Eleanor again…”

He sighed deeply.

“I’d rather bury my bones here in the Levant.”

“The Lord will protect Your Majesty and lead you back to England.”

“Then the Lord is a cruel being.”

We both looked at each other and laughed.

“Then rest well, Your Majesty. We can discuss future matters later.”

“I understand. What can this old man do lying here anyway?”

I got up and headed towards the door. Aig approached me.

“I don’t know if a letter of gratitude will be enough to pressure Philip.”

“It will be enough. But it wouldn’t hurt to play one more card.”

A trump card I hadn’t revealed to Henry II.

“I need to send letters to His Holiness the Pope and the Knights Templar branches.”

“You mean…”

“Have you ever heard of an interdict [a papal ban on certain religious rites in a specific area]?”

“An interdict? Isn’t that something that prohibits all kinds of sacred duties? I know it prohibits everything from infant baptism to confession, weddings, funerals, and masses.”

“Yes, it’s the most powerful weapon His Holiness the Pope possesses.”

I nodded.

The importance of religious rites in this era was far greater than in the 21st century.

If you couldn’t make a confession, you couldn’t be forgiven for your sins and couldn’t go to heaven. If you didn’t have a wedding, your marital relationship wouldn’t be recognized, and your children would be considered illegitimate.

If you didn’t receive a funeral, that is, last rites, your death wouldn’t be officially recognized, and your family would have to continue paying taxes on your behalf.

In fact, all the administration of the country was closely tied to religious rites.

“So, Your Majesty is going to issue an interdict on France.”

“No, doing that now would backfire.”

Of course, the Pope was likely to grant my request. The Crusade was also a matter of the Pope’s authority.

But the interdict was as powerful as it was prone to causing a backlash.

There was a high possibility that sympathetic public opinion would arise in France or that the French would rebel.

People tend to react negatively when directly attacked.

But what if a large fist is constantly looming and threatening?

Any sensible person would try to avoid it.

“It’s better to use the Knights Templar branches to spread rumors. The more the Crusade is delayed, the greater the possibility of an interdict being issued.”

How long could Philip hold out in that situation?

“Print the news related to the Battle of Kerak using the printing press, and distribute it with subtle hints about the potential interdict.”

I continued onward.

There were many other matters that required my attention.

* * *

Balian and Raymond were waiting for me in the conference room.

“We have no excuses, Your Majesty. We are truly sorry.”

Balian bowed his head deeply.

Raymond mirrored his gesture. He cleared his throat and said.

“Taki al-Din immediately fled by ship as soon as he saw the English army. The Venetian ship did arrive, but…”

“It seems the timing was unfortunate.”

It was the same account I had heard from Garnier. Taki al-Din never intended to occupy Ascalon from the beginning.

“You both don’t need to apologize. We successfully defended both Ascalon and Kerak, so isn’t that enough?”

“But we couldn’t reach Your Majesty in time to provide assistance. If Kerak had fallen…”

Balian muttered, filled with remorse.

I gently patted his arm to reassure him.

“But that didn’t happen. I heard that Taki al-Din’s army had prepared long spears and trenches. If that’s true, it was a wise decision to avoid direct engagement.”

I glanced at the map positioned in the center of the table. Despite Saladin’s fierce attacks, the territory of the Kingdom of Jerusalem remained intact.

“Perhaps Saladin will now abandon his ambition to conquer Jerusalem.”

Count Raymond speculated.

“He has seen firsthand that Your Majesty and our lords are resolute in our defense.”

“No, Saladin wouldn’t give up that easily.”

I shook my head, disagreeing with his assessment.

Recapturing Jerusalem was the foundation and the ultimate goal of Saladin’s kingdom.

Unless he were to die, he would never relinquish his claim to Jerusalem.

‘Unless he focuses on stabilizing the interior and building up his strength for the time being.’

I also needed to prepare for the arrival of the remaining forces of the Third Crusade and establish garrisons for the English and Ethiopian armies.

It was a precious opportunity gained through much bloodshed.

I couldn’t afford to waste it.

There were countless tasks awaiting my attention.

“We can’t simply wait for the enemy to give up.”

As I spoke, I looked at Balian and Raymond. Both of them wore expressions that indicated they had anticipated my words.

“Let’s begin by evaluating the lessons learned from this war. Instruct each knightly order to gather the necessary data…”

I needed to complete at least one more task swiftly so that I could join Theodora without further delay.