I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 178

< 178. Lead Me to the Light (3) >

France

Paris

“So, Count Tulip also took the Crusader’s Oath?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. He swore the oath in front of the other counts. The Roman Papacy has also directly announced the Peace of God [a decree protecting non-combatants and church property]…”

“So, they announced they would protect the territory while we are away on the Crusade.”

“Yes, and Baldwin is handing out letters of gratitude. He is even lending funds specifically for the lords who are coming on the Crusade.”

“There’s no way he’s doing that out of goodwill. He’s clearly been aiming for me from the start.”

“The problem is, it’s working. He’s even created medals and is handing them out to knights and lords.”

“Medals? What are those?”

“It’s a kind of reward given in Jerusalem based on the degree of contribution to the defense of the Holy Land. It’s really just a small cross, but…”

“Everyone must be eager to receive them. That’s why more people are taking the Crusader’s Oath.”

“I think the same as Your Majesty.”

Count Valois looked at Philip and replied.

“The Italian Comune [self-governing city-state] League has also announced that they can mobilize troops to maintain the Peace of God.”

“So, if Baldwin asks, the Italian Communes will take action.”

“After the Verona incident, King Baldwin’s popularity is soaring among Italians.”

Philip sighed.

The nobles hostile to the royal family had already taken the Crusader’s Oath.

All that remained were the nobles who followed him. Even they were succumbing to the pressure and taking the Crusader’s Oath one by one.

‘If the King of France does not leave on the Crusade, who will become the eagle with Richard [a reference to Richard the Lionheart, implying leadership]?’

Baldwin’s revelation was tightening around Philip’s neck like a noose.

“The biggest problem is the interdict [a papal ban on religious services in a region]. If His Holiness the Pope takes action, then it will be irreversible.”

Count Valois said.

“Even if it can be reversed, it will require a considerable price.”

At that moment, a knight rushed into the office.

“What’s going on?!”

“Your Majesty! The citizens of Paris have gathered in front of the palace!”

“Are rioters gathering?”

“No, they say they have come to deliver a letter from Jerusalem…”

“Why would a crowd gather to deliver a letter?”

Count Valois and Philip exchanged glances in silence.

A buzzing sound could be heard from outside.

***

Jerusalem

Royal Palace

“Philip has finally raised the white flag.”

Aig said.

“He even collected taxes for the expedition, so now he can’t avoid the Crusade.”

“No matter how much he didn’t want to go on the Crusade, he couldn’t stand his throne being shaken.”

I sighed.

Philip is as formidable as Saladin.

I had to mobilize the Holy Land, the Knights Templar branches, the French lords, and even the Roman Papacy to finally bring him in.

The letter that arrived in Italy gathered a huge crowd as it moved to Paris.

The letter of gratitude sent to Philip.

It was, in effect, an ultimatum.

And Philip eventually surrendered.

“Do you think such a man will come to the Levant and listen to Your Majesty?”

“That doesn’t matter. No matter how much Philip is the King of France…”

I shrugged.

“I am the King of Jerusalem.”

One of the reasons the Third Crusade failed was the lack of clear command. German nobles, the King of France, and the King of England were all mixed up.

Until Philip made excuses and ran away, there was a power struggle over command.

‘But it’s different if I’m there.’

Even if Alexios’ Eastern Roman army participated, they couldn’t fight without my support and the support of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

From the start, Alexios and I weren’t on bad terms.

I am the one in charge of the entire Crusade.

“I didn’t expect such a hot reaction just for giving a small cross as a reward.”

Aig scratched his head.

“Medals are quite impressive.”

“Medals are just pieces of iron. The important thing is the meaning behind them.”

I revised the medal system after the Siege of Kerak. Royal medals for those who contributed during the war.

And Holy Land medals for foreigners in Europe, like France, England, and Italy.

These medals were awarded based on the amount donated to Jerusalem and whether or not they participated in the Crusade.

“If rival lords receive medals, can they just stand still?”

I asked with a smile.

In this era, religion determined everything.

‘Christianity.’

To rise to a high position in this world, you had to prove that you were more religiously and morally qualified than others.

I just made medals the means to do that. Iron crosses divided into nine grades.

The lords competed to donate and announced their participation in the Crusade to receive higher-grade medals.

“It wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the Holy City of Jerusalem.”

“Even if they gave medals in Paris, it wouldn’t mean much to the Italian nobles.”

As Aig said, it was possible because it was the Holy City of Jerusalem.

At that moment, the office door burst open.

“Your Majesty, I am finally greeting you. I heard the news that you won in Kerak.”

A knight in chainmail strode in.

William Marshal.

Unlike Henry II, he still looked fresh.

“Sir Marshal. It’s been a while.”

I stood up from my seat and welcomed him. I saw a familiar sword at Marshal’s waist.

“Ah, young King Henry entrusted it to me directly. He asked me to fight in Jerusalem on his behalf.”

The Holy Sword Caliburnus (Excalibur).

It was a gift I had given to young Henry myself.

To see the Holy Sword of Britain in Jerusalem.

“Young King Henry wanted to come to the Holy Land himself, but…”

“Someone has to stay and protect England.”

I replied with a smile.

The reinforcements coming from England were enough with Richard, William Marshal, and Henry II.

This was already more than enough. Young Henry had to stay in Europe and pressure Philip to leave.

“If you have time, how about some swordsmanship training? I brought some newly made spears from Europe…”

The office door opened again.

Garnier came in with a pile of papers in his hand.

“Your Majesty, I have brought the internal data of the Knights Templar again…”

Garnier stopped when he saw Marshal. Both of them stared at each other. This is awkward.

“Sir Garnier. This is Sir William Marshal from England.”

I cleared my throat and said.

“Sir Marshal. This is Sir Garnier of the Knights Hospitaller.”

“I heard that you taught swordsmanship to King Baldwin. It’s an honor.”

Marshal smiled and extended his hand.

Garnier also smiled and shook his hand.

“Sir William Marshal. A knight who has never lost in a jousting match. There is no one in the Levant who doesn’t know your name.”

“I’m not that skilled. I was just lucky.”

Both were talking with a smile, but there was a strange tension. Like two muscular guys with similar builds meeting at the gym?

A war of nerves continued as they seemed to be exploring each other.

“Your Majesty, let’s go to the training ground now. I’ll show you my new spear and swordsmanship.”

As soon as Marshal finished speaking, Garnier interjected.

“Sir Marshal, I am in charge of His Majesty’s swordsmanship training. If there is any swordsmanship you would like to show His Majesty, please show it to me first.”

Garnier said.

“I will review it and apply it to the training.”

“But while King Baldwin was in Europe, I helped him with his swordsmanship practice. The swordsmanship that Sir Garnier taught wasn’t bad, but…”

Marshal smiled.

“There were a few things that needed to be corrected. For example, the eagle stance… Ah, never mind. I said something unnecessary. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“No, please continue.”

Garnier said. His eyelids seemed to twitch slightly.

“If there is a problem with swordsmanship, of course, it should be corrected, shouldn’t it? I’m not so narrow-minded that I would get angry when someone points out a problem.”

“As expected of a knight of the Holy City of Jerusalem. In my opinion, if you step out with your left foot first, your center of gravity will be off…”

“You must step out with your left foot first to maintain your center of gravity. You don’t mean to say that you should step out with your right foot first, do you?”

The conversation went back and forth a few times and soon turned into a sharp fight.

Both of them looked at me.

“What do you think, Your Majesty?”

“Well…”

I looked at Aig. He turned his head, pretending not to see, as if he didn’t want to get involved.

‘Do you like Mom or Dad?’ situation.

“I think there are pros and cons to what both of you said.”

“Then there is only one way to find out who is right.”

“I agree, Sir Marshal. Then let’s check it out at the training ground.”

Garnier looked at me.

“It would be an honor if Your Majesty would be the judge.”

“But I still have data to review…”

“It’s a matter of the future of the Holy City of Jerusalem. Shouldn’t we find out more efficient swordsmanship, even if only a little?”

“I think the same as Sir Garnier.”

“Alright, alright. Then let’s go to the training ground.”

I sighed and stood up.

Still, it will be a change of pace.

The best knight in Europe and

The best knight in the Levant.

Who would have known that those two would fight like this?

* * *

Jerusalem

Venetian Fondaco [trading post] Headquarters

“Are all the numbers written here true?”

Marco frowned as he looked at the ledger.

“Are they receiving this much?”

“Yes, and the amount coming into the port now is enormous.”

The merchant sitting next to Marco replied, sweating profusely.

“You told us to seize opportunities when they arise, didn’t you, Marco?”

“That’s true, but…”

Marco muttered.

The list of goods written in the ledger went on endlessly.

From candles to lumber, steel, grain, and weapons. While Venice was losing money, other maritime cities were making huge amounts of money.

“If you take wheat to Damascus now, you can get more than four times the profit.”

“But His Majesty will never allow it. Do you think he would just watch food and weapons go to the enemy?”

“But we have been doing well in the Saracen cities until now, haven’t we? From Alexandria, Damascus, to Aleppo…”

“But we have never handed over this much. King Baldwin would never allow it.”

“But didn’t King Baldwin tell us to secure as much as possible? We can’t just sit here and lose money. Pisa, Genoa, and Amalfi have already taken action.”

“If we’re the only ones standing still, the losses will be even greater.”

“That’s right. We need to take action immediately to barely catch up with the other maritime cities.”

“…”

Marco closed his mouth.

No matter how much he thought about it, there was no answer.

Baldwin entrusted the maritime cities, including Venice, with preparing supplies for the Third Crusade.

Food, supplies, and weapons.

The maritime cities competed to secure supplies, but the Crusade had not yet begun.

Then, Saladin’s expedition began, and food prices in the Saracen cities skyrocketed.

The maritime city merchants saw this situation as an opportunity.

‘Let’s make money when we can!’

According to this principle, they secretly supplied food to the Saracen cities. All that remained was the Venetian branch led by Marco.

The more the supply increased, the more the price would continue to fall. The more they stood still, the less profit they would get.

There was no time to worry.

Marco sighed and tapped the ledger.

“Let’s ask His Majesty first. Who knows?”

He shrugged.

Baldwin was always a man who came up with answers.

“Even if he doesn’t allow it, we can stop the other maritime cities.”