I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 182

< 182. The Great Escape from Damascus (2) >

Damascus.

“It’s too late to stop it now. I didn’t expect all the tribal leaders to step forward.”

Saladin stood on the city walls, looking out over the city. The eastern district was still filled with shouts and the sounds of fighting.

Black smoke rose from various places in the streets.

“A simple riot, is it…?”

He muttered.

The possibility of thousands of citizens gathering spontaneously on the same day was low.

What was strange was that it wasn’t just the Muslims. Christian citizens had built barricades with carts and furniture.

“It must be Baldwin’s doing. Otherwise, how could the Christians have set up barricades so quickly?”

Al-Adil said, standing beside him.

“Baldwin instigated the riot and incited the Christians to fight from behind.”

“…No. Baldwin doesn’t have much to gain from this. Only danger.”

Saladin shook his head.

That was true not only for Baldwin but also for him.

“When this news gets out, the Christians in other cities will be terrified. If they flee, tax revenues will inevitably decrease.”

The religious tax that Islamic regimes collected from followers of other religions.

The proportion of this religious tax in tax revenue could not be ignored.

“But as you said, brother, it’s too late to stop it now. Aren’t all the Muslims of Damascus coming out into the streets?”

Al-Adil said.

“For now, we’ll have to wait for the storm to subside.”

“I didn’t know you could be so calm, Al-Adil.”

Saladin said.

He stroked his beard.

Considering the Christians’ quick response, it was clear that Baldwin was involved in this somehow.

Moreover, according to the soldiers’ reports, individuals suspected of being Knights Templar were also mixed in the streets.

‘But this time, there was no paper inciting public opinion.’

That meant the Muslim tribal leaders had stepped forward voluntarily. If Baldwin had anticipated that?

‘Did Baldwin see that far ahead?’

At that moment, Al-Adil opened his mouth.

“The Jerusalem cavalry is already advancing towards Damascus. We must eliminate those rebels before they arrive.”

“They’re rushing to Damascus without proper infantry or supplies.”

Saladin said.

“I don’t understand what Baldwin is aiming for. He knows better than anyone that he can’t capture Damascus with that alone.”

“Wasn’t he trying to open the gates by causing a riot inside the city?”

Al-Adil said in a calm tone.

“If so, it explains why they’re rushing in without infantry or supplies.”

“That’s possible.”

Saladin muttered.

“But we are firmly guarding the gates. Baldwin isn’t the type to rely on such a gamble.”

“We can figure out Baldwin’s intentions later. Let’s deploy the army and suppress those rebels first.”

“If we deploy the army now, all the Christians will be massacred. They won’t spare children or women.”

Saladin said, growling.

Al-Adil took a step back at his firm tone.

“If we kill all the Christians in this city, we’ll only strengthen Baldwin’s cause. We can’t win the Jihad [holy war] by fighting like butchers.”

“…”

“Summon the army and strengthen the defense of the walls and gates. Send requests for aid to the Emirs (princes) of each city.”

“Understood, brother.”

Saladin turned his head and looked at the city center again. The peaceful city was now filled with screams and shouts.

“What are you aiming for, Baldwin?”

* * *

Outside Damascus

Jerusalem Army Camp

“Count Raymond is right. I haven’t fought in the Levant [historical geographical area encompassing the Eastern Mediterranean] much, but…”

Henry II said.

It was the first time he looked so healthy since coming to the Levant.

“It’s hard to get over the walls with cavalry alone. And look at that Damascus wall. Isn’t it much longer and higher than Jerusalem’s?”

“It’s a city that even the Second Crusade failed to capture.”

I nodded.

Come to think of it, Henry II’s wife, Eleanor, also came here when she was the Queen of France.

The Second Crusade, which besieged Damascus at the time, retreated in just four days as if fleeing.

‘They set up camp in the east where they couldn’t get water, and their supply lines were cut off.’

The Second Crusade ended without a proper fight. It also became the decisive reason for Queen Eleanor’s separation from Louis VII.

“So you didn’t intend to wage a siege from the beginning.”

“Even if we can’t get over the walls, we can block the merchants and caravans heading to the city.”

I nodded.

Muslim soldiers on the walls glared at us.

“I don’t think you can bring Damascus to its knees with just that. Do you have another plan?”

“You’re sharp as always.”

I replied with a smile.

There were two thousand knights in armor in our camp.

If you add the mounted archers and auxiliary soldiers, it’s actually close to three thousand. Saladin wouldn’t try to fight us with just the troops in Damascus.

If it were a head-on fight, we would be more advantageous.

‘Saladin will be waiting for reinforcements from other cities to arrive.’

We had to aim for that.

Now there was only one way left.

“Your Majesty! An envoy has come from Damascus!”

“Bring them to the inner tent.”

The envoy Saladin sent felt familiar. It was the person I had met in Eilat and Kerak.

It’s Al-Adil again.

* * *

“It seems like the situation is the opposite of Kerak.”

“Withdraw from Damascus immediately. If the siege continues, I cannot guarantee what will happen.”

“I think I can guarantee what will happen.”

I looked at Al-Adil.

He looked older than he did in Kerak. He must have suffered a bit from losing the war.

“If the Sultan releases the Christians outside the city, we will lift the siege and withdraw.”

“The Sultan does not listen to anyone’s orders except for the Caliph of Baghdad.”

Al-Adil scoffed.

“You’re not trying to occupy Damascus with just cavalry, are you? And all the gates are firmly guarded by Muslim soldiers.”

He continued.

“If you thought you could pressure Damascus with just this, you’re greatly mistaken.”

“You’re right. You can’t occupy a castle with thousands of cavalry.”

I leaned forward.

It was time to show the card I had in my hand.

“But Damascus is a very large city. It’s comparable to Jerusalem, or even a bit larger. And all cities depend on the outside for food.”

I said.

“If I continue the siege, where will you get food?”

“Are you trying to threaten the Sultan with just that?”

Al-Adil burst into a ridiculous laugh.

“It seems the King of the Franks [a term used by Muslims to refer to Europeans, particularly the French] is greatly mistaken. Damascus has enough food to last for weeks.”

“Most of the food you had prepared before was either used up for the Jihad or released to the public. Who is supplying the food now? Where is it stored?”

“…”

Al-Adil’s forehead slowly furrowed. He finally realized what I meant.

This was information I had gathered through Marco.

“Most of the Venetian and Genoese fondaco (trading posts) in Damascus are in the eastern district. The grain warehouses are also there.”

I said. The maritime cities had been supplying food to Damascus until now.

The Franks.

Those who started the riot couldn’t have thought that far ahead. What should have ended in a day has been going on for days.

And we rushed to Damascus as soon as the riot started and blocked the gates.

“And I gave them orders in advance.”

I snapped my fingers.

“If the attack continues even after we arrive in Damascus, set fire to the warehouses. That’s the order I gave.”

“You’re insane.”

Al-Adil muttered.

Even so, not using honorifics is a bit much, isn’t it?

“If they know the food has been burned, the Muslim citizens will massacre all the Christians without exception.”

“What then? What will you do after massacring the Christians? Will you bring out your starving army and have a decisive battle with us?”

If he came out of the castle and lost, there was a possibility that Saladin would lose Damascus.

“I heard you haven’t been using signal towers since the last Jihad. It will take at least a few weeks for reinforcements to arrive from other cities.”

I leaned back.

This was a typical Chicken Game situation [a scenario where two parties escalate a conflict to prove their resolve].

The one who gets scared and backs out first loses. But if both go to the end, it’s only destruction.

“If you thought we would raise the white flag with just that threat, you’re greatly mistaken.”

Al-Adil said, clearing his throat calmly.

“We can even chew on the flesh of idolaters for the sake of Jihad. You Franks massacred Muslims in Ma’arra and skewered and ate young children.”

“Are you saying you’d rather capture and eat innocent Christian citizens than release them?”

I asked.

“Then you don’t seem to be much different from our ancestors.”

“…”

“Even if you eat corpses, do you think tens of thousands of citizens can survive? Tell the Sultan to make a decision before the sun is in the middle of the sky tomorrow.”

I said.

“If there is no answer by then, I will send a signal to set fire to the warehouses.”

Al-Adil didn’t answer. But I could hear his answer with my intuition.

‘They can’t hold out.’

I leaned forward.

“You shouldn’t even think about suppressing the Christians in the city first. The warehouses will be set on fire anyway.”

* * *

That night, a murmuring sound continued inside the walls. Orange flames were clearly visible in the darkness.

As the morning sun rose, Al-Adil returned to our camp immediately.

“The Sultan has promised to release the Christian citizens if the Jerusalem army withdraws.”

“There is no compromise. Release the citizens right now. Then I will lift the siege.”

“No one in their right mind would accept that offer. Where is the guarantee that Your Majesty will keep your promise?”

“Do you really think we’re going to wage a siege while holding thousands of civilians in our arms? Release the citizens first.”

Al-Adil and other messengers went back and forth through the gates every few minutes. The shouts and screams echoing from within Damascus grew louder and louder.

Henry II said.

“They’re trying to buy time. They’re pretending to negotiate with you while deploying troops to secure the warehouses.”

“I think so too.”

I nodded.

I sent an ultimatum to Al-Adil, who came again.

“I will not receive any more messengers. If I order the trumpet to be blown, the warehouses will be set on fire immediately. After that, there will only be death.”

I said.

“Tell the Sultan that this is the last chance he has. If you come back and spout nonsense again, I will take it as a refusal.”

“…”

Al-Adil turned his horse and returned to Damascus instead of answering. Henry II, Marshall, Lalibela, Garnier, and Aigues.

Everyone gathered around me. The knights were helped by their squires to put on their armor and mount their horses.

Now everyone was preparing for battle. Thousands of Christians and tens of thousands of Muslim citizens.

Their lives depended on the next messenger.

“Your Majesty, at this rate, really…”

“…”

Unknowingly, my fist clenched.

I could feel my nails piercing my skin.

Will my prediction be correct?