I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 187

< 187. The Third Crusade (2) >

France

Paris

“What am I supposed to do if you bring this to me now?”

Priest Francisco said, frowning as he tapped the paper in his hand.

“I’ve already set the type. What am I supposed to do now? Do you want me to work all night?”

“It’s that important, Father. Please read it before you say anything. Then you’ll understand.”

“Yes, yes, of course. What could be so important…”

Francisco read the text in silence. After a moment, he sighed deeply.

“It’s definitely important. The Christians of Damascus fled for their lives. I can’t leave this news out.”

“It’s the most exciting news since Kerak [a Crusader castle], isn’t it? If another monastery prints it first, we’ll be a week behind.”

“I can’t let that happen.”

Father Francisco muttered.

This paper was clearly delivered by a messenger who had been running all day.

By now, the news must have reached other monasteries. The Knights Hospitaller monasteries usually print their newsletters on Fridays.

It was meant to avoid unnecessary competition, but no one followed it strictly.

‘They’ll definitely try to print it first,’ Francisco thought.

As printing presses and newsletters spread, monasteries competed to be the first to deliver news from the Holy Land.

“But rearranging the type right now will take time. Can you finish the writing in time?”

“Have I ever failed to do so?”

Aquinas shrugged. Father Francisco looked at him and scoffed.

Aquinas was the most unusual person in this monastery.

He had been studying the seven liberal arts [grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy] at the University of Paris before being hired by this monastery for his writing skills.

In addition to grammar, astronomy, geometry, arithmetic, music, and rhetoric, his best skill was writing poetry.

“I’ll have a draft ready before evening prayer.”

“Then I’ll prepare the type in advance,” Francisco said.

He stretched and looked at Aquinas.

“By the way, why are you working at this monastery?”

“Why am I working here?”

“A poet as talented as you could earn more money working for kings or lords.”

He asked, “Isn’t it better to flirt with noble ladies in the palace than to be with priests all day?”

“Singing and writing poetry in the palace wouldn’t be bad.”

Aquinas scratched his head.

“But only the Knights Hospitaller monasteries have printing presses, don’t they?”

“You’re working at the monastery because of the printing press?”

“No matter how hard I sing in the palace, only a few dozen people will listen. Even if I sing my whole life, it won’t reach more than thousands or tens of thousands.”

Aquinas shrugged.

“But with the printing press, millions of people read my writing in a matter of weeks, don’t they?”

“Not many commoners can read. Monks carry around the papers and read them aloud…”

“It’s the same as my writing being conveyed. My writing is read aloud every week at Mass.”

Aquinas asked, “How could I do that without a printing press?”

“In short, you want more people to read your writing.”

“It’s one of the most basic human desires. And everyone loves a good story, don’t they?”

Aquinas grinned.

“The Great Flood that descended on the corrupt city. David defeating Goliath with a stone, Jonah going into the whale’s belly. I’m just adding a little spice to the story.”

“It’s okay to add rhythm to make it easier to read, but don’t change the original text too much,” Francisco said.

“It could be a headache if something goes wrong later. You could be kicked out of the monastery.”

Aquinas shrugged instead of answering.

Next to the room, the sound of the printing press hitting the paper could be heard.

“How could that happen when I’m working for the Holy City of Jerusalem?” He grinned. “Donations have increased several times since I arrived.”

“Listen, Aquinas. The sin that our monastery values most is pride. You need to be more humble.”

Francisco chuckled as he fiddled with the type.

“Actually, you’re not wrong. Our monastery branch is raising the most donations in Paris.”

The sound of people walking could be heard from outside, along with the sounds of cows, horses, and chickens.

Paris was filled with all sorts of sounds, as usual.

“Let’s focus on the arrival of the Third Crusade in the Holy Land for today’s printing. Shouldn’t they be arriving soon?”

* * *

Cyprus

“It is an honor to have Basilieus [Greek for Emperor], Your Majesty, here in Cyprus,” the Arridaios Fleet Admiral said, bowing his head. The Emperor of the Roman Empire stood before him, the Varangian Guards [elite Byzantine soldiers] in golden armor guarding his side.

This was the man who suppressed the rebellion of the imperial family and brought the Sultanate of Rum [a Turkish state in Anatolia] to its knees. In the Empire, there was talk that he would surpass his father, Emperor Manuel.

“I am also pleased to receive your hospitality, Admiral Arridaios,” the young Emperor said.

“I heard that you are temporarily governing Cyprus now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I am in charge of administration and maintaining security at the request of the King of Jerusalem.”

“You have also been preparing a fleet for the expedition. You have done a great job.”

“These are excessive words for a humble man like me, Your Majesty,” Arridaios said, bowing his head again. The Emperor was well known for being ruthless.

Those who led or participated in the rebellion faced harsh punishments.

Many were either blinded and castrated, or simply disappeared.

“By the way, the last report said that the fleet was ready. Why are some ships still in the shipyard?”

“The King of Jerusalem sent a request a few weeks ago.”

“A request?”

“Yes, a very strange request,” Arridaios replied.

“He asked us to tie two ships together with steel cables and build a siege tower on top of them with four pillars.”

“A siege tower on a ship? That’s a request that’s hard to understand.”

“In addition, he requested a rotating ladder and pulley to be placed on the siege tower. The work has taken longer than expected, but it should be finished in a week or two.”

“…”

Arridaios fell silent at the Emperor’s silence. The Emperor was clearly upset.

No matter how much of a king of Jerusalem he is, how could he make such a rude request?

Not only did he request a fleet, but also ship modifications.

“If Your Majesty orders, I will stop the work immediately and hasten the preparations for departure.”

“No,” Alexios II replied.

He approached Arridaios and patted him on the shoulder.

“Proceed with the work as much as possible according to King Baldwin’s request. Don’t spare any money. You can hire as many people as you need,” he said.

“If he made such a request, there must be a reason.”

“…”

Arridaios nodded, keeping his mouth shut.

‘He?’ It was extremely unusual for the Emperor to use honorifics.

The Varangian Guards carrying chests passed by his side, all chests full of gold coins.

Arridaios swallowed hard without realizing it at the endless procession of chests.

“I will follow the orders of Basilieus Your Majesty.”

* * *

The time in Jerusalem passed quickly.

The Knights Hospitaller made elixirs and handed them over to the maritime cities, who in turn supplied them to Europe.

‘The Holy City of Jerusalem needs your help!’

In Europe, donations, pilgrims, and warriors were constantly heading to the Levant [the region encompassing the Eastern Mediterranean].

Europeans now wanted to know every single detail of what was happening in the Holy Land.

Renault, who led a suicide squad and invaded Mecca.

The Siege of Kerak and the Escape from Damascus, where King Baldwin personally led the army to fight.

As European lords made ‘God’s Peace’ [a medieval European movement to limit warfare] and set off on a crusade, the fighting stopped.

Meanwhile, a new recruitment began in Jerusalem.

[Recruiting only the strongest and most outstanding men in the Holy Land!]

Hundreds of new standing army soldiers.

Those who passed the rigorous tests were trained by men in green clothes.

The news that hundreds of camels were wandering around the walls soon became known throughout Jerusalem.

It wasn’t just them who were busy training.

From the Knights Hospitaller, the Knights Templar, the Knights of St. Thomas, the Teutonic Knights, the Holy Sepulchre Guard, and the Knights of Lazarus, each knighthood and the English and Jagwi knights held joint training sessions every week to coordinate their efforts.

After the battle with the Sea Tribes, no one complained anymore.

“Now, Lord Garnier of the Knights Hospitaller will explain. Everyone, pay attention and listen carefully.”

“Thank you, Lord Marshal. Basically, the Saracens’ [a general term for Muslims used by Europeans in the Middle Ages] tactics are divided into two types. First, as with the last raid…”

The same goes for Islam.

In Baghdad, the Caliph himself declared a jihad [a holy war]. More and more Muslim warriors flocked to his banner every day.

‘This is not just a jihad to reclaim Jerusalem! This is a holy war to protect the Muslims of the Levant and Syria!’

‘Let’s drive out the Frankish [another term for Europeans] trash and purify Jerusalem!’

Saladin also used the riots in Damascus to incite public opinion.

More and more Christian refugees came to the Crusader cities every day, and I tried to disperse and deploy them as much as possible.

But there was another event that highlighted the situation.

The lion of the Third Crusade and the nightmare of the Muslims.

Richard finally arrived in the Levant with his army.

Philip II arrived after him, and the beach of Jaffa was filled with soldiers and horses in an instant.

And at this moment, I was facing Richard again.

“The weather in the Levant seems to be as terrible as I’ve heard. I’ll need to rest for a while,” Richard said with a smile.

He seems to have more beard than before.

We reached out our arms and hugged at the same time.

“You were just a duke when I saw you last time, but now you’re a king. Sorry for the late congratulations.”

“Actually, not much has changed since then,” I replied with a smile.

Richard’s presence alone was reassuring.

“I heard you were having fun with my father while I was away. I’m glad you don’t seem to be hurt,” he laughed.

“Yes, you said you’d give me a gift when I came to Jerusalem? Where is that gift?”

“It’s here, Duke Richard,” I pointed behind me.

The port city of Jaffa. Beyond that, the walls, meadows, and orchards stretched out wide.

Could there be a bigger gift than this?

“I will give the entire Levant, Syria, and Egypt as a hunting ground for the Duke.”

“…”

“Whatever you catch will be yours.”

Silence fell for a moment…

Richard burst out laughing.

“It’s the most pleasing gift I’ve ever received. A hunting ground where I can run wild. Can you handle those words?”

“If I can’t handle it, will you just leave?”

“No, I can’t do that,” Richard replied, licking his lips.

“How can I just miss such a fun opportunity?”