I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 195

< 195. Masyaf and Alamut (5) >

“Saladin says everything will happen as Your Majesty predicted,” Balian announced.

The central hall was filled with dozens of nobles, lords, and clergy.

The nobles and lords were clad in armor, carrying swords, while the clergy chanted blessings.

Everyone knew the Third Crusade had begun.

“What I said before…” I mused.

The first correspondence with Saladin had been in Eilat.

I told him we would meet in Jerusalem next time.

“I’m more surprised they let you go so easily,” I said, looking at Balian.

I noticed a few new scars on his forehead.

“I was hit by stones thrown by the citizens of Damascus. Saladin provided guards, but it wasn’t enough,” Balian said with a smile.

“They tried to cut my throat in the middle of the street.”

“You’ve done well. It would have been a failure without you.”

While Balian was dealing with the Assassins, he also volunteered to keep Saladin’s attention focused on him.

And to assess the readiness of Damascus.

“Saladin has gathered more troops than when he attacked Kerak,” Balian reported.

“The Caliph in Baghdad seems to be actively helping as well.”

“That’s how desperate Saladin is. It means the situation is so dire that he has to seek the Caliph’s aid.”

This expedition was about the fate of the Saladin dynasty as well as Jerusalem.

I took Balian’s hand.

“I’ll entrust Jerusalem to you. Protect it no matter what.”

Philip, Henry II, and the Holy Roman army will target Damascus.

Richard, Emperor Alexios, King Lalibela, and I will take Egypt.

The attack on Damascus is primarily a feint to keep Saladin occupied.

Balian will remain in Jerusalem to defend it.

I couldn’t think of a better person for the job.

‘He was in charge of the defense of Jerusalem in the original history, and now he’s in charge again,’ I thought.

Balian nodded with a firm expression.

“I will defend the Holy City with my life.”

“If we stick to the plan, there won’t be any major problems. If necessary, Henry II and the French army will return to Jerusalem,” I said.

“I’ll leave my mother and Theodora in your care.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Speak of the devil.

The two of them were approaching me.

“It’s starting now,” Theodora said with a sigh. Her pregnancy was quite advanced.

“It’s starting.”

No matter how quickly the expedition concludes, I won’t be back before she gives birth.

“I’m sorry I can’t be by your side, Theodora.”

I had taught the doctors a few things in advance, but I couldn’t help but worry.

“You do what you have to do, Baldwin. I’ll do what I have to do.”

“…”

“You don’t have to worry too much. I’ll be by Theodora’s side too,” Sibylla added.

Her demeanor had changed since the Battle of Ascalon.

Should I say she had steeled her heart?

I could sense a firm will and determination from both of them.

Maybe I’m the one who’s most anxious. I looked at them and nodded.

“Then I’ll leave Theodora in your care, Mother.”

As the trumpets blared, I left the hall with the lords.

The war to end all wars.

The first destination was Cyprus.

* * *

Damietta

“Hurry up! We must finish the work before the Franks arrive!” The officers ran between the workers, shouting. They were reinforcing the walls and trimming the chains.

Even babies knew that the Franks were coming to strike Damietta.

All the citizens ran around with anxious expressions, either leaving the city or preparing food.

“The final judgment is coming! Repent, everyone! When the Franks come, only blood will remain here! Remember the massacre of Jerusalem!” Some madmen ran through the streets and shouted.

“The Franks killed all the Muslims in Jerusalem! The only way to live is to run away!”

The citizens threw stones at them, but they couldn’t stop the atmosphere from darkening.

As time went on, more citizens were drafted into the work.

“Hurry up and prepare!”

“We must prevent the Franks from ever entering!”

Taki al-Din sighed and watched the scene. The adjutant opened his mouth in an excited tone.

“The Franks will never get over the walls of Damietta,” he declared.

“Even if they take the docks, they won’t be able to besiege the city without the Nile.”

“That’s right. But it never hurts to overprepare,” Taki al-Din replied.

The port city, Damietta, was a key point to Cairo and a strong fortress.

It was impossible to capture the city unless it was attacked simultaneously from both the Nile and the land.

Hadn’t the Franks failed to breach the walls before?

And the Nile side had already been reinforced.

“The Crusaders will disembark and rush to capture the towers along the Nile. That’s when we step in,” Taki al-Din explained.

He clenched his fist and looked at the city.

If he could just stop this attack, Egypt could be his.

Hadn’t his uncle, Saladin, taken Egypt that way?

Although he wasn’t the Sultan yet, he could inherit the Sultanate after Saladin’s death.

The only obstacle was another uncle, Al-Adil.

Most of the reinforcements that came to Damascus were followers of Al-Adil.

Did they come just to support?

“Order all reinforcements to wait in Cairo.”

“If you do that, they will complain that they have been excluded from the battlefield. Even in this defense of Damietta…”

“The most important place in Egypt is not Damietta, but Cairo. How can they complain when they are in charge of the most important place?” Taki al-Din frowned and replied.

“There is no time to waste on these political fights. We will stop the Franks here,” he added.

“Tell them that those who want to run away can run away.”

* * *

Cyprus

“There are so many ships,” Eig muttered, looking out from the deck.

Cyprus looked more like a giant shipyard than an island.

Hundreds of ships were floating, docked at the pier.

“You need this many ships to conquer Egypt.”

Military port cities—Eastern Rome—Tripoli.

In fact, it was a united fleet of all Christian forces.

Venice and Tripoli.

These two had been bickering with Constantinople until a few years ago.

I soothed and appeased the three of them and reconciled them.

‘Mediator of the Christian world.’

I think I should get a title like this.

While I was lost in thought, the ship docked at the pier. Marco was the first to greet us as we disembarked.

“Your Majesty! I’ve been waiting for you to arrive. Did the King of France really change his mind?”

“Philip won’t bother you. I’ve put him on a tight leash, so don’t worry,” I answered with a smile.

Even though we had agreed in advance, he didn’t want to refuse Philip’s request.

I looked around. Certainly, Venice had the most ships among the military port cities.

“I didn’t know Venice had so many ships.”

“Venice has mobilized all its resources for this Crusade. Of course, I stepped up and persuaded them…” Marco puffed out his chest and added.

“How can we spare our strength for the Holy City of Jerusalem?”

“Isn’t it because you’re greedy for the wealth of Egypt?” I asked with a slight smile. It was a well-known secret that Egypt held a lot of wealth and treasure.

Since the Assassins were caught stealing gold and silver treasures, several forces had been eyeing it.

‘Venice and other military port cities are no exception.’

The spoils are determined according to each force’s contribution.

The more investment you make, the greater the potential profit you will get later.

Of course, that’s only if the expedition is successful.

“Th, that can’t be! We are only for the glory of the Holy City of Jerusalem…”

“Okay, okay. Anyone would think I’m scolding you.”

Well, from my point of view, it’s more important to get support than spoils.

While I was talking to Marco, a long line appeared at the pier.

Countless flags and trumpets.

Even expensive armor decorated with gold.

It was a scene I had seen in Constantinople before. I got on Bult [my horse] and slowly headed towards it.

At the head of the line was the Emperor of Eastern Rome.

Alexios II was standing there.

“It’s been a long time, Your Majesty Basileus [Emperor],” I greeted.

“It’s been too long, Baldwin,” he replied.

We smiled and clasped each other’s arms. He seemed much more confident than when we last parted.

The young emperor trembling with fear. That was the impression I got when I first met Alexios.

It seems like only yesterday that we stopped the rebellion together.

‘I fought the assassins myself.’

The magnificent appearance of Constantinople came to my mind again. The pleasure I felt charging from the walls with Wieg.

Alexios pointed behind him and smiled.

“I heard that Princess Theodora, or rather, the Queen, is pregnant. I also brought a congratulatory gift.”

“It’s more than just a gift…”

Endless silk and chests.

It seems to be full of gold coins.

“I think it’s a bit too much. I’ll accept it with gratitude.”

There’s no need to refuse something that’s given for free.

As expected of Constantinople, where all the wealth of the world gathers.

How did Andronikos of the original history ruin such a great empire?

“I’m not just trying to repay the grace of Jerusalem. I’m now in a position to lead the empire…” Alexios said with a faint smile.

“I have to give and take. Although my father failed in the Egyptian expedition, I will win.”

I nodded instead of answering.

Come to think of it, Emperor Manuel also tried to conquer Egypt with Jerusalem.

He failed without even arriving in Egypt.

‘If this expedition fails, Alexios’s imperial power will be damaged.’

And the relationship between Jerusalem and Eastern Rome as well.

This expedition had to succeed to prevent such a situation.

“Come this way. I’ll introduce you to Duke Richard from England and King Lalibela of the Zagwe Kingdom,” I said, gesturing for him to follow.

Then I noticed something moving behind the line.

Black wooden barrels.

Workers were carrying dozens and hundreds of barrels.

“That’s…”

“Ah, this time I brought new Greek fire from Constantinople,” Alexios smiled.

He leaned towards me and whispered.

“I’ll tell you one of the empire’s secrets. In fact, most of the Greek fire materials come from eastern Anatolia.”

“Eastern Anatolia… the Sultanate of Rum.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. Count Raymond and the Eastern Roman army joined forces to strike the Sultanate of Rum a while ago.

That’s why they were able to make so much.

Alexios nodded.

“At least in this expedition, you can use it without worrying about inventory.”

“Then I would like to send some of the inventory to Ascalon.”

“Ascalon…”

“Greek fire is needed there too.”

I answered with a smile.

I can’t just miss this golden opportunity.

“To be exact, the camels need it.”

“Ah, and…”

Alexios pointed to one side of the pier.

Something was sticking out between dozens of ships.

It looked like a siege tower was built on top of the ship.

It was a ship that I had asked Alexios to make directly.

“I have prepared the ship that Baldwin asked for…” he said.

He asked.

“What are you going to use that tower for?”

“Ah, that’s…”

I smiled and looked at Alexios. There’s a reason why I prepared everything.

“You’ll find out soon.”