I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 213

Became the King of the Crusades – Episode 213 (213/215)

The Will of God (3)

The Third Crusade.

Al-Quds Jihad [Al-Quds is the Arabic name for Jerusalem, and Jihad refers to a holy war or struggle].

The war ended just like that.

The Muslim soldiers in Tiberias withdrew under Saladin’s orders.

The refugees returned to their hometowns, and Count Raymond was reunited with his wife.

However, not everyone willingly followed Saladin’s orders.

“He has already lost Egypt and been deprived of Mecca and Medina! Does he still think he’s the Sultan?!”

“Returning Tiberias and even demolishing the walls of Damascus! Has he finally gone mad?!”

However, when Saladin himself appeared on the walls, leading his ailing body, the voices of opposition subsided.

Baldwin’s actions in Mecca and Medina were already well known in the Levant [a historical geographical area encompassing the Eastern Mediterranean].

“The King of Jerusalem must also be a Muslim! Otherwise, why would Saladin accept his demands?”

Some Muslims even claimed that Baldwin had not conquered Mecca but had merely made a pilgrimage.

Of course, Christians responded to these words with ridicule.

Baldwin V.

Who was the Crusader king who had achieved greater feats than him?

“Egypt is now in our hands! It’s time to focus on internal affairs rather than war!”

“Saladin is no longer a threat!”

After the failure of the Jihad, Saladin was reduced to an Emir [a title of nobility] ruling only Damascus.

He had to sell all his possessions to pay pensions to the bereaved families and veterans.

After his death, his family lacked the money to hold a funeral and had to rely on donations.

As the Crusades ended, European knights returned to their homelands one by one.

“When I return to Aquitaine [a historical region in southwestern France], I must first build a signal tower. If the Holy City is in danger, I will return at any time.”

“Ah, the legend of King Arthur will continue to be told even here in Jerusalem. I will spread the news as I return to England.”

“Constantinople and Jerusalem are now as one. I will see you at the next council.”

Duke Richard, young Henry, as well as Philip, Alexios, and Frederick.

They each obtained what they wanted in the Levant and departed.

For some, it was the salvation of their souls; for others, fame and honor; for the empire, peace and stability.

It also gave new hope to the Zagwe Kingdom.

Baldwin and the Kingdom of Jerusalem provided what they all desired.

As time passed, the Third Crusade gradually faded into memory.

However, flowers were placed daily on the memorial to the fallen warriors on the outer wall of the palace.

* * *

10 years later

Jerusalem outskirts, Royal hunting grounds

“This is a request from the Italian Communes [self-governing city-states] . They are asking us to provide ships in advance before the council is held.”

“They should ask the maritime cities, not us. They can directly ask the Doge [chief magistrate] of Venice.”

“If Your Majesty sends a letter directly, the process will be faster. Marco would grant that much of a favor, wouldn’t he?”

“Probably.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

It’s really funny every time I think about it.

That man who tried to scam me has now risen to the position of Doge. It would have been impossible if I hadn’t made up that prophecy.

“Ayg, have you ever heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy?”

“Pardon?”

“There is such a thing.”

I said with a smile.

The port cities were still the core power of the Levant.

Of course, our Kingdom of Jerusalem earns the most profit. I also hinted about the American continent.

It’s up to them to decide what to do with it.

“The Zagwe Kingdom has also recently requested an increase in merchant ships… It seems it will take some time.”

“How about asking Ruark? They also build ships in Egypt.”

The Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller are currently managing Egypt. Ruark was in the position of commander-in-chief.

As someone who once worked in the Roman Empire, he was the best person for the job.

The grain produced in Egypt was exported not only to the Levant but also to the Eastern Roman Empire.

Lost in thought, someone shouted.

“Father! I caught it!”

The boy ran over with a fox and a small crossbow in his hand.

“Good job. I didn’t expect you to catch it so quickly.”

I stroked Amory’s head.

He shook the fox and shouted to Ayg.

“Sir Ayg, what do you think? It’s a really big fox, right?”

“Indeed. Soon, Your Highness will be better at hunting than His Majesty.”

Ayg said with a smile.

Amory shook the fox in his hand, looking pleased.

“I want to show it to my mother too!”

“Yes, yes, you should go and show it off to other people too.”

“The prince has grown up so much.”

“He really has grown a lot.”

I stared at Amory’s back as he ran.

Amory, Godfrey, and Isabella.

Two sons and one daughter.

Children I wouldn’t trade for the world.

‘Being surrounded by family when I die wouldn’t be so bad.’

As time passed, my body gradually weakened. No matter how much I exercised and took care of my hygiene, it was no use.

‘The time I have left is not much.’

I protected Jerusalem.

I conquered Mecca and Medina, led the Third Crusade, and even demolished the walls of Damascus.

Merchants freely traveled between the Crusader and Islamic cities, and pilgrims headed to Mecca and Jerusalem without worrying about safety.

When else has the Levant been so peaceful?

But there was still a problem I had to solve.

A threat to deal with before I die.

“Ayg, would you like to go on one last trip with me?”

“A trip? Are you going back to Europe again?”

Ayg let out a sigh mixed with laughter. He no longer seemed like a child.

After Garnier left for Ethiopia, Ayg was practically the center of the Knights Hospitaller.

“I think I’ve been on enough ships to last a lifetime.”

“That’s good then. Because we won’t be taking a ship. Quite the opposite.”

“The opposite…?”

“I’m going to find Prester John [a legendary Christian patriarch and king]. Far to the east.”

Ayg’s expression turned to shock as he looked at me.

“Prester John? More than that, I don’t think the Queen will ever allow it.”

“I know.”

I replied with a smile.

It might be strange to call Genghis Khan Prester John.

“But I’ll have to persuade her somehow.”

* * *

“I never thought Your Majesty would make such a joke.”

Balian said.

His hair had also turned gray over time.

“Count Guy left to find Prester John decades ago. Didn’t Your Majesty also say at that time that Prester John didn’t exist?”

“Prester John doesn’t exist. But there are warriors who surpass such rumors.”

Genghis Khan.

By now, he would probably be called Temujin Khan.

“They won’t come here right away. But in ten or twenty years, the story will be different.”

In the original history, the Mongol army invaded the Levant. They even trampled and killed the Caliph.

By that time, I won’t be here.

It was clear that all the countries of the Levant, regardless of Islam or Christianity, would suffer great damage.

Weren’t the Mongols the ones who massacred all the famous Assassins?

Even if I leave behind strategies and tactics to respond, there was no guarantee that they would be properly followed.

This is a problem I have to solve myself.

It was my last duty as the King of Jerusalem.

“They will push all the way here when Amory becomes king. I have to stop them before that.”

“But there are many Saracen [a historical term for Muslims] kingdoms in the East. Will they willingly let Your Majesty pass?”

At his words, everyone in the conference room nodded. Only Theodora looked at me with a calm expression.

“That’s why I’m forming an expedition. We’ll have to pick only the best knights to go.”

We’ll have to supply food in between. I’ll have to send people ahead to prepare.

“How far are you planning to go?”

“It will probably take more than half a year just to get there. It will take longer if there are obstacles along the way.”

“Then it’s an expedition that will take at least two or three years. Leaving the throne for so long…”

“That’s why I’m going to pass the throne to Amory.”

The conference room became silent as if cold water had been poured on it at my words.

The next moment, everyone opened their mouths and shouted.

“That’s impossible, Your Majesty! He’s not even ten years old yet…”

“I know that much. Theodora will have to serve as regent until Amory comes of age.”

“Everyone, please excuse us for a moment.”

Theodora said.

The people in the conference room looked at each other and left one by one.

Now it was just me and Theodora.

She came up to me and took my hand.

“Suddenly leaving for the East. Do you really have to go?”

She asked.

“Jerusalem still needs you, Baldwin. I and the children need you too.”

“I’m not leaving right away. I have to make at least the minimum preparations.”

I looked at her.

Theodora had done more than I had asked.

“I don’t want to leave either.”

But I had to leave to protect Jerusalem.

For the future of Jerusalem, as well as my family.

“Then promise me you’ll come back.”

Theodora sighed.

“Like you promised when you left for Europe.”

“I promise.”

Having said that, I shared a light kiss with her.

I wanted to return to Jerusalem too.

‘I can only pray that my body holds out.’

* * *

The expedition was ready two months later.

Ironically, the one who was most enthusiastic about the preparations was Al-Adil of Damascus.

The man who became the ruler of Damascus, succeeding his dead brother.

‘It’s a far cry from the Ayyubid Empire in the original history…’

Damascus was busy checking the Caliph in the east and Aleppo in the north.

Without walls, we were the only ones they could rely on.

Damascus and Jerusalem, once enemies, were now quasi-allies.

Al-Adil himself spent money to seek the cooperation of the Islamic kingdoms.

“Father, are you really leaving?”

“Yes, now you have to protect the Holy City. You’re still young, but…”

I got off my saddle and stood in front of Amory. Boult snorted as always.

“Your mother will help you. Always listen to the advice of Raymond and Balian.”

We shared a hug.

Anxiety and fear.

It was a natural feeling for a son sending off his father. I continued to hug Amory until he felt relieved.

‘There’s still so much I want to do for him.’

There were still many stories I hadn’t told. How people lived in the 21st century, which leg to put your weight on when getting on the saddle.

But I did my best.

I tried to be the best king, husband, and father. Whether I succeeded or not, I’ll only know hundreds of years later.

Balian and Raymond.

When our eyes met, they both nodded.

“We will serve the Prince and Queen until Your Majesty returns. You don’t have to worry.”

“If you do as I said, there won’t be any major problems.”

I turned around on Boult.

I saw the knights lined up below the walls of Jerusalem.

The Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller who believed in me and followed me. They still followed me no matter how long it had been.

“Let’s go, Boult. This will be a long journey.”