I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 215

Epilogue

The first thing I heard was the doorbell. When I opened my eyes, I saw a familiar yet strange ceiling.

The room I lived in after being expelled from the academy.

Am I dreaming?

I pinched my cheek hard, and pain rushed in. No, it’s not a dream.

Maybe everything I’ve experienced was a dream.

A dream that feels vivid when you wake up but completely disappears from your memory after a few minutes.

I tried to get up from the bed, but it wasn’t easy because of the headache.

As I barely managed to stagger to my feet, something caught my eye.

Something that wasn’t originally in my room.

A small wooden cross was hanging on one wall.

I don’t remember putting something like that there.

“Hey, Kim Sung-hyun! Are you still sleeping?! How much did you drink yesterday?!”

The door rattled loudly.

A familiar voice.

It was my academy classmate, the guy who stuck to me like glue. I’d been deliberately avoiding contact since I was expelled.

How did he find my address?

As soon as I opened the door, he came inside as if he had been waiting.

“What brings you here?”

“What brings me here? I came to see your face before you left. Are you ready to go to the academy?”

Only then did a faint memory come to mind.

The mysterious text I saw before I fell into the 12th century Levant [historical region encompassing the Eastern Mediterranean].

[Final Objective: Defend Jerusalem]

[Reward: Return to Original World + Bonus]

So, I’ve returned to my original time? Then the bonus….

They’re making my expulsion from the academy as if it never happened.

“Tell them I’m not going back.”

“What? What do you mean you’re not going back?”

My friend frowned at my words.

“Are you still drunk?”

“I’m not going back to the academy.”

My expulsion from the academy, which had frustrated me.

Looking back now, it was nothing.

I was the king of Jerusalem in the 12th century, the benefactor of the Roman emperor, and the conqueror of Mecca. I don’t need to dwell on something like the academy.

“Are you showing off right now? This guy’s acting like he’s on top of the world because he got picked as an exchange student.”

“Exchange student?”

I tilted my head without realizing it. What is he talking about?

“Who’s the exchange student?”

“Stop joking around, man.”

My friend chuckled and nudged my shoulder.

“You were so desperate to go to Jerusalem no matter what. I’ve never seen anyone as driven as you in my life. How could you just study like crazy?”

“Wait.”

I gasped.

There were so many things I wanted to ask.

“If it’s Jerusalem, does that mean it’s Israel?”

“Israel?”

The guy laughed in disbelief at my words.

“It’s just the Kingdom of Jerusalem.”

“Kingdom of Jerusalem….”

“Hey, stop joking around and go get dressed. The car will be here soon to pick you up.”

* * *

It was only after I got into the car in a daze that I noticed the scenery around me was strange.

Clearly, this world was different from the 21st century I knew. First of all, it wasn’t the Republic of Korea I knew.

The Goryeo Republic.

I can’t believe the country itself has changed.

‘Even the cadet uniform feels subtly different.’

Is this all the future I changed? I needed more information.

After boarding the plane, I connected to the internet with my phone.

Fortunately, the digital revolution hadn’t changed in this world either.

As I entered the website, news articles unfolded.

[King Arthur IV of the Anglo-British Empire invited the Prime Minister of the Eastern Roman Empire to the palace today….]

[23 years after the end of the World War, the Russian Empire has admitted to some war crime charges and is providing compensation for the victims….]

[In Nova Genoa, a mass protest broke out over issues related to tobacco exports, with some protesters using cranes to dump containers into the sea. The Doge of Venice [chief magistrate of Venice] has expressed regret regarding this….]

It seemed that the Eastern Roman Empire still existed in this world.

And even England, which maintained French territory.

No, it’s not just maintaining it. They virtually destroyed France and became the Holy Roman Emperor.

It seems that Germany became a mess after Frederick I.

Did the fact that Duke Heinrich didn’t fall like in the original history have an impact?

Anglo-British Empire.

I’ll have to look into what Richard did later.

There was something else I needed to look into right now.

When I searched for Jerusalem, the results poured out.

[The Kingdom of Jerusalem is a Christian kingdom founded after the First Crusade in 1099, and the monarchy is maintained to this day….]

As I continued down, I saw a familiar name.

Baldwin.

[Baldwin V is one of the most controversial figures to this day. Known to have received a divine revelation after experiencing a fall from a horse, he saved the emperor’s life in Constantinople….]

[From Medina and Mecca to the Mongol Empire, he is a figure who has virtually influenced the entire world….]

[The ‘miracles’ he performed have been cross-verified through records left by Islamic and Jewish historians….]

As I continued to scroll down, I saw a portrait of an unfamiliar man.

A face that was unfamiliar yet strangely familiar.

[Amalric II succeeded Baldwin V as King of Jerusalem and is known as a brilliant ruler who achieved achievements no less than his father. Focusing on internal affairs rather than conquest, he contributed not only to the council but also to the stabilization of Egypt….]

After reading that far, I closed the window.

Yes, this should be enough.

I didn’t want to know how my children died.

Theodora as well.

It’s better not to know.

“We offer a variety of elixirs and wines on board. Please speak to the crew if you would like….”

I sipped the elixir in the glass and looked out the window.

In the meantime, the plane had already arrived in the airspace above Jerusalem.

“We will be arriving at Godfrey Airport soon. Passengers are requested to fasten your seatbelts until further notice.”

As soon as I got off the plane, the hot air wrapped around my body.

Exactly the feeling I remembered.

Is this the ‘bonus’ I got? Returning to Jerusalem in the history I changed.

‘It’s not that bad.’

There was no welcoming party to see me off. After leaving the airport, I immediately grabbed a taxi.

Now that I’ve returned to Jerusalem, it wouldn’t be bad to take a look around for a while.

How much of what I remember will remain?

* * *

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was still packed with pilgrims. I wanted to see my tomb, but it seemed like it would take hours to get in.

Perhaps because my appearance of looking around seemed clumsy, peddlers stuck to me.

“It seems like you’re visiting Jerusalem for the first time. If you wish, I can guide you myself….”

“It’s okay. I lived in Jerusalem for decades. Should I guide you? I’m pretty confident when it comes to the 12th century.”

My medieval French hasn’t rusted yet. There were subtle differences, but I could communicate roughly.

The man shook his head and left, surprised by my tone.

Mosques and synagogues were visible everywhere on the streets. There were also quite a few people wearing turbans and kippahs [Jewish skullcaps].

Indeed, there were aspects of Jerusalem that hadn’t changed.

After passing through the Gate of David and coming outside, I saw camels standing in the field. Tourists were pulling on what looked like ropes next to them.

Everyone was dressed in green.

A strangely familiar sight.

I grabbed a passerby and asked.

“What are those people doing?”

“They’re shooting food tied to catapults on the camels’ backs.”

“Shooting food with catapults?”

“There was a king of Jerusalem who shot food at Mecca.”

The man chuckled.

“Around this time of year, they hold such events to commemorate that day. They tie up food and shoot it, then pick up what falls and eat it.”

“That’s an interesting event.”

As I stood there blankly, the man shrugged and moved on.

As I walked around the walls, I saw a towering tower this time.

The signal tower.

I never imagined that it would still be there.

As I approached, I read the text on the sign.

[This signal tower was built by the blacksmith Zernal under the orders of Baldwin V, and later spread to Europe and the Roman Empire, leading to the First Information Revolution….]

Indeed, it wasn’t still in use. It seemed to be preserved for historical preservation.

As I was looking at the signal tower, a woman approached.

“Are you interested in the signal tower?”

She smiled.

Dressed like a manager here.

“It seems like you’re from a foreign country. People in Jerusalem aren’t very interested in the signal tower. If you’re interested, please read this pamphlet.”

“I am interested.”

I replied with a smile.

“Because I made it.”

The woman gave me a strange look and turned away. I roughly read the text on the pamphlet and moved on again.

“By the way, an exchange student from Jerusalem….”

To be precise, it wasn’t even an academy.

The Integrated Knights Academy.

It seemed to be an educational facility that integrated all the knightly orders. I can’t even imagine what will happen in the future.

Only then did I realize where I was standing.

The hill where I returned from Mongolia and died.

The much-changed panorama of Jerusalem was visible at a glance. I slumped down on the hill like I did back then and sighed.

“I’m back again.”

I felt a sense of relief and regret.

It felt like returning home after a long journey, but there was no one to welcome me.

Then I felt something.

Emotions coming towards me?

‘I thought my sixth sense had disappeared.’

As I stood up, I saw two figures. Both were dressed in pure white uniforms.

The silver-haired woman was a lieutenant.

And the large middle-aged man was wearing a sergeant’s rank.

The lieutenant frowned and said.

“You were here. We’ve been looking for you at the airport for a while.”

“I’m sorry, I came out thinking there was no one….”

Are they guides from the academy?

I turned my head and looked at Jerusalem.

“I got lost in the middle of nowhere.”

“Is this your first time in Jerusalem?”

“You could say it’s my first time in this era.”

After saying that, I shook my head. This would sound like nonsense to other people too.

Should I make something up?

“I’ve seen a lot of old photos online….”

“I come up here often.”

The woman smiled at me. A familiar smile.

“This is where I said my last goodbye to my husband. Since then, I’ve been waiting for him to return. Until I die, and even after I’m reborn.”

“Theodora?”

“Welcome back, Baldwin.”

She said with a grin.

A familiar smile, intonation, and emotion.

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“I believed you would definitely come back.”

Although the appearance was different, it was definitely Theodora. I turned my head and looked at the man next to her.

“Then this person is….”

“It’s been a while, young lord. No, I should call you Your Majesty now.”

The middle-aged man scratched his head with an awkward smile.

“Sir Hugh!”

“I’ve been waiting all this time too.”

I hugged him. After that, a short kiss with Theodora.

“What on earth is going on? Why are you and Sir Hugh here….”

“I don’t know exactly either. After I died, I regained consciousness and was born in this era. But there’s one thing I’m sure of.”

Theodora said, gently grabbing my arm.

“This era needs you, Baldwin. War is brewing again in Europe and the Levant.”

“There’s already been a world war once. There’s a high chance that a second one will break out soon. Jerusalem will be swept up in it then too.”

Hugh nodded.

“Then we have to do something.”

I smiled at the two of them. It didn’t matter why I came back to this era.

What mattered was that there were cities and people I had to protect.

And the opportunity to live a new life with loved ones.

“I, no, we believe in you, Baldwin.”

After saying that, Theodora pulled me into her arms.

“You are the King of Jerusalem.”

“And you are the Queen of Jerusalem.”

Yes, I am here, the holy city of Jerusalem.

The king of all crusaders.

《I Became the King of the Crusaders》 The End