I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 24

Became King of the Crusades – Episode 24

Let’s Make Money! (4)

* * *

“By the grace of God, His Majesty Baldwin IV, the glorious King of Jerusalem and the most excellent and noble Guardian of the Holy Sepulchre!”

The herald’s cry echoed.

The conference hall had its ceiling open.

A staff meeting held right under the sky.

It was the first time I’d seen such a magnificent sight.

“You said you wanted to go to Constantinople yourself.”

Baldwin IV whispered, his voice low.

“This is your last chance to change your mind.”

“I must go myself.”

I said.

To establish Western and Crusader influence in the Eastern Roman Empire and prevent a coup.

There’s no one else who can do all this but me.

“……”

Baldwin IV stared at me intently.

“Alright, I’ll let you have your way. You must follow the path you have chosen yourself.”

He added.

“Remember, who you are is determined only by your actions. Whether that path leads to heaven or hell.”

He smiled and stood right in front of the conference hall.

The noisy conference hall became silent in an instant.

Lords and knights all rose and paid their respects.

“Everyone, be at ease. Now, Baldwin, come over here.”

Baldwin IV waved his hand towards me.

I walked over and stood beside him.

“It seems to be the first time that young Lord Baldwin has attended such a meeting.”

Someone observed.

A man with a clean-shaven face, lacking a mustache.

A relaxed smile and confident eyes typical of middle age.

Who was he?

“Young Baldwin rebuilt Eilat [a port city on the Gulf of Aqaba] before he was even an adult and defeated the Saracen tribes. In addition, he greatly increased the kingdom’s revenue through the ‘Elixir’.”

Baldwin IV said.

“So I believe even ‘young’ Baldwin is qualified to attend the meeting. Does anyone have any objections, Count Raymond?”

Ah, it was Raymond.

The lord of the County of Tripoli and the leader of the moderate faction in the Crusader camp.

I didn’t pay much attention during the game, so I didn’t recognize him.

“Of course, I have no intention of objecting to His Majesty’s decision. However, I heard rumors that the Elixir was created with the help of Saracen alchemists.”

He trailed off.

“If Rome were to take issue with this……”

“That part has already been approved by the Patriarch.”

I said with a smile.

Patriarch Heraclius gave his permission and hurriedly left for Europe.

‘I’m going to ask for a new Crusade and support!’

That was the stated reason, but it was practically running away from me.

Well, anyway, he won’t think about bothering me for a while.

“……”

Raymond nodded with a faint smile.

A gesture that he had nothing more to say.

“Good, then let’s begin today’s meeting.”

Baldwin IV announced.

“I believe everyone knows what today’s meeting is about: the problem of the Eastern Roman Empire, that is, the Greeks.”

“The Eastern Roman Empire, you mean……”

“According to news coming from Constantinople, the people’s opposition to the young emperor and the regency continues.”

He added.

“Empress Maria is from our Antioch, so they must dislike her even more. As you all know……”

He looked around the room.

“In order to check Saladin [the Sultan of Egypt and Syria], solidarity with Constantinople is essential.”

“Your Majesty’s words are correct, but……”

A man in armor opened his mouth.

Guy, my stepfather.

When was the last time I saw him, right before leaving Eilat?

At that time, I warned him that I knew his secret.

He looked at me with strange eyes.

A feeling of wariness.

“With our current forces, we are struggling to defend the border cities. What can we do just because the Empire is faltering?”

“I am planning to send an envoy to Constantinople.”

Baldwin IV looked at me.

“To be precise, the envoy is led by young Baldwin.”

His words were enough to shock people.

Raymond, Guy, and the other lords and knights all looked surprised or flared their nostrils.

“Lord Baldwin as the representative……”

“The second time after Eilat.”

I stared straight ahead without saying a word.

This situation was unexpected for me too.

I didn’t expect him to announce it so openly.

Isn’t he practically declaring that he will raise me as his successor?

Visiting the Eastern Roman capital as the head of the kingdom’s delegation.

It was extremely unusual for a thirteen-year-old child to take on such an important role.

“An excellent choice, Your Majesty.”

The first to speak was Guy.

His expression was quite relaxed.

The opposite of what I expected.

“If a noble royal family member directly leads the delegation, it would suit the Empire’s formality. But I’m afraid people will expect great results.”

He said with a smirk.

That’s what he was aiming for.

If I go as the head of the delegation and fail to achieve any results, it will reflect poorly on Baldwin IV.

“Don’t you all agree? Our Baldwin has already proven his abilities in Eilat. He can lead an envoy with his eyes closed.”

“We cannot pour a lot of resources into visiting Constantinople now, Your Majesty.”

Raymond stepped forward and said.

“Considering the current border situation, the escorting forces must also……”

“It must be kept to a minimum. I know that too.”

Baldwin IV raised his hand, interrupting Raymond’s words.

His gaze turned to me.

“What do you say, Baldwin? Do you still want to take on the role of the delegation leader?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. If you entrust it to me, I will do my best.”

After saying that, I looked at the people in the conference hall.

Everyone wants me to stumble in Constantinople and come back.

Raymond was skeptical,

Guy was a beast of prey looking for an opportunity.

My only ally was Balian.

“I understand that you all agree. The budget needed for the delegation will be covered by the war treasury. The accompanying forces will also be kept to a minimum.”

The meeting continued after that.

But the most important issue of the Eastern Roman Empire was decided.

The Kingdom of Jerusalem delegation centered around me.

Before leaving after the meeting, I looked back at the people again.

‘They must think I’ve fallen into a trap or that Baldwin IV has made too much of a stretch.’

Yeah, keep thinking that way.

These reactions are within my expectations anyway.

I smiled and moved my feet.

I wonder what kind of expressions everyone will have when I return?

* * *

That afternoon,

The Knights Hospitaller headquarters.

“Constantinople, I never thought I’d go to such a place……”

“You didn’t know?”

I asked with a smile.

Ayguemorte blushed and muttered.

“Come to think of it, I think I said something similar last time.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll keep saying it in the future.”

Ayguemorte and I were sitting in front of Garnier’s sickbed.

Garnier looked much better than the last time I visited him.

“To be bedridden at such an important time. I have nothing to say, Your Highness.”

He coughed.

“If I were just a little better, I would have somehow……”

“You can rest more.”

I stopped him from getting up.

Garnier had been fighting at the forefront all along.

It would have been stranger if he hadn’t caught a fever like this.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a serious illness.

All he needed was rest.

“I’ve asked my teacher to be Your Highness’s bodyguard. Instead of me, all the way to Constantinople……”

“Lord Hugh to be my bodyguard?”

Hugh.

No matter how healthy he is for a leper, it must be difficult to cross the sea.

Well, if he volunteered, there shouldn’t be a problem.

“Don’t overdo it for a while and get plenty of rest, Lord Garnier.”

I said, getting up.

Come to think of it, the number of patients has decreased a lot.

“I’ll be back in Jerusalem soon.”

“I will also pray for Your Highness and the delegation every day. Don’t slack off just because I’m not there, Ayguemorte.”

“I’ve never slacked off! I’m polishing the armor with sand every day……”

Ayguemorte’s flustered expression made Garnier and I burst into laughter.

That night, I went to see my mother, Sibylla.

It was the first time I had visited her directly since possessing Baldwin.

‘I’ve been unconsciously avoiding her since returning to Jerusalem. I don’t know how to treat her.’

I was a Korean who lived in the 21st century and a member of the Jerusalem royal family in the 12th century.

The memories and personality of young Baldwin remained intact within me.

It was not separate but a part of me.

Love, sadness, and fear when thinking of my mother.

Baldwin’s emotions.

It was time to accept them.

‘It would be better for me to do so.’

Only she and I were in the room.

She said with a stern expression.

“What you said was true. Guy was using my name to embezzle money from the royal treasury. I want to ask how you found that out, but……”

She sighed.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. It seems His Majesty has already noticed.”

“Guy is trying to seize the throne by any means possible. He will stop at nothing to do so.”

“The atmosphere in the palace has been turned upside down since you succeeded in Eilat. That’s why Guy is even more anxious.”

She said.

I didn’t feel hostility, anger, or desire.

Rather the opposite.

‘She’s proud of me.’

It wouldn’t be unreasonable.

A son who lived as a spoiled brat is now leading a delegation to the Eastern Roman Empire.

‘Sibylla is on my side no matter what happens.’

I could rest assured with just that.

Just because we’re mother and son doesn’t mean we’re free from power struggles.

Moreover, the Kingdom of Jerusalem has traditionally been a place where women have a strong influence.

‘There was even a king who took the throne by waging a civil war with his own mother.’

While I was lost in thought, Sibylla opened her mouth.

“But if Guy tries to oppose you, I won’t stand still.”

She said.

“If things get to that point, no one will object even if I divorce Guy. But right now, there is not enough justification.”

“Simply embezzling funds won’t be enough to grant a divorce. We must wait for the right time.”

I nodded.

We would need a greater justification than that.

Wouldn’t Guy cause trouble on his own?

Sibylla was someone who could give me real-time information about Guy.

“If my mother takes my side……”

I said.

“I will step up instead of my mother.”

“Yes, you would. I will contact you first if anything happens.”

She gave a faint smile.

“I feel like something has changed again in Eilat, Baldwin.”

“You said that last time……”

“No, something else has changed since then. You’ve become more calm. It seems you’ve seen a lot in Eilat.”

“In Eilat……”

I recalled the image of Eilat.

Watching the rebuilt city and its citizens from the side, I felt new emotions.

Pride and joy.

And relief when I stopped Reynald from massacring the Muslim merchants.

‘Those people were real.’

Everyone in Jerusalem was not an NPC but real people.

Whatever the purpose of the game that brought me here, that was certain.

Then what I have to do is…….

‘Surviving and finding a better path for the people here.’

Then who am I now?

A cadet expelled from the military academy? Or a member of the Jerusalem royal family in the 12th century?

[Who you are is determined only by your actions.]

Perhaps what Baldwin IV said was right.

I stood up from my seat.

I didn’t have the luxury to be caught up in my own identity.

First, action.

Then I can know what will happen.

‘First of all, saving the Eastern Roman Empire is the priority.’