I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 39

Angel’s Eyes (4)

* * *

The sound of swords clashing echoed in the darkness.

A small figure and a large figure.

The two shadows ceased their fighting.

“Too much training isn’t good for your health, Your Majesty.”

Luark said, lowering his sword.

Unlike the sweat-soaked Alexios, he breathed calmly.

“Didn’t you say that in your homeland, you train every day? Even young children practice fighting each other.”

“For us, life itself was training. From the moment we were born until the moment we died.”

The massive warrior said in a cold tone.

“My ancestors explored Iceland and Greenland, and even the unknown land of Vinland [a Norse settlement in North America, predating Columbus].”

He said, stroking his beard.

“They fought against the natives there as well. In the end, they had no choice but to abandon the colony. But there’s no need for Your Majesty to follow our example.”

“Fighting every day is the same for me. It may not be with swords, but lives are at stake every time. You know that well, Luark, don’t you?”

Alexios recalled what he had seen a few weeks ago.

Andronikos’s greedy eyes.

His body trembled at the thought that Agnes was almost handed over to such a monster.

But that didn’t happen.

The Imperial Army and the knights led by Baldwin defeated the rebels.

They even managed to capture Andronikos himself.

“I still can’t forget the sight I saw then.”

Alexios muttered.

The scene he saw from the tower that day flickered before his eyes.

The wave of knights driving the rebels out of the city walls.

“Even the citizens are showing interest. There’s even talk of holding a jousting tournament.”

Luark said with a faint smile.

He sheathed his sword at his waist.

“For Romans to want to see jousting instead of chariot races. It’s a rare thing.”

“My father should have seen this.”

The young emperor said, smiling.

He closed his mouth.

“Do you really think that the Archangel Michael protected the city?”

“….”

Luark looked at the emperor.

He slowly opened his mouth.

“All those captured by Duke Baldwin were traitors who followed Andronikos. Without a single exception.”

He added.

“I’ve never seen anyone with such an ability before.”

“I heard there are many wizards and witches in your homeland?”

“The Völva [Norse female shamans or seers] are known to perform many spells. Even those who believe in the White Christ [a kenning for Christianity] often seek out the Völva and ask for help when there is a drought.”

Luark shook his head.

“But no seidr [Norse magic or sorcery] could ever catch a traitor. Even if it were possible, it would require tremendous sacrifices and rituals.”

“….”

“Duke Baldwin arrived just before Princess Mani and Andronikos launched their rebellion.”

“I heard he even asked the King himself to lead the delegation.”

“He had a clear goal even before setting foot in the Empire. You can see that from the money he spent on festivals and donations.”

Luark said.

“He made sure to gather public sentiment around Your Majesty in advance.”

“So, even before coming to Constantinople, he had the Archangel’s….”

Alexios muttered.

He added in a firm tone.

“We must somehow hold onto the Duke. Just as my father personally cared for the German king when he fell ill, I too….”

Alexios said as he entered the Imperial Palace.

The maids approached and wiped the sweat from his body.

“If a marriage with Princess Theodora can be arranged, there could be no greater guarantee.”

“We don’t know yet if the King of Jerusalem will accept that offer.”

“He will accept it. An alliance with the Empire is the only deterrent to stop the Saracens [a general term used by Europeans to refer to Muslims during the Crusades].”

“That’s not enough. We need something more certain. Something we can show the Latins [Western Europeans]….”

Alexios frowned.

“John II personally led the army to the East. My father did the same.”

He continued.

“But neither of them achieved victory. My father even received ‘peace tributes’ from the Saracens and withdrew his troops.”

“That was merely a choice for the benefit of the Empire. There were rebellions going on at the time.”

“But as a result, we were ridiculed by the Westerners. Don’t you think it’s time for us to show the Empire’s dignity?”

“….”

Alexios entered the office with Luark.

A huge map was on one wall.
A map showing everything from England to the Holy City of Jerusalem.

“But the political situation is too unstable to prepare for an Eastern expedition right now, Your Majesty.”

Luark said.

“To prevent any possible rebellion, Your Majesty must remain here in the city.”

“I know. I know. It will be difficult to send an expeditionary force right now. But didn’t the knights of the Kingdom of Jerusalem defeat the Saracens with a small number? Like their knightly order….”

He muttered with a look of realization.

“Yes, there was a knightly order.”

“What is it, Your Majesty?”

“We will create a knightly order to protect the Holy City. Even if we can’t send a large army, there will be no problem sending volunteers. We will also provide funding.”

“….”

Luark paused for a moment before opening his mouth.

“A knightly order under Constantinople, not the Roman Pope. Patriarch Theodosius would welcome that. The problem would be finding volunteers….”

He continued.

“There are many Norsemen who want to join the Imperial Guard [the Varangian Guard, the elite bodyguard unit of the Byzantine emperors] but lack the qualifications and end up in the regular army.”

“The Imperial Guard only selects the best of the best. I know that.”

“If we make service in the knightly order a condition for joining the Imperial Guard, we can easily find personnel.”

He continued.

“But I heard that Western knightly orders dedicate their entire lives to protecting the Holy City….”

“We don’t need to be bound by Western customs. The Kingdom of Jerusalem will welcome a new knightly order with open arms.”

The emperor jumped up.

“Draw up a detailed plan. Once it’s ready, we must inform the Duke immediately. Oh, and….”

Alexios smiled.

A typical boy’s expression, full of excitement.

“The Feast of the Archangel Michael is coming soon. How about holding a tournament on this occasion?”

“A tournament….”

“It is the emperor’s duty to give the people what they want, isn’t it?”

The young emperor burst into laughter.

Luark also relaxed his stiff expression and smiled.

* * *

Constantinople

Garnier arrived at the port of Constantinople a week after the thanksgiving service.

“Aeg! Duke Baldwin!”

Garnier shouted as he saw us.

He jumped off the ship with a clanging sound.

“Blessings to the Lord! I’m glad to see that you and the Master are all safe! What on earth happened here?”

The other knights followed him.

There weren’t many knights directly under the royal family.

Most of them were members of the Temple, Hospitaller, and Lazarus orders [prominent military orders during the Crusades].

They all looked quite bewildered.

“We set off as soon as we heard that the city was besieged….”

Garnier said.

“We ran into pirates in Cyprus and had to go around. They were disguised as Eastern Roman navy.”

“Cyprus…. It’s probably not pirates.”

I said.

The place that Admiral Kontostephanos, who rebelled with Andronikos, had occupied.

Now he’s engaging in piracy there?

“First, I need to explain the situation.”

“I’ll do it, Duke.”

Hugh burst out laughing.

He stepped in front of Garnier.

“So, are you all healed?”

“I’ve been healed for a long time. So please tell me quickly.”

“Yes, yes. You must be curious. I’ll explain everything from A to Z.”

Hugh began to explain.
The festival, the sudden assassination attempt.

Andronikos’s rebels.

The voice of the Archangel Michael.

Finally, the charge between the walls.

By the end of the story, Garnier’s mouth was wide open.

He looked at me and shouted.

“You received the Archangel’s revelation even before going to Eilat! Healing the sick with holy water and recognizing the sea tribes from a great distance….”

He burst out laughing.

“That explains everything.”

“….”

Instead of answering, I smiled.

Sometimes silence conveys more messages.

It would be absurd to say that this was all thought up by a kid.

Garnier shook his head.

“So that’s why the people of Constantinople welcomed us so warmly. I thought I was a member of the royal family.”

“You’d be surprised if you knew how we’re being treated in Constantinople right now.”

Hugh said, laughing.

The knights who arrived at the port immediately attracted the attention of the Eastern Romans.

From the workers who glanced at them indifferently to the children who approached them openly.

“Everyone is eager to give us gifts every time we pass by.”

“The atmosphere has changed a lot.”

I shrugged.

There wasn’t a single citizen of Constantinople who didn’t know that the Jerusalem knights had risked their lives to fight for them.

Plus, my story about ‘Michael the Archangel’.

These things combined to change the city’s anti-Latin sentiment by 180 degrees.

“By the way, the Cyprus issue seems to be getting bigger and bigger. We need to get rid of that rebel admiral as soon as possible.”

Hugh said.

“If that place is not properly controlled, it will disrupt the support and supplies coming from Europe.”

“You are right. The damage will increase over time.”

I said.

Hugh was right.

Cyprus is a strategic point.

If European support is cut off, the Crusaders will suffer a major blow.

We can’t let that place be in chaos for long.

Richard the Lionheart was attacked while passing through there during the Third Crusade.

Of course, he immediately counterattacked and occupied the island.

“First, let’s finish the remaining work here in Constantinople.”

“By remaining work, you mean ‘that thing’.”

“‘That thing’? What are you talking about?”

Garnier interjected.

I smiled and replied.

“There’s something I’m working on these days.”

The work of making a telescope is progressing smoothly.

It wasn’t easy explaining it to the artisans.

When I asked them to make the most transparent glass possible, they all reacted blankly.

‘Their attitude changed completely when I said I received a revelation from the Archangel.’

Plus, I now had a generous budget and plenty of time.

The perfect situation to run Gongmille [likely a reference to a project or endeavor, possibly a play on words].

Garnier, Hugh, Aeg, and I.
The four of us talked and returned to the Imperial Palace.

As soon as I entered the palace, an official came to find me.
Dressed in a splendid official robe.

“Duke. His Majesty is looking for you.”

“Is there some urgent matter?”

I asked.

It seemed like the first time he had called me so suddenly.

“His Majesty is considering creating a knightly order to protect the Holy City. And also regarding the jousting tournament commemorating this Feast of Michael….”

“Yes?”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Did I hear wrong?

A jousting tournament and what?

“Let’s go right now.”

* * *

Image source – Vinkhuijzen Collection of Military Costume Illustration (Public Domain)

Additional information: Most of the Varangian Guard were Norsemen (Normans), but there were also a small number of Celtic warriors from England.