I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 43

The Fish-Catching Falcon (3)

* * *

“How many ships do you think the Emperor has left?”

“Even if he scrapes everything together, it won’t be more than sixty. Unless we bring in Venice….”

“Do you think the Venetians would get involved in something like this?”

Admiral Kontos Stephananos tapped the desk and muttered.

“For Constantinople, which they were fighting tooth and nail against until a few years ago? I don’t think so.”

“Your Excellency is right. But the Emperor won’t leave this place forever. He’ll try to take it back somehow.”

“Maybe so.”

The admiral got up and walked to the window.

Dozens of ships were anchored in sight.

The fleet he created and led.

‘His’ fleet, and no one else’s.

“Strengthen the defenses. Increase the number of patrolling ships. If we hold on and hold on….”

He muttered.

“The Emperor will have no choice but to forgive us. If the trade routes through here are all blocked, he’ll eventually raise both hands.”

He scoffed and added.

“Is that little brat going to come here himself?”

“The fleet will follow Your Excellency to the end.”

“The fleet will. What about the residents’ reactions?”

“They’re protesting the increased tax rate. They say they’ll hold a demonstration if their representatives aren’t heard….”

“Send the sailors to suppress them appropriately. Pick a few of them as examples and put ropes around their necks. We don’t have the luxury of listening to them when supplies are short.”

“Understood.”

“It was a mistake to trust that stupid Andronikos. If he hadn’t been so reckless…!”

The admiral threw the ink bottle.

The glass shattered into pieces and scattered on the floor.

He hissed.

“We would be entering the islands and beheading the Latin bastards by now. I should have gotten rid of that stupid bastard sooner….”

“….”

“Not a single ship should leave Cyprus without my permission. Not a single one! Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Excellency. We’ve taken control of all the docks, so you don’t have to worry.”

The adjutant said.

“Ah, a Venetian merchant has requested an audience with you.”

“A Venetian merchant?”

“Yes, he says he has information to tell you about Constantinople….”

“Bring him in.”

A short while later, a pot-bellied man came inside.

Fancy silk, a ridiculously shaped hat.

It was the typical Venetian merchant’s attire.

Admiral Kontos Stephananos glared at him.

“I heard you wanted to see me. Your name is….”

“I’m Marco from Venice, Your Excellency, the great and noble Admiral Kontos Stephananos.”

“Spare me the pretense. I heard you have information to tell me?”

“Yes, our trading company was in Constantinople until a few days ago. I thought Your Excellency would be interested in the situation there….”

“So you’ve come to sell me information. Go on.”

“First, we should discuss an appropriate price….”

“How cunning, like a true Venetian.”

He scoffed.

“The reward will be provided according to the level of information you provide. I’ll have to cross-verify with other informants as well.”

The admiral said in a cold tone.

“Until then, neither you nor your trading company can leave Cyprus.”

“Of course.”

“So tell me quickly. What’s the situation in Constantinople now?”

Marco slowly opened his mouth.

His eyebrows twitched.

“First, let me tell you this. The Roman Emperor now….”

* * *

Two days later, deep at night.

Aegir looked at the boat with uneasy eyes.

A small leather boat.

The boat rocked from side to side with the slightest wave.

It wouldn’t be strange if it capsized at any moment.

“Why do we have to go in a boat like this?”

“If it were another boat, we’d probably be discovered by now. There’s nothing less visible in the night sea than black bear hide.”

“I guess that’s true….”

Aegir muttered.

As the sailor said, the black leather was barely visible in the dark.

Only he and the Greenlandic sailor were on the boat.

It felt like floating on the darkness.

The two men chatted in the narrow boat.

“In the old paganism that my ancestors believed in, there’s a giant wolf called Fenrir. He was tricked by the god of war, Tyr, and tied up with ropes….”

The old sailor stroked his beard and said.

“When Ragnarok, the last day, comes, he’ll break the ropes and be released to devour the sun and the moon. Then the world will become as dark as it is now.”

“The last day is similar to Armageddon.”

Aegir imagined the giant wolf.

A wolf that devours the sun and the moon and brings darkness.

“I’d probably get scolded if I said I heard something like this….”

Aegir muttered.

He imagined a distant land.

What would the wind there feel like?

Then the sailor’s voice called Aegir out of his reverie.

“I think this is about the right place. Do we just wait now?”

“Yes, probably.”

Aegir carefully took out the cylinder.

The angel’s eye that Prince Baudouin calls a ‘telescope’.

The usage was simple.

Put one side of the cylinder to your eye and adjust the distance between the two cylinders to make it clear.

Aegir adjusted the distance familiarly.

But he couldn’t see anything because of the darkness.

“If something happened to Marco….”

Then the sailor raised his finger.

A small light flickered where he was pointing.

“I think something’s flickering over there!”

“Hold this for a second!”

Aegir shouted, taking out the stylus.

The sailor awkwardly lifted the telescope and put it to Aegir’s eye.

The sound of the stylus moving echoed in the darkness.

* * *

“Why is this stupid Dane telling us what to do!”

“You should keep your dignity! If you’ve received the title of Imperial noble, act accordingly….”

The two men shouted, pointing fingers at each other.

Sailors and soldiers gathered around them.

“Dignity, you first….”

“What are you two doing?!”

I shouted, and the two stopped.

Wig and Ruark.

Both were glaring at each other with red faces.

I sighed.

They were getting along just fine until yesterday.

“This rude Dane is telling us to stay out of the landing?”

“I didn’t say stay out. I said it would be better for us to take charge of the landing since the guard unit has more troops.”

“Ruark, I remember we already discussed the command issue?”

“Of course, Your Highness. I was simply suggesting the ratio of troops to land….”

Ruark sighed.

“To Sir Wig. But he immediately lost his temper and rushed at me. As if I had taken his place.”

“You Greek dog…!”

“You called me a Dane a while ago, and now you’re calling me a Greek dog. You have to choose one.”

Ruark said.

“In my hometown, if I received such rudeness, I would immediately duel….”

“Do you think I’d be scared if you said that? I may have leprosy, but I can still take down a big guy like you….”

“Both of you, stop there. This is an order.”

I sighed and said.

I have to stop grown men in their forties and fifties from fighting.

My fate is so pathetic.

“We don’t have time to fight over such trivial matters right now.”

I took out the paper from my pocket.

A map showing Cyprus and the surrounding waters.

“This is the information Marco sent last night.”

I started explaining.

The information Marco sent was diverse.

The current location of the admiral, the size and condition of the fleet, patrol locations, etc.

Marco sent the detailed information I requested.

Morse code and telescope.

The synergy effect of the two elements was as I expected.

“That cowardly bastard managed to find out all this.”

Wig said.

“I thought he would run away as soon as he arrived on the island.”

“Wouldn’t anyone if they could become a Doge [chief magistrate of Venice]?”

“Doge? What do you mean by that?”

“It’s something like that.”

I laughed instead of answering.

I continued.

“But the really important information is separate.”

I continued the explanation.

The most important information Marco conveyed.

That was that Kontos Stephananos’ fleet was preparing to set sail.

“He doesn’t know exactly where the target is.”

“They’re preparing to set sail. Where on earth….”

Ruark muttered.

He said.

“They’re not aiming for Constantinople. The admiral isn’t stupid enough to try to get over the walls with just the navy.”

“He failed even when he joined forces with Andronikos.”

I nodded.

I looked out the window.

We are currently staying in Seleucia [ancient port city], a southern port city of Anatolia and north of Cyprus.

“They might attack here. If they attack first, they can take advantage of their numerical superiority.”

“That’s possible, but not very likely.”

Ruark shook his head.

“Most of the Imperial Navy recruits sailors from Cyprus or these port cities. Seleucia is also the hometown of many sailors.”

“It would be difficult to order them to attack their hometown.”

“That’s right. Unless we attack first, it would be difficult.”

“Then….”

Where could it be?

Why are they making such an effort to set sail now?

Then another piece of information Marco conveyed came to mind.

“I heard the admiral raised the tax rate several times after occupying Cyprus. They must be having a hard time because the military funds are running out.”

I continued.

“It’s no wonder they suddenly have to maintain a large fleet of a hundred ships.”

It was the same in the Last Crusaders game.

The navy cost more to maintain than the same number of the army.

From the salaries of sailors, carpenters, and workers to all kinds of repair materials.

It wouldn’t be easy to maintain a hundred ships without the support of the Imperial center.

“What’s the fastest and easiest way to raise military funds and supplies?”

“Looting the surrounding area.”

Ruark said in a calm tone.

“That’s right, assuming they’re going on a looting spree to raise military funds….”

I pointed to the right of the map.

The County of Tripoli ruled by Raymond.

It could only be here.

“They won’t go down to Egypt and start a war with Saladin. They’ll choose an easier opponent.”

“Tripoli. That certainly makes sense.”

Wig muttered and continued.

“What if we attack the empty port when they set sail?”

“The port won’t be completely empty.”

Ruark interjected.

He looked at me and continued.

“If they’re dealing with Tripoli, they won’t mobilize the entire fleet. Fifty ships would probably be enough.”

“The Imperial Navy also has Greek fire [incendiary weapon].”

I nodded.

Raymond’s naval power was only about 20-30 battleships at best.

It was clear that they would be no match for the Imperial Navy with Greek fire.

“Then we’ll have to move up the plan.”

I said.

The initial plan was to wait leisurely for an opening, infiltrate, and oust the admiral.

But to prevent their attack, we had to hurry.

“First, we need to send a warning to Count Raymond. If our fleet joins, we’ll be able to stand up to them.”

“A Roman fleet preventing a Roman fleet from looting.”

Ruark chuckled.

“Indeed, the Lord always reveals fate in an unknowable direction.”

“Even if they don’t mobilize the entire fleet, the security will inevitably loosen in the meantime.”

I said.

“In that gap, elite troops enter Cyprus and capture the admiral.”

“What if the admiral is on the attacking fleet?”

“You don’t have to worry about that part. I heard that the admiral’s subordinate will be in charge of this expedition.”

“Did Marco find out even that kind of information?”

Wig let out a hollow laugh.

I smiled and nodded.

I knew I chose Marco for a reason.

The unique information power of maritime city merchants.

Just as warriors are good at fighting, merchants exchanged information as if breathing.

“Then we need to quickly decide on the troops to land. About 150, and the field commander is….”

“I’ll take it. I’m going with you.”

“….”

Both men looked at me with their mouths shut.

Okay, I expected this kind of reaction.

“Your Highness doesn’t need to participate in this operation. You shouldn’t.”

Ruark said.

“If Your Highness is taken prisoner, the admiral will gain leverage against the Empire. A very big leverage.”

“This guy is right, Your Highness.”

Wig said.

“Me and the other knights will go and capture him. Your Highness, please stay here safely.”

“I wish I could, but….”

I shook my head and said.

Sixth sense.

Having this will increase the chances of success.

I had to go myself to avoid any unforeseen situations.

“I have to go with you.”

“Once you land, you can’t guarantee a return. Even if we fail….”

“I’ve already made my decision.”

I said.

Perhaps sensing my determination, both men sighed.

Wig pointed to the map and said.

“To infiltrate while the enemy fleet is out, we’ll have to land during the day, not at night.”

He added.

“Then there’s a greater chance of being discovered than at night. No matter how much the number of patrolling ships decreases….”

“We’ll need to divert their attention. I happen to have a good idea.”

I said with a smile.

Feint to the east, attack to the west.

There’s no more basic military strategy than this.

“First, all the Greek fire we brought….”

* * *

Q: It would take a very long time to send all the detailed information in Morse code? Also, wouldn’t you need a brighter lighting device to transmit signals from a distance visible with a telescope in the middle of the night?

A: The distance at which a candle flame is visible in the dark is approximately 2.5 km (based on the naked eye). Therefore, even a primitive telescope would be able to see up to twice that distance. Even on modern battlefields, the enemy’s location is often detected by the light of a cigarette. Also, by briefly defining some information in advance (the military also uses the same method), more information can be sent quickly. Source – (www.technologyreview/how far can human eye see a candle flame)