I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 46

Became the King of Crusaders – Episode 46 (46/215)

Landless Crusader (1)

* * *

“Direct hit!”

The bolt struck the apple with a thud.

The apple fell to the ground and rolled away.

I felt all of it.

“You hit it again! That’s six already!”

“Your accuracy is even better than yesterday.”

I said with a smile.

My vision was dark because of the blindfold covering my eyes.

After suppressing the Cyprus rebellion, I came up with a way to train my sixth sense.

It was apple shooting.

Shooting the apples thrown by Aig with a crossbow.

The same method I used to subdue the guards in the fog.

Of course, it didn’t end there.

The key was to cover my eyes and shoot with my sixth sense.

The number of hits increased day by day.

“I think that’s enough for today.”

I took off the blindfold.

Even if it’s a sixth sense, it’s tiring to use it continuously.

Still, it’s amazing.

To be able to feel objects in detail when I concentrate.

Isn’t that practically a walking radar?

If it were the 21st century, I would have been treated like a psychic hero.

Catching drones at the demilitarized zone….

I looked up and saw people surrounding me.

Everyone had a surprised expression.

Knights and members of the Holy Sepulchre Guard were gathered.

Here we go again.

“Don’t you all have anything better to do? Go back to work.”

Only then did the crowd scatter.

It’s like doing a magic show in front of children.

“It seems like more and more people are gathering as the days go by.”

“It’s no wonder. The Duke saw the reefs beyond the fog, and in Constantinople….”

“I know what you mean.”

“Last time, you even saved a sailor who fell into the sea by breathing life into him directly. As far as I know, healing abilities are granted to kings by the Lord….”

“Healing abilities, huh? That seems a bit of an exaggeration.”

“Didn’t the number of sick people decrease in the hospitals of Jerusalem and Constantinople after the Duke visited?”

“That’s true.”

I snorted without realizing it.

Basic hygiene concepts, oral rehydration solutions, and CPR are healing abilities, huh?

Well, I would have reacted the same way.

A royal who performs miracles.

There’s no era where holy relics, miracles, and superpowers appear as often as in the Middle Ages.

Let’s take the Holy Lance as an example.

An event that was also implemented in Last Crusaders.

During the First Crusade, the Crusaders discover an old spear.

‘We have discovered the Holy Lance that pierced Jesus’ side!’

The Crusaders, inspired by the Holy Lance, charge and defeat the enemy.

So far, there were no problems.

The controversy erupted immediately afterward.

‘If this is the Holy Lance, does that mean the Lance of Longinus in Constantinople is fake?’

‘This is the true Holy Lance! I will prove it myself!’

A priest steps forward to prove the Holy Lance.

The method is the Trial by Fire.

Simply put, walking on fire.

But it’s impossible for a human to walk on fire unscathed.

The priest who volunteered suffered burns and eventually died.

‘But my abilities actually exist.’

If it can boost the morale of citizens and soldiers, using such misconceptions is one way.

I handed the crossbow to Aig and headed to the fortress.

“What happened to Admiral Kontostephanos?”

“He departed for Constantinople today. He should arrive tomorrow or the day after.”

“Tomorrow or the day after, huh? No need to worry about it rotting.”

Admiral Kontostephanos took his own life in prison.

The day after issuing the surrender order.

“If he was planning to commit suicide, why did he surrender so willingly?”

“The Admiral knew the battle was lost. He issued the surrender order to protect the fleet.”

I said.

The driving force behind him was different from Andronikos.

Pure patriotism.

The moment I faced him, I realized it.

“The Admiral was a patriot by his standards. His alliance with Andronikos was only to drive the Latins out of the Empire.”

I added.

Since the Empress Dowager was a Latin from Antioch.

‘He probably didn’t like the regency council’s pro-Latin policies either.’

So, it was highly likely that he joined hands with Andronikos.

Occupying Cyprus was closer to a desperate struggle for survival.

“If the fleet is annihilated, the Roman Empire will be pushed back by Venice. Even a baby knows that much. The fleet that his family built over generations….”

I added.

“He refused to destroy it with his own hands.”

“If only he had fought for the Emperor with that spirit.”

“Indeed.”

I muttered.

It was meaningless now that the person was dead.

“How’s the fleet’s morale?”

“There was some commotion when the Admiral’s death was announced…. But after the Emperor’s Golden Bull [an edict or charter issued by a sovereign] was proclaimed, it calmed down.”

Aig said.

“No one is acting rashly either. They probably realized belatedly that they were rebels.”

“The high-ranking commanders won’t be able to avoid punishment. But the captains and sailors will be able to stay and serve….”

I muttered.

“This is a happy ending.”

The ships that went to attack Tripoli were blocked by the Roman-Raymond allied fleet and returned as they were.

The total losses on both sides were five ships.

Even three of them were ships used as fire ships.

Thanks to that, the Roman Empire’s fleet preserved its strength.

Which means the naval power to support me remained intact.

As I entered the fortress, a glittering silver mask greeted me.

It was Wig.

“Sir Wig. You seem to be in a bad mood today.”

I said with a smile.

Even if I can’t see his face, I can feel his emotions.

“Are you finally getting tired of oat porridge?”

“Eating that oat porridge is nothing.”

He waved his hand and replied.

“What I can’t stand is that stupid Viking showing off. That vile Dane, whenever he gets the chance….”

A series of curses I had never heard before followed for a while.

“The opportunity for you to take revenge will come someday.”

I said.

Luark won the bet, but it wasn’t an overwhelming victory.

“And no knights died, so you fought better. Three members of the guard died from reckless charges.”

“As expected of the Duke.”

Wig said, radiating bright emotions.

“I knew you would say that. Ah, I was so excited that I forgot to tell you something important.”

“Is it a reply from Jerusalem?”

I asked.

After occupying Cyprus, I sent a letter to Baldwin IV.

The content was simple.

A brief report of what had happened so far.

And an explanation and countermeasures for the problems that would arise in the future.

Wig shook his head.

“A messenger arrived from Constantinople. The Emperor sent it himself.”

“It seems they’ve decided on a new governor for Cyprus.”

“Yes, and no.”

Wig said with a smile.

“The Emperor has entrusted the rule of Cyprus to you for the time being.”

“Pardon?”

I gasped.

Why does everyone keep passing work on to me?!

* * *

Constantinople

Hippodrome [an ancient Grecian stadium for horse racing and chariot racing]

Theodora watched the horses running.

The sound of hooves was barely audible.

The shouts of the knights.

The cheers of the crowd.

Even the sound of the guides walking around the stands and explaining.

All sorts of voices mixed together and echoed in the stadium.

It was clear to everyone that the jousting tournament had become a regular event in Constantinople.

Theodora and Empress Dowager Maria also sat next to the Emperor to watch the games.

Theodora opened her mouth.

“His Imperial Majesty really enjoys jousting tournaments.”

“His Imperial Majesty has been too interested in riding horses lately….”

Empress Dowager Maria gave a faint smile.

“I’m the one who’s been trying to stop him. The Cataphracts [heavily armored cavalry] are excited that they have a chance to fight….”

“If it weren’t for Duke Baldwin, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Theodora muttered.

She looked at the stadium.

“I didn’t know one person could change Constantinople this much. The animosity towards the Latins as well.”

“And this time, he even reclaimed Cyprus.”

Empress Dowager Maria nodded.

“And that too, with hardly any bloodshed.”

“Is that why you’re handing Cyprus over to the Duke? To solidify your marriage with the Duke?”

Silence flowed between the two women.

“I know very well that you are different from Mani, Theodora. You played a bigger role than anyone else during this rebellion.”

“But as long as I remain in the Empire, there will always be those who try to use me for rebellion.”

“……”

“I can understand. You have always lived for the Roman Empire.”

“Lived for the Empire. Everyone says that.”

Empress Dowager Maria smiled.

“Everyone says that what they did was for the Empire. Even Andronikos himself said that while besieging the institution.”

She added.

“But there are few who are as sincere as you, Theodora. If you, not Mani, had plotted the rebellion, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

“……”

The crowd roared as a knight fell after being hit by a lance.

Empress Dowager Maria slowly opened her mouth.

“Jerusalem won’t be easy either. Outremer (Crusader States) is a place teeming with vipers not only from the Saracens but also everywhere.”

She continued to speak.

“But at least there, you can determine your own destiny.”

“Determine my own destiny….”

Theodora smiled and added.

“That doesn’t sound so bad either.”

* * *

Jerusalem

“Drive him out!”

“That way!”

The sound of hunting dogs barking echoed.

Hunters with bows roamed the bushes.

Soon, the target they were chasing revealed itself.

A huge wild boar.

The boar snorted, seemingly exhausted.

The arrows stuck all over its body swayed up and down with its breath.

The hunting dogs surrounded the boar, preventing it from moving.

“He’s tired! Finish him off!”

A hunter approached cautiously with a spear.

And then, the strike.

The boar, with the spear stuck in its neck, thrashed around and collapsed.

The hunters all roared with joy.

Two men on horseback approached.

“Good work, everyone. There wasn’t much to hunt today either.”

“We wouldn’t have caught him if it weren’t for Your Majesty. If you hadn’t hit his leg with the crossbow….”

“Your flattery skills are improving day by day, Balian.”

Baldwin IV said.

He staggered and fell as he dismounted from his horse.

“Your Majesty!”

“I’m fine. I’m just a little dizzy.”

“The sun is still high. Let’s stop hunting here today.”

“I’ll do as you say.”

Baldwin IV coughed and nodded.

“It’s tiring to come out hunting like this every time. And to think that we have to import wild boars from that far away in Europe just to hunt once….”

He muttered.

“The cost of maintaining the hunting dogs could pay for one or two more knights.”

“But you can’t neglect hunting. Not only for physical training but also….”

“I have to show that I’m still healthy. Isn’t that why I do this stupid thing every month?”

Baldwin IV waved his hand.

“I’m sorry. I took it out on you, who is innocent.”

“It’s nothing, Your Majesty.”

“It’s because of this damn leprosy. How is your brother doing?”

“He says the air in Cyprus is more helpful than he thought. And for some reason, he only eats oat porridge these days.”

“Oat porridge, huh? Is that helpful for leprosy?”

Balian tilted his head at his question.

“Anyway, to get Cyprus in our hands. I don’t know what Baldwin will do next.”

Baldwin laughed.

“Maybe he’ll conquer Alexandria and offer it to us….”

“No one has ever gained that much profit against Rome. And he even got a promise for an expedition to Egypt later….”

“He took everything he could get. Baldwin did it all himself.”

Baldwin IV fiddled with his silver mask.

“He sent me an interesting proposal in his letter this time too.”

“A proposal….”

“He said he would help the Saracens.”

“Help the Saracens, what’s that…?”

Baldwin IV burst out laughing at Balian’s reaction.

The hunters looked at the two of them.