I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 47

Landless Crusader (2)

* * *

“Then let’s keep the tax rate at last year’s level.”

I said, looking at the middle-aged man across from me.

A thoroughly frightened expression.

You’d think he was about to be eaten alive.

“The wages owed to Admiral Kontosfefanos will also be paid soon. Please reassure the residents.”

“Thank you, Your Great and Noble Highness Baldwin.”

The man spoke in an exaggerated tone.

“All of us Cypriots are beyond words at Your Highness’s generosity and mercy…”

I let the endless flattery flow in one ear and out the other.

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the same words.

“Ah, we will soon begin construction on the material collection depot. We’ll need as many workers as possible then.”

“The material collection depot? Yes, yes! Of course. As many as you need…”

It was several tens of minutes later that the man left the room.

Garnier entered the room, smiling.

“You’ve worked hard today, Your Highness.”

“I thought he was a representative of the residents, but he was an imperial noble.”

“He holds the highest title here in Cyprus. He’s desperate to impress Your Highness.”

Garnier added.

“It’s no wonder, since Your Highness has effectively become the chief administrator.”

“I didn’t expect to receive the entire island of Cyprus like this.”

I sighed.

I was only planning to secure some trade interests.

To suddenly hand over the rule of the island.

Emperor Alexios’s purpose was obvious.

A kind of deposit to ensure the marriage?

Or should I see it as a dowry?

I never thought things would turn out this way.

I stared out the open window.

Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean.

This place was also the last refuge of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

After Guy lost Jerusalem, this was the land they barely managed to obtain.

A relay port and supply base connecting Europe and the Levant [the historical region bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea].

It’s a honey pot like no other.

But I’m not entirely happy.

‘At this rate, I’ll work myself to death from overwork.’

Why isn’t there a ban on child labor in the Ten Commandments?

[Thou shalt not commit adultery, nor shalt thou make children work…]

Do I have to wait another 8-900 years for such a law to be created?

A law against jaywalking will probably be created sooner.

“It will be helpful when Your Highness rules over even larger lands in the future.”

Garnier said with a strange smile.

“By the way, why are you rushing the construction of the collection depot so much? It’s not like we’re short on food right now.”

“Because it’s not for us to use.”

I said.

There’s no reason to gather supplies so forcefully if it’s not for us.

“If it’s not for us…”

“It’s to support Aleppo and Mosul.”

“Aleppo and Mosul? Are you talking about the places ruled by Atabeg Masud [a Turkish military rank, often governing as a regent or provincial ruler]? Are you saying you’re going to support the Saracens [a term used in medieval Europe to refer to Muslims]?”

Garnier asked, his eyes wide.

A surprised reaction.

“Exactly.”

I said with a smile.

Well, anyone would be surprised if I said that.

“Not all Saracens are the same.”

Europeans thought all Saracens (Muslims) were the same.

It was the same for Islam.

They called all Europeans Franks.

But Crusaders and Muslims alike were tearing each other apart.

“Sooner or later, Saladin will gather his army and advance north. Anyone can easily predict that.”

Saladin had not yet completely unified the Islamic forces.

Remnants of the Zengid dynasty remained in the northern Levant.

‘Saladin also built his power under Nureddin, the son of Zengi, when he was young.’

If he completely unified the north, Saladin’s rear would be secure.

Meaning he could invade Jerusalem without worry.

‘To prevent that…’

I had to either make Aleppo Crusader territory or maintain it as an independent force.

It was hard to occupy it right away, so I had to keep Masud alive.

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend. There’s no more fitting saying than this.”

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend…”

Garnier scratched his head.

“You’re not entirely wrong. King Amalric, your predecessor, also supported the Fatimid Caliphate of Egypt.”

“Egypt eventually fell into Saladin’s hands. I’m going to prevent Aleppo from becoming like that.”

“So you’re saying you’re going to shower Masud with supplies?”

“Of course not. It’s not really showering, but…”

I said with a smile.

There’s no need to support him at a loss.

Besides, Aleppo is a very wealthy region.

“Let’s just say we’re supplying them at a reasonable price. Isn’t a drop of water in the desert more precious than a lump of gold?”

Garnier burst out laughing at my words.

“That’s just like you, Your Highness. But it doesn’t seem easy to deliver supplies all the way to Aleppo…”

He stroked his chin.

I replied.

“We just need to find the right method.”

There’s always a detour.

I’ll have to go through Tripoli, so getting Count Raymond’s help will be essential….

“Let’s think about that part slowly. Has the Hospitaller [a Catholic military order] detachment arrived yet?”

“The blacksmiths and glassmakers have already arrived. Gernaldo arrived yesterday as well.”

Garnier said.

“The rest are scheduled to arrive within the week. We’ll be able to set up a branch quickly once the manpower arrives.”

“We’ll be able to proceed with the production of telescopes without any setbacks.”

“You’re talking about the ‘Eyes of an Angel.’ Considering how active they were this time…”

He said.

“It will be a great help to captains and commanders.”

“To do that, we need to produce a sufficient quantity first.”

I said.

I couldn’t wait all day for them to be produced in Constantinople [modern-day Istanbul].

I asked Alexios to send me some glassmakers from Constantinople.

It cost money to hire them, of course….

But I had plenty of gifts from the Eastern Roman Empire.

Almost the same amount as the money I spent in Constantinople.

Plus the tax revenue from Cyprus.

I won’t have to worry about money for the time being.

“Come to think of it, I forgot about today’s training. Let’s just do a simple warm-up before dinner. A sword that isn’t used…”

“Rots, right? Yes, yes, I know.”

I said with a sigh.

My body felt sluggish as soon as I heard the word training.

When I go back to the 21st century, I should never touch a history game again.

Only romance simulations or healing games!

No, maybe romance simulations aren’t that safe either.

I shook my head and followed Garnier out of the room.

* * *

Cyprus.

Hospitaller Temporary Blacksmith.

“No, to think something like this really exists. I can’t believe it.”

Gernal muttered, holding the cylinder to his eye.

Aig smiled and said.

“Didn’t I tell you? It looks like something far away is right in front of you.”

“No, so you’re saying His Highness made this in Constantinople?”

“Well, that’s about right. These people did the actual making, though.”

Aig pointed to the men in front.

They all smiled at Gernal.

“So this is the ‘Eyes of an Angel’ I’ve only heard about.”

Gernal muttered.

“I need to learn what kind of magic you used. Did you guys really make this?”

“Πόσες φορές δεν είπα ότι τα καταφέραμε!” [Greek: How many times have I not said that we succeeded!]

“No, I don’t understand what you’re saying. So how do you…!”

“They say it’s hard if you’re not a glassmaker?”

“You knew how to speak Greek?”

“I picked up a little in Constantinople.”

Aig said with a smile.

He translated the words of the Greek artisans.

“So you’re saying these people are glassmakers from Constantinople?”

“Yes. But they say it’s difficult for an ordinary blacksmith to make? Unless you’re a professional glassmaker…”

“You guys…! Who do you think supplies the glass to the churches in Jerusalem? Huh?!

Gernal gestured wildly, then sighed as if giving up.

“You’re going to have to help me, Aig. I need to learn that damn Greek language too.”

He stretched out his hands into the air.

“For this old mule to have to learn a new language. Fate is so cruel. His Highness’s helmet is already so popular…”

He sighed deeply.

“All the knights are clamoring for me to make them new helmets, and now even this…”

“Are you really going to learn Greek?”

“If this was really taught by the Archangel… There would be no greater honor than making this.”

Gernal muttered, holding the telescope.

He waved his hand and shouted.

“What kind of equipment and supplies do these guys need…”

* * *

Tripoli

Citadel

“Welcome, Lord Balian. You’ve come a long way from Jerusalem to here.”

“It only took three days. Fortunately, the weather was clear.”

Balian said.

He unsheathed his sword and placed it on the table.

“I heard you clashed with the Roman rebel fleet. The city looks more peaceful than I expected.”

“It was hardly even a battle. As soon as they confirmed we had reinforcements, they immediately ran away.”

Raymond said with a smile.

He handed over a glass of wine.

“If Duke Baldwin hadn’t sent the fleet in advance, we would have been outnumbered. And we would have been ambushed…”

“It was a reinforcement that arrived at the right moment.”

Balian nodded.

The sound of seagulls echoed from outside.

A faint smell of the sea.

Raymond slowly opened his mouth.

“I’ve been watching the situation in Cyprus all along.”

He placed his hand on the table.

“But I couldn’t get any proper information because of the strict security. How on earth did Duke Baldwin get information that I couldn’t…”

“I heard he planted a spy inside. He gained control of Cyprus with the information he obtained through that spy.”

“If that spy secretly escaped Cyprus. I wonder what method he used.”

“It would be simple if you said Archangel Michael told him directly.”

“That’s right. Everything would be easily explained.”

A moment of silence passed.

Raymond smiled and opened his mouth.

“I heard your destination is Cyprus. For a lord to act as a messenger himself.”

He asked.

“May I ask what’s going on?”

“His Majesty and Duke Baldwin are planning something.”

Balian nodded.

He looked at Raymond with a calm expression.

“Your Excellency’s help will also be needed. Of course, the choice is up to Your Excellency depending on the situation of your country…”

“….”

Silence fell again.

Raymond looked at Balian.

“I know very well that there are many who call me a coward in the royal palace. It’s only natural since I clash with His Majesty the King on every matter.”

He said.

“But there is no one who worries about the safety of Jerusalem as much as I do.”

“Of course.”

“Those who have newly come to Outremer [the Crusader states in the Levant] shout to fight the Saracens recklessly. They don’t care about the timing, manpower, or strategy.”

“Because they can only build their achievements if there is a battle.”

Balian nodded.

Raymond opened his mouth again.

“Our ancestors paid countless blood and sacrifices to obtain this land. Protecting this place is our most important duty.”

“But there are times when we have to draw our swords, Your Excellency. It would not be wise to simply wait for the snake to pass by because we are afraid of it.”

He added.

“Especially when that snake is wrapping around our legs.”

“I have already received help from Duke Baldwin.”

Raymond slowly opened his mouth.

“I am not such a petty person as to pretend I don’t know even after receiving help. Whatever plan His Majesty the King has, I and my country will support it with all our heart.”

“His Majesty the King will be pleased to hear those words.”

The two shook hands.

Balian said with a smile.

“First, I will tell you about Saladin’s movements.”

* * *