I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 50

Became the King of Crusaders – Episode 50 (50/215)

Landless Crusader (5)

* * *

I left Cyprus in June.

Blazing sunlight.

Even the muggy breeze.

As summer approached, the Levant [historical region encompassing present-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and parts of Turkey and Egypt] heated up like a boiling pot.

“I don’t know what Saladin is thinking, launching an offensive in this summer heat.”

Garnier said, coming up on deck.

He raised his hand and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“He’ll have to spend ages going around wells.”

“He probably thought he couldn’t delay any longer. Rome might intervene soon, so he’s trying to pacify the north as quickly as possible.”

“We need to make that as difficult as possible.”

Garnier nodded.

The ship soon arrived at the port.

The sailors shouted and threw the mooring lines.

Garnier, Aig, and I disembarked together.

Only those two accompanied me.

Hugh and Ruarc remained in Cyprus.

The task assigned to those two was simple.

Commanding the allied fleet to pressure Egypt.

“I’m more worried about Cyprus than other places.”

Aig said with a smile.

The guy jumped onto the pier.

“Is it okay to leave just the two of them alone? Last time, you almost fought….”

“Theodora is there, so they won’t fight like children.”

I said.

Hugh is a leper anyway.

It must have been hard for him to come all the way to Constantinople and Cyprus with me.

The place I’m going now is several times harder than those places.

“And Ruarc needs to be there to command the Imperial Fleet.”

“The master seems to have become healthier since going to Cyprus.”

Garnier shrugged.

“Maybe it’s thanks to the oat porridge he eats every day.”

“Oat porridge, huh? I should tell His Majesty about it.”

I said with a smile.

As soon as I got off the ship, the port of Tripoli unfolded before my eyes.

Wooden cranes creaked as they unloaded boxes from the ship.

“Saladin’s army is probably marching towards Aleppo right now. We need to start transporting supplies before that….”

As soon as I stepped on land, I felt seasick again.

Ugh.

I really can’t get used to this.

I barely suppressed the queasiness below my neck.

I hope I don’t have to ride a ship again….

Garnier stepped forward.

“I’ll go and hurry the unloading. I’ve secured carts and horses from a nearby merchant….”

At that moment, a murmur arose.

The sound of chainmail clashing.

When I turned my head, a grand procession came into view.

A yellow cross on a red background.

It was Count Raymond’s banner.

The Count was at the head, riding a horse.

All the citizens moved aside for his procession.

The Count, who had approached us, dismounted.

“I’ve been waiting for your arrival, Prince.”

He approached with a bright smile.

“You don’t look so good. Should I have my doctors….”

“I’m fine, Count. It’s just seasickness.”

I smiled and replied.

“Thank you for the warm welcome.”

“This is hardly a welcome. I wanted to hold a grander welcoming ceremony if I could.”

He said.

“But I didn’t think there would be time for that right now.”

“Count, you’re right. Time is not on our side.”

We embraced.

A 180-degree change from when we met last time.

His emotions were genuine.

Well, it’s only natural for him to be grateful.

I prevented the attack thanks to the information I provided in advance.

“Everyone is saying that you heard the voice of the Archangel Michael, Prince. In Constantinople and Cyprus too….”

I nodded with a faint smile.

Maintaining a mysterious concept isn’t easy.

“The Archangel Michael told me many things. I just moved accordingly.”

Should I change the subject now?

“Thank you for supporting the fleet this time. Rome also greatly welcomes your support, Count.”

“Since you helped, Prince, I must also give a proper reward.”

Raymond smiled.

“I heard you’re planning to visit the Assassins.”

“I’m thinking of entrusting them with the transportation of supplies. The mountains leading to Hama and Homs are their territory.”

“They pay tribute to the Knights Templar every year. They probably won’t harm you, Prince.”

Raymond said.

He scratched his chin and added.

“But just in case, I’ll provide my direct knights as escorts.”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

I smiled and replied.

It seems like he’s trying to gather information by attaching knights….

If the number of troops increases, it’s a benefit for me.

“Ah, and Chastel Blanc [Crusader fortress in Syria] in my territory isn’t being properly managed….”

Raymond continued.

“I want to entrust the defense of the fortress to the Holy Sepulchre Guard.”

“If His Majesty allows it, there won’t be any problems.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Is he already trying to gain favor with the Holy Sepulchre Guard?

This guy is a master of politics.

He smiled and said.

“Then let’s go to the fortress together. I’ll treat you to a simple meal.”

* * *

“Oh, Al-Ra’i [Arabic for ‘The Leader’, referring to the leader of the Assassins], have mercy on your humble servant.”

A naked man knelt and muttered.

Heaven unfolded before him.

A celestial garden.

Numerous fruits and foods emitted a sweet fragrance.

Numerous colors danced before his eyes, becoming beautiful flames.

Milk and honey flowed gently in small ponds and canals.

He reached out and grabbed an apple.

As he bit into the apple, juice flowed out and soaked his bare skin.

The man looked at the garden.

Then he heard the singing of women.

A melody he had never heard before.

He turned his head towards the sound.

“Harku, you’ve finally come.”

The women approached him.

Clothes that were see-through.

All of them had breathtakingly beautiful appearances.

The man stared blankly at the women.

“We’ve all heard how brave a warrior you are. It’s an honor for all of us to serve you.”

The women clung to him.

Their sweet breath touched his skin.

He muttered.

“I…I….”

“We’ve been waiting for you to come. Come this way.”

The man followed the woman as if possessed.

In the middle of the garden was a bed.

The scent of flowers tickled his nose.

“Welcome, my brave warrior.”

The man climbed onto the bed as if possessed.

The women approached him.

In a daze, the man enjoyed extreme pleasure.

Sweaty, he gasped and asked.

“Will I be able to meet you again?”

“If you fulfill your duty, you’ll be able to meet us again. Your family will also be waiting here.”

The woman smiled and handed him a glass.

“I’ll be waiting for you, Harku. Goodbye.”

The man drank the glass in one gulp.

His vision blurred and everything disappeared.

When he regained consciousness, he was lying on a cold stone floor.

The place where he had drunk the drink before leaving for heaven.

The man slowly got up.

An old man was sitting in front of him.

The old man smiled and looked at him.

“Fidai [Arabic term for a person who sacrifices themselves for a cause], noble sacrifice. What did you see?”

“Elder, you who carry out the will of Allah [Arabic word for God].”

The man bowed.

“It was exactly as I imagined. Numerous fruits, flowers, and even women….”

“A land flowing with milk and honey. All prepared just for you, a celestial garden.”

The old man said in a soft tone.

“Remember this. No matter how many nights you spend, your women will remain virgins. Virgins who only serve you.”

He added.

“If you complete your mission and become a martyr, all of that will be given to you.”

“I am ready to follow any order, Elder. Tell me my duty.”

“Ark Adil. That man has massacred innocent believers. He is our enemy and the enemy of Allah.”

“Ark Adil. He is our enemy and the enemy of Allah.”

“Kill him with this weapon. A sword specially prepared for you.”

The old man handed over a dagger decorated with gold.

The man carefully took the dagger and put it in his arms.

“If you go to Mosul, the believers there will help you. Go and carry out the will of Allah. When the truth is revealed, falsehood disappears.”

“Only through truth will falsehood disappear.”

The man gripped the dagger in his hand.

It was time to carry out the will of Allah.

* * *

“A paradise on earth. Would anyone believe that?”

“Young boys would believe it. Especially if they’ve only received training and brainwashing since they were young.”

I said, shaking the reins.

Bult snorted and moved.

Assassins.

Those who are the motif of Assassin.

Assassins mainly achieved their goals through assassination.

That’s the same in the Last Crusaders game.

Unlike other forces, the Assassins boasted a very high assassination success rate.

Plus, a powerful information network.

A force that walks a tightrope between Saladin, the Crusaders, and the remnants of Janggi.

Of course, it’s not like they don’t have weaknesses.

“Few followers and no large army….”

There were two major forces in Islam.

The mainstream Sunni and the minority Shia.

The Assassins were a minority faction even among the Shia.

Simply put, it means they are the smallest force.

The population and military power were bound to be small.

‘So that’s why they use fortresses for defense and assassination strategies.’

Then Aig opened his mouth.

“Will such people help you, Prince?”

“They’re the only ones who can transport supplies outside of Saladin’s surveillance network. They’re already paying tribute to the Knights Templar in exchange for peace….”

I said.

“They can’t ignore our proposal. And they hate the Sunnis more than our Crusaders.”

“Aren’t they all the same Muslims?”

“If you think like that, Rome and Constantinople are the same.”

I said with a smile.

How many factions are there even in Catholicism?

Protestantism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Syrian Orthodoxy, Armenian Orthodoxy, Coptic of Egypt, etc.

It was natural for factions to arise in any religion.

Islam is the same.

They hated each other more than other pagans.

‘Even in the game, events often broke out where Sunnis and Shias massacred each other.’

The Assassins had already fought against Saladin and his predecessors.

Then Garnier approached.

“It’s not unreasonable to think they’re all the same. A religion that offers virgins who become pure every day as rewards.”

He snorted and added.

“How big could the difference be even if there is one? If you want to be hugged by a woman all day….”

“….”

I noticed Aig’s face turning red.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

He must be at an age when he’s in the middle of puberty.

The life of a knight with abstinence must be difficult.

I looked at the mountains in front of me.

There weren’t many plains in between.

A rugged mountain range unfolded around the long roads.

There was a reason why the assassins chose it as their base.

Then I felt something strange.

Sensing a presence, I turned my head.

It was behind me.

A faint urgency.

I took out my telescope and looked back.

I could see horses running and dust blowing.

“Something’s coming….”

“Everyone, take battle positions! Is it the enemy, Prince?”

“….”

I focused my mind.

I don’t think it’s the enemy….

As the distance narrowed, their figures gradually became clearer.

Chainmail and yellow flags.

They were Knights of Jerusalem.

“They’re on our side.”

Three red dots on a yellow background.

A flag I’ve never seen before.

The man at the head dismounted.

He strode forward and took off his helmet.

A middle-aged man.

He bowed.

“I barely caught up with the Prince. His Majesty sent me to escort the Prince.”

“I am Count Joscelin.”

Garnier came to my side and whispered.

Joscelin?

A familiar yet unfamiliar name.

After a moment of blanking out, I finally remembered.

The County of Edessa! [A Crusader state in Mesopotamia]

A Crusader state that was destroyed by Islam decades ago.

If he’s Count Joscelin, he must be a descendant of the lord of the county.

He’s practically a count in name only.

I looked at them.

There were definitely few troops to be the Count’s forces.

At most, about twenty knights.

He said with a smile.

“I heard about what you did in Constantinople and Cyprus, Prince. It’s an honor to serve you like this.”

His face was full of scars and wounds.

Like Hugh, an aura of an old general.

“I heard that the Assassins’ base is right in front of us. I’m glad we arrived before it was too late.”

He looked around and said.

“Just looking here, it seems like no one lives here.”

“…Well.”

I looked around.

The strange feeling hadn’t completely disappeared.

The feeling of someone watching.

It wasn’t Joscelin’s group.

Tension, hostility.

Those who would have these feelings….

I sent a gesture signaling battle readiness.

“It seems the landlords have come out to greet us.”