I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 55

Assassin’s Creed (5)

* * *

“Damn it, damn it, damn it.”

Aman ran, panting for breath.

How many hours had passed?

There was nothing visible before him.

Only darkness, trees, and stones.

He hid behind a large boulder.

Sweat streamed down his forehead.

He had discarded his armor long ago.

Aman shivered with cold.

The scene he had witnessed a few hours ago still haunted him.

The infidel warriors [non-believers from the perspective of the crusaders] and Baldwin’s knights pursuing them.

Prince Baldwin’s blazing eyes.

Even his dignified voice.

“Could it really be the Archangel Michael…”

Aman gasped for air.

How else could he have been waiting for them?

The sudden appearance of Joscelin and the knights of Jerusalem.

Aman and his companions, realizing they had fallen into a trap, fled into the darkness.

The pursuit wouldn’t last long in the dark.

But even after running for hours, the pursuit didn’t stop.

The enemies reappeared the moment they thought they had shaken them off.

How many had been captured so far?

Who was still free?

He couldn’t know anything.

Aman trembled.

Then someone grabbed his shoulder.

Aman, gripping his sword, sighed as he saw the other’s face.

“Brother Pelagius.”

“Aman. Are you alone?”

“We scattered one by one along the way. It seems everyone except me has been captured.”

“Everyone captured? How could they in this darkness…”

Aman looked at the leader.

He, too, looked exhausted from running.

“I don’t know, brother.”

“We don’t have time to sit here. We must move quickly.”

“Prince Baldwin was waiting for us. He said he had received a revelation from the Archangel Michael.”

Aman muttered.

“We drew our swords against such a holy man and are now paying the price.”

He added, looking back.

“How else could they find only us in the dark? We should surrender now. Rather than continuing to sin…”

“Don’t talk nonsense. The Prince has allied himself with the infidels. He has abandoned the noble duty of the royal family.”

“Then why isn’t the Lord helping us? We’ve already been captured. We’re next.”

“If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll knock you out and drag you along. So shut your mouth.”

Pelagius shouted.

“They must have brought hounds. Stop being so pessimistic and hurry…”

“They’re over there!”

A shout rang out.

Several arrows struck the boulder behind which they were hiding.

“Draw your sword, Aman!”

“Didn’t I tell you?! We can’t escape! What’s the point of fighting now…”

“Stop! You’re surrounded!”

A shout was heard.

The enemies had already surrounded the boulder.

Aman looked around.

Knights and Assassin warriors emerged, pointing their weapons at him.

“They won’t take me alive! Glory to the Lord!”

Pelagius shouted, swinging his sword and rushing out.

But it was a meaningless resistance.

Soldiers with shields surrounded him like herding a boar.

The soldiers dragged him away, limp, after a melee.

It was right after that that Aman raised his hands and came out from behind the boulder.

“I, I surrender! God have mercy!”

* * *

Even God’s will doesn’t last long, I thought to myself, watching the captured Templar knights.

The morning sun tickled my tired eyes.

The Templar knights all had their heads bowed.

Some were fingering their crosses and muttering prayers.

They looked like prisoners being led to the gallows.

No, they weren’t just like prisoners; they were prisoners.

“Trying to raid the supply train was despicable enough. But to disguise themselves as our Hospitallers…”

Garner approached me and said.

I matched my pace to his.

“It’s a disgrace to the name of the Order. When this news gets out, the entire kingdom will be shaken. His Holiness the Pope will be furious.”

“Especially since the evidence is so clear. They were caught red-handed, so they can’t make any excuses.”

I said.

Raiding the Assassin supply train.

Disguising themselves as Hospitallers [a Catholic military order] on top of that.

Even running away because they didn’t want to be caught.

There couldn’t be a greater disgrace.

It was like they were begging to be killed.

“If we hadn’t stopped the raid…”

I didn’t want to imagine it.

The moment they were attacked, Sinan and the Assassins would have protested.

Losing control would have been a bonus.

They would have stopped the transport and made a fuss to catch the culprits.

‘If I hadn’t had my hunch…’

They would have suspected the Hospitallers, of course.

They might not have realized that Guy and the Templars were behind it.

“All that’s left is the matter of punishing them.”

Garner said.

“The Templars will claim it was the work of rogue members. They’ll act like they have nothing to do with it.”

“It doesn’t matter what the Templars claim. Once this news gets out…”

I shook my head.

I knew more about politics.

When the evidence was this clear, denying it was pointless.

“His Majesty the King will personally pressure the Templars. The Grand Master will have no choice but to step down.”

The Knights Templar must be a model for other crusaders.

Those who raided the supply train and impersonated other orders.

If the current Grand Master resigned, the Order’s committee would convene immediately to elect a successor.

With this happening, the King’s influence couldn’t be ignored.

A pro-King figure would be elected.

Then the connection between Guy and the Templars could be severed.

Political control of the kingdom would shift to Baldwin IV as a bonus.

I got all this without shedding a drop of blood.

‘Obstacles can always be stepping stones.’

This truth I learned at the military academy applies even in the 12th century.

No, there would be blood.

I looked at the Templar knights in the carriage.

“Whatever happens, these guys won’t escape the death penalty.”

“…….”

Then Count Joscelin slowed down and approached us.

“We’ll be arriving at the castle soon, Prince.”

“We’re finally arriving.”

I stretched my creaking body.

Every muscle in my body screamed.

I had been scouring the mountains all night.

The night chase was a new experience for me too.

I told the pursuers the direction the raiders were fleeing as I passed through the center of the hill.

It was up to the Assassins and my knights to chase and capture them.

The two competed to catch the fugitives.

By the end of the chase, my body was soaked in sweat.

“Those guys seemed pretty surprised to see you last night, Prince.”

Joscelin said, pointing to the Assassins.

They glanced at me.

“It’s no wonder. You caught all the fugitives in that pitch-black darkness.”

He continued.

“I’ve heard about Constantinople and Cyprus…”

I could feel awe and amazement.

“This is the first time I’ve seen it in person. Did the Archangel really tell you from the side?”

“There’s nothing easier than catching sinners. It’s what the Lord wanted.”

I said with a smile.

It was no wonder they were surprised.

I was practically running around with night vision goggles on.

I looked at the Assassins.

They quickly turned their heads when our eyes met.

The Assassins follow the Imam [religious leader], a superhuman who wields superpowers.

Were they surprised that I, a heretic, had such abilities?

Sinan will have a hard time.

I wondered how he would explain my abilities to his men.

Would he call it the power of the devil?

Masyaf Castle was visible in the distance.

As we arrived at the fortress, our knights and soldiers rushed out.

They all silently watched the prisoners in the carriage.

The Templar knights were tied up tightly with ropes.

No one spoke, but I could feel their emotions.

Questions and curiosity.

I stood in front of the knights and soldiers.

It’s better to make it clear.

I can’t let morale drop too much.

I pointed to the prisoners and shouted.

“These men have abandoned their duty as knights and turned their swords against their brothers!”

I briefly explained the situation.

The soldiers’ questions and curiosity turned to shock.

And even anger.

Intense emotions.

“But not everyone in the Knights Templar will be punished. From now on, I will personally…”

There was no reason to drive even the rank-and-file knights and soldiers like criminals.

I summoned the Templar knights and checked their emotions one by one.

It was easy to catch the spies among them.

An overly anxious or frightened reaction.

‘These guys are the ones who leaked the route of the supply train.’

I ordered them to be put in separate cells.

There was no separate evidence, but no one objected to my words.

Other knights and soldiers returned to their original positions one by one.

Just as I was thinking that this was roughly over, Garner approached me.

With a very excited expression.

“This is news from the Assassins. They found out through a carrier pigeon from the east.”

Garner frowned and said.

“Masud and Saladin clashed outside the walls of Aleppo two days ago. It’s at a standstill now.”

“What?”

I looked at Garner.

What did Masud do?

“It’s as I said. Masud led his army out of the castle gates and…”

The situation was simple.

Saladin was besieging Aleppo.

But Masud took the lead and led his army out to fight a battle.

“Saladin defeated him, but both armies suffered heavy losses.”

“If that information is true…”

I turned my head.

Masud tried to drive out Saladin but failed and ran back into the castle.

If he had just held out inside the walls, Saladin would have retreated first.

Why did he take such a risk?

Did he gain confidence thanks to my support?

‘With the Jerusalem army pressing on Damascus and Egypt…’

I think he thought he had a chance.

If he had stayed still, half would have gone…

He’s throwing away his chances.

Garner continued.

“If Masud becomes Saladin’s vassal, everything we’ve done here will be for nothing.”

He frowned.

“The supplies we’ve been flying will go straight to Saladin. It’s practically the worst-case scenario.”

“Maybe so. If that happens…”

I replied in a daze.

My mind was already elsewhere.

My head was spinning and burning hot.

‘Masud didn’t surrender immediately after the battle.’

That means it wasn’t a one-sided victory for Saladin.

They must be negotiating the details of the agreement.

This process usually takes several weeks.

One thought flashed through my mind.

A ridiculously dangerous and absurd plan.

But it was possible enough with the cooperation of the Assassins.

‘To get the biggest profit with the safest bet…’

I slowly opened my mouth.

“It could be an opportunity for us.”

“An opportunity? What do you mean?”

“If two lions fight over a piece of meat and get tired, wouldn’t the eagle have a chance?”

I said with a smile.

And I wouldn’t be the only one to notice this.

The Assassins would surely make an offer first.

“Why do you think the Assassins rushed to tell us this news?”

I smiled as I looked at Garner, who was tilting his head.

“I should go wash up first. Sinan will be asking to meet soon.”