I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 58

Two Cities Story (3)

* * *

Bult exhaled sharply.

I looked ahead.

The citizens of Hama were mostly in disbelief that their city had been captured.

The knights and soldiers were the same.

They seemed more like tourists than conquerors.

I marched down the center of the street, guarded by soldiers.

Nine days.

That’s all it took to capture Hama.

Count Joscelin and his knights infiltrated through the sewers and opened the city gates….

Not long after the gates opened, the city council surrendered.

In fact, they welcomed us.

The internal conflict between Sunni, Shia, and Ismailis had become so severe that they welcomed an external force.

The Christian citizens also welcomed us.

Upon entering the city, we focused on restoring order.

Now, two days later.

I was marching down the center of the street, guarded by soldiers.

So was Holmes.

The Tripoli knights and soldiers crossed the outer walls and entered the city.

I heard the citadel hadn’t fallen yet….

But it probably didn’t matter.

With the outer walls and the city in our hands, it was practically conquered.

Aig approached me, smiling.

“Not putting any iron bars in the sewers. It’s really foolish the more I think about it.”

“Everything made by humans has flaws. The important thing is finding them.”

I replied with a smile.

I remember now.

A similar anecdote from Europe.

‘Château Gaillard.’ [A famous French castle known for its strong defenses.]

King Philip II of France besieged Château Gaillard but made little progress due to the strong walls.

Then a soldier stepped forward.

A snub-nosed soldier famous for his sense of smell.

That soldier found a hole in the wall.

A sewer hole without iron bars.

The French army infiltrated through it and finally captured the citadel.

The king even knighted the soldier himself.

Knighted for smelling well.

I still remember everyone bursting into laughter during class.

By the way, Philip II.

He was also a person of this era.

I wonder how old he is now.

Probably similar to me.

I might meet him soon.

Then Aig shrugged and said.

“The castles in the Levant [historical geographical area roughly equivalent to modern-day Middle East] were built decades, even centuries ago, so it’s not surprising.”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen such a peaceful occupation, Your Grace.”

Count Joscelin approached with a smile.

“If we had a long siege, the atmosphere wouldn’t be like this.”

“Probably.”

I nodded.

Traditionally, after capturing a city after a long siege, looting was allowed for three days.

But it’s different when you occupy it without much damage like this.

Only the defending soldiers and nobles were captured for ransom.

Ransom, huh.

It’s absurd to think about it from a 21st-century perspective….

But this is the 12th century.

They should be grateful they’re not being killed, let alone having a Geneva Convention.

I looked at the prisoners tied up on one side of the street.

Capturing high-ranking nobles as prisoners was a gold mine in itself.

‘So it’s ironic that fewer people are killed.’

The streets were quite calm thanks to that.

There were quite a few Saracen [Medieval term for Arab Muslims] citizens walking around the market.

“It wouldn’t have been possible if the Count hadn’t been at the forefront.”

I said with a smile.

Otherwise, I would have had to take the risk and go myself.

“I’ll entrust the defense of this place and Holmes to Count Joscelin. This place may not be Edessa [An ancient city in Upper Mesopotamia], but….”

I added with a smile.

“We need a great leader to defend the city from the Saracens. His Majesty the King will also approve.”

“…….”

Joscelin closed his mouth and looked at me.

I could feel his heart pounding.

“Hama and Holmes. I never dreamed things would turn out like this when I went to escort Your Grace.”

“Sir Garnier and Sir Hugh said the same thing.”

I said with a smile.

Both of them initially met me as my escorts.

Now they were my comrades, colleagues, and helpers.

Count Joscelin was the same.

A pro-King faction, he was worth bringing over to my side.

He was at the forefront of the Knights Templar arrests and the capture of Hama….

He was qualified enough.

Count Joscelin.

The unfortunate count who lost his territory to the Muslims at a young age.

Hama and Holmes.

There was no better gift to make him my ally.

I had no intention of staying here.

“Indeed, Your Grace must have received the blessing of the Archangel.”

Joscelin burst into laughter.

“Who but Your Grace could have won over the Assassins and stopped the Knights Templar?”

“….”

I gave a faint smile.

It was a continuous tightrope walk that felt half-crazy.

I don’t think even games had such crazy situations.

“To think that I, who lost Edessa, would have such an opportunity. The Lord truly shows destiny in mysterious ways.”

“It won’t be easy to defend these places.”

I said.

In fact, this place was practically a death zone….

Sunni Islam above and below, and the Assassins to the west.

It was a position where we had to keep fighting.

“Nothing is easy. But it’s okay now. We have plenty of supplies coming in….”

He said.

“And there’s the army of Tripoli. The problem is Saladin. When he hears that Hama and Holmes have been captured, he’ll bring his army right away.”

“Even if he lays siege, it won’t last long. We’re putting pressure on Damascus and Damietta.”

I said.

Not long ago, news of victory came from Damietta.

The allied fleet led by Ruark and Hugh defeated the Egyptian navy.

The pressure on Damietta continued.

“The Assassins will let us know when Saladin’s army is advancing. We’ll have time to prepare until then.”

“I should tell them to install iron bars in the sewers first.”

“I’ll have to check from below when I go to the bathroom from now on.”

I replied with a smile.

* * *

Aleppo

Palace

“Masoud Atabeg. You have ruthlessly trampled on the goodwill I have shown.”

Saladin said.

A calm look in his eyes and a well-groomed beard.

His expression was the same as always, without any signs of excitement.

“And you even turned your sword against your fellow Muslim brothers, benefiting the infidels.”

“Me, benefiting the infidels! No one has fought harder against the Franks than I have!”

Masoud stood up and said.

His arms trembled.

All the surrounding officials watched the two in silence.

“Saladin, you once served my father as your lord, didn’t you? What right do you have to criticize me, his son?”

“Your father was a great general and leader. At the same time, he was a warrior who led the Jihad [A holy war waged by Muslims against non-believers]. But you are walking a different path from him. I am only trying to guide you back to the glory of the Jihad.”

Saladin continued to speak.

“Driving the Franks out of this land and returning Al-Quds (Jerusalem) to the Muslims. Isn’t that the most important thing?”

“O-of course.”

“I heard that you received support from the Kingdom of Jerusalem this time.”

“Support?”

Masoud frowned.

“I only bought food and supplies from them. If Saladin hadn’t brought his army, I wouldn’t have done that.”

“Reaching out to the infidels because you’re afraid of your own brother. There’s no greater disgrace than this, Atabeg.”

Saladin crossed his arms.

“And you came with an army to ambush me while talking about peace in front of me….”

“I already explained it!”

Masoud wiped the sweat from his forehead and said.

“That was done by one of my generals on his own! I punished him for it.”

“….”

Silence fell.

“I understand. But there are still problems with Aleppo and other cities.”

“Aleppo is now Saladin’s city. Take Hama and Holmes, and all the southern cities. But Mosul is still….”

“I have no intention of taking away your rule of Mosul, Atabeg. Take your money and property and go to Mosul. But you must remember this.”

Saladin gave a faint smile.

“You swore before the Muslim faithful to join the Jihad. If you hesitate even after receiving my request, then all the Muslims in the Levant will judge you.”

“…I will keep that in mind.”

“Then let’s have a festival. We should celebrate that brothers have stopped fighting and joined hands again, shouldn’t we?”

Saladin clapped his hands, turned around.

As he left the hall, Taqi al-Din, Saladin’s nephew, approached.

“He was trembling with fear.”

“What a foolish fellow. I’d rather teach a pig to talk than have a conversation with someone like him.”

Saladin nodded.

“To blame his failures on his subordinates. Who would follow him now?”

“If the Atabeg was only half as good as my uncle, this place, Aleppo, would have been an impregnable fortress.”

Taqi waved his hand and said.

“With this, Aleppo and the north are in your hands, Uncle. It has been done as Allah wills. But are you really not going to punish that guy?”

“He’s so humiliated that he won’t even dream of rebelling against me.”

Saladin nodded.

“Swinging my sword for no reason will only scare others. Now is the time to unite our strength. First, let’s go back to Damascus….”

“I will personally drive out the Jerusalem guys. They’ll run away with their tails between their legs as soon as they see us.”

“….”

Saladin was silent.

He muttered.

“The spies’ reports are too fragmented. If the Assassins have joined hands with the Franks…. I’m also worried about the disconnection with the south.”

Saladin continued to speak.

“Once this expedition is over, I’ll have to deal with the Assassins first. I’ll have to declare a new Jihad first. Like this….”

Then a messenger in armor stopped in front of the two.

He said, panting.

“Commander of brave warriors. This is a report just in from the southern scouts. It’s hard to believe, but….”

“Unbelievable reports are always right. What is it? Tell me quickly.”

Saladin sighed.

“Time is of the essence now.”

“A urgent report that the Franks captured Hama and Holmes a few days ago….”

Saladin and Taqi both looked at each other.

An awkward silence flowed.

“Hama and Holmes have been captured? By the Franks?”

Taqi shouted.

“Their main force should be in Damascus now. What army attacked those places?!”

“All I heard was in the report….”

“Go and check it yourself, Taqi.”

Saladin frowned.

He fiddled with the scabbard at his waist.

“Hama and Holmes. Were they aiming for those cities from the time they delivered the supplies?”

“But the banquet here is….”

“There’s no time to enjoy the banquet now.”

Saladin shook his head.

“Go and gather a scouting party right now. Take plenty of horses with you. Don’t stop until you confirm the situation.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“If it’s a Frank who would join hands with the Assassins….”

Saladin sighed, watching his nephew rush out.

“It can only be him.”