I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 67

The Stroll in the Dark (2)

* * *

“I thought you would still be in Cyprus.”

“We heard that the Young Lord was returning to Jerusalem, so we followed immediately.”

Marco said with a bright expression.

I couldn’t help but smile.

I didn’t know if Balian was referring to Marco.

“We are….”

“I persuaded a few colleagues who share my views and brought them along. For the sake of protecting the Holy City of Jerusalem, above all….”

He said, spitting as he spoke.

“Shouldn’t we help the Young Lord?”

“I didn’t know you were so devout.”

I looked at Marco.

The emotion I felt was genuine.

Was he originally such a religious character?

‘The Venetian who helps me will become the future Doge [chief magistrate of Venice]!’

He volunteered for the spy mission after hearing this.

He even took the initiative to bribe the gatekeeper.

Conscience aside, it’s a bit scary.

I hope he doesn’t come later to complain about why he didn’t become Doge.

I cleared my throat.

“So, not only Mr. Marco but all of you….”

I looked at each of the people standing in front of me.

Venetians dressed similarly to Marco.

There were also large Nordic people.

The commonality was that they were all merchants.

“You want to work for me?”

“Yes, that’s right. What are you all doing? Tell the Young Lord quickly.”

“My second son was saved thanks to the ‘Water of Life’ that the Young Lord gave us.”

“My sworn brother, a Varangian Guard [elite unit of the Byzantine army], owes his life to the Young Lord during this rebellion….”

“In Eilat, when the sea tribes attacked….”

Some people spoke in heated tones.

People who had received my help or accompanied me on my journey.

Water of Life must mean oral rehydration solution.

I couldn’t help but smile.

I remembered what Garnier had said.

Healing abilities were only granted to kings, priests, and saints.

I’m not sure if oral rehydration solution and CPR count as healing abilities.

‘Not everyone came to repay my kindness.’

Half of them were sincere.

The rest came looking for opportunities to make money or had a desire for power.

My value has increased quite a bit with this knighting ceremony.

Are they trying to get on my good side?

Whatever their purpose, I don’t care.

There was no need to chase away the apple that fell into my mouth.

“You are merchants. You will hear local information from Europe, the Levant [historical geographical area encompassing the Eastern Mediterranean], and Egypt faster than anyone else. For now, it is enough to just inform me of local trends and information. If you work for me….”

I took a deep breath.

“I will provide you with sufficient compensation.”

The way to handle people was actually very simple.

Give and take.

Give back as much as you receive.

And sometimes give back more than you receive.

The opposite is also true.

Give back as much as you suffer.

No, give back before you suffer.

“Compensation? You don’t have to say that….”

I smiled as I looked at Marco, who said that.

Lies, greed is already creeping up.

They were merchants.

Even if they feel gratitude and appreciation right now, it won’t last long.

Then betraying me would be easy.

Well, I’ll catch them right away even if they betray me.

It was easier to reliably compensate them than to rely on loyalty.

It was the same in the Last Crusaders game and in reality.

Money always solves problems.

The problem that cannot be solved is a lack of money.

There’s no point in saving money now and becoming rich.

I looked at them.

An information organization just for me.

It’s every man’s dream.

Right now, it’s a matter of survival for me.

‘He who controls information, controls the world!’

From emperors, popes, knights, and merchants to farmers and beggars.

You need to have more information to gain an advantage.

I stretched out my arms and yawned.

“Let’s talk about the details later. I will contact you separately in the future.”

I guided them out of the room.

Marco was the last one left.

“You have done a really great job, Mr. Marco. I should check with the Order to see if we can supply additional elixirs.”

“T, thank you, Young Lord! It’s not like I did it expecting any reward, but….”

“And there is one thing I would like to ask of Mr. Marco.”

“Please feel free to tell me anything. There is nothing in this world that I and Venice cannot obtain.”

He thumped his chest and said.

“Weapons? Food? Or any other supplies at any time….”

“I need sturdy logs. As soon as possible.”

“Yes? Logs? We do have a small amount of supplies brought in from the north, but….”

“A little is not enough.”

I said with a smile.

They would be surprised if they heard the amount I needed.

“Because a lot will be needed.”

* * *

One week later

Outside Jerusalem

Golden Gate, Garden of Gethsemane

Dozens of carpenters hammered axes and timber.

The sound of wood splitting echoed outside the workshop.

Passersby glanced at the stone building.

“Is there a war going on? Suddenly so many logs.”

“With that amount, you could build several siege towers.”

It wasn’t just the passersby who were saying this.

The carpenters also moved their mouths non-stop.

“They’re perfect logs for making a boat. It’s a waste to have to cut them like this.”

“I wonder if they’re trying to make a giant cross.”

“I don’t think you could even use what you’re making as a cross? It would break as soon as you hung someone on it?!”

The carpenters burst into laughter.

Young apprentices ran around carrying things and necessary tools.

Beer and wine were also essential.

The work continued in a cheerful atmosphere.

But not everyone was cheerful.

“Hey, watch out! It’s you again! How many times have I told you?!”

Jernal shouted.

He ran up with an ax.

He hit the carpenter’s head in front of the log and shouted.

“What are you going to do if you just use brute force?! What if the ax blade flies off and hits someone? Who will take responsibility?!”

“So I’m adjusting my strength appropriately….”

“That’s your strength control, ha! It would be better to leave it to a passing child.”

Jernal snorted.

“If you want to stick an ax blade in your thigh or head, do it at home. Get out of here! You’re no longer needed!”

The carpenter muttered curses and stood up.

Jernal sighed.

“The Lord is also indifferent. How am I supposed to work with these idiots?”

“By the way, what are you going to use this to make? If you’re making flagpoles, I’d rather….”

“Do you think I’m paying you to ask questions?”

Jernal frowned.

“If anyone is dissatisfied with working, feel free to leave! There are plenty of people who want to work for this money!”

“Who said they were quitting? I just asked….”

The man who asked scratched his head.

Jernal scanned the workshop with hawk eyes.

“How come I don’t like anything? Nothing. And you.”

He walked up to a young carpenter and said.

“You have to nail it in here. What are you going to do if you just hammer it?”

“I can do this much without nails.”

The young carpenter said with a smile.

He swung his knife and ax a few times, and two wooden planks were connected.

“Not bad, not bad. Very impressive. Did you twist and attach this side?”

Jernal said.

“I don’t think you’re from around here. Are you from Europe?”

“I worked as a shipwright in Norway. There, they build ships using only knives, axes, and needles.”

The man smiled.

“You had to be able to build a ship like that to be treated like a real man.”

“You built a ship using only knives, axes, and needles. Interesting. Then make this one too.”

The man who was examining the wood picked up a hammer.

Before long, a plausible wooden stick was completed.

“If you just touch up this part, you can move it the same way with fewer parts.”

The man smiled and asked.

“Are you trying to make a moving flagpole?”

“A moving flagpole.”

Jernal burst into laughter.

He patted the man on the shoulder.

“You seem to be the smartest of these idiots. It’s hard to find someone who keeps thinking while working. Would you like to work as an assistant supervisor? I’ll give you a little more salary.”

Then a cracking sound echoed from the side.

Jernal turned his head and shouted.

“Which idiot caused an accident this time?!”

The bell rang to announce noon.

Bells rang throughout Jerusalem.

Dozens of bells scattered in all directions and soon merged into one sound.

* * *

“It’s already this time.”

Baldwin IV put down the book he was reading.

He fiddled with his mask and asked.

“So Baldwin’s words were ultimately correct?”

“Yes, I have confirmed it through other spies. There is no room for doubt.”

Balian nodded.

“They both contacted Saladin’s spies a while ago. Money also went back and forth. I have taken appropriate measures.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ve taken care of it.”

Baldwin IV said.

“But to find out whether they were spies just by being in the next room. That’s a bit surprising.”

He muttered and continued.

“Alexander the Great claimed to be the son of Jupiter. After conquering Egypt, he intimidated the priests of Jupiter-Ammon there and made them praise him as the son of God.”

He continued to speak.

“In India, when the prisoners told him how to treat poison arrows, he said that the god Jupiter had already taught him in a dream. But no one believed him.”

“But Young Lord Baldwin is the opposite.”

Balian nodded.

“Didn’t you say that the water that healed the sick at the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller [Catholic military order] was originally from a Greek medical book?”

“Scholars and clergy searched for weeks, but that content didn’t come out. That was Baldwin’s excuse.”

Baldwin IV nodded.

“As you said, it’s the opposite of Alexander the Great. Isn’t that why more people are enthusiastic?”

“…”

Silence flowed.

Baldwin IV picked up a cylinder on the table and said.

“This thing that Baldwin made. It’s a very simple structure than I thought. It is completed by making transparent glass in a specific shape and adjusting the distance between the two.”

“I’ve seen some knights use it. It seems to have become an indispensable item in the fleet.”

Balian said.

He accepted the cylinder and continued.

“The victory against the Egyptian navy in Damietta was also….”

“It was thanks to this. They were able to see the enemy first from a distance. Lord Hugh emphasized it several times.”

Baldwin IV burst into laughter.

“Baldwin doesn’t seem to be thinking of using this only in battle. He made me an interesting proposal.”

“You mean….”

“It won’t be of much use even if I explain it.”

Baldwin IV shrugged.

“He said he would show me a demonstration soon. Would you like to go with me?”