I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 78

Became the King of the Crusades – Episode 78

The Holy War and Relief (3)

* * *

Northern Italy

Verona

Pope Lucius looked at the bishops before him.

They all held documents awaiting his review.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the white priestly robes.

“The Emperor Friedrich sent a letter?”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

Cardinal Homberg bowed his head.

He knelt before the Pope and handed him the paper.

“He sends one almost every week now. And always about the same issue.”

Pope Lucius said, looking at the letter.

He murmured as he read the words.

“The issue of Countess Matilda’s territory. Not surprising.”

“The territory of Tuscany…”

“He hasn’t forgotten the humiliation of Canossa [where Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV did penance before Pope Gregory VII]. Just as you said last time.”

Pope Lucius said.

He rose to his feet.

“Demanding that Tuscany be handed over to him entirely. Isn’t that practically saying he’s coming to reconquer Italy?”

“But would the Emperor really go that far…”

Another bishop said.

“He’s the emperor who brought his army to Rome a few years ago. The Tuscany issue might just be an excuse. Offering to share a little of the revenue in exchange for giving up the rights.”

The Pope scoffed.

He continued.

“Eastern Rome. Emperor Friedrich is becoming more desperate because of Eastern Rome.”

“You mean…”

“Emperor Alexios of Greece (Byzantine) is stabilizing the empire and gathering troops…”

Pope Lucius closed his eyes and said.

“Isn’t it natural for Emperor Friedrich to feel a sense of crisis? The Emperor is trying to restore the balance between the two empires by taking Italy. Tuscany is just a pretext.”

The bishops all lowered their heads, silent.

Silence fell.

The sound of birds chirping could be heard from outside the window.

“As I said in Rome…”

The Pope opened his mouth.

“We need a symbol to unite the Christians of Europe now. There is no better person than Baldwin of Jerusalem.”

He continued.

“We must somehow get young Baldwin here. Has there been a reply from Jerusalem yet?”

One of the bishops standing behind stepped forward.

He knelt before the Pope.

“This morning, a letter arrived from Jerusalem, Your Holiness. Sent directly by the King of Jerusalem…”

“No need to say more. I’ll read it myself.”

Pope Lucius took the letter.

His eyes moved up and down as he read the words.

Silence fell again.

The bishops all waited for the Pope’s reaction.

Then the Pope burst out laughing.

He put down the paper and waved his hand.

The bishops all tilted their heads and looked at him.

“What on earth…”

“He’s asking for more carrots, saying the previous ones weren’t enough. But I can afford to give him this much.”

The Pope smiled faintly.

“Summon the bishops in charge of the Knights. We will send a reply after the meeting.”

* * *

Jerusalem

Headquarters of the Knights Templar (Al-Aqsa Mosque)

Knights and squires.

The sound of soldiers training echoed.

Spears, swords, and shields clashed, making a loud noise.

Old knights in charge of training shouted and ran around.

Inside the headquarters, there was a rustling sound.

The sound of priests writing documents, prayers, and Bibles deep inside.

Blacksmiths and citizens who came to pray also moved their steps, murmuring.

Dozens of knights on horseback stopped in front of them.

“Don’t forget and keep in mind, everyone.”

Hugh said, getting off his horse.

Dozens of knights followed him off their horses.

Lazarus, Knights Hospitaller.

Green and black cloaks fluttered in the wind.

“We are executing the orders of His Majesty the King. We must not show hesitation.”

The knights all nodded.

The sound of chain mail clattering echoed.

Hugh and the knights strode towards the main gate of the headquarters.

A priest smiled and approached them.

“Aren’t you Sir Hugh? What brings you here today…”

“Everyone, go inside and secure the data! You may arrest those who resist!”

Hugh shouted.

At the same time, the knights pushed into the main gate.

“What is this! Stop them!”

“Protect the headquarters! Don’t let them in!”

The surprised Templars and squires shouted.

The priests as well.

They rushed out in their gray priestly robes and blocked Hugh’s party.

Shouts erupted from everywhere.

Those who were training ran over with spears and swords.

In response, Hugh and the knights drew their swords.

A confrontation ensued.

Citizens flocked and excited horses kicked the stable walls, snorting.

“Sir Hugh! What on earth are you doing!”

A Templar in a white coat stepped forward.

Long beard and graying hair.

“Trying to raid the Knights headquarters? Are you out of your mind?”

“Out of my mind.”

Hugh scoffed loudly as if to make sure everyone heard him.

He waved his hand.

“The knights who committed robbery to earn a few bucks are the ones who are out of their minds.”

He shouted.

“And they pointed their swords at someone as noble as Prince Baldwin. Isn’t that so?”

“What nonsense! Wasn’t it determined that it was just a few members’ indiscretions?”

A Templar shouted.

Other members nodded and stepped forward.

“Get out of here!”

“You’re the ones who should step back!”

As Hugh strode forward, the Templars all stepped back.

Hugh scoffed again.

“Aren’t you afraid of the Lord, but afraid of leprosy [a reference to the Knights of Lazarus]?”

He took out a piece of paper from his arms.

“This is an order directly from His Majesty the King! The Knights Templar must faithfully cooperate with all necessary investigations!”

He waved the paper in the air.

“Are you now refusing to obey the orders of the sacred city, His Majesty the King of Jerusalem?”

“…”

The Templars looked at each other with bewildered expressions.

Silence fell again.

“Now, don’t interfere and step aside!”

Hugh gestured to his knights.

They pushed the Templars aside and entered the headquarters building.

“Paper, parchment, papyrus. Not a single one should be missing! Take them all! Drag out all the stone slabs too!”

Hugh shouted.

Documents and books were loaded onto carts one by one.

“Anyone who hides ledgers and registers will be considered a criminal and severely punished!”

Some priests tried to burn the documents, but failed due to the knights’ obstruction.

The Templars stood outside the headquarters, staring blankly at the scene.

Before long, dozens of carriages were filled with paper.

The gathered citizens murmured as they watched the scene.

“What on earth is going on?”

“I don’t know either. Some Templars recently…”

“Is there something to see? Everyone, go back!”

Hugh shouted at them.

He shook his green cloak and sighed.

“Garnier always slips away when there’s hard work to do.”

* * *

“There’s more than one place where the ledger doesn’t match. At this point, it’s practically blatant.”

Hugh said, taking off his mask.

His forehead was furrowed.

He looked at me with his good eye and continued.

“I haven’t even checked half of it yet. But that’s how much has come out so far.”

“It’s a bit shocking.”

I muttered, reading the documents.

I expected it to some extent, but this is too much.

Stealing money from the vault is basic, and even secretly selling grain received from farmers in the market.

Moreover, it wasn’t just one or two people who did this.

From high-ranking officials to lower-ranking officials.

Even some knights were involved.

“They stole a lot even after rebuilding Eilat.”

Eig said.

The guy scratched his head.

“It seems easier to find a place that hasn’t been touched.”

“I expected it to some extent, but…”

The policy promoted to rebuild Eilat.

Remotely transferring money from merchants to the Knights’ fortress.

I didn’t know they would touch this too.

Arbitrarily taking commissions in the middle or colluding with merchants to falsely remit money.

There are various methods.

This is all I’ve found out so far.

I can’t even imagine how much money they stole from the European branches.

‘It’s no wonder Philip IV suppressed the Knights Templar for corruption and sodomy.’

In the original history, the Knights Templar disappeared because of Philip IV, King of France.

The French king’s purpose was simple.

The vast funds held by the Knights Templar.

The Knights Templar eventually disappeared due to harsh torture and suppression.

I don’t know about sodomy, but corruption is certain.

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God [Matthew 19:24].”

Hugh muttered.

“They even took money from retired knights to do this. At this point, I would believe that they were running a brothel in the Knights.”

He let out a hollow laugh as if he was dumbfounded.

“No, a brothel would have been better.”

“…”

I looked at the documents.

Corruption is inevitable in any bureaucratized organization.

Capitalism, communism, democracy, authoritarianism, totalitarianism, etc.

Corruption existed in any system.

The difference is the degree of corruption and whether they hide it or pretend to improve it.

There must be those who commit corruption in the Knights Hospitaller and the Knights of Lazarus.

They must be trembling after seeing this.

It’s also appropriate for disciplining.

“Sir Hugh, the Knights of Lazarus and the Knights Hospitaller will not be free from this responsibility.”

I said.

“Tell them to punish the criminals on their own as a result of this incident. I have no intention of forgiving those two either.”

Hugh nodded.

“Of course, Prince.”

“It was an investigation that started to fix the Knights Templar, but…”

I said.

Since there is so much evidence, there is no need to fabricate it, and it is easy.

I recalled what Baldwin IV had said.

The task he entrusted was simple.

Punishment of the Knights Templar.

And preliminary work for integration with other Knights.

If the Knights are integrated, they will be able to reduce the infighting.

At the same time, it fosters the King’s faction within the Knights.

“Now, Patriarch Heraclius will slowly step forward. He will take the lead in criticizing the priests’ indiscretions and corruption.”

I said, getting up.

“And I will present this evidence. All of this must proceed according to plan.”

Time.

I shouldn’t give the Knights Templar time to respond.

“First of all, let’s arrest all those with clear evidence. I’ll take care of the rest.”

I’ve caught so many spies, so there’s no reason why I can’t catch scammers.

If I say I’ll reduce the punishment, they’ll be busy accusing each other.

I wonder how many will come out.

Hugh nodded.

“I understand what you mean. But there is one thing I’m worried about…”

He looked at me and asked.

“The Knights are organizations that, in principle, follow the orders of His Holiness the Pope. What if Rome takes issue with this…”

“You don’t have to worry. That won’t happen.”

I answered with a smile.

I need it in Rome anyway.

I’ve already worked on that side in advance.

“I’ve already planted the seeds and watered them.”

I poked the table with my finger.

Guy is in hiding.

Renaud was hit hard by the last incident.

No one would rashly step forward.

The Knights Templar are isolated.

And the evidence is clear.

If the voices criticizing the Knights Templar grow louder….

“All that’s left is to harvest with a sickle.”

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