I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 86

The Price of Everything in Rome (1)

* * *

“There are so many ships,” Theodora said.

We stood together, looking out over the docks.

An uncountable number of ships were gathered in the port of Acre.

Acre.

Was this where the Crusaders made their last stand?

In 1291, after a fierce siege, the Crusaders lost this city to the Mamluk Islamic army.

With that, the Crusader states of Outremer (the Levant, a historical region in the Middle East) effectively disappeared.

But the port before us was peaceful and full of life.

We were greeted by cheering crowds wherever we went.

It felt less like a honeymoon and more like an inspection tour.

“These aren’t all the ships here. There are also ships waiting in Cyprus,” Theodora nodded, seemingly accustomed to the cheers.

“And if this relocation is successful, more of the poor will want to come to the Levant.”

“We’ll have to prepare in advance,” I replied.

The ships carrying the migrants were of a familiar type.

The Eastern Roman navy.

The imperial navy relocating its own poor to the Levant.

‘I don’t think I saw an event like this even in the Last Crusaders game,’ I thought.

The people disembarking from the ships moved to their designated areas.

Theodora and I stood together, watching them.

“Numbers 1 through 100, come this way!”

It was like European immigrants arriving in 20th-century New York.

Bult snorted and shook his head.

A procession passed in front of us.

I noticed something strange.

A strong emotion was palpable among them.

Fear and dread.

As the procession passed, a lone girl stood there, a look of utter terror on her face.

That’s what I was feeling.

The girl looked around, then burst into tears.

“It seems we have…” I stopped speaking.

Theodora was already approaching the child.

Luark and I followed her.

Seeing Luark, the girl gasped and hid behind Theodora.

“I think it would be best if Lord Luark stayed here,” I said with a smile. Luark’s impression is a bit fierce, after all.

Luark shrugged.

“I can’t stand children either. They’re always crying and making noise, but then they laugh and chatter again.”

I approached Theodora and the girl.

Theodora said, “It seems she got separated from her parents in the crowd.”

“We could leave it to the soldiers, but…” I looked around.

The soldiers all seemed busy controlling the crowd. They wouldn’t find her properly.

‘Should I step in?’

“I’ll try to find them.”

I closed my eyes and focused my mind.

‘She must be scared and panicked to have lost her child.’

Okay, the feeling of panic is…

There are too many.

Anxiety and tension were felt everywhere around me.

It’s only natural, having migrated to a place they’ve never seen before.

Still, it can’t compare to losing a child.

The most desperate person among them is…

We led the members of the Sacred Tomb Order and pushed through the crowd.

After a few false starts, we finally found the girl’s parents.

“Irene!”

“Father!”

“Where on earth were you?! Your mother and I told you, didn’t we? Never let go of our hands. But…”

The man who appeared to be her father shouted. He belatedly discovered Theodora and me.

“…!”

His face turned as white as a sheet, a look as if he was about to suffocate.

“Th-Thank you so much. Th-That…”

Luark frowned and stepped forward.

“These are Lord Baldwin, Prince of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and Princess Theodora. Such noble people personally looking after your child…”

“That’s enough, Luark,” Theodora said. She approached the girl, who was now in her father’s arms.

“Irene. What a pretty name. Here, this is a welcome gift from me.”

A silk handkerchief.

The girl hesitated, looking at the handkerchief. She soon reached out and took it.

“Thank you, Princess.”

“Go now. Be careful not to lose your parents next time.”

We sent them off and returned to our original spot.

I said, “I’m glad we found her parents. We need to deploy more soldiers to maintain order.”

“We should. We can’t have them separated from their children on their first day here,” Theodora nodded. She continued, “I’m glad we prepared the villages in advance. If they had no homes to stay in…”

“We would have had to drive out the Muslims who originally lived there.”

‘I’m glad we didn’t have to do that.’

That’s what Israel did in the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Jews who founded Israel drove out the original Palestinian Muslims and built illegal settlements everywhere.

Palestinian extremists responded with terrorism.

The problem was that Britain made false promises to both Palestine and Israel in the first place.

Britain, huh.

Come to think of it, my goal right now is to go to England.

I looked at Theodora.

“I would like to entrust the management of the migrants to you while I’m away. It seems that you would be better than the overbearing royal officials…”

“It would be better for me, the Roman Princess, to step in. My imperial subjects like me more too, don’t you think?” Theodora replied with a smile.

‘Did she know I was going to say this?’

“You don’t have to take it on if it’s uncomfortable.”

“As I said before…” She said, “I’m more comfortable being with the people like this than being cooped up in a room. In that respect, Jerusalem is a much better place than the Roman Empire because there’s more I can do. You don’t have to worry about the migration issue.”

“That’s a relief,” I replied. She’s prepared well, so managing it shouldn’t be a big problem.

“Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine even came on a Crusade with her husband. I would love to follow you, Prince, but…” Theodora said, “There’s more I can do here. I can fill your absence, even if only a little.”

“It won’t take that long.”

Silence fell.

No more words were needed.

I took a deep breath.

It was time to go to Europe.

England, France, the Holy Roman Empire, the Lombard League.

What a mess.

‘But at least I don’t have to worry about what’s happening here.’

Theodora, Sibylla, Baldwin IV, and Balian.

Now I had solid allies.

All I had to do was return safely.

I said my final farewell to Theodora.

* * *

“Another ship, huh.”

“Another ship, indeed.”

Two men stood on the docks, glaring at the ships.

Green and black cloaks fluttered in the wind.

Hugh and Aygue.

As if by agreement, they both sighed at the same time.

“Even though I’m used to seasickness, I don’t want to get on another one.”

“Didn’t Lord Hugh sail during the Damietta campaign? I thought you’d be fine now.”

“I was too busy fighting then. I didn’t even have time to feel seasick,” Hugh shook his head. He looked at Aygue. “By the way, you don’t just look worried about seasickness. Is there something bothering you?”

“Of course not,” Aygue scratched his head and replied. “Wherever the Prince goes, I must follow. That’s only natural.”

“You’re not worried about a hidden lover, are you?”

“H-Hidden lover? What are you talking about? I’m a member of the Order…”

“This little rascal is lying,” Hugh laughed heartily. He patted Aygue on the shoulder. “I heard there’s a baron’s daughter who comes to the Hospitaller headquarters every week to pray. Her name was Berengaria, wasn’t it?”

“H-How did you know that…?”

“I have my ways of knowing everything,” Hugh continued to laugh. “Don’t worry, kid. I’m the only one who knows about it for now. But surely you wouldn’t do anything like that inside the headquarters…”

“I wouldn’t do anything so vulgar!” Aygue shouted, his face turning red. “I just happened to meet her and talk to her sometimes while passing through the corridor.”

“Yes, just talking. But if the Order finds out, they won’t let it slide. Your knighthood will be out of the question. You know that, don’t you?”

“…”

“Did you get all worked up after seeing the Prince get married?”

“It’s not like that. At least, that’s what I think,” Aygue muttered.

“What would I be if I were kicked out of the Order? I’m an orphan who only knows how to wield a sword…”

“Decades ago, no one in Europe knew my family. Our family only gained fame after coming to Jerusalem. We were only recognized after fighting and defending the Holy City for decades,” He continued. “That’s how all families start. If you trace their lineage, many have ancestors who were vile robbers. Every king is from a people who were once slaves…”

He added, “Every slave has a king among his ancestors.”

“…”

“I heard that Berengaria’s family has no sons, and her father is too old to have any more children. If you don’t step up, the opportunity won’t come. Look at Lord Baldwin over there,” He raised his hand and pointed to Baldwin. He was standing with Theodora, looking out at the sea.

“If he had stayed still, he would probably still be falconing in the palace. He was only recognized after taking action himself.”

“Are you saying…”

“You should understand after I’ve said this much, you little rascal. You fought so hard when capturing Al-Adil,” Hugh laughed, hitting Aygue on the head. “We don’t have much time left. Always remember that. If the ancient Romans said one thing that was true…”

He tapped his silver mask with his finger.

“It’s that opportunity doesn’t knock twice.”

* * *

Germany, Holy Roman Empire

Würzburg

“Count Hartmann, how was your pilgrimage to the Holy Land?”

“It was a place overflowing with the Lord’s blessings and glory, Your Majesty,” Count Hartmann bowed to his lord, the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick, also known as Redbeard, ‘Barbarossa’.

“I have read the letter you sent me before. Is it true that Prince Baldwin is not very interested in supporting the Pope?”

“That is correct. The rumors about Prince Baldwin were all exaggerations made up by the King of Jerusalem,” Count Hartmann said. “If we give him the right gifts, we can secure Prince Baldwin’s allegiance.”

“Gifts, huh…” Frederick didn’t hesitate for long. The Emperor was a decision-maker.

“I will provide the necessary funds, so execute them according to the Count’s plan. It wouldn’t be a regrettable investment if we could take Jerusalem.”

Emperor Frederick said. His characteristic red beard shook back and forth each time he spoke.

“Those damn Italian cities come before me every time, kneeling and groveling.”

He stood up.

“They shed tears, begging me to save them from the Milanese. What was the price for saving them for decades, pouring in troops and money?!” He shouted.

Count Hartmann and the surrounding vassals all bowed their heads.

“They joined hands with those who tried to kill them and opposed me. To me of all people! The Lombard League is an insult to me! An insult!”

“Your Imperial Majesty is right,” Count Hartmann said. “However, the expedition must be decided carefully. What if the same disaster as last time occurs…”

“The cause last time was insufficient supplies, and we failed to cross the mountains in time because we chose the wrong time,” The Emperor said. “This time, we have prepared as thoroughly as possible.”

“The area between Milan and Rome is like muddy water. We need more troops…”

“Muddy water dries up when the sun rises. There is no need to say more,” The Emperor waved his hand as if he was annoyed. “Send letters to each city and prince!”

Before long, tax collectors were dispatched to various cities. They collected a special tax for war funds.

“His Imperial Majesty has made a decision!”

“Any loyal vassal of His Imperial Majesty should provide knights and soldiers…”

Knights and soldiers prepared their arms.

Blacksmiths forged new spears and armor every day.

“Let’s repay the humiliation suffered by the Lombards!”

It wasn’t just the Germans who were busy.

The Mediterranean was also heating up with new fervor.

“We can make a fortune with just one shipment!”

“The money of Jerusalem is overflowing!”

Large fleets of dozens of ships carried food and supplies from all over the Mediterranean to Italy.

They didn’t know much, just that if they transported the goods, Jerusalem would pay them.