I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 88

Became the King of the Crusaders – Episode 88 (88/215)

Everything in Rome Has a Price (3)

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“His Holiness the Pope told me not to come to Verona. I have no idea what’s going on.”

Eig sighed.

“If those clergymen weren’t trying to deceive us….”

“That wasn’t it.”

I shook my head.

It wasn’t a lie.

It was the delegation sent by the Pope.

What they had to say was also true.

I can’t fool my intuition, if nothing else.

The Pope was reluctant for me to come to Verona.

‘It’ll be at least a few weeks before Emperor Friedrich crosses the Alps.’

He didn’t even tell me the reason why I shouldn’t come.

What is the reason?

I looked outside the tent.

Wig was guiding the clergymen to various parts of the tent.

Actually, it was more like stalling for time until I could figure out the situation.

“And they looked afraid of me. Very afraid.”

“Afraid of you, Master? They came to help His Holiness the Pope in the first place, so why would they be afraid?”

“Let’s think about the reason.”

The facts were the facts.

Thinking emotionally wouldn’t lead to any conclusions.

I had to calmly figure out the cause.

Think, let’s think.

I know roughly what kind of mindset medieval people have.

“His Holiness the Pope called me here to Italy. In return, he even helped with the Knights issue.”

But as soon as I arrived, he suddenly told me not to come.

Unless he suddenly changed his mind….

Someone else might have put pressure on him.

Someone who could pressure the Pope right now.

“The cities of Lombardy.”

“Yes?”

I tapped the map on the table with my finger.

The pro-Papal cities of northern Italy.

“These cities pressured His Holiness the Pope. They wanted us to stay in this port.”

I said.

These cities also had a big influence on the election of the Pope.

They’re the only ones who can pressure or persuade the current Pope.

“But didn’t you come to fight Emperor Friedrich with them? But why….”

“Maybe they doubt our intentions.”

I recalled my memories of playing Last Crusaders.

The Lombard League.

It sounded grand, but they were just a loose coalition.

They were nominally vassals of the Holy Roman Empire, but they fought against Emperor Friedrich over autonomy.

Verona, Vicenza, Venice, Vercelli, Genoa, Milan, Cremona, Ferrara, and so on.

In fact, most of the cities in northern Italy.

There were quite a few cities that were on the Pope’s side one day and on the Emperor’s side the next.

‘They weren’t trying to become completely independent from the Holy Roman Empire.’

Rather, it was closer to a fight to have their privileges recognized.

It’s like a jobless son who lives in his parents’ house but doesn’t want to be interfered with.

In the first place, the animosity between the cities was too deep to become a single country.

Completely subjugating these Italian cities was one of Emperor Friedrich’s lifelong goals.

Is this the sixth expedition?

“With the troops we’ve brought, we can easily occupy any Italian city. No single city has this many troops.”

“Or they might suspect that you’ve joined hands with Emperor Friedrich.”

Eig nodded.

“The Emperor’s side may have spread such rumors first. To drive a wedge between you and the Lombard communes (self-governing cities).”

“You’ve become very sharp, Eig.”

“I learned from a great teacher.”

Eig smiled and replied.

I nodded.

“The cause is probably one of the two. Or maybe both.”

It might have become known that I was on friendly terms with the Holy Roman Empire delegation.

Eig scratched his head.

“Then what should we do now? We can’t just wait here at the port indefinitely.”

“We don’t have time to play around here.”

I nodded.

The situation was such that every single day was precious.

“But if we take the army straight to Verona….”

“It might look like we’re threatening His Holiness the Pope and the Lombard League. We might end up fighting each other before fighting the Empire.”

“Emperor Friedrich would be the only one happy.”

“….”

I tapped the table.

In fact, the way to overcome this situation was simple.

To show our sincerity without hiding anything.

To do that, we’d have to go to Verona in person.

“We can’t take the army. That would only increase the suspicion of the other cities. Instead, we’ll have to go with only a few escorts.”

“Are you saying you’ll go yourself, Master?”

“Then I’ll have to go myself.”

No matter how suspicious they are, they won’t stop me from coming alone.

There was no better way to show my sincerity.

“If His Holiness the Pope takes the lead, the other cities won’t be able to continue to oppose it.”

“Then I’ll go prepare the escort now.”

“Wait.”

I raised my hand.

Simply me going to Verona alone.

Would that be enough?

It felt like something was lacking in impact.

I needed something definite to show the Lombardy cities.

A decisive blow they couldn’t refuse.

What I have in my hand right now….

“We’ll have to take that with us too.”

“That? What are you talking about?”

“We have a hidden card prepared for times like this.”

I said with a smile.

Eig tilted his head.

After a while, his eyes widened.

“Are you talking about the Cross….”

“Yes, we’re going to take the Holy Cross.”

A sacred object.

There’s nothing more powerful than this.

* * *

Verona

“So, you’re saying we should entrust everything to a kid from Jerusalem? Just because he brought the most troops? I absolutely disagree.”

“Just because? We’re in a situation where every single soldier is precious right now. The Emperor will bring at least tens of thousands of troops, and we won’t have a chance with just us.”

“If Duke Baudouin really intends to help us, I welcome him. But I can’t ignore the rumors that he made a secret deal with the Emperor.”

Second floor of the Atania Church.

Dozens of men were talking in heated tones.

The wooden floor creaked every time they stood up and sat down.

Servants bustled about, carrying glasses of wine.

The podestas (chief magistrates) and prominent nobles of each Italian city.

They gathered in this conference room representing their respective cities.

Comrades who defeated Emperor Friedrich in Legnano a few years ago.

Guido of Landriano was also one of them.

He participated in the meeting as the podesta of the city of Ferrara.

Guido stood up and said.

“Rumors are just rumors. If Duke Baudouin had joined hands with the Emperor, why would he have brought troops all the way to Italy?”

“The King of Jerusalem may have ordered him to do so. Who knows what Duke Baudouin’s intentions are?”

“The fact that he brought so many troops is suspicious in itself. Unless he has other intentions….”

“The Kingdom of Jerusalem doesn’t have the leeway to meddle in Italy right now. Even a baby would know that.”

Guido said.

He frowned and looked at the nobles and officials.

They looked terrified.

It was like looking at cowards suffering from paranoia.

They defeated the Emperor’s army six years ago, but nothing had changed.

The cities still suspected each other.

“Jerusalem desperately needs the help and support of His Holiness the Pope. Then isn’t it understandable that he brought so many troops?”

“We don’t need the army of Jerusalem in the first place! We defeated the Emperor without their help before!”

“The Emperor will bring more troops than last time. He probably won’t repeat the same mistake. We can’t fight hoping for luck.”

The podesta of Cremona leaned forward and said.

He glared at the audience.

“Either way, we’ll soon find out what Duke Baudouin’s intentions are. If he stays in the port, he’s on our side. If he invades Verona, he’s our enemy.”

He continued to speak.

“It’s just a waste of time for us to talk among ourselves like this now. Let’s discuss other matters.”

“To keep the army that came to support us tied up in the port. That itself is an insult to Duke Baudouin and Jerusalem.”

Guido frowned and said.

He waved his finger at the podesta of Cremona.

“If Duke Baudouin changes his mind after receiving this insult, what will you do then?!”

“….”

Silence flowed through the conference room.

Everyone was just looking at each other, and no one opened their mouths.

“Let me ask you all honestly.”

Guido opened his mouth again.

He looked at the audience.

“Everyone knows that Duke Baudouin is popular among the Italian citizens. From rural farmers to court minstrels, everyone is talking about Duke Baudouin.”

He added.

“Since that Baudouin came to Italy in person. Aren’t you afraid that he might take over one of your cities? Or that the influence of His Holiness the Pope will become too great….”

“What nonsense!”

“Stop talking nonsense, Guido! Even if you’re a hero of the Battle of Legnano, there’s a line.”

“Our Italian families have been ruling this Italy since before the Holy Roman Empire and the Emperor were even created! We’re not afraid of some kid!”

The men shouted, their faces red.

Guido waited for the excitement to subside.

“Then what reason is there not to accept Duke Baudouin as our brother and comrade? Let’s invite him to Verona!”

“….”

Again, a deathly silence flowed.

“Guido, you’re still young. The younger you are, the more you tend to see things simply.”

The podesta of Cremona opened his mouth.

He shook his hand from side to side.

“If we lose this battle, Emperor Friedrich will try to destroy all the Lombardy cities. As such, we must make a decision as carefully as possible, shouldn’t we?”

“Just like you Cremona destroyed our Milan?! Did you make a careful decision back then?”

A nobleman from Milan scoffed.

“Decades ago, you sided with the Emperor and destroyed the beautiful and peaceful city of Milan. You drove even innocent children and women out of the walls and destroyed the walls, houses, and cathedrals, didn’t you?!”

“Then didn’t you Milan plunder and burn the city of Lodi? You burned down all the surrounding orchards as well.”

The podesta of Cremona also scoffed as if to be heard.

“You Milan people act like you’re saints. You should be ashamed!”

“Lodi was a band of thieves who plundered other cities using the authority of the Emperor! That was just a legitimate retaliation!”

“A legitimate retaliation! If you don’t take back those words right now…!”

This time, a person from Lodi stood up and shouted.

Finger-pointing continued endlessly.

The Milanese to the Cremonese.

Genoa to Venice.

Vercelli to Ferrara.

Guido sighed as he watched the scene.

“It looks like we won’t get an answer today either.”

Then a soldier entered the conference room.

Everyone’s eyes turned to the soldier.

“What’s going on?”

The soldier stammered as if trying to find the right words.

“Duke Baudouin….”

“Duke Baudouin? What did that guy do?”

“Duke Baudouin is said to be coming here to Verona now.”

Silence flowed.

All the nobles looked at each other with surprised eyes.

Guido looked at the soldier and said.

“Tell me again slowly. Everything without missing a single detail.”

* * *

Gustave Doré – Holy Cross (Public Domain)