I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 91

The Scent of the Cross (1)

* * *

The Alps.

“We’ll reach Vicenza soon, Count.”

“Vicenza, eh? It’s been quite a while since I’ve been back.”

Count Hartmann said, glancing at the procession behind him.

Numerous carriages and knights.

These were warriors who had already participated in several Italian campaigns.

How many campaigns had it been this time?

Fourth? Or fifth?

Emperor Friedrich had even stayed in the Lombardy region for several years.

Some knights felt more comfortable in Italy than in their homeland of Germany.

“Those Vicenza fellows rebuilt their city without the Emperor’s permission. They must pay the price.”

The Count stated.

“Only the Emperor can build cities and collect taxes in the Empire.”

“Vicenza hasn’t finished rebuilding its walls yet,” the adjutant said.

“They won’t be able to resist for long.”

“The key is speed. We must strike before those Lombardy fellows come to their senses.”

Count Hartmann said, looking at the mountains.

The mountain peaks were covered in white snow.

Like a bride wearing a pure white veil.

“It seems we need to increase the marching speed.”

“If we increase the speed any further, the supply train in the rear may fall behind. Many knights are already exhausted, so it might be better to take a rest…”

“No, we must arrive in Italy as soon as possible. News of our advance has already spread throughout Italy.”

He added.

“The Italians may be foolish, but they are good at plotting and betraying, aren’t they?”

“Yet they treat us Germans like barbarians who only care about money, as if they are superior.”

The adjutant nodded.

Hartmann spoke again.

“You’re right. But the authority of the Empire comes from this Italy. That’s why His Imperial Majesty is so fixated on Italian matters, isn’t it?”

“…”

“The Emperor’s authority should come from Germany, not from this distant Italy and the mud of Rome.”

“That will happen once this campaign is over. Rome will no longer be able to hinder the Empire at every turn.”

“Everything is in the Lord’s hands. Let’s hope it turns out as you say.”

“If Prince Baldwin takes the Empire’s side, we can win much more easily. Didn’t you say he was just a puppet of the King [of Jerusalem]?”

“The King of Jerusalem has placed many knights by Baldwin’s side. Balian, Hugh, Garnier. All of them are prominent figures in the kingdom.”

Count Hartmann scoffed.

“They were the ones who saved Constantinople and conquered Hama and Homs, not Baldwin. From what I heard in Jerusalem, Baldwin was a spoiled brat since childhood. He spent all day falconing [hunting with falcons].”

He waved his hand.

“But one day, after talking with the King, he changed completely. Do you really think a person can change in a single day?”

“But would the King of Jerusalem have any reason to spread such rumors?”

“The King of Jerusalem was openly fighting with Count Guy. He was trying to avoid handing over the throne at all costs. If not Count Guy, then who could he give the throne to?”

“Only Prince Baldwin, I suppose.”

“Exactly. But that little rascal doesn’t seem to want to fight.”

Count Hartmann nodded.

His breath turned into white vapor.

The Count stroked his beard and said,

“Still, it’s best to check. If the Prince hasn’t changed his mind, he would have sent someone ahead. If not, we’ll have to consider him an enemy.”

At that moment, a knight approached from the front.

“What is it?”

“There’s some discontent brewing among the mercenaries.”

“Discontent?”

Count Hartmann frowned.

“Tell them we’ll arrive in Italy soon, so they should be patient. Do I have to say even this myself?”

“It’s not that…”

The knight hesitated.

“Then what’s the problem?”

“They’re demanding additional pay. They say their stay in the mountains has been longer than expected, so they should receive additional pay.”

“Additional pay? These bastards…”

Count Hartmann said, his face reddening.

“Tell them we’ll discuss additional pay during the distribution of spoils. The remaining pay will be given after the campaign is ‘over,’ as per the contract.”

“Understood, Count.”

“Those money-grubbing barbarians.”

Count Hartmann muttered.

* * *

Verona.

Upon hearing the news that the Holy Roman army had crossed the mountains, the Lombard League army hastily prepared for battle.

The scheduled jousting matches and tournaments were canceled, and the squires hurried to inspect armor and horses.

The knights and members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre from Jerusalem did the same.

“I have something to say, as I did in Constantinople. Some of you may have fought by my side back then.”

Hugh said to the assembled members.

“What happens here is connected to the fate of the Holy City of Jerusalem. His Holiness the Pope has personally requested the Prince’s help.”

Everyone remained silent, looking at Hugh.

The Pope’s request.

Few could argue against that.

“We are simply doing the work entrusted to us by the Lord. Other than that…”

Hugh continued.

Next to the knights stood the members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

“You bunch of idiots!”

Roark shouted.

“If your ancestors, the Jomsvikings [legendary Viking mercenaries], saw you now, they would be pounding their chests. Did you come here to fight? Or to chase after the skirts of village women?”

Some members burst into laughter.

Roark did too.

He waved his axe and continued.

“Money, women, land! You can get all of that later! It’s practically guaranteed the moment you become a member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.”

The members responded with cheers.

Axes and spears soared high into the sky.

“Once you’ve guarded the Holy Sepulchre and served in the guard, you’ll return home with mountains of silk and gold! And all you’ll need to say is this.”

Roark raised his hand.

“I fought in Constantinople, Jerusalem, and Rome! I fought alongside Prince Baldwin!”

He shouted.

“The villagers will revere you as heroes! Your descendants will call your name forever. Even if you become old and sick, no one will dare to look down on you!”

“…”

“Immortal fame! What greater reward could there be!”

Officers walked among the members, distributing gold coins.

Citizens and soldiers stood around, watching the winged warriors.

The battle was approaching.

* * *

“About fifteen hundred, you say. That’s not a number to be taken lightly.”

I said.

The Holy Roman Empire’s vanguard force numbered about fifteen hundred.

And most of them were heavy cavalry.

A unit composed of the elite of the elite.

“I wonder why the main force isn’t coming all at once. Dividing the forces weakens them.”

“The Alps are not a terrain suitable for a large army to cross at once,” Guido said.

“There are only a few paths to pass through, and it’s difficult for carriages to move around.”

Ah, it’s the Alps, so it can’t be helped.

Even crossing here in the first place would be difficult.

“They can’t even cross the mountains in winter. That’s why Emperor Friedrich always avoids campaigning in winter. The main force will depart soon.”

“It’s frustrating how slow it is to get information,” Aigre said.

Hugh nodded in agreement.

“If only we had the signal towers that the Prince created.”

“We could still build them if we hurry…”

But building signal towers and a situation room here now would take too long.

And there’s no way the Italian communes (self-governing cities) would be able to operate them well.

It would be a relief if information didn’t leak out.

“For now, we have no choice but to use merchants.”

Merchants from Venice and others were constantly providing information about the advance routes and troop sizes.

The Holy Roman army was probably gathering information in a similar way.

“The vanguard itself isn’t a big problem. It’s a bit earlier than expected, but we anticipated it to some extent. The real problem is their direction of advance.”

Guido pointed to the map.

The northeast of Verona, where we were stationed.

The city of Vicenza.

That was their direction of advance.

“Vicenza hasn’t finished repairing its walls since the last war. It won’t be able to withstand a siege for long.”

Guido said.

“If they occupy Vicenza, it will take less than two days to reach Verona. If they ride at full speed, they can arrive in a day.”

“What is the size of the garrison in Vicenza?”

“Only a few hundred. They have some supplies prepared, but they’re useless without walls.”

“That will all fall into Count Hartmann’s hands.”

I nodded.

We have to assume they won’t be able to hold out.

Guido said,

“If we want to protect Vicenza, we must move immediately. If we lead the entire army, they won’t be able to attack recklessly.”

“Probably. But then Count Hartmann will simply pull back his troops and wait for the arrival of the main force.”

I said.

If the difference in strength is too great, they won’t attack recklessly.

There was a high possibility they would retreat immediately.

If that happens, the problem is…

‘It will be revealed that I am firmly on the Pope’s side.’

It might be the Count’s plan to confirm my true intentions.

It would be good if we could defeat the vanguard in advance when we have the chance.

I looked at Guido.

The Podestà (chief magistrate) of Ferrara.

He was a staunch supporter of the Pope.

And he had a favorable impression of me.

I could trust this man.

I explained the situation to him.

The story of how I deceived Count Hartmann in Jerusalem.

“So, the Count thinks you are on his side, Prince?”

“For now, he probably does. But if the Jerusalem army goes to Vicenza, he will change his mind.”

Aigre spoke.

“The situation is more complicated than I thought. If we give up Vicenza, Verona will be threatened. If we go to save Vicenza, the Prince’s true intentions will be revealed.”

“We could send only the other Lombard League forces, excluding us.”

I said.

But then there would be a greater chance of losing to the Imperial army.

The other Italian cities wouldn’t stand still either.

‘They’ll immediately brand me as a coward or a traitor.’

Even if I said it was unavoidable for the sake of psychological warfare, no one would accept it.

It would be like throwing away all the Italian public sentiment I had worked so hard to gain.

Both options would inevitably lead to losses.

I had to think of another way.

Count Hartmann and Emperor Friedrich must have intelligence networks in these Italian cities.

If so, they would know where the armies are coming and going.

Could we use that in reverse?

“I have an idea.”

I leaned forward.

Maybe it would work.

“First, the allied forces, excluding us, will go to Vicenza. And…”

Silence fell after my explanation.

The first to speak was Guido.

“It might be possible. But to succeed, we must proceed without the other cities knowing. The fewer people who know, the greater the chance of success.”

“To deceive the enemy, we must first deceive our allies.”

I nodded.

Then Aigre spoke.

“I will take on the task of finding Count Hartmann.”

“This matter could be life-threatening. If they notice anything…”

“That’s why I must go. You cannot take such a risk, Prince. Nor can Sir Hugh. You don’t need to worry, Prince.”

Aigre smiled.

“I have no intention of failing either.”

* * *

12th Century Italian Knights – Muchener Bilderbogen (Public Domain)