The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 52

[Episode 52, Prince of Khwarazm]

Perhaps it was the influence of the drama ‘Genghis Khan’ that I watched on television as a child.

Back then, the Khwarazmian Empire seemed like a minor footnote, a nation destined to be crushed by Genghis Khan.

However, after facing them in battle several times, I began to wonder if the Khwarazmians weren’t inherently weak. Maybe they were simply overwhelmed by the sheer force of the Mongol Empire.

And then there was that young prince, Ala ad-Din.

He was energetic and strong.

-Clang.

With just one exchange of blows, I felt his immense strength in my hands and arms.

‘If Richard hadn’t trained me so rigorously, I would have been knocked flat on my back in an instant.’

Unlike the historically incompetent King John, I had endured harsh training since childhood.

The original King John would have likely lost his head by now, but I, thanks to my training, was holding my own!

‘Hehehe.’

So, I suppressed my laughter and casually observed the battlefield while continuing our duel.

There were mercenaries from the Western Liao [a remnant of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty that fled west after being defeated by the Jurchens] and formidable Islamic warriors from Khwarazm.

Of course, the Khwarazmian Empire wasn’t alone on this front.

There was also the Ayyubid Sultanate [founded by Saladin], arguably the main power in this entire Egyptian region.

Screams mingled with triumphant shouts echoed from all directions.

“There are rewards for every head taken!”

“Cut down the Christians!”

“Allahu Akbar!” [God is the greatest!]

Seeing this fervor, I understood why the Khwarazmian forces had been the dominant power in Central Asia.

-Clang.

The Islamic commander, who blocked my greatsword with a curved scimitar, spoke.

“The Christian warrior is indeed John. Very strong.”

I was gradually becoming accustomed to medieval Arabic and understood what he meant, but I pretended not to.

“Stronger than expected. Prince of Khwarazm.”

I said coolly in Latin. Prince Ala ad-Din didn’t understand the exact meaning of my words, but he seemed to grasp my general sentiment and struck a pose himself.

“You too, Christian prince.”

I now understood why the Romance of the Three Kingdoms [a classic Chinese historical novel] portrayed duels so dramatically.

It’s truly challenging to cross swords with a skilled fighter, and that’s why such duels are romanticized.

Honestly, I had underestimated my opponent.

But as our swords clashed repeatedly, I began to realize something.

‘I’ve been relying too much on brute strength; my swordsmanship is lacking in many ways.’

If I could exhaust him physically and then strike, I might be able to kill this pagan prince.

I could feign exhaustion to lure him in, then launch a swift counterattack.

If that plan worked, I would achieve a significant victory today.

That’s right! For me, an English prince, a prince from a regional power like the Khwarazmian Empire is merely a stepping stone to greater achievements.

-Clang.

Richard’s training was brutal, but now that I’m in actual combat, I understand its importance.

It was the moment when I should be getting tired, but I didn’t get tired.

Yeah, a bratty prince like this is no match for me.

Oh… am I going to hasten the Khwarazmian Empire’s downfall with my own hands today?

I pretended to be cornered, and Ala ad-Din was fooled by my act.

Now, the arrogant Islamic prince was about to fall by my hand.

But unfortunately…

“Your Highness, it’s dangerous!”

-Clang.

Someone warned Ala ad-Din of the impending danger.

A young Khwarazmian commander, who had been cutting down Crusaders, rushed in and saved Ala ad-Din.

Ah.

I almost had him.

“Duke! Your Grace!”

-Clang.

Of course, the knights beside me were already protecting me.

That meant the front lines were being stabilized to some extent.

“What on earth?”

I was so focused on almost killing Ala ad-Din that I hadn’t noticed the battlefield situation.

“Your Highness, it’s the army of the Holy Roman Empire.”

The double-headed eagle flag, symbolizing the Holy Roman Empire.

And the flags of the Prince-Electors [the princes who elected the Holy Roman Emperor] gathered below, as if trying to protect the double-headed eagle flag.

“This is…”

As I trailed off, Godfrey finished the sentence for me.

“It is the power of the Holy Roman Empire, one of the two major forces of the Third Crusade.”

“I am Friedrich, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire! Pagans, surrender the Holy Land!”

In the distance, the aging Friedrich, leading his troops, was sweeping through the Islamic warriors.

Only then did I realize,

Old man Friedrich, no, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

He was just an old man who had been hiding his strength.

Ah, but the army of the Holy Roman Empire was rushing towards Saladin’s position.

“Damn it, cowardly Western Emperor! Everyone, retreat!”

My destined rival, Saladin.

He was about to have a showdown with me, but was startled by the great offensive of Friedrich I’s army and retreated.

**

-Khwarazm Camp-

This battle was a defeat for Khwarazm.

The Crusaders advanced further into the heart of Egypt, and the Islamic forces were pushed back.

Of course, Ala ad-Din was frustrated, not thinking about the overall strategic situation.

Because he had missed the chance to kill the pagan Prince John.

Of course, he already knew that Prince John was the youngest prince cherished by Henry II, one of the leaders of the pagans.

In other words,

If he captured or killed Prince John, it would be a great feat as a member of the Sword of Ismail [a group of assassins].

“Damn it, why did you interfere? I could have killed the pagan prince!”

Prince John, who was about the same age as him, was a tempting target for Prince Ala ad-Din.

“If I hadn’t stepped in… Your Highness would have fallen on the battlefield, and I would have had to bear the responsibility.”

Timur Malik spoke his mind plainly.

“….”

Ala ad-Din, who had been venting his anger, paused.

“We underestimated the army of the Holy Roman Empire too much… because…”

Timur Malik explained the battlefield situation to Ala ad-Din, which he hadn’t fully grasped.

Ala ad-Din, realizing that he was lucky to be alive,

told Timur Malik.

“I’m sorry. I think I was careless.”

“I understand. I’m sure Your Highness also wanted to achieve great deeds.”

As the two warriors from Khwarazm shared their thoughts,

The door of the tent opened.

Saladin, with a weary expression, said to the Khwarazmian officers.

“We must withdraw the troops.”

**

-Egyptian Front, Crusader Camp-

The Crusaders on the Egyptian front, a combined force of the Holy Roman Empire and John’s army, unexpectedly won every battle.

It wasn’t just because of the various contraptions that Prince John had created through the Evil Spirit Society [likely a mistranslation, perhaps referring to a secret society or organization].

It was a victory.

A tremendous victory.

The Crusaders on the Egyptian front were now on the verge of reaching Cairo.

And Friedrich I, the de facto commander-in-chief of this Egyptian Crusade,

called for one of the nobles of the Holy Roman Empire that Saif John was wary of.

“Count of Zülzbach.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The nobleman, as wrinkled as Friedrich I, spoke to his lord cautiously.

“Is it wise to do this?”

Because it was unusual for the usually boisterous, passionate, yet surprisingly abstemious Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire to offer wine.

“Now is the time to drink.”

The old emperor, drinking wine made from Egyptian grapes, said.

“Count of Zülzbach. Do you know why I chose John instead of Henry II?”

“I do not.”

The old nobleman with deep wrinkles pretended not to know.

The old emperor said simply.

“If there are three emperors in one campaign, the command structure will be compromised.”

“Your Majesty, Henry II, who has no connection to Rome, is not an emperor.”

“Yes, that Henry II is not the emperor who succeeded Rome. But Henry II, who has firmly united Southern France and England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, wields authority comparable to an emperor. Ironically, that authority was created by preventing a major rebellion from his sons, but that’s precisely why he shouldn’t be here.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Anyway, enough of that. As I assessed, that man Saladin has no intention of winning the war. He’s only focused on political maneuvering. Are Islamic affairs always so complicated?”

“Islamic affairs are indeed quite complex.”

The Count of Zülzbach gave a wry smile.

Of course, it wasn’t right to criticize only Islam.

How many sects have been purged since the Council of Nicaea [an early Christian council that defined Christian doctrine]?

No, perhaps since the first church opened, there have been countless tragedies born from arrogant faith.

Tragedies that even the secular ruler of Christianity, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, could not prevent.

“…This era is not an era to live by faith. No, was there ever a beautiful time to live by faith?

Even the era of King David, who received God’s love, and the era of Solomon, who received God’s wisdom, were never truly beautiful.”

The Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire claimed that the eras of David and Solomon were not beautiful.

If the clergy heard this,

‘That’s blasphemy!’

‘The glorious era in which God acted…’

They would have foamed at the mouth.

But even if the clergy heard those words, Friedrich I wouldn’t have cared.

Would the shrewd Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, who had driven out the Pope with his own hands, care about the opinions of those clergymen?

Friedrich I smiled cynically.

“Islamic people are tenacious. In the first place, as a people born in the desert, they are resilient and fierce. Because they are the descendants of Ishmael, who had no other choice.”

Ishmael, the firstborn son (though born out of wedlock) who was cast out from Abraham’s tribe due to the birth of Isaac, the legitimate heir.

Friedrich I believed that such survival skills were natural for the descendants of Ishmael.

“But time is on our Crusader side.”

Unlike the relaxed gaze he showed Prince John, the emperor’s eyes were sharp and cold.

“The moment Egypt falls to us Christians, our true power will be unleashed.”

All Christians knew.

That the Diocese of Alexandria is one of the five major Patriarchal Sees of Christianity [the most important bishoprics in early Christianity].

And Friedrich I knew.

‘Something will happen to Saladin soon.’

As the Islamic forces were also a collection of powerful individuals with conflicting interests, just like the Crusaders, he knew that there would be discord.

**

-Syria, Saladin’s Main Base-

Late at night.

Saladin, who was still reading the Quran and contemplating the words of Allah, lay down to sleep.

Around the time Saladin fell asleep, a shadow stirred.

The assassin had carefully assessed all the variables.

The guards, the security measures, and even Saladin’s daily routine.

And the opportunity had arrived.

‘Now is the time.’

The man, who had been disguised for a long time, seized the moment.

He knew that this was the time to complete the mission he had been waiting for.

Carefully drawing a dagger.

Everything would end if he silently assassinated Saladin.

But the assassin never anticipated.

“Have you come?”

That Saladin had been watching his movements all along.

Saladin’s shadow guards subdued the assassin.

“Damn it.”

The assassin tried to commit suicide by biting down on poison, but it was too late.

Saladin, who was supposed to be asleep, rose from his bed, sighing.

“The Caliph isn’t the kind of person who would make such a mistake… ?”

Even though they had been at odds over the Iraq-Persia issue since before the Crusades began,

It would be a blunder to assassinate himself, the key commander of Islam, during such a crucial war.

Then who could it be?

-Ugh.

Immediately, torture began on the spot.

The assassin, trying to suppress his screams, revealed everything.

“I see…”

Saladin wasn’t disappointed after hearing the truth.

‘Those people ordered me to be killed?’

Rather than anger, he felt a sense of pity.

Even if he were assassinated and died at this point, would it really change the overall situation?

After a while.

One of the commanders, having heard the news from Saladin’s shadow guards, rushed in with a worried expression and asked.

“What are you going to do?”

“Send an envoy to Richard and present him with the Damascus sword. And summon ‘him’.”

“Yes, Sultan.”

Saladin’s subordinate gave the order without hesitation, and the Eastern mercenary leader, who had converted from Buddhism to Islam, entered Saladin’s tent.

“Greetings to the Sultan.”

“Well… Warrior of Kitai (Khitan). I need you.”

With those words, Saladin gave the order.

“I will follow the employer’s will.”

The person who was originally employed by Tekish, but was now greeting a new employer, was.

Prince Kuchluk of the Naiman tribe.

Originally, he was supposed to be the leader of the Western Liao after converting from Nestorian Christianity to Buddhism, but he was a unique individual who came to serve Allah thanks to John’s butterfly effect.

‘Damn Ong Khan, Temujin, Jamukha… and Nestorian Christians! I will have my revenge after making profits in the Middle East.’

History has changed significantly because of Saif John.

Of course, it wasn’t necessarily disadvantageous for England.

Land of the Black Desert (1)