Episode 132
“Kill Marshal? Is that even possible?”
Despite the skepticism lacing his voice, Muhammad struggled to calm his racing heart. This was undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity granted by God, but he needed to verify the credibility of the plan itself.
“Of course, it won’t be easy. We’re not claiming it’s a sure thing. However, our research suggests that targeting Marshal is more feasible than assassinating other kings.”
“Shouldn’t it be the opposite? Marshal is the central figure of the Crusaders.”
“While that’s true, ultimately, the kings value their own lives above all else. The Holy Roman Emperor and the King of France are prioritizing their safety. As for the King of England, he’s too much of a monster to even consider.”
“True, people do tend to value themselves the most. But if Marshal has any sense, he’d have tight security. How do you plan to kill someone entrenched in enemy territory?”
If killing an enemy commander were that easy, assassins would have already dominated the world’s wars. There was too much at stake in this war to blindly trust their words.
“I understand your skepticism. That’s why we wish to meet with His Majesty to explain everything in detail, including our secret strategies.”
“You want to meet the Sultan?”
“Yes. Ultimately, the final decision rests with the Sultan. Though, in the future, it will be you, Muhammad, in that position…”
Their confidence suggested they had something solid to rely on. Without the Sultan’s approval, such a plan couldn’t proceed. Muhammad quickly made up his mind.
He escorted the envoy from Alamut to request an audience with the Sultan, who granted permission to hear the assassins’ detailed plan.
“Decapitate Marshal and strike the Crusaders in their chaos?”
Tekish, the ruler of Khwarezm, initially eyed the envoy from Alamut with suspicion.
“How do you plan to kill the Crusaders’ leaders? If you could, you might have killed me when I attacked Alamut.”
“A sharp observation,” the envoy admitted readily. “For mutual trust, we must disclose everything. Alone, we can’t target the Crusaders or Your Majesty. I admit that.”
“Then why should I trust you?”
“But we’re not acting alone this time. We’ve already secured cooperation from the Syrian Assassins. They’ll share all their resources established in Ayyubid territory.”
“I heard you and the Syrian Assassins are rivals. Why would they cooperate?”
Though the urgency was on their side, the story seemed too unrealistic. The power struggles among the Assassins were well-known, even encouraged by surrounding powers. A unified assassin organization would benefit neither the Sultan nor the Amirs.
And now, suddenly, they’re joining forces? In a war they needn’t involve themselves in? Who would believe such a tale?
Yet the envoy from Alamut remained unfazed by Tekish and Muhammad’s doubts, nodding calmly.
“Your skepticism is understandable. I have no intention of hiding any information, so feel free to ask until all your questions are answered. As for your recent question, we promised the Syrian Assassins significant benefits in return for their help.”
“You offered enough to motivate them? That would be a huge loss for you.”
“We’ll offset that loss with the rewards from Your Majesty. If you accept all our conditions, it won’t be a loss overall.”
“Indeed…”
Even just officially recognizing their status could yield immense benefits. Some Amirs might even conspire with them. It was like inviting a lion into the house, but the potential victory in this war made the risk worth it.
‘In essence, it’s about everyone making some concessions for mutual gain… On the surface, it doesn’t sound entirely unreasonable.’
After observing the envoy for a while, the Sultan sighed lightly and nodded.
“Very well. Even if you fail, we won’t suffer any losses, so proceed as you wish. However, if you fail, we owe you nothing. You understand?”
“Yes. We only ask that you honor the conditions if we succeed.”
“Good. I swear by the name of the Great God, if you truly take the false prophet’s head, I will grant you everything you desire.”
“Understood. We won’t disappoint you.”
The envoy bowed respectfully and left. Watching him depart, Tekish turned to Muhammad.
“What do you think of their proposal?”
“As Your Majesty has clearly drawn the line, we bear no responsibility if they fail, so there’s no loss for us. If they succeed, the Crusaders will collapse.”
“Indeed. But we must avoid assuming everything will go in our favor.”
“True. Even if they succeed, we can’t blindly trust them. We should demand proof… though it’s a slim possibility, Alamut’s Assassins might be plotting against Khwarezm.”
“First, find a way to contact the Syrian Assassins. Verify if they truly agreed to cooperate with Alamut and assess the assassination’s feasibility.”
“Yes, I’ll arrange it immediately.”
“Also, send someone south to monitor the war between the West and the Mongols. If Alamut’s words are true, things might be taking a serious turn, and we should prepare.”
“I’ll look into that as well.”
Muhammad hurried to gather his trusted aides, impressed by his father’s thoroughness.
In alliances, Europe has long valued checks and balances over harmony. The Crusaders, united by religion, were no exception. In fact, it was precisely because of their religious unity that they managed to maintain even a semblance of an alliance.
By the end of this war, the pent-up desires of each nation would inevitably erupt. It was amusing and sad that the signs were already showing.
”…So His Majesty insists on being informed first. After all, the Crusaders’ supreme commander is His Majesty.”
“Of course. Assure him I’ll take care of it.”
“Understood. Should I continue my role as a double agent by His Majesty’s side?”
“Double agent? I’m not opposing His Majesty.”
The Duke of Brunswick, playing the loyal servant to Henry VI, scratched his head awkwardly. During the last meeting, when I proposed a plan to crush Khwarezm, the Holy Roman Empire, France, and England all cheered in unison.
But after the meeting, back in their tents, they seemed to realize something was amiss. Philip II was the first to act. True to his cunning nature, he suggested placing French knights at the forefront in the decisive battle against Khwarezm.
Having avoided direct confrontation to minimize losses, he now wanted to lead in a sure victory? Of course, Philip II didn’t say it outright, but the implication was clear.
Richard made a similar request, asking for support in positioning himself and the English knights in the most prominent, glory-gaining spots.
Though their proposals were similar, their motives differed slightly. Meanwhile, Henry VI was busy laying the groundwork to bolster his prestige and authority.
How to highlight his role as the Crusaders’ supreme commander who crushed the Islamic world was his main concern. Sending the Duke of Brunswick was a transparent attempt to involve himself in my plan.
Their reasons varied, but the core issue was the same: ensuring they gained more than the others.
In the end, everything is relative. Even if one earns a hundred million, if others earn a billion, it feels like a loss. This principle holds true even at the national level.
As Fatima pretended to attend to me, she couldn’t help but let out a curse under her breath as she observed the entire process.
“Do they think you’re some kind of nanny who’ll do whatever they ask?”
“Well, it’s hard to deny that I’ve gained their trust by doing just that.”
“But if you keep giving them everything they want, won’t that cause problems later? People tend to mistake kindness for entitlement.”
Of course, I knew that all too well. There’s no saying that captures human nature better.
“If I kept doing it indefinitely, you might be right. But that’s not going to happen. To be precise, they won’t even dare to think that way.”
“If this war ends as you’ve foreseen, then yes, it might turn out that way… but will they really follow?”
“They won’t have a choice. The stage is almost set. We just need one more condition to be met, and your brother will have to push a little harder.”
“My brother will risk his life to carry out your orders. You’ve already shown him a good way forward, so I’m sure there will be good results.”
Using Alamut to gain Khwarezm’s trust is nearly complete. With Syria’s confirmation, Khwarezm has decided to wait and see how things unfold.
However, to achieve the outcome I desire, this can’t just end as a mere fake assassination plot.
“If Alamut shows any reluctance, tell them that both leaders need to meet face-to-face to assure the Sultan of Khwarezm. They’ll have no choice but to come.”
“Understood. So, are you planning to capture Alamut’s leader and eradicate them completely?”
“If that were the plan, I wouldn’t need to lure out the leader. I’m going to consume them entirely.”
Once I have Alamut, in addition to Syria, I’ll hold the reins of the organization that shadows the Islamic world from east to west.
“That might actually be possible… if it’s you, Apostle. Ah! So that’s why you’re going through all this trouble…”
I simply nodded slightly in response.
Even that small gesture was enough to stir not only Fatima but also the assassins lurking in the shadows, guarding me.
No matter how formidable Alamut’s leader might be, once captured, the game is over.
Even those with unyielding spirits, impervious to torture, persuasion, or threats—especially those with strong faith—will become easy prey before me.