Episode 138

If you had to name one of the most sensitive conflicts in the world, it would undoubtedly be religion.

Over time, religious conflicts often morph into ideological ones, but in the grand scheme of things, isn’t religion just another form of ideology?

When even parents and children can be torn apart over ideological differences, how much more so for a lord and his vassal?

So, it was only natural for Nur al-Din to be in a rage, threatening to kill his subordinate on the spot.

“You traitorous bastard! Be grateful I’m tied up right now! If my hands were free, I’d crush your skull!”

Finding out that one of his most trusted subordinates had been deceiving him all along must have been a huge psychological blow.

Not that I feel sorry for him… but his shouting is starting to grate on my ears. I wish he’d quiet down.

Fortunately, after screaming his lungs out, Nur al-Din seemed to tire himself out and fell silent, panting heavily.

“Feeling a bit calmer now?”

”…Yeah…”

“Now that your emotions have settled, shall we have a little chat? Nasr, could you bring a chair over?”

“I’ve already prepared one!”

No sooner had I finished speaking than an ornate chair was placed at my feet.

I decided to ignore Fatima’s muttered suggestion that I could just sit on her back.

As I sat down and tried to make eye contact with Nur al-Din, he kept avoiding my gaze, staring at the ground instead.

Is he embarrassed? I suppose he would be.

And, of course, Fatima couldn’t resist chiming in.

“Just like you said earlier, brother. I told you not to run your mouth unnecessarily. It’s always you who regrets it later.”

“Exactly. We were just sharing our experiences, but people are foolish. They only learn the truth through experience.”

“Don’t be too hard on him. As I’ve told you before, seeing and believing is also valuable. Of course, it’s better to believe without seeing, but how many people in the world can do that?”

As the conversation continued, Nur al-Din’s head drooped lower, as if he wanted to bury himself in the ground.

By now, the words he’d spoken must be flashing through his mind, bringing waves of shame.

Though I pretended to stop the others, I was actually encouraging him to feel more embarrassed.

I wanted to say, “Hey, repeat what you just said,” but I held back for the sake of decorum.

Suppressing my urge to gloat, I asked in a gentle, relaxed tone.

“Nur al-Din, do you believe me now?”

“Well… I mean… ha…”

“If you’re still not convinced, I can show you more.”

“No, that’s not necessary… I mean, please don’t. I don’t think my heart can take any more shocks.”

Nur al-Din sighed deeply, shaking his head as he continued.

“It feels like I’ve been possessed by a ghost… Did God really reveal all this to you?”

“If not, how else would I know? Can you answer that?”

The information I had was unknown to anyone except me, not even my Syrian Assassins or those in Alamut.

No matter how much he racked his brain, Nur al-Din couldn’t find a plausible explanation and had no choice but to accept it.

Especially for those who fervently believe in the divine, anything they can’t understand is often attributed to a miracle.

Naturally, Nur al-Din’s reaction was just as I expected.

“So, you’re saying the Syrians experienced something similar to what I did?”

“In terms of shock, theirs might have been even greater.”

“What kind of experience was it…?”

As Nur al-Din mumbled in a daze, Nasr answered with pride.

“The Apostle can not only see the truths people wish to hide but also glimpse the future.”

”…See the future?”

“Yes. You know about the Holy Roman Emperor who drowned in a river barely waist-deep, right? My sister and I heard the Apostle’s prophecy months before it happened. It was detailed and precise.”

“That’s… unbelievable…”

“Not only that, but he also accurately predicted the death of our previous leader, Rashid. Thanks to that, I easily became the leader of Syria.”

Though the method is no longer usable due to the many changes in history, the fact that I made accurate prophecies remains undeniable.

This truth was witnessed by countless people, not just Nasr and Fatima, making it impossible to refute.

Even someone like Nur al-Din, who initially didn’t believe, was so mentally shaken that he naturally accepted it.

If he thought about it, wouldn’t it be strange for the Syrian Assassins, as staunch as they are, to bow to a foreigner from Europe?

Until now, he might have thought of them as fools deceived by my trickery, but now that he’s in their shoes, his perspective must have changed.

Having heard all the miracles I’ve shown Nasr and Fatima, Nur al-Din’s face turned increasingly pale.

Then, looking at me, he asked in a trembling voice.

”…Am I… going to hell?”

“Hell? Why would you?”

“Because I insulted the Apostle sent by Allah…”

“Didn’t I tell you earlier? Seeing and believing is valuable. If you were still shouting that you couldn’t accept it, things might be different, but how do you feel now? Do you still refuse to change your mind?”

“No! My eyes were blind. I repent for my ignorance in failing to recognize the Apostle sent by God. Please forgive me!”

His sincerity was evident as he rubbed his forehead against the ground in apology, despite his bound hands.

I think it’s safe to say he’s completely on board now.

I released Nur al-Din from his bonds and poured him a glass of wine I had prepared in advance.

“Drink this, and you’ll be one of us.”

“Thank you! I’ll drink it right away.”

“Good. From now on, get along with Nasr. I won’t ask you to merge organizations, but you should avoid clashing as you have been.”

“Your words are wise. I’ll implement them as soon as I return.”

With Nur al-Din’s immediate response, I turned to Nasr, who was grinning from ear to ear, and asked.

“What do you think? Can you get along with Alamut?”

“Aren’t we all servants of the Apostle? Of course, we should set aside old grudges and unite for the greater cause.”

“Good. I look forward to your efforts. Now, shall we get to the main point?”

Nur al-Din, who had hastily gulped down the wine, coughed as if it had gone down the wrong way.

”…The main point? Is there more to discuss?”

“Of course. Why do you think I orchestrated this entire play?”

“Wasn’t it to capture us?”

“That’s part of it. But the important thing is what we do after bringing you into the fold.”

I’ve drawn the strongest card I can play, and not using it would be foolish.

I’ve worked hard to bring Alamut and Syria to meet with the Khwarazm Sultan, so it can’t just end with recruiting Alamut.

“Nur al-Din, you said this war needs to end quickly in Khwarazm’s favor, right?”

“Yes, but that was because I didn’t know about the Apostle…”

“Ah, I’m not criticizing you, so don’t be so tense. I’m just curious. You made that judgment because the east seemed unstable, right? So you thought Khwarazm needed to end the war quickly and return.”

“That’s correct. You know exactly.”

“So, the key is that the war just needs to end quickly, right? If the Crusaders swiftly defeat Khwarazm, they can handle any eastern turmoil.”

Frankly, even if Khwarazm wins this war, they won’t be able to withstand the tsunami that will follow.

They’ll be swept away, and all their achievements will be for naught.

“So, I also have no intention of dragging this war out. I plan to quickly strike Khwarazm and further strengthen the Crusaders.”

“I see. But what does that have to do with us…?”

I thought he’d catch on by now, but maybe he’s too nervous. His mind seems a bit slow.

“Why did you come here?”

”…To assassinate the Apostle, create chaos among the Crusaders, and exploit that to attack, ensuring victory. That was the Sultan’s plan.”

“Exactly. You might not know, but the Crusaders are also anxious. Most of them are eager to prove themselves in battle, but Khwarazm isn’t engaging as decisively as expected. But as you said, there’s a perfect excuse to draw them into the battlefield, isn’t there?”

“That’s only if the assassination of the Apostle succeeds… Ah! I see now.”

Finally grasping the situation, Nur al-Din exclaimed in realization, slapping his knee.

“So, you know what you need to do now, right?”

“Of course! But there’s one thing that concerns me. The Sultan of Khwarezm and his heir are notoriously suspicious. Do you think they’ll just take our word for it?”

“You’ll need to provide some evidence to make it believable. Take this cross ornament and seal that I always carry. Tell them you couldn’t bring back the head because time was too tight.”

“But if there was a commotion in the square, the assassination attempt would naturally become a rumor… Ah! So that’s why you stationed all those people in the square as the Apostle’s followers.”

Exactly. Everyone on that stage was under my command, so there’s no chance of the rumor leaking out.

In fact, we’re actively spreading false rumors to reach the ears of Khwarezm’s spies.

With reports of Marshal being ambushed and my seal as evidence, even the most skeptical will have no choice but to believe.

“So, you planned all of this from the start, Apostle? Truly… a visionary.”

“All the groundwork is laid. Now, it’s up to you and Nasr to play your parts well. Can I count on you?”

“Absolutely! You won’t be disappointed!”

“The Apostle will witness Tekish charging at the Crusader camp like an enraged bull!”

Nasr and Nur al-Din shouted almost in unison, leaping to their feet as if competing in loyalty.

Just moments ago, they were bickering, calling each other traitors and fools, but now they were working together so harmoniously. It warmed my heart.

This is what unity looks like. Yes, indeed.