Episode 171

Before the alliance was officially sealed, Saladin quietly observed the attendees.

”…”

He could sense that the others were doing the same, scrutinizing him just as intently. After the formal greetings were exchanged, an awkward silence settled over the room, with the Crusader kings staring at him.

Typically, the details of such meetings are pre-arranged, leaving the kings to simply sign off on the agreements. This alliance was no different. Marshal and Al-Adil had already ironed out the specifics, and final adjustments were made before this gathering. In essence, this meeting was more for show than substance.

However, the fact that the kings, who would need to cooperate in the future, were meeting in person added a layer of complexity that couldn’t be dismissed as mere formality. With the prophecy that Ayyub alone couldn’t withstand the Mongols, it was crucial to leverage the Crusaders effectively.

Yet, there was a problem. It was still uncertain how cooperative the Crusaders would be. While their military prowess was undeniable—having decimated the Khwarazmian forces, once considered the pinnacle of Islamic military strength—there was no guarantee that an alliance with Ayyub would yield the desired synergy. The Crusaders were already a coalition of three kings, bolstered by Byzantine and Hungarian forces. Adding the culturally distinct Ayyubid army to the mix raised questions about effective communication.

The success of this alliance depended entirely on the Crusader kings. Saladin was confident in his own position, but he needed to gauge theirs.

“If the Crusader kings remain hostile, we might have to form the alliance but minimize contact,” he mused. The reason for accommodating the Crusaders’ conditions and bringing the kings together was precisely to assess this. If they proved trustworthy, collaboration would be straightforward. If not, it would be more prudent to maintain the alliance but conduct separate campaigns.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you all in person. I’ve long heard of your reputations. I am Saladin, Sultan of Ayyub.”

“Richard I of England.”

“I’ve admired the Sultan who led Ayyub to prosperity. Philip II of France.”

“Though nominally, I am the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry VI. I look forward to our cooperation.”

”…”

Pleasantries were exchanged, followed by another awkward silence. Such pauses were unusual in these settings, where proceedings were typically well-structured. Saladin had instructed Marshal not to intervene initially, allowing him to better observe the others.

“First, I must express my gratitude. Your willingness to come here has been a relief.”

“On the contrary, we should be thanking you. Allowing the Crusader army to approach Jerusalem couldn’t have been an easy decision.”

“We mustn’t let minor issues cause discord when we are to fight together.”

“I agree. Ayyub is not like Khwarazm. We wish to maintain a friendly relationship.”

Though Henry VI was the nominal leader, it was Philip II who led the Crusader side in conversation. According to the intelligence gathered, Philip was the one to watch.

-Philip II is a kind and gentle king, unlike the aggressive Richard or the power-hungry Henry VI. He is well-regarded for his relations with the nobility and his respect for the Pope. If we can win him over, he could be a great ally.

-The one to be most cautious of is Richard I. His martial prowess is said to be beyond human, and his presence alone can demoralize enemies. He is known for his aggressive nature.

-Henry VI is ambitious, aiming to strengthen his power within the Empire. Having already achieved significant success with the Crusaders, he likely sees this war as a means to further his goals. He may make excessive demands, so caution is advised.

The analysis suggested a consensus: Richard was a threat, Henry VI a potential troublemaker, and Philip II someone who could be largely ignored. Yet, Saladin felt a strange unease about Philip II. On the surface, Philip seemed less formidable than Richard or Henry VI, but there was something too perfect about him. It was just a hunch, perhaps because Saladin saw a reflection of himself in Philip.

Upon reviewing Philip’s reign and the state of France, Saladin’s instincts were confirmed. It was curious how, despite good relations with the nobility, their lands were shrinking while royal lands expanded rapidly. Unless the nobles were voluntarily surrendering their lands out of affection for the king, there was only one explanation.

“Behind his cheerful and gentle facade lies a master of cunning. Such a person is the most dangerous.”

Though it was just a suspicion, Saladin kept a close watch on Philip II, unlike his other advisors.

“Is there anything else you’d like to discuss beyond what we’ve already agreed upon? It would be best to address everything now,” Saladin inquired.

Henry VI shook his head, indicating he had nothing to add. Richard also shook his head, offering a brief comment.

“As long as information exchange is smooth, I have no complaints.”

“And you, King Philip II?”

“I have no concerns regarding the war. There are many more capable than I. King Richard is the Crusaders’ finest tactician, and you, Sultan, are renowned as an unmatched strategist in Islam.”

“You flatter me.”

“Therefore, I have no worries about the war itself. However, there are concerns beyond the battlefield. The issues we need to address have already been settled in advance.”

Philip gestured to the documents on the opulent table, and everyone nodded in agreement. Marshal, who had been quietly listening, chimed in.

“The plans reflect the input of those who will lead the war. King Richard and your brother, Al-Adil, have been instrumental.”

“Indeed, as our prophet said, there are no issues with the war effort. But what about after the war?” Philip’s question caused a pause among the Crusaders and Saladin. It seemed this topic hadn’t been pre-discussed. Henry VI tapped the table with his fingers, looking troubled.

“Isn’t it premature to worry about post-war matters when we haven’t even started the war?”

“Your point is valid, but that’s precisely why we must address it now. It may seem presumptuous, but let’s be realistic. Can Christianity and Islam coexist peacefully after driving out the Mongols?”

“Why not? We’ve overcome a common enemy, and Marshal will serve as a steadfast bridge.”

“That implies that without the prophet, our alliance could crumble like a sandcastle. It’s not just us. Sultan, do you believe Islam can resolve its longstanding grievances with Christianity and achieve lasting peace after the war?”

Though sensitive, it was a question worth considering. It didn’t seem like a trap, and Saladin felt it was a matter that needed clarity.

“I’d like to say yes, but honestly, I’m not sure. Whether centuries of conflict can be resolved in an instant remains to be seen.”

For now, the presence of a common enemy, the Mongols, allowed for a semblance of unity. But once they were gone, the rationale for maintaining the alliance would vanish. As long as Marshal lived, direct conflict might be avoided, but he was only human and would eventually die. What then?

Currently, the radicals were subdued, but there was no guarantee they would remain so. Unlike the Crusader kings, Saladin was old. He estimated he had no more than ten years left. In this context, Ayyub was more desperate for post-war peace than the Crusaders. The war would likely take place on Ayyubid territory, meaning they stood to lose more. The rise of Christian influence after the war was inevitable.

The question was why Philip II was raising this issue.

The doubts were soon dispelled.

“I have felt, more vividly than ever through this war, what it means for God to be at work in history. Witnessing such miracles, I am convinced that we must follow God’s will more faithfully than anyone else.”

“I never realized how devoutly faithful His Majesty Philip II was.”

“Hahaha, even I couldn’t help but deepen my faith after experiencing such miracles one after another. I’ve resolved to live the rest of my life more devoted to God than ever before. To do that, we must ensure that Christianity and Islam never again fall into conflict. We have a grave responsibility to create an environment where this peace can be maintained permanently.”

Philip II’s argument was so logically and emotionally compelling that no one in the room could find grounds to disagree.

Seeing no opposition, Philip II continued with even greater fervor.

“Therefore, before the war ends, we need to establish a clear treaty while the outcomes are still uncertain. Once the war is over, there will inevitably be disputes over who deserves more based on their achievements.”

“That makes sense. So, what specific proposal do you have in mind, Your Majesty?”

“We need to establish a solid foundation for lasting peace between Christianity and Islam after the war. If there are doctrines that neither side can compromise on, conflict is bound to arise eventually. Let’s create a space where we can reach amicable agreements on these matters. I, Philip II, will take responsibility for this crucial task.”

Was he trying to naturally seize the initiative in the post-war landscape like this?

Saladin couldn’t help but be genuinely impressed by Philip II’s meticulousness in steering events towards peace and aligning with the prophet’s intentions.

It’s only natural for the one who proposes such an idea to take responsibility, and if Philip II succeeds, his reputation will undoubtedly soar.

He had also secured a solid justification to silence any criticism that he was merely looking out for his own interests before the war had even ended, leaving him with nothing to lose.

In any case, this would ultimately benefit the Ayyubid side as well, so there was no reason to refuse.

Agreeing with Philip II’s proposal, Saladin signed the document and then noticed the faint smile on Marshal’s face, realizing the true nature of the situation.

‘Well… our apostle is indeed meticulous. So that’s how it was.’

Marshal had already laid out a grand plan before even entering the room, and Philip II had naturally secured his position by aligning with it.

Saladin felt a strong conviction that this alliance was destined for success.

He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret that his aging body might not allow him to share much more time with them.

He could only hope that God would grant him a few more years to witness the most interesting scenes before he had to go.