Episode 175

Engaging in a war with the Crusaders without any preparation is sheer folly.

As Tiraun passionately argued his point, a flicker of doubt began to appear in the eyes of his comrades.

“Tiraun, are you perhaps enamored with this Marshall fellow? Or are you simply afraid of him?”

“Afraid? Of course, I’m afraid! Haven’t I told you? You can speak like this because you haven’t seen him in person!”

“True, we haven’t seen him ourselves. But still…”

“If you’re so curious, Borokul, why don’t you go as an envoy in my place? I’m sure he already knows you’re coming and has all sorts of secret information about you!”

As Tiraun’s words grew more heated, Genghis Khan felt the need to intervene and raised his hand quietly.

The bickering ceased immediately, as if it had never happened.

“Let’s get things straight. I trust that Tiraun hasn’t lied to me. The state he was in just moments ago couldn’t have been faked.”

“Indeed. I swear, there’s not a shred of exaggeration in what I’ve said.”

“Then let’s consider this: Edward Marshall’s intelligence capabilities are beyond our imagination. Ever since we crushed Khwarezm, he’s likely been gathering information with great interest.”

“Even so, there are too many things that don’t add up. He knew about our war with the Jin and even that you, Great Khan, entrusted the Jin front to Mukali.”

“Well… as much as I hate to say it, wouldn’t it make sense if there was a traitor? If someone leaked detailed information to Marshall when Tiraun was appointed as envoy, it would fit.”

Even if the speed of information transfer seems too fast, it’s a more plausible explanation than claiming he can predict the future.

Subutai nodded, supporting Genghis Khan’s reasoning.

“I agree. No matter how quickly Tiraun traveled, the envoy’s speed has its limits. If someone had leaked information in advance and rode like mad, they could have arrived a day or two earlier.”

“What do you think, Tiraun? Is there a flaw in this reasoning?”

It’s wrong.

Despite his fervent explanations, the people here don’t understand the experience he’s had.

For the first time, Tiraun felt a sense of frustration towards his lord and sighed deeply, shaking his head.

“I’ve already told you. It’s not just that he’s skilled with information. He knew about the day I saved the Great Khan. Only high-ranking officials would know such details, so why would they sell information to someone like Marshall?”

“Perhaps he paid them handsomely.”

“That’s not all. As I mentioned earlier… he spoke of secrets that only I would know. Even if there were a traitor, it wouldn’t explain how he knew such things.”

The inferiority Tiraun felt towards Subutai was a recent development.

He hadn’t spoken of it to anyone, nor had he shown it.

Subutai was an excellent comrade, and Tiraun believed that by using this feeling as motivation, he could eventually surpass him.

Yet Marshall knew things he hadn’t even told the Great Khan.

“According to our investigations, Marshall exposed the hidden misdeeds of Islamic scholars and leaders just by observing them. I now understand why.”

”…Isn’t it strange? The ability to predict the future doesn’t seem related to the ability you just described.”

“It’s proof that his powers aren’t limited to foresight. I believe he can read minds.”

“Mind reading? What on earth…”

“Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense.”

If Marshall could read minds, his actions so far would be explained.

He could easily uncover the hidden wrongdoings of Islamic leaders.

If he could read minds, he could effortlessly learn of any misdeeds.

“Are you saying Marshall knew things only you could know?”

“Yes. To be honest, I haven’t even shared this with the Great Khan. Even if there were a traitor, it wouldn’t explain how Marshall knew.”

“Hmm… So, to sum it up, Edward Marshall can predict the future and read the minds of those he meets?”

“Yes.”

“Is he even human?”

Genghis Khan’s curiosity was now genuine rather than skeptical.

Throughout his conquests from the far east, he had never encountered anyone with supernatural abilities.

Or perhaps, after all this time, it was finally time for such a person to appear.

Considering the vastness of the world, it wasn’t impossible for someone to exist who could read the future and people’s minds.

“Christianity and Islam consider Marshall a prophet sent by their god, don’t they? It seems undeniable that he’s a similar kind of being. If you find it hard to believe just from my words, I suggest sending someone else.”

Though Tiraun’s claims were hard to believe, he was one of Genghis Khan’s most trusted subordinates.

And frankly, Tiraun wasn’t the only one making strange claims.

Even the Europeans and the Muslims, who were enemies of Christianity, acknowledged Marshall.

Seeing Tiraun so shaken after just one encounter suggested there was a reason.

They couldn’t all be fools, and if Marshall had deceived so many, he must possess corresponding abilities.

“So, assuming Tiraun’s words are true, how should we fight an army led by someone who can read the future and minds?”

”…”

”…”

”…”

Though he posed the question, no answers came, as if by agreement.

It wasn’t because his subordinates were deaf, nor because they were ignoring him, and certainly not because they were incompetent.

There simply was no answer.

Genghis Khan knew this better than anyone.

In such situations, he had no choice but to call on individuals for their opinions.

“Borokul, I’d like to hear your thoughts on managing the army’s supplies.”

“Honestly, if such a person truly exists, can we even call it a fight? He’d know exactly where our supplies are, how they’re guarded, and when we pass through certain routes. It would be difficult to even protect the supply units against someone like that.”

“Indeed. We could fortify the supply units, but that would severely limit the main army’s movements, weakening our forces. Kubilai, what about your thoughts on the battle itself?”

“Knowing the future means surprise attacks are useless. We’d have to engage in a straightforward contest of strength, but the problem is, he’d know that too. If he can predict the outcome of battles, he wouldn’t engage in any he’d lose.”

It makes sense that they’d only fight battles they know they can win.

If you could foresee the outcome, who would willingly enter a losing battle?

This means that any battle with the Crusaders would inevitably result in our defeat, and the soldiers’ morale would plummet.

No matter how you look at it, they’re a formidable enemy.

So, what does Subutai think?

The young, talented subordinate, who had recently been achieving remarkable results, stepped forward without needing to be called.

“Though it’s hard to believe, Tiraun isn’t one to speak nonsense, so we must assume Marshall’s abilities are real. Even if they’re not, he likely has intelligence and analytical skills akin to foresight, and the observational skills to discern the deepest secrets from a brief conversation.”

“Isn’t that essentially foresight and mind reading?”

“Yes. So, I’ve been imagining how to deal with such a person, and to be honest, we can’t win. Even if we could, avoiding conflict for now is the best strategy. We should take time to assess his abilities and work on dividing Christianity and Islam.”

Even if Christianity and Islam are allied, they’re like oil and water forced together.

Given time, they would inevitably fall apart, making it a convincing proposal.

“So, you’re suggesting we pull back our main forces, conquer the Jin and Southern Song, and focus on sowing discord here?”

“Yes.”

It’s a cautious yet solid plan, typical of Subutai.

Even wild beasts in the wilderness keep their distance when they can’t gauge their opponent.

So, it’s unwise to charge in knowing the danger.

But pulling the army back entirely isn’t their style.

“Lastly, Jebe, I’d like to hear your thoughts.”

“My comrades have already covered the strategic aspects, so I’ll speak of something else.”

“Something else?”

“I’ve heard there’s a monstrous figure among the Crusaders who can single-handedly slaughter a hundred men.”

“Ah, yes. So fierce and brave that those who fought him called him the Lionheart with reverence, didn’t they?”

No matter how monstrously strong someone is, a well-aimed arrow from a distance can still bring them down.

It would be foolish to engage such a formidable enemy commander head-on, but if by any chance they manage to break through, our entire formation could collapse in an instant.

This opponent is a real headache, and if we do end up fighting, they would be the top priority to deal with.

Before anyone could ask why this person was suddenly being mentioned, Jebe spoke up first.

“The final decision rests with the Great Khan, but if we do face them, I’d like to take on this so-called Lion King myself.”

When asked how he planned to deal with an enemy who could foresee the future, he didn’t have an answer. Instead, he seemed more interested in satisfying his own fighting spirit.

I couldn’t help but chuckle, but at the same time, my mind felt clearer.

A true warrior of the steppe must be honest with their boiling blood and fighting spirit.

“If one of the steppe’s greatest warriors like you were to lose, our army’s morale would plummet.”

“The same goes for them. In fact, if they truly believe they can predict the future, their loss would be even more devastating.”

Jebe’s bold perspective, offering an unexpected breakthrough, left everyone in awe.

His unwavering confidence and pride reignited the fighting spirit in all of us who were born and raised on the steppe.

“Interesting. It’s been a while since I’ve felt my blood boil like this. Don’t you all feel the same?”

Logically, there’s no clear answer to this opponent, but perhaps that’s why.

The heart that had been growing cold now felt hot and alive again.

Seeing the fully fired-up face of Genghis Khan, his loyal followers nodded in agreement, their eyes gleaming with a shared murderous intent.

We’re burning with passion.

Isn’t that enough?