Episode 183
The battle that was supposed to be a historic clash ended rather anticlimactically.
The Crusader-Islamic alliance and the Mongol forces both tried to rally their troops by claiming victory in the initial skirmish.
“Look at those European cowards fleeing! So much for their nonsense about seeing the future!”
“Why did they run without looking back? Seeing the future, they say? If they knew they’d have to flee, why show up at the battlefield at all?”
“They’re just a bunch of liars! Warriors, rest easy and fight with confidence. As long as we follow the Great Khan, we will not know defeat!”
Interpretations of events can vary wildly depending on one’s perspective.
Genghis Khan’s first move was to spin the battle as a victory for his side.
Though it was a dishonorable act to intervene in a one-on-one duel, he justified it with Jebe’s agreement.
“We intervened because we had intel that they would strike first dishonorably. Didn’t they charge forward at the same speed as us?”
“All that talk about divine power is nonsense! If they truly had such power, even Jebe would have lost to that so-called Lionheart King. But what happened? Given a little more time, Jebe would have pierced that king’s heart with his spear!”
In truth, Jebe had assessed that he couldn’t win head-on without his bow, but he kept that to himself.
The priority was to ensure the soldiers didn’t see the Crusaders as formidable.
In that sense, the initial goal was achieved.
“Down with those cowards!”
“Let’s crush those frauds!”
“We’ll turn Damascus into another Baghdad!”
Humans have a nasty tendency to become aggressive towards those they deem inferior.
Genghis Khan wanted his soldiers to see the Europeans as such—insignificant, hollow, and easily crushed.
Of course, this was only for the common soldiers. The commanders had to remain clear-headed.
“Phew… It seems the soldiers have calmed down. I’ve seen a lot of things in my life, but having to say such things myself is a new low.”
“Still, it’s fortunate that the soldiers seem to accept it when the Great Khan speaks.”
“They must. If fear takes root in their hearts, the battle is lost before it begins. If I sensed that, I would have turned the army around without hesitation.”
“Should we keep what Jebe heard from Marshal under wraps?”
“Of course. Issue a gag order. I’ve already warned Jebe, so you should pretend you know nothing.”
If word got out, it could lead to soldiers idolizing Marshal, which would be uncontrollable.
Emotions among soldiers spread like wildfire, and once it crosses a certain line, it’s impossible to control.
Even Genghis Khan wasn’t sure he could manage such a situation if it arose.
“By the way, where’s Jebe? Why are you alone?”
“He drank too much last night and said he needs more rest. Apparently, he drank most of the wine you provided.”
“Ah, he must have been quite upset.”
“Honestly, we did put him in a tough spot. I know better than anyone how proud Jebe is of his skills. If it weren’t for your orders, I might have lost a few teeth to him yesterday.”
Even after a battle, a commander lying down with a hangover is unacceptable.
Normally, it would be dealt with by military law, but Genghis Khan turned a blind eye this time, understanding Jebe’s feelings.
“Between us, didn’t it seem a bit dangerous? I think I intervened at just the right moment.”
“Whether it was dangerous or not isn’t the issue. Even if he had died, he would have preferred that over having his duel interrupted.”
“I know that’s how he feels. But I couldn’t allow it. I still feel the same.”
“I agree with you. That’s why I didn’t oppose it. We did gain something, though interpreting that gain is tricky.”
Subutai seemed to share similar thoughts.
Jebe, having met a worthy opponent after so long, seemed indifferent to the outcome, but Subutai was thankfully keeping a cool head.
“I wanted to discuss this with Jebe, but it seems better to talk among ourselves.”
“Well… I can’t deny it. Most of what he said while drunk was about not letting it end like that next time, fighting to the finish. He said he’d never met a warrior like that before.”
“Jebe isn’t usually so intense, so it must have been quite an impression. Then again, he’s never faced such an opponent before. Wait, if that’s the case, wouldn’t the other side feel the same?”
Reviewing the information on the Lionheart King, no one had ever withstood his sword on the battlefield.
This time, not only did someone withstand it, but they also counterattacked multiple times without a clear victor. Surely, the other side felt something stirring.
Perhaps this could be used to our advantage…
“But Great Khan, if Jebe’s words are true, yesterday’s battle was all part of Marshal’s plan. How should we interpret that?”
“I’ve been pondering that since yesterday, and it’s giving me a headache. Normally, I’d dismiss it as nonsense, but given his track record…”
If it was indeed Marshal’s plan, it fits together. But if true, the question is why he orchestrated such a battle, and that’s what I can’t figure out.
“What do you think? If Marshal foresaw all this, what do you think his intention was?”
“I’ve thought it over, but I don’t have a clear answer. However, it seems we must accept that Edward Marshal isn’t just a fraud but possesses powers akin to foresight.”
Even after hearing Tiraun’s account, I wasn’t entirely convinced, but after yesterday, there’s no room for doubt.
“So that’s an objective fact now. The issue is yesterday’s actions. If Marshal can see the future, he knew how the battle would end. Yet he let it happen… Why?”
“Perhaps he wanted to demoralize us by flaunting his abilities. Or maybe the outcome was beneficial to them. Or both.”
“So, whatever happens, it benefits them.”
It’s a frustrating analysis, but I can’t deny it.
Logically, someone who can see the future wouldn’t orchestrate something detrimental to themselves.
“Here’s a minor question: if you can see the future, and you change it, does the future you saw disappear? Can you then see the new future created by your actions?”
“Well… I’m not a seer, so I can’t answer that. But if you can see the future, avoiding or altering outcomes should be possible, right?”
“Right? This is all new to me, and there are too many things I can’t wrap my head around. I’ll have to ask him if we ever meet.”
Considering too many things at once is giving me a headache, but as the confusion clears, I feel oddly refreshed.
If we clash again, we’ll get a clearer picture, but next time, it won’t end so inconclusively. We must be fully prepared.
Whatever happens, we won’t know by just thinking. A real clash, with blood and flesh, is inevitable.
”…This is the current situation on both sides as we understand it. We haven’t suffered significant losses, and our morale is higher than ever.”
“Those treacherous Mongols showed their true colors as soon as their champion faltered against King Richard. And we knew they would. It’s a good feeling. Ha ha ha!”
Unlike the Mongol camp, which was likely in turmoil, the atmosphere here was jubilant.
Philip II and Henry VI were pleased that everything was going according to plan, and Al-Adil, representing Saladin, was equally buoyant, seeing his brother’s predictions come true.
If anyone seemed less than thrilled, it was just one person.
“Come on, Your Majesty Richard. Lighten up a bit. Anyone who sees you might think you lost the duel.”
“Well, considering we didn’t reach a conclusion, you could say I practically did.”
“What do you mean by that? I wasn’t there myself, but from what Marshal told me, it sounded like you had the upper hand. If you’d had just a little more time, you would’ve won for sure. They only intervened because they knew you were about to win.”
“Perhaps. I did have a slight advantage, but I can’t say for certain that I would’ve won.”
Richard had been brooding over the unresolved duel since yesterday, replaying it in his mind and pestering me about it.
And now, even here, he can’t let it go. Is it sheer competitiveness, or is he just oblivious to the mood?
Or maybe he knows exactly what he’s doing and just doesn’t care.
“Your Majesty, strategically speaking, our army’s victory is clear. The Mongol forces will be forced to reconsider their moves because of you pushing back Jebe. So, in a way, it’s your victory.”
“Hmm… I suppose, but still…”
“Yes, yes, I understand. I’ll speak to the Sultan and arrange for you to face him again. Would that satisfy you?”
“Really? In that case, I’d ask for nothing more.”
If he keeps whining, we’ll never get anywhere in this meeting. Better to promise him anything to keep him quiet.
Words are cheap, after all. Just throw out a promise and deal with it later.
“Of course. I’m sure the Sultan can come up with a plan.”
And if it doesn’t work out, it’s Saladin’s problem, not mine.
“Now, let’s set that aside and get to the main issue. The matter I mentioned before. If successful, it could end this war in one stroke, but the risks are still high. What do you all think?”
I can’t help but wonder how history will record this, but if we win the war, the details will sort themselves out.
Victory is what matters most.
The other kings listened intently, their expressions serious, as if they shared my thoughts.