Duke Richard of Aquitaine.
Yes, the very same Richard I who would later be known as the Lionheart.
He was renowned for his ability to single-handedly turn the tide of battle, and his strategic prowess made him the undisputed military genius of his time.
He wasn’t just a reckless fighter; he was more like a war machine, a master of warfare itself.
Even Saladin, who united the Islamic world and drove me here, had to concede to Richard’s superiority in battle.
Richard’s talents shone from his youth, leading countless battles to victory.
However, in his younger days, he was still inexperienced and once led a major rebellion against his father with his brothers, only to be defeated.
But through continuous experience, Richard’s talents blossomed, and now he was beginning to show the full might of his prime.
Imagine the pressure of having such a son eyeing your throne.
No wonder his hair had turned white in places.
“So… these are the warriors who distinguished themselves in the Crusades?”
“Not so much distinguished as they simply strove to uphold justice.”
“If they’re the offspring of Marshal or the Count of Dammartin, they’re practically family to me. I’ll ensure they’re comfortable during their stay.”
“Thank you.”
“But is the situation in Jerusalem really that dire?”
Henry II, now in his mid-fifties, had a glint of anticipation in his weary eyes.
He seemed almost pleased at the news of Jerusalem’s impending fall.
His intentions were so transparent it was almost pitiable.
“After the Battle of Hattin, the Kingdom of Jerusalem’s forces were decimated. Jerusalem is under heavy assault from Saladin, and soon news of its fall will reach Europe.”
“The Pope’s wrath will once again echo across Europe. Naturally, discussions for a new Crusade will begin. Anyway, you two must be exhausted after making it here through such peril. Rest well today, and we can talk more later. Marshal, show them to their quarters.”
At Henry II’s subtle nod, a middle-aged knight who had been watching us intently approached.
“It’s been a while. I’m glad to see you’re well.”
Thanks to hearing how Henry II addressed the knight, I could guess his identity.
A legendary figure hailed as the greatest knight in English history.
Not just for his martial prowess, but for his character and strategy—a paragon of knighthood.
And also my father, the renowned William Marshal, stood before me, alive and breathing.
”…Yes. It’s been a long time.”
Though he was my father, I had no memories of this body, so I bowed respectfully and cautiously observed his reaction.
What if he sensed something was off?
But since I had been away with the Crusades for years, I could use that as an excuse if needed…
While I was racking my brain, William simply nodded, seemingly unfazed.
“The reckless child who ran off to make a name for himself has finally matured. Was it Sir Alberic? Thank you for looking after him.”
“No, no! It was I who was saved by Marshal… I mean, Edward. You have a truly remarkable son.”
“Thank you for saying so. I’m proud to hear that my once-reckless child fought bravely in the Crusades.”
No, Father, that’s not it.
I deserted and fled because I didn’t want to risk my life.
Alberic, too, quickly changed the subject, his lips twitching slightly.
“By the way, Sir Marshal… I heard you still haven’t married?”
“Yes. I’ve lived solely as a knight, so I haven’t had the chance to start a family.”
I was worried my presence might have altered history, but it seems it hasn’t had much impact.
But that means I’m an illegitimate child from Marshal’s youthful indiscretion—quite the spectacle.
No wonder I threw myself into the Crusades, trying to surpass my father.
I noticed a hint of guilt in William’s eyes as he looked at me, perhaps feeling sorry.
“Edward, what do you plan to do now that you’re here? If another Crusade is organized, will you…?”
“I’m not going.”
”…Really?”
“Yes. I believe I’ve done enough.”
Why would I go back after escaping once?
I need to establish myself in Western Europe as a revered prophet, amassing influence beyond the reach of any secular lord.
Getting dragged into a doomed Crusade would only diminish my value—absolutely not.
William, who believed I had retreated heroically rather than deserted, respected my decision.
“Then stay here for now and think about your future. If you wish to serve His Majesty, I’ll find a position for you. But as I mentioned, the domestic situation isn’t very stable.”
Henry II naturally assumed I would serve under him, but William seemed to have a different perspective.
After all, what parent would want to involve their child in a potential war after they barely escaped death?
When I nodded in agreement, William instructed the attendants to see to our needs and left the room.
‘I’m sorry, but I won’t be staying here long. Not that I’m leaving the country, though.’
To be clear, I have no intention of working for Henry II.
I have no interest in performing a circus act on a sinking ship.
Alberic seemed convinced I would work for Henry II, and his jaw dropped when I told him otherwise.
“No, no, no… Then you don’t mean to say…”
“Never assume.”
“But the Count of Dammartin and Sir Marshal both serve Henry II…”
“It’s fine. Neither of them will be in any danger.”
The Count of Dammartin plans to return to serve the King of France, and William Marshal is a talent any European monarch would covet.
Even Richard, who conducted bloody purges, protected William and even introduced him to a bride.
So there’s no need for me to intervene.
Of course, Alberic, unaware of these circumstances, was understandably bewildered.
“Are you… is this another one of those? You know, where God…”
“God will appoint a king who can best fulfill His will.”
“Ohhh…”
Seeing the awe in Alberic’s eyes didn’t prick my conscience at all.
If I falter now, how will I pull off the grand deception I plan?
I need to practice and build my resilience here to fool not just secular rulers but even the papacy.
Anyway, it’s time to start working on others, not just Alberic.
After cleaning up and shedding my armor, I could feel the eyes on me.
Objectively, I can’t deny that I look much better now than I did in my previous life.
A shut-in gamer can’t compare to someone with a well-toned, athletic body.
Comparing them is an insult to my past self.
Still, even if I’ve improved outwardly, that’s not enough to draw this much attention.
People are interested in my every move because of the banner of being William Marshal’s son.
The son of the country’s greatest knight returns, and he’s also a renowned Crusader?
Even I’d be curious.
Naturally drawn to attention, I basked in their gazes as I stepped outside.
While familiarizing myself with the area, I heard cheers from somewhere.
It seemed something interesting was happening, as people were flocking in that direction.
“Is there a fight?”
They say the most entertaining things are watching fights and fires, and since it doesn’t seem like there’s a fire, it’s probably a fight.
Following the crowd, I found soldiers in full gear testing their skills in a wide-open space.
”…What is this?”
Seeing armed soldiers brandishing swords near the king’s castle made me chuckle.
I didn’t expect to witness such a blatant show of force at the royal court.
Only one person in this country could provoke the king so openly.
Looking around, I spotted a middle-aged man in lavish attire laughing heartily, encouraging the soldiers.
“Now! Is there anyone else who wishes to step forward? Anyone who proves their skill here will receive a knighthood and become my vassal. It’s an opportunity that won’t come again, so if you’re confident in your abilities, step up!”
“I’ll go!”
“Give me a chance too!”
“Good! I’ll assess the skills of all who wish to try, so arm yourselves and prepare for battle.”
For those without noble backgrounds, this was a rare chance for advancement.
People were desperate to catch Richard’s eye.
Naturally, fierce battles erupted across the field, and Richard watched with an unyielding smile.
True to his reputation for valuing real combat experience over jousting, he was selecting people in a highly practical manner.
At the same time, there was likely an intention to impress Henry II with the sheer number of people eager to join his ranks.
As I stood idly by, watching the brawl unfold, a man in armor approached me.
“Are you here to join the fight too?”
“Who, me?”
“Is there anyone else here besides you? I don’t recognize your face. Where are you from?”
“Jerusalem.”
“You’re kidding… Wait, really? Has the Duke Richard’s fame spread all the way to Jerusalem?”
The knight, clearly mistaken, shook his head vigorously and spoke in a rather serious tone.
“But just because you came from afar doesn’t mean you’ll get any special treatment. I’m hoping to earn my knighthood soon.”
“Is that so? Well, good luck with that.”
Despite my friendly encouragement, he scowled at me, clearly displeased.
“Are you mocking me? If you understand, put on your gear and get ready. We need to settle this quickly, and while heavy armor is banned, you’ll get hurt if you don’t wear proper equipment.”
Did this fool really think I was here to be his opponent?
Judging by his intelligence, it might be best for the sake of this country, Richard, and Europe if I just walked away.
“If you’re so eager to fight, I can humor you, but are you sure you won’t regret it?”
“I’ve been training to be a knight since I was seven. I won’t go easy on you just because you’re from Jerusalem, so don’t blame me if you lose. Come on, I’ll send you back to where you came from in no time.”
True sportsmanship means not holding grudges even if you lose.
Since he had a point, I decided to add my own condition.
“Then if you lose, you’ll head to Jerusalem and join the Crusades in my place. Looks like I’ve secured one knight for the next Crusade. His Majesty will be pleased.”
I meant it sincerely, but once again, he took offense, and the atmosphere turned tense as he drew his weapon.
Honestly, when good intentions are met with hostility, it really makes my fists itch.