Episode 141
The Crusades of history were a tangled mess of division and distrust.
I used to wonder why people who shared the same faith couldn’t trust each other and kept making blunders. But living in the real world, I’ve realized that life isn’t as idyllic as one might hope.
The Middle Ages were a time when basic moral concepts and ways of thinking were completely different from today.
By modern standards, they might seem like selfish fools, but back then, that was the norm.
In the medieval era, there was a severe shortage of resources, whether food or wealth, for society as a whole.
In such circumstances, it was inevitable that one side would have to take from another. How could camaraderie and genuine trust possibly flourish?
Even if they shared the same religion, neighboring countries were always potential enemies and competitors.
So, even when united against a common foe, it was only natural to keep an eye on each other and be wary of betrayal.
“That’s why we need to get to the bottom of this situation!”
“We’ve already told you, we don’t know.”
“How can you say you don’t know!”
Richard’s voice boomed with anger, causing King Philip II to frown deeply.
His voice was so loud that even the knights waiting outside were tense, ready for any unexpected developments.
“Marshal was supposed to return ages ago. Why hasn’t he? And why won’t the Hungarian forces join us?”
“How should I know? Even if you ask me, I can only say I don’t know.”
“This is so frustrating. I’m asking because you, King Philip II, were the last to see Marshal off!”
“That was just to ensure his safety on the road. I had my knights escort him. We didn’t accompany him all the way to Antioch, so how would I know what happened there?”
The once harmonious atmosphere had shattered, as revealed by the conversation. Marshal’s sudden disappearance was the cause.
He was supposed to welcome the Hungarian reinforcements in Antioch and join them, but days passed with no word.
Emperor Henry VI glared at the Byzantine envoy from Antioch and asked, “I understand if Marshal is unwell. But not telling us when he might return is unacceptable.”
“Well…”
The Byzantine envoy’s voice was hoarse, a testament to his stress. Though his face was hidden under a deep hood, his demeanor was visibly deflated.
But Richard, undeterred, raised his voice even more, pounding the table with his fist.
“If not France, then the most suspicious is Byzantium! Shouldn’t we have suspected them from the start?”
Though his words crossed a line, neither Henry VI nor Philip II objected.
As all eyes turned suspiciously towards the Byzantines, their commander cautiously stepped forward.
“This is too much. Do you really believe we would imprison or harm the Prophet?”
“Then why has Marshal suddenly vanished?”
“The Prophet is the son-in-law of our Emperor. How could we possibly harm the Emperor’s son-in-law?”
“Hmph! If you can imprison your own brother, why not a son-in-law? That’s no proof.”
“Even if you are King Richard, those words insult our Emperor!”
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, with Richard scoffing at the Byzantines.
“What will you do if I insult him? Without us, you cowards can’t even fight properly.”
His actions made it clear he had no intention of resolving the situation.
No matter how strong the alliance, such insults couldn’t be tolerated indefinitely.
The Byzantine representatives pushed their chairs back and stood up.
“We can’t tolerate this any longer! Without an official apology from England, we will no longer participate in these meetings!”
“And if you don’t? Will you fight Khwarezm alone?”
“Better that than with those we can’t trust!”
“That’s your choice, but we’ll keep one envoy from Antioch here. We have more questions, and once we’re done, we’ll ensure their safe return.”
The Byzantine representatives, shaking with anger, turned and left without a word.
Almost simultaneously, Richard stood and looked at Philip II and Henry VI.
“Since it’s come to this, let’s split up. Until we can distinguish between those we can trust and those we can’t, maintaining a united front is impossible.”
“Isn’t that a bit hasty?”
“Better to be hasty than regret being stabbed in the back later. Farewell.”
With that, Richard left the tent with the envoy from Byzantium.
A sound, perhaps a scoff, echoed from behind, but no one paid it any mind.
Without the Prophet, the Crusades couldn’t continue.
This simple truth was now evident.
Once outside the tent, Richard wasted no time gathering his knights and leaving the camp.
He couldn’t stay with those he didn’t trust, so he headed north to set up a separate camp.
After riding in silence for several minutes, Richard chuckled and muttered, “How was that? My acting wasn’t too shabby, right?”
His companion, disguised as the Byzantine envoy, removed his hood and shook his head slightly.
“Not bad, but a bit over the top. If someone sharp like King Philip II had seen it, they might have been suspicious. A more straightforward approach would have been better.”
“Hmph, you don’t get it. Subtlety isn’t my style. Acting needs to be convincing above all else.”
“It was certainly lively. The Byzantines seemed genuinely upset.”
Even if it was all for show, being openly insulted wouldn’t have felt good.
Of course, if they sulked over it, they’d be seen as petty. A gift and some praise later would smooth things over.
I’ll have to remind Richard about that later.
“But Marshal, are you sure about the intel that Khwarezm spies are among the Byzantines? If not, this whole charade was pointless.”
“Rest assured, the information is solid. Within days, the Khwarezm Sultan will hear of today’s events.”
The Byzantine group that arrived at the Crusader camp was divided into two: the high-ranking officials, including myself in disguise, and the supply unit mixed with merchants.
“Isn’t there a risk? If anyone finds out you’re alive, this grand play will be for nothing.”
“It’s fine. I haven’t interacted with the unit suspected of having Khwarezm spies.”
As Richard pointed out, if word got out that I was alive, everything would be for naught.
So, from the moment I left Antioch, I kept my hood up and only met with those in the know.
To avoid suspicion, I included others dressed similarly in our group.
As long as I didn’t reveal my face, there was no risk of being discovered.
I was more concerned about the possibility that Khwarezm spies might not be among the merchants brought by Byzantium.
I had instructed Nasr to ensure they were included if necessary, but if it was too obvious, it might raise suspicions.
The key was to convey the chaotic state of the Crusaders to Khwarezm without arousing suspicion.
“With your convincing insults to the Byzantines, they likely left the camp immediately. The spies will probably report back within two to three days. We should prepare accordingly.”
“Never thought I’d wage war like this.”
Though it seemed like a massive fallout and split, it was all part of a carefully orchestrated plan.
The Khwarazm forces were fragmented, tempting one to pick them off one by one. Yet, the moment the signal was given, they could be surrounded from above and below, forming a tight encirclement.
The English army was the first to move northward, as Richard’s unit needed to demonstrate the swiftest maneuvering.
“Your Majesty, you must have been bored holding back until now. It’s almost time. Shall we get ready?”
“Of course. Even if you tried to stop me, I wouldn’t hold back this time. I’m truly going to let loose.”
”…You weren’t serious before?”
“There were things to consider back then. But now, with other kings present, I can truly lose myself in the battle. Leading knights is rewarding, but sometimes, there’s a unique thrill in charging straight at the enemy.”
It was just a passing comment, but to think he had actually been holding back before. For a fleeting moment, I felt a bit sorry for the Khwarazm army, who would face this unleashed beast.
But what can you do? This is war, and this is battle.
I wish them luck.
Or rather, may they rest in peace…