Episode 168
The show was over.
It ended so skillfully and perfectly that no one even noticed it was happening until it was done.
Or maybe not. Judging by the reactions, it seemed to have had an even greater impact than I had anticipated.
Those who had always followed me, like the imams and Fatima, were already overwhelmed with joy, trembling with excitement. Meanwhile, others were so intimidated they couldn’t even meet my gaze.
“So, does anyone still doubt my words? I can provide more evidence if needed.”
Revealing my abilities so openly in front of such a large crowd was a new experience, and I found it surprisingly entertaining.
With so many people here, it was easy to find those with weaknesses. I was prepared to expose ten more if necessary, but no one dared to challenge me further.
In fact, the atmosphere had completely shifted. The imams, who had been labeled as traitors and suffered greatly, now raised their voices with newfound confidence.
“Repent, everyone! We’ve been blind all this time! We failed to recognize the apostle sent by God, and instead, we denied and insulted him! Repent!”
“We must repent!”
“Oh, God! Please forgive our sins!”
I was about to intervene, thinking this was starting to sound a bit too much like a cult.
“I’m sorry!”
“We sinned by doubting and not listening to God’s words! Please forgive us!”
The imams who had been shouting the loudest against me were now the first to kneel and bow their heads.
See? This cult-like fervor seems to be more effective.
They were the most vehement opponents, but it turns out they were also the most faithful. Once their hearts were swayed, the reaction was even stronger.
As a result, others who were in shock began to get swept up in the atmosphere.
“What… what just happened?”
“If even they acknowledge it, what more is there to say?”
“It’s not about who acknowledges it. It’s an objective fact. How could anyone do such things if they weren’t truly an apostle?”
“Exactly. Seeing the future and discerning people’s sins leaves no room for doubt.”
The murmurs grew louder.
Even the proud amirs, who wouldn’t bow to anyone but the sultan, were now awkwardly bowing in my direction.
Even Saladin, the great leader, couldn’t meet my eyes, looking utterly bewildered.
I suppose I’ve instilled more fear than I planned.
As I approached, the imam named Qasim, who had opposed me most fiercely, flinched.
Perhaps I went a bit too far?
While instilling fear is useful, pushing too hard makes it difficult to inspire loyalty.
It’s all about finding the right balance.
Having wielded the stormy whip, it was time to offer a warm carrot.
I gently helped the kneeling Qasim to his feet.
“Forgiveness? What right do I have to forgive or not forgive you? I’m merely a messenger, nothing more, nothing less.”
“But we… we refused to acknowledge you…”
“Of course. Christianity and Islam, despite worshiping the same God, have vastly different doctrines and have been at odds for decades. It would have been stranger if you accepted me right away.”
“Your words leave me at a loss.”
“I believe I was given these unbelievable abilities because nothing less would have been accepted by both Christians and Muslims. So, I see this as a natural progression. I’m more concerned that I might have been too harsh in convincing you.”
As I offered comforting words, the imams, who had been panicking, began to calm down. Some even shed genuine tears, kissing my feet in gratitude.
“Thank you for your merciful words. You truly are the apostle chosen by God.”
“To see our sins and still offer such warmth…”
“No one is without sin. That’s why God always emphasized the importance of repentance. It takes great courage to truly repent.”
Before I knew it, the crowd had gathered around me, listening intently and sharing their testimonies of faith.
Seizing the moment, Saladin issued a decree on the spot.
“Since everyone here acknowledges it, I, Salah ad-Din Yusuf, as the sultan of Ayyub, formally recognize Edward Marshall as an apostle of Islam. His revelations will be accepted as the word of God. Furthermore, the imams who were persecuted and stripped of their rights for acknowledging him will be reinstated and compensated for their suffering.”
“Uoooooh!”
For the first time in history, and perhaps the last, Damascus was abuzz with excitement.
Had Islam ever officially recognized Christianity before?
Even considering the reverse, it was unprecedented.
And this wasn’t a unilateral declaration by the sultan. It was made in the presence of Ayyub’s key amirs and imams, representing the collective will of the entire Ayyubid state.
With Baghdad in ruins and the Almohad Caliphate faltering, Ayyub’s recognition was as good as Islam’s recognition.
I could barely contain my smile at the harvest of my efforts, but I maintained a composed expression as I bowed to Saladin.
“Thank you. I will do my utmost to convey God’s revelations to prevent greater tragedies. Trust in me as you do now, and we will surely overcome their invasion and protect this land.”
“Uoooooh!”
“Apostle, lead us!”
“Please, share God’s words with us!”
Everyone was shouting my name and God’s, filled with fervor.
Even amidst the excitement, they dutifully prayed towards Mecca.
Of course, the ones most overjoyed were the imams who had been persecuted for acknowledging me.
They prayed with tears of gratitude, holding hands and thanking me.
The sight of those who had led the persecution now clapping and congratulating them was a bit of black comedy, but I chose not to point it out.
After all, my purpose here was achieved beyond expectations.
I stayed in Damascus for three more days than planned, holding revival meetings, but I welcomed the opportunity.
Saladin likely felt the same.
While I gained the most, Saladin also reaped significant benefits.
He was already being praised as the wise ruler who recognized and supported God’s apostle before anyone else.
With his position further solidified, Saladin approached me with a broad smile, extending his hand.
“Marshall, I look forward to working with you.”
“Of course. It’s all thanks to your trust in me, Sultan.”
I shook the wise king’s aged hand with a chuckle.
It was the confidence of victors.
After the events concluded, Saladin summoned me and Al-Adil to his audience chamber.
“Things turned out well, even if it wasn’t as expected.”
“Indeed. Marshall… or should I say, Apostle? I had no idea you possessed such abilities.”
“Did you keep it a secret from us? We received no such reports from our informants in Europe.”
“Indeed. If you had shown such abilities, it would have been impossible to hide.”
Of course, they couldn’t have known.
I never displayed my abilities in situations where rumors could spread, so no matter how many informants they sent, they wouldn’t have received any reports.
I wasn’t about to admit to deliberately hiding it, as that wouldn’t reflect well on me.
“I didn’t hide it; I simply wasn’t permitted to reveal it.”
“Permitted? By the Pope or a king?”
“No. In fact, neither the Pope nor the Crusader kings are aware of my abilities. This is the only place where I’ve been allowed to reveal my gift.”
Though I didn’t explicitly say it, Saladin and Al-Adil would understand.
—God instructed me to do so, so it wasn’t my choice to hide it.
It was a convenient and all-encompassing excuse, but to them, it wouldn’t feel like an excuse.
Their reactions confirmed it.
“I see. God must have granted you this grace with such a moment in mind.”
“Yes. I didn’t understand at first, but it seems that way. How can human minds fully comprehend the acts of an omnipotent God? We can only accept and, in time, speculate on His intentions.”
“Then perhaps the burning of Baghdad and the unspeakable humiliation of the Caliph were also part of a greater plan.”
“Perhaps. The sacrifice was too great to simply awaken us.”
“Still, to truly understand the will of the divine, we must first eliminate those bastards. Only by surviving can we discern what plans the heavens have for us.”
Sensing Al Adil’s barely concealed fury, I subtly added fuel to the fire.
“Absolutely. Even in war, there are lines that should never be crossed. This isn’t just an insult to Islam. It’s a reckless act that threatens to dismantle the fragile order painstakingly built between Christianity and Islam.”
“The Apostle is right. So, what should we do next? With your presence, Ayubb might accept an alliance with the Crusaders. But will the Crusaders agree?”
“I share my brother’s view. If I were among the Crusaders, I’d probably think this: let the Mongols and Ayubb exhaust each other, then swoop in to reap the benefits.”
It seems like something Philip II would say. Clever minds often think alike.
“Don’t worry. The Crusaders will accept Ayubb’s alliance proposal without hesitation.”
“Oh, could it be that everything is already in place?”
“Yes. Although it might be a bit uncomfortable for the Sultan, I’ve shared my prophecy with the Crusaders as well.”
“That seems obvious, but why would it make me uncomfortable?”
“Because I’ve added a bit more to the prophecy I gave you. It warns that if we don’t unite, the kings and nobles of Europe will meet the same fate as the Islamic elite, and Rome will end up like Baghdad.”
In other words, Ayubb alone cannot stand against the Mongols.
Saladin gave a wry smile and clicked his tongue lightly.
“So, if we don’t form an alliance, I’ll end up like the nobles of Baghdad… But since it’s a future that won’t come to pass, I won’t take it too seriously. After all, every part of your prophecy has come true so far, so the Crusaders won’t dare to refuse your words.”
“Yes. As soon as this news reaches the Vatican, an official decree will be issued in the Pope’s name. That will be the moment.”
I placed the seal symbolizing my role as the Apostle of Islam, given by Saladin himself, alongside the seal proving my status as a Christian prophet on the table.
“It will be a historic moment when these two symbols are stamped side by side.”
Even after a century of fighting as if to the death, the Crusaders and Ayubb are still earthlings who can communicate with each other.
So what choice do we have?
With an alien threat looming, we earthlings must unite.