Episode 170
“Heh heh heh!”
Of course, Pope Peter II would make such a decision. Well done!
Though I was granted full authority by the Pope when I came here, it was strictly limited to the war with Khwarazm.
If I made an official announcement without prior coordination with the Vatican, someone might raise an issue later.
Naturally, the Vatican would find it difficult to accept the idea of allying with Islam, but I had no worries from the start.
I had inserted a prophecy that if the alliance wasn’t accepted, the Pope would meet the same fate as the Caliph.
It was a complete fabrication, but who in this world could verify it? It didn’t matter.
With everything else having been proven true, it was only natural that no one would doubt the latter part.
If any bishop had dared to question it, the Pope would have excommunicated him on the spot.
It would be akin to suggesting we check if the Pope would be trampled to death by a horse.
In any case, the Pope accepted my demands and further assured me that, considering the physical distance between the Vatican and the Middle East, I would have full decision-making authority.
Not only the Vatican but also the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Byzantine Emperor, sent a similar letter.
In truth, among the Crusaders, the Byzantines were probably the most eager to ally with Islam.
Unlike the distant Vatican, the Byzantines could potentially share a border with the Mongols.
Unlike Khwarazm, the Ayyubids had a good relationship with the Byzantines, and communication was smooth, so there was no need for hostility.
But what if the Mongols, who had a habit of crushing everything in their path, took over the Ayyubid’s position?
In the past, when they didn’t hold Anatolia, it might have been different. But now, having barely reclaimed their old territory, they might just hand it over again.
Moreover, if the opponent were Islam, they could at least frame it as a religious conflict, but with the Mongols, even that would be difficult.
But since we proposed an alliance, the justification was solid.
The kings and knights of the Crusaders, having witnessed the prophecy unfold perfectly, were now silent, leaving no obstacles in our path.
Even Philip II, who had been scheming in the background, seemed to have switched to observation mode, offering no further opinions.
Instead…
“Did you receive any prophecy about the outcome of this war?”
“Even I don’t know everything.”
He kept trying to extract information from me whenever he could, talking more than usual.
It seemed he had come to accept my prophecies as a given and was trying to ride the wave for maximum benefit. At this point, his consistency was almost endearing.
“It’s a bit disappointing. If God had revealed the outcome of this war to you, it would be easier for us to plan. Don’t you think?”
“If everything were revealed, people would rely on God rather than believe in Him. There would be no progress, only regression. God knows this, which is why He hasn’t given direct revelations for a long time.”
“Really? Then why did you receive a prophecy? We haven’t talked about this before. Do you know why?”
“I haven’t been told the reason, but I have my own thoughts.”
Seeing that he was genuinely curious rather than suspicious, I could guess how Philip II currently viewed me.
No matter how intelligent and rational he was, at his core, he was still a Christian.
When faced with undeniable, transcendent miracles, he had no choice but to accept them.
Trusting my words and seeking the greatest benefit within them was probably the most rational conclusion Philip II could reach.
Objectively, having a strategist like Philip II completely trust me was beneficial, not detrimental.
So, I should continue to support him to ensure he doesn’t change his mind.
“To be precise, it’s not because I’m special that I received a prophecy. God must have chosen me because things couldn’t continue as they were.”
“He lamented, you say…”
“Yes. What did Your Majesty feel when witnessing the alliance between Christianity and Islam?”
“Nothing special. Just that something unbelievable was actually happening.”
“Exactly. Not just Your Majesty, but everyone must have felt the same. Not only us, but the people on the Islamic side probably think the same.”
I heard that when the Ayyubids officially recognized me, the Almohad Caliphate was so outraged that they denounced Saladin as a heretic.
But when the events of that day were detailed and the imams who attended the ceremony unanimously acknowledged me in their sermons, they had no choice but to relent.
“I think if the leader of the Ayyubids hadn’t been Saladin, the alliance itself might have been impossible. Ah, is that contradictory? Perhaps it was destined for Saladin to become the Sultan of the Ayyubids.”
“Indeed. Imagine you are our Father in Heaven, observing the current era as a complete outsider. The division between Catholics and Orthodox Christians, who claim to believe in the Word, has persisted for over a hundred years.
Moreover, the tragedy of bloodshed over the Holy Land has been repeated for decades. The conflicts are intensifying with no sign of resolution. By now, someone should have asked the question: Does God truly desire this situation?”
“If they had, they would have been branded heretics and excommunicated.”
“Yes, indeed. That’s why those who created this distorted reality are now being held accountable.”
It’s all about fitting the pieces together.
Even just looking at the facts, the Pope has been replaced several times since the Crusades, the Byzantine Emperor, the head of the Orthodox Church, was ousted, and now the Caliph of Islam has died.
Taken separately, it might seem coincidental, but when viewed together, it paints a rather significant picture.
Especially for someone as intelligent as Philip II, who can see the big picture without me having to spell it out.
“I hadn’t realized it, but thinking it over, you’re right. Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Muslims have all been struck down. It seems like a form of judgment.”
“Exactly. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ. Having turned away from the will of Heaven for centuries, they couldn’t avoid a certain level of accountability.”
“In a way, it’s fortunate that our Pope didn’t meet a gruesome end like their Caliph. But according to you, doesn’t that mean our belief in Catholicism as the sole truth was wrong?”
“Your Majesty, then by that logic, before the New Testament, when Catholicism didn’t exist, did everyone hold false beliefs?”
“That wouldn’t be the case.”
“I’m not learned enough to declare what is true or false. But the most important thing is the essence. Being aware that God watches over us, avoiding sin, and practicing love. Our Father, who knows everything, looks at the heart, not the words.”
Philip II, who had previously been caught plotting in secret, gave a wry smile.
“Anyway, thanks to you, I understand better now. Your thoughts… or rather, the fragments of the vision God has given you.”
“You’ve already figured it out?”
“Didn’t you tell me to? It would be easier for you to reach that point with the help of kings responsible for their nations.”
Hmm. Good. People with quick minds understand perfectly even when you speak in circles.
Sorry, Philip II. It’s true that these are my thoughts, but since it won’t harm France, please continue to follow this path.
The historic signing ceremony for the alliance between Christianity and Islam was extraordinary in scale.
It was rare for kings to personally attend and sign rather than just send their seals.
A king’s personal presence at a meeting signified its immense importance.
But this occasion was an exception.
“Saladin… I’ve never seen him in person. What kind of man is he?”
“A man worthy of being called the Great Sultan.”
The Crusaders, who arrived first, set up a lavish tent and awaited the arrival of the Ayyubids.
The location for the alliance signing was inside the walls of the holy city of Jerusalem.
There was a consensus that no place was more fitting than this shared holy site of Islam and Christianity.
Jerusalem was still Ayyubid territory, so the approach of the Crusader army was a potential threat, but this time, they made an exception and did not intervene.
Instead, the Crusaders left their army outside and entered the city with only a few guards.
Naturally, the kings and knights, visiting Jerusalem for the first time, were excitedly exploring the city.
The only exception might have been Richard.
Our Lionheart seemed more interested in the man Saladin, whom he would soon meet, than in the holy city itself.
Philip II, too, seemed to have similar thoughts, but with his perfect facade, he was outwardly expressing interest in the holy city as a devout Christian, so he was an exception.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect the Ayyubids to turn a blind eye to us bringing in a large army. It seems they truly see the Mongols as a massive threat.”
“If they believe in my prophecy, they have no choice.”
It’s absurd to nitpick over minor issues when facing the possibility of the entire country being torn apart like Baghdad if they stand alone.
Some within the Crusaders suggested leveraging this to demand excessive terms from the Ayyubids, but the idea was quickly shot down with, “Do you want the alliance to fall apart and the Papacy to be crushed?”
After all, we’re dealing with Genghis Khan at the peak of his power, even more formidable than in the original history.
There’s no winning this with half-hearted negotiations over interests.
Even if the Crusaders lose, they won’t face complete ruin like the Islamic world might, but my situation is different.
With so much invested in this film, now that it’s hitting theaters, there’s no option but for it to be a blockbuster.
Will I become the protagonist who shapes the era, or end up as the most successful con artist who almost made it?
I’ve just stepped onto the path that teeters between heaven and hell.
“Your Majesty, just to be clear, we need to form a genuine alliance with the Ayyubids, not just in name. We must engage in close cooperation during the battle. Can you manage that?”
“Of course, I can. But I’m not sure if they can. I’d like to see what this Saladin is made of.”
“Just my prediction, but I think you two will get along well. Ah, it seems we’ve arrived.”
Two kings who, in history, were fierce adversaries yet respected each other more than anyone else.
This is the moment Richard and Saladin meet as allies for the first time.
“Shall we welcome the alliance together? Let’s go create a scene that will be remembered in history.”