Episode 176

The news that the Mongolian envoy had fled in haste after meeting with me spread like wildfire throughout the Crusader camp.

Curiosity about our conversation was so intense that the Crusader kings lined up to see me before I even had a chance to visit them.

“I was planning to come see you, but I didn’t expect you’d arrive so quickly.”

“Of course, I had to come. What on earth happened? Why did the Mongols suddenly show up here, and why did you meet with them?”

“They sought me out, so I obliged. There was no reason not to.”

“No reason not to? What kind of nation sends an envoy in such a haphazard manner? Even when visiting neighboring territories, one doesn’t act so rudely.”

Richard, clearly baffled, was nodding along with Heinrich VI, who stood silently beside him.

Only Philip II remained still, watching me without a word.

“Sure, I could have just told them to leave, but then we wouldn’t have gained anything. Besides, they sent someone quite influential, so I made sure to assert our dominance.”

“Influential? I hadn’t heard anything about that.”

“You must have. He introduced himself quite clearly.”

“Well, of course, he said his name. But what was it again… Suldus… Suldus Tiraun.”

When I corrected the name, Richard frowned and clicked his tongue.

“Right, that Tiraun or whatever. How did you know who he was? Did you know beforehand?”

“That’s why I met him. As expected, he was quite taken aback. It was very effective.”

“But how… No, asking that was foolish of me. So, how did you pressure this Tiraun to make him flee like a defeated soldier, as people say?”

“Yes. If we’d talked a bit longer, I could have completely crushed his spirit. He must have sensed that instinctively and ran.”

As I explained the situation, Richard and Heinrich VI’s expressions gradually relaxed.

In warfare, it’s usually not wise to reveal your extraordinary abilities to the enemy. It’s more effective to lull them into complacency than to invite focused scrutiny by being perceived as a formidable opponent.

However, being seen as an unattainable force is a different story. When an opponent becomes overly conscious of you, they naturally become intimidated and can’t perform to their full potential. This phenomenon is common not only in war but also in modern sports.

Richard, who had been through countless battles, seemed to understand my strategy without needing further explanation and chuckled.

“I get it. It’s quite significant, actually. Even before I became king, opponents would get nervous just knowing they were up against the best knight in England.”

“Yes. No matter how fearless the Mongols are, witnessing supernatural power firsthand would give them pause. Nomads like them are often more sensitive to superstitions. Seeing real divine power must have been a shock.”

If I could meet with Genghis Khan himself, the impact would be even greater, but such an opportunity is unlikely. Still, instilling fear in Tiraun, one of their key figures, is a significant victory for now.

As I reveled in this small triumph, Philip II, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke.

“I’m genuinely impressed. This is a strategy only you could devise, isn’t it? Just one question—did you know Tiraun was coming?”

“No, I didn’t. Prophecies aren’t something I can summon at will. It was just fortunate timing.”

I needed to set the groundwork to avoid future complications. If war breaks out and they expect me to predict enemy movements, it would be problematic.

“We must remember that we’re receiving an extraordinary amount of grace. Not just you, but I must also keep this in mind. God dislikes those who don’t strive for themselves. If we become complacent and start asking for more, He will abandon us.”

In other words, don’t expect me to perform miracles on demand. That would surely invite divine retribution.

By making this clear, we can avoid complacency and approach the war with more urgency.

“Ah, yes… Just to be clear, don’t misunderstand.”

Hmm? It seems my words had a surprisingly strong effect.

Even Philip II, usually unflappable, seemed genuinely flustered.

“Of course. I didn’t think Your Majesty was asking with that intention.”

“No, no, I need to make this clear. Even if I don’t say it, God knows my true intentions. He knows I have no intention of making demands of you.”

“Yes, I understand.”

I know it’s a lie, but for them, it might have been a chilling warning.

Assuming the existence of God, no excuse would suffice, and their true thoughts would be laid bare.

Even someone as adept at maintaining a poker face as Philip II couldn’t help but be taken aback.

No matter how skilled or intelligent one is, if they believe in a divine presence, this is inevitable.

Richard and Heinrich VI, too, seemed to feel a pang of guilt, briefly coughing and closing their eyes as if in silent prayer.

Perhaps they’re secretly repenting.

“There’s no need to be so serious. I don’t think any of you would approach the war half-heartedly, believing God will fight for you. Didn’t we all fight with everything we had against the Khwarazmians?”

“Yes, yes, of course. Haha.”

“We wouldn’t rely solely on you for our strategy.”

Their stammering suggests they might have been thinking along those lines.

While Richard might not, Heinrich VI and Philip II were likely viewing the situation optimistically.

For Heinrich VI, it was probably a desire for an easier path, while Philip II, ever the pragmatist, sought maximum efficiency.

In any case, it was wise to clarify things here.

It’s good to solidify my position by demonstrating my abilities, but I can’t have them harboring unrealistic expectations.

This isn’t just for the Crusaders; I should make it clear to the Islamic side as well.

After all, the notion that God dislikes such behavior should be universally accepted.

“Now that we’re all here, shall we discuss our next steps? Let’s anticipate the enemy’s moves and prepare our responses.”

“Is there a chance the enemy might retreat, fearing your abilities?”

“It’s possible, but not very likely.”

If I were Genghis Khan, I’d be cautious but more inclined to capture me.

A collector of talent wouldn’t pass up a prophet who can see the future.

Even if I were Genghis Khan, I’d be drooling at the prospect of capturing me to work for him.

Richard, though from a slightly different perspective, supported my view.

“I don’t think they’ll retreat. They’ve come too far already. Besides, I’ve heard the Mongols possess an unprecedentedly vast territory. A ruler with such achievements would naturally be brimming with confidence. Some might call it arrogance, but it’s well-founded.”

“So, even the Khan wouldn’t pull back his forces.”

“Exactly. If I were in his shoes, I’d challenge the divine will, even if it meant defying God. Ah, of course, that’s just hypothetical. Forgive me, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…”

Richard’s sudden prayer to the heavens lightened the mood.

“Ha… ahem.”

Heinrich’s laughter was hard to suppress, and Philip and I turned away, trying to maintain our composure.

Stay calm. I’m a prophet.

Maintain your expression. Maintain your expression.

“Ahem! So, assuming war is inevitable, what should we do? Remember, we’re dealing with a strategist who has carved out an unprecedented empire.”

“Last time we spoke, you mentioned that the Mongols are mostly cavalry, and each soldier is skilled enough to be considered elite in any army. Judging by their rapid advance, it seems Genghis Khan is fully harnessing the power of his forces.”

“Exactly. They’re probably the most formidable light cavalry in history. What’s truly frightening is that as they conquer more territories, they’re increasing their numbers of heavy cavalry and even employing shock troops.”

“But this time, they won’t be able to use those tactics so easily. You’ve already spread the poison on their side.”

Richard grinned confidently, tracing his finger across various points on the map.

“Normally, they might try to disrupt us with scattered attacks, but such maneuvers won’t work against us. I need to confirm something—did you tell them the same thing you told us, that you can’t use your powers as a tool of war?”

“Of course not.”

“Good. Then they won’t know that, and they’ll have to constantly consider your prophecies. If it were me, just that uncertainty would be enough to drive me mad, but they’ll try to come up with a countermeasure somehow.”

Richard paused, lost in thought, and no one dared to interrupt his contemplation.

After all, he was the most tactically astute person in the room.

Once he had gathered his thoughts, he continued.

“As I mentioned earlier, we can rule out simultaneous attacks on multiple fronts. If they were to surprise us, the damage would be significant, so they won’t adopt such a strategy.”

“So, in the end, it means we’ll have to face them head-on…”

“Exactly. One way or another, they’ll have to confront us directly at least once. So…”

Richard’s eyes flickered with a fiery intensity.

“If they challenge us here, I’ll personally break their spearhead.”

Like a lion hungry for battle, he was sharpening his claws, ready to sink them into the throats of the blue wolves.