Episode 179
Amidst the preparations for war, the Islamic factions seemed to be in a race to summon me, showering me with flattery and praise.
Even the imams who once shouted that I should not be acknowledged were now wagging their tails like eager puppies, eager to please.
“Oh, Apostle! We are truly grateful for your presence here.”
“I’m just happy to share hope with all of you.”
“We are thankful that you treat us so well despite our past rudeness.”
In Islam, gaining the support of the masses naturally involves winning over influential imams. While I could have branded those who rejected me as apostates and brought them down, replacing them would be inevitable. It’s easier to pretend to forgive them, indebting them to me and turning them into my followers. The stronger their faith, the more absolute their loyalty, like the Fatimids, Nasr, or the Assassins of Alamut.
Honestly, the conservatism and stubbornness of the current imams can be a hindrance, but Christianity is no different. I considered a complete overhaul, replacing the old with the new, but that might seem too radical. Reform is good, but being labeled a reformer can increase opposition, so caution is necessary.
Christianity now has the power to bulldoze forward, but in Islam, many still watch me with skepticism. I need to earn the trust of the people, but I lack the charisma to sway Muslims completely. That’s why it’s important to show imams bowing to me in various places.
“Apostle, please visit Maghreb next!”
“The Muslims of Tinmel and Marrakesh long to see you more than anyone.”
“Please share your gracious words with our brethren in Alexandria!”
“Ah, everyone, please calm down. With the war preparations in full swing, it’s difficult to travel south of Damascus right now. But I promise to visit once the war is over.”
“Oh, thank you, Apostle!”
“Long live the Apostle!”
Wherever I go, just showing my face elicits explosive reactions. It might be because it’s Damascus, but if I can extend this fervor to Egypt and Maghreb, it could rival Christianity—or perhaps even surpass it. Unlike Christianity, which has the Pope and the Byzantine Emperor as its leaders, Islam might be easier to manage. In Christianity, I can’t surpass Jesus, who is God himself, but in Islam, I could be seen as greater than Muhammad. Although Islam doesn’t worship Muhammad as a god, the title of the last apostle holds immense symbolic power.
This situation is partly thanks to the Mongols. By killing the caliph and obliterating the Abbasid dynasty, Islam now lacks even a nominal supreme leader. If a legitimate caliph were present, I would have to acknowledge him, and he would likely try to check my influence. But with the dynasty collapsed, no one can challenge me, no matter how much I assert myself. Saladin, the Sultan of Ayyubid, is my strong supporter, and the Sultan of the Almohads has no authority to dictate to me.
“Apostle, it’s time to move to the next location.”
“Is it that time already? Well then, everyone, I’ll bring more gracious words next time.”
“Apostle! Please attend an event hosted by us next time!”
I’ve heard that just the rumor of having met me elevates an imam’s influence within Islam. Initially, it didn’t feel real, but experiencing this near-frenzied enthusiasm repeatedly, I’m starting to get a sense of it. I’m worried that some might try to elevate me as the new caliph. But if that happens, rather than avoiding it, I might use it to my advantage…
I feel like I’m close to seeing a clear picture, but nothing definitive has come to mind yet. I need to try something while Saladin is backing me strongly. I hope he stays healthy for at least another ten years. It’s ironic that a Christian prophet is the one wishing for the Sultan’s long life, but perhaps this is a sign of how the world is changing.
So please, live long, our Sultan.
With these thoughts in mind, I gathered various health-boosting foods and moved on to my next schedule. The looming great war with the Mongols required careful planning: what level of forces to deploy, how many Crusaders to involve, and how to harmonize them with Islamic forces. Strategic goals needed to be established, and detailed tactics devised. Uniting two historically antagonistic forces for war was no small feat, especially with centuries of religious animosity.
To tackle such a complex issue, numerous discussions were necessary, but too many voices could lead to chaos. A small group with significant authority needed to negotiate, and fortunately, there were suitable figures on both sides.
“Ah, our prophet has finally arrived. Come in.”
“Apologies for being late. I thought I had more time, but you’re already here.”
“Unlike you, I have nothing else to do here, so I came early to chat with Saladin.”
“Oh, did you have a good conversation?”
“We only exchanged words in a large meeting before, so this was our first private talk. Surprisingly, we got along well. Maybe it’s just me, but…”
Richard I, who was to lead the vanguard in the upcoming war, had come to Damascus for detailed discussions. He laughed heartily, praising Saladin.
“You really have to meet someone in person to understand them. It was a good opportunity to confirm that the negative rumors about the Sultan were just that—rumors.”
“Is that so? I thought Saladin was well-regarded even in Europe.”
“Even so, he’s still a Muslim. Just one who was a bit more reasonable. You can’t openly praise a heathen ruler.”
Indeed, no matter how exemplary Saladin’s actions were, no one openly praised him. Doing so could lead to accusations of being an Islamic spy.
“So, what did you discuss? Was it about the war?”
“No, we avoided that topic until you arrived. It was a personal chat, not suited for war discussions. We talked about governance and shared our values.”
“Oh, you found common ground?”
Historically, Richard and Saladin had a rare mutual respect despite being adversaries. They acknowledged each other as ideal opponents. Richard openly praised Saladin as a great king and the best leader in Islam, while Saladin called Richard the finest Christian monarch. Interestingly, they never met in person in history. They communicated through letters and only saw each other from afar on the battlefield.
Given Richard’s reputation for defeating not just common soldiers but also amirs, it made no sense for Saladin to confront him directly unless he had a death wish. Seeing these two converse naturally was a fascinating sight.
Just then, Saladin returned with his entourage, taking a seat opposite Richard and me.
“Right on time. How was the event?”
“Thanks to your consideration, it was a meaningful experience.”
“Do you know how many requests we’re getting to see you? It’s almost as if the imams have forgotten we’re preparing for war.”
“Perhaps it’s because people seek peace of mind in uncertain times.”
“That could be it. But… maybe that’s for the best.”
The most unsettling thing is when someone leaves a thought unfinished. I took a sip of water and asked.
“Leaving us hanging like that will keep both me and King Richard up at night. Right?”
“Hmm? I’m a bit curious, but…”
“See? King Richard is curious too.”
“Ah, yes, yes. I am curious.”
With Richard’s support, Saladin chuckled and leaned back in his chair.
“I don’t mind sharing, but it might be an uncomfortable topic with King Richard here.”
“Uncomfortable because of me?”
“Exactly. If Muslims continue to rally behind Marshall with such fervor and he gains the highest religious authority, we have to consider our next steps. But I’m not sure how the Christian side will take it.”
Though he phrased it diplomatically, it was exactly what had been on my mind on the way here.
Could it really be a coincidence that Saladin voiced the very topic I had just been pondering?
It’s not as if Saladin could have influenced my thoughts, so it must mean that anyone would naturally arrive at such a conclusion right now.
Of course, Richard, who wasn’t a Muslim, took a moment to process the underlying meaning before his eyes widened in realization.
“Are you suggesting that Marshall could become the Caliph of Islam?”
“In that case, he would be more of a figurehead than even the Abbasids, but it’s not impossible. After all, the very definition of a Caliph is the successor to the Prophet.”
“Wouldn’t that be unsatisfactory for Marshall? He’s not just a successor; he’s the Prophet himself.”
“Ah… that’s true.”
Saladin, a devout Muslim, chuckled softly, as if he had never considered it from that angle.
“Anyway, Marshall, if you have any intention of taking that vacant Caliph position, it wouldn’t be too difficult. If this war ends in victory, it might as well be yours for the taking.”
”…”
“But I can’t predict how the Christians would react. I’m not a Christian, after all.”
Despite the alliance, the emotional rift between the two sides hasn’t fully healed, so it’s a valid concern. Naturally, Christians wouldn’t want their prophet to be claimed by Islam.
Yet Richard, who had been quietly listening, blinked in confusion and asked, “Why worry about that? The Christians could just respond in kind.”
“In kind? How do you mean?”
“Just make Marshall the Pope of the Catholics. Then both sides would share him, and neither would have much to complain about.”
Wow—talk about audacity, casually suggesting a new Pope while the current one is still alive.
This is why I can’t help but like Richard. It was too risky for me to voice such a thought, but hearing it from him feels like a weight lifted off my chest.
A Pope of the Catholics and a Caliph of Islam… Could such a fantastical hybrid truly exist?
The answer lies with the two men sitting before me.