Episode 199
They say that even if you visit the same place, the view changes depending on where you stand.
And right now, that couldn’t be more true.
“The Apostle is entering! Open the gates!”
“Savior of Islam!”
“Apostle! Please, bless us with your prayers!”
No one opposed the idea of holding another council in Jerusalem. Both the Christian kings and the Islamic sultans shared a common desire for lasting peace. After all, who would want to continue waging wars that drain resources and manpower?
Wars are only beneficial when the opponent can be easily exploited without any risk. Or when the war itself serves a purpose, regardless of victory or defeat.
Thus, for the sake of permanent peace, a proper arrangement was necessary, and there was no place more suitable than Jerusalem. Both Islam and Christianity agreed on this.
The aging Saladin could visit relatively comfortably, and the Christian kings had not yet returned to Europe. The Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, head of the Orthodox Church, had already declared me his plenipotentiary representative. After all, I was his son-in-law.
The only one left was Pope Peter II of Italy, but he couldn’t refuse my summons.
“We plan to hold a council in Jerusalem. You may send a representative, but it would be best if you came in person.”
That simple message was enough for the Pope to immediately express his intention to attend. I had sent the message to Italy a bit earlier, so they should arrive on time.
Compared to the first council, the attendees this time were on a completely different level. A mere cardinal had become the current Pope, and I, once a prophet of Christianity and Orthodoxy, had ascended to a sacred status that included Islam.
Unlike before, when Christian kings did not participate, this time the Holy Roman Emperor, and the kings of France and England, would attend. On the Islamic side, not only Saladin but also the Caliph of the Almohad Caliphate, Al-Nasir, expressed his intention to attend.
The recognition from both the Abbasid and Almohad Caliphates had significant repercussions in the Islamic world.
It was truly a gathering of the world’s most powerful figures—a festival of stars.
And the ones who welcomed me most warmly at this historic moment were none other than the Muslims of Jerusalem.
“The Apostle looked this way!”
“Apostle! Please, look this way too! Bless us with your holy gaze!”
Seeing the completely changed reaction compared to my first visit to Jerusalem was a stark reminder of how much things had changed. Back then, I was cursed as the child of Satan trying to destroy Islam.
“Thank you for such a warm welcome. I am overwhelmed by your hospitality.”
“Wow!”
“I wish I could meet each of you individually and offer a blessing, but please understand that it’s not feasible. However, I promise to visit regularly, share words of love, and offer prayers of blessing.”
As soon as I finished speaking, the crowd erupted in cheers, the air vibrating with their enthusiasm.
The sheer number of people gathered was overwhelming, stretching from the city gates to the streets, showering me with cheers and flower petals. Even the knights who followed me were awestruck by the spectacle.
I doubt anyone in history has received such a grand welcome upon entering Jerusalem.
Upon closer inspection, those shouting my name weren’t just Muslims. Though few in number, some Jews still residing in Jerusalem were also visible.
I hadn’t expected any acceptance from the Jewish community, but it seems some have chosen to embrace me. It’s certainly not a bad sign.
Considering the resilience of the Jewish people, integrating them into the order would prevent future conflicts. We can’t let them fight Islamic states over claims to this land a thousand years from now.
Thanks to the grand publicity, it wasn’t just the residents of Jerusalem who came out. People from all over Islam and even Europe were pouring in to witness this historic event.
Devout followers, intellectuals, and theologians alike.
There were predictions that the number of people would exceed the city’s capacity.
We must seize this opportunity.
“Everyone, soon a meeting will be held in this city, where God resides, to promise eternal peace. We will ensure that this holy land is never again engulfed in the flames of war or used as a tool for political strife. Citizens of Jerusalem, please extend your support and welcome to those who come for peace, just as you have welcomed me!”
“Marshall! Marshall! Marshall!”
“Pilgrims from Maghreb and Europe will continue to arrive, yearning for peace. As the city’s capacity may not suffice, we are setting up temporary accommodations outside the city gates. We are also preparing food and water to ensure there is no shortage. Let us all pray together for lasting peace!”
“Peace! Peace! Peace!”
The people near the gates were the first to shout, and like a wave, applause spread throughout the city.
Those in the middle might not even know what’s happening, but that’s the power of atmosphere.
Without exaggeration, the eyes of the world are on Jerusalem.
Anyone who dares to oppose my views here will be seen as an enemy of peace.
Not that there would be any, but it’s always good to set the tone.
Now, I shall sit at the highest place and calmly await the arrival of the rest.
As the world began to sense a fundamental shift in order.
“Whew… What on earth is happening?”
Pope Peter II was struggling to keep up with the unfolding events.
When the Crusades first launched, this was not the picture he had envisioned.
The narrative was supposed to be a holy war between Christianity and Islam.
A victory would elevate Marshall to the highest reverence within Christianity, and the Pope’s authority would rise proportionally.
It was seen as a golden opportunity to reassert the Vatican’s influence across Europe, which had waned since losing Jerusalem.
The possibility of defeat? That was never considered.
Marshall’s abilities, as witnessed by the Pope, were beyond doubt.
If he said he would win, he would win. It was God’s will.
And soon enough, the expected news arrived.
“The Crusaders have defeated the Khwarazm and achieved a great victory!”
“This is all because God recognized the Pope’s sincerity!”
Had it ended there, it would have been the best outcome for Peter II.
But then…
“Baghdad has been burned by those calling themselves the Mongol Empire, and the Caliph has been killed!”
“The Prophet says we must ally with Islam to face them together. It’s God’s will…”
“If we don’t comply, Damascus will fall, and Rome will be next!”
Ally with those who took Jerusalem? What an absurd notion, but the Mongol threat was so severe that it reached even the distant Vatican.
Moreover, Marshall had already prophesied the return of Attila, which only heightened the fear.
With the threat of Rome meeting the same fate as Baghdad, there was no choice.
The Vatican decided to comply without question.
And once again, news of victory followed.
Normally, the Vatican would have celebrated, saying, “Oh, Marshall! We believed in you!” but this time, shock preceded joy.
“Defeated the Mongols with smallpox? What if it spreads to us… Wait, there’s a way to avoid smallpox? Inoculation? Immunity?”
What was supposed to be a war suddenly turned into talk of eradicating smallpox.
Terms like immunity were unheard of, and no one understood them.
But if Edward Marshall was behind it, it couldn’t be wrong.
And indeed, it was confirmed that following Marshall’s method prevented smallpox. What greater blessing could there be?
In some ways, it was an even greater boon to humanity than winning a holy war.
No one understood how it was possible, but surely it was divine wisdom.
Just as those around Noah couldn’t comprehend the ark, they must have felt the same.
By the time they realized it, Marshall had ascended to an unparalleled status.
His position in Christianity and Orthodoxy was unmatched.
He had subdued Khwarazm, repelled the Mongols, and overcome the scourge of smallpox.
Moreover, the experiments conducted in Marshall’s domain were yielding incredible results, proving the greatness of divine wisdom.
Improved hygiene reduced illness, and the introduction of new farming methods drastically increased food production.
Was there ever a prophet in the entire Bible who achieved such feats and presence?
Apart from Christ himself, there seemed to be no one else like him.
The most astonishing fact was that even those Muslims, whom we often clashed with, acknowledged Marshall. They had the audacity to claim him as their own apostle, subtly trying to appropriate our prophet.
“How can those who don’t even recognize Christ now insist that our prophet is their apostle?”
“We are the ones closer to the prophet. We were the first to acknowledge him!”
“I even guided him when he first arrived in Rome!”
The Vatican, where the Pope resided, had become more abuzz with talk of Marshall than the Pope himself. Arguments erupted over who was more devoted to Marshall.
In just a few short years, the Pope’s position in the Vatican had all but vanished.
When Marshall called for a council, the Pope had no choice but to respond with a prompt “Yes!” and attend.
“I need to hear how the other kings are reacting to the current situation.”
Before meeting with Marshall, Pope Peter II decided to gather opinions from others. After all, secular rulers were more concerned with maintaining their power than with faith. Even the greatest prophet might have ulterior motives.
As expected, upon hearing of Peter II’s arrival, King Philip II was the first to seek him out, eager to welcome the Pope.
“Oh, King Philip II! It’s been so long since we last met.”
“Indeed, it has. I’m truly glad to see you in good health.”
“Likewise. I must admit, I was surprised. I received the message quite suddenly myself…”
As he trailed off, gauging the king’s reaction, Philip II chuckled softly and spoke in a low voice.
“Your Holiness, let me give you one piece of advice.”
“Yes?”
“Whatever the prophet says, just nod in agreement. That’s our role this time.”
The Pope was left speechless.
Was this really coming from Philip II, who was known for his scheming?
What had transpired here that the King of France would rush to advise the Pope to keep his mouth shut?
A new era was dawning.
On his first day on land, Peter II found himself pondering how best to convey to Marshall that both he and the Vatican still had a place in this redefined world.