Episode 235
Even Al Adil was uncertain about what decision the Caliph would make.
His brother, the great Sultan Saladin, who seemed to know everything about the world, hadn’t provided any clear predictions either.
Not that Al Adil had ever intended to rely on his brother in Egypt, but it was still a curious situation.
“Should we demand the Caliph’s surrender? They must know the tide has turned, and if they’re sensible, they’ll accept.”
“Yes, that’s probably best. The Sultan has also instructed that if the Caliph is willing to surrender, we must ensure his safety.”
Though the Caliph wouldn’t retain his position, there was talk of allowing him to live as an honored guest in Cairo if he wished.
To the rational Al Adil, this was baffling.
If they had any sense, they should be the ones begging for negotiations.
If he were the Caliph, he would have sought a diplomatic solution the moment they crossed the border.
Sure, maybe at first, they could send an army out of pride.
He could understand that much.
But once it was clear that sending troops wouldn’t lead to a real fight, there should have been a change.
North Africa is vast.
To reach the capital of the Almohads, Marrakech, from Ayyubid territory, even with a cavalry, it would take at least two, almost three months.
In all that time, how could they not grasp the situation and still not mention negotiations?
At this rate, they would reach Marrakech in less than two weeks.
Could it be that they have some brilliant plan to turn the tables?
Is that why they’re holding out, waiting for a chance to counterattack?
“If there’s any chance we might mess this up, what could it be? Let’s all think it over again.”
“Excuse me?”
“No, I mean, logically, if things continue like this, there’s only ruin ahead, yet the Caliph acts as if he’s blind and deaf. It feels like there’s some hidden agenda we don’t know about…”
No matter how proud someone is, no one wants to lose everything and face execution.
Sure, if their pride was sky-high, they might choose death, but he was certain the Caliph wasn’t that type.
If he were, he wouldn’t have bowed to the Marshal in the council.
So what is he thinking, and what plan does he have to act so strangely?
If it were his brother, he would have found the answer by now. Perhaps Al Adil wasn’t yet fit to lead a nation.
As he wrestled with this unsolvable problem, his subordinates cautiously approached him.
“Commander, remember what the Sultan said before we set out?”
”…Oh? Right, he did.”
The Almohads boast a territory even larger than the Ayyubids.
Even in a war that doesn’t feel like a war, many variables can arise, and they can’t consult the king every time.
So Saladin had given Al Adil full authority, except for a few essential rules he had to follow.
He suddenly remembered something else Saladin had advised.
“He said… if something doesn’t make sense, think as simply as possible.”
“Exactly. Isn’t now the time for that?”
“Indeed, the Caliph’s actions are baffling. So, if we think as simply as possible, how should we understand this?”
“Uh… maybe the simplest way is to take it at face value? The Caliph has no intention of surrendering?”
The reason for not negotiating is simply not wanting to negotiate.
It’s a straightforward, simple, and clear conclusion.
Normally, he would have shouted at such a suggestion, but remembering Saladin’s words, he decided to consider it.
“Alright. So, the tide has turned, and if they don’t negotiate, they’ll lose everything, but they refuse to bow down. That means even if we reach Marrakech, they’ll likely continue to hold out.”
“Can they hold out? If our forces approach the capital, the residents might secretly open the gates.”
Indeed, most of the cities they passed through had done just that.
No matter how large a city, not one had put up a real siege.
Marrakech might be different since the Caliph is there, but even then, it wouldn’t last more than a month.
“Alright, let’s proceed with the simplest mindset possible. We won’t be shaken by anything.”
“You’re right, Commander.”
“If they had any plans, they would have acted by now. With the capital’s fall imminent, what can they do?”
After months of pushing forward, the incompetent ones who did nothing would be crushed, no matter what tricks they had.
Just as they were about to resume their bold march.
“Commander! The Caliph has…!”
“Hmm? Have they finally decided to negotiate? It wouldn’t make sense for them to stay idle.”
“The Caliph has declared total war. They’re concentrating all their forces to engage us in battle.”
”…What?”
What on earth is this?
Is this another reckless move, or do they really have a plan? Now, he truly couldn’t tell.
No, he had to think simply… simply…
Al Adil closed his eyes tightly, erasing all possibilities from his mind.
If they were acting without thought, he would show them hell.
Caught in a battle of wits against the enemy’s deception, Al Adil decided to unleash his uncontainable fury on the approaching enemy.
With the fate of the nation hanging in the balance, the remaining pro-Caliph forces were in chaos.
“What on earth is happening?”
“Can someone explain this in a way that makes sense?”
“Are they telling us to go out and fight the Ayyubids to the death?”
Even if they scraped together every last soldier, the Almohad forces would struggle to exceed ten thousand.
A great nation ruling almost all of North Africa, unable to muster even ten thousand troops?
It was as if the country was already finished.
“I can’t take it anymore. I was loyal to the Caliph, but I didn’t sign up to die.”
“I agree.”
“With no plan in place, how can we continue to follow them?”
“Abdallah, please say something.”
Abdallah, the current Caliph’s brother, was burning with frustration.
In the past few months, he seemed to have aged ten years, his face gaunt and weary.
This was a nightmare.
He had seen the signs of decline and was looking for a way out, but he hadn’t expected it to come so quickly.
People like Al Wahid had swiftly aligned themselves with the Ayyubids, but Abdallah couldn’t do the same.
His position as the Caliph’s brother held him back.
If he stayed in Marrakech, he would be cut down by the advancing Ayyubids.
But surrendering now felt too late.
With most already siding with the Ayyubids, joining them now would leave him with nothing but scraps.
Most of those still loyal to the Caliph were in the same boat, having missed the chance to switch sides.
“Listen, everyone.”
“Yes?”
“So, it’s clear none of us want to follow the Caliph’s orders into the fire, right?”
”…That’s right.”
Once it was confirmed that everyone was on the same page, a heavy silence filled the room.
They all exchanged glances, swallowing nervously, knowing what this silence meant.
Someone had to step up and take charge.
And to give it legitimacy, it had to be the Caliph’s brother.
With a heavy sigh, Abdallah steeled himself.
His mere sigh drew everyone’s attention, but he hesitated to speak, taking a few deep breaths before slowly looking around.
“I don’t want to die a meaningless death either. So… there’s only one course of action we can take, isn’t there?”
“Are you suggesting we surrender?”
Someone asked, though it wasn’t out of ignorance.
It was more a plea for someone to take the lead.
”…Does anyone think simple surrender is enough? If so, you can leave now. If you go to the Ayyubid camp and offer to surrender, they’ll probably accept.”
”…”
”…It’s too late.”
“Even if we surrender now, will there be a place for us? They’ll accept us, but we’ll be walking on eggshells.”
Indeed, everyone thought the same.
That meant whatever Abdallah was about to propose would have their support.
Given the situation, everyone had considered it at least once.
But it was a forbidden thought, one they couldn’t easily voice, now brought to light by Abdallah.
“Even if we surrender, to maintain our positions, we need something to offer them. So, what can we give them?”
”…”
”…There’s only one thing, isn’t there?”
“Wait. If we can offer it, will we really get better treatment?”
Some people dislike traitors, believing they could betray again.
Considering Saladin’s well-known disposition, defecting might not be met with open arms.
However, Abdullah had naturally weighed these risks in his own way.
“This isn’t betrayal. We stood our ground until the very end, but we couldn’t drive all the people of Marrakesh to their deaths. We rose up because of that. If we can unite the voices of the people here, our actions won’t be seen as treason.”
“I see. You intended to remain loyal, but couldn’t bear to push innocent citizens to their deaths… That seems like the best course.”
“To achieve this, everyone here must work together. We need to divide our efforts between winning over the people’s hearts and securing the palace, leaving no room for error.”
With the word ‘treason’ now spoken, there was no turning back.
Abdullah closed his eyes tightly, sentencing the nation he had devoted his life to serve.
“Let’s abolish the caliphate and surrender ourselves to the Sultan.”
The dynasty, which had proudly ruled over North Africa and Andalusia for a century, met its end in a secluded chamber of the palace.
The final duty of the loyal servants who had remained with the dynasty to the end was to depose the king they had once served.