"By the grace of God, His Majesty Baldwin IV, the glorious King of Jerusalem and noble Guardian of the Holy Sepulchre!"
The herald's voice rang across the chamber.
The council hall stood open to the sky, its ceiling wide and exposed.
A war council beneath the heavens themselves.
I had never seen anything quite so grand.
"You said you wished to go to Constantinople yourself."
King Baldwin IV whispered softly.
"This is your last chance to reconsider."
"I must go."
If Byzantium was to be stabilized—if Western and Crusader influence was to take root and prevent a coup—there was no one better suited.
He studied me in silence.
"Very well. You shall have your wish. A man must walk the path he chooses."
He added quietly,
"Remember—who you are is decided only by your actions. Whether that path leads to heaven… or to hell."
He stepped forward.
The bustling hall fell silent at once.
Lords and knights rose in respect.
"Be at ease. Baldwin, come here."
I moved to his side.
"It is the first time the young Prince Baldwin has attended council, I believe."
The speaker was clean-shaven, composed, his confidence unmistakable.
Who—
Ah.
Raymond.
Count of Tripoli. Leader of the moderate faction.
"Young Baldwin rebuilt Eilat, repelled the Saracen tribes, and increased royal revenue through Elixir," the king said evenly.
"I believe he has earned the right to attend. Do you object, Count Raymond?"
"Certainly not, Your Majesty. However… I have heard rumors that this Elixir was created with Saracen alchemical devices. If Rome were to take issue…"
"That matter has already been resolved with the Patriarch."
I smiled faintly.
Heraclius had given approval—and then fled toward Europe under the pretext of seeking Crusade support.
In truth, he was avoiding me.
Raymond nodded.
No further argument.
"Then let us begin."
Baldwin IV addressed the hall.
"You all know the matter before us. The Eastern Romans—the Greeks."
"Constantinople…"
"Reports suggest unrest among the people. The young emperor and regency face opposition."
He gestured calmly.
"The Empress Mother Maria is of Antiochene origin. That alone breeds resentment."
He swept his gaze across the chamber.
"To contain Saladin, alliance with Constantinople is essential."
"Your Majesty speaks truth," Guy said, armored and composed.
He looked at me carefully.
"Yet our own forces are stretched thin guarding border cities. What can we do if the Empire falters?"
"I intend to send an embassy."
The king's eyes settled on me.
"Led by Prince Baldwin."
Shock rippled through the chamber.
Raymond. Guy. Others.
Murmurs.
Prince Baldwin… again?
I stood motionless.
Even I had not expected such a public declaration.
This was more than an appointment.
It was an acknowledgment.
"An excellent choice, Your Majesty."
Guy spoke first.
His composure surprised me.
"A royal envoy will honor imperial protocol. Yet expectations will be high."
There it was.
If I failed, the blame would reflect upon the king.
"You all agree, do you not? Baldwin has already proven himself in Eilat. An embassy should pose no difficulty."
"We cannot allocate excessive resources to Constantinople," Raymond added. "Given our borders, even escort forces must remain minimal."
"That much is understood."
The king cut him off.
He turned to me.
"Well, Baldwin? Do you still accept?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I met the gaze of the hall.
They expected failure.
Raymond remained skeptical.
Guy watched like a predator awaiting weakness.
Only Balian stood quietly supportive.
"Then it is settled," the king declared. "Funds will be drawn from the war treasury. Escort shall be minimal."
The rest of the meeting passed in lesser matters.
But the most important decision was made.
An embassy to Byzantium.
Led by me.
As the council dispersed, I glanced back at them.
They believe this is a trap.
Or that the king has overreached.
Let them.
Everything was proceeding within expected parameters.
I smiled.
I wonder what their faces will look like when I return.
That afternoon—
Hospitaller headquarters.
"Constantinople… I never imagined I would go there."
"Didn't you say that last time about Eilat?"
I laughed.
Aig flushed slightly.
"Perhaps I did."
"Don't worry. You'll keep saying it."
We sat beside Garnier bed.
His complexion had improved.
"I regret falling ill at such a critical moment, Your Highness."
"You fought at the front for months. Rest is not weakness."
Fortunately, it was only fever.
He would recover.
"I have asked my master to guard you in my stead."
"Hugh?"
Crossing the sea would not be easy for a leper.
But if he volunteered…
"Rest," I said gently. "I will return soon."
"I will pray daily for you and the embassy," Garnier replied. "And do not slack off, Aig."
"I never slack!"
We laughed.
That evening, I visited my mother, Sibylla.
It was the first time since awakening in Baldwin's body.
I had avoided her unconsciously.
How should I behave?
I was a Korean cadet from the 21st century.
And a 12th-century prince.
Baldwin's memories were not separate.
They were part of me.
Love.
Fear.
Grief.
It was time to accept them.
She spoke first.
"You were right. Guy has been diverting royal funds in my name."
She sighed.
"His Majesty has noticed as well."
"He seeks the crown by any means."
"Since your success at Eilat, the palace atmosphere has shifted. That unsettles him."
There was no resentment in her eyes.
Only pride.
Her unruly son now led an embassy to Byzantium.
"No matter what happens," I realized, "Sibylla stands with me."
That alone was powerful.
Jerusalem was no stranger to maternal influence in politics.
Kings had once seized thrones from their own mothers.
"If Guy moves against you," she said quietly, "I will not remain silent. If necessary, I will divorce him."
"For now, the grounds are insufficient. We must wait."
Diverted funds were not enough.
But Guy would make a mistake eventually.
She could provide intelligence.
"If you stand with me…"
"I always will."
She smiled faintly.
"You seem different, Baldwin. More composed."
"Perhaps Eilat changed me."
I remembered the city rebuilding.
The relief of stopping Reynald's massacre.
These were not NPCs.
They were real people.
Whatever force brought me here—
My role was clear.
Survive.
And carve a better path for them.
Who am I?
A disgraced cadet?
A prince of Jerusalem?
"Who you are is decided only by your actions."
Perhaps the king was right.
No time for identity crises.
First—
Byzantium.
I must save Byzantium.