The procession seeing us off stretched long.
From Emperor Alexiosto Empress Dowager Maria,and Princess Theodora.
Crowds gathered in front.
Behind us stood a grand fleet of fifty ships.
To an outsider, it might look as though we were going to invade another country.
"I wish you could have stayed longer."
Alexios smiled, though he seemed reluctant.
"As long as I remain Emperor, the Empire will always welcome you."
"The Kingdom of Jerusalem will always welcome Your Majesty as well."
I embraced him.
"Perhaps the day I go to you will come sooner than expected."
"Perhaps we shall meet in Egypt."
I replied with a smile.
Egypt—Saladin's base.
To strike there, the Eastern Roman navy would be essential.
Alexios's reaction had been positive.
'First, we must deal with the rebel fleet in Cyprus.'
Another reason to settle the Cyprus matter.
I looked at the boy before me.
'It feels regrettable to part like this.'
In the game, affinity had been nothing more than a number.
High affinity meant requests were granted; low affinity meant hostility. A simple system.
But what I felt now was different.
A friend of the same age.
'Though in truth, I'm older.'
We exchanged one final look.
Next came Empress Dowager Maria and Empress Agnes.
I exchanged light farewells with them.
Last was Princess Theodora.
"Farewell, my lord."
She smiled.
"I suppose we shall meet next in Jerusalem."
"That remains to be seen…"
I replied with a smile.
There would be no reason for Baldwin IV to refuse the marriage proposal.
Marriage.
I never imagined I would become a married man like this.
"I hope to see you again as well, Your Highness."
"You are always so composed."
She said.
"'Remain calm, and all will follow you.' I have never seen anyone who suits that proverb more."
"To survive, one has no choice but to remain calm."
I answered.
If I were to compare the Kingdom of Jerusalem to something, it was a collapsing house.
To catch falling bricks and set them back in place required constant movement.
For now, I had set the Eastern Roman brick back in place.
I gave one final wave and headed toward the docks.
The great fleet stretched before me.
A fleet that would escort me to Jerusalem—and seize Cyprus.
Hugh approached.
"Garnier and Aig have already boarded. We can depart as soon as you step aboard."
"Loading finished earlier than I expected."
I looked at the ships.
Treasures and wealth received from the imperial court.
And the first detachment of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre was accompanying us.
In effect, an entire military unit was moving.
"Soon there will be a chapter of the Order in Jerusalem. It has been decades since the Eastern Church showed such goodwill toward the Crusaders."
Hugh looked thoughtful.
"Rome and Constantinople have been busy snarling at each other. Perhaps this may be the beginning of unity between East and West."
"Perhaps."
But that was not my goal.
The division between the Eastern and Western Churches was complicated.
The fall of the Western Roman Empire, doctrinal disputes, and more.
In truth, the core was simple.
Two children fighting over leadership.
'I have no time to untangle the causes and reconcile them.'
What I wanted was an immediate solution.
Something that could be corrected now.
"First, we deal with Cyprus. The rest can wait."
The ship stirred and began to move.
We left the harbor to the cheers of the citizens.
The vessel began to rock—
Ah, damn.
I turned my head so others would not see.
I think I'm getting seasick again.
I can't strike a heroic pose and then vomit.
And so the long torment began once more.
"I heard your order keeps chastity. Is that true?"
"You speak as though we keep it for life. I was a lord before I contracted leprosy. A very handsome lord at that."
Hugh burst into laughter.
Two days after leaving Constantinople,
we were nearing Cyprus.
My seasickness had somewhat improved.
"What exactly are you two discussing?"
I asked as I approached Hugh and Ruaak.
The sea was covered in fog.
Thick and damp.
Only the ship directly ahead was visible.
"We were discussing the traditions of the Latin orders. There may be things worth adopting."
Ruaak answered.
He had been appointed commander of the newly founded Order of the Holy Sepulchre.
The first detachment numbered around two hundred, including him.
Considering this was pure combat strength without support personnel, it was substantial.
He asked Hugh again,
"And what about that boy? I heard he joined the Hospitallers when he was young."
"That one? He's probably already chasing after women. I can guarantee it. Isn't that right, Aig?!"
The boy's flushed reaction drew laughter from both men.
The sounds of warriors laughing and talking echoed across the deck.
The smell of beer and meat.
And song.
"Those who follow you are all quite unique."
Ruaak said.
His golden cloak, given by the Patriarch of Constantinople, fluttered in the sea wind.
"A leper knight who was once a lord, an orphan Hospitaller squire, and…"
He looked toward Garnier, who was training with his sword.
"He came on pilgrimage, found enlightenment, and joined the order."
I replied with a smile.
Not even the youngest son, but the second son of a noble house.
He had given up inheritance to join the order.
"And what of you?"
I asked.
Ruaak's face bore many scars.
A man who had clearly lived through much.
"I was born on a ship. My ancestors pioneered countless lands."
He said in his usual calm tone.
"From Vinland to Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, and finally Constantinople. Now I go even to the Holy City."
Vinland?
That sounded familiar.
"Vinland—southwest of Greenland?"
"Yes. The Skraelings lived there—natives who did not know iron. Their skin was…"
"Reddish, slightly dark."
"How would you know that, Prince?"
"I have seen many sights. Vinland among them."
I replied with a smile.
Yes. They had reached Canada.
Skraelings—likely Native Americans.
"Truly, you possess foresight. Or perhaps your soul travels. Surely the Archangel Michael watches over you."
"Perhaps."
I said with a smile.
Waves struck the hull and broke apart.
The fog remained thick.
"The fog is not lifting as quickly as I expected."
"Fog is common near Cyprus, especially this season. This is not particularly heavy."
"I see."
Perhaps it was time to raise the matter.
"There is something I must discuss with you, Commander. The issue of command."
I looked at him.
He would understand.
Clarifying command authority.
Nothing was more important in the military.
The fifty ships belonged directly to the Emperor.
And Ruaak commanded the Order.
So who was supreme commander?
Me? Or Ruaak?
"The Emperor said this: 'Act in whatever way benefits Prince Baldwin and Jerusalem.' We are here to support you."
"I see."
I nodded.
Technically, the Order was under the Church of Constantinople.
But in practice, they would take orders from me.
'The Hospitallers and Templars are technically under the Pope as well.'
In reality, both functioned as military arms of the King of Jerusalem.
I looked at the northerners.
Chain mail and axes.
It was hard to imagine them fighting in the deserts of the Levant.
'Good thing they're on my side.'
Until now, most knights I commanded belonged to orders.
Except for the royal household, I could not freely direct them.
'Hugh, Garnier, and Aig are effectively my personal guard, though.'
Then Ruaak spoke.
"There is one minor issue. Northerners serve only leaders they recognize."
He added,
"That is why I stepped forward as the first commander."
"So I must prove myself."
"You fought personally in Constantinople. No one will question you."
Ruaak said.
"But men like us are sensitive to honor and courage."
"The Kingdom of Jerusalem is no different."
I replied with a smile.
In truth, a fourteen-year-old boy charging on horseback was absurd.
But as royalty, there was no choice.
In knightly culture, a coward had no place.
One must be brave—even if ruthless—to earn recognition.
At that moment, a splash rang out.
A shout followed.
"Olheid has fallen overboard!"
"Damn it, stop rowing!"
Ruaak and I leaned over the rail.
Nothing could be seen through the thick fog.
"How many?"
"Only Olheid! He was drunk and staggering—"
"This cursed fog—"
The sailors shouted, calling for their comrade.
No response.
It seems I must act.
I raised my hand.
"Silence!"
The deck fell quiet instantly.
I focused.
Emotion.
Among the panic and shock, something stronger.
The fear of death.
The fear of a drowning man.
"Port side! Aig, bring a rope!"
"Yes!"
As the ship adjusted course, the man appeared faintly in the water.
"There!"
He struggled weakly, barely afloat.
His body went limp.
"Move aside!"
Ruaak tied the rope around himself and jumped into the sea.
Moments later, he threw the man onto the deck.
Pale face. Slack expression.
No sign of breathing.
"Do something!"
"Force his breath back in!"
The Vikings kicked and struck his sides.
This is madness.
I pushed them aside.
"Move!"
Of all things drilled at the academy, CPR was the most frequent.
First, clear the airway—turn the head.
Chest compressions.
I placed my hands on his chest and pressed firmly.
Then rescue breaths.
When I opened his mouth, a foul smell of alcohol poured out.
Perfect.
After several repetitions, he vomited water.
Color returned to his face.
When he finally sat up, those around him stared in shock.
"Consider yourself blessed. The Prince himself breathed life into you."
"How did you do that?"
I sighed.
Teaching CPR would not hurt.
I explained it simply to the warriors.
Even mentioning that chest compressions should follow rhythm.
They nodded, fascinated.
As though witnessing something extraordinary.
I found myself smiling.
Feels like I've become a safety instructor.
"Drinking beer instead of water is fine. But heavy drinking is now prohibited."
"I will personally oversee it. A man falling overboard is a bad omen…"
Ruaak said.
"But saving a man at sea is a good omen."
"Then we are back to balance."
I said with a smile.
The fog gradually lifted.
The distant horizon appeared.
Cyprus.
But we could not go there directly.
First, resupply at a nearby city.
And gather information.
"It begins now."
The cards were already in hand.
All that remained was to see the opponent's hand.
"We can only hope Marco handles things well."