"Then we will keep the tax rate at last year's level."
I said, looking at the middle-aged man across from me.
He looked utterly terrified.
Anyone would think he was about to be eaten alive.
"Admiral Kontostephanos's unpaid wages will also be paid soon. Please tell the residents not to worry."
"Thank you, great and noble Prince Baldwin."
The man said in an overly exaggerated tone.
"All of us Cypriots are beyond words in gratitude for Your Highness's mercy and compassion…"
I let the endless flattery go in one ear and out the other.
I had lost count of how many times I had heard the same lines.
"Ah, and before long we will begin construction of a supply depot. We will need as many laborers as possible then."
"A supply depot? Yes, yes! Of course. As many as you like…"
It was several dozen minutes before the man finally left the room.
Garnier entered with a smile.
"You worked hard today as well, Your Highness."
"I wondered who it would be, since he was called a representative of the residents, but he was an imperial noble."
"In Cyprus, he holds the highest rank."
Garnier said.
"He seemed desperate to win your favor."
Garnier added,
"It is only natural. You have become, in effect, the one in overall charge."
"I did not expect to receive all of Cyprus like this."
I let out a sigh.
I had planned only to secure some trade rights.
And now they were handing me governance of the entire island.
Alexios's purpose was obvious.
A sort of security deposit to make the marriage certain?
Or should I call it a dowry?
To think things would turn out this way.
I looked out through the open window.
Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean.
This place was also the Kingdom of Jerusalem's last refuge.
After losing Jerusalem, this had been the only land it barely managed to obtain.
A relay port and supply base linking Europe and the Levant.
There was no "honey land" like this.
And yet I could not be simply happy.
"At this rate, I'll work myself to death."
Why is there no prohibition on child labor in the Ten Commandments?
"You shall not commit adultery, and you shall not make children work…"
Would we have to wait another eight or nine hundred years for such a law to appear?
A jaywalking ban would come sooner.
"It will help you later, when you govern even greater lands."
Garnier said with a curious smile.
"By the way, why are you in such a hurry to build the depot? It is not as though food will be lacking immediately."
"Because it is not for us."
I said.
Otherwise there would be no reason to push ourselves like this just to gather supplies.
"If it is not for us…"
"We will use it to support Aleppo and Mosul."
"Aleppo and Mosul—aren't those lands ruled by Atabeg Masud? You mean to support the Saracens?"
Garnier asked, eyes wide.
A genuinely startled reaction.
"That is exactly it."
I said with a smile.
Anyone would be surprised to hear it put that way.
"Not every Saracen is the same Saracen."
Europeans thought all Saracens (Muslims) were the same.
Islam was the same in reverse.
They called all Europeans Franks.
But allies tearing each other apart was true for Crusaders and Muslims alike.
"Sooner or later, Saladin will gather an army and march north. Anyone can predict that easily."
Saladin had not yet fully united the Islamic powers.
In the northern Levant, descendants of the Zengid dynasty still remained.
"Even Saladin, when he was young, built his power under Nur ad-Din, son of Zengi."
If he fully united the north, Saladin's rear would be secure.
He would be able to invade Jerusalem without worry.
"To prevent that…"
Either Aleppo had to become Crusader land, or it had to remain an independent power.
Occupying it directly was difficult, so Masud had to be kept alive.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. There is no more fitting saying."
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend…"
Garnier scratched his head.
"It is not entirely wrong. King Amalric, of blessed memory, also supported the Fatimid dynasty of Egypt."
"Egypt ultimately fell into Saladin's hands. Aleppo will not. I will prevent that."
"Then you intend to pour supplies into Masud?"
"Of course not. Rather than 'pouring'…"
I said with a laugh.
There was no need to support them at a loss.
Besides, Aleppo was a very wealthy region.
"Let us say we will supply at an appropriate price. In the desert, they say a single drop of water is more precious than a lump of gold."
At my words, Garnier burst out laughing.
"Spoken like you, Your Highness. But delivering supplies all the way to Aleppo will not be easy…"
He stroked his chin.
I replied.
"We only need to find the right method."
There was always a way around.
We would have to go by way of Tripoli, so Count Raymond's help would be essential…
"Let us think about that part slowly. Have the Hospitaller detachment arrived?"
"The blacksmiths and glass craftsmen have already arrived. Jernald arrived yesterday as well."
Garnier said.
"The rest are expected to arrive within this week. Once the manpower comes over, we can establish the branch quickly."
"Then we can proceed with telescope production without disruption."
"You mean the 'Angel's Eye.' Considering what it accomplished this time…"
he said,
"It will be a great help to captains and commanders."
"Then first we must produce it in sufficient quantity."
I said.
I could not spend all day waiting for production in Constantinople.
I had asked Alexios to send several glass craftsmen from Constantinople.
Hiring them required money, of course…
But I had received many gifts from the Eastern Romans.
A sum nearly equal to what I had spent in Constantinople.
And on top of that, the tax revenue from Cyprus.
For the time being, I would not need to worry about money.
"Now that you mention it, you forgot today's training. Warm up a little before the meal. A sword not used…"
"...rusts. Yes, yes, I know."
I said with a sigh.
The moment I heard the word "training," my body felt stiff.
If I ever return to the twenty-first century, I will never touch a history game again.
Only dating sims or healing games—no exceptions!
No, perhaps dating sims are not entirely safe either.
I shook my head and followed Garnier out of the room.
Cyprus.
Temporary Hospitaller Smithy.
"To think something like this truly exists. I can hardly believe it."
Jernald murmured, pressing the tube to his eye.
Aig laughed.
"I told you, didn't I? That distant things look as if they are right in front of you."
"No, I mean—Prince Baldwin had this made in Constantinople?"
"Something like that. These men made it with their own hands, though."
Aig pointed to the men before him.
They all smiled as they looked at Jernald.
"Then this is the 'Angel's Eye' I have only heard of."
Jernald muttered.
"I must learn what sort of sorcery this is. You truly made this?"
"Πόσες φορές δεν είπα ότι τα καταφέραμε!"
"I cannot understand a word you are saying. So how did you—!"
"They say it is difficult without a glass craftsman."
"Can you speak Greek too?"
"I picked some up in Constantinople."
Aig said with a grin.
He interpreted the Greek craftsmen's words.
"So these are glass craftsmen from Constantinople."
"Yes. But they say it's difficult for an ordinary blacksmith to make. Without a specialist glass craftsman…"
"These rascals…! Who do you think supplies glass to the churches of Jerusalem, eh?!"
Jernald gestured wildly as he spoke, then sighed as if giving up.
"You will have to help me, Aig. I will have to learn that damned Greek as well."
He stretched both hands out into the air.
"That this old mule must learn a new tongue. Fate is a cruel thing. As it is, the helmet the Prince uses has become so popular…"
He let out a deep sigh.
"The knights are all clamoring for new helmets, and now there's this as well…"
"Are you truly going to learn Greek?"
"If this truly is what the Archangel taught… there can be no greater honor than making it."
Jernald murmured, holding up the telescope.
He waved his hand and shouted.
"Ask these fellows what equipment and materials they need…"
Tripoli
Citadel
"Welcome, Sir Balian. You have come a long way from Jerusalem."
"It took only three days. Thankfully, the weather was clear."
Balian said.
He unfastened his scabbard and set it on the table.
"I heard you clashed with Rome's rebel fleet. Yet the city seems more peaceful than expected."
"It would be an embarrassment even to call it a battle. The moment they confirmed we had reinforcements, they fled at once."
Raymond said with a laugh.
He handed him a cup of wine.
"If Prince Baldwin had not sent a fleet in advance, we would have been outnumbered. And we would have been taken by surprise as well…"
"Reinforcements that arrived at the right moment."
Balian nodded.
Outside, the cries of seagulls rang out.
A faint scent of the sea.
Raymond slowly spoke.
"I have been watching the situation in Cyprus as well."
He set his hand on the table.
"But the security was strict, so I could not obtain proper information. How did Prince Baldwin learn what even I could not…?"
"From what I have heard, he planted a spy inside. With the information obtained through that spy, he took Cyprus."
"If that spy slipped out of Cyprus in secret, I would like to know what method he used."
"If one says Archangel Michael told him directly, it becomes simple."
"That would do it. Everything would be simply explained."
Silence passed for a moment.
Raymond smiled and spoke.
"I heard your destination is Cyprus. For a lord to serve as a messenger himself…"
He asked,
"May I ask what this concerns?"
"His Majesty and Prince Baldwin have something in planning."
Balian nodded.
He looked at Raymond calmly.
"We will need your help as well, Count. Of course, depending on the state of your county, the choice is yours…"
"…."
Silence fell again.
Raymond looked at Balian.
"I know well there are many at court who call me a coward. I clash with His Majesty at every turn, so it is only natural."
He said.
"But there is no one who worries for Jerusalem's safety more than I."
"Of course."
"Those newly come to Outremer only shout that we must fight the Saracens at once. They have no regard for timing, manpower, or strategy."
"Because one can only build merit where there is battle."
Balian nodded.
Raymond spoke again.
"Our forebears shed immeasurable blood and sacrifice to win this land. To defend it is our most important duty."
"But there are times when one must draw the sword, Count. It is not wise to fear the snake and simply wait for it to pass."
He added,
"Especially when that snake coils around your leg."
"I have already received Prince Baldwin's help."
Raymond spoke slowly.
"I am not so small a man as to feign ignorance after receiving aid. Whatever plan His Majesty has devised, I and my county will support it with all our hearts."
"His Majesty will be pleased to hear that."
The two men shook hands.
Balian smiled.
"First, I will tell you of Saladin's movements."