Jerusalem
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
At sunrise, brilliant light poured through the windows of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, bathing its interior in gold.
Countless pilgrims knelt with folded hands in prayer.
The sacred site where Jesus Christ was said to have been buried—and resurrected.
Many had traveled for weeks, even months, to reach this place. Tears streamed down their faces in reverent awe.
But the church did not hold pilgrims alone.
In a small chapel separated from the central hall—
An angry voice echoed off the stone walls.
Guy.
He shouted at the top of his lungs.
"That fool Reynald! How in God's name did he allow himself to be toyed with by a child?"
He swung his arm toward the man standing opposite him.
"Explain it! Tell me why your master has made such a disgraceful mess!"
"The young Baldwin used deceitful tactics."
The man in a black robe spoke carefully, wiping sweat from his brow.
"He pretended to withdraw from Eilat with his knights, laying a trap. How could anyone have foreseen such a move?"
He continued,
"Judging by the fact that he secretly hid in the Hospitaller fortress from the beginning—"
"If your master had used his head before moving the Saracens…"
Guy growled, cutting him off.
"If he had thought at all, he would never have gambled like that. At the very least, he should have waited until confirmation that Baldwin had reached Jerusalem before acting."
"This matter is nothing more than a minor setback. The Lord of Kerak is still my master."
"And what good is that now? In the eyes of the people, young Baldwin will look like a lion tamer."
Guy's voice dripped with irritation.
"By dragging in those ignorant Saracen tribes, your master has only given Baldwin wings!"
He drained his wine.
Red liquid spilled down his white surcoat and onto his chainmail.
"Now even the king himself is trying to turn the boy into a hero. The royal who rebuilt Eilat and preserved peace—ha! There could be no better propaganda."
He scoffed.
"If Reynald had simply stayed still, none of this would have escalated."
"You would do well not to anger my lord."
The robed man folded his arms.
"He is one of the few lords openly supporting you as the next king of Jerusalem."
"And yet he has ended up strengthening that boy instead."
Guy rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, then waved dismissively.
"Enough. Tell your master to remain quiet for the time being."
The man bowed slightly and left the chapel.
Alone now, Guy spat onto the stone floor.
"He's handed the boy every possible justification."
He stared out the window.
The streets were already swelling with murmurs and excitement.
All were waiting to welcome Prince Baldwin.
"It seems your complexion has improved since last time, Baldwin."
Sibylla studied her brother quietly.
They were born of the same womb.
But the worlds they had lived in were not the same.
"Thanks to the Saracen physicians."
King Baldwin IV waved to the gathered crowd.
The people of Jerusalem erupted into cheers.
"They smear herbs on me all day and stab me with needles. It would be stranger if it had no effect."
He glanced at Sibylla.
"But they have not found an elixir to cure my illness. Nor will they, I suspect."
"Baldwin…"
She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
His body was wrapped in layers of bandages, so thoroughly that little bare skin could be seen.
"You have always looked at me as I am," he said softly.
"Others pretend not to see the leprosy. As if it does not exist. Only you never did."
"That's because you are my brother."
Sibylla gave a faint smile.
"Now tell me honestly. Why such a grand reception for Baldwin?"
"I thought you would approve."
King Baldwin IV smiled.
His gaze fixed ahead.
"This settles it. Baldwin rebuilt a city and twice restrained that reckless Reynald."
He murmured,
"Do you think that is coincidence?"
"You mean…"
"He was acting all along. Like a clever hawk hiding its talons. His obsession with falconry, tormenting servants—every bit of it an act."
The king's voice was thoughtful.
"After his fall from the horse, he ended it. What do you think—as his mother?"
Sibylla remained silent for a moment.
Her son's transformation had shaken her as well.
"He changed suddenly, yes. But he did not become someone else. Even after the fall, his eyes were the same."
His former recklessness had come from frustration.
From a weak body. From inferiority and impatience.
The fall had merely reversed something inside him.
"He is still my son."
"And still a royal heir bearing the blood of our ancestors."
The king chuckled lightly.
He pointed toward the gate.
"Here comes today's hero. Let us greet him."
We stared at the crowd gathered before the city gates.
"I didn't expect a welcome of this scale," Aig whispered. "Is there some other festival today?"
"Considering His Majesty is standing there himself, I believe it is for us," Ganière replied quietly.
Soldiers atop the walls waved toward us.
Our own knights waved back excitedly.
I had not expected Sibylla and King Baldwin IV to greet us together.
Seeing them stirred something deep in my chest.
A strange sensation—like being rewarded.
Emotion surged like current through my veins.
"His Majesty approaches," Ganière whispered.
King Baldwin IV rode toward me.
We dismounted and bowed.
"Welcome back to Jerusalem, Baldwin. I hear the journey was not easy."
He turned to Balian and Hugh.
"You have done well also. You assisted Baldwin in great matters."
"We merely carried out the prince's will," Balian replied modestly.
"If we accomplished anything, it was only to ride and thrust our lances a few times."
"I am glad to see your humility unchanged, Balian."
The king laughed, then gestured for me to approach.
He wished to speak privately.
What was this about?
I stepped forward carefully.
"You did remarkably well in Eilat, Baldwin. You exceeded my expectations."
He smiled.
"I did not imagine you would make such effective use of Balian."
"You were the one who sent him and the knights, Your Majesty. Alone, I could not have captured all the desert tribes."
It was he who placed the cards in my hand.
"I sent them to guard you. That matters unfolded so well was due to your wisdom."
"I did not expect such a grand welcome."
"Jerusalem needs a hero now more than ever. Someone who can give the people hope. In such dark times, it is only natural."
He gestured toward the crowd.
"You mean…"
"For now, you are that figure to them, Baldwin."
Through the silver mask, I saw his eyes smiling.
"You rebuilt Eilat, defended it from the desert tribes—and even placed chains around Reynald's neck."
"It was all fortunate timing."
I bowed humbly.
No reason to appear arrogant now.
"I will grant you a gift."
He patted my shoulder.
"All funds generated from the reconstruction of Eilat are yours. I have prepared the authorization—withdraw as much as you wish."
"…Your Majesty?"
For a moment, I could not respond.
Several tens of thousands of dinars?
That was enough to maintain a small military force.
It was far too generous.
Seeing my stunned expression, he laughed.
"I look forward to seeing how you spend it. Do not disappoint me."
At his signal, a scholarly-looking man approached—likely a royal scribe.
He handed me a parchment filled with elegant Latin script.
"Let it be known to all present and future that I, Baldwin IV, sixth blessed King of Jerusalem…"
It was official confirmation of the funds.
He had even prepared formal documentation.
Then he asked,
"Tell me, besides Eilat—is there another city you wish to rebuild?"
"Not at the moment. Nor will there be, for some time."
I exhaled softly.
Being responsible for even one city was exhausting.
In games, such matters required the click of a button.
In reality, they required days—patrol courts, negotiations, construction oversight, financial management.
If one city was this demanding…
How heavy must a crown be?
And he bore it while afflicted with leprosy.
"In that case, it is only natural you wish to rest," the king said thoughtfully.
"If you desire, I can arrange for you to take leave in one of the coastal cities—"
"No."
I interrupted gently.
There was no time to retreat far away.
This was the most critical moment.
Even if I rested, I could not stop moving.
"To rest, I will remain in Jerusalem."
I smiled and pointed toward the camels behind us.
"And I have brought many items from Saracen alchemists. I would not even be able to carry them all elsewhere."
"Saracen alchemists?"
The king tilted his head with interest.
"I did not know you believed in such things. Did you purchase devices of magic?"
"You could say that."
After all, people often call wine magic.
I smiled faintly as I looked at the walls of Jerusalem.
With the funds granted by Baldwin IV—
It was time to add even more to them.