Crusade against the Pope

Chapter 304 Ten Years Later
[The Romans were defeated in a nearby land. After their defeat, they will be victorious again in a few years. What happened before and what will happen after is determined by the Father. On that day, believers will rejoice because of the help of the Father. He helps whom He wills. He is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.]

——The Romans

The July sunshine poured down on the Anatolian Plateau. The cracked dry land was steaming with heat waves, and the snow-capped peaks of the distant mountains were looming in the mist.

The cracked dry land was steaming with heat waves, and the snow-capped peaks of the Taurus Mountains in the distance were looming in the mirage.

This is Colonia, another of the lost Roman territories after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.

Judging from the nouns alone, the connection with Rome cannot be severed.

The Latin word colonia refers to the outposts that Rome built to guard the conquered areas. Later, this term was used to refer to the highest level of Roman cities.

But now, it is 1201, and the Battle of Manzikert has become an ancient event from 130 years ago.

Time has erased the past, causing the residents here to gradually forget their former glory.

The earth seemed to be shaking deliberately, again and again, erasing the remains of the place where the Apostle Paul had preached...

The scorching sun at noon turned the ruins of the Byzantine post station into a caramel color. Yusuf wiped the sweat from the corners of his eyes with a turban.

He is an Arab, his family has been merchants for generations, and their footsteps have traveled all over the Middle East.

However, unlike other Arabs, although he wore a turban, he always held a cross pendant and prayed wholeheartedly.

“I believe in Almighty God, who created the heavens and the earth and controls all things.”

“I believe in his only begotten Son Jesus Christ, who out of love for the world came into this world, his soul ascended into heaven, while his body remained behind to suffer the cross.”

"I believe that the holy body has witnessed the torrent of history, the rise and fall of empires, and the fall of kingdoms. Now, this holy body has returned to the world, reincarnated as a sufferer through the Holy Spirit, bringing new revelations..."

Off to the side, dozens of camels in the caravan were kneeling in the shadow of the church ruins, and the Damascus steel knives on their packing boxes were twisted into snake shapes in the heat wave.

The caravan he led was another pioneering move by his family, hoping to send the specialties of the Southern Kingdom of Jerusalem to Georgia.

The Kingdom of Georgia during this era held hegemony over the Transcaucasus region, ruling not only Georgia but also Azerbaijan and part of northern Iran.

His contemporary, Bishop Jacques de Vitry of Acre, wrote:
[In the East there is another Christian people, who are very warlike, fearless in battle, strong in body, and overwhelming in numbers... They are completely surrounded by the pagan countries... These people are called Georgians, because they have a special veneration and worship for St. George... Whenever they come to make a pilgrimage to the Lord's tomb, they enter the holy city... and pay no tribute to anyone, because the Saracens dare not molest them...]

The journey to Georgia was destined to be difficult, since the defeat in the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 and the empire's great defeat in Asia Minor.

This peninsula of the Asian continent extending into the ocean became a paradise for the Turks.

To complete this trade route meant that he had to purchase various goods from the Arnon County of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and fill as many camels as possible.

The fine Damascus steel weapons on the camel's back and the high-quality Aleppo soap with a hint of flower petal essential oil are all produced in Yannon.

These best-selling products are in great demand almost everywhere.

After that, you have to go north along the Jordan River, pass through Nazareth and turn to the seaside, all the way to Tyre. After arriving in Tyre, you can sell a batch of products and exchange them for silk and sugar.

Next is to pass through Tripoli and Antioch until reaching the border between Antioch and Armenia.

The real challenge began when he led the caravan over the mountain pass guarded by soldiers.

Just a few steps away, it's like stepping from civilization into the wilderness.

There was no peace in the Levant region, whether in the Kingdom of Armenia or the Sultanate of Rum, in the Anatolian Peninsula.

During this journey, Yusuf had seen flocks of crows flying across the sky more than once, helping to bury at least seven bodies in the ground.

How far have we walked?

Is there half the way under Jerusalem? In this dangerous situation, even Yusuf, who was not pious before, prayed seriously.

Pray to Heavenly Father, Heavenly Brother, Heavenly Brother, and to all the prophets and saints.

“…I believe that the new gospel will be fulfilled, that the Father will resurrect every fallen warrior, and that the kingdom of heaven on earth will come to earth and will never be shaken.”

"Amen."

However, when everyone in the caravan was praying devoutly, there was one person who was an exception.

From Yusuf's perspective, he was a typical Frank, with a high nose bridge, a firm chin, and slightly bronze skin.

Her light green eyes were a little cloudy, and her naturally curly blonde hair reflected dazzling light under the scorching sun.

He looks quite old, around thirty years old.

Such a man, as strong as an iron tower, was standing outside the ruins of the church, looking around.

He was on guard.

For Yusuf, meeting this man was purely accidental.

He was introduced into the team by chance by his uncle Zaid when he was in Tyre.

He was said to be an excellent guard, and was praised as the best in the world.

Logically speaking, when such inappropriate and nonsensical remarks are made in front of others, the person involved should have some reaction.

As a result, this person didn't care at all. He accepted his uncle's flattery calmly and didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Can Yusuf question it?

It’s not quite appropriate, after all, it was arranged by my uncle.

And after spending time with them along the way, Yusuf discovered the good qualities of these Franks.

Regardless of his extraordinary abilities, this guy is extremely serious about his work.

What I say is one is one, what I say is two is two, and there has never been any falsehood.

Everything he said and promised could be accomplished.

Such a reliable guard is indeed a rare talent, so Yusuf does not have too many objections to him.

It was at the time when this noon prayer was about to be completed.

Yusuf felt a slight throbbing of uneasiness in his heart.

The herd of goats being driven in the distance suddenly became angry and jumped off the cliff one after another. A roar like thunder seemed to come from the dry riverbed nearby.

"Earthquake! Earthquake! Everyone, get out of the ruins!"

The Frank who had stood outside the ruins of the church and had not taken shelter in the shade turned hastily and shouted.

His voice arrived earlier than the first wave of tremors.

It was at this time that the sound of horse hooves like thunder came from the west!

(End of this chapter)