Chapter 963 - 186: Monument
Evening was approaching.
In the streets and alleys of Damascus, the echoes of people singing hymns in chorus, and the celebration parade, attracted many local Christians who gathered together. Bold and enterprising Saracen merchants also took the opportunity to start their business.
The actual significance of capturing Damascus naturally did not compare to Losa’s conquest of Egypt, but with Saladin’s defeat and death, and Losa’s coronation as Emperor, these two heavy pieces of news signified the complete disintegration of the Ayyubid Dynasty, a major foe of the Crusaders.
In the future, their victory would only become easier.
And with their pockets no longer tight, the Crusaders, who had endured arduous marches in the desert, naturally had reason to indulge a bit in the revelry of Damascus City.
They sang loudly, drank, and sought pleasure, as if celebrating a grand festival.
In a relatively secluded tavern.
A drunken Knight suddenly climbed onto a table, spreading his arms wide as he shouted in a heavily accented Highland Germanic Language: "Tonight, all Christians’ drinks are on me!"
"Thank you for your generosity, honorable Knight."
The Knight modestly waved his hand, raising his goblet. The feeling of throwing money around publicly made him slightly dizzy: "What we should be more grateful for is His Majesty the Emperor, who bestowed upon us food and clothing, and brought us victory and glory."
"To His Majesty the Emperor!"
"To all generous people!"
A Monk walked into the tavern, his bald head standing out.
"Look, a Monk is visiting; could it be he wants to drink and rejoice with us?"
Many Monks, though they drink in private, are still viewed as engaging in unseemly behavior when done so openly.
The Monk said with a smile: "Gentlemen, I am not here to please myself, but to record history."
"What’s worth recording about us?"
"You should go to those noble lords."
"Perhaps because he is not qualified enough, hahaha."
The drunk ones laughed uproariously.
"Is it only the leaders who deserve to be recorded? Godfrey of Bouillon, Bohemond of Taranto, and Tancred, Raymond of Toulouse — but didn’t they also accomplish great deeds with the help of many loyal and fearless knights? His Majesty the Emperor has never ignored your merits, let alone a humble servant like me."
He was referring to the leaders of the First Crusade, the founders of the Crusader realms.
For a moment,
Their knowledge couldn’t express such words, yet they felt as if the words spoke to their hearts, making their faces flush, blood boiling.
"Indeed, under the leadership of the Emperor, we completed a grand achievement; we are destined to be remembered in history! Respected Monk, please record our names!"
The Knights’ attitudes had become much more humble. These drunkards conversed with the Monk in turn, recounting or boasting about their battle experiences.
They swore that in the long years of their past lives, no day could compare with the fullness, abundance, and happiness of today.
Before leaving, the Monk bowed to everyone present: "Gentlemen, I am the assistant to Bishop Urding, sent by the order of His Majesty the Emperor. I assure you, your names, families, and even your crests will be engraved on the monumental stones soon to be erected in Damascus."
The Knights were astonished and quickly stood up to apologize for their previous rudeness, even though they had already apologized many times.
The Monk laughed freely: "It’s alright, gentlemen. Concealing my identity was to ensure that what you said was true—at least most of it was true."
The Knights’ old faces turned red; most of them there were acquaintances, and the exaggerated parts they had just boasted about would soon be exposed, but even so, what they conveyed was embellished quite a bit.
For example, one man who had saved a distressed woman, although in his heart he wanted to spend a night of pleasure with her, and indeed he did, would only acknowledge himself as a defender of the weak, the embodiment of knightly virtues.
"Finally, it’s over."
Losa stretched lazily, settling for the first time in Saladin’s bedroom.
This palace
"I thought you were thoroughly enjoying yourself."
Early the next morning, in Damascus Square, enormous stone tablets stood tall, a construction reward previously drawn by Losa, used to record each person’s contributions and transgressions.
"Another miracle of overnight emergence!"
"Another one?"
"You didn’t know? In Eira Port, there is a tower named ’Siegfried’s Tower,’ and the Divine Wood on New Habsburg and the Sinai Peninsula, all these Holy Objects emerged overnight."
"Gosh!"
"You didn’t know this? Now all these landmarks are must-visit places for pilgrims coming from the East; otherwise, it’s like coming for nothing."
"Oh my, Reynard’s crimes were actually inscribed on the tablets!"
A noble suddenly exclaimed.
The crowd quickly gathered around, cold sweat breaking out in their hearts.
This era’s Europe was terribly inadequate and even less objective in its historical records, so many cruel and heartless lords never considered their legacy.
With these memorial stones, Losa effectively nailed Reynard of Chatillon to the pillar of historical disgrace.
"Oh my, if it were my name inscribed, I might as well be dead."
"Even death wouldn’t end it; it would drag down the family’s reputation too."
A noble with considerable knowledge said: "The records here are quite objective, not omitting Lord Reynard’s merits. I think His Majesty the Emperor isn’t deliberately targeting Reynard, but intends to warn future generations."
"Oh my, Reynard’s crimes were actually inscribed on the tablets!"
A noble suddenly exclaimed.
The crowd quickly gathered around, cold sweat breaking out in their hearts.
This era’s Europe was terribly inadequate and even less objective in its historical records, so many cruel and heartless lords never considered their legacy.
With these memorial stones, Losa effectively nailed Reynard of Chatillon to the pillar of historical disgrace.
"Oh my, if it were my name inscribed, I might as well be dead."
"Even death wouldn’t end it; it would drag down the family’s reputation too."
A noble with considerable knowledge said: "The records here are quite objective, not omitting Lord Reynard’s merits. I think His Majesty the Emperor isn’t deliberately targeting Reynard, but intends to warn future generations."
"Oh my, Reynard’s crimes were actually inscribed on the tablets!"
A noble suddenly exclaimed.
The crowd quickly gathered around, cold sweat breaking out in their hearts.
This era’s Europe was terribly inadequate and even less objective in its historical records, so many cruel and heartless lords never considered their legacy.
With these memorial stones, Losa effectively nailed Reynard of Chatillon to the pillar of historical disgrace.
"Oh my, if it were my name inscribed, I might as well be dead."
"Even death wouldn’t end it; it would drag down the family’s reputation too."
A noble with considerable knowledge said: "The records here are quite objective, not omitting Lord Reynard’s merits. I think His Majesty the Emperor isn’t deliberately targeting Reynard, but intends to warn future generations."