Chapter 418 - 295: Smell

Eric, of course, had no intention of dragging all the Knights along to attack the supply train.

In war, more Knights weren’t always better, especially when they lacked cohesion and were even somewhat distrustful of one another.

Before sunset, Eric found a suitable place to make camp. It was an abandoned mountain village at the top of a hill.

The hill had a gentle slope, and at its base was a wide, open area, large enough to conceal several hundred Knights—provided some foolish nobles didn’t raise their banners high to show off their presence.

Next to the hill was a true mountain, forming a long, narrow valley with the hill.

Eric also made a point to inspect the ground leading up the hill. It was firm enough for even the heaviest cavalry to pass.

From the road below, any movement at the top of the hill was completely invisible.

Eric once again ordered that no fires be lit. He also instructed the Knights, soldiers, and Attendants to use the communal latrine pits that had been dug under Belem’s command. Belem had become quite adept at digging latrines.

The requirement to use communal pits for relieving themselves drew a stream of complaints from the Knights, Attendants, and soldiers. This was especially true for the Anglo-Saxons, who clearly didn’t want their waste mixing with that of any Frank nobles.

"We shouldn’t have to share," one of the Saxons muttered angrily.

"I’m not asking you to jump in," Eric said. "If you’re unwilling to obey orders, then you’d better be prepared to walk back to England, because I’ll consider leaving you right here. The Pisans and Genoese will know that you defied their Supreme Lord."

This was quite effective on some of the unruly common Knights and soldiers. Whenever Eric said this, they would more or less back down.

Eric would also give them a chance to save face at the right moment.

....

Along with the various Counts came the Pope’s Envoy, Bishop Admar of Le Puy. Eric’s impression of the Bishop was far better than his impression of the Counts and Barons.

The Counts did little but bicker endlessly over trivial matters or question the marching route Eric had planned.

The Count of Pontieu and a group of Barons even had the fantastical idea of marching east to attack Baghdad, dreaming of defeating and hanging the leader of that Heresy in one fell swoop.

Count Evler, meanwhile, would occasionally bring up the money Eric made selling spices in Constantinople, insinuating that if Eric didn’t give him something to shut him up, he would soon cause trouble.

Stephen, the Count of Blois, still lacked all enthusiasm for the expedition. The most pressing question he had each day was when they could make camp and rest.

Incidentally, the Count of Boulogne—Belem’s father-in-law—had recently contracted typhoid fever in Cyprus, and his condition showed no signs of improving.

So, to prevent any mishaps, the Old Count, with King Robert of England as a witness, bestowed his title of Count of Boulogne and all his manors in England upon his eldest son, Eustace. (The elder brother of Holy Tomb Guardian Godfrey, Count Eustace III of Boulogne.)

Robert, by the authority of the King of England, swore to guarantee the legitimacy of Eustace’s inheritance.

Compared to the other Counts, Eustace was much quieter. He hardly ever spent time with them. Every time Eric saw him, he was either listening to a sermon from Bishop Admar of Le Puy or confessing to him.

Bishop Admar of Le Puy was a remarkably energetic middle-aged man with an extraordinary passion for this expedition.

Almost every day, the Bishop of Le Puy and his assistant, Brother John, delivered sermons to the Knights and Nobility. Aside from eating and preaching, the Bishop spent every other moment hearing the confessions of the faithful.

His daily mass sermon served as a constant reminder to the Nobility and soldiers of their purpose for being there and the meaning of this Holy War.

"...Saint Ambrose once said, ’I am a soldier of Christ—I am forbidden to fight.’ ...What Ambrose meant was that Christian soldiers are forbidden from shedding the blood of Christ, which is to say, the blood of other Christians."

"But the Turkic People do not have the blood of Christ. Their blood is the blood of Satan, and to shed it is not a sin. Rather, it is to save the world from sin..."

Bishop Admar of Le Puy’s sermons were not always successful. The Knights who listened were not as submissive as the disciples in the Bible, and they would sometimes pose simple yet sharp questions in response to Brother John’s words.

Why do the Turkic People have the blood of Satan? Weren’t the Turkic People also created by God?

God is Christ. Even though they believe in Heresy and blaspheme against God, they must also share the blood of Christ, whether they are willing or not, right?

Can anyone refuse the power of God?

Or does it mean their birth did not come from the hand of the almighty God?

Bishop Admar of Le Puy was an extraordinary man—courteous, eloquent, learned, temperate, and devout. Although he could not always answer every question, he was always willing to listen and offer comfort.

"Tell me, Bishop, what is this war?" a Knight suffering from a fever asked urgently, grabbing the Bishop’s hand.

"God’s blessing upon your soul," the Bishop replied, touching the Knight’s forehead.

"What does that mean?" the Knight asked, his lips parched.

"Deliverance. Just as we seek to deliver Jerusalem, so too will our souls be freed from Hell."

"Then, is this blessing something that can only be obtained after death? Can it not be received while we are still alive?" the Knight pressed.