Time Travel? Rebirth? I Win This Time!

On the 10th day, the kingdom's reinforcements arrived, like the late-coming police in a Hong Kong action movie, only showing up at the last moment.

As they crested a hill, their first sight was over a thousand Saracens cleaning the battlefield.

"The castle... did we really lose it?" Baldwin thought mournfully, urging his troops forward to launch an attack. But before they could act, a messenger arrived, reporting that Otto the Knight Commander was requesting an audience.

"The castle is still standing?" Baldwin was taken aback. "Then who are these Saracens?"

"They're prisoners!" The messenger, despite his bandaged appearance, spoke brightly. "Please, Your Highness, bring the army closer to the castle!"

As the thousands of kingdom soldiers moved slowly toward the castle, someone sharp-eyed noticed that alongside the Saracens, there were several Templar Knights supervising the prisoners.

"Why don't they dare resist?" Baldwin asked, surprised, observing that the prisoners' limbs were free.

The messenger, eyes gleaming with fervor, pointed toward the castle gate. There, standing ominously, was Mike Bai's wooden cannon, its dark muzzle aimed at the crowd. The terrified Saracen prisoners had no thought of revolt.

"Baldwin, my prince!" Mike Bai hobbled over, limping as he waved. "I've missed you all!"

In truth, Mike Bai's real thought was: If only you'd arrived earlier, I wouldn't have suffered so much.

Baldwin looked at Mike Bai's limp, then at Otto and the others, who were covered in wounds. He felt a pang of guilt. If only he hadn't been so careless and walked into that ambush, the castle wouldn't have suffered so badly.

"You've done well," Baldwin said with sincere admiration.

"It wasn't that bad, but..." Mike Bai's eyes glinted with hope. "The military funds... I really could use a reimbursement for the artillery."

Baldwin looked at Mike Bai, rolling his eyes. Only someone so obsessed with money would be so direct.

As the kingdom's forces drew closer, a messenger from Saladin rode up, waving a white flag. "The Sultan invites the king to a meeting to discuss a peace agreement."

It was the same tent and location as ten days ago, but now the atmosphere was much more formal. A grand long table was placed in the center of the tent, with Baldwin and Saladin each flanked by four senior ministers. At either end, scribes were drafting the treaty.

Otto and Mike Bai, as the commanders of the castle, were included in the peace talks. Mike Bai had brought along a small attendant to assist him.

If this peace talk were to take place a thousand years later, Mike Bai imagined the scene would be described as follows:

Both sides began with polite and friendly conversation.

"How is Your Highness Baldwin's health? Should I send for the royal physician?" Saladin asked with a smile, genuinely concerned.

"No need. I do regret, though, that we didn't meet last time in Mongisa," Baldwin replied diplomatically, alluding to the missed opportunity without any bitterness.

The talks proceeded very honestly.

"For peace, the castle must be demolished!" one of Saladin's powerful nobles declared, fuming.

"Not happening!" Baldwin's military advisor shot back, slapping his face mockingly. "If you want the castle gone, send your men to do it!"

Both sides continued to offer opinions.

"The peace offering can't exceed 10,000 gold coins; anything more is impossible," Saladin's treasurer said, clearly pained by the thought, as if the coins were coming out of his own pocket.

The kingdom remained firm.

"My army has already marched, spending vast sums. If we don't get at least 100,000 gold coins, don't even think about a treaty," the kingdom's financial officer grinned, eager to bite into the spoils.

They discussed the matter further.

"The Mamluks are a highly respected group," the kingdom's etiquette officer praised.

"And the Christian knights are even more noble," Saladin's etiquette officer returned the compliment.

"And I think it would be fair to exchange three prisoners for one Mamluk or Christian knight," both sides spoke in unison.

The discussions moved on to pilgrimage matters.

"Infidels may come to Jerusalem to pilgrimage and settle here, but they must pay a pilgrimage tax of five silver dinars and a settlement tax of thirty silver dinars per person," the bishop said coldly.

"Such a holy act of pilgrimage! How can it be measured in money?" the imam lamented with deep sorrow.

"So, you would like to negotiate the amount?" Baldwin asked.

"Can we discuss the figures further?" the imam replied.

The talks were progressing.

"Now that my kingdom's reinforcements have arrived, with thunder on our side, you'll be swept away in no time," Raymond said, kicking his chair aside to loom over the others.

"We have 4,000 men, twice your number. If this meeting ends, we'll destroy everything!" one of Saladin's commanders retorted, slamming his fist on the table, refusing to back down.

Mike Bai sat aside, rolling his eyes at the dramatic exchange. What was supposed to be a peace negotiation had become a show of bravado.

Saladin's side was certainly playing the part. Despite losing at least 4,000 men and having low morale, they were still putting on a tough front. On the other hand, the kingdom's performance was a bit lacking. Take Baldwin's military advisor, for example—the dramatic sword-drawing, the overly exaggerated movements—it was all a little too much, a product of their rushed army and lack of confidence after their recent defeat.

But thanks to Mike Bai's impressive performance in the castle defense, the kingdom side wasn't completely outdone.

Mike Bai knew, though, that both sides were simply tired, unwilling to fight any longer. The talks had to be filled with bluster, as that was the only way to secure the best terms.

The first day's meeting ended without resolution, but by the second day, both sides had reached an agreement. The main points of the treaty were as follows: First, a five-year peace agreement regarding the existing territorial control. Second, Saracens would be allowed to pilgrimage and trade under the condition of paying taxes. Third, both sides would exchange prisoners immediately. Fourth, Saladin would gift Baldwin 50,000 gold coins as a token of friendship.

With both parties' seals affixed to the treaty, the peace was officially signed, and the war was, at least for now, over. As for when the fighting would resume, only the gods knew.

Before leaving the meeting, Saladin gave Mike Bai a look full of meaning, his voice warm and friendly: "Baron Mike Bai, I look forward to our next encounter. Next time, I won't lose." He smiled and turned to leave.

Mike Bai bowed lightly and, once he straightened, felt a weight lift from his shoulders. The war was over, and he could finally return to his estate.

But then Mike Bai noticed his little attendant was staring intently at Saladin.

"Sasan? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just... nothing," Sasan quickly withdrew his gaze, imprinting Saladin's figure in his memory.

4o mini