Time Travel? Rebirth? I Win This Time!

Mike Bai sat in his study, carefully counting the progress he had made since arriving five years ago. Unknowingly, he had built such an empire—two estates, over 600 workers and slaves, and 150 elite guards. It was hard to imagine bringing all these people back home at once.

His slaves and the soldiers who had signed long-term contracts would, of course, go with him, but the rest—Sassan's tribe members—were now free citizens. Thinking about it, even with his thick skin, Mike Bai felt a sense of embarrassment. At the last banquet, he had held Sassan's hand and spoken words that were almost like a confession.

Thank goodness for his 13-year-old body, as the onlookers had assumed it was just childish play, maybe a bit precocious at most. But it seemed that someone didn't share that view.

Looking at Sassan, who seemed lost in thought beside him, Mike Bai sighed.

"Sassan. Sassan!" he called twice.

Finally, Sassan snapped back to reality.

"Master Mike Bai, what is your command?" Her voice was calm and composed as usual, though her eyes avoided meeting his.

"Ugh…" Mike Bai sighed again, his expression turning serious as he asked, "Sassan, are you really willing to leave your homeland and come with me to the far northern lands?"

"Your command is my duty," Sassan lowered her head deeply.

Seeing her response, Mike Bai felt a pang of guilt.

"You don't have to force yourself," he said, looking at the 18-year-old woman who had grown before his eyes. These years had not only seen him growing, but Sassan's face had also matured, her features becoming sharper and more defined, her brows now carrying a fierce elegance.

"I don't understand what you mean, Master," she finally raised her head to look at him, her brows furrowed.

Mike Bai, feeling even more guilty, thought about how he had dragged this young girl into so many dangerous situations. She was still at the age of blossoming youth, and here she was, following him across the land. What if she lost her life?

With a regretful sigh, Mike Bai spoke, "I can ask King Baldwin to grant you and your people a place to settle here."

"Are you planning to abandon us?" Sassan's eyes widened, her gaze sharp with suspicion.

"No, I only think..." Mike Bai hesitated for a moment before continuing, trying to soften the words, "The journey is long—ships, roads, who knows how far we must travel?"

"And besides, people are looked down upon when they leave their homeland. It won't be easy for you to settle in a new place," Mike Bai explained, feeling somewhat helpless. For him, leaving one's homeland was always a painful experience.

"Do you even know what kind of life we lived before?" Sassan's eyes sharpened as she fixed her gaze on Mike Bai, searching for something more than curiosity in his face.

"We were once rebels, fleeing from the chaos of war. We took refuge in the mountains, where the land was poor, and we barely scraped by. But even then, the tax collectors came to us, draining us dry," Sassan's tone grew bitter. "So, our ancestors decided to fight back, killing the tax collectors and the local Emir."

"But peace never came. Instead, the Sultan's army arrived," she continued, her voice thick with the weight of history. "We were forced to become the Sultan's dark sword, but our rewards were few and far between. We had to take on other work just to survive. Over time, the name of the Hashshashin became infamous."

For the first time, Mike Bai saw sorrow flash across Sassan's eyes, though it was brief, he caught it.

"When the new Sultan came to power, he feared us and cut ties with us. He left us to fend for ourselves. But 25 years ago, he suddenly gave us a task—to assassinate the Count of Tripoli," Sassan's voice grew heavy with helplessness and sadness. "The assassination was successful, but it led to our ancestors being hunted down by the Templar Knights, leaving many dead or injured, forcing the survivors into submission and heavy taxes."

Had Sassan not spoken of it herself, no one would have guessed that the feared Hashshashin were simply people struggling to survive.

"After that, I'm sure you know the rest," Sassan's voice softened, and a gentler tone replaced the previous sorrow. As she spoke, she reflected on the peace her people had found since coming to Mike Bai's estate. No longer did they worry about whether the harvest would be enough to feed them, they worked hard but lived well, earned good wages, and the children received education.

All of this, Mike Bai realized, was thanks to him.

He hadn't expected such a painful past from the young girl standing before him. His heart swelled with compassion, and he reached out to take Sassan's hand.

The warmth of his touch sent a jolt of excitement through her, and as she looked up into his gentle eyes, her heart raced.

"So I ask you one last time, are you and your people willing to come with me?"

"Sweeter than honey," Sassan whispered, gazing at Mike Bai, nodding earnestly.

"Then let's go home together."

But moving over a thousand people wasn't an easy task. Mike Bai had to arrange for his knights to lead the groups in stages, and considering the security on the road, he was forced to hire over 500 mercenaries for protection.

Since Mike Bai had handed the trade routes to the Genoese, renting Venetian ships wouldn't work for the journey. So he turned to the head of the Genoese merchant consortium for help.

Upon hearing Mike Bai's request, the head of the consortium immediately promised that there would be regular ships between Akka and Genoa, guaranteeing enough space for Mike Bai's people.

As the groups began to leave in batches, the once lively estate began to quiet down.

Today was the last day Mike Bai and Anna would depart, but as Mike Bai stepped out of the estate gate, he found many of the Kingdom's nobles waiting for him, with King Baldwin at the forefront.

"Your Majesty! Why are you here?" Mike Bai hurriedly dismounted and bowed.

King Baldwin slowly dismounted as well and walked toward Mike Bai. "You've done great things for the kingdom. Now that your pilgrimage is complete and you're returning to your lands, as king, I must fulfill my duties as host."

He handed Mike Bai a golden apple.

Mike Bai's hand sank under its weight—this apple was made of solid gold!

Seeing the surprised look on Mike Bai's face, Baldwin smiled beneath his mask. "I know you like money. Is this gift to your satisfaction?"

"Very satisfied!" Mike Bai eagerly nodded.

"Then, take care on your journey," Baldwin said, mounting his horse and waving at Mike Bai.

As Mike Bai's group began to move slowly away, Baldwin watched them go with a touch of melancholy. The golden sands stretched before them, and Baldwin knew that this would be the last time he saw Mike Bai.

As Baldwin worried about the future of his kingdom, a voice called out and broke his thoughts.

"Baldwin!" Mike Bai stood atop his carriage, holding the golden apple high. "I'll take good care of your apple!"

"Thank you, Mike Bai. My friend," Baldwin smiled, silently replying in his heart.