The County of Tripoli, although relatively independent, is actually in a symbiotic relationship with the Kingdom of Jerusalem, just like the County of Edessa and the Duchy of Antioch that have already been conquered by the heretics.
What's more, as the Regent King, he is virtually half a king of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and the existence of the kingdom is closely tied to his personal power.
However, the nobles' voices of opposition only paused for a mont before they resud their clamor.
The so-called two "Factions" are nothing more than temporary alliances ford for interests, and cannot be regarded as truly intimate.
They have no shortage of conflicts among themselves.
For example, two neighboring lords might be snatching each other's estates today and robbing each other's caravans tomorrow, which is just an everyday occurrence.
If this were in Europe, without the external threat of Saracens, even if they fought a few low-intensity wars because of this, it would be nothing unusual.
"I think it's unnecessary. The brave Crusaders never fear the challenge of heretics, and under the blessing of the Heavenly Father, we have won again, haven't we?"
Count Thierry from Flanders spoke, "I agree to form a standing army, but the leadership should change. Lord Guy of Mongisa, though lucky enough to burn Saladin's supplies, doesn't an he possesses any command skills."
Guy, face flushed with anger, retorted, "You're talking nonsense!"
Count Thierry, with an unchanged expression, snorted, "That's the truth. You two brothers are only basking in Count Losa's glory. Burning the enemy's supplies is not solely your credit. Without you, there would be other knights."
He still bore a grudge from Guy's past insult, and after returning north without success from the Eastern Expedition, he gained almost nothing.
Unwilling to offend the powerful Noble Faction, he naturally chose to target Guy.
At this mont, a guard from the Royal Knight Order stationed outside the grand hall shouted, "The Lords of Transjordan, Hebron, and Jorgelisburg, Grand Master of the Royal Knight Order, Count Losa has arrived!"
The guard's tone trembled slightly with excitent.
Losa's legendary deeds have beco well-known tales in Jerusalem.
In the mouths of minstrels, through prayer, he received the blessing of the Heavenly Father, allowing Crusader Knights to see in the dark, adding a holy aura to his na.
The various lords inside the hall also changed their expressions subtly at this mont, wondering why the newly appointed count returned to Jerusalem so swiftly.
Could there be so sche?
Compared to the past, Losa had finally beco a pivotal figure in this city.
Outside the hall, a young lord with a black cloak emblazoned with the double-headed eagle badge and wearing shiny plate armor strode into the hall.
His arrival imdiately drew everyone's attention. So secretly wondered if there was any deeper significance to his visit.
Godfrey, bursting into laughter, said, "Ha, Losa, you ca just in ti. I heard you and your n accomplished the feat of slaying a dragon. Tell more about it!"
Losa smiled and said, "It's not worth ntioning. It was just an earth dragon without wings and unable to breathe fire."
No one seed to care about Losa's minor actions on his estate these days.
Firstly, his actions were too swift, so the news hadn't spread; secondly, even if it did spread, no one would care.
Hussein and Adnan were rely larger bullies in their villages, indeed powerful locally but ultimately insignificant on the grand stage.
After all, the Kingdom of Jerusalem is a Kingdom of Christians.
Those directly vassal to Losa, the vassals of Transjordan, ca forward to salute him, a significant portion of whom were mbers of the Empress Faction.
However, now the Empress Faction had weakened.
Many hoped Losa would switch to their side and beco a new leader.
Others wished to defect with Losa to the King's Faction, thinking there was no future with the King's Faction, especially since Baldwin IV was gravely ill.
But Losa, who soared like a rocket from a landless knight to the Count of Transjordan as a "luckiest man," clearly indicated that their initial thoughts were completely wrong.
The centralization of the Kingdom of Jerusalem was inherently stronger than most kings in Europe, influenced partly by the encirclent of external enemies and partly because the previous rulers of the Kingdom of Jerusalem were considered almost divine, bestowing a sacred aura upon the kingdom's monarch.
The king, after all, is the king!
As long as he lives, he remains the most prominent and authoritative feudal lord of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Watching Losa steal the spotlight, Amalric felt a bit frustrated, yet he dared not speak.
There were many present who disliked Losa even more than he did.
Yet, Losa's frequent habit of throwing his gloves, along with Amalric's embarrassing incident, had beco widely known.
They feared that one word might displease Losa, resulting in a glove thrown at their face; who would dare challenge the legendary knight who first slew werewolves and then a dragon?
In this aspect, even Regent King Raymond could not compare to Losa.
Then, they saw Raymond actually standing up to approach Losa for a conversation, astonishing them further, and deepening their understanding of Losa, who was thought to rely be a "lucky" titleholder of a vacant countship.
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