Jerusalem, Duke Raymond’s residence.
Raymond has been troubled recently.
His attitude towards Lothar has always been complex.
On one hand, he thinks highly of this young man, who swiftly established significant accomplishnts not long after his arrival, now seemingly the cornerstone on which the Crusaders withstand the encroachnt of heretic wolves in the Holy Land.
Yet on the other hand, he feels a trendous threat and pressure from Lothar.
As the largest lord within the kingdom, aside from Baldwin IV’s short two-year campaign, the regent king who held power for more than ten years, he originally had absolute authority in Jerusalem. Even during its peak, forr Duke of Antioch Reynard of Chatillon, now Count of Transjordan, Baron of Kaler Castle and Montreal, was under his thumb.
The so-called Empress Faction, Raymond’s Noble Faction, the King’s Faction represented by Baron Godfrey, could not encapsulate the sharp internal conflicts within Jerusalem, while the tensions between the Germanic Crusaders and the Gaul Crusaders were also becoming increasingly acute.
Lothar, with a double buff on him, is both the sole royal figure of Germanic origin of high rank in the Holy Land, and even a fairly strong Teutonic Order has willingly joined under his banner; he also seems inclined to control the King’s Faction and rge with the Empress Faction.
Yet, when the conflict is about to beco more acute, he unexpectedly makes a bold retreat, as if he doesn’t care about the power in Jerusalem at all, and boldly jumps out of the political maelstrom to beco a rcenary for the Eastern Empire.
"Lothar hasn’t returned yet?"
Raymond’s voice is a little hoarse, perhaps due to overexertion recently, he feels his health is getting worse—it’s ti to donate so money to the Saint Lazarus Monastery and have Bishop Urding co over for a check.
The attendant standing like a shadow at Duke Raymond’s side replied in a low voice: "The personnel sent to monitor the port haven’t reported back yet, but on the border of Transjordan, directly under Lothar, the Grand Steward of the Holy Vault ’Kurs’ has already begun preparing for war."
"Oh? Wasn’t that Kurs responsible for the Jerusalem armor workshop and selling Gwent Cards previously?"
Raymond asked with interest.
Upon receiving a confird answer, he couldn’t help but laugh: "He’s a shrewd and capable talent; Lothar dares to leave his territory and lead troops alone on expeditions, it must greatly involve him."
With a sowhat envious expression, Raymond is constrained by the church’s knowledge monopoly, where a reliable internal affairs talent is even rarer than a capable and battle-hardened general.
"I heard Lothar has made quite a stir in Constantinople, not only gaining the position of Limassol Military Zone General but also forming a deep friendship with the Purple Robe Princess?"
The attendant bowed his head and replied: "Indeed, it’s rumored that he defeated Crown Prince Henry of Swabia in a tournant and killed a dragon beast with his own hands; it’s said Her Majesty the Empress favors him and has summoned him for private audiences multiple tis."
Raymond’s expression showed a noticeable pause.
Wouldn’t it be troubleso if next ti he sees Lothar, he’s beco the Empire’s Emperor, Basileus?
He knew about Princess Sibylla’s intention to marry Lothar, eting with him multiple tis.
And it’s very understandable.
Among the young nobles across Christendom, it’s hard to find soone better than Lothar, whether in looks or talent, especially those who possess both equally.
For example, Guy of Lusignan, although a handso man, is of diocre ability and even once attempted to assassinate Eleanor, the Grand Duchess of Aquitaine, in a youthful folly.
Originally, Lothar’s shortcoming was his background and wealth, which have now been compensated.
In Raymond’s own view, if he were Sibylla, he’d be moved too.
Isn’t this a hundred tis better than the previous marriage he arranged with William?
Yet who would’ve thought.
In the end, the one engaged to Sibylla turned out to be Berian. Originally, he didn’t quite understand and felt this move might be Lothar’s way of signaling neutrality between his standoff with the Empress Faction.
Who would’ve thought, this rascal intends to marry the Empress instead?
He couldn’t help but quip: "At a ti when the Holy Land needs him most, he runs off to pander to the Empress’ whims, does he really think the Empress will fancy him and make him a co-emperor with one leap?"
"Such daydreaming folk, thinking that even if the Empress fancies it, the Greek aristocrats would accept a ’Frankish barbarian’ as emperor."
The attendant behind him remained expressionless but thought inwardly, "That’s Her Majesty for you, not just indulging her whims, but also being her loyal captive."
Even if the Empress is an old lady with one foot in the grave, at even a one-percent chance of being noticed by her, hopefuls lining up to be her intimate would stretch from Constantinople’s city gates across to the other side of Golden Horn Bay.
Raymond raised his hand and drew a cross on his chest, murmuring softly: "Heavenly Father above, I must repent for my newly-risen envy."
He withdrew the emotions from the prior news and asked: "How’s our mobilization status?"
"Within your territory, the mobilization order has already been sent to each vassal under you. Grand Master Roger of the Hospital Knight Order stated explicitly that he would provide you with three hundred knights and eight hundred light cavalry support in the war."
Raymond nodded slightly.
The Hospital Knight Order is Raymond’s most important ally in the Holy Land, although it cost Tripoli a significant amount of territory leased to the counterpart, the support in return is well worth it.
"I must remind you, my lord, influenced by several kings, European lords realized earlier than us the importance of casters. The wars they face make them more aware, and because of this, they are already recruiting such talent as advisors," the attendant added in a cautious tone.
Raymond had heard about Lothar making quite a stir in Constantinople, not only acquiring the position of Military Zone General of Limassol but also forming a deep friendship with that Purple Robe Princess?
The aide bowed his head: "Indeed, rumors say he defeated Crown Prince Henry of Swabia in a tournant and even personally slew a dragon beast. According to rumors, Her Majesty the Empress appreciates him greatly, calling him for private audiences multiple tis."
Raymond was obviously taken aback.
Oh no, by the ti we see Lothar again, he might have already beco the Emperor, the Basileus?
He was aware that Princess Sibylla wanted to marry Losa, having t with him several tis.
And it made perfect sense.
Among all the young nobles in Christendom, be it in appearance or ability, it is rare to surpass Lothar, especially possessing both simultaneously.
For instance, Guy of Lusignan is a handso fellow, yet his abilities are quite diocre, and he’s a hotheaded careless fool who once even tried to assassinate Grand Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine.
Originally, Lothar’s shortcoming was his background and wealth, which are now both being addressed.
In Raymond’s shoes, if he were Sibylla, he’d be tempted too.
This is a hundred tis better than that previous match with William, isn’t it?
Yet, unexpectedly.
The engagent with Sibylla ended up being to Berian, which he initially couldn’t understand, thinking this move might have been deliberately released by Lothar, indicating a signal to remain neutral in the standoff between him and the Empress Faction.
Inconceivably, this damn kid actually wants to cozy up to the Empress?
He couldn’t help but voice his frustration: "Instead of being here when the Holy Land needs him most, he runs off to curry favor with the damn Empress. Does he truly think he’ll beco the Emperor beneath those Greek nobles under the title of ’Frankish Barbarian’?"
The attendant remained expressionless but thought to himself that it’s the Empress, even a hellhound would want to roll over.
Raymond raised his hand and made a sign of the cross over his chest, whispering: "Heavenly Father, let repent for my rising jealousy."
He drew himself away from the emotions stirred up in him by the news and inquired: "How is our mobilization going?"
"My lord, I must remind you that our mobilization status is in fine shape," the attendant said with so urgency: "I must also remind you that due to the influence of certain kings, both the lords of Europe have beco more aware of the importance of casters much earlier than us. The battles they face force them to realize this."
Raymond paused for a mont, then acknowledged: "Is it because the wizards think it’s not worthwhile to face such a strong enemy?"
The attendant lowered his head and nodded after a mont: "Yes, they are unwilling to risk their lives for rely money."
"Heh."
Raymond displayed a look mixed with so helplessness and a bit of relief: "So it seems this boy, hopefully, still has a trace of his own father’s piety in him."
At that mont.
Urgent footsteps sounded from outside the door.
The cloak-clad figure standing in the shadows just called: "My lord, Saladin’s envoy has arrived."
"He claims that Lothar still hasn’t returned?"
Raymond’s voice was a bit hoarse. Perhaps it was from over-exertion recently as he felt his health declining—ti to donate a sum to the Saint Lazarus Order and invite Bishop Urding to co over and have a look.
He wanted to draw away from the feelings stirred by the recent news and inquired: "How is our mobilization going?"
"In your territory, the mobilization order has already been sent to Knight Order. Grand Master Roger of the Hospital Knight Order stated explicitly that he would provide support with not only three hundred foot soldiers and lightly armored cavalry but a number of eight hundred included," the attendant’s voice was a bit hurried as he reported.
Raymond nodded slightly, and there was a faint look of helplessness and relief on his face.
The Hospital Knight Order is Raymond’s most important ally in the Holy Land, although the cost of this is that a lot of land was leased to them, but the support is absolutely worth the value.
The cloak-clad assistant said with so hesitation: "Lord, I must remind you, due to the influence of several kings and the realization of the importance of casters much earlier than us by the lords of Europe, they face more wars and therefore, a willingness to employ them even more urgently. This makes there are less already willing casters to ’co into service,’ and, hearing your terms, is there even anyone willing to co?"
"Not low, my lord."
Raymond furrowed his brows slightly at the ssage, and questioned: "You really think I was offering too little before?"
Despite having extensive lands, many of them have re titular titles, with few holdings and manors. Also maintaining a sizeable standing army at hand, the surplus of funds isn’t particularly ample, and as his attendant noted.
"Sir, I must remind you that due to the influence of several kings, the lords of Europe have beco aware of the value of Caster much earlier than us because of the conflicts they face, so they are already hiring such talents."
Raymond was suddenly enlightened: "Those Wizards think it’s not worthwhile to face a formidable foe, right?"
The attendant lowered his head, nodded slightly after a pause, "Indeed, they say they aren’t interested in serving just for money."
"Heh."
Raymond showed an expression of so frustration and also so relief on his face: "Hopefully this young man still retains a shred of his father Werner’s piety at heart.
At this mont.
There ca hurried footsteps from outside the room.
The cloak-clad attendant announced hurriedly: "My lord, an envoy from Saladin has arrived."
"He claims Lothar has not honored the ceasefire agreent and demands the imdiate return of all territories occupied rightfully since then."
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