Baldwin IV sat in the main camp.
The young King, having taken off his mask, swiftly took control of the situation under external pressure.
However, it must be admitted that the Kingdom of Jerusalem’s circumstances are rather dire.
The nobility controls the land, wantonly exploiting its wealth for their own pleasures, with little of the revenue actually invested back into the territory’s developnt.
Many of the inland fortresses have been abandoned to the elents, and military readiness has significantly deteriorated.
As soon as Saladin breaks through the front lines, he will have an open path forward.
The nobles gathered in the tent for a strategy eting all wore expressions of deep concern.
Saladin has proactively launched an offensive, effortlessly conquering several frontier castles, and his army, led by Dragon Beasts, seems unstoppable, like a flood breaking through a dam.
"Your Majesty, is there any reply from His Holiness the Pope? When will the Crusaders from Gaul and the Germanic lands finally arrive?"
Soone asked aloud.
Guy of Lusignan sneered, "Perhaps after Jerusalem has fallen."
"Exactly, at this point, are we still counting on others? Have you no courage left from your ancestors?"
The accused noble defended himself, "I’m not afraid of heretics, but Saladin has dragons! Even the strongest fortresses and cities will be turned into a sea of fire under the burning Dragon Fla. The Greek fleet, once prideful, was annihilated by a single dragon."
Gerard, the Grand Master of the Templar Order, clad in a cloak with a white base and red cross, walked to the center of the tent with his sword at his side.
"They are just a few dragons."
"Don’t forget, our Marquis Losa is a renowned Dragon Slayer."
"Moreover, His Majesty’s court advisor is a highly skilled Caster, right?"
"The Heavenly Father’s glory shines upon us, Jerusalem cannot possibly be seized by filthy heretics. We have defeated Saladin more than once. This ti, we shall gain the ultimate victory again!"
Nishaya pressed her lips slightly, feeling sowhat apprehensive.
Not all Casters are created equal, okay?
I cannot handle Giant Dragons.
Moreover, my teacher specifically reminded today not to rush onto the battlefield in a mont of heat.
Seeing the argunt below intensify, Baldwin IV spoke, "The Dragon Slaying Crossbow forged with Demon-Blocking Gold from the Holy Vault is sufficient to kill the Land Dragon Beast."
"As for the Flying Dragon, Lord Losa will handle it."
"You need not worry about the threat of Giant Dragons. In this war, everyone has their place."
Baldwin IV slowly stood up, "As Grand Master Gerard said, the Heavenly Father’s glory shines upon us. He freed from evil illness so that I might lead you once again to victory over Saladin."
Godfrey suddenly spoke, "Your Majesty, is there enough Demon-Blocking Gold for crafting the Giant Crossbows, do we need to donate a batch?"
Baldwin IV graciously accepted, "The more the better, for who can say if Saladin has revealed his full strength?"
Seeing this seamless coordination between king and minister, the people were helpless, each expressing their willingness to donate a batch of Demon-Blocking Gold.
...
The council eting concluded.
Returning to the Templar Order’s camp, Gerard had just lifted the tent flap when he saw a black-robed priest already waiting inside.
He frowned.
The black-robed priest quickly stepped forward and asked, "Grand Master Gerard, how did it go?"
"I did not ntion it."
Gerard shook his head, "Marquis Losa is the key to winning this war. I’m not about to help you sche to seize his lands at this ti."
"Seize?"
The black-robed priest raised his voice, "I have told you many tis, it’s just a lease."
Gerard sneered, "We all know that this is just an excuse. But I must say, provoking Marquis Losa is not a wise move; in the Holy Land, he’s not any easier to deal with than Emperor Henry."
The black-robed priest remained silent for a mont before speaking, "Secular matters belong to the lord, sacred matters to the Church, that’s the established rule."
"But Marquis Losa is not just a secular lord."
Gerard sneered, "The Heavenly Father loves him—otherwise, have you seen anyone so young achieve such a remarkable feat? His Majesty the King trusts him greatly, Germanic knights willingly serve him, and he rose from a knight with no land to a marquis commanding tens of thousands of troops in less than six months!"
The black-robed priest was silent.
Gerard continued, "Don’t think I don’t know what you are thinking; you don’t actually care whether the Holy Land falls or not. If the Holy Land were to be captured by Saladin, His Holiness the Pope could use it as an opportunity to call for a grand Crusade, thus asserting his authority."
"Your piety has been devoured by the serpent of power. Father Plati, I advise you to stop now."
Gerard’s expression was cold.
He was a devout believer, but that did not an he fully supported the Pope in Pope City.
The atmosphere grew tense.
At this mont, the commotion in the camp caught Gerard’s attention.
He lifted the flap and looked out.
Soone shouted with excitent, "Marquis Losa’s army has arrived!"
He stepped outside and could clearly see the vast, dust-raising, orderly army in the distance.
Armor perfectly aligned, with striking plus, the renowned Winged Cavalry of the Holy Land.
Heavily armored cavalry in full gear, with face-covering helts.
Monastic Knights bearing golden cross badges...
Even many infantryn wore heavy armor, with double-headed eagle banners flying proudly atop lance tips.
They marched in tidy formations, seemingly endless.
Gerard was slightly taken aback, then smiled lightly, "Do you see? That is Marquis Losa’s army!"
The black-robed priest’s eyes were full of awe; to these people, most stories were re fiction.
For they had heard too many tales of man-made, exaggerated miracles.
But the sight of thousands of troops could not be fabricated.
He felt his throat grow dry.
"Even Duke Raymond’s forces wouldn’t be a match for his, right?"
Gerard nodded, "At the very least, Duke Raymond’s forces couldn’t form such precise formations."
...
Baron Godfrey’s expression was sowhat nostalgic, "I still rember when he first arrived, accompanied by only a few attendants, and now he commands an army of tens of thousands."
Berian felt a bit ashad, "Compared to Lord Losa, I’m far behind."
"What’s there to be ashad of?"
Godfrey patted Berian’s shoulder, "Though we are both young, across the whole of Europe, how many can compare to him?"
He spoke aningfully, "He is now a genuine Great Lord."
Godfrey only felt nostalgia, but Raymond’s feelings were much more complex.
He once regarded Losa as a promising junior, then turned into a rival.
It wasn’t until now he realized Losa had beco the greatest pillar of resistance against Saladin in the Holy Land.
Reynard clenched his teeth; his treatnt in Jerusalem was a world apart from when he was in command.
Whether he wanted to admit it or not, the gap between him and Losa had long been established.
Every ti others gazed at him, he felt it was filled with disdain and ridicule.
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