Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 454 - 236: Two Armies Face Off

In the royal tent.

A gathering of Crusader nobles took place, including key figures from the two major Knight Orders. The soldiers from these orders were nearly as numerous as those from Losa and Duke Raymond, naturally granting them a place in the military council.

These individuals were the powerful nobles of Jerusalem, each commanding forces of over a thousand, and were the most prominent princes of the Holy Land.

Hanfry of Tolun, Isabella’s betrothed, declared righteously: "Your Majesty, it’s time to show the Saracens what we’re made of. We cannot indulge in comfort in the camp all day."

Amalric Palace Minister, looking resigned, said: "Though I don’t believe staying in the camp is indulging in comfort, I must say, if we continue to stand off against the Saracens, the Kingdom will go bankrupt."

"That’s precisely Saladin’s cunning plan!"

Duke Raymond spoke: "He attacks Enrique’s castle but doesn’t capture it; this is to make us lose our reason and rush our advance—if we are defeated, the entire Holy Land will be exposed to the heretics’ iron hooves, vulnerable to devastation."

"But how do we solve the financial problem?"

Losa spoke: "It’s time for certain penny-pinchers to bleed. Would they rather watch the Holy Land fall than loosen their money bags and contribute even half a copper coin to support us, who’ve gone to great lengths to assemble this vast army?"

Losa paused slightly, then continued: "I remember there were some coveting my New Habsburg, weren’t they claiming they had tens of thalers in gold and silver to trade? At this critical moment, they have money to lease my land, but are unwilling to donate to the army participating in the holy war—can they still be considered devout servants of the Heavenly Father?"

Losa’s words seemed to signal a declaration of war against the Church.

Under Losa’s command, except for Reynard, the only one qualified to participate in this meeting, Baron Argon of Petra shouted: "Indeed, we have given everything for this battle. The poor have donated their last grain, even their lives, to participate in this defense of the Holy Land; citizens have donated money and goods, arming hundreds or thousands of elite soldiers; knights of the Order and devout clergy have also bravely faced the battle. But only a few monasteries, claiming non-involvement in worldly affairs, have vaults full of tens of thalers’ worth of gold and silver, yet they’re unwilling to donate a dime."

The nobles immediately understood this was Losa’s counterattack against the clergy coveting his land, but they were happy to see it, as Losa drew the greatest fire, and they indeed lacked funds.

Roger and Gerard, the leaders of the two major Knight Orders, couldn’t help feeling a bit embarrassed at the words they heard.

The monasteries under fire from Losa had close ties with His Holiness the Pope; they absolutely could not criticize them.

Amidst the nobles’ echoed condemnations, His Majesty the King finalized: "Grand Master Gerard and Grand Master Roger, please send someone to contact these monasteries. In the name of the King of Jerusalem, I ask them for a loan for the Holy War Fund."

The two exchanged a glance and replied helplessly: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Though it’s called a loan verbally, everyone knew that there’s a significant chance His Majesty the King wouldn’t repay it. It’s a privilege of having justice on their side, different from later loans sought by the King of France from the Templar Order.

"However, we do need to do something; the morale among the young lads is quite low."

"Indeed, Your Majesty, many believe you...and we all have been frightened by that Demon Dragon; many young men worry themselves to sleep, fearing they’ll wake to find themselves engulfed in a sea of fire."

"Marquis, I must admit your command is excellent, and your soldiers well-trained, but relying on these cannot defeat the Giant Dragon. When will you showcase the extraordinary power bestowed by the Heavenly Father?"

Earnest eyes turned to Losa.

Compared to Saladin, their intelligence more stemmed from ’hearsay’; right now, they actually sought assurance from Losa, even if just a slight demonstration, it would make them feel more secure.

Losa cleared his throat and declared loudly:

"Ladies and gentlemen, the hardships we face are mere trifles compared to the Holy Son being nailed to the Cross; the Heavenly Father’s glory shines upon Galilee; we will ultimately achieve victory. So, please, remain calm."

The nobles felt immediately helpless, as these formal words were not what they wanted to hear.

Losa looked around and suddenly asked: "Do you know why the heretics’ Demon Dragon, having sold their souls to the Devil, hasn’t swooped down to spew its highly poisonous, scorching Dragon Flame?"

The crowd was momentarily puzzled.

Losa continued: "Because I haven’t acted, like a crossbowman hidden in the shadows, making the opponent feel threatened. As long as we proceed like this, it remains a secular war."

"But our morale is very low."

Losa swiftly responded: "Then take measures to boost morale."

"For instance, dispatch knights to duel with the heretics—Saladin is someone who prides himself on being straightforward; he’s unlikely to refuse. If he does refuse, it can be proclaimed that these heretics fear us."

Determining victory through duels was a common method in European wars.

It followed "divine judgment" and was a way to greatly reduce losses.

With castles abundant, a full war would inevitably be protracted and cost-intensive.

Even the most worthless peasant slaves were crucial assets to a lord.

If continued, it would inevitably lead to mutual destruction.

By then, it might even invite third-party intervention.

Thus, the duel is set to determine victory; it seems somewhat frivolous, but there is a necessity for its existence.

"That’s indeed the case, but how do we ensure victory?"

Some Crusader nobles appeared grave.

Up to today, those present, having dismissed the newcomers, naturally understood the might of the Saracens.

Many Mamluk cavalry have undergone rigorous training from a young age, no less powerful than the warriors of Europe’s knights.

Losa looked at the gazes cast upon him and suddenly recalled the scene beyond Hulao Pass.

I have the great general Pan Feng, who can slay Hua Xiong.

"I have two great generals who can advance first."

...

The news of the duel with the heretics quickly spread.

After everyone left the tent, the young King simply watched Losa, smiling.

"Will anything be exposed?"

"Some cards need to be shown to the opposite side; rest assured, Your Majesty, I have many trump cards."

Both Venezia and Hans possess considerable combat strength; even if he does not reveal his trump cards, he is no match for these two.

"Let’s take this opportunity to see what the other side is made of."

The combat strength of Wizards generally does not manifest in physique; those Wizards who follow the path of body modification exist but are rare.

For instance, the Wizard who previously followed the modification path,

But the opposite side may not necessarily be Wizards.

"Let’s go."

As His Majesty the King finished donning his armor,

The already arranged military camp started to move like a giant beast coming to life.

Dust billowed in the sky.

Within the camp surrounded by two layers of wooden fences, first came the light cavalry, swiftly galloping past the arrow tower at the entrance of the camp like the wind, followed closely by the secular knights who proceeded alongside their respective Lords.

Lastly, there were the black-robed or white-robed monastic knights.

Compared to these Crusader knights, the heavily armored cavalry archers with an Eastern attire stood out more prominently; they had been seen as mercenaries from the Empire or the East, but when helmets were removed, they revealed Frankish features.

The Crusader cavalry swiftly occupied the two heights outside the camp.

In the sky, the falcon flocks resembled scavenging vultures, anticipating a bloody battle to unfold, eager to feast ravenously after the fight.

The activity here naturally did not escape the attention of the ever-monitoring Saracens; they immediately responded by dispatching soldiers to leave the camp orderly, forming the standard "cavalry wings, infantry center" formation.

.

Excluding the peasant soldiers under Losa, the Black Eagle Banner Team, woodland archers, Varangian Guard, and retained veterans, the soldiers and the walking knights who lost their mounts also showed a tidy military appearance.

They held long halberds, flails, warhammers, and spears, equipped with kite shields, lune-shaped shields, or round shields, wearing Norman-style spine helmets, resembling an inverted iron bowl with an added nose guard.

The clergy holding various holy images walked and loudly preached to the surrounding believers.

The white-robed priests gathered around a large cart holding the box with the True Cross; atop the cart stood a giant gold-plated wooden cross, shining under the noonday sun, boosting the morale of all the Crusaders.

"The Vice Regent of the Celestial Kingdom, the eternal red cross of Saint Michael is protecting us."

Various emblems and banners of the Crusaders, along with the almost uniform diverse cross flags of the monastic knights, waved like fields of wheat blown by the wind, creating waves.

Opposite them were the Saracens’ flame banners.

Almost at a glance, it was clear that these Saracens, even in their infantry squares, which they traditionally neglected, were well-trained, well-armored, donned in light infantry platoons wearing leather armor; let alone the variously clad Mamluk cavalry, nearly a third of whom were heavily armored cavalry, backed by riding bows, steadily placed at the wings of the infantry square.