Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 543 - 321: Osiris’ Broken Staff

In the dungeon.

A middle-aged man, stripped of his armor and wearing only a thin silk undergarment, asked with some confusion, "You are Losa?"

Losa casually pulled over a chair and sat down, scrutinizing the man in front of him, whom he never considered a rival: "You seem a bit disappointed?"

Governor Iben nodded: "A little. I originally thought I would see a heroic figure."

Losa chuckled: "Quite stubborn."

Governor Iben gave a wry smile: "If I were truly stubborn, I wouldn’t have surrendered. I just feel you look different from what I imagined. Someone who could train such an elite force—how could he look like you?"

"What do you think I should look like? A monster with three hands and five legs?"

Governor Iben shook his head: "Certainly not such a handsome young man. At your age, I was still lingering between the thighs of prostitutes."

"Even if you flatter me, I won’t spare you half of the ransom."

As if resigned to his fate, Governor Iben was particularly candid: "I need money too. After leaving Damietta, I will have to go to Alexandria to start over, and there are too many places that require money."

Losa spoke lightly: "If you can’t come up with enough ransom, don’t worry about it. You can end your days here. Rest assured, I will provide you with the best living conditions among the prisoners, like preparing a bed in this cell, so you won’t have to curl up among cockroach- and ant-infested straw piles on winter nights."

Governor Iben was silent.

A moment later, just as Losa was preparing to leave, he hesitated and said, "I have an extremely precious collection, supposedly the scepter left behind by the old god of the Copts, Osiris."

Hearing this, Losa sat back down: "If you have this object, would you give it to me?"

Governor Iben was straightforward: "I don’t know how to use it, but I guarantee it’s no ordinary scepter. It’s been authenticated by multiple old god priests; unfortunately, they don’t know how to use it either."

"Where have you hidden it?"

"What’s in it for me to tell you?"

"I swear on the honor of the Habsburg Family, I will grant deductions regarding your ransom based on the value of the so-called ’Divine Artifact’ you hand over."

"Alright."

Governor Iben had no room for bargaining, and chose to trust Losa’s reputation: "In the cellar of a nondescript manor outside the city. Just break through the wall, and you’ll find it..."

After finishing, he added: "Inside are some treasures I’ve accumulated over the years that are inconvenient to move. All of them are yours, as long as you agree to take away the ship at the port that originally belonged to me."

Losa sneered: "Did you forget that even if you don’t tell me the location of the treasure, Damietta Port is in my hands? If I’m willing to spend some time, how could I not find it?"

The ship Governor Iben took sailing when leaving the port carried goods valued at over 100,000 Suludes gold coins, equivalent to several years of Damietta Port’s taxes.

Governor Iben grew frantic: "Bullshit, if I don’t tell you, that rundown manor has long been awarded to your subordinates. You’ll never know where it’s hidden!"

Losa knew Iben was right, but he still frowned: "How about this, I’ll free those captured Mamluks under your command along with you, and leave a quarter of the goods on the ship for you."

Only then did Governor Iben, with a reluctant expression, say: "I heard you have the title of Generous, but now it seems not justified."

Losa sneered: "I’ve never heard of a Saracen noble, after being captured by the Crusaders, who not only doesn’t need the family to send extra ransom, but can leave with half a ship’s goods and his personal guard intact."

Only Losa is a man of honor; if it were some money-grubbing poor Lord, he would flip on his promises once the location of the treasure was revealed.

Governor Iben seemed to notice Losa’s dissatisfaction, dropped the pretense, and quickly smiled obsequiously: "Only Marquis Losa’s fair and generous reputation is known across the Eastern Mediterranean. If it were anyone else, I’d rather die than divulge this secret."

Pah, for someone like you, a bit of torture and your secret would be spilled.

Losa sneered: "Don’t celebrate too early. Remember, the premise of our deal is that the so-called Divine Artifact you speak of is truly a creation left by the old god and useful to me. I can’t exchange thousands of gold coins and the ransom you should pay for a worthless ’antique’."

At this, Governor Iben couldn’t help but feel anxious.

Just then, the sound of Chelina’s footsteps echoed; she seemed to deliberately cough lightly, perhaps afraid of startling Losa.

"Have you brought the item?"

"Yes."

Chelina handed over a roughly one-meter-long box: "Sir, do you need me to open it for you?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Governor Iben reminded: "There’s a layer of Demon-Blocking Gold Foil inside."

Losa looked at him and nodded: "Be careful."

Chelina opened the box and tore off the gold foil, instantly revealing a simple, emerald green slender wooden stick—it hardly seemed special and certainly not a "scepter."

But merely exposed to the air, the room naturally emanated a refreshing scent of grass and trees.

The system notification sounded: You have obtained the Divine Artifact ’Osiris’ Broken Staff.’

Description: The Divine Artifact left behind following the fall of Netherworld King Osiris, which, due to damage, contains only a portion of the complete Divine Power of Osiris; it retains only a fraction associated with "Life, Abundance."

Imprinted with Osiris’ divine mark, it is unusable. It is recommended to integrate it into the main trunk of the Tree of Life to advance its maturity stage and catalyze new Tree of Life saplings.

Losa impassively closed the box and nodded: "It is indeed a treasure."

"Is it really Osiris’ scepter?"

Governor Iben asked curiously.

Losa retorted: "Didn’t you say that it’s Osiris’ scepter?"

"I don’t understand these things."

Governor Iben shrugged: "Originally, I thought of cutting it into pieces to make incense. Unfortunately, although it looks like wood, it can’t be cut with sword, axe, or knife."

"Its identity is none of your concern."

Losa opened the cell door, saying: "As per our previous agreement, you are free, Mister Iben."

Iben timely concealed his curiosity, brushing away the dry grass from his shoulder.

"By the way, a piece of advice before you leave: it’s best not to go to Alexandria or stay in Egypt."

Iben was surprised: "Why?"

Losa chuckled: "Because if you’re captured next time, you won’t be able to offer such a ransom again."

Governor Iben paused, helplessly saying: "But where can I go? Surely not to Tunis to become a pirate or to Iberia to serve the Berbers as a dog?"

"That’s your own matter."

Governor Iben sighed deeply.

He raised his hand to his chest: "I hope we won’t meet again, Marquis Losa."

"Let it be so."

Losa drew a cross over his chest.

Watching Governor Iben leave, Losa spoke: "Chelina, I’ll need you to make another trip; it doesn’t need to be rushed. Return within three days and deliver Osiris’ scepter to the Tree of Life."

Chelina expressed some skepticism: "Is it really Osiris’ scepter?"

Losa shook his head: "Only half of it. Besides being the Netherworld King, Osiris also had divine duties related to ’plants, abundance, and agriculture.’ This contains the divine power representing those later duties, greatly contributing to the Tree of Life."

Losa paused slightly and continued: "Once the Tree of Life receives it, there’s a high chance it will nurture new saplings. When you return, ensure you bring back these saplings as well; they will greatly assist in securing the allegiance of the Egyptians."

Chelina nodded: "I’ve noted it."

She took over the wooden box, ready to leave.

"Thank you for your hard work, and take care."

Losa advised.

Chelina curtsied with a smile and gradually vanished into the dark passageway of the dungeon.