Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 598 - 372: Undercurrents Surging

Time flows slowly amidst the undercurrents.

Every day, Crusaders laden with abundant spoils return to Damietta.

The merchants accompanying the army are ecstatic, as a large quantity of Eastern silk, fine furniture, spices, porcelain, glassware, and even mummies unearthed from graves are being transported into the city and sold to merchants.

Many Crusaders are eager to cash in, thus lowering their prices, and naturally, the merchants are making a fortune.

Losa, realizing this, immediately set up a "Purchase of War Spoils" sign in the camp, essentially buying back soldiers' spoils of war, exchanging them for gold coins embossing his portrait, taking a portion as a fee, and returning the rest to the seller.

This was a virtually cost-free business, greatly replenishing Losa's previously depleted wallet.

Even the Crusaders felt benefited, as the purchase price offered by Losa was often more reasonable than that of the accompanying merchants, and the gold coins were of pure quality, so much so that soldiers queued to sell their spoils from dawn till dusk.

But they would never know, inside the camp, the esteemed Duke Losa was personally handling the resale of spoils.

In the tavern, some Crusader soldiers vividly described how they dealt with these resurrected monsters, boasting of their bravery. Some with a business acumen even took out their cross talismans, claiming they possessed powerful exorcism divine power, available for only ten gold coins.

Losa was intrigued by this and even sent Kurs to investigate, only to find that these mummies possessed no special powers, so he stopped paying attention.

It is worth mentioning that, by this time, mummies were widely used as medicine, though the word "mummy" still referred to "asphalt." In Reynard of Castellon's domain, this "medicine" was produced.

As for how in later days Europe became enamored with consuming actual mummified corpses, Losa was unaware.

Busy until dusk, Losa hurried back to his residence, freshened up, donned his Holy Cross Plate Armor, and appeared in the hall.

There, several nobles were already waiting to pledge their allegiance to him.

Lately, every day, Crusader nobles would come to his manor to pledge their allegiance.

Almost all Crusaders from Germanic lands chose to align with Losa.

Their power was relatively weak—their weapons, equipment, and the elite status of their soldiers inferior to the wealthier and more prosperous Gallic nobles—they needed Losa as their protector, otherwise, they might not even be able to secure the lands they had captured.

Conversely, those powerful Gallic nobles began to stir upon learning that Richard the Lionheart had arrived in the Holy Land.

They might not necessarily want to submit to Richard, though many Gallic nobles see Richard as a second king in the Gaul region, the majority still only recognize Philip II as their sole monarch, and some Gallic nobles simply recognize no one.

However, they believed that with Richard's support, they had leverage to bargain with Losa while profiting from playing both sides.

You, Losa, can assume the title of Duke of Egypt, but I, so-and-so, cannot assume the title of Duke of Upper Egypt?

Perhaps after conquering Egypt, we might even vie for the throne.

Additionally, there were a few, like Baron Goffrey, Gallic nobles, who chose to closely ally themselves with Losa; they felt that although Losa was of Germanic noble lineage, he was also a representative of the Jerusalem native nobles, with interests already intertwined, or simply, they were drawn by Losa's long-standing invincible military record.

Not everyone operates solely on interests; there are many who were attracted by Losa's charisma and decisively placed themselves under his command.

Like the Baron Rudolf from Aquitaine standing before him.

"Rise, Baron Rudolf, I accept your allegiance, from today you may join the Imperial Knight Battalion for combat."

Losa helped the knight before him stand up: "As your liege, I will ensure your life, property, and honor, and in the sight of the Heavenly Father, I swear by the honor of the Habsburg Family."

For some reason, Baron Rudolf was so moved that he was in tears.

He raised the cross hanging on his chest and proclaimed, "My lord, from now on my sword will serve you, I will not ask why, no matter where you point your sword, my soldiers and I will be the first to charge into battle."

"Good."

Losa showed a satisfied smile.

Though this allegiance was only done in private, without the clergy's witness.

Yet they had formed an unbreakable bond, not only a legal constraint of this era but also a near-instinctual obedience of all system soldiers to Losa, for every one who swore allegiance to him would become a vassal Losa could completely trust.

And unlike most feudal lords of this era, who had to be cautious in dealing with their vassals and wary of open and hidden attacks from all sides, a little carelessness could cause vassals to turn and support a brother who also had the right of succession, leading to a feudal war for the title.

...

By the time of dusk, as Losa was about to fall asleep.

Within the empty mansion.

A vampire in an exquisite suit knocked at his door once again.

"Sir, an emissary wishes to see you."

"Whose emissary?"

Losa opened the door, somewhat puzzled.

"My lord, my master wishes to meet with you."

"Who is your master?"

"In your Frankish terms, my master is Adil, the governor of Egypt appointed by Saladin, Your Majesty."

"What's there to discuss?"

"A monarch from Europe has arrived in the Holy Land; perhaps now you have your hands full too."

"No, how could that be, it's good news for any Christian, soon tens of thousands of elite Crusaders from Albion will arrive in the Holy Land, and if Your Majesty is wise..."

"You would govern the Franks in the East, solidifying the title of King of the Eastern Franks."

Losa couldn't help but mock, "Saladin wants to support me as the King of the Eastern Franks? What kind of joke is he making?"

...

The next morning.

These days, the city has been full of hidden currents; it is time to put an end to it all.

During this period, not every lord has gained.

The mere province of Damietta, no matter how prosperous, cannot satisfy the appetite of every Crusader soldier; moreover, new Crusader soldiers arrive daily in Damietta, eager for Losa to lead them once more to conquer Egypt's bountiful lands.