In the Middle Ages, people drew cards to be promoted to nobility.

The book you're reading is about medium spell model construction, right? Don't read it, it's all outdated stuff.

She tucked the book into the bookshelf.

Come with me to my alchemy laboratory. There is a small barrier here. Let me test the results of your study during this period.

Won't it damage your barrier?

Don't worry, it's very strong, you can toss it around as you please.

Dignified Princess in Purple, please don't say such words that may cause misunderstanding, okay?

Ana rolled her eyes at him and changed her words: Don't worry, your little thing can't be pierced at all.

Lothar raised his eyebrows: I think you're still in high spirits.

Early the next morning.

It was just dawn.

Lothar was woken up by Anna. He, Prajna and Jeanne helped each other put on their armor.

After having breakfast, he led his group of remaining veterans and headed towards the Church of St. George in Cypress.

That will be the starting point for their military parade today.

The veterans wore brand new black hawk robes with a white background today. After the servants cleaned them last night, Anna used magic to dry them herself.

They carried heavy javelins on their shoulders with shields, and put their other hand on their waists to wear scabbards. They wore helmets dyed red and decorated with horsehair on their crests - this was what Anna was wearing last night. Came out in a hurry.

This thing is purely decorative and has no use on the battlefield. Instead, it may block the sight of comrades.

Looking at it this way, the remaining veterans seemed to be an ancient imperial regiment that had traveled through history, attracting the attention of many noble officers who had arrived early.

Whose army is this?

Is the Empire reinstating the Imperial Guard?

People looked at each other.

The Greek nobles who were familiar with the history of the empire were full of curiosity, but due to Lothar's obvious identity as a Frankish barbarian, they were unwilling to come forward to talk.

The barbarian generals did not see anything special about this army at all, but they just felt that the equipment of these people was a bit strange.

At dawn, the military parade officially begins.

They exited the Via Messe, passed Theodosius and the Forum of Constantine, and headed all the way to the Coliseum in the east of the city.

Along the way, people along the roadside spontaneously held up the icons of Heavenly Father, Our Lady and the Holy Apostles, bringing their families with them, and they were already waiting with great anticipation.

coming!

The warriors of the Empire are coming!

Accompanied by cheers from the people, the first column of troops appeared on the streets.

They were the Varangian First Company. They all wore gorgeous silk robes, carried a flag with lightning bolts and a long face on them, carried kite-shaped shields on their backs, held spears in their hands, and marched forward in neat steps.

After that, there are the Varangian Guards carrying two-handed axes. They most conform to people's stereotype of the Varangian Guards. They carry Greek-style round shields on their backs, and they are murderous.

The number of the Varangian Guards fluctuated from time to time, but Queen Lagaia did not reduce the four thousand men recruited by Emperor Alexios and still maintained this number.

And for such a large legion, it is naturally impossible for every company to be an elite.

Only the two most elite companies, totaling 1,600 people, attended the parade.

The expenses of these elite Varangian guards are not much less than those of heavy cavalry.

In this world, except for the Eastern dynasty that also lost important horse breeding land, no other country would invest such a huge amount of money in heavy infantry.

Behind the Varangian Guards were hundreds of noble cavalry wearing bright red cloaks and various exquisite armors. Most of their helmets were decorated with swan feathers and peacock feathers. Even their mounts were covered with silk horse clothes.

These are the so-called Agontopla Guard Cavalry, all composed of nobles and children of generals.

Regardless of whether he can fight or not, just talking about this equipment, it is really handsome.

These handsome and upright noble cavalry immediately aroused cheers from everyone. Compared with the Frankish barbarians, these Greek disciples were the people of Constantinople who were more willing to worship.

They don't remember the last time these showmen suffered a disastrous defeat on the battlefield. That was more than a hundred years ago.

Then came a group of armored cavalry with lances and bows hanging from their saddles. They were the so-called Vadaritai Guards Cavalry. They were good at the so-called Parthian tactics. Most of them were light-armored archers, and a small number were Included in the order of mounted archers.

Those who appeared on the parade ground were naturally more heroic horse archers. Their mounts were covered with full sets of horse armor, and the helmets of the horse armor even covered the eyes of the war horses.

This means that they have extremely superb horse control skills, and their mounts will not stop during the charge because of fear of flames or the enemy's spears.

Later, it was the turn of Lothar's remaining veteran formation. In terms of number, they were far inferior to the previous ones, but every remaining veteran marched in uniform steps and wore specially made gorgeous attires, which also triggered the formation. Cheers.

Behind them is the company of Latin knights. These knights from Central and Western Europe adopt the method of charging with guns. Everyone wears various robes representing their family's coat of arms and round or square bucket helmets.

Finally, there are the various auxiliary companies, including the more famous companies such as the Guards and Shooters United.

Just as light infantry, their loose formation hardly brings any sense of impact to people.

Count Leopold glanced at the young crown prince beside him and said with a smile: The Greeks are showing us their strength. Your Highness, what do you think of their army?

Crown Prince Henry is a young man with short golden curly hair and a straight hooked nose. Hearing this, he sneered: It's just a show. The Greeks always like to bluff. The only fleet they can defeat us has been defeated in Cyprus. I I really don’t understand why my father joined forces with these Greeks.”

Leopold glanced at the red-haired witch beside him, and the two looked at each other and smiled.

Compared with the scheming Emperor Henry, little Henry was still a young man full of muscles and arrogance.

I think I saw an acquaintance.

Leopold's expression suddenly changed slightly.

That man is Lothar? How could he be here and become a general of the Greek army?

Crown Prince Henry asked in confusion: Which Lothar?

Losa of the Habsburg family, he only spent half a year in the Holy Land, replaced Count Leonard of Transjordan, and was promoted to the vassal of Transjordan by King Baldwin.

Count Leopold felt a little emotional. In the past, he wanted to recruit a baron under his command, but now he seemed to be on an equal footing with him.

It's him.

There was a hint of jealousy in Crown Prince Henry's eyes. Lothar's popularity has been too great recently. Gwent, the card he invented, has become popular in the empire.

Guardians of the Holy Land, Dragon Slayers, Werewolf Slayers, Generous Ones, Brave Ones, and a series of other names have resounded throughout the Christian world with the return of pilgrims and caravans.

He hummed softly: I have indeed heard of this man. Some time ago, my father also revealed to me his intention to promote his father Werner to the title of Duke of Burgundy in the outer Jura.

Oh, Count Werner has great military exploits and is an outstanding general. Your Majesty should value him highly. He will definitely be your Royal Highness's loyal servant in the future.

Leopold smiled and said nothing.

The young crown prince's thoughts are really easy to guess. No wonder His Majesty the Emperor asked him to take charge of all matters of the mission.

Crown Prince Henry was a little eager to give it a try: Let's go, Lord Leopold, it's time for us to go to the Colosseum, and let's teach those Greeks a lesson for their pretentiousness.

Leopold was slightly startled: Your Highness, are you sure you want to play in person?

Crown Prince Henry looked forward to it: Of course! I have won the title of Champion Knight ten times. It would be great if I could meet Lothar in the arena.

Obviously, if he can defeat the now famous Lothar, his reputation will be greatly improved, which will be of great help to his future rule after taking over the Kingdom of Sicily.

The military parade is gradually coming to an end.

People began to enter the large arena at this time.

The nobles and ladies in costumes were present on the viewing platforms in the middle of the two ends of the arena, while the common people could only stand on the stone steps to watch.

The large oval arena was filled with dense figures from high to low. This scene was many times grander than the competitive competitions held by Count Leopold.

Fringilla and Cellinina were sitting on the viewing platform of the arena, a pretty good seat. She hugged one of Cellinina's arms with excitement on her face: Sir, will you start from there later? Come out of the door?

Chelinina shook her head and said: I don't know.

She didn't understand the traditions of the Imperial people. She couldn't even read Greek. Most of the people around her sounded like they were listening to scriptures.

The Greek ladies next to them stared at the two of them jealously, muttering and mocking them for not knowing the rules and not knowing which barbarian general they were.

Patriarch Nicetus II of Constantine and several black-robed bishops stared expressionlessly at the still vacant auditorium belonging to Her Majesty the Queen and members of the royal family.

Although they do not get along with the Catholic Pope, they also believe that this kind of barbaric activity of spilling blood on the arena is definitely not what a devout person should do.

At this time.

The door of the large arena is open, and the heavy chariots with two horses side by side, under the control of the driver, come to the track separately. This is the opening chariot competition. Everyone can place bets in advance on the chariot they favor. on the person.

The heavy wheels rolled over the solid road surface, and the chariots were all speeding. Even when turning, there was no intention of slowing down.

This seems to have kicked off today's competitive competition.

People shouted excitedly, and the faces of those who had placed bets turned red, desperately cheering for the supporting team.

With a loud bang.

A carriage overturned and fell to the ground, causing a series of collisions. A young noble driver was crushed under the overturned carriage and screamed repeatedly.

Such tragic scenes only made people more and more excited.