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

Saladin was waiting for an opportunity.

Baldwin IV also knew he was waiting for this opportunity.

In the eyes of the outside world, the young king who is trapped in his palace and waiting for death is now sitting in front of the throne, using a ring with a seal to slowly cover the letter paper in front of him: Please Sir Godfrey send this letter to the church. His Majesty Zong.

Are you in a hurry?

The little witch holding a thick magic book asked without raising her head.

There's no need to rush. There's no point in rushing.

This is a letter asking for help, but it makes no difference whether it is delivered early or late.

It's nothing more than doing your best and obeying fate.

In his palace, the aromatherapy that once lingered all day long has been removed. The remaining characteristics of a leper on his body have become less and less, and he no longer looks much different from ordinary people.

Then I'll set it up for Berian when I leave at night.

Um.

Baldwin IV watched the little witch put away the letter. The situation deteriorated faster than he imagined. Saleh launched a massive rebellion in Syria, which was put down in just two months.

It is said that it is because Saladin's subordinates also have the service of spellcasters.

The war is about to break out.

All that's missing is an excuse.

He could not restrain all the crusaders, even if peace had become the consensus of the princes.

But those lawless ponies don't care about that.

These are fanatical people who are lawless in their own territory. It is impossible to expect them to stay safe in a foreign country, and they also have the righteousness of holy war.

Just a spark can set them ablaze.

When will Lothar come back?

Nisanya replied without raising her head: Mr. Lothar has not returned from the sea. You just asked yesterday.

Baldwin IV sighed softly: That's right.

Yes.

Baldwin IV was silent for a long time, and then suddenly asked: Nisaya, have you seen that Baselisa?

I have met with my teacher a few times.

Is it really that beautiful?

Nysaya put down the magic book somewhat unexpectedly and said in surprise: Your Majesty, do you care about this too?

Why can't I care about this?

Indeed. Baselisa is very beautiful, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

Compared with the ladies around Lothar?

Nisanya thought for a while and felt a little embarrassed: It's really hard to distinguish between them. If I have to say it, I can only say that they have their own merits. They don't belong to the same type.

Then it seems that the reputation is truly well-deserved.

There was a hint of worry on Baldwin IV's face. He had seen several of Lothar's followers. Each one of them was a rare beauty in the world. To be on par with them, they were definitely top beauties.

Are you worried that Mr. Lothar will be attracted by Barcelona Lisa's beauty and will not come back?

how come…

His Majesty the King replied somewhat insincerely.

How could you not be worried?

After all, that is the most noble position in the world. Even if it is only a nominal co-ruling emperor, it is enough to make the hearts of ninety-nine percent of the nobles in the world move.

Moreover, the queen is obviously not a stingy person. She gave Lothar the title of military region general at the very beginning. Isn't it clear that she wants to steal people from me?

Baldwin IV knew that Lothar was a grateful person, but who made him, the king, really shabby compared to the emperor of the empire.

Nysaya couldn't help laughing and said: Haha, you are thinking too much. My teacher once complained to me. I don't know what kind of ecstasy potion you gave Lothar to make him so devoted to you.

Don't worry, Mr. Lothar will return to the Holy Land after he goes to sea to do his business.

Baldwin IV smiled awkwardly.

Today, the only direct armed forces under the control of Baldwin IV are the Royal Knights commanded by Hans and the Jerusalem Knights commanded by Baron Godfrey, which can be regarded as standing armies. The city guards controlled by Amalric of Lusignan The army can only be regarded as a local garrison, and its combat effectiveness is worrying.

The number of the former was expanded after the war, and the number of knights has reached hundreds, plus attendants and sergeants, totaling more than 800 soldiers; the number of the latter is almost twice that of the former.

But with this military strength, it can only rank third among the private armed forces in the entire kingdom. The first and second places have been occupied by the two powerful princes, Duke Raymond and Marquis Lothar respectively.

And Saladin only counts the Casakia Guards directly belonging to him, a kind of super-heavy cavalry that are all wrapped in heavy armor and equipped with human and horse equipment. There are nearly a thousand people, not to mention the size of the army under his command. The huge Mamluk army.

In addition, there are a large number of auxiliary legions such as Turkmen cavalry, Bedouin cavalry, Berber infantry, and Nubian infantry - generally coming from lower-level vassals and established mercenary regiments, and they are also professional armies that do not engage in production.

The previous war lasted less than half a year.

Although the military strength of the entire kingdom was reduced due to the feudal system, the knights who died in battle were replaced by their heirs.

The extinct heir will also be replaced by a new fiefdom knight.

The purchased ordnance can also be reused to arm a large number of pilgrims.

But the combat effectiveness of these knights will inevitably decline.

It has nothing to do with personal force, attendants, and sergeants. These people will not grow back like leeks after they die.

A well-trained armored sergeant is by no means comparable to an ordinary town militia or recruited old farmers. A knight who has just obtained a fief, has not accumulated wealth, and cannot even afford to arm his attendants will have a significantly reduced combat effectiveness.

What’s more – Jerusalem is out of money.

The previous formation of an army of 20,000 pilgrims almost used up the military resources left by Henry II (father of Richard the Lionheart) in the great treasury.

The great monastery and the local lords must still have money, but it is not an easy task to get this money from them.

He was able to do it once when his prestige was at the height of his power just after winning the Battle of Mengisa.

But not now.

Baldwin needed Lothar's support.

But Lothar, who had two boats, already had the capital to retreat even if he lost all the territory in the Holy Land. This put Baldwin IV at a loss.

Nysaya was a little confused and said: Your Majesty, why don't you return to the throne and let those who underestimate you know that you are the supreme monarch of the kingdom.

A king is never supreme.

Baldwin IV sighed: At least, not in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. It is purely a group of victors who distribute the fruits. The Norman prince Bohemond got Antioch; Godfrey of Bouillon got to Jerusalem; Raymond of Toulouse to Tripoli; and Baldwin of Boulogne to Edessa.

Among them, only Godfrey of Bouillon, Guardian of the Holy Sepulcher, and First Consul of Jerusalem has the title of elective.

Do you think that even if I stand up now, I can put things right?

Baldwin IV looked a little regretful. If he had just led the army to defeat Saladin, he would have achieved great things if he could cure such a disease.

But now.

If he stood up again, he would be like the old emperor on the sick bed. When the two crown princes were fighting for the throne, he suddenly lifted up the quilt and stood up, announcing that he could continue for another thirty years - not only the two crown princes couldn't bear it, The people who place bets behind the scenes can’t stand it either.

…

The bottom of the Black Sea.

The ghost ship was still moving smoothly in the sea at high speed.

Six six, I win, pay for it!

On the deck, Lothar looked at the zombie sailors who were full of disbelief with a proud face. During this period, he relied on his superhuman agility and without relying on mental cheats to hone an astonishing skill. The technique of rolling dice.

The zombie sailor who gambled could only pay obediently, and kept complaining: Sir, you have been too outrageous recently, just six ones, six sixes, if this continues, who will want to play dice with you?

Lothar put the silver coins in his hand into his pocket and raised his eyebrows: I didn't cheat. It all depends on my level. I'm willing to admit defeat. Don't let me look down on you, okay?

yes!

The zombie sailor's back molars were almost broken.

Attention, we are about to float!

Captain Hogg's loud voice rang out: The Golden Horn is ahead. Sir, I will take you to the shore and wait nearby.

Lothar said with a smile: You don't have to wait too long. I'll give Anna the ruby ​​Duke Nikeforus wants and come back. I've been away from home for too long, and I can't wait to return to the territory.

The one-horned nightmare beast paced happily on the deck, seeming to realize that it was about to breathe the fresh air on the sea, and couldn't wait to pull Lothar's sleeve with its mouth.

It’s no wonder that knights from Europe suffered an astonishing rate of damage to their mounts.

Even an extraordinary warhorse like the One-Horned Nightmare Beast has become sickly and visibly sick after being suffocated in the cabin for so many days.