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

A gull flew from the sky, hovered over the Ocean Disaster for a moment, and then swooped down in an attitude of hitting the deck directly.

boom--

Princess Anna, dressed in purple, revealed her figure.

She looked at the ghost ship. Although she had seen the Ocean Disaster and Captain Hogg before Lothar left, she was still shocked from the bottom of her heart when she saw it again. What a terrifying curse could drive such a thing. A large number of dead?

Even a master who specializes in the death school may not be able to make such a creation, right?

Good day, Your Highness.

Lothar smiled and said hello.

Anna frowned: You can't wait to go back to your big desert? You helped General Mickey Forus get the treasure back. He will definitely hold a banquet for you. This will enhance your reputation. It also helps a lot.”

There is no doubt about the importance of reputation in this era. A legendary knight and any high-ranking lord must treat him with courtesy.

This is something that can really translate into tangible benefits.

But Lothar thought about it and refused: I don't like that kind of occasion very much. Besides, in the empire, it's enough for me to have your connections with Her Majesty the Queen. It's okay for the majestic Princess in Purple to cover me, right?

Oh, it's no problem, but it depends on my mood.

Anna took the box from Lothar and weighed it: Oh, it's not light. How heavy is the heirloom ruby ​​of Nikephorus?

Lothar explained: It's not as heavy as you think. I wrapped it in a few more layers. After all, that thing can shine by itself without a light source, and there is no fluctuation of magic power. I always feel that it is very dangerous.

Anna nodded: Okay, I understand. I will give this to Nikephorus, but what about your bounty?

Lothar thought for a moment and said, Just give it to Nisaya directly. Doesn't her office have a reserve fund? I can just take it.

…

In the wilderness.

Here's the holy fire!

The servants and guards escorting Princess Basma looked dumbfounded at the huge oak tree in the distance that seemed to be able to block out the sky and the sun.

Princess Basma is Saladin's sister. Although her skin is still smooth, she has fine lines at the corners of her eyes. Like Saladin, her appearance is not outstanding, but she has her own characteristics.

Is this the sacred tree that the Franks call it?

She stepped on a strong black slave from the back of a dromedary to the ground. Perhaps she was so surprised that she couldn't even stand still for a moment.

How magnificent are these creations.

Get a pen and paper, I want to write down this scene.

Princess Basma once practiced at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, which is the theological center in the entire Arab world, second only to Baghdad. Every year, countless imams and scholars debate scriptures and teach here.

But Basma is not a theologian, she cannot even be said to be very pious. Compared with obscure scriptures, she prefers to study herbalism, astrology and agriculture.

Someone sighed in a low voice: Last year I was passing by here with the caravan, how long has it been? It's been an earth-shaking change.

The Franks said it was a gift from their heavenly father.

Could it be that they really have God's blessing?

Someone said with anger: blasphemy, this is the place where the first ray of holy fire was born. The great prophet returned in an instant from the climbing stone of Gudes (Arabic, meaning 'Holy City', that is, Jerusalem) Hashem, of course this is the creation of the Holy Fire, but the Franks stole it.”

These savage Frankish robbers!

Basma frowned, then relaxed.

She instinctively resents the so-called holy war, but she also knows that the legal basis for her brother's rule of the Saracen world lies in his promise to regain the Holy Land.

Therefore, war is simply inevitable.

The black slave held up a big umbrella for Basma. This kind of slaves from Nubia were all carefully selected. They were tall, powerful, loyal and reliable attendants, and were deeply loved by the princes and nobles.

There's a situation!

Ahead, smoke and dust were everywhere.

A group of hussars with bright armor and feathers on their backs ran slowly towards them.

They were followed by a group of cavalry with full armor and mail linings, wearing full face helmets and full armor. Their equipment had an oriental style that was very different from the Franks.

It's 'Wing Cavalry'!

In the team, a Turkic slave who had fought against the Hussars reminded: They are very powerful in combat. Don't provoke them. The safety of Her Royal Highness is the top priority.

The winged cavalry on the opposite side stopped on a small slope. They looked at the convoy, and after a while, a horse jumped out of it.

I am Ulm, the chief patrol officer under the count. Your honorable guest is Saladin's sister, Her Highness Basma?

My master is indeed His Highness Basma.

The Turkic slave spoke.

As a Mamluk personal guard, although he is a slave, his status in the team is not low.

After all, the Mamluks, as an independent military group, belonged to completely different systems from the local nobles. They were Saladin's important support and it was impossible not to give them a high position.

Your distinguished guests have a distinguished status. As a patrol officer, I have the obligation to escort you out of the country and ensure the safety of all lives in your convoy within our territory.

All the pilgrims looked at each other.

Can you be so kind?

Ulm said neither humble nor arrogantly:

Don't get me wrong, distinguished guest. I have escorted many groups of pilgrims. Transjordan is a hub on the pilgrimage road. My family has the obligation to protect any legal pilgrims. It is not that I have any ulterior motives for you.

Transjordan's hub status is that pilgrims from the north must either cross the more distant desert, or they must go all the way south from the Mashriq region, take a boat in Basra to enter the Persian Gulf, and then sail around the entire Arabian Peninsula and into the Red Sea.

Not only was it time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also dangerous, the Mashrik region was also the center of governance of the Sasanian Empire. Baghdad, the second capital of Sassanid after Ctesiphon, was located here.

Due to Saladin's relationship with the Sassanid Dynasty, the danger of this route has been greatly increased.

Princess Basma said: Thanks to the patrol officer for your kindness, I am willing to accept your escort, but now we want to see the sacred tree up close. Is it possible?

Ulm nodded humbly and said: Your Highness, you are welcome. The sacred tree is here. Any legal pilgrim has the right to visit it. As long as His Highness's team has not violated the laws of Transjordan, no one has the right to interfere with yours. action.

Princess Basma smiled and said: Saladin once told me that your master is his recognized opponent, and he is also an upright and upright knight. As his subordinate, you also have such demeanor. It seems that Saladin's words are true. .

Indeed, your lord is the most just and enlightened monarch I have ever seen.

Ulm's dark face showed two rows of big white teeth.

Escorting Basma safely across the border was an order sent by Coors immediately after receiving the news.

Even if they are destined to be enemies, Coors does not want to become a thorn in Saladin's side.

In the city of Jerusalem.

Hans took two of his colleagues into the tavern built in the shade. From here, you can see the towering Tower of David in the distance, which was the palace and fortification built by King Herod for himself.

Many cities of this era had such characteristics.

Each family built a tower in the city they controlled to monitor the movements of rival families.

The Knights of Jerusalem led by Godfrey had a permanent company at the Tower of David, which was also an important arsenal, stocked with a large number of weapons, arrows and shields.

The tavern was still very lively.

Lothar has brought tremendous changes to the city. Nowadays, many knights in Jerusalem have put on brand-new breastplates. They have decorated their breastplates and robes with various coats of arms, matching them with The black chain mail shirt's defensive power is no longer what it used to be.

Lothar's men have not completely replaced their plate armors, even the relatively simple breastplates, and the production capacity is not sufficient to equip every soldier.

Unlike Jerusalem, even the knights who were relatively strapped for cash were willing to bite the bullet and buy themselves a breastplate because of the popularity of plate armor, and the rest of the matching equipment could still be made do with old ones.

The tavern was very busy.

It was the hottest time of the day. Hans and the others were also on patrol. They were too hot to bear the sun, so they decided to come to the tavern to have a few cold drinks and rest for a while.

Grand Commander, I heard that Lord Lothar won a much-anticipated athletic competition in Constantinople and was appointed as the military general of Cyprus by the Queen. Do you think he will come back?

Of course, why do you ask this suddenly?

Everyone has been discussing this matter recently. Some people say that your Excellency has abandoned the orthodox faith and wants to convert to the Greek Church. Others say that he has been favored by Her Majesty the Queen and has become a guest of the queen.

The knight who spoke was a typical Apennine. He would gesture with gestures when speaking, but his accent was not as strong as that of a southerner like Cellinina.

Hans frowned. He had naturally heard of these rumors, but he didn't take them to heart. After all, he had only met Lothar not long ago in the combat record world.

He knew Lothar's plan.

That person looks familiar

Conrad!

The knight suddenly waved to the distance in surprise: Here, long time no see, I didn't recognize you just now. Aren't you serving the Queen in Constantinople?

The knight on the opposite side was also a little surprised when he heard this: Luka, long time no see.

Knight Luca solemnly introduced Hans: This is my friend, Conrad of Monferrato, who once served the emperor in the Eastern Empire. He not only married the purple princess of the Comnenus family, but also sat on The high position of the Imperial Caesar.”

Hans was slightly startled.

According to Luca, this person is a real big shot, but from his appearance and demeanor, it is difficult to associate this person with that kind of big nobleman.

Conrad smiled and said: Oh, Luca, the so-called power is like clouds to me. I have given up the title of Imperial Caesar and am determined to participate in the war with the infidels and defend the Holy Land.

He turned his attention to Hans again: Nice to meet you, Grand Commander Hans.