Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 301 - 264: The Empress and Anna

Constantinople, Blahena Palace.

Anna hung up the "phone" and walked out of the room, somewhat begrudgingly.

In the great hall sat a woman wearing a purple crown, reviewing documents. Upon seeing her, she casually asked, "Did he agree?"

Her eyebrows were thick, her skin fair and beautiful, with bright and long eyes, beguiling yet not lacking in majesty.

Clearly, this was the Regent Empress, hailed as the Eastern Empire’s most beautiful woman, the actual ruler of the Eastern Empire—Ragaya Ducas.

Anna replied casually, "Oh, don’t mention it, this guy is quite loyal to that King of Leprosy of his; I nearly promised even you as a reward."

"Loyalty is the greatest virtue of a vassal, I do hold him in higher regard for that."

The Empress paused slightly before continuing, "But don’t make such blasphemous jokes again."

"This is no joke."

Anna chuckled lightly, "Firstly, Count Losa is a very handsome man. Women across Jerusalem regard him as their dream lover.

Moreover, he is a very powerful wizard, followed by many extraordinaries. More importantly, he is loyal and upright, showing compassion towards commoners without being dogmatic or corrupt."

The Empress raised an eyebrow, "If you like him so much, why not take the initiative yourself?"

Anna snorted lightly, "I merely admire him—that was good advice, you shouldn’t disregard it."

"Insolence!"

The Empress glared at Anna but found her nonchalant expression somewhat helplessly said, "Can your Sea Dragon partake in this battle?"

"That traitor Isaac has hired Brindisi’s pirate group and Pisa’s fleet. Should a fight break out, the Empire Navy might not prevail."

The Empress sighed lightly.

The decline of the Empire was evident to the naked eye.

The once strongest naval force in the entire Mediterranean now couldn’t even compare to the barbaric Latins.

Brindisi’s Magritos was the largest pirate group in the Mediterranean during this era.

In the ranks of the Apennine City-States, Pisa was considered one of the stronger ones.

The cooperation between them was not deemed a force that can be underestimated.

Anna regretfully said, "The Sea Dragon is our future; it possesses the power of storms and the sea. Once it matures, the entire Mediterranean will belong to us."

"Therefore, I will not allow it to participate in this battle, even if it means losing Cyprus."

The Empress’s eyes showed anger, "Anna, do you not realize how important Cyprus is to the Empire? Moreover, that scoundrel Isaac has raised the banner of the Komnenos Family, openly questioning my legitimacy. Allowing such a rebel to gain a foothold would agitate the entire Empire’s dissenters."

Anna solemnly replied, "I know, but ’Nikou’ is merely a juvenile Sea Dragon, too fragile at present. Even if it participates, the role it can play is limited. The risks and costs outweigh the benefits, so I have to refuse."

"Alright, you’re the expert in this regard; I’ll listen to you."

The Empress was silent, then spoke softly, "It might be better to let the Crusaders exert some effort."

"I received news today that Isaac signed a contract with Saladin, promising to plunder the Crusader fleet and sell the captured slaves in Egypt, in exchange for Saladin’s protection."

"Isaac will be our common enemy."

Anna stated loudly, "Getting the Crusaders to act is not challenging, but the question is, what costs are you willing to incur?"

"Don’t forget that Emperor Alexius I, during the first Eastern Expedition, hoped to use the Crusaders to recover lost territories—Antioch, Edessa, Jerusalem—but now these places are occupied by the Crusaders."

The Empress remained silent for a while.

"I will reward them with wealth."

Emperors and kings of Europe have their exclusive self-references, which can be translated as "I," "We," "Us."

"But what if they occupy Cyprus and don’t leave?"

The Empress pondered for a moment, "Baldwin IV is an upright man; if he approves and forms an alliance, he will not go back on his word."

"Anna, send a letter to King Baldwin for me, and tell them I will grant Mazotos and the three nearby castles to the one who contributes most to this battle as fiefdom."

"As long as the fortresses and ports like Famagusta remain in our hands, it doesn’t matter if they are granted to the Franks."

Anna sighed, "Had I known of these benefits, I’d have promised them to Losa."

"He’s not suitable."

The Empress decisively shook her head, "In this battle, the naval warfare is the key; I haven’t heard that Count Losa has a fleet under his command."

"That’s true."

Anna was somewhat regretful; she truly valued Losa’s potential.

Moreover, despite Losa being considered a Frankish barbarian by most in the Empire, she did not feel any aversion towards him.

As far as wizards are concerned, they belong to the same kind.

...

In the evening, Anna brought more news.

"Mazotos? What kind of place is that?"

Losa frowned.

"A small port in southeastern Cyprus. Though Cyprus Island has many ports, perhaps not earning much in transit fees, it can serve as your base in the Mediterranean fleet."

Losa was silent for a moment.

"Do I look like someone who has a fleet?"

Well, there might actually be.

But they were all in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.

Aside from Hog, there were also Mueller’s merchant fleet and a close-coast defense fleet.

Anna said somewhat awkwardly, "You always have to start somewhere; Mediterranean trade is so profitable, don’t you want a piece?"

Losa scoffed lightly, "Profit is profit; pirates are everywhere. My constraints shape my appetite, and controlling part of the Red Sea trade like I do now already satisfies me."

"Moreover, your Empress is too stingy. What does ’the greatest contribution earns the fiefdom’ mean? Isn’t that just dangling a carrot?"

Anna felt somewhat awkward too; she also thought her Empress wasn’t being generous enough in this matter.

But although the Eastern Empire was vast and influential, local powers were deeply entrenched, leaving very little land truly under imperial management.

For instance, in the city of Athens, annual land taxes only amounted to three thousand silver coins.

With a large amount of tax-exempt land belonging to nobles, severe land annexation issues, and church land, the Empire could collect very limited taxes from the land.

Thus, the Empire heavily relied on trade and tariffs for its finances.

Moreover, the rise of commercial city-states like Venice and Genoa, coupled with the continual loss of many coastal areas in Asia Minor and coastal trade locations in the Black Sea.

Have gravely challenged the Empire’s status as a trade hub in the East.

Anna, with a hint of flattery, said, "The Empire is vast with great expenses, please understand."

"Of course I understand, hence why I never intended to participate."

Losa chuckled lightly, Mazotos’s potential worth was present, especially in the hands of the Holy Hall, Hospital Knight Order, and Count Raymond.

Because these three Crusader factions owned powerful fleets, this could serve as a transit and supply port for their fleets.

Yet for him, it was simply unappealing.

Anna was silent for a moment, spoke again, "I remember, your power system is not traditional wizardry, so perhaps you found that magic book confusing?"

"Indeed, are you offering to teach me?"

Anna pondered for a moment and spoke, "How about this, I’ll take an hour each evening to teach you."

Losa, unashamedly, replied, "Thank you for that."

The other party was taken aback, "Is that all?"

"This price certainly isn’t enough for me to act as your mercenary."

"Hey, I’m the esteemed president of the Levant Wizard Association; what do you mean by ’this price’? An hour is enough time for me to concoct a high-grade magic potion."

Losa was unmoved by this.

Anna continued, "If I consider it a return of favor, I might even consider crafting a magic artifact using the core of the Tyrannical Dragon for you."

Losa jested, "Talking about returning favors is too formal."

Anna snorted lightly, "If I don’t return your favor, you’ll only find a way to extract it elsewhere, so I’d rather be upfront."

"Fine, in what capacity should I fight for you? As a mercenary or an ally?"

Anna replied, "Of course as an ally; Your Majesty the King will discuss this matter with you, just don’t refuse when the time comes."

"Alright, I understand."

...

At this point, the communication ended.

The Empress furrowed her brows, "How many people will Count Losa bring to join the battle; if it’s just a few hundred, wouldn’t you say it’s not worth it?"

"Rest assured, it’s quite worthwhile."

Anna seemed tranquil, believing that as long as Losa brought forth the extraordinaries under him, they’d be as formidable as an entire army.

Moreover, once Losa obtained Mazotos, he would be both a vassal of the Eastern Empire and a vassal of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.