Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 305 - 268: The Night Before the Expedition
Camp outside Hebron City.
After a day of drills, the farmer soldiers scattered back to their respective barracks.
A young farmer soldier took off his boots and aired out his calloused soles: "We’re leaving tomorrow, and I don’t know how many of us will come back."
"Are you scared?"
"Not exactly scared, just feels like we’ve only drilled the formations and practiced stabbing, and with such little time, going to battle seems a bit hasty."
"Heh, we veterans of the Black Eagle Banner Team had even less training time than you, and didn’t we follow the lord to capture Alandler City and Eira Port?"
"If you’re scared, just say so. Our Black Eagle Banner Team doesn’t accept cowards."
"Exactly, you still have a chance to quit now. If you hesitate on the battlefield and say such demoralizing words, watch out, Lord Stark of the Supervision Team might cut you down."
The person fell silent, grumbling.
Someone laughed and said, "Renault, this coward, doesn’t dare quit the Black Eagle Banner Team. His wife married him because he could get extra rations and money every month by joining us."
"Alright, everyone say less."
An experienced and prudent farmer soldier spoke up.
This person had obvious authority in the tent, and when he spoke, no one dared to interrupt.
He cleared his throat and advised, "Comrades, let me ask you one thing. If the Count didn’t value us, why would he equip us with full armor? Why let us eat bread and meat soup for every meal?"
"At first, when I first went to battle, I was also scared, scared that the lord was using us as cannon fodder. But where in the world is cannon fodder treated like this? The heretics’ recruited farmer soldiers are sent to battle with just a long spear and a shield."
"Don’t underestimate our formations and stabbing techniques. When our Black Eagle Banner Team first went to war, it was under the command of Knight Commander Jeanne, and after one battle at Alandler City, who didn’t have three or five heretic heads under their belt?"
Renault awkwardly said, "Sorry, brethren, I misspoke. Tonight, I will certainly pray to the Heavenly Father and repent for my sins."
The old farmer soldier nodded, "Renault, you’re used to speaking without thinking, but before you speak, ask your conscience whether, having benefited greatly from the Count, you should say such things?"
Renault was slightly taken aback, showing a hint of remorse on his face: "I understand."
At this moment.
A long ring of bells echoed through the camp.
The old farmer soldier immediately stood up and ordered, "A few of you, come with me to fetch the meals."
It was mealtime.
Everyone looked pleased, and discreetly swallowed their saliva.
The rations for the Black Eagle Banner Team were far better than what they had before enlisting; there was almost meat soup at every meal, and bread was plentiful. After a few months, everyone was much sturdier.
This scene often happened in the camp.
Though some new recruits were anxious about entering the battlefield.
Overall, morale was usable, and many even hoped to gain enough merits in the battle to be promoted to Knight.
Even if they couldn’t become a knight, they could be Winged Cavalry or Armored Cavalry.
At the worst, they could get more plots of land.
Achievements could accumulate or be converted into land or silver coins as rewards, but few wanted to cash out, as everyone hoped to accumulate achievements for upward mobility.
This was the common belief of the era: those who rode horses were more valuable than those who walked on two legs.
...
In the darkness.
Losa, returning from the camp, snapped his fingers, and a spark lit the candle.
The darkness was suddenly dispersed, the flickering candlelight resembled an enchanting female ghost dancing in the room.
Of course, it only resembled that.
Because the enchanting female ghost in the room had no interest in dancing.
Prajna gently furrowed her brow: "Why are you so sweaty?"
Losa laughed, "I sparred a bit with a few knights on the training ground today. Though it wasn’t much exercise, you know how the weather is..."
This afternoon, Losa on the training ground, with foot combat, successively defeated over a dozen elite knights of the Teutonic Order, stunning everyone with his prowess.
It made the Teutonic Order, which revered heroes, quite convinced of him as the new Grand Master.
Prajna advised, "Go take your class, finish early and rest. I’ll prepare some spare clothes for you."
Losa felt a warmth in his heart.
Each time he returned home, someone waited for him; every night he slept, someone waited. This silent warmth deeply appealed to Losa.
In contrast, Furinjira was quite ungrateful, running around with Chelina every day causing trouble.
He retrieved the Double-headed Eagle Badge to initiate communication.
The night’s lesson began.
Anna’s somewhat lazy voice came from the badge: "Your use of the Fireball Technique is already quite advanced. Next, I will teach you the Continuous Fireball." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
"Hold on, Anna, I have a question. If I now use the Fireball Technique, will it also be restrained by Demon-Blocking Gold?"
"Of course."
Anna explained, "Demon-Blocking Metal has a restraining effect on all magic power. For us wizards, the best course is to avoid being struck by it."
Losa frowned.
Then relaxed.
Even if magic power is restrained, his Solid Stone Talent, Earth Dragon Talent, and Dragon Scale Armor wouldn’t be impeded by Demon-Blocking Gold.
These things have nothing to do with magic power.
Dragon scales on a giant dragon would be restrained because on a dragon, the scales are filled with magic power.
"Alright, I’ll start teaching you the spell model for Continuous Fireball now. It’s quite similar to basic Fireball Technique, as they’re fundamentally connected..."
...
Cyprus Island.
Nicosia City, Troodos Mountain Castle.
Isaac Komnenos, who declared himself Emperor, stood by the window with his strong upper body exposed, while behind him on the bed lay two unconscious Greek girls.
Their eyelashes still wet with tears and bodies covered in bruises, as if a beast had ravaged them, leaving hideous bite marks.
Isaac’s face was vicious, his veins popping: "That bitch Ragaya is sending people to attack me, and those detestable Frankish barbarians, all these problems are because of you!"
Behind him, a black shadow spread like a spider encircling him.
"How can you blame me? Did I incite you to declare yourself emperor? I merely gave a bit of insignificant assistance."
A gloomy male voice echoed from the shadow. "Heh, Isaac, haven’t you had enough fun yet?"
Isaac frowned: "What do you want?"
"Let me eat them."
He glanced back at the two Greek girls on the bed and snorted: "Fine, but I want you to help me defeat Ragaya and the Crusaders’ fleet."
"You’re asking for too much."
The shadow grumbled, "I’m not a contract-dealing devil sneaking loopholes. I always believe in fair trade, which assures you, doesn’t it?"
Isaac tightened his brow, pondering for a moment, then said, "I need you to tame the Black Dragon on the island for me. I need to rely on it to defeat all incoming enemies!"
The shadow was displeased: "That’s still too much."
"Consider it a deposit; tomorrow, I’ll offer ten more women!"
"Deal!"
The shadow said gleefully.
The darkness quickly extended.
On the bed, forming into hideous gaping mouths.
Crunch.
With a chewing sound.
The heads of the two girls on the bed vanished, cleanly bitten off, but not a drop of blood spilled.
"So tender, pure, and filled with painful delight."
The shadow sighed, swiftly devouring the girls on the bed without a trace: "Remember to settle the remaining payment soon, I’m quite eager."
Isaac sneered: "I’m also eager to try riding the giant dragon."
In his heart, ambition coiled around like vines clutching at his heart.
As long as he defeated Ragaya’s fleet along with those faithless Franks, there’d be a steady stream of Komnenos Family members rallying to him.
Within the Empire, many were displeased with that widow of the Ducas Family!
