Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 421 - 106: The Princess

Kaler Castle.

After several months, Kaler Castle appeared much more desolate.

Although the debris from the catapult-demolished walls had been cleared, many places still bore signs of burning. The caravans that once passed by and the inhabitants who came to sell goods in the city had dwindled considerably.

Sitting high on the lord’s throne, the imposing man was Reynard de Châtillon, who had been absent for many days, and his newlywed wife, Eleanor of Languedoc, sat gracefully beside him, wearing a small and exquisite golden crown.

Despite being an old husband and young wife, their post-marriage relationship was quite harmonious.

Privately, it was rumored that Reynard had obtained a secret medicine from an alchemist to enhance fertility, and during this time had been diligently striving, making Eleanor look at her husband with love.

Though often appearing rash and crude, Reynard was actually a rather handsome and charismatic middle-aged man. Otherwise, he could not have defeated numerous competitors and become the husband of Grand Duchess Constance with his status as the second son of a mere baron.

Even after being captured and imprisoned for over ten years, losing his title as Duke of Antioch after Grand Duchess Constance’s death, he gained the favor of Stephanie, Countess of Transjordan.

At this moment.

A ragged knight burst into the Lord’s Hall and exclaimed, "My lord, a large Saracen army is advancing towards Kaler Castle. They’ve breached our border outpost, and I alone have escaped by luck."

"Is Saladin planning to return so quickly?"

Reynard’s face darkened; he had thought that after being thwarted below the castle, Saladin would need at least a year or two to recover before coming again.

Eleanor appeared somewhat panicked: "Are they the warriors of those heretics?"

On her way here, she was once kidnapped by Saracen men, and the impression left by those Mamluk warriors who came and went like the wind in the desert was extremely profound.

The courtiers in the Lord’s Hall also looked grim.

"How many are there?"

The knight, supported to a seat, drank a cup of wine before speaking: "I don’t know. It was dark at the time, but from a rough count, there were no less than a thousand wielding torches, all well-equipped Mamluk Cavalry. I suspect it is Saladin’s Imperial Guard."

A knight spoke up, "My lord, should we ask the Lord of Hebron for aid?"

"Losa, that brat?"

Reynard’s reaction was severe: "Ask him for help? Don’t forget, I am the true Lord of Transjordan. That young upstart uses small bribes to win over Argon and Moreno, those fools. Do you want me to kneel before him and kiss his filthy feet too?"

The knight who made the suggestion turned pale. He knew this would anger Reynard but at the moment, there was really no other good method. Kaler Castle, still unreinforced, could not withstand another brutal siege. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Eleanor’s expression shifted slightly. Regarding Losa, her husband’s adversary, she actually felt some fondness. This young, battle-honored noble, who had also saved her from the heretics, could not arouse any dislike.

But she knew she couldn’t go against her husband’s wishes, so she spoke up: "Why not send a letter to His Majesty the King? He will make a wise decision."

The knight was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly replied: "Yes."

Asking the King for help instead of Count Losa was merely a matter of saving face.

"Wait!"

Reynard suddenly said, "First follow me to the walls to see what those damned heretics plan. If Saladin really intends to break the truce agreement, he likely wouldn’t use such a surprise attack."

As someone who experienced many trials, Reynard gradually realized the situation from his initial panic.

Saladin had a good reputation.

In his court, there were Saracens, Christians, and Jewish people, all considering him a kind and wise monarch.

Some said he was seeking fame, while others believed beneath his virtues lay the ambition and cunning of a snake.

But Reynard had to acknowledge, even if Saladin was feigned.

For him to cast off his mask would bear considerable costs, something not done lightly. He didn’t think Saladin would easily choose to wage war.

He quickly went to the walls.

In the distance, smoke and dust had already arisen.

Soon, he saw numerous Armored Cavalry, masked and turbaned in black, fully armed below the walls, precisely within bowshot range.

His guard had suffered heavy casualties in the previous war, and after losing his title of Count, many courtiers and knights who temporarily served him, hoping for land, abandoned him.

Currently, his guard counted only a few hundred men, while the enemy below, roughly counted, had nearly a thousand Armored Cavalry.

Yet, despite their considerable number, the army lacked Siege Weapons and recruits transporting food supplies and baggage.

Reynard breathed a slight sigh of relief, "Though the enemy is numerous, with just these men, they’re insufficient to breach Kaler Castle."

"My lord, look, they’re sending someone over."

From the enemy ranks emerged a general wearing a Spine Helmet and a silk robe.

He approached the castle and shouted, "Where is Reynard de Châtillon?"

Reynard leaned out and responded, "I am he, despicable heretic. Why violate your master’s agreement with my king and invade my territory?"

The Saracen general placed his hand on his chest and shouted, "We departed from Damascus to escort my lord’s dear sister—Princess Basima—to pilgrimage at the Hashim Holy Land."

He paused slightly and continued, "The conflict with your outpost was entirely a misunderstanding. My lady, the Princess, has sent people to collect your sentinels’ bodies and is willing to compensate with a chest of gold coins for this misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding?"

Reynard’s eyes flashed with anger.

What nonsense.

It appeared Saladin truly sought an excuse to rekindle war with the Kingdom.

He frowned; opening hostilities with Saladin would bring him no benefit, given his now-diminished status. Even if he won, it would be hard to gain substantial benefits.

Moreover, with his lands already plundered, further conflict would only turn his territory into ashes.

"Since it’s a misunderstanding, I am willing to accept your master’s compensation. But as the Lord of Kaler Castle, appointed by His Majesty the King, I cannot allow such a large army from your master to pass through my lands."

The general below shouted, "But Sir Reynard, considering your notorious history, my master will never permit the Princess, escorted by merely a dozen guards, to pass through."