Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 523 - 302: Before the Battle

Feilai Mai.

This is the last gateway into Egypt. In later times, it will become the port city named Sed Port due to the Suez Canal, which spans the Mediterranean and Red Sea.

But now, it's just a not very grand castle capable of holding only about three thousand soldiers.

Standing on the brick walls of this castle, one can faintly hear the roar of the Nile River's tributaries merging into the Mediterranean — behind this castle, built on an earthen slope, lies the fertile Nile Delta.

It appears like a green ginkgo leaf, abruptly emerging in a barren desert, bringing endless vitality to the whole of Egypt.

Now the Feilaimai Castle is filled with refugees waiting to cross the river. They have struggled through the Death Desert with their families, and in the days waiting here, many have died from hunger or disease.

In the room facing the sea.

Lord Yasal is incredulously looking at the Bedouin chieftain sobbing before him.

"A group of suddenly appearing Black Armored Knights? Not only did they evade the detection of your tribe's sacred eagle, but they also revealed themselves only just when you were nearly upon them and then massacred you?"

"Lord Yasal, this is indeed true. It's not my failing eyesight, but those Black Armored cavalry have been bewitched. They appear silently, and during battle, even when pierced through, they don't utter a sound, as if they feel no pain nor fear."

At this, the aged chieftain couldn't help but weep bitterly, "Lord Yasal, those were devils summoned by heretics, not something we can resist. My tribesmen, those poor young lads, are all buried in that desert, becoming food for vultures and hyenas."

Yasal smiled as he stepped forward, helping the sobbing chieftain up, his face full of devotion, "The Prophet once said, all Fire Worshipers who died from illness or fell in holy wars will ascend to the Celestial Kingdom."

"My brother, your tribesmen now wander in rivers of milk and honey, free from cold and heat, hunger and storms, each with young and beautiful partners and abundant fresh fruits."

"This is something everyone envies and even covets, so why do you weep in sorrow here?"

The chieftain met Yasal's gaze, after a long while, he finally said, "Lord Yasal, they truly can ascend to the Celestial Kingdom, right?"

"Of course, absolutely true!"

After pacifying the grief-stricken Bedouin chieftain, the smile on Yasal's face quickly faded. He paced back and forth in the room, muttering to himself, "Black Armored Knights, uniformly equipped and disciplined, unafraid of death; they certainly are the elite of the enemy. Luckily, I didn't send my Mamluk Forbidden Guard; otherwise, who knows how many would have returned alive."

"It's just odd. How come I've never heard that Losa had such a force?"

"He didn't use them against King Saladin, nor against Rauf, nor during the expedition to Cyprus. Could it be just to deal with a group of Bedouin nomads now?"

This clearly doesn't make sense.

After pondering for a moment, Yasal concluded, "It seems the European monarchs have sent troops."

In the past, European kings' armies, though strong, were often reckless and unfamiliar with the terrain, causing them little threat.

But this time, the armies sent by European monarchs were not only well-trained but also willing to serve as logistics guards, which is alarming.

"They come quickly, and this time they might have dispatched their most elite troops. Do I really have to fight the heretics to death here? If my power is greatly diminished, what will I do if Adil refuses to fulfill his promises?"

Yasal paced back and forth, deep in thought.

"This Losa is really tricky; no wonder King Saladin has been defeated by him twice."

After much hesitation, Yasal finally made up his mind and said, "Where is Master Suvada?"

The servant softly replied, "Master is in the basement..."

"Tell him it's time to repay Arishe's blood sacrifice."

The servant's face showed a slight change, a hint of fear as he nodded.

The massacre at Arishe was like a nightmare he didn't want to recall. Apart from terrorizing the residents into abandoning the city, it was all for a blood sacrifice.

As the servant was about to leave, Yasal suddenly seemed to recall something and asked, "What about Iben, the Governor of Damietta? Has he sent any messages?"

Damietta is adjacent to Feilaimai Castle, located in the eastern part of the Nile Delta. Once Feilaimai Castle is breached, his territory will directly face the Crusader's onslaught.

"My lord, Governor Iben has said he will immediately send troops to support us, but he refuses to take in those Bedouin refugees. He says his territory simply cannot accommodate those untamed, uncontrollable nomads."

The servant wore a troubled expression.

Yasal was not angry at all, as if he had expected this. "Burning bridges after crossing, that's indeed Governor Iben's style. Well, tell the refugees this, let them choose — stay in Feilaimai and fight the heretics to death, or go to Governor Iben's territory and end up on the gallows."

Having made the decision, Yasal now felt surprisingly at ease.

He was familiar with Adil's consistent style, not one to burn bridges after crossing, much less with his paragon of loyalty. For Adil, dismantling such a bridge would be utterly foolish.

Moreover, having scorched Arishe, giving up now would mean all previous efforts were wasted.

...

In the Crusader Camp at Arishe.

They only dealt with a few tribal cavalry...

This certainly isn't the main elite of the Saracens, most likely just some cannon fodder lured to their deaths.

Trying to draw the snake out of the cave is truly a tough task.

Losa furrowed his brow. Initially, he thought Adil would make full efforts to block him at the Sinai Corridor.

After all, stopping the enemy outside the gates is always the option with the least loss.

It's fine; as long as the supplies aren't a problem, that's good enough. Losa comforted with a smile.

Prajna's new form hasn't greatly increased her raw power, but the diversity of her capabilities has improved tremendously.

In the past, she would have struggled to defeat hundreds of Bedouin cavalry on her own, let alone achieve near annihilation.

Mhm.

End communication.

"Master, if it were me, I also wouldn't fight desperately in the Sinai Corridor against you."

Resisting outside depletes Adil's own strength.

The lords of Egypt wouldn't empathize with this; they might even take advantage of the situation, demanding extensive privileges in exchange for their support once Adil's strength is diminished.

Initially, I thought many of them might try to defect to you.

Kurs smiled helplessly.

Losa shrugged, acknowledging it was inevitable.

If every conquered place is treated with utmost gentleness towards civilians and leniency towards the nobility, wouldn't every conquest become a loss?

In that case, wouldn't it be better to stay at home and farm, waiting for the Tree of Life to turn Transjordan into an Earthly Heaven?

"Ha, doesn't this guy worry about overplaying his hand?"

"Master, it seems you might be underestimating your prowess.

If I were Adil, I never would have aimed for holding every inch of land and keeping Egypt intact from the beginning.

After all, even Saladin lost to you. Even if greatly depleted, even if half of Egypt is breached and plundered by you, as long as ultimately held, it's not considered a loss."

"So, Adil's current intention is to buy time, waiting for Saladin's reinforcements while watching me seize cities and land?"

"Chelina sent a message, saying she stumbled upon a trap set by the enemy while searching for an oasis. It sounds like the work of an Undead Wizard."

"It's currently unclear what unique abilities this Caster might have, but it most likely won't be easy to deal with."