Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 547 - 325: New Spear and the Acorn of Life
Inside the Governor’s Mansion, Losa unfastened his armor and hung it on the armor stand, rubbing his stiff cheeks with some resignation.
At today’s coronation ceremony, he had kept a serious face throughout, as if he really were the Holy Son descended into the world, every gesture had to be precise. If this went on, he felt he’d soon become a sculpture.
Jeanne walked in and casually took out a bottle of wine and a pair of crystal glasses from under the table: "You performed well today. When you first won the fame of the Sun King, did you feel as imposing as you do now?"
"Far more imposing than now."
Losa remarked with a sigh.
Back in the simulated battle world, he and Jeanne had restored the crumbling structure and prevented France, which was teetering on the brink of becoming a vassal to the United Kingdom, from going down, achieving a prestige that reached the pinnacle of feudal monarchy.
However, now, although he seemed highly anticipated, there were still many who were not convinced by him. Though he was the strongest ruler among the Crusaders, he was merely a prominent leader among the dwarfs.
If Emperor Henry, King Philip, or Richard the Lionheart were to lead their armies to land in Damietta, he was certain his power would immediately be reduced to less than one-third of what it is now.
Losa opened his hands, and silver light shimmered between his palms.
The brilliance grew more radiant until it materialized into a simple, unassuming silver lance that seemed to hold no special qualities.
This was his exclusive treasure, "Duke’s New Spear."
"What is this, a new weapon?"
Jeanne asked with curiosity.
While a lance is a weapon, this silver lance appeared ordinary not only in its appearance but even in its aura; it seemed just like a mundane weapon—if Jeanne hadn’t witnessed its mysterious presentation.
"Yes."
Jeanne asked curiously, "So this is... its aura is so restrained that even I can’t sense anything special. Could this lance become an unexpected trump card? Shall we test it at the dueling ground?"
The Holy Spear possessed great power, but Jeanne felt that its presence was far too ostentatious, making it impossible to strike with surprise.
Losa shook his head with a bitter smile: "It’s not testable; right now it’s just a fire stick. It’s not that you can’t perceive its uniqueness; it truly has no special properties."
Losa informed Jeanne of the prerequisites for using the Duke’s New Spear.
Jeanne was left speechless.
The castles and villages in the Damietta region, including mills and estates, could support hundreds of knights, several barons, and counts without difficulty.
This single province, a third of Lower Egypt, sustained a population comparable to the entire Kingdom of Jerusalem.
However, when everything is averaged out, it becomes undesirable.
Just like in later times Bengal, where a delta supported nearly a billion people—its land’s fertility was remarkable.
Yet are the billion people living there wealthy?
The Nile Delta, though fertile, follows the same principle.
Thus, it’s impossible to improve the average living standard of the population in the short term.
The stability of the territories is similar; the more expansion, the more rebel forces emerge, requiring long-term governance to moderate.
Additionally, the population composition in Egypt is quite complex, with the largest components being Saracens and Coptics, followed by Greeks, Nubians (from the southern Makuria Kingdom), Bedouins, and Jews.
If Losa’s conquest proceeds smoothly, a large number of Franks will be added in the future, making it almost impossible to prevent disturbances with such a complex ethnic composition.
The only short-term improvement can be in territorial size.
The Duke’s New Spear in Losa’s hand gradually dimmed and became translucent until it disappeared.
Though a precious divine artifact, for now, it could only serve as an ornament.
A purposeful sound of footsteps came from outside the door.
"Seems Chelina is back."
Losa stood up with a smile.
Due to the pace not being hurried, Chelina appeared relatively composed despite having returned from a long journey.
After greeting Jeanne and Losa, she began to speak about the gains from her trip.
The mature Tree of Life, having fused with Osiris’ Broken Staff, had grown further, enhancing its combat power greatly, enabling it to perform some divine arts related to the domains of life and fertility, comparable to many Totem Gods that have existed for centuries.
The increased combat capabilities of the Tree of Life meant Losa could breathe easier regarding the concern of it being coveted or ambushed again.
Plus, with the communication badge left for old Leonard, the rear was essentially stable.
While the Tree of Life might not be considered a great divine artifact elsewhere, in the desert-filled Arabian Peninsula and Egypt, its value far exceeds what any artifact can compare to.
Fortunately, due to this era’s closed communication and the pervasive unverified legends, the Tree of Life hadn’t been subjected to too much covetousness.
Chelina took down the bag slung over her shoulder.
"These are the leaves closest to the heart of the Tree of Life; it specifically asked me to bring them to you."
Each leaf was lush, featuring gentle serrations, and exuded a refreshing fragrance.
Chelina spoke slowly: "It told me that if used according to the formulation of the Lazarus Potion, with unchanged auxiliary materials, the medicine’s efficacy is enough to revive a dying person."
"However, for extraordinary individuals like us, the effect may be considerably less, but it should still be lifesaving."
Losa immediately said earnestly: "Jeanne, take a trip and deliver this bag of leaves to Urding."
He paused and added: "Give one-fifth to Furin; she has recently been researching the domain of life, sharing a part with her might yield unexpected results."
Since acquiring divinity, the Tree of Life had faintly become a Totem God, long capable of communicating with them normally.
Chelina added: "Also, there’s an acorn that the Tree of Life entrusted you to eat as soon as possible."
She opened her hand, revealing a brown nut akin to the one the little squirrel from the Ice Age tirelessly chased.
"The Tree of Life says it can produce one such acorn every year from now on."
Losa did not refuse, peeling the shell and putting the flesh into his mouth.
"How does it taste?"
Chelina’s eyes were filled with curiosity.
"Nothing special."
Losa suppressed the involuntary joy rising in his heart; how could it be nothing special? The Tree of Life’s acorn lacked the bitterness of ordinary ones, featuring a soft, sweet taste, carrying a unique fragrance of nuts, yet consuming it did not leave a cloying feeling.
Only Chelina was a young girl with a fondness for snacks; this could never be said outwardly.
Regretfully, he swallowed the chewed flesh.
Immediately, he felt a warm current rising in his stomach, enveloping his entire being as if soaking in a warm bath, inciting an impulse to close his eyes and indulge thoroughly.
"You’ve worked hard these days, go take a hot bath; after you’re done, come see me, I have some questions for you."
Losa intended to inquire about Valentine, the princess of the Saluzzo Family.
"Okay."
Chelina slightly bowed and then departed.
Only then did Losa let out a long sigh of relief. Had Chelina stayed any longer, he feared he would make some peculiar noises.
