Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 599 - 373: The Military Council Convenes

Cooperate with Saladin...

Losa hesitated.

The arrival of the kings in the Holy Land is inevitable, and their presence will inevitably impact his prestige.

At this moment, collaborating with Saladin indeed offers benefits.

Saladin gives up some unruly Saracen Lords, allowing Losa to seize their territories, while Losa can betray some Crusader Lords who disobey him, letting them fall into Saladin's ambush and be annihilated.

In this way, both can make a name for themselves in Christendom and the Zoroastrian World, and can even eliminate their enemies under the guise.

In the future, as allies continually face defeat while their own side achieves victory, forces from both sides will naturally rally around Losa and Saladin. Once both forces are strong enough, they can consider initiating a conflict.

But Losa only hesitated for a moment before coldly rejecting, "Are you insane, or do you think I am? As a devoted Christian, how could I collaborate with a heretic monarch for power?"

Saladin might genuinely intend to collaborate with him.

But Losa believes that the old fox is more likely just trying to stall for time.

"Won't you reconsider? I realize I am insignificant and unworthy of the Duke's trust, but you must understand that this matter is crucial and cannot be exposed."

The emissary said earnestly.

Losa shook his head and said, "I understand why Saladin sent someone as insignificant as you. After all, his position stabilizes through jihad, and he cannot endure the censure of collaborating with heretics. But let's forget about cooperation. Although I have some affinity for your lord, I would never betray my Christian brethren for the sake of power and profit."

"You will regret it, my lord Duke."

The emissary did not press further, only advising in a conciliatory tone, "The Franks are like wolves. Do you wish to secure your position as the alpha by worrying about trivial matters? Do you not know that His Majesty Baldwin of your country and Regent King Raymond have both reached agreements with my king before?"

Losa shook his head and said, "Go now. Due to your status as an emissary, I will spare your life, but if you are captured by others, I will not waste effort to save you."

Time changes everything.

Previously, the Saracens were strong, and European nations lacked the time to support the Crusaders. Moreover, Saladin was preoccupied with consolidating the fragmented groups and tribes within the Saracens, which created a honeymoon period between the two sides.

But now the honeymoon period is over.

The Crusaders have received substantial support and have captured Damietta, gaining the upper hand.

If Losa wanted to drag his feet, not only would his reputation suffer greatly, but the notion that Saladin, despite his diminished prestige, is already like fish waiting to be carved up would be laughably absurd.

The Crusaders are his true allies.

The premise of sharing the spoils is first killing the prey, at least crippling it.

After watching the emissary be led away, the empty hall left only Losa alone.

Then.

Footsteps approached.

Lavinia slowly walked to his side.

Losa smiled and asked, "Are you getting used to things lately?"

"It's alright."

Lavinia hesitated and then said, "Losa, I want to establish a police bureau in Damietta."

"Police bureau?"

Losa frowned.

In the Middle Ages, there were patrol officers, but their numbers were few. Most safety issues relied on town guards, similar to volunteer militia groups, akin to the local defense groups of the East, generally not requiring local Lords' funding to establish.

In addition, towns would typically have Night Watchers who would approach suspicious individuals for questioning. In case of encountering criminals, they would call out to capture them, rallying citizens to pursue.

Some small villages would also station a designated law enforcement officer to address daily safety issues.

Losa said sternly, "Why did you suddenly come up with this idea?

Currently, Damietta is under military governance. If someone commits misdeeds, they are punished lightly with flogging, severely with hanging."

But this is not a long-term solution. Relying on civilian volunteers for defense, at least for now, Losa cannot trust these new subjects in the newly conquered territories.

Losa actually has secret agents stationed in Damietta, along with many informants from the Shadow of Darkness.

But these individuals are generally focused on major cases of treason and pay little attention to safety issues.

"I just heard Lady Jeanne say that even the best law needs people to maintain it; otherwise, it's just empty talk."

"When drafting the city-state code, many ordinary people's interests were considered, more so than the neighboring Parliament, which is filled entirely with nobility and big factory owners."

"Alright, it's not a big deal. I'll leave it to you to handle. I'm very confident in you."

Losa quickly agreed.

It's just an armed group similar to a militia. Even if Lavinia messes things up, it wouldn't cause him any loss.

...

The next morning.

Losa donned the Holy Cross Plate Armor, draped a black Dragon Head Cloak, and wore the Duke's Crown bestowed upon him by the Coptic Bishop, and headed to the courtyard.

Here stood fifty Valkyrie veterans, clad in armor and covered with Eagle Cloaks.

They have swapped their original Danish Axes for Axe Spears, a weapon that can deliver greater impact under specific battlefield conditions, and serve better as ceremonial arms than the Danish Axe.

Besides the Valkyrie veterans, the courtyard housed over a dozen cavalry, some from heavily armored infantry and cavalry units, while others from the Winged Cavalry, all equipped thoroughly with vibrant armor and riding uniformly white warhorses.

This was not an instance of Losa flaunting.

Instead, he discovered that a coronation he deemed rather insignificant could indeed produce unexpected effects.

People of this era recognized such displays.

The grander the display, the more they revered you instead of accusing you of lavish excess and reckless behavior.

Clop, clop, clop—

Upon spotting Losa, Eclipse cheerfully leapt out from the stable.

This colossal warhorse was cloaked in heavy horse armor, yet maintained its agility.

Losa patted its helmeted head and effortlessly mounted its back.

"Let's set off!"

At his command.

The troops in the courtyard immediately formed an orderly procession, with the Winged Cavalry clustered around Losa at the front, followed by the Valkyrie veterans, and the horsemen with armored mounts, akin to the tanks of the Middle Ages, closing the rear.

As the attendants swung open the mansion doors, the group streamed out.

Today, a significant war council was to convene in the military camp outside the city.

It would also be the day the Lionheart challenges his leadership status.

"Let's see how many people are willing to stand with you."