Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 637 - 409: The Eve of War

Outside the Crusader Camp of Damietta City.

The blue-gold iris banner and the red with three golden lions banner, like two distinct torrents.

The Saracens forming a great army for a western campaign, naturally could not hide this from the Crusaders. Everyone knew that the decisive battle to determine the ownership of Egypt was about to arrive.

The Saracens no longer wished to endure their lands being constantly nibbled away by the Crusaders, and the Crusaders also wanted to resolve everything in one decisive battle, rather than enduring the disruptive raids of the swift-moving Saracen light cavalry or grinding down the enemy's fortified castles one by one.

Information between the Crusaders and Saracens was not blocked.

Egypt's many cities served as an important trading window for the Mediterranean, receiving many Latin and Greek merchants daily.

The Venetians and Genoese were conducting business even as far as Kara Khitay (Western Liao), and they weren't shy about serving heretics, with their presence seen in the palaces of many Eastern monarchs.

And as important partners of Latin merchants, two kings from Europe naturally became some of the most informed within the Crusaders.

After a rousing speech, the army set out. Linked by the two kings, the grand army of more than ten thousand Crusader soldiers aimed to cross the Nile River to Semanud City and join forces with the Crusaders under Losa's command.

But after Losa left, they undoubtedly became the most honored individuals in Damietta City, naturally gaining temporary command authority.

"How many of these people do you think will choose to continue following under our flag once we reach Semanud?"

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"Adil leads his grand army, departing from Rashid, the capital of Buhayra Province. Calculating the days, by the time we reach Semanud, they will at least have reached Damanhur City, so our final battleground will be the central part of the Nile Delta."

"Our current army numbers nearly fifteen thousand. After joining with the Crusaders under Losa's command at Semanud City, our total forces will reach at least half of the Saracens'."

"Losa has ten thousand troops under his command?" "Where did he get so many people? As I recall, not long ago, he was just an up-and-coming Border Count, wasn't he?"

Philip had also gathered quite a bit of information about Losa during these days in the Holy Land, but hearing the number "ten thousand" still left him a bit speechless.

One must remember that an army recognized by Richard doesn't include old farmers barely able to hold a long spear; it requires at least some military training to outfit in basic armor, or if they are archers, they could lower the standard to light infantry.

In Albion and Gaul, any lord with a bit of power would not choose to conscript those weak and incapable peasants for battle, believing it better for them to labor in the fields to support the knights and soldiers who are meant for combat instead.

To muster such an army of ten thousand, even in Europe, exceeds most kings.

Remember, in the battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror and then-Albion King Harold's armies were at this level too.

"Half are his main forces, and the other half are vassals and followers' troops."

Philip calculated the time, puzzled: "He's only been in the Holy Land for half a year, right?"

"People say Losa possesses a unique training manual that can transform a peasant into a warrior in just a month or even less—I suspect it might be the effect of a magic potion."

Though Richard also sent people to inquire about this so-called "manual," he didn't believe such miraculous things truly existed in the world.

Richard shrugged: "Whatever the case, it's a fact. Losa's army is right there, and both its equipment and combat strength are quite decent, verified through numerous major battles."

"Even if you say that, I still find it hard to believe. This Marquis or Duke Losa, gathering a bunch of peasants, mobs, and desperados to be his knights—this is the origin of those famous Winged Cavalry, Imperial Knights, and heavy iron cavalry?"

Richard rolled his eyes: "I can't believe it either, but it's fact, Philip. Don't look like some country bumpkin who's never seen the world; this is not the demeanor befitting the noble Augustus."

Both kings had Imperials Guard, expensively trained without skimping on magic potions, but even so, they were handpicked warriors first, not just plucking some peasant out of the field.

The gap between people can often be greater than that between man and monkey.

This "divine skill" training method of Losa appears too fantastic, even with the involvement of extraordinary power.

Philip spread his hands: "Alright, if our Marquis Losa possesses the ability to turn farmers into warriors, I wouldn't be surprised why he's so keen to curry favor with those lowly people."

"Is this why he tries to win over those heretics and infidels?"

Philip furrowed his brow, contemplating: "Perhaps not alone. Your ancestor, the famed William the Conqueror, used twenty-five thousand Normans to rule over one and a half million Albions, leading to constant rebellions. Egypt's population far exceeds Albions by five, even six times, yet the Crusaders' numbers are only twice the Normans brought by William the Conqueror."

He glanced at Richard, voice hinting at mockery: "It seems this Marquis Losa is indeed a shrewd one. In your place, I suppose you'd just wait for rebellion, then raise the butcher's knife and slaughter senselessly, wouldn't you?"

Richard snorted coldly: "What good is currying favor with commoners? If the lords and local bullies ruling them rebel, would these commoners dare to take up arms to protect Losa and resist their rulers?"

Philip chuckled: "Isn't it possible that if the commoners are docile and obedient, Losa wouldn't need so many enfeoffed nobles to help manage his lands?"

Favoring bureaucratic appointments, Philip started to delve into the deeper significance of Losa's strategy.

Enfeoffing nobles, though convenient, leads to endless troubles.

After William the Conqueror took over Albion, the first to raise the banner of rebellion was his Norman vassal who fought alongside him.

...

Eastern Crusaders marching west.

The Crusaders in Semanud were also making haste in battle preparations.

The Grand Marshal of the Crusade, Losa, however, set off lightly and simply, leaving Semanud City early.

Furinjira's new skill, Blood Pool Transformation, allows her to entirely become a pool of blood.

She can incorporate enemies into the blood pool,

as long as the blood pool does not dry up, she will never die.

For a relatively fragile mage, it's an excellent survival skill.

Furin thought I disliked her previous form.

Actually, it wasn't that I disliked it, but this form of fondness is definitely not the type of affection a young blood race girl has in mind.

It's just she had a somewhat juvenile form before, and in his heart if she was