Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 639 - 411: A Prophecy Fulfilled

Rashid.

Adil stood on the city walls, watching the last troop gradually departing outside the city, and sighed lightly: "It's time for us to set off as well."

Saladin did not come to Egypt, but instead granted him full command of this battle.

He knew this was a sign of trust from his elder brother.

Rather than the malicious speculations of some aides, that he intended to make him bear the responsibility of defeat.

Because no one wants to lose.

To win this battle, Saladin provided him with almost all the support he could muster, dispatching nearly all of the elite troops available.

Not to mention, if he won this battle, his reputation throughout the Ayyubid Dynasty, even in the Zoroastrian World, would reach a peak— the Zoroastrian World desperately needed a victory right now.

And let's not forget, he also bore the name Ayyubid.

Such actions by Saladin were more of a path paving move to hand over the dynasty he had built to his brother, rather than suspicion.

"But my brother, how can I be worthy of such trust from you."

He gazed towards the northeast sea.

The unending Saracen Fleet still continuously transported supplies and troops towards here, with occasional clashes erupting between Crusader Knights and Saracen Fleets on the open sea.

He dared not think of the consequences if this battle were to fail.

The newly established Ayyubid Dynasty would lose its most crucial stronghold, perhaps they could linger a while longer in Damascus, but the ultimate outcome?

It was self-evident.

Whenever he thought of such terrifying consequences, he found it hard to sleep, tossing and turning restlessly.

The tremendous pressure, made even someone as steady as him, somewhat anxious, sometimes he fantasized about defeating the Crusaders and meeting his brother loaded with honor, countless Zoroastrians cheering for him.

But more often, he recalled those scenes that had unfolded, corpses everywhere, the Holy Fire Banner burned, sacred land trampled, Crusaders flaunting and surrounding that radiant figure.

"Losa."

He softly chewed over this name, once seen when jokingly said, "You are destined to be my great enemy," has now become a prophecy. Today, the entire Zoroastrian world is frightened by this name.

"Let's settle this on the battlefield."

Suddenly, he raised his head and shouted: "Black Gulum, join me in battle!"

Below the city, one by one, dark-skinned heavy cavalrymen, shouting as they lined up to set off.

Most of these Black Gulams were Nubian cavalry mercenaries during the Fatimid Dynasty, who had been incorporated into Saladin's army after the Fatimid Dynasty was overthrown, reaching up to thirty thousand at its peak.

After Adil took office as Governor of Egypt, he removed the old, weak, and disabled within these thirty thousand Black Gulams, leaving only the elite with abundant combat experience and strong combat capabilities as his personal Imperial Guard.

As for his original Imperial Guard, to control this massive army, it had been disbanded, with officers integrated into various parts of the army.

...

Within the palace in Rashid City.

Shemir was sitting on a soft cushion on the ground, with a black ceramic jar on the table, occasionally emitting faint vibrations. Inside this ceramic jar was the "Ghost Dragon" that he obtained from the Alchemy Master.

The Ghost Dragon belonged to the dragon species, but because it lacked a physical body, it appeared rather special.

And precisely because of this, it could be contained within a small ceramic jar.

Opposite him sat a handsome young man with bronze skin who curiously inquired: "I don't understand, Shemir, Mudeliji's encounter already proves the enemy has an effect against dark creatures, why do you still spend so much effort to cultivate a Ghost Dragon?"

Shemir casually replied: "But the easiest thing to obtain in this world is often the dark power you mentioned."

With just one curse, a mortal can wield power that many Wizards cannot handle, perhaps the cost is significant, but is it truly that exorbitant when even mortals can afford it?

"The enemy truly mastering the restraint of dark powers are just Duke Losa and his Female Angel subordinate, this Ghost Dragon can be used against others."

The man nodded: "Let's hope that your plans will come true."

"You seem somewhat pessimistic about the prospects of this battle?"

Shemir frowned.

In fact, he was quite confident about this battle.

A Caster who prepared for battle in advance, with strong support behind him, would be far more powerful than ever before.

They could enhance their combat effectiveness through an abundance of casting materials, vast resources.

Artifacts often requiring extensive exploration to acquire could easily come into possession.

Therefore, his strength has been rapidly advancing during this period, and not only him, but the other casters who joined the Mage Consultant Team have also been enhancing their powers at a fast pace. Some of these casters are so powerful that even he, with one foot in the Legendary Domain, feels astonished.

…

Baron Fulk rode on a camel, this large beast might have disadvantages like slow speed and insufficient impact when charging into battle, but as a pack animal, it surpasses horses by far, and is not inferior to horses in speed during long-distance travel.

Baron Fulk has almost fallen in love with this large beast.

Ivan, riding on a noticeably shorter warhorse, approached Fulk: "We're going to fight the Franks again, Fulk, are you ready to face your former brethren in battle?"

"I have already done so."

Fulk placed his hand on his chest, his smile somewhat bitter.

He had sworn an oath to the Fire Worship, but as a convert, he did not exhibit the same intense fervor as others.

On the contrary, he often wakes up in the middle of the night, praying to God for the forgiveness of his sins.

Ivan teased: "But you didn't perform too well last time; I nearly lost my life saving you."

Fulk smiled wryly: "Ivan, you know me, once I've made a decision, I won't hold back on the battlefield. I'm just worried because we've already failed once, as you know too well the Franks—those Christians truly possess the Holy Spear, and it indeed holds an incomparable power. That 'Demon Duke' you all speak of can even summon angels to the earth. Can we really win?"

"Of course."

Ivan's tone was certain, with a natural ease: "Fulk, don't be overly superstitious about so-called divine favor.

In my homeland, as well as among the Kuman and Pecheneg people, there are witch doctors who can cast spells, many of them are so old their teeth are about to fall out, they can't even stand upright without support."

Ivan's forebears were Slav slaves captured by the Kuman, and they became a significant source of Mamluk slaves within the Saracen army.

According to the customs of the Kuman tribes, after defeating another tribe, they would slaughter all adult males, as they were deemed useless anyway; they were happy to turn these prisoners into valuable goods to sell to the Saracens.

Ivan's face bore a relaxed smile: "That Losa is just a younger, more powerful wizard, nothing more. We have Demon-Blocking Gold and King Saladin's Mage Consultant Team. If we chop off his head, he will still die."

Fulk smiled bitterly and nodded.

Even with Ivan's words, he still instinctively felt that even if Marquis Losa, oh no, now Duke Losa, had his head chopped off, the next moment there would be a golden light, and angels would descend upon the earth.

Then the Duke would rise like Jesus, reclaiming control of the Crusaders and waging a campaign against the heretics.

"Fulk, we've lost once, but trust me, we won't lose this time."

Ivan stated resolutely.

In the last battle, Ivan and Fulk were defeated and captured, becoming prisoners of Losa, but his direct superior, Saladin's nephew, the former Governor of Egypt Taqidin, quickly paid the ransom for Ivan and the captured Mamluks.

This included Fulk, the unfortunate one forced into joining the Saracens.

On the battlefield, to save his life, he killed a noble Crusader, leaving him no chance to return. So he officially joined under Ivan's command, becoming a Mamluk officer responsible for training the Mamluks in Frank-style lance charges.

Although the main source of Mamluks was across the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, there was no shortage of Franks, who were mostly descendants of captured pilgrims or people seized by North African pirates from the Apennines coastline or southern Gaul.

After the Franks had repeatedly defeated the Saracen armies, the Saracens not only emulated the Normans' first-developed tactics of lance charges but also, like the Eastern Empire, formed many Latin cavalry companies (the Eastern Empire referred to Franks as Latins).

Now, Fulk is the commander of such a Frankish cavalry unit.

This also reflects Ivan's regard for him; it's worth noting that he was just a Frankish captive, not one of those rigorously trained from a young age, well-bred Mamluks, making it challenging to secure a promotion.

This time, they were tasked with escorting an important convoy sent to Egypt by Taqidin.

The creatures transported in large wooden cages were massive, resembling rhinos, but with sharp teeth, and a single horn on their heads extending more than half a meter, like a sharp blade—these were war beasts.

Even though they suffered a terrible defeat in the last war, it doesn't mean that these massive beasts were useless in battle.

The Crusader Knights prided themselves on their impact, but it was utterly insignificant in the presence of these giant beasts. Alas, controlling these creatures was incredibly difficult; as long as the Crusader cavalry weren't foolish, they would never engage in direct charges with these beasts wielding lances.

But even if they were only used to charge infantry formations, that's enough. The main role of cavalry is not to clash with enemy cavalry.

Aside from these drawbacks, transporting these giant beasts is the toughest part.

To maintain their activity, they require enormous amounts of food daily, so during peacetime, they must be administered a sleep potion to reduce consumption.

"Just look at those beasts. We're only responsible for transporting one of the groups, while larger and more beasts are transported by other units. Imagine the terrifying power they'll unleash on the battlefield?"

Ivan raised his whip, full of confidence: "Counting those civilians and Ghazi Warriors supported from various regions, we've gathered nearly a hundred thousand troops. The Crusaders have less than thirty thousand, plus we have the advantage of fighting on home ground. This time, we will certainly drive those heretics out of the Holy Land."

"Let's hope so."

Fulk sighed lightly.

He thought, Ivan, with you constantly seeking reasons to convince me of our certain victory this time, isn't that really showing your own uncertainty?

Rather than convincing me.

It seems that the previous defeat has already instilled in you a sense of the Duke Losa being an invincible force, haven't you?