CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 62: SON OF NURUDDIN

At this moment, in the distant Austrian Border Territory.

In the Vienna palace, the red-clad Witch nestled against the spirited Count Leopold, who waved a letter in his hand and said with a smile:

"Ha, I was right about Losa. He’s a capable man, and with the connections left by his stern father, this investment is definitely worthwhile."

"What happened to him?"

The red-clad Witch blinked in some confusion.

"He has gained the favor of Baldwin IV, granted a Greek castle, and now writes to me, hoping I’ll fulfill the promise I made back then."

"Greek castle?"

"Has he been enfeoffed on the Eastern Empire’s territory?"

"No, no, no, I mean, I don’t know where it is, but judging by the name, it’s surely an ancient castle left from the time the Greeks ruled the Holy Land."

"In any case, it’s something worth celebrating."

Then, he placed his hands behind his back, his face a bit grim: "It’s a pity that my departure to the Holy Land will be postponed again, His Majesty the Emperor has sent me a summoning decree."

"If I’m still planning to break the Austrian Border Region away from Bavaria, elevating it to Austria Duchy, I’m afraid I must respond to the summons."

Count Leopold wasn’t considered a devout man, but he was determined to go on the Eastern Expedition, to make a name for himself and seize the rich treasures of the East.

If he could gain a piece of land in the East, it would be all the more ideal.

If Losa can establish a foothold in the Holy Land, it will be a powerful support for him.

...

Algo County.

Eagle Castle.

Count Werner broke open the wax seal on the letter and carefully read the missive from across the distant Mediterranean.

Unknowingly, this cold, hard man, like a stone with a frozen heart, showed a rare smile.

Otto looked at the smile on Count Werner’s face with some puzzlement and asked, "Father, what has happened to make you so happy?"

Count Werner immediately restrained his smile and tossed the letter to Otto: "I knew it, those two goblets were stolen by you and given to Losa. He has said it clearly in the letter."

Otto’s face changed dramatically: "Did he specifically write back just to betray me?"

"Ha."

Count Werner couldn’t hold it, and laughed aloud.

He patted Otto’s shoulder, his expression inexplicably a bit relieved: "Losa is already a baron, and greatly favored by Your Majesty, perhaps next time he returns, his title will be more illustrious than yours and mine."

Otto’s face showed some envy but soon turned to worry: "I’d be happy to see such a day, but Saladin... he’s a very terrifying heretic king."

Count Werner nodded: "Indeed, we managed to defeat him in the past due to a large part of luck. Now he has consolidated most of his powers, making him more difficult to deal with."

...

When Losa came out of the Royal Palace, it was already noon.

Leonard ran over obsequiously, leading the reins of Nisian’s warhorse: "Sir... Lord! What did His Majesty discuss with you?"

Losa stopped in his tracks, his expression becoming very serious: "I warn you, Leonard, not to call me by that title again; the Holy Son is spiritual, while I am merely a secular lord."

"Yes, yes, my lord."

Leonard was startled by Losa’s sudden anger.

"Leonard, I know you speak that title out of awe for me. But you must understand, whether in Jerusalem or the distant Pope City, no one likes a living Holy Son."

Leonard seemed to realize some dreadful possibility, large beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead: "No, my lord, I understand, I will never use such a title again."

Losa nodded: "If it happens again, your head won’t stay safely on your neck."

He leapt onto his horse, not waiting for Leonard, and rode off, leading his men toward Constant Manor.

Halfway, a hooded man suddenly darted out.

Losa instinctively drew his weapon, pointing it at the figure.

The man said softly: "My lord, I mean no harm, please follow me, a significant figure wants to meet you."

The hooded man showed only the blue-stubbled chin, without any crest or mark to prove his identity.

"What kind of significant figure hides so discreetly here in the Holy Land?"

"You need not be on guard, we are certainly not your enemies."

"Heh."

Seeing Losa unmoved, the man sighed and said, "You may bring your witch and part of your guards. Please excuse my master’s compelled discretion, unable to meet you openly. You’ll discover who the esteemed figure is upon arrival."

Losa thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "Lead the way."

They arrived at a rundown inn.

Losa immediately recognized the man in the black robe standing at the inn’s entrance.

"Abdullah!"

Losa’s face was full of surprise: "Are you the so-called significant figure?"

Abdullah also showed a smile, as reunions after long absence are always joyful occasions.

But he shook his head and said, "I’m no significant figure, the one you are to meet is my young master."

He pointed inside: "Come with me."

Following his indication, Losa saw a young man wearing a silk outer garment, chest exposed.

He wore many expensive ornaments, displaying the lavishness unique to Eastern nobility.

Clearly, he was also a Kurdish noble.

"I am Ismael Malik Salih, son of Nuruddin, King of Syria, the true Lord of Aleppo."

Losa looked at this dark-skinned, sharp-eyed man in front of him, puzzled, "Salih...weren’t you already dead from illness?"

This Salih was the heir to the throne after King Nuruddin’s death.

He was kept under Saladin’s house arrest in Aleppo, and the news of his death from illness was spread years ago.

Losa knew this because Saladin had once been loyal to King Nuruddin, then rebelled, leading Crusader nobles to often criticize Saladin’s character over this matter.

Actually, Losa thought any other Eastern king would not merely "house-arrest" Salih.

"Just a substitute."

Salih said coldly, "If not for this, I couldn’t have escaped Saladin’s grasp. That rebel, wanting to imprison me for fifteen years like my father did Reynard! Even until my death!"

Zengi Dynasty’s Nuruddin, the father of the man before him, once captured Count Reynard alive and kept him imprisoned for fifteen years.

During that time, Reynard’s first wife died from illness, causing Reynard to lose the Duke of Antioch title.

Hence Reynard hated Fire Worship cultists, frequently attacking heretic merchant caravans passing through his domain, causing chaos on a good trade route.

In the long term, maintaining this trade route would clearly be more advantageous for him.

If Reynard discovered Nuruddin’s son was in Jerusalem, he wouldn’t care about strategic considerations, and would immediately bring soldiers to chop Salih into mincemeat.

"Then, esteemed King Salih, you may state your purpose."

"I want to reclaim Aleppo, even the whole of Syria, currently occupied by Saladin’s minion Safudin. I constantly feel it wailing, calling to me."

Losa smiled and said, "I understand your feelings, but I don’t know how I can help you; I’m just a humble baron."

Salih snorted lightly, "I know your status is not illustrious, but you are greatly valued by your king. I want you to introduce me to Baldwin. In return, I am willing to give you ten beautiful slave girls, and a Damascus scimitar."

Losa agreed straightforwardly, "I will convey your intention to meet my king, though I can’t promise His Majesty the King will agree to see you. Meanwhile, I hope to convert your gifts into something else."

Salih generously said, "What do you want? As the Lord of Aleppo, even exiled, my wealth far exceeds the imagination of a Frankish barbarian like you."

Losa pointed at Abdullah and said, "I hope to gain Abdullah’s loyalty."

Salih was silent.

Abdullah looked astonished, wanting to speak but hesitating.

After a long while, Salih shook his head and said, "No, Abdullah is my loyal warrior, trusted minister, not a Gulam slave. I have no right to command him to pledge loyalty to a heretic."

Losa could clearly see Abdullah let out a sigh of relief.

He sighed quietly and said, "War is approaching, I need warhorses or gold and silver coins. Only these can increase my power within a short time."

"No problem, I’ll give you ten fine steeds, is that enough?"

Losa nodded and said, "Certainly, thank you for your generosity, Lord of Aleppo."

Losa paused briefly and added, "Abdullah is an exceptionally capable warrior; you’ve made a wise decision."

Salih laughed heartily, "Of course, if I could trade gold and silver for warriors like Abdullah, I’d give everything."