CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER 73: DEMON-BLOCKING GOLD

Moments later, Baldwin IV’s attendant returned from the corridor, handing a note to Count Raymond.

He unfolded it and a deep surprise flashed across his face. Then he raised the note high, signaling everyone to come closer and look: "His Majesty the King has agreed!"

The hall fell into silence, then erupted with shouts.

"Long live!"

"In the name of the Father, march forth!"

"Slay all those heretic bastards!"

...

After the court meeting, Losa was the first to arrive at the King’s chamber.

Before Losa could speak, Baldwin IV said, "You find it strange too, don’t you?"

"Yet heading north is following the people’s will."

"Not only can Count Raymond see Saladin’s intentions, Reynard, Hugo, Georgelin... they are no fools. Saladin’s intentions are clear; it’s no dark scheme, but a grand public strategy."

Baldwin IV pointed to the chair opposite, indicating Losa to sit down.

"If, while you are following me to battle, your territory Jorgelisburg is attacked by heretics, would you not have the urge to immediately take your soldiers back to Jorgelisburg for rescue?"

Losa remained silent.

This is human nature.

For many, while the safety of the Holy Land is important, it doesn’t compare as much to their own territories.

"Let those who need to return do so, and let the energetic Crusader Knights head north to clear the court, to better unify Jerusalem’s power."

"I understand."

Baldwin IV continued, "Also, I’ve met that Salah. This young man... though he’s much older than me, I still find him to be a sharp and spirited young man. He told me he has united the Armenian mountaineers and is ready to raise the banner of resistance against Saladin’s rule."

"I’ve also made an alliance with him. As per our agreement, after defeating Saladin, I will return Aleppo to him and establish a non-aggression pact."

"This northern expedition is also an opportunity for him; perhaps he can truly join us to retake Aleppo and Antioch."

"Syria is the most important horse-breeding ground for Saladin’s army. Without Syria, his Mamluk Cavalry would pose much less of a threat."

"Let us hope so."

Losa pondered for a moment, then asked, "Your Majesty, those Assassins we encountered yesterday, they could increase their potential through some kind of magic potion, greatly enhancing their combat power... do we not have anything similar?"

"Magic potion..."

Baldwin IV chuckled lightly, "Magic potion isn’t far from us. The incense burning in this room, made of frankincense and myrrh, can alleviate my ailments."

"As for that Assassin potion which stimulates human potential, it often leads to inevitable death and is a wicked potion against the will of the Heavenly Father."

Losa suddenly understood, "Your Majesty, I’ve actually always had a question. Why would those wizards, who possess such mysterious and powerful force, choose to serve secular kings?"

"What if they wished to commit assassination against us? How would we respond then?"

Baldwin IV asked in some confusion, "Didn’t your two witch companions tell you?"

Losa shook his head. Prajna and Furinjira are not conventional witches of this world; their powers are beyond simple magic, so naturally, they wouldn’t understand these secrets.

Baldwin IV raised his hand, pointing at the gold inlays on the furniture, the golden reliefs on the window frames, the cabinet, the statue of the Holy Angel...

"These are devices made from Demon-Blocking Gold, which can limit a wizard’s magic power. If arrows are made from Demon-Blocking Gold, they can easily penetrate a wizard’s defenses. While they indeed wield a formidable force, the secular world is equally dangerous to them."

"The vast majority of wizards are travelers and magic potion experts. They travel like ordinary people, living their lives with the long-lasting life sustained by magic power—they, compared to humans, are essentially a different species, no longer possessing the human thirst for power and wealth."

Losa seemed to understand, "So, wizards prefer being above worldly affairs, rather than engaging in the power struggles?"

"Exactly, because it’s too dangerous for them."

"Or, they believe what they gain doesn’t outweigh the risks they bear."

Baldwin IV paused slightly and continued, "As for why they serve under secular kings, perhaps you know better than I do."

"Love?"

"Yes, but not entirely."

"Such as materials for making magic potions, the construction of Wizard Towers, and the guards ensuring their own safety... these are the rewards they could gain from the secular world."

Losa suddenly understood.

Baldwin IV went on, "There are more wizards in this world than you might think, but you rarely encounter them because they seldom dwell in the common world."

...

Leaving the King’s chamber.

Losa returned to his workplace.

Today, Jerusalem was especially chaotic; with the summoning decree issued, Jerusalem had already turned into a giant military camp.

Since the decision to set out had been made today, many preparations had to be put on the agenda.

The nobles had to calculate how many recruits formed from pilgrims would be needed, how many mules and pack animals for transporting supplies.

Where along the way could supplies be obtained.

The ceremony for departure.

And a series of complex and indispensable tasks that could not be ignored.

Everyone must shoulder their own responsibilities, coordinating these people’s relationships. It’s not simply about gathering a group to form a makeshift army; it’s a complex and meticulous job.

...

The preparations continued for three days.

On the morning of the third day, it was the day for the army to set off northward.

The early morning in Jerusalem, the temperature started rising.

Losa used a brush in the stable, cleaning the coats of Nisian’s warhorse and the Arabian horses.

Salah delivered ten fine and tall Arabian horses, all kept in the Royal Knight Order’s stables, tended by dedicated grooms.

Furinjira stood on tiptoe, worried that the splashing water would wet her pretty long dress—in the Royal Palace, the beauty-loving girl finally no longer needed to wear a face veil.

Only her snow-like white hair still needed some covering.

She lifted her dress and spun around in front of Losa.

"Sir, do you think my dress is pretty?"

Losa nodded perfunctorily, "Mm, it’s pretty. I’ve seen Princess Sibilla wear something similar, but she didn’t look nearly as noble and beautiful as you."

Losa’s perfunctoriness wasn’t just perfunctory.

He would quickly organize a set of somewhat decent compliments in his mind, making his perfunctoriness rarely cause dissatisfaction from Furinjira.

"Tch, could that old woman who already had children compare with this princess?"

Furin’s corners of her mouth couldn’t help but rise, her face showing a gleeful and satisfied look.

Prajna picked up a brush, approached, and helped Losa wash the warhorses.

She said, "Model sent a letter. Blacksmith Malles found a piece of good quality iron ore near Hans’ fief, hoping we could purchase some tools and machinery to send back."

Losa furrowed his brow, shaking his head, "Better to hold off. Have them prepare for war readiness, ready to respond to my summon at any time. To be honest, I’m not confident in defending the villages around Jorgelisburg, opening a mine now is premature."

Prajna shook her head, continuing to wash the warhorse, "You go and tell Hans yourself, I’m just delivering a message."

Losa paused, chuckling, "Alright, understood."

He pondered briefly, raised his hand to wipe off a splash of dirty water from Prajna’s cheek, sincerely saying, "You are beautiful today too, even without much dressing up, you still surpass all the women in this world by far."

Prajna remained expressionless, but unusually asked, "Compared to this little vampire, who is more beautiful?"

Furin keenly caught the key word, approaching, "Yes, sir, evaluate us, who is more beautiful, me or this big idiot?"

Losa’s hands didn’t stop moving, but his heart was filled with anxiety.

This was a trap question, and only a fool would answer it.

Just then, Hans’ shout came, "Sir, it’s time to attend the departure ceremony, we must stand in the innermost as the guards of His Majesty the King!"

Losa quickly replied, "Alright, coming!"

Thank Heavenly Father!

Thank Hans!

Thank His Majesty the King!