If Hans could be equipped with such a Divine Artifact, his combat power would definitely increase drastically.

But the problem is, such a Riding Spear also poses a significant test for the endurance of the steed.

Outside the window, a commotion suddenly arose.

Losa hurriedly rushed downstairs, looking a bit puzzled, "What's going on?"

Someone angrily remarked, "Knight Pepin wants to duel with a knight from Montreal. The reason is he questioned our honor, but we clearly captured the Saracen prince."

Losa frowned.

Indeed, I knew this bunch of oafs would forget my order not to 'reveal to outsiders that we captured Prince Zahir' once they started drinking.

This Pepin is certainly not that famous short Pepin from the Franks, but a brave knight of the Royal Knight Order.

On the battlefield, he remained unscathed and slew two elite Mamluk Cavalry, making him a rare warrior.

Losa did not intervene, but instead shouted, "Then let there be a duel. A knight's honor must not be tarnished. Let the Heavenly Father witness who is truly worthy to survive."

Pepin glanced at Losa and said excitedly, "Exactly, I can slaughter Saracen Slave Cavalry on the battlefield like chickens, crushing you weaklings is even easier."

"Is… is that reason enough to duel?"

The knights on the opposite side from Montreal turned pale, stuttering with none of their initial arrogance.

This era is just like that; no matter how good you are at talking, if your opponent throws down a glove for a duel, everything is still decided by martial prowess.

"But the duel is for tomorrow. Now, return to your rooms and rest immediately. If I find out anyone disobeys my orders, I assure you, I will have them hanged on the gallows."

Losa loudly declared, "Laine, Model, you two immediately lead the Axe Guard on patrol and inform everyone of my orders!"

"By your will, Grand Master."

The two promptly responded.

Losa glanced disdainfully at the few Montreal knights opposite and averted his eyes, feeling no desire to converse with them because of the disparity in status.

"Lord Losa, may I have a word with you?"

Someone approached from behind Losa, speaking in a low voice.

He deliberately displayed the seal in his hand for Losa to see.

Losa snorted coldly:

"Are you one of Count Reynard's men?"

"Yes, sir."

Losa was silent for a moment, then nodded, "Come with me."

...

They came to a secret room in the inn, adjacent to the room where Prince Zahir was kept.

Hans, with the Winged Cavalry, constantly guarded the prince, and those off duty rested in this room. After all, it was worth a fortune comparable to two thousand Suludes.

Moreover, if anything were to happen, it would mean an unending conflict with Saladin.

"Hans, come over as well."

In the secret room.

Losa, Hans, Prajna, and Furin all took their seats.

This world is not simple, filled with witchcraft, evil gods, evil spirits, curses… all sorts of sinister things, so he dared not stay alone with strangers.

Such a grand array?

The man swallowed hard and cautiously said, "Sir, I am the personal attendant of Count Reynard. I, on behalf of my master, Count Reynard, and Lady Stephanie, beseech you to immediately send reinforcements to rescue Kaler Castle."

After speaking, he hurriedly added:

"Please don't rush to refuse. I know there might be some misunderstandings between you and my master, but the Kingdom is in peril, and small misunderstandings should not hinder the great cause of the Crusaders, should they? My master has already said, as long as you can set out immediately, he is willing to support Lord Belian to marry Princess Sibilla."

I doubt you.

Losa displayed a "kind" smile, "My relationship with Count Reynard is excellent. Where did these misunderstandings come from? It's all just rumors and gossip."

No matter what others say, he would never admit having any discord with Count Reynard to avoid being accused of "neglecting duty for personal reasons."

"But you had better find someone else. I was among the first Crusaders to arrive in Montreal. You should know I have no intention of delaying. But my troops have been severely damaged, making it difficult to continue fighting. Marching through the desert is arduous, and to demand the soldiers set off for Kaler Castle immediately might destabilize my position as Grand Master."

The man said in a low voice, "But you should also know Kaler Castle is the Kingdom's gateway. Once it falls, Saladin's army will march in unopposed, and your territory will soon be gone."

Losa sternly replied, "With heretic forces invading from two directions, the Kingdom's situation is precarious; who has the mind to worry about the fate of one's territory now?"

Seeing that Losa wouldn't listen to persuasion or threats, the envoy said in a low voice, "Lord Reynard has already said he will gift Hebron's fief to the first reinforcement commander who enters Kaler Castle, as well as reward each soldier with ten Dinars and each knight with a hundred Dinars."

Losa furrowed his brow, thought for a moment, and said, "Why didn't you say that earlier?"

"In that case, we will set off for Kaler Castle tomorrow."

Losa paused slightly, "Envoy, you should also continue to travel west and inform the other Crusader Lords, right?"

"Exactly, sir."

"Time is of the essence, so get on your way."

Losa waved his hand to signal him to leave.

"Thank you for your help. May you reach Kaler Castle soon and gain the prestigious title of Count of Hebron. My master will surely regard you as a close friend in the future."

The envoy had no doubts, thinking it was the most correct choice.

No matter how many soldiers die under him, they don't compare to a prosperous fief.

What does it mean to possess an armed force without a fief? At most, an army becomes a mercenary!

Not to mention this armed force isn't even Losa's private force; ownership lies with His Majesty the King. Even if they all perished, exchanging them for a prosperous fief like Hebron isn't a loss at all.

Once the envoy left,

Hans spoke up, "Sir, do you really want to?"

The system's retinue certainly has undoubted loyalty, but that doesn't mean they are puppets without souls.

Losa waved his hand dismissively, sneering, "No rush, first gather supplies, recuperate for a few days, and then talk."

"Count Reynard is playing word games here; Kaler Castle is now surrounded by thirty thousand of Saladin's troops. Who can break through and be the first to enter the city?"

"Hebron's fief, ha, sounds tempting, but it's a poisoned fruit."

"Not to mention, Count Reynard's renown as a Renegade is well-known among Heretics. I don't believe he will honestly hand Hebron over."

Like Jerusalem, Hebron is also a Three Religions Holy Land, providing the financial resources that sustain Count Reynard's title as King of the Dead Sea every year.

The lordship of Hebron signifies an earldom not determined by the size of a city but by its significance.

The first Holy Tomb Guardian of Jerusalem, Godfrey of Bouillon, was the uncrowned king of Jerusalem.

But his domain was clearly not as vast as that of a true king. Why was he still regarded as the King of the Holy Land? It's because he held Jerusalem.

As for the rank between Count and Baron?

This era didn't have a Viscount.

Of course, some court barons, enjoying partial offices, could be translated as Viscounts.

The same applies to Marquises.

Some special status Counts, like the Border Count of Austria or the Palace Count of the Rhine, can be translated as Marquises, but there's no substantial difference from a Count.

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