At this moment, the night was deep.

After sending away the vassals who came to pay respects, Losa returned to the main hall of the Lord's Hall.

Inside the hall, dozens of candles were burning, yet it still appeared somewhat dim.

Jeanne, who had enjoyed herself thoroughly at the feast, had two red clouds on her cheeks, but her gaze remained clear and bright as she raised a bottle of wine to drink heartily.

"Ha, what sweet wine this is."

"My lord, look how beautiful the moon is tonight, and with such delicious food and wine, come and drink with me."

Losa took the bottle from her hands, looking at it with some heartache: "This bottle is a Bordeaux wine produced by a monastery in Gaul, worth ten Suludes gold coins, and considering the transport costs, at least three times that. It's a gift from Baron Argon, and I was going to use it to entertain guests."

"But I am a guest too."

Jeanne was somewhat reluctant, rambling: "In the past, the Church prepared for me dozens of cellars full of wines from around the world. My favorite is the one made by the Russians from potatoes, strong enough to make you feel like you're running wild in the icy cold."

Losa sighed lightly: "If you like distilled spirits, you can prepare to brew a batch. The excess alcohol can be used to treat soldiers' wounds. If you need money, go to the Clothing Officer. I'll give you a budget of three hundred Suludes gold coins."

"Thank you, my lord."

He temporarily had no intention of promoting distilled spirits and forming a brand new industry from it.

People of this era generally could not accept high-proof spirits, as the alcohol content of malt beer was generally less than two percent and was considered a nutritional drink to nourish the body.

Losa ascended the stairs and came to the study. Reynard had no need for such a thing as a study; it was originally prepared for his Tax Officer.

He walked to the desk, took out an ink bottle, dipped a quill pen in ink, and began to write letters.

He decided to send another letter to Count Leopold of Austria.

The funding he obtained from him last time, including about five hundred Suludes coins, a ship of grain, some crop seeds, skilled tailors, blacksmiths, masons, and other workers, played a significant role in the initial development of Jorgelisburg.

First, naturally, was to express gratitude.

Next was to inform him that Baldwin IV had already signed a truce with the king of the heretics, Saladin, so there was no rush for him to come and join the Crusaders.

The last thing to mention was that he had been ennobled as the Count of Transjordan, with his governance in Hebron, and should he come for a pilgrimage, he must visit as a guest.

With Leopold, Losa still hoped to maintain a friendly relationship.

Although Losa was now one of the nominal largest vassals of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, he knew very well that compared to Count Leopold of the Austrian border, he was still far behind in terms of real power.

He was now like an overstuffed fat man, needing to convert all the fat on his body and the food in his stomach into muscle to unleash great power.

Another letter was to Werner and his elder brother Otto.

He remembered telling his elder brother Otto when he left Algo that when he returned to Eagle Castle, he would greet him with a more prestigious title.

Now, he had achieved that.

Algo County, with its barren land and backward commerce, could not compare to the prestige of the title of Count of Transjordan.

However, Count Werner had quite a few talents under his command, which made Losa quite envious, so in this letter, he also mentioned the hope that Count Werner would send a few trusted followers over to help.

...

The waves stirred by the arrival of a new lord in Hebron City spread like ripples on water, slowly expanding.

By noon the next day.

Two members of the City Guard Army sat in a tavern, drinking a little wine.

One of them wore a full set of chain armor and a lobster helmet, draped in a cloak bearing the double-headed eagle badge, making him appear increasingly valiant and extraordinary.

If the bartender of the tavern didn't recognize these two regulars, he might have mistaken him for a noble Lord Knight and his Attendant.

The companion of the City Guard, dressed only in a shabby leather armor, wore an expression full of envy.

"Hey, brother, I'm not surprised you were chosen by that Sheriff named Model, given your naturally strong physique. But that lord just casually gave you this sturdy armor and sword, and even a golden eagle banner. Isn't he afraid you might sell it and run away?"

The soldier clutched the eagle banner tightly, his expression solemn: "I won't allow you to insult our honor. Even if I have to give my life, I will never let this eagle banner be lost. Do you really think I'd sell it?"

His companion couldn't help but tease him: "Ha, you gambling addict, talking about honor? You really think just by putting on some new clothes, you've become a noble Lord Knight?"

"I warn you, don't joke with me like this. I'm no longer who I used to be."

The soldier holding the eagle banner, with a serious expression: "From today on, I will no longer participate in gambling, nor will I mingle with prostitutes. Heavenly Father will witness my redemption."

His companion, unimpressed, said: "Yeah, right. I don't believe you can keep your hands off rolling dice and what's in your pants."

On the street.

A group of Winged Cavalry galloped past.

A few passersby pointed at their receding figures.

"Did you see those Plumed Cavalry? That's the new Patrol Officer and his Winged Cavalry. It's said that they can easily defeat those Slave Cavalry, ten against one, in battles against the Heretics."

"This Count Losa is quite a remarkable figure. I heard he led eight hundred knights and forcibly smashed Saladin's army of three hundred thousand!"

"Three hundred thousand? I heard it was thirty thousand?"

"Of course, it was three hundred thousand! The Heretic army is no match at all. If he only repelled thirty thousand, why would the King of Leprosy generously grant him a city?"

"Unfortunately, impressive as he might be, he seized Count Reynard's title and territory. Reynard won't let it go easily."

"Indeed, alas."

Their tone contained hidden sympathy.

Although they didn't know why, they instinctively felt a bit of goodwill when mentioning this Lord, yet they unanimously believed it wouldn't be long before this new Lord would be driven away by Reynard.

Ulm was talking loudly with Pepin.

"Pepin, do you want to become a Winged Cavalry, just like us?"

"Of course!"

"Then we need to make a trip to Jorgelisburg, to escort Mr. Marles to Hebron, and also to choose a site... The Lord wants to build a castle."

"Build a castle? He already has Hebron; why would he want to build another castle?"

"How would I know the Lord's thoughts?"

...

Sego Village.

Marles squatted on the ground with a serious expression.

A gigantic footprint appeared in front of him.

He placed his middle finger at the front of the footprint, lowering his entire elbow, filling only about half.

In other words, this monster's footprint was over a meter long.

Coupled with the traces it left on the ground, it was undoubtedly a beast over ten meters in size.

The grieving villagers were trying to recover their relatives' remains, but most of them were left with broken limbs and gnawed heads.

A newly recruited Winged Cavalry from Jorgelisburg approached him and reported, "Sir, there were no survivors. The perpetrator must be a monster. He... ate everyone."

"It shouldn't have come out to hunt due to hunger; otherwise, there wouldn't even be remains."

"This should be a monster residing in the mines, possessing a certain magic power to move through soil and rock."

The speculation was simple, since even he couldn't enter or exit the width of the mine, not enough to accommodate a monster over ten meters long.

"Report this news to the Lord immediately!"

Marles stood up and ordered.

...

In the vast desert.

A small team of Winged Cavalry stood on a high ridge, gazing into the sea of sand.

Having traveled the entire day, they stopped here to rest.

Pepin was full of confusion: "I find it hard to understand, Ulm, why does the Lord want to build a castle in the desert?"

"There's not even a pebble here. If it's only to guard against the south and the Sinai Peninsula, the cost is far too high."

"Perhaps it's like Montreal, to serve as a materials transfer center, for the eventual recapture of Eira Port and Alandler, which are still under Heretic control. In any case— the Lord naturally has his reasons, and it's not for us to consider."

The Ancient Tree of Life sprouting in the desert is the most cost-effective endeavor.

It could add an oasis to his territory, tantamount to gaining a new territory for free, despite the initial investment in money and resources.

Furthermore, just as Ulm mentioned, he plans to build a military fortress here, as a future outpost for reclaiming Eira Port and the Alandler Bishopric.

These two territories are rightfully his. They were seized during Reynard's 'land sailing' attempt to raid two Fire Worship Holy Lands in Hijaz, during a counterattack by the Saracens.

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