Southwest of Eira Port, Dahab.

In the mansion of Piercer Rauf, a middle-aged man, draped in a tattered white robe and barefoot, was smiling as he bade farewell to the host of the place.

Rauf's expression was somewhat grim: "Master Shemir, I'm about to campaign against the heretics, do you really want to leave at this time?"

The middle-aged man nodded slightly: "Thank you for your hospitality and assistance, Lord Rauf, but I've already helped you tame a batch of Scorpion-tailed Lions, so we don't owe each other."

Zane, standing beside Rauf, spoke up: "Master, Scorpion-tailed Lions alone can't defeat that Frankish Lord. He has an evil witch serving under him."

The man known as "Shemir" looked sharply: "With Demon-Blocking Gold and Scorpion-tailed Lions, even if the offensive is lacking, it's enough to hold onto your territory."

"Saladin convened a wizard's gathering in Damascus. Although I have no intention to serve him, only by going there can I showcase the prestige of the 'Hamuzai' school."

Rauf's expression was somewhat grim, but he also knew he couldn't possibly sway the will of a powerful caster, so he relented: "I will send ten elite 'Faris' (Knights) to escort you."

Escort?

Shemir's eyes seemed to penetrate the heart as he looked at Rauf until the latter, sweating heavily, lowered his head, and then he said:

"No, thank you. I don't want to cross the Frankish lands; it might spark unnecessary conflict."

He whistled.

In the sky, a loud lion's roar echoed.

A massive Scorpion-tailed Lion, with wings spanning at least twenty meters, descended from the sky.

At its tail, a deep red, sharp scorpion tail was gently swaying.

"Farewell."

Shemir waved his hand.

In the eyes of a caster like him, any faith or race was insubstantial.

Except for those ludicrous priests and hawk trainers who could only gain meager casting ability through worshipping the sacred flame, which caster would worship a god?

As for race, it wasn't worth mentioning, all categorized merely as mortals.

He mounted the saddle of the Scorpion-tailed Lion, nodded slightly to Rauf, and then, as the Scorpion-tailed Lion flapped its wings, the gust blew the crowd helter-skelter.

Rauf watched the receding back of the departing Scorpion-tailed Lion.

His expression was sullen: "That old thing, after all these days of deference and fulfilling every request, he still wants to leave!"

"Why does that Frankish Lord get the devotion of so many beautiful casters, yet I can't recruit even one? Damn it all!"

Zane advised: "Let it go, Rauf."

"Master Shemir doesn't owe us, he crafted a Scorpion-tailed Lion Faris group of twelve for us, capable of launching surprise attacks from any place in the air."

"As long as we rely on this Scorpion-tailed Lion Faris, constantly making advancements in Haniz, annexing the lands of those weaker lords."

"Then, request a Haniz Governor title from King Saladin; your status wouldn't be much inferior to Adil, the Governor of Egypt."

"Heh."

Rauf looked contemptuously at Zane: "Zane, it's your excessive weakness that led you to this point. If I'd known you'd be so easily intimidated by that Frankish man, I wouldn't have let you garrison Eira Port."

Zane's expression turned from blue to pale, fists clenched tightly, veins bulging.

Regretting having shamed his brother like this.

Rauf's tone softened: "Zane, my territory is now split into two by Eira Port; if I want to return to Ma'an Castle, I either have to cross enemy territory or rely on ships to land from Aqaba, and that Frankish man's territory will also then be surrounded by me."

He spoke coldly: "This dooms me and the opposing lord to a deathless stalemate from beginning to end. Unless I willingly give up the lands of Dahab and the Sinai Peninsula, but that's impossible!"

Zane opened his mouth, hesitated.

In such a position himself, he realized he too couldn't surrender a third of territory for peace with that Frankish barbarian.

"Moreover, not only is my territory split, but the entire Ayyubid Kingdom is as well. If I can't recover Eira Port, then he will surely question me."

"As you know, I'm not counted among his faction,"

Zane was silent for a moment.

People say Saladin is a benevolent and merciful monarch, and it is true, but who dares to make guarantees when involving a power struggle?

…

Losa, returning from New Habsburg, took a detour to inspect Alandler.

This city, resembling Eira Port's citadel, had completely stabilized.

The cross badge of Saint Lazarus fluttered alongside Losa's Double-headed Eagle banner atop the city. These poor orders from Jerusalem, having received Losa's assistance, got a batch of old chain armor or scale armor, patrolled the city, and helped pilgrims afflicted with disease, heal wounds and illnesses.

The grassroots route of the Saint Lazarus Order coincided with Losa's policies.

The converts of the Alandler Bishopric, though granted land by Losa, require time to benefit from it.

They remained very poor.

The assistance from the Saint Lazarus Order was like timely rain to them, which also fostered more conversions.

If it's wartime, Alandler could now muster three hundred soldiers, along with the Defender Knights of the order, and though these poor knights wouldn't fight as well as wealthy ones, they weren't far off.

Seeing everything proceeding systematically.

Losa's party, under the escort of Alandler's City Guard Army, headed to Eira Port.

Frankly, Losa didn't wish to engage Piercer yet, besides Hebron and Jorgelisburg, New Habsburg, Alandler, and Eira Port were all on a rejuvenative upward trend.

Each day of recuperation and development strengthened them a bit more.

If the Sinai Peninsula's territory was granted to Losa now, he wouldn't even have enough forces to garrison it—nor would he do it.

Because Adil, the Egyptian Governor and Losa's old adversary, might be waiting for that day.

Once Losa divides his troops and weakens, Adil would seize the opportunity to attack Losa. Anyway, so-called ceasefire agreements can always be torn apart if you find a reason.

"Miss Furin, you'll have to work harder upon returning. Strong witches like Miss Anna aren't uncommon in this world."

"If you remain this lazy, you might not have the power to protect the master in the future."

"Or, if the master's strength surpasses yours, then there wouldn't be a need for you to protect him."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.