The battle ultimately didn't happen.

In fact, when the enemy discovered that Losa and his group hadn't brought carriages and caravans full of gold and silver treasures, they started backing off.

The reason they still came forward was merely to try to extort some wealth.

This is an era of big fish eating little fish.

At any time, in any battle, one must consider the cost-effectiveness of the investment and output.

If he loses too many of his trusted followers, it might shake his position, and the gains would be minimal.

Plus, there's also the possibility of being attacked from both sides by reinforcements sent by Safudin.

The enemy proactively retreated.

When Losa asked for his name, his hesitation showed that he wasn't a reckless person acting on impulse.

"Losa, at this time, it's absolutely not wise to hand over our wealth."

"In this desert, there are no morals or regulations to restrain your enemies. Surrendering your wealth not only won't make enemies stop, but it will also show them your weakness."

Abdullah walked alongside Losa, teaching him by example.

Losa inferred, saying, "Moreover, it would greatly demoralize the troops. As our fortunes decrease, even if the enemy initially decided to let us go, they might change their minds."

"Exactly!"

...

Two more days passed.

They bypassed Irbid, personally guarded by Safudin, choosing a more roundabout and less traveled path to avoid potential encounters with enemies.

Losa didn't have the confidence to face Safudin again and bluff his way out.

"Beyond this small hill is Kaimont."

Abdullah smiled and stopped in front of a dune.

Losa's expression was somewhat complex: "Are you leaving?"

Abdullah nodded: "Holy Fire above, Lord Losa, it has been an honor to fight alongside you. If I'm still alive after this... I might choose to bring the lads to follow you."

He then added with a smile, "Hopefully, by then, you'll have a prosperous enough land, because my lads demand good pay."

"I promise I will."

Losa patted Abdullah's shoulder, then sincerely looked at the Kurdish cavalry behind him:

"You are the bravest and most battle-hardened cavalry I've ever met. I'm proud to have served as your commander and sincerely wish you all a safe journey."

He placed his right hand on his shoulder and slightly nodded: "May the Heavenly Father protect you, Holy Fire Everlasting."

The Kurdish cavalry placed their hands on their shoulders in return.

During this time, they got along well with Losa.

This somewhat changed their original stereotypes against the Crusader nobles.

Of course, with Losa exhibiting mysterious "witchcraft," the Kurdish cavalry's feelings towards Losa evolved into three parts admiration and seven parts fear.

Abdullah felt a bit moved but laughed aloud: "Losa, continually praying to two deities is hardly pious."

Losa laughed and said, "Perhaps my god and your god are actually one and the same? After all, they are both creators."

"Maybe."

Abdullah was indifferent to Losa's irreverent words.

He left Losa's side, nodded to Hans, and looked at the two "witches," each in turn placing his hand on his shoulder.

"Goodbye, noble ladies."

"Goodbye, brave and diligent attendant."

Hans hurriedly returned the gesture.

Initially surprised, but upon hearing the word "diligent," he couldn't help but feel a bit resentful.

Am I just here to do chores for the Lord?

He exchanged one last glance with Losa, and the sun-darkened face broke into a smile, teeth glaring white.

Subsequently, the cavalry slowly left one by one.

Losa watched the backs of Abdullah and the Kurdish cavalry disappearing into the distance, reminiscent of Gao Jianli watching Jing Ke's assassination mission at the Yishui River.

After a long sigh.

A mere handful of cavalry, how much disturbance could they cause in Syria with a stationed army of a hundred thousand?

Even if the hundred thousand is just an approximation, dividing it tenfold still leaves ten thousand, an overwhelming force far beyond the capacity of a mere few dozen cavalry.

"These are a group of honorable warriors, whose loyalty to their monarch exceeds that of most knights of this era."

Hans was filled with emotion.

Losa patted Hans on the shoulder, "Thank you for all your hard work these days."

Hans nodded in agreement, "Indeed, sir. You left all the tough work to me, and I have to set up two tents and feed eight horses all by myself. I sincerely hope you can find me some companions soon."

Losa's face darkened.

Damn it!

Is this guy cursing me to only draw One-Star cards next?

"Come on, I helped a lot too!"

With that, before Hans could object, Losa said, "Speed up, let's hurry into the city to rest."

The thing he wanted to do most right now was to take a cold bath.

He hadn't bathed for nearly a week, traveling under the scorching sun every day. Even with Prajna acting as a small air conditioner, he was often drenched in sweat.

Kaimont is a somewhat dilapidated border city.

The city walls, due to years of neglect, had large pieces of plaster peeling off.

Occasionally, passing caravans would enter the city, only to make brief stops before heading further inland.

There was no fountain inside the city, only a filthy ditch running through the center, filled with a thick layer of slippery muck, smelling like an outdoor latrine baked in the sun.

This place was located on the northeastern border of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, with the former Antioch Duchy to the north, now the Syria Governorate of the Ayyubid Kingdom.

As a gateway city.

The city constantly faced the threat of Saladin's hundred-thousand-strong army training in the North, so even the Lord of this city abandoned his fief and ran to the Royal Palace in Jerusalem to serve as Stable Chief.

In the tavern.

A few guests were sipping their drinks.

Losa and his group pushed open the door, with two ladies finding a corner to sit in, while Losa and Hans approached the bar.

Someone joked with a smile, "Ha, two noble Lords, they've actually joined us at the same bar table, would you have a drink or two with us?"

Losa smiled humbly and politely, "Of course, it's on me."

As he spoke, he flicked a silver coin with his finger.

"Give these gentlemen, and my companion and me, each a mug of ale."

"Thank you, generous sir!"

"Heavenly Father bless you, Lord Knight."

The guests beamed with joy.

Losa flicked out two more silver coins, pressing them onto the table, "Prepare two clean rooms, and bathing tubs sufficient for four separate baths."

Then, he looked towards the guests.

"Gentlemen, has anything unusual happened in the Holy Land these days?"

The guests looked at each other, unsure of what could be considered unusual.

Could the Lord Knight even want to hear the gossip about the stonemason's wife next door, who put a solid green hat on her husband while he was away?

At this moment, someone who seemed well-informed stood up and said, "Lord Knight, you're a Germanic, right?"

Losa nodded and said, "Correct, I'm Losa of Algo, from Switzerland in Swabia."

The person said, "Yesterday, I heard a merchant say your Emperor got into a fight with the Lombards on the Apennine Peninsula."

"It's said because the Lombards defied the Emperor's orders and resisted the Crusader tax, the Emperor, having endured enough, decided to take action against them."

"Ah this..."

Losa found it hard to believe.

Emperor Henry, unlike the renowned Redbeard Great Emperor Frederick of the same period in history, wasn't known for being ambitious.

Regarding the domestic lords, especially those northern Apennine nobles across the Alps from Great Germania, his attitude had always been notably gentle.

Why would he suddenly make a heavy-handed move at such a critical moment when relations with the Pope were about to ease?

Someone worried, "If that's the case, the Germanic Crusaders might take a long time to get here."

"This is indeed a big deal."

Losa nodded, raising his mug to gulp down a large mouthful of ale. This small tavern's ale, with its slight bitterness and malty fragrance, was negligible in strength, a divine artifact for quenching thirst.

That person added, "Besides, there's Belian of Ibelin, who's said to be dueling Guy of Lusignan."

At this point, his face lit up as if he had experienced it himself, "Both of them are enamored with Her Highness the Princess Sibilla, and to determine who's more suited to be the princess's husband, they're resolved to have a fair knightly duel in three days, in Jerusalem."

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