Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 475 - 255: Collision

"This is Marquis Losa’s army!"

"These are the legendary Winged Cavalry!"

Fulk was somewhat overwhelmed, watching the cavalry with bright plate armor and a forest of plume decorations on their backs.

Losa’s Winged Cavalry, due to their unique decorations and their illustrious achievements, had long been celebrated throughout Christendom. When leaving Hebron, he was somewhat regretful for not seeing the Winged Cavalry’s charge with his own eyes.

But soon, Fulk realized that this battle, though he saw the Winged Cavalry, nothing could be worse than having their lances aimed at him.

Ivan tightened the reins.

He was a naturally courageous and fearless warrior, but he had to admit that seeing the figure with a golden mask, riding a giant horse like a nightmare, he felt a hint of tension in his heart.

He nudged Fulk with his knee.

Facing the other’s puzzled gaze, he asked, "What’s the purpose of the feather decorations on their backs?"

This question stumped Fulk.

"Probably for decoration."

"So, it’s just for show then."

Ivan scoffed, his voice deliberately loud.

"Brothers, I have good news to tell you— The enemy’s gear is very sophisticated."

Facing puzzled looks from everyone, he smiled and said, "Because they will soon be our spoils of war. You know, in the market of Aleppo, such armor can exchange for a mansion equipped with stables, gardens, and courtyards!"

...

"Losa..."

Saladin muttered to himself.

When he first learned that Losa had led a Kurdish Cavalry, crossed the border, entered the Sassanid King’s territory, and successfully attacked the local lord’s wooden castle with fewer men, blaming it on him.

He had a premonition that this man might become a serious threat in the future.

But he didn’t expect this day to come so quickly.

It seemed like just a blink of an eye, this minor noble had risen to be a pivotal pillar supporting the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

"Master Shemir, I remember you said that this Losa is a friend of the Empire’s Anna and also an important member of the Levant Wizard Association?"

"That’s correct."

Saladin frowned, "Why would someone like him covet worldly power, aren’t wizards all scholars immersed in literature and texts?"

Shemir smiled and countered, "Aren’t Mudeliji and I serving you for worldly power?"

Saladin was slightly taken aback.

He smiled helplessly, "Masters, when do you plan to act? Facing such extraordinary enemies, my soldiers might suffer heavy casualties."

"At the right time."

The silent Master Mudeliji intently watched the imposing Crusader Cavalry, seemingly thoughtful.

"Indeed, rest assured, at the right moment, Mudeliji and I will act."

Master Shemir spoke calmly, "Although we cannot fight to the death for you like Master Salman, I guarantee on my reputation that the price you pay will be well worth it."

Saladin remained silent.

He felt somewhat angry, but mostly helpless.

"I trust your reputations."

He slightly nodded and turned to leave.

...

The Winged Cavalry formed into the tightest formation, holding specially made hollow lances at least three meters long, which, though easy to break, gave them the upper hand when clashing with other cavalry.

As the cavalry charged down the hills, numerous riders spread like peacocks displaying their feathers, forming an array that maximized the Crusaders’ famed impact.

Jeanne’s "Knight’s Flower" granted every knight a twenty-percent enhancement in all aspects.

Losa’s "Charge" endowed every soldier with unlimited courage.

Moreover, the armored lances provided a terrifying twenty-percent defense boost to their cavalry, the threefold enhancements made the cavalry feel as if they were invigorated.

"Charge!"

"Slaughter those damn heretics."

Following the Winged Cavalry, the Armored Archers, whose mounts were wrapped in horse armor, drew bows and fired towards the slanted front with two rounds of volleys before changing weapons.

They switched to holding their two-handed riding spears and advanced closely with the Winged Cavalry.

...

Taqidin roared, "Since Goodes fell into the hands of the barbaric Franks, it’s been over a hundred years. In these years, the Franks brought plague, disaster, and death, initiating massacres recklessly. Now, it’s time for an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."

His bulky body squeezed onto a sturdy Mawari horse, raising a lance high in hand, "Holy Fire Everlasting, Supreme and Great!"

"Holy Fire Everlasting, Supreme and Great!"

Amidst the thunderous roar, an undeniable fear was concealed.

The frightening effect of the golden mask helmet, with Losa draped in a dragon head cloak, in bright plate armor, charging at the forefront, intentionally attracting everyone’s attention, was perfectly realized.

The Mamluk Cavalry surged like a black wave toward the Crusaders head-on.

Cavalry clashes are a luxury.

Especially for Saladin’s heavily invested Kasaji Guard, similar to Losa’s armored archers, it was a great loss. They were more suited for guerrilla warfare using riding bows.

But the Saracens had no choice.

Someone had to contain the enemy cavalry; the current battle conditions left no room for Mamluks and light cavalry to rely on their riding bows for guerrilla warfare or deploy other superior tactics.

If they did not engage the Crusader Cavalry, the latter could easily turn their mounts and assault their infantry formations’ flanks or rear, splitting the thousands of soldiers who had charged into the Crusader Camp from those waiting to deploy on the battlefield.

It was equivalent to severing a snake’s head inside a rat hole!

Given both sides had formidable cavalry, only a frontal clash would resolve it.

Bang!

The two currents collided.

Losa’s lance pierced through the enemy’s body, simultaneously, using a dragging motion to unload force, while smoothly extracting the lance, performing a series of textbook-perfect actions.

Scorching blood splattered on his robe.

Solaris excitedly sniffed the scent of blood; after ramming a horn into an enemy rider, it revealed its ferocious fangs and bit onto the opposing knight’s head, its terrifying bite crushed the sturdy helmet into an iron pancake.

It tilted its head, swallowing the blood into its stomach; the nightmare beast from Hell, stimulated by the battlefield’s atmosphere, ultimately exhibited its bloodthirsty nature.

No longer concerned about Solaris violating his repeatedly commanded rules, Losa swung his lance to sweep the enemy off their mounts.

Behind him, countless cavalry in the instant of engagement, were either pierced through their mounts, impaled by lances from horseback, or simply and swiftly had their bodies run through by the enemy’s lance.

Now was the time to showcase each cavalryman’s martial arts.

Many seasoned knights and Winged Cavalry often emerged unscathed when defeating enemies, seamlessly moving on to attack a second opponent, weapons intact.

Whereas, lesser-skilled knights or attendants often lost their lives in a single encounter, at the very least found their lances knocked from their hands, having to draw Armed Sword to engage in close combat.

However, overall, it was still the Crusader cavalry who held the advantage.