Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 498 - 277: The Just

"Actually, he wasn’t that courageous."

Chelina sighed softly: "Father, he initially never intended to face the Wolf Lord head-on. He even thought the Wolf Lord wouldn’t notice his little moves in the New Continent."

"You can’t blame him; the Wolf Lord has ruled the Wolf Race for many years, and no one truly dares to defy his will."

There was a trace of melancholy on Veneto’s face. Once regarded as the rising star of Basilicata, he provoked a ’Prince’ from the Yakxi Family and was immediately sent to a remote town. It was inevitable; the old order of the Wolf Race had long been deeply entrenched.

The two fell into silence again.

No one spoke further, just silently watching Losa perform the ritual meticulously on stage.

...

The Knights had finished reciting their oaths and were listening to Losa’s speech: "Tonight, you will pray at the temporary Holy Hall of the Lazarus Order. At dawn, Archbishop William will perform the mass for you; by tomorrow morning, I will return to you the swords that have undergone an entire night of prayer, belonging to you."

"Yes, my lord."

After the Knights withdrew, Losa’s gaze swept through the crowd and fixed on the golden-haired Female Knight standing with arms crossed, dressed in silver armor. He said solemnly: "Knight Jeanne D’Arc, please come before me."

Jeanne hesitated for a moment, displaying a hint of helplessness.

What scene will unfold again? There was no prior notice, just don’t blame me if I mess it up.

Watching Jeanne come to the stage, Losa slowly opened his mouth: "Knight Jeanne, you have achieved countless meritorious deeds for me. Your justice, generosity, strategy, bravery - they are all so admirable. You are undoubtedly the Champion Knight under my command."

Losa raised his hands, and golden holy light gathered in his hands, transforming into a Holy Spear engraved with golden runes, exuding majestic divine power.

Standing nearby, Archbishop Tyr’s pupils suddenly widened, his breath became heavy, his eyes fixed intently on every line of the Holy Spear, fearing he would miss a detail – this was the legendary Holy Spear!

May the Vikings among the Crusaders have long forgotten these ancient characters that exist only in ruins.

Losa muttered secretly, holding the Holy Spear, and walked towards Jeanne.

Jeanne cooperatively knelt on one knee. Facing away from the others, only Losa could see the expression on her face – both amused and helpless, yet she tried her best to cooperate with Losa’s performance.

"Knight Jeanne, I bestow upon you the title ’Holy Spear Guardian’, to keep this Holy Object with you on my behalf."

Losa said slowly.

The clergy present slightly moved in expression; if not considering Jeanne might be the legendary Angel, they would surely step forward to oppose now. Holy Spear, such a treasure, should be entrusted to the Church for safekeeping!

But the nobles, knights, and soldiers watching from the audience showed faces of reverence and admiration.

Jeanne’s performance in bravely fighting the Evil Dragon had fully conquered them. In their eyes, Jeanne was the Saintess, the embodiment of Saint Michael walking on earth.

Losa smiled and said, "Say a few words, please."

He wasn’t worried Jeanne would lose nerve or mess things up; if Prajna or Chelina came, it might indeed be possible, but Jeanne was naturally a charismatic leader. This kind of small occasion was nothing to her.

Jeanne turned, facing the audience.

The Holy Spear in her hand, with a casual wave, transformed into Holy Flame and vanished without a trace. She smiled at the crowd, who were amazed and exclaiming, as if she had merely performed a small trick.

"Do you know what nicknames Marquis holds?"

Jeanne paused slightly in her tone and smiled: "Generous, Brave, Werewolf Slayer, Dragon Slayer, Holy Land Guardian, Enemy of Saladin... so many, I think there should be another ’Just’ added."

"Under Marquis, there’s only one criterion for promotion – merit. He doesn’t care if you were a farmer or a craftsman; whether you’re Gaul or Apennine; whether of noble bloodline or of humble origins; as long as you achieve enough merit, you can be promoted."

"Even a woman like me."

She turned her gaze towards the king and nobles present:

"Many of you may think what I say is heretical, but let me ask, if one doesn’t have the noble blood that you naturally possess, yet accomplishes as you do, or even greater feats, isn’t this precisely God’s will?"

"Yes, it is God’s will!"

"Praise Saint Losa!"

"Praise the Saintess!"

"Hail, the Just!"

People shouted with fervor.

The allure of the Holy Land lay precisely in the ability for a former worthless pauper to ascend to a lord of a city overnight after accomplishing deeds?

Countless impoverished Pilgrims, Wandering Knights from the lower class came to the Holy Land for pilgrimage, precisely seeking an opportunity to stand out.

They were well aware that Losa was not rambling. Under his command, there were many instances proving Losa was never bound by origin, quite willing to promote soldiers from the lower class to Knights, Cavalry.

For instance, the most famous Winged Cavalry under Losa, nine-tenths were of lower-class peasant origin.

Today, those knighted by Losa were mostly of peasant origin.

"Your Majesty, isn’t this kind of..."

Baron Godfrey whispered in Baldwin IV’s ear.

"Kind of what? Heretical?"

Baldwin IV shook his head and said: "Losa is a young man, and his command structure is of an emerging force as it should be, with youthful energy and envy-inducing."

Baron Godfrey whispered: "I just worry he might end up on everyone’s opposing side."

"Then you underestimate him."

The young His Majesty the King looked at Losa with admiration: "He indeed prefers to promote lower-class peasants, but within his territory, he behaves even more restrained than I imagined. No matter new foals or established conservers, they can all gain benefits from him; as long as the balance is struck, his position is forever stable. Lord Godfrey, do you know what he once said to me?"

"What?"

The King gazed at his confidant’s curiosity, smiling: "He said he didn’t wish to fight with a group of scavenging catfish over leftovers in the small pond of the Kingdom of Jerusalem."

He looked up, expressing some emotion: "Therefore, he’s going to lead these old catfish and new catfish towards the vast world outside the pond."

Just as the words fell.

Godfrey saw Losa had already raised his arm, calling out: "From today onwards, everyone can join my Crusade to reclaim Egypt and Cyrenaica."