Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 574 - 348: Scheming

Damietta, originally within the Governor's Mansion of Governor Iben.

The Double-headed Eagle Badge on the table suddenly lit up with dazzling light.

A slender white hand picked up the badge and brought it to an ear:

"Hello, Losa?"

Anna's voice came from the badge.

"No, it's Prajna."

A cool voice sounded.

The one appearing today is the old version of Prajna.

Ever since obtaining the Anomalous Form, she often appears in different forms. When Losa is around, it often gives him the illusion that he has two wives, no wait, he already has two wives, it should be the illusion of having three wives.

"Ah, oh, he didn't answer the communication, he must be busy with something important, right? I have something to tell him, Richard the Lionheart boarded a ship at the port of Gascony a few days ago. It is said that he is first heading to Portugal to help the Crusaders there defeat the Berbers, and then proceeding to the Holy Land."

She took a breath and continued, "But if we really wait until then, at least half a year will pass. Under the premise that Losa has already taken Damietta and is calling all Christians in Europe to join the crusade, given my analysis of his character, he probably won't follow the plan obediently."

"Hey, are you listening?"

Prajna responded, "Listening."

Anna said helplessly, "Right now, the Empire is fully focused on conquering Sicily. If Richard the Lionheart really reaches the Holy Land, Her Majesty the Empress may not be able to provide you with any specific support."

"Hmm."

Prajna's reaction left Anna somewhat uninterested, but she also knew that Prajna was never a talkative person, and they didn't have much rapport. She quickly left a sentence, "Please pass on my wishes for Losa to successfully take Aegustop Province and the Alexandria Metropolitan District."

Then she hung up the communication.

Prajna put down the badge and looked at Losa beside her.

On the bed, Losa was sleeping soundly.

He had been asleep for a whole day.

This time, he could not tell how the records of the battles matched the reality.

Jeanne had just visited recently, because she sensed Losa using her power, but seeing Losa show no signs of abnormality, she left.

…

Within Damietta Province.

A castle had just been breached by the Crusaders, with incomplete corpses scattered everywhere, vultures hovering in the sky, blazing flames, and tattered banners all indicating the brutality of this siege.

Wearing a helmet and with a fierce expression, Sebastian brutally killed a trembling pagan civilian before him.

These days, many familiar Crusader nobles from Europe have gained more or less, either capturing a few castles, waiting for Losa's fiefdom decree to be issued to get ennobled; or defeating scattered enemy troops but capturing some important figures, extorting a large ransom; or simply winning a great battle, defeating many enemies and gaining a rich bounty.

Only he, having hired mercenaries with little reliability in combat, coincidentally encountered a tough battle, and the capture of a castle cost them dearly.

At any rate, mercenaries dying is just part of it.

But this is not Apennines; wanting to hire more with money again is simply impossible.

A fellow knight, seeing this scene, couldn't help but step forward to dissuade him, "Cardinal, didn't Duke Losa explicitly prohibit the massacre of civilians?"

Sebastian sneered, pulling out a piece of silk to wipe the bloodstained hilt of his Armed Sword, "Expecting mercenaries not to plunder is like asking wolves not to eat meat, or dogs not to gnaw bones. Besides, everyone here is one of ours; how would Losa know what happens here?"

He paused, with a somewhat sarcastic tone, "You seem to be quite used to calling him Duke Losa, don't forget, he hasn't yet been crowned by the diocesan bishop of the Great Orthodox Church, so what duke does he consider himself?"

The knight fell silent, understanding Sebastian's hostility towards Losa, but to many civilians and knights, there isn't much difference among Public Church, Orthodox Church, and Coptic Church.

"He won't stay smug for long."

Sebastian sneered again, "Knight Borian, have you gathered the materials I asked for?"

The knight nodded slightly, "Almost."

"Knight Borian, remember, soon it won't be this self-proclaimed Duke Losa in charge here. A true king is about to arrive at the Holy Land."

He paused, adding meaningfully, "Perhaps not just one."

…

In the world of battle records, Turin.

The next morning, Losa awaited Lavinia's visit.

"Do me a favor, send this child on the steamship headed to the New Continent."

"Alright."

"Aren't you going to ask about the reasons behind this?"

"I'm waiting for you to tell me, aren't I?"

"What if I don't say anything?"

"Then I just won't ask."

Lavinia shot a deep look at Losa, sighed, "A factory owner named Madlen invented a technology improving the steam engine." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"What technology?"

"I'm not too sure, seems to be a technology that can greatly enhance its operational efficiency with just magic stone powder."

Losa nodded, aware that this world has machines driven by both magic power and steam, but the costs are usually extremely high, requiring a type of magic stone more expensive than gold.

This technology is not that rare, but the reason, like the white crystal used by the Wolf Race in Texas, is that most of the production areas are located in the colonies of England and France, which is one reason why the industrialization process of these two countries steadily leads other countries in Europe.

"So, just using magic stone powder does reduce the cost significantly, such a valuable talent, the Wolf Lord would probably keep him in hand first, right? Otherwise, the Habsburg, French, and English would be restless."

"Perhaps, but as a result, Mr. Madlen ended up in prison, the factories and machines he owned being all occupied by the Sassari Family."

Losa widened his eyes in disbelief.

"Surprised?"

"A bit."

"But the Sassari Family aren't fools, they have their own considerations, in any case, I plan to make a legal defense for Mr. Madlen, as there are significant interests involved, so I hope you can send Potter away first."

"Alright, leave it to me."

"Thank you."

Lavinia's expression was somewhat complex; she didn't explain why she insisted on going to Milan to defend a factory owner. It was already rare for Losa to help her this much.

She might encounter many dangers next, not wishing to get her only friend involved.

"If you need help, reach out to me anytime."

"Alright, I will."

Losa said helplessly, "Your expression doesn't seem like you will."

"What expression?"

"The expression of someone who would bear it all even if the sky falls."

Losa teased and continued, "Nia, it's only natural for friends to help each other. If one day, I ask you for help, would you refuse?"

Lavinia opened her mouth.

Intended to say it depends on what the matter is.

But with the atmosphere set up to this point, staring at Losa's sincere face, she really couldn't say it, so she just nodded and said, "I will help you too."

"That settles it then."

Losa smiled smugly, "So, let's send the person together first, and then head to Milan together — the lady hasn't assigned me tasks yet, last night I even got a note for paid vacation, my wallet is quite stuffed now."

Seeing Losa's somewhat exaggerated expression, warmth rose in Lavinia's heart, she pursed her lips and whispered, "Thank you."

"You're welcome."