Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 602 - 375: Council

The emergence of a new Divine Wood immediately made people forget about Maimonides.

"It's a miracle!"

"It's a reward from the Heavenly Father for our piety!"

"I used to think that the territories of Arishe and Yasal were a hot potato, that the Duke granting this barren land to Knight Commander Jeanne was too harsh. But who would've thought a Divine Wood would be born immediately."

"A land flowing with milk and honey—this is a land flowing with milk and honey!"

Someone exclaimed joyfully: "This fertile land, having lost its former glory under the hold of heretics, will become a true Earthly Heaven as Christians reclaim the Alexandria District and Egypt!"

"A Divine Wood?"

A hint of suspicion flashed across Lionheart's face.

Before he came, he heard that there was a giant oak tree reaching towards the sky in the lands of Transjordan. After arriving in the Holy Land, he heard that there seemed to be another Divine Wood in the Alandler Bishopric.

And now, today, a third one appeared.

Didn't the Queen say that this thing is a Holy Object of the Druidism faith of the Celtic people?

How can this Holy Object come in wholesale?

Losa glanced sideways with an indifferent expression at the tall and handsome king. He originally didn't intend to announce the birth of the third Tree of Life so early, as the new sprout's growth was not fast, nor did it have the nourishment of a giant dragon's flesh and blood like the mother tree.

It's better to have fewer disturbances.

However, as a sprout, the will of the mother tree can also extend and descend, with the size of the mother Tree of Life being comparable to a god. Ordinary Casters really might not be able to deal with it.

"Brothers, this is a reward from the Heavenly Father to us, but also a reminder and expectation. Damietta is just the beginning—Bilbas, Cairo, Alexandria—even to the northern Antioch, Edessa, Seleucia, Tarsus..."

Losa described the prospect of the Crusaders with a serious tone: "We will reclaim the territories of the Empire that fell into Saracen hands in the Eastern lands, establishing an overseas kingdom belonging to our Crusaders.

Brothers, we are fighting for God, but we are also fighting for ourselves!"

"Hurray, for God!"

"Heavenly Father above, we are ready to advance!"

"Your Grace, with just one command from you, we will immediately assemble and attack the cowardly heretics!"

The Crusader Lords, listening to Losa's depiction, seemed to see the lush olive groves, the verdant rice fields, the golden, wind-swept, and waving expanses of wheat fields...

In previous battles, they had gained quite a lot. Robbing these Saracen nobles was far more profitable than robbing the nobles of Europe.

Moreover, there were not a few nobles involved in the Crusades. Comparatively, the land and estates of the Damietta Province, excluding the estates affiliated with Damietta City, left little.

Too many wolves, not enough meat. Only a small number of nobles received land grants. Though they received an extra share of spoils for this, spoils would eventually be spent. How can they compare to a noble title that can be passed down to descendants?

A Knight quickly stepped forward, offering a sword in his hands, saying: "Your Grace, in this battle, I led my troops to capture a castle named Tinis, and I wish to offer it to you in exchange for your protection." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Losa accepted the sword with a smile: "Of course, my Knight."

He said, placing the longsword on the other's shoulder: "From this day forth, you are the Baron of Tinis..."

It was then that everyone realized and those granted fiefs stepped forward to swear loyalty to Losa.

However, some showed hesitation, glancing at Lionheart who was watching the ceremony with interest.

Sebastian's expression was somber, cursing inwardly, urging him to step up; if he continued to watch, it would be akin to recognizing Losa's self-proclaimed Duke title as legitimate, wouldn't it?

Unbeknownst to them, Richard, though not acknowledging Losa's self-proclaimed title, never intended to confront Losa directly at this point. Upon arriving in the Holy Land, he realized Losa's influence and supporters were far more than he anticipated.

Without his main forces, with his current strength, he was in no position to challenge Losa.

Though arrogant, he was not a fool.

The ceremony progressed smoothly.

Urding was brought out by Losa to serve as the host of the ceremony.

Sebastian had expected someone to speak out for fairness, but unexpectedly, this Bishop from humble beginnings, always clad in ragged clothes, had quite a high reputation, and no one stood up to voice objections.

The ceremony concluded quickly, with Losa gaining over twenty vassals of various sizes, including some noble lords who had never privately visited Losa. Losa treated everyone equally, showing no difference.

Among these vassals, there were no commoner-born lords. They were either heirs of European nobles with entire retinues of knighthood or local noble Crusaders from the East.

For ordinary soldiers to achieve class ascent was really difficult; even becoming an Attendant or Knight, considered 'quasi-nobles,' was a stroke of luck.

Losa's core forces and some ordinary soldiers who joined his army did receive honorary titles, gaining small fiefs from lands around Damietta, which originally belonged to Governor Iben.

However, these fiefs were nominal and could not be inherited.

The ceremony finished swiftly.

At this point, a Gaul noble stood up and said: "Your Grace, we need more supplies. Without your permission to encroach upon the heretics' estates, how will we sustain our armies?"

Before Losa could respond, a follower immediately rebuked: "The Lord only forbids you from looting civilians. The wealth plundered from the heretic chiefs—does it not fill your greedy, despicable stomach?"

The crowd was incensed.

Even a few nobles who initially were on good terms with him glared angrily.

The Gaul noble stammered: "Not everyone is so fortunate. We encountered an extremely fortified castle, with many garrison troops and strong defenses. After finally capturing it, we found that the castle's nobles had already broken out with their wealth."

He cautiously added: "Your Grace, we need provisions."

Losa frowned.

Each Crusader contingent was responsible for its own supplies, as was customary. He would only undertake a part of it, as was his duty as Commander-in-Chief.

"I will allocate a portion of the logistics sent by the Kingdom to you."