The blaze behind roared fiercely.
But those heretics merely disassembled the nearby encampment, with not a thought of putting out the fire.
More and more armored infantry surrounded them. The strict formation and the cold glinting spears made Amalric feel deep despair.
He watched helplessly as a Knight was surrounded by the group of Saracen Warriors.
The forest-like long spears frightened the warhorse so much that it couldn't run, and the Knight on its back was forcibly dragged down by the surging heretics.
They wielded short swords, like can openers, finding several weak spots in the armor and stabbed fiercely.
He wanted to surrender, but only then realized that he was not like Count Raymond, a noble often dealing with heretics, and couldn't speak their language at all.
And at such a critical moment, a single moment of inattention could lead to being pulled off his horse by the enemy and a dagger thrust between the gaps in the armor taking his life.
"Heavenly Father above, is it because I went against justice that I have ended up ?"
Amalric murmured softly, his voice full of despair.
But at this moment, the dense sound of hooves rang out.
Screams echoed incessantly.
Not far away, the figure that made him grit his teeth in hatred yesterday, was charging towards him, leading a group of Winged Cavalry.
"Am I seeing things!"
"Losa, he... he brought the Personal Guards to save us?"
Amalric's voice trembled with excessive excitement.
Guy also looked disbelievingly in that direction, indeed feeling no animosity towards Losa, as no direct conflict ever existed between them.
What Losa did was, truth be told, quite admirable.
Yet he never imagined that Losa would risk himself, bringing only his Personal Guards back to the camp to rescue them.
This is simply... foolish?
Yes, utterly foolish!
But why is it so moving?
Guy felt his face flushed with heat, shame, surprise, relief, mixed with all sorts of emotions.
"Don't just stand there, follow up quickly!"
He had just leveled up in the battle, and the newly acquired Attribute Points were, as usual, added to Spirit.
So now, he was maintaining the night vision ability for his cavalry under his command.
Though their numbers had decreased significantly, the consumption for Losa, unfamiliar with night vision magic, was not insignificant at all.
Almost retracing their route, the cavalry behind Losa grew from the initial dozen to over fifty.
Those scattered and stranded cavalrymen, aside from those already fallen, were mostly found by him.
Over fifty cavalrymen, unstoppable, after more than half an hour of fierce battle, miraculously charged out from the direction they came.
Adil lifted the tent flap, walking in with a sullen face: "My King, tonight, we lost at least five thousand men, and a third of our stored grain was burned."
Saladin was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice: "The loss is so severe?"
Adil also appeared dazed for a while before saying: "They had an Extraordinary among them, but it was well concealed. Some of our soldiers used Demon-Blocking Gold but targeted the wrong person, with no effect."
In fact, they hadn't targeted the wrong person.
But the system-produced Attendants walked an Extraordinary path completely different from this world, and they simply didn't have the "Demon-Blocking Gold" weakness.
Saladin mused: "Perhaps I should also build a tower like Emperor Henry of the Franks in Cairo, to cultivate a batch of Casters."
"Prepare to withdraw the troops."
"Tomorrow morning, send out a messenger to convey my desire for negotiation to Baldwin IV. We can't continue this battle."
There wasn't much defeat on Saladin's face.
Adil was somewhat puzzled: "My King, our elite forces are still strong, and the losses are small. We can completely summon more troops to continue."
Saladin smiled: "No more, Adil. A loss is a loss. Let Baldwin IV claim one last victory over me, it doesn't matter. Next time, I will win it back."
Adil did not consider the costs of continuously extracting forces from their territories.
Perhaps adding up all military forces under the Lords and Chiefs, there were still a hundred thousand people, but were these Chiefs truly willing to drain their coffers to join the Jihad?
Privately allying, making peace, and promising non-aggression with the Crusader Lords, there were countless Fire Worship Lords.
For the common people, faith was everything.
But for the noble lords, faith was truly just a business.
Early the next morning.
News of the Saracen envoy had spread throughout the Crusader camp.
The entire army moved, arraying themselves on the hillside, watching Baldwin IV riding a white horse with his servants to meet Saladin. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖•𝗇𝗲𝘁
Saladin's servants had already set up a canopy for shade.
In the canopy sat a table with two chairs inlaid with Demon-Blocking Gold.
Baldwin IV and Saladin took their seats.
Saladin, after seating himself, did not greet Baldwin IV immediately but looked at Losa: "You must be Baron Losa?"
Losa politely nodded in acknowledgment.
He held respect for this heretic king as well.
Saladin said solemnly: "In this battle, you dealt a great blow to my forces. If not for you, the outcome may have been different. But I must tell you, should you ever fall into my hands, I will fulfill my brother's promise to you — spare your life."
Losa earnestly replied: "Thank you for your magnanimity."
Baldwin IV smiled and said: "King Saladin, our respective war records were originally one win each; in your eyes, they remain the same. For this victory was Losa's, not mine."
He paused briefly, before emitting a restrained cough.
"Yet this at least proves my judgment is better than yours."
Saladin proposed: "I brought a chessboard, would you like a game?"
Baldwin IV raised his hand, gesturing: "I see no reason not to."
The chess game lasted a long time.
Under the scorching sun, both armies faced off, their stamina waning.
Later, Baldwin IV's hand trembled slightly.
Saladin then said: "Your health is poor, let's stop here for now. Someday, I hope we can, as friends, play a good game of chess under a real roof."
"I hope for the same."
"Next, how about a three-year truce between our nations?"
The two monarchs looked at each other and bid farewell.
Losa somewhat anxiously asked: "Your Majesty, are you alright?"
Baldwin IV shook his head, stepping on his servant's back with difficulty to mount his horse, yet his voice was somewhat cheerful as he said: "Saladin wanted to test how long I might live, so I gave him the impression I'm nearing death."
"Let's go, Baron Losa, next I still need to help you claim your title from that Reynard cooped up in Kaler Castle."
Losa earnestly said: "If we forcefully strip his title, it might cause turmoil. The Kingdom can't withstand such a blow now, Your Majesty, let's proceed cautiously."
A prompt sound rang in his ear.
Kingdom-level campaign: Declared end.
Engaged sides: Ayyubid Kingdom, Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Major battles: Defense of Kaler Castle, Siege of Rogge Castle, Battle of Akas.
Your affiliated faction is the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Important Commanders: Baldwin IV, Raymond III, Grand Master Gerard of the Templar Order, Grand Master Roger of the Hospital Knights, Reynard of Chatillon, Losa of Algo.
Your contribution ranks first.
Settlement reward: Six-star Servant Lottery Ticket ×1
Rare Quality Mount Lottery Ticket ×1
You have completed the milestone: Turning the Tide [You successfully changed the course of a major campaign, bringing victory to the disadvantaged side.]
Reward received: Epic Quality Item Lottery Ticket ×1
Having obtained the greatest reward, Losa honestly did not care much for an additional Count title.