"Losa, your performance at Kaler Castle was quite impressive. Honestly, when I learned of your tremendous achievements, even I felt a hint of envy."
Losa smiled modestly and said, "My lord, if it wasn't for you holding off the Saracens' offensive from the north, even if we achieved some small victories here, they wouldn't be worth mentioning. If you speak of envy, there's really no need, because the achievements you've attained are clearly superior to mine."
Raymond laughed heartily, "When I speak of envy, it's not envy of you, but of your father Werner. Even though I might surpass him in many ways, there's one thing I can never compare with, and that is having such an outstanding son."
Their exchange of mutual praise made even the oblivious aware of Losa's rising prestige in the Kingdom.
"If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to seek me out. As a Feudal Lord, the challenges are not solely from the heretical adversaries; the arrows that strike from behind are the most deadly."
Losa was slightly taken aback.
Though Raymond's words seemed to be crafted to win favor, Losa detected an unusual vibe.
Could it be that Raymond knows the local strongmen are planning to take action against him?
"My lord, thank you for your warning, but I don't think those pests lurking in the shadows, the rats scurrying in the sewers, pose any threat to me." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒·𝗇𝗲𝘁
Raymond nodded, "It seems I was overthinking. A brilliant Commander-in-Chief ought to consider these matters."
Pausing for emphasis, he continued, "Count Losa, what are your thoughts on the Kingdom's plan to form two new standing armies?"
As the Great Lord of the Kingdom, nominally second only to Count Raymond, Losa's opinion held significant weight at this moment.
Losa glanced at Baron Godfrey, not having conferred with him or the King beforehand, so he was unsure what roles they might play.
Seeing Godfrey nod slightly.
Losa then said, "I believe this matter should be quite clear by now. From this war, haven't we seen the disparity between the enemy and us?"
"We exerted every effort to muster fifty thousand troops, while the Kingdom's total population, including those who don't need to perform military service—half are heretics—does not exceed a million."
"Yet Saladin effortlessly assembled sixty thousand troops, attacking us from two directions."
Losa looked at the crowd, his tone subtly sarcastic, "I know many still cling to the idea that Crusader Knights can easily overwhelm those Slave Cavalry, but the Saracens aren't static either; they learn as well."
"Surely this time you've realized their Mamluk Cavalry differ greatly from those earlier Gulams, haven't you?"
Raymond agreed deeply, "Indeed, I never expected that the heretics' Cavalry made of slaves could rival our noble knights."
"Yes, my lord, they were born as slaves but were immersed in the scriptures of Fire Worship from a young age, trained in Martial Arts like the knights; it's only logical they're not weaker than our knights."
As their dialogue continued in harmony, it signified that the two largest Feudal Lords in the Kingdom had decided to jointly push the establishment of a standing army.
Alongside Baron Godfrey and the King behind the scenes.
This council meeting held no suspense.
After the council meeting dispersed.
Losa instructed a Winged Cavalry under his command, "Send a set of Refined Plate Armor to Count Raymond."
The other set, he planned to give to Baron Godfrey.
On one hand, it's to show goodwill; on the other, for the most prominent lords within Jerusalem City to don Hebron-made Refined Plate Armor is the best advertisement possible.
Baron Godfrey thumped Losa's chest, producing a dull echo, "Good on you, even Raymond wants to win you over now; how does it feel?"
"How does what feel?"
Losa feigned ignorance in his response.
"Of course, how does it feel to be the Count of Transjordan?"
"Being flattered, hearing flattering words daily, countless people want to please me—tsk, honestly, if I said this doesn't feel good, it'd be nonsense."
Losa smiled and said, "But Baron Godfrey, I always remember your advice before we parted, so don't worry about me losing my way."
"It's reassuring to hear you say that."
"Come, let's go pay our respects to Your Majesty together."
After Godfrey finished speaking, he nodded in acknowledgment to Prajna, Furinjira, and Jeanne, then led Losa together into the long passage leading to the King's bedchamber.