"In any case, the more commotion, the better."
"If you achieve merit and delay the heretics’ attack for a few more years until the new batch of Crusaders arrives, Jerusalem City will be impregnable."
"In fact, Jerusalem is already in a perilous state. The Eastern Empire’s main adversary is the Turkic people entrenched in Asia Minor, dominated by the Sassan, who cannot provide us much assistance."
"And Saladin of the Ayyubid, he alone in Damascus commands an army of a hundred thousand. Once he decides to attack with full force, unless Gaul, Great Germania, and Albion all organize a massive Crusader force to aid us, we stand no chance of victory on our own."
Baldwin IV’s tone was somewhat heavy; he did not wish for the Celestial Dynasty, established by his ancestors, to fall in his hands.
Losa nodded and said, "I will do my utmost to complete this mission, striving to ignite war on the eastern border of the Ayyubid Kingdom—I believe that the King of Kings of the Sassan would not want to see Saladin successfully reclaim the Holy Land either."
Baldwin IV nodded and said, "Indeed, he needs a reason, and we will give him that reason."
He paused slightly, lowering his voice, "The secrecy of this mission must not be known to anyone. Once it is completed, I will bestow honors on you in the name of having defeated a heretic army."
Losa was silent for a moment, then frowned and asked, "Your Majesty, in Jerusalem, is there anyone colluding with the heretics?"
As soon as he spoke, he realized he had uttered something foolish.
With countless foreigners in Jerusalem now, it was like a large sieve, and the situation within could definitely not be concealed from anyone intent on snooping.
Baldwin smiled enigmatically, then with some difficulty, he propped himself up on the table and stood up: "Knight Losa, pledge your oath to me."
Losa responded, "Yes," went down on one knee, and said, "Heavenly Father above, I—Losa von Habsburg, swear allegiance to my lord, His Majesty Baldwin IV, to pledge undying loyalty, never to part from his side."
Baldwin drew his sword with a clink and placed it on Losa’s shoulder: "In the name of the King of Jerusalem, Grand Master of the Royal Order of Jerusalem, Guardian of the Holy Land, and sole Commander-in-Chief of all Crusaders, Baldwin IV, I accept your fealty. May the Heavenly Father bless you, Knight Losa."
Having finished all this, Baldwin IV let out a long sigh and almost lost his balance, which clearly showed how dire his condition was at this moment. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs novel✶fire.net
He sat in his chair and, after some time, regained his composure, speaking warmly with a hint of apology:
"Losa, I should have embraced you now and granted you a fiefdom, but due to my illness and the kingdom’s situation, I cannot fulfill either task."
"No matter, Your Majesty."
Losa shook his head quickly.
"You are new to Jerusalem and need a place to settle. I grant you Constant Manor in the western district, which was once your father’s estate. He returned it to the Royal Family before leaving, and now I give it back to you."
"And furthermore, I grant you a thousand Gold Coins of Suludes, which you may use to recruit pilgrims and train soldiers there."
"In addition, I know you are limited on personnel. You can carry my insignia and seek assistance from Baron Godfrey to complete this mission. Baron Godfrey is one of the very few people I can completely trust right now."
Losa smiled and said, "As you wish, my sovereign whom I serve."