Chapter 48: Chaotic Situation
On the black and white checkered chessboard, Lothar, playing Black, had already been defeated multiple times. The system's notification sound had also chimed in Lothar's ear many times.
[You have been promoted to the rank of Baron of the Kingdom. Received: Extraordinary Retainer Card Draw x1. Using this, you will gain the allegiance of a random 4-star retainer.]
[You have obtained "Jorgklusburg" as your fief. Please proceed to your fief as soon as possible to activate all functions of the system.]
"Baron, you seem somewhat distracted." Baldwin IV was a little dissatisfied with Lothar "going easy" on him.
Lothar nodded in admission. "Indeed, somewhat. After all, I am merely the second son of my family. My lifelong goal before this was simply to seek a small fief as a place to settle down."
"I understand. I hope your chess skills will have improved by our next game." Baldwin IV gestured for Lothar to depart.
Before he left, Baldwin IV spoke again, "Lothar, do not invest too much of your energy in that fief. Jerusalem is your true stage."
Being far from Jerusalem meant being far from the Kingdom's center of power, much like the city of Kaymont Lothar had passed through on his return. Though it was a reasonably prosperous city fief, its lord was unwilling to reside there, instead running off to hold a position in Jerusalem.
"I understand, Your Majesty."
Baldwin IV nodded slightly and waved his hand. "When the situation calms down a bit, I will have another appointment for you, perhaps to command an army. Be mentally prepared. Go now, Lothar. Don't forget to find my royal herald. I will have him create your personal seal and record it in the Kingdom's peerage rolls."
"May the Heavenly Father bless you, my liege lord."
"And may the Heavenly Father bless you, my loyal knight and baron."
Lothar bid farewell to Baldwin IV and, holding a "letters patent for the fief" personally written by Baldwin IV, strode down the narrow corridor. This was his proof of identity, stipulating his authority over his fief regarding official appointments, tax collection, ownership of all land, and a series of other rights. It also affirmed the "feudal obligations" he needed to fulfill as a noble of the Kingdom.
Lothar found the royal herald, presented his letters patent, and generously paid one gold coin for the crafting and material fees before taking his leave. He didn't need to personally design his own coat of arms; after a period, the herald would deliver his seal and armorial banner. In this era, personal heraldry was inextricably linked to titles and territories and couldn't be changed arbitrarily by oneself.
Before departing, Lothar couldn't help but look back at the towering palace. Although he wouldn't necessarily sacrifice for Baldwin IV, how could he not feel grateful for being held in such high regard?
***
Leaving the royal palace, Lothar, after a long time, mounted his warhorse that he had brought from Aargau and rode straight to Baron Godfrey's manor. He handed the reins to a servant and, without waiting to be announced, strode into the manor.
"Balian! Knight Kevin!"
At that moment, Balian was fully armed, wearing heavy chainmail and a great helm, practicing with Knight Kevin, the crisp sound of metal striking metal ringing out.
Seeing Lothar arrive, the two stopped their training. Joyful expressions appeared on both their faces.
"Knight Lothar, you've finally returned!"
"You should address him as Baron Lothar now." Baron Godfrey, wearing a silk casual robe, rose and walked towards Lothar. Clearly, he had communicated with Baldwin IV before. "His Majesty has granted you an audience, hasn't he?"
"Mm."
"You two continue. Lothar, come with me. There are some things I need to discuss with you." Lothar nodded to Balian and Knight Kevin, then followed Baron Godfrey into the inner courtyard of the manor.
Balian gazed at Lothar's departing back, his expression somewhat complex, a mixture of envy and admiration. "Knight Lothar is truly held in high regard by His Majesty, to be promoted to Baron so quickly."
Knight Kevin sighed lightly. "Baron Lothar is an outstanding man, and he has exceptional talents like Hans under his command. I am not surprised he could be promoted to Baron. As for you, my young lord, we should continue our practice."
A trace of bitterness also filled Knight Kevin's heart. He had served the Ibelin family for so many years yet had never obtained a true noble title; how could he not feel regret?
Outside the room, the sound of clashing metal resumed.
Inside the room, Baron Godfrey's expression was somewhat complicated. Lothar had just finished telling him about the Kurdish cavalry troop's departure.
"So that was Abdullah's choice?" He sighed deeply. "Actually, when I learned that King Nur al-Din still had a living heir, I already realized this day would come. Hopefully, they can truly disrupt Saladin's rule over Antioch and Edessa. That would be a good thing for us too."
Lothar said gravely, "Lord Godfrey, I don't understand. I haven't been gone for that long; how has the situation in the city changed so drastically?"
"Heh, politics is like that, ever-changing." Baron Godfrey sighed. "Ever since the court council decided to form the Pilgrim Crusader Army, the seeds of conflict among the three factions were sown. Everyone wants to secure more wealth and larger troop quotas. And I, as it happens, was appointed by His Majesty as the Grand Master of the Royal Knights of Jerusalem."
Lothar's brow furrowed slightly. He knew the Royal Knights of Jerusalem possessed thirty knights and two hundred armored cavalry. The strength of this knightly order was in no way inferior to the Knights of Jerusalem controlled by Regent Raymond. Now, all major military orders were expanding their forces, and the Royal Knights were naturally no exception, which involved the allocation of military funds and positions.
"Raymond wants me to side with him. He says he will do his utmost to invalidate the legitimacy of this duel. Raynald, on the other hand, wants to force me to resign from the position of Grand Master of the Royal Knights. He guarantees that in this duel, Guy will not harm a single hair on Balian's head."
Lothar said thoughtfully, "No wonder His Majesty suggested I represent Balian in this duel. This duel actually concerns the very survival of the King's Party."
Godfrey smiled bitterly. "Guy is an extremely skilled knight, having once achieved the illustrious fame of champion knight throughout Provence. You might not necessarily be his opponent either."
"I have already rejected His Majesty's proposal." Lothar said gravely, "Balian worked as a blacksmith for a long time, but that doesn't mean he has no pride. He will not agree to let someone else complete this sacred duel in his stead. If we do that, Balian's pride will be completely crushed. The blow to him would undoubtedly be devastating."
Godfrey was silent for a moment, then nodded. "The boy indeed has such a character. That's why I often feel he is not suited for the Kingdom's political arena."
Lothar's heart also felt somewhat heavy. Baron Godfrey was the undisputed leader of the King's Party. Although he himself had now been promoted to Baron, his status, influence, and strength were far inferior to Baron Godfrey's. If Baron Godfrey fell, the King's Party could basically be declared finished. He alone could not possibly carry the banner of the King's Party.
"You need not worry too much. Perhaps there is still a way out." Baron Godfrey's expression suddenly turned somewhat peculiar.
Lothar didn't quite understand his meaning, but remembering that this was an old fox who had fought in Jerusalem's political arena for many years, the tension in his heart finally eased slightly. He asked, "Where is the duel to be held?"
"On the review field west of the city."
Lothar nodded. "I will bring my private troops to observe. My army now looks quite presentable, and they are all armored sergeants. Hopefully, it will make Guy hesitate when he makes a move."
Baron Godfrey smiled. "Go then. We shall see each other there."
***
After finishing his training, Balian washed himself and walked into his room. He suddenly stopped, his expression astonished. On the table, a crystal vial filled with a brilliant blue liquid reflected a rainbow-like iridescent glow under the sunlight.
By the window, a woman in a black wizard's robe stared at him coldly. "If you want to defeat Guy and marry Princess Sibylla, then drink this Dragon's Blood."
Balian exclaimed in surprise, "Eve! Why have you come to Jerusalem too?"
The woman cloaked in the wizard's robe spoke in a voice as cold as ice, "Naturally, to repay a debt of gratitude, and to settle the score between us. You once saved my life; I cannot just stand by and watch you die under Guy's sword."
A shadow crossed Balian's face. If not for being a devout believer, he truly couldn't accept being with a witch. He would definitely have chosen Eve.
"Dragon's Blood is a potion concocted by my master, made from the blood of a Spinosaurus from the Scandinavian snow mountains. It can greatly enhance your physical attributes."
"This potion must be very precious, right?"
"No, it's nothing. Nothing to me."
"You're lying to me." Balian picked up the crystal vial and said gravely, "If this potion were truly nothing, Emperor Henry would have long since used it to arm his knights."
Eve "heh-ed" a laugh. "What's it to you? I'm leaving. Go on and continue your sweet dream of becoming king."
'Bang—' She transformed into a black crow, filled with an ominous aura, shot through the window, and soared into the sky.