Time flies like a white steed flitting past a crevice; it's fleeting.

It has been a full ten days since the public trial.

During these ten days, Losa's life pace tended towards calm.

He learned riding and swordsmanship from Jeanne, studied Blood Magic with Furinjira, and worked with Prajna on creating the second part of the "Song of Winter and Summer."

Occasionally, they would gather together to play cards, which was a nice pastime. As long as the deck's strength was controlled, it remained competitive.

This week's card draw reward was a stable.

The effect is: significantly reducing the chance of horses getting sick, increasing the success rate of horse breeding, and was directly placed by Losa outside the city, in the pasture managed by Stable Chief Laine.

The plate armor produced by the blacksmith workshop, as expected, sparked a frenzy in Jerusalem. Some wealthy lords' pre-orders soared to more than thirty sets in a short time, and they were all refined plate armors.

This influx of funds was reinvested by Losa into expanding production capacity and increasing iron farm tool output.

As for the purple garments, as expected by Housekeeper Kurs, they met with a cold reception.

People of this era prefer bright colors rather than dull, restrained tones. They would rather dress in gaudy, vibrant colors like colorful birds.

The dye workshop has started to cut production, and although it resulted in a small loss, this amount is insignificant compared to Losa's vast expenditures.

As for the future, whether Kurs can "create demand" and make this color's clothing popular is up to him.

A letter from His Majesty the King arrived.

In the letter, Baldwin IV jokingly half-complained: "Losa, do you want the knights of the Kingdom to stop training and gather in the shade to play cards and gamble?"

The messenger saw the embarrassed look on Losa's face and laughed, saying, "Sir, now in Jerusalem, you can see groups of people playing cards in every tavern, even all night long. However, the incidents of fighting have indeed decreased significantly, and the priests all regard Gwent as a good pastime."

The priests all regard it?

Losa chuckled inwardly, thinking it must be that Kurs spent money to make these priests advocate for Gwent, right?

"Messenger, please wait a moment. I need to write a reply to His Majesty."

Judging from Baldwin IV's half-joking tone, this matter isn't serious, though the gambling habit shouldn't be overly encouraged, at least not openly.

The letter wasn't finished when another messenger from Count Raymond arrived.

Upon opening it, Losa discovered that Count Raymond was somewhat displeased that his portrait was printed on a card for public entertainment.

Losa couldn't help but laugh, "Raymond seems to be dissatisfied that his card's effect isn't as strong as mine."

Both were cards that could destroy the opponent's close combat row.

Losa's could destroy the highest point card, while Raymond's could only destroy the first card on the left hand side; this clearly showed the difference.

Raymond's disappointment was evident; having his valiant image printed on a card and spread around was far better than having nicknames like "shorty," "lame," "fat," or "bald" for monarchs.

Previously, only the most loyal vassals would hang their lord's portrait in the castle hall.

Now, a large number of commoners cherished having their portraits, which clearly helped enhance their prestige.

"Honorable Lord of Tiberias, I have learned of your will. Next, I will release a more powerful Raymond card, perhaps the 'Wise Raymond,' boosting all siege weapons?"

He picked up the pen.

The reply was finished.

Losa breathed a sigh of relief, realizing his restraint hadn't caused much of a stir among the nobility; otherwise, it wouldn't have been just these two light letters arriving.

He may not have started any workshops in his own name, but anyone with connections would know who was behind these workshops.

...

Hebron was also changing.

A large amount of iron farm tools consistently flowed from the blacksmith workshop, distributed to local manors, and reached tenant farmers and smallholders through rental.

The manure produced by public toilets was gathered for composting before being transported to the fields.

Land distribution greatly liberated people's labor enthusiasm. The Imperial Knights delegated to the localities, at Losa's request, also began to encourage residents to build irrigation canals.

It is foreseeable that this year will definitely be a bumper year.

But such change takes at least a quarter to show results.

Moreover, the development of gunpowder is also underway.

Next to the public toilet, saltpeter can be produced, although in small quantities, it's still sufficient for experiments.

However, due to the apparent constraints of this world's rules, gunpowder cannot exert its full power. Even someone like Jeanne, familiar with the formula, cannot mix a potent version of it.

At best, it's just fireworks.

Losa decisively halted this research, leaving only a small team to see if they could produce a usable "fertilizer" with rudimentary methods.

The grain yield of this period is simply too low.

...

At noon, the sun was scorchingly hot.

Losa, under a newly built pavilion in his estate, set up a small stove on which sliced beef and lamb were being grilled.

In a snow-white porcelain dish beside it, lay all sorts of spices and fine white salt, precious for this era.

Jeanne picked up the grilled meat, taking a bite of meat followed by a sip of wine, her lips glistening with grease.

She remarked with some regret, "It's a pity there are no chili peppers."

Chili peppers originate from the New Continent.

And the pioneers of the new trade routes.

Castile and the Kingdom of Portugal are still at war with the Umayyad Dynasty on the Iberian Peninsula.

Both sides fight under the banner of "reconquering lost lands," slaughtering each other on the mountain and hill-dotted, grassy Iberian Peninsula.

This is because, before the Umayyad Dynasty captured the Iberian Peninsula, the rulers here were the West Gothic Kingdom (which follows Christianity), built on the remnants of the Western Empire.

"Furin, Prajna, you really don't want to try it?"

Both of them refused.

Their attitude towards human food is often one of acceptance but not necessity.

Sheriff Model jogged in: "Sir, there's a knight outside requesting an audience. He claims he is Baron Fulk from Languedoc."

"Let him in."

The knight, covered in bloodstains, strode into the estate. Upon seeing Losa, he knelt on one knee, his face full of grief, and said:

"Sir, our lady has been attacked by heretics. They claim to be the troops of Zain Aladdin, the lords of Dahab and Eira Port, demanding you pay a ransom to be delivered to Eira Port by tomorrow for a hostage exchange."

Losa frowned, "Don't rush, Baron Fulk, first explain, to which lady do you pledge allegiance?"

"Sir, our lady is Lady Eleanor of Languedoc."

"Eleanor?"

Losa furrowed his brows.

Isn't she the one recently allied with Reynard? They want me to pay a ransom? Are they trying to use a borrowed knife, to spark conflict between Reynard and me?

This Eleanor, Losa has also heard of.

She is from the Anjou, or Plantagenet family, a branch in Languedoc, although called Eleanor, she's not the same person as Grand Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine.

She is a devout pilgrim, having lived in the Holy Land for quite some time, and must have already hooked up with Reynard.

After all, if Reynard wants to expand his power through marriage, choosing local noblewomen is the best option.

Losa mused, "Knight, you came directly from Gaul, didn't you?"

If it were a local nobleman, they'd surely know the strained relationship between him and Reynard. Zain Aladdin's intentions are also quite explicit.

Fulk, somewhat puzzled, nodded: "Yes, Sir."

"It's a good opportunity. Zain Aladdin thinks I'm a new lord with few troops and weak power, repeatedly provoking me. Striking back wouldn't break any treaty, right?"

If necessary, Losa is reluctant to carry the nickname of "renegade."

"Send word to gather all my knights and armored soldiers, it's time to reclaim Eira Port and Alandler City."

Fulk, a bit excited, said: "Sir, thank you for your assistance. You are indeed the most merciful and generous lord of the Kingdom of Jerusalem."

He secretly glanced at Losa's profile, silently thinking, this gentleman truly is as handsome as depicted on the card.

Losa smiled and waved his hand: "Go rest and heal, Baron Fulk. I admire loyal knights like you. When you wake, the lady you serve will be here safe and sound."

After speaking, Losa stood to summon the Imperial Knights and Winged Cavalry stationed in various estates and villages.

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