Arriving at Baron Goffrey's estate.

Losa, under the guidance of Knight Kevin, walked straight into the innermost quiet room.

"Sir, Count Losa has arrived."

"Come in."

Baron Goffrey's face indeed looked quite bad. Seeing Losa, he forced himself to sit up.

"Lord Goffrey."

"Pardon my appearance."

Indeed, it was laughable.

Because Baron Goffrey's old injury was on his third leg.

Losa stifled a laugh and comforted, "Don't worry, Bishop Urding will be here soon. He is my man, not only skilled in medicine but also very discreet."

This could finally clarify why the still relatively young Baron Goffrey went to such trouble to bring Belian, this illegitimate child, to the Holy Land to succeed the title.

"I must thank you, Losa."

Baron Goffrey's expression was somewhat complex; Bishop Urding is now the bishop of the Alandler Bishopric and, nominally, a local lord.

Such a figure was merely a subordinate supported by Losa.

Unknowingly, the son of his former close friend had become a remarkable figure in the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Losa teased, "With our relationship, saying that seems too distant."

"Heh."

Baron Goffrey chuckled, "Tomorrow's court meeting, many will oppose you. Raymond might not speak out, but he will certainly be among those against you."

Losa was slightly taken aback, then chuckled softly, "One Jerusalem cannot accommodate two great vassals, can it?"

Baron Goffrey's expression was complex, "Two powerful forces facing off, in his view, may lead the kingdom further into the abyss of division, and he's always opposed any actions that might exacerbate the situation in the Holy Land."

Losa said seriously, "Saladin wants to reclaim Jerusalem, and a battle between us is inevitable—though he might indeed stay out of it."

The County of Tripoli lies north of Jerusalem, and if they betray the southern territories, including Jerusalem, and make peace with heretics, Count Raymond indeed would have no reason to be enemies with Saladin.

"In any case, he and his supporters will all oppose you."

"Don't worry, I also have many supporters. The lords of Petra, Tih, Zujar, Shokuba, and Sanoriel will all support me."

Although not all the vassals under Losa are his loyal followers, quite a few harbor resentment towards Losa out of "jealousy" or being too deeply tied with Reynard.

But with the Seated Angel Statue present, this malice has become quite mild.

Moreover, with Losa's recent campaign on the Sinai Peninsula, he distributed most of the benefits to the non-vassal supporters.

Seeing the Petra lord following Count Losa, and Baron Argon's second son gaining the Barony of Tih.

Who to follow next?

Is there even a choice?

Sometimes, binding interests is much more reliable than holding banquets and sharing sincere talks.

Baron Goffrey frowned, "But you still need more supporters—I have a few friends hoping you could mentor their second sons."

Losa was slightly taken aback, then smiled, "Welcome warmly."

"Once I can establish a border territory, I can legitimately continue expanding my territory externally. Then, they will all receive fiefs."

Baron Goffrey displayed a satisfied expression, "As long as you understand, for as long as you agree to take in their second sons, and soon after grant them a piece of land, they are willing to support you."

Losa agreed straightforwardly, "There's no problem with that."

"Only you can offer such stakes."

Baron Goffrey's scattered territories, when pieced together, are no weaker than that of a de facto count, but he lacks the title, and the highest his vassals can be are knights.

A title cannot measure a lord's power and strength.

But a baron's vassals can never be barons themselves.

By the end of the Middle Ages, as monarchies grew stronger, only kings or rulers of independent duchies could enfeoff count-level vassals.

Losa smiled, "Don't worry about this being too much of a burden for me; right now, I'm exactly at a time when I lack talents."

Goffrey's face showed a sly smile, "In that case, our court meeting tomorrow will surely surprise them."

...

Early the next morning.

Losa did not wear armor, only a thin silk shirt.

Early in the morning, Furinjira went out with Chelina. Ever since making new friends, the proud little girl turned into a tail and followed them everywhere.

Prajna asked, "Should I wait for you outside the palace?"

Losa shook his head, "No need, it's daytime now, there shouldn't be any danger, and besides, I'm not sure when I'll be able to come out today."

Losa mounted his horse, took two Winged Cavalrymen, and rode towards the Royal Palace.

At the palace gate.

Very coincidentally.

He met Raymond.

Count Raymond, clad in intricate plate armor with a red background and a hollow yellow cross emblazoned on the chest, sat high on his horse and said, "Count Losa, I must thank you for this piece of armor you gave me. It's indeed very exquisite and useful."

Losa nodded slightly, "May it be as unbreakable as our friendship."

Raymond snorted lightly, "That depends on what you do next. You are an ambitious young man, but the kingdom can no longer afford your sort of antics."

Losa frowned, "Attacking heretic territories, weakening enemies, strengthening oneself, preparing for future wars, I do not think I have done anything wrong."

Raymond snorted dismissively, "Such arrogance, how is what you're doing today any different from what Reynard de Chatillon did before?"

Losa replied calmly, "Of course there's a difference. Reynard was just a brainless fool, thinking he could attack the holy lands of the heretics when Saladin was still dealing with domestic issues, providing Saladin with a way to divert internal conflicts."

Reynard expanded towards Hejaz, once threatening the two holy sites of the Fire Worship, ultimately leading to his great defeat.

If Losa continues expanding south, it indeed seems like he is retracing Reynard's path.

"Today's world is different, Lord Raymond, and I am not Reynard."

Raymond's expression turned icy, "Losa, are you sure you want to stand against me?"

"My lord, you know me, I have no desire to be your enemy, nor have I ever thought of dividing the kingdom."

Losa's tone was humble, but there was no sign of him retreating at all.

"Heh, it's good for young people to be brave, but even your father didn't dare defy my will."

Raymond snorted, "Let's see how this goes at the court meeting."

Losa continued, neither arrogant nor humble, "I hope the result won't disappoint you."

The spacious great hall was already filled with nobles from all over.

Losa and Count Raymond walked into the hall one after another, immediately drawing everyone's attention.

Baron Argon was the first to come to Losa's side, respectfully saying, "My lord, good morning."

Losa and Count Raymond were like two vortices, quickly gathering a circle of nobles around them.

He maintained his usual demeanor, exchanging pleasantries with these nobles, and when Count Raymond looked his way, he smiled and nodded slightly at him.

Count Raymond's expression grew colder.

He walked straight to the empty throne, the seat belonging solely to him as the Regent King.

"The council meeting begins."

He glanced around, people quieted down one after another.

In terms of prestige, Raymond was already at the pinnacle among the many nobles of Jerusalem.

The Empress Faction's Amalric and others, in his eyes, were just a bunch of clowns, never worthy of his notice.

"The first matter, recently, there have been marauders ravaging the pilgrimage road in Galilee. As the nearby lord, Hugo of Saint Omer, you are to receive three lashes and are ordered to clear them within a week."

Looking at the solemnly respectful noble below, Raymond nodded slightly, "Since you have acknowledged this task, there is no need for further court discussion on it."

Hugo of Saint Omer was a vassal under his domain.

"Starting with his own men to show fairness?"

Losa smirked.

Raymond then looked at Losa, stating solemnly:

"The second matter, regarding the repeated instigation of border conflicts by Count Losa of Transjordan, not only does he show no remorse, but attempts to petition His Majesty the King to establish the Transjordan Border Territory, granting him the legal right to attack heretics at will."

As the words fell, uproar filled the hall.

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