After half a month away from the Holy City of Jerusalem, the aura of impending war was becoming increasingly apparent.

The soldiers of the Templar Order, carrying water drop shields and kite shields, clad in white cloaks with red crosses, marched in groups along the streets.

Those idlers and the most unruly elements of Jerusalem were now detained by the soldiers of the Knight Order, prepared to serve as recruited peasants.

The temporarily expanded blacksmith shop had already extended to the roadside, and the sound of the hammer striking the iron ingots was incessant amidst the roaring furnaces.

Teutonic Knights also rarely appeared within the Holy City. They wore black surcoats with white crosses as they escorted a noble leader to the Royal Palace.

"Brother, do you know who the current Grand Master of the Teutonic Order is?"

Losa inquired.

"Brother" is a simplification of "Christ Brother," which can be used between any Christian believers to express closeness.

Of course, the premise is that they are of similar status.

It was quite common for a lowly individual calling a Lord Knight "brother" to receive a beating.

"The Teutonic Order?"

The Royal Knight looked astonished: "Oh, I understand. You mean those Germanic knights residing in Acre City? They currently don't have a Grand Master, and their daily affairs are handled by a council reminiscent of the Ancient Empire era, but recently they have been preparing intensely for an election."

Losa's expression subtly shifted.

So the Teutonic Order did not even have a Grand Master at this time?

His thoughts started to stir. If he made certain achievements, given his Germanic noble status, could he possibly vie for the position of Grand Master?

No, this doesn't align with his plans.

He wanted to be a secular lord, not a Church Knight. The latter was too constrained by the Church, like a castle in the sky, powerful yet illusory.

Perhaps Hans could give it a try.

But he was too young and inexperienced, unlikely to stand out in the short term.

"Has there been any change in Jerusalem recently?"

Losa asked, "I heard that Baron Goffrey's heir, Belian, is said to be dueling with Guy of Lusignan. What's going on?"

The Royal Knight's face showed distress: "This affair is quite complicated. It is said that Guy saw Lord Belian entering Princess Sibilla's room with his own eyes... and thus challenged Lord Belian. According to the regulation, the loser is forbidden to pursue Princess Sibilla further."

Losa frowned.

Was this related to the veil he had Hans give him?

They entered the Royal Palace one after the other.

Losa waited briefly in the room before maids, clad in light gauze, entered one after another.

Their graceful figures were faintly visible under the gauze, and their soft hands stripped him of his clothes without saying a word.

"Lord Losa, please follow us to bathe."

...

A quarter of an hour later, feeling refreshed, Losa put on a silk shirt and entered Baldwin IV's great hall.

Inside, thick candles burned one after another, and a smoky haze was illuminated by sunlight streaming through the narrow windows.

Baldwin IV still sat at the desk, holding a quill pen, writing something.

It seemed he had remained unmoved since Losa last left.

The candlelight flickered.

Baldwin IV did not look up and asked, "Did you kill Kokb?"

Losa nodded, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty."

A hint of satisfaction flickered in Baldwin IV's eyes. He put down the pen and gestured for Losa to sit.

Smiling, he said, "I was right about you. To penetrate deep into enemy territory, surprise and capture a Governor's castle, and succeed... You're a remarkable commander, just like your father."

Losa humbly replied, "Thanks to the protection of the Heavenly Father and the elite cavalry under Baron Goffrey."

"You needn't be modest; you are the core of this operation."

Baldwin IV, supporting himself against the desk, stood up with effort, smiling, "If this matter fails to elicit conflict between the Sassanid King and Saladin, then the fault lies in my strategy, for you have done your utmost."

"How should I reward your service, Losa?"

Losa shook his head, "Whatever you bestow upon me, I will accept and thank you for your generosity and magnanimity."

Baldwin IV sighed lightly; his laughter carried a slight chill: "Ha, you have risked life and limb for the Kingdom's future, yet at this time, the Kingdom's nobility remains embroiled in endless internal power struggles."

He suddenly slammed the table:

"How can a country be governed well when surrounded by such vermin?"

Losa remained silent, slightly lowering his head.

Once the game of power begins, there is no room for conclusion. The Noble Faction, the Queen's Faction, any side ascending means a severe blow to the other.

No one is willing to yield.

The struggle will also never cease.

Baldwin IV vented his anger and gradually calmed down: "Knight Losa, whom do you think I should betroth Sibilla to?"

"It is entirely up to you to decide."

Losa still did not speak rashly. Whether it was monarchs from the East or West, they were sensitive and suspicious when it came to the issue of successors.

"Losa, are you truly loyal to me?"

Losa quickly said: "Of course, I swore by the name of the Heavenly Father."

Baldwin IV sighed: "They swore as well... Losa, I know you are different from them, I hope you can be frank with me."

Losa was silent for a moment and then spoke:

"Your Majesty, I don't know who is more suitable, but Guy is clearly not qualified. He is a reckless, arrogant traditional knight. Giving Jerusalem to him, the Kingdom will eventually be ruined by him."

While he spoke of Guy, Losa was actually referring to the Empress Faction.

The ideas of this group are too radical; despite their weaker power compared to Saladin, they still envision decisive battles to expand territories, recover Antioch, and even seize the rich and fertile Egypt.

It is not necessarily foolish; the Crusader knights are indeed elite. In recent years, they have had more victories than defeats in small conflicts with the Ayyubids.

This has given them blind confidence.

Moreover, the crusaders are rapidly expanding their military force right now, and the funds left by the King of Ardabil are swiftly transforming into soldiers.

"Guy..."

Baldwin IV sighed deeply: "I understand what you mean, entrusting the Kingdom to my mother and sister is legitimate, but foolish."

"But a king is not omnipotent."

Baldwin IV felt helpless about this; the balance of power within the country had long been skewed.

The King's Faction was caught between the Noble Faction and Queen's Faction, their power was waning, and it was difficult for them to speak on his behalf.

And once the king personally steps into the fray and opposes the domestic aristocrats, everything would become uncontrollable.

"Actually, I would prefer you, Losa."

"You are young and promising, your talent in military strategy is not inferior to Regent King Raymond, and your political acumen is not weaker than Baron Goffrey."

Losa shook his head decisively: "But Your Majesty, you should also have heard what Baron Goffrey said, I have two witches serving under me; I cannot possibly marry Princess Sibilla."

"It's a pity, although my sister has a strong desire for power, she is actually a very good wife."

Baldwin IV fell silent for a moment and then said: "Then it would be Belian, but he is still too immature. I don't know when he will grow up, nor do I know which day I might suddenly pass away and return to the embrace of the Heavenly Father."

Losa hesitated for a moment, but still did not mention the possibility that he might have a way to cure mairwan disease.

It's too uncertain at this stage.

Summoning a high-quality medical attendant, even after obtaining a fief, would take a long time.

"What do you think about the duel between Belian and Guy this afternoon?"

Losa asked in return: "Does Your Majesty want me to predict the outcome?"

"There is no suspense in the outcome; Belian is a young knight and definitely not a match for Guy. What I want you to consider is how to refuse Guy's proposal to Sibilla after this battle."

Losa was silent for a moment and said: "It's difficult; the Empress Faction's power is too great. If Belian loses in a holy and fair knight's duel, it would be very challenging to betroth Her Highness the Princess to him afterward."

"Then you should duel on his behalf."

Baldwin IV said solemnly: "The glove Guy threw down was not picked up by Belian; he merely verbally agreed to the duel. According to the rules, he can find someone to replace him."

Losa shook his head: "Belian is a very proud knight; he did not pick up the glove because he was once a blacksmith and did not understand this rule, not because he intends to resort to deception from the start."

"You mean Belian wouldn't agree?"

Losa nodded: "Correct."

"Then let the Heavenly Father decide everything."

Baldwin IV drew his cold, shining Treasure Sword and again placed it on Losa's shoulder: "Knight Losa, in the name of Baldwin Family bloodline, King of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, I promote you to Baron of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and grant you the royal domain of Jorgelisburg as your fief."

Losa quickly knelt down, somewhat excited: "Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty."

Baldwin IV shook his head: "This is not worth much expectation; Jorgelisburg is a barren place, long controlled by the royal family but yet neglected."

"Sorry, Losa, I initially wanted to grant you Bethlehem as your fief, but the current situation of the Kingdom makes it impossible for me to withstand the pressure from the ministers and grant you the wealthy and holy Bethlehem."

Losa shook his head: "That's already enough, Your Majesty. I will achieve more merits in the future."

Many knights serve their feudal lords for a lifetime without being promoted to baron.

Although a baron seems like a low rank, in Jerusalem, it already means entering the hall and qualifying to participate in this game of power.

"Stand up, Losa. Do you want to play a game of chess?"

Losa shook his head: "Sorry, Your Majesty, I don't know how."

Baldwin IV laughed and said: "It's me who should apologize, due to this illness, I rarely go out, and playing chess is my only pastime."

"Actually, it is very simple, let me teach you."

Losa sat down opposite Baldwin IV at the chessboard table.

"The way of a monarch and general is all within this small chessboard, where the king, empress, bishop, knight, chariot, and imperial guard each perform their duties..."

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