"This is my new attendant, say hello to everyone, Marles!"

Losa walked out of the manor's main building and said to everyone.

Right after, it felt like a shadowy cloud descended overhead.

That robust figure, akin to Mars, the god of war from ancient Greek mythology, carried an overwhelming pressure that immediately captured everyone's attention.

Heavenly Father above!

Laine and Model instinctively swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

This terrifying giant, almost two meters tall, had muscles as hard as granite.

If he were dressed in heavy armor on the battlefield, they could not imagine anyone who could stand against him.

Laine marveled, "If he were a Knight, I can't imagine what kind of magnificent steed could bear such a towering figure."

Model succinctly said, "He should be in the Varangian Guard of the Eastern Empire!"

The Varangian Guard of the Eastern Empire is the most elite infantry in the world.

"Ha, Marles may be quite strong, but he is actually a blacksmith — a top-notch one, not someone who goes to battle."

Although Marles had high basic attributes, his physical strength was just twice that of an ordinary person. Losa was unwilling to send such a precious technical talent to the battlefield.

Even though one could imagine that if Marles appeared on the battlefield, he would surely be a War God no less formidable than those in ancient legends.

Hans stared at Marles' face and suddenly realized something, stammering, "You... you are that Master Craftsman from the Federation?"

Marles slightly lowered his head, looking at the familiar white background with a black cross, his expression rarely showing a trace of disgust: "I can't believe I ran into a brat from the Knight Order here."

Laine and Model looked at each other, not knowing what "Federation" Hans mentioned, or what "Knight Order" Marles referred to.

But the forces these two belonged to clearly had grievances.

"Marles."

Losa's voice carried a hint of warning.

"Remember, this is Jerusalem, and your lord whom you serve is me, not any Federation or Knight Order."

Prajna subtly took a step forward, her latent aura instantly dispelling the pressure Marles had brought upon the crowd.

She knew nothing of Marles, after all, just a mere human craftsman, incapable of forging a divine artifact like her Ghost Face Shield.

Just as Furin was about to step forward, she discreetly halted, mumbling quietly, "The big oaf reacts quickly."

Marles remained silent for a moment, then bowed deeply, "Sire, I shall comply with your will."

"Alright, let me take you to the blacksmith shop in the estate, list any materials we need to procure as soon as possible, we must depart for the territory no later than tomorrow morning."

Laine murmured softly, "Why does it feel like every once in a while, Master can pull out a couple of impressive talents from who knows where?"

"Could it be that Master is not actually the Count's son, but an illegitimate child of the Hohenstaufen Emperor?"

"Hush, you must not speak ill of our lord lightly."

Although Model said this, in his heart he was also a bit uneasy; without a strong background, how could a mere Landless Knight continue to win the favor of two Witches?

"Anyway, this is definitely a good thing!"

"Everything is the will of the Heavenly Father!"

Model piously made a cross in front of him.

"Yes, the will of the Heavenly Father!"

Laine wholeheartedly agreed with this statement, which would make the Pope want to hit someone.

...

Dueling for Knights in Jerusalem was not uncommon.

The number of Knights gathered in this city was simply too many, those Landless Knights from Europe always came with dreams of making a fortune in the Holy Land.

But when this duel involved the noble Princess Sibilla of Jerusalem, people could not help but pay more attention to it.

By the afternoon, the arena was crowded with onlookers.

Wandering Knights, Pilgrims not yet joined the Crusaders, Nobles, and Monks filled the streets to the brim.

Guards loudly berated the plebeians blocking the road, using their long halberds to try and clear some space for their lords.

Belian licked his chapped lips, his expression somewhat tense under his barrel helmet; he had arrived earlier than Guy de Lusignan.

He had drunk that bottle of Dragon Blood Potion!

At this moment, he felt filled with an enormous power.

But he was also a bit apprehensive and uneasy.

He didn't know if using this clearly non-divine power to conduct a holy duel was a blasphemous act.

At this moment, gasps and exclamations rose from the crowd.

"My God, is this a giant from Rhodes Island?"

"Whose command is this army under, that they are so elite?"

From the stands around the arena, the assembled Nobles and Ladies stood up, revealing expressions of disbelief and surprise.

They watched as an extremely formidable giant cleared a path through the crowd with sheer presence.

Following him, a column of heavily armed Soldiers marched forward in a well-ordered formation, looking straight ahead.

They all wore white cloaks emblazoned with red Standing Lion Badges, moving in perfect unison, exuding an aura of ferocity from afar.

Even the Knights with their warhorses draped in black leather armor walked at the back of the formation.

"It's... Losa of the Habsburg Family?"

"He's returned to the Holy City?"

"I heard that His Majesty has promoted him to a Baron?"

"Where is the fief? How can His Majesty bypass the council for such an important decision?"

"It's said to be the Royal Family's private land, that remote Jorgelisburg."

People murmured and whispered, and it seemed the originally spotlighted Belian was instantly overshadowed by the rising star of the Kingdom, Baron Losa.

At this moment, Count Raymond, the Regent King of Jerusalem, draped in a blue cloak, slowly ascended from the stands.

Followed by him was Count Reynard of Jordan, this tall, slim, red-haired man had meticulously groomed himself today, looking notably handsome and imposing.

Baron Godfrey also stepped onto the stage at this time.

He immediately noticed Losa's team within the crowd.

The deterrent power of that team was so strong it created a distinct division between them and those around them.

He waved and signaled Losa to come forward.

Losa ascended the platform accompanied by Prajna, Furinjira, and Hans.

Originally, he wanted to leave Prajna and Furinjira at home.

But the former said she must stay by his side to ensure his safety, while the latter, Furin, liked excitement and insisted on coming along upon hearing this.

Baron Godfrey jested: "Quite a grand show, was this army really only trained for half a month?"

Losa, seeing his relaxed demeanor, felt puzzled but nodded, "Indeed, only trained for half a month, for now, they are merely beginning to form combat capability, incomparable to veteran soldiers."

"You've made quite a splash, didn't you notice the changes in expression of Raymond and Reynard?"

Losa nodded slightly, "I should also step up to share some of the burden for you."

Today is the day Losa formally announced his entry onto the Kingdom's political stage.

At this moment, Guy de Lusignan arrived too.

This young Gaul Knight, full of pride, strode forward holding his treasure sword.

"The sacred duel is a right granted to nobles by the Heavenly Father, everyone must adhere to this rule, however, Belian, you did not pick up the glove thrown to you by Guy de Lusignan that day, so you have the right to refuse the duel and have your attendants and subordinates fulfill the promise for you."

The Kingdom's Chancellor, who also served as Archbishop of Tyr, William, with a hand on his sword, announced in a sonorous tone.

Belian shook his head, "My Lord Bishop, I wish to honor the duel's promise, I cannot give up my pursuit of Lady Sibilla, regardless of her noble title."

"I feel the same, My Lord Bishop."

Guy de Lusignan's expression was playful.

He looked up, gazing at Princess Sibilla, who wore a veil, not knowing which of the two she was looking at, and shouted, "Let the Heavenly Father decide who among us shall have this honor."

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