Chapter 216 Next Step Strategy

Southwest of Ella Port, Dahab.

In the mansion of Rauf the Impaler.

A middle-aged man wearing a gorgeous white robe and bare feet was saying goodbye to the owner of this place with a smile.

Rauf's face looked a little ugly: "Master Shemeier, I am about to crusade against the heretics. Do you really want to leave at this time?"

The middle-aged man nodded slightly: "Thank you for your hospitality and help, Lord Rauf, but I have also helped you tame a group of manticores, and we do not owe each other anything."

Zain, who was standing next to Rauf, said: "Master, the manticore alone cannot defeat that Frank lord. He has an evil witch under his command."

Zain saw with his own eyes that the wild and untamed manticore was killed with a clean shot.

The man known as "Shemeier" had bright eyes: "With the Demonic Gold and the Manticore, even if the attack is insufficient, it is enough to defend your territory."

"Saladin convened a gathering of wizards in Damascus. Although I have no intention of serving him, only by going there can I show the prestige of the 'Hamuzah' school."

Rauf's face looked a little ugly, but he also knew that he could not control the will of a powerful spellcaster at all, so he could only say: "I will send ten elite 'Faris' (knights) to escort you."

escort?

Shemaier's eyes seemed to be able to see into people's hearts. He looked at Rauf until the other man lowered his head in sweat and then said:

"No need, I don't want to cross Frankish territory, that may cause unnecessary conflicts."

He whistled.

In the sky, a loud roar of a lion sounded.

A giant manticore with wings spread out, at least twenty meters wide, fell from the sky.

Behind its tail, a sharp crimson scorpion tail was swaying slightly.

"Goodbye."

Schermeier waved his hand.

In the eyes of a powerful spell caster like him, all beliefs and races are empty.

Apart from those ridiculous priests and falconers who can only obtain meager spellcasting abilities by worshiping the holy fire, are there any spellcasters who believe in gods?

As for human race, it is not worth mentioning. They are all classified as mortals.

He sat astride the manticore's saddle and nodded slightly to Rauf. Then, the manticore flapped its wings, and the strong wind caused everyone to stagger around.

Rauf looked at the back of the manticore that was retreating.

His face was gloomy: "This old guy, I have been respectful to him these days, almost always responding to my requests, but he still wants to leave!"

"How come the Frank lord opposite can get so many beautiful spellcasters to cast their services, but I can't even recruit one? Damn it!"

Zain advised: “Rauf, forget it.”

"Master Shemeier doesn't owe us anything. He created us a twelve-man Manticore Faris regiment. They can launch surprise attacks on the enemy from anywhere in the air."

"As long as we rely on this manticore Farris, we will continue to advance in Hijaz and annex the territories of those weak lords."

"When the time comes, ask King Saladin for the title of Governor of Hejaz. Your status will not be much inferior to that of Adil Governor of Egypt."

"Ah."

Rauf glanced at Rauf contemptuously: “Zain, you have fallen to this point because you are too weak. If I had known that you would be so easily frightened by that Frank, I should not have let you go. Stationed at Port Ella.”

Zain’s face turned blue and white for a while, his fists were clenched and veins popped out.

He seemed to regret humiliating his brother like this.

Rauf's tone softened: "Zain, my territory is now divided into two by the Port of Ella. If I want to return to Ma'anbao, I must either cross the enemy's territory, or I can only rely on ships. Landing in Aqaba, the Frankish territory will also be under my double-team."

He said in a solemn tone: "This is doomed to a life-and-death situation between me and the lord on the opposite side from the beginning to the end. Unless I would rather give up the territories of Dahab and the Sinai Peninsula, but this is impossible!"

Zain opened his mouth, but stopped talking.

Changing places, he felt that he was reluctant to give up one-third of his territory just to live in peace with that Frankish barbarian.

If there are close lords, this problem can be solved by exchanging territories.

But how could Raouf, the tyrant known as the Impaler, have such a relationship?

"Moreover, not only is my territory divided into two, but the entire Ayyubid Kingdom is also like this. If I fail to take back Ella Port, he will definitely hold me accountable when the time comes."

"You know, I don't count him as a member of his faction."

Zain was silent for a moment.

People say that Saladin was a benevolent and benevolent monarch, and this is indeed the case. But when it comes to power struggles, who dares to make any guarantees?

The Ayyubid Dynasty did not have too strong control over the local areas, but in the Hijaz region, if Saladin wanted to remove him from his post, he would be sanctioned for his internal expansion.

That would be a disaster.

…

Lothar returned from New Habsburg and visited Alandre along the way.

This city, which looks like the Acropolis of Port Ella, has completely settled down.

The cross of Saint Lazarus and the double-headed eagle flag of Lothar were fluttering at the top of the city.

These poor sects from Jerusalem received funding from Lothar and replaced them with a batch of old chain mail or scale armor. They patrolled the city and helped the sick pilgrims to heal their injuries and diseases.

The Saint Lazarus Order, which takes the bottom line, actually coincides with Lothar's policy.

Although the converts in the Diocese of Alandre received the land assigned to them by Lothar, it took time to reap benefits from the land.

Although they have a place to establish themselves, they are still very poor.

The help from the Order of St. Lazarus was a real help in times of need for them. Coupled with Lothar's treatment of low-cost or even free rental of farm tools for converts, this also prompted more and more people to convert to Catholics.

As for whether they were false converts, it didn't matter to Lothar at all.

Once the certificate of surrender is handed in, when the Saracens come back, who cares whether they are false converts?

If it were wartime, Alaindler would be able to pull out three hundred sergeants by now.

There are also the guardian knights of the order. These poor knights are definitely not as good at fighting as the rich knights, because the attendants, equipment and mounts they carry are all inferior to the rich knights, but in terms of personal combat skills, they should not be different. How many.

Because the boastful poor knight had long since died in a tavern brawl or traveling across the Mediterranean.

In the field, craftsmen are working with their hands to build an irrigation canal.

With a soft sound, the distant water source rolled down the channel.

The onlookers suddenly burst into cheers.

"Praise the Father, praise the great Count Lothar!"

Lothar nodded slightly, and then, escorted by Alandre's city guards, he continued towards Port Ella.

To be honest, Lothar didn't want to fight the Impaler now.

In addition to Hebron and Jorgesburg, New Habsburg, Alandre and Ella Port are all on the rise.

Every extra day of rest and recuperation gives you more strength.

If the territory of the Sinai Peninsula were allotted to Lothar now, he would not even have enough strength to divide the troops and garrison them - and he would not do so.

Because the governor of Egypt, Lothar's old rival Adil, may be waiting for this day.

Once Lothar divides his troops and his strength weakens, he will take the opportunity to attack Lothar. Anyway, the so-called armistice treaty can always be torn up as long as he finds a reason.

"Miss Flynn, you have to work harder when you go back. There are not a few powerful wizards like Miss Anna in this world."

"If you are still so lazy, I'm afraid you won't even have the power to protect me in the future."

"In other words, if even the master is stronger than you, there is no need for you to protect him."

Jeanne teased Flynn, who was sitting on the horse and still chewing biscuits.

In return, they both glared at each other.

"What do you mean 'even' I am better than Fulin?"

Lothar hummed softly: "When my dragon-born bloodline is fully awakened and I can transform into a dragon, we will challenge each other again."

By then, he plans to complete Constantine XI's simulation battle and change himself to a six-star template - the difference between the two is not just as simple as one attribute point.

This may not be obvious enough from Prajna, after all, she is just a gift.

Prajna noticed Lothar's strange eyes and frowned slightly: "Jeanna, agree to your request. By then, I also hope to have a discussion with you."

Lothar: "..."