Chapter 404 Karelian Fire Dragon

It’s not just Fulk.

Almost everyone in the camp was so shocked by this huge beast that they opened their mouths wide and were stunned. Compared with it, the manticore that changed color when people heard the sound in the desert was as docile and cute as a cat.

As the huge figure got closer and closer to the camp, people were able to get a glimpse of its entirety.

Black triangular scales cover its body in a neat and orderly manner, and the red lines between the gaps look like hot lava flowing.

The broad fleshy wings are connected to the forelimbs, and the sharp claws extend out like cutters. Even the strongest shields and armors seem to be easily torn into pieces by it - if it needs to use these claws.

On top of its head, the dragon's horns are its crown.

There is a row of sharp bone spurs like fish fins on the neck.

This is the Karelian Fire Dragon, a terrifying behemoth that lives in the polar regions but breeds extremely high temperatures.

The Tyrannosaurus Rex, which was still roaring at first, a ferocious creature with no intelligence at all, had already died down. It was whimpering from its throat like a puppy, and its body was shaking unconsciously.

They may long for the dragon blood essence contained in an inferior dragon, which can transform them from inferior beasts that are similar to dragons in form but have nothing to do with them, into real dragons.

But he would never be stupid enough to show hostility and covetousness to a truly superior dragon.

With a loud noise in the distance, the giant dragon successfully landed in its own camp.

Fulk let out a long breath, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and crossed himself on his chest. He could do nothing but pray for God's blessing.

He knew very well that after this giant beast circled in the sky, all the hidden resistance forces in the entire military camp must be silenced. All Saracen soldiers had no doubt about the victory of this battle.

Soldiers prostrate themselves on the ground one after another.

They faced the direction of the dragon and worshiped.

The imams have said that this giant dragon that can spit out blazing dragon flames is the embodiment of the will of the holy fire. It is a sacred beast that comes to help them regain the holy land occupied by the evil Franks.

"What a ferocious and beautiful behemoth."

Fulk, who was attracted by the sigh, looked at the man not far away.

He was the only man nearby who was not in admiration. He was wearing black scale armor and holding an iron armor in his arms. He had a black goatee on his chin and a gentle smile on his face.

Sensing Fulk's gaze, he turned around, smiled and said, "What do you think?"

Fulk said perfunctorily: "It's very beautiful."

"Come with me. I have a mission assigned to you."

Fulk was stunned for a moment and asked, "What's the matter?"

The man raised his eyebrows: "Aren't you still willing to call me master?"

Fulk was silent.

This man was the "master" who bought him from the slave traders. He was Saladin's nephew and a Mamluk officer under Takidine. His ancestors came from the Rus' states across the Black Sea, but he had already been taught by fire worshipers. Apart from his appearance, his behavior is no different from that of the Saracens.

Although it was a foregone conclusion, Fulk was still unwilling to admit that he was now loyal to a heretic, even though his "master" actually treated him well.

Although the Mamluks were slaves in name, they were just like the servants and private soldiers of the Eastern dynasty.

The status is actually higher than that of civilians.

Many Mamluks were slaves to their masters and were able to hold high positions.

I have to admit that for Fulk, life seemed to be better as a slave than as a small feudal lord in Longidoc.

Although he has the title of "Baron", he only owns a small fief in the south of Longidoke, near the Pyrenees Mountains. The territory under his jurisdiction is very small, not as good as some of the wealthier knights.

The man didn't care and chuckled: "Oh, come with me. Let's talk as we walk. Master Shemeier has given us an easy but important job, delivering food to those big guys every day."

"The one just now?"

"Of course not, that's Master Shemeier's pet. He feeds it himself every day - I mean those big guys with no brains."

"We won't be eaten, right?"

"No, they are all locked in an iron cage. The iron bars are as thick as my arm. Even if they really go crazy, they can't break open them for a while. And with Master Shemeier here, they can survive. honest."

The two of them walked to another camp together, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

"Hey, to be honest, with them here, I don't know if there is any room for us to play on the battlefield. Those big guys line up and charge, I can't think of anyone who can resist them."

Fulk wailed softly: "What kind of world is this? Ten years ago, people would never believe that these behemoths would appear in future wars. Except for bards, even drunken drunkards would not think that riding horses would appear." A wizard who holds a broom and keeps company with black cats all day long can control the direction of the war."

"But it is what it is."

His master said in a tone that was both relaxed and emotional: "Fortunately, these big guys are on our side. Fulk, you must be lucky to have joined us, otherwise, you will be the one to face them on the battlefield."

Fulk shook his head and said: "I was already going back to Langedoch. Although it is not rich, it has the best wine in Gaul."

"Hey--"

The man raised his voice: "As the Romans do, you should call these beautiful and charming red drinks fermented grape juice."

Fulk shrugged: "King Saladin allowed us to retain our original beliefs."

"Yes, he is a generous king."

The man smiled, his eyes full of reverence. For them, the Mamluk "nobles", Saladin was the embodiment of the holy fire they worshiped.

…

In Saladin's tent.

Takidin came back from the siege camp and looked at Saladin who was sitting on a chair and reviewing documents with some confusion.

"My king, why don't we continue to march? This is just a small castle. We can capture it with no effort at all."

"Jerusalem is there, it can't escape."

Saladin smiled and handed his nephew a golden water bowl, which contained a cold drink sprinkled with honey and ice cubes.

"As long as I eat the main force of the Franks, the entire Levant will belong to me."

"But we should at least take Tiberias or Knight's Castle!"

Takidin solemnly said: "By taking that place, our supply line can be greatly shortened, and the soldiers and livestock can also get enough water."

Saladin said calmly: "You know, the Franks also know this. Temporary patience is to achieve greater results."

He clenched his palms and said with a smile: "I want to eat all the Franks' main force in one breath!"

Takidin frowned.

He was still a little confused. In his opinion, they already had an absolute advantage. Pushing forward all the way, what was the point of getting rid of the main force of the Franks? Could they escape without a fight and return by boat? Europe?

so what?

Don’t they want Jerusalem?

Takidin felt that it was only right to deal with the Franks as soon as possible and turn around to deal with the Sasanian king.

Only by occupying Baghdad could Saladin become the supreme ruler of the Saracen world.

Outside Jerusalem.

The Crusaders who gathered together did not set off immediately, and the Transjordanian coalition forces who came from afar needed time to rest and recuperate.

There is no need to rush, and a long march is also a huge test for an army.

Lothar was in King Baldwin's camp, discussing the next plan with the young monarch.

Duke Raymond was among them, and these three were the core figures of the entire coalition.

Raymond is both the ruler of the County of Tripoli and the lord of the Kingdom's Duchy of Galilee, so he is called Duke Raymond. It is his Galilee that is currently being attacked by the Saracens. Dukedom of Lee.

Raymond said: "The Knights Hospitallers contributed 500 monastic knights to this battle, a thousand attendants, and thousands of spear-wielding sergeants. In addition to a group of mercenary cavalry archers employed by the Knights, in total, The number of troops reached three thousand."

Lothar nodded slightly: "As expected of the Hospital Knights, I'm afraid they have tried their best this time."

Although the Knights Templar's military contribution was greater.

But this is not because the Knights Templar are much stronger than the Knights Hospitaller, but because the former is headquartered on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and the latter is headquartered in the Knights' Fort in the north.

The Knights Hospitaller controlled many castles in the north and faced the threat of Saladin's army.

For example, at the Knights' Castle near the Saracen border, the Knights Hospitallers stationed two thousand troops. The rest of the large and small fortresses in the northern territory also had garrisons. Normally, the Knights Hospitallers could take advantage of their geographical advantages to attack and plunder at will. Saracen border people, but now, they must also face the front line of Saladin's army.

Lothar added: "As His Majesty said, we are not inferior to Saladin in terms of military strength. If we can eliminate the interference factor of the spell caster, we should be evenly matched in this battle."

Baldwin IV nodded and said: "We must also be careful of Egypt's Adil. This is Saladin's most important arm and it is impossible to miss this battle."

"It's nothing more than a two-pronged attack."

"Yeah, nothing more than that"

The young king sighed helplessly. This was not a conspiracy, but a conspiracy. What they were fighting for was the gap in national power. Adil was in charge of the entire Egyptian Viceroyalty and was very powerful. If there were wizards to assist him, those frontline castles would be really useless. I can definitely handle it.

"The participation of spellcasters has brought too much uncertainty to the war."

Raymond shook his head and said: "I'm afraid it's unrealistic to allocate too many troops for defense. The large army we have put together today has left the defenses in many places extremely empty."

Lothar agreed: "We can only find opportunities to deal with the spell casters in the enemy army. Without the help of spell casters, it will be difficult for them to quickly attack the city and advance. The conditions of the Sinai Corridor are there. It is easy to attack and difficult to attack. Maintain the army's advance."

Baldwin IV looked at Lothar: "Do you have a suitable candidate?"

Lothar nodded: "Of course."