Winged Hussar's Swallowtail Banner

Constance Manor was located in Jerusalem's western district.

It was a three-story villa.

Outside stood a ring of red-painted walls, along with watchtowers for guards to stand watch.

Within the manor, against the walls, stood numerous dwellings for servants, as well as stables, a smithy, a Prayer Room, storerooms, and other facilities.

Many green plants had been cultivated throughout the manor, casting patches of shade.

A small fountain continuously sprayed cool underground water.

Holding a riding crop, Lothar pointed at the manor and asked, "How many people do you think this place can accommodate?"

"If we squeeze in, a hundred people shouldn't be a problem."

Ryan, who had lived in "collective dormitories," gave his answer.

Moder added, "My lord, that's without counting the main building. Only you, your family, guests, and personal maidservants may live there."

"Not bad."

Lothar nodded. "Let's go in. We should finish the transfer formalities quickly so we can get some rest."

The manor was guarded by an old male servant and two Jerusalem sergeants wearing blue surcoats.

After verifying Baldwin IV's seal, the old male servant briefly introduced the manor's circumstances to Lothar, then promptly left with the two sergeants.

Things went far more smoothly than Lothar had imagined. He had thought something like someone occupying the nest in another's stead might happen.

"I have to say, these Eastern-style manors are much more comfortable than those in Europe."

Lothar, Fringilla, and Prajna walked up the manor's stairs.

The first floor was open-plan and had originally been meant as stables, but the former owner presumably could not bear living above a reeking stable.

So he had left the first floor empty and built new stables farther away.

After climbing the wooden stairs, they reached the second floor of the villa.

The rooms here were exceptionally spacious, with inner and outer chambers connected openly. From the balcony, they could even see the distant Temple Mount.

Unlike the glaring brightness outside, it was much dimmer here. Yet unlike the dampness of European manors, this dimness was entirely a compliment compared to the scorching heat outside.

"Come with me."

Lothar said, turning back.

Fringilla asked curiously, "What are you planning to do?"

"Perhaps have you witness the birth of a new companion."

Lothar intended to make a draw immediately.

He opened the system and selected the card draw.

A hazy purple glow flashed.

Another five-star?

Lothar felt both surprise and delight!

But then confusion replaced it.

You have obtained the epic item: Winged Hussar's Swallowtail Banner.

An item?

How could it be an item?

Lothar frowned. He did not remember designing content like this. Either the system had "mutated"—just like the Top-Up System, which had clearly become more expensive.

Or perhaps, after his death, members of the development team had added new content.

If it was the former, so be it. He would leave it to fate.

If it was the latter...

I advise you to be decent. Don't be like profiteers, constantly coming up with new ways to fleece players!

As Lothar thought this, he completely forgot that, in the original team, he had been the profiteer constantly thinking up ways to harvest players and force them to top up.

All the other members had been recruited by his empty promises and had worked purely out of love.

"Looks like there won't be any new companion."

Lothar took out the swallowtail banner. It was a red-and-white banner, but with a wave of his hand, it turned into a brand-new banner bearing a rampant lion crest.

Strictly speaking, Lothar should not have used a rampant lion crest. That crest represented the County of Argau, and he had no right of inheritance to the county.

A crest represented one's title and lands.

For example, the Babenberg family of the Austrian March used a red-and-white striped shield, and after the Habsburg family inherited Austria, they used the same crest as well.

Lothar currently had no fief, nor was there any need to design a personal crest for himself.

Swallowtail banners came in different sizes. The one he had drawn was relatively small, perfect for hanging from a lance during a charge.

Lothar held the swallowtail banner in his hand, and its attribute panel slowly appeared.

Winged Hussar's Swallowtail Banner: Hung from a lance, it increased the lance's piercing power, making it indestructible; as a banner, it increased the charge speed of cavalry units under its command by 20%.

The item's effect was tremendous.

If Lothar had been a King capable of recruiting hundreds or thousands of cavalrymen, this banner would have been nothing less than a divine artifact. Used properly, it could completely turn the tide of battle.

Just imagine it: a group of armored cavalry actually catching up to a band of light steppe horsemen. Wouldn't that be a massacre?

Unfortunately, Lothar was not.

At present, he had only one cavalryman under his command—Hans.

Including himself, there were only two.

The item was good, but what he wanted more right now was to acquire retainers.

Talent was simply too hard to come by, even a one-star retainer like Hans.

After all, regardless of their intimacy level, retainers produced by the System came with guaranteed absolute loyalty.

That was truly rare.

He was not the sort of leader skilled at managing people. What he did best was make empty promises. But when Lothar made promises, he genuinely intended for those beneath him to reap the rewards in the future.

As for whether he could achieve it, that was up to fate.

After resting briefly, Lothar took Prajna, Fringilla, and Hans to Baron Godfrey's estate.

Baron Godfrey had been waiting there for quite some time.

After hosting them for lunch, he took the group, along with Balian, Sir Kevin, and the others, on a tour of the Holy City.

They first went to Temple Mount, also known as Mount Moriah.

It lay at Jerusalem's southeastern corner.

This place was believed to be closest to the Heavenly Father's abode. The First Temple built during Solomon's era was said to have housed the Ark of the Covenant, within which rested two of the Tablets of the Ten Commandments.

Unfortunately, the First Temple had already been destroyed, and the Ark of the Covenant, which possessed supreme power, had vanished as well.

Temple Mount also held a massive Golden Dome Zoroastrian Altar. This was likewise sacred ground to the Zoroastrians. After Saladin and Baldwin IV reached an agreement, Zoroastrians were no longer barred from worshipping here.

After that came the Western Wall.

It was a wall built from enormous rectangular stones. Jews driven out by the emperors of the Ancient Empire and forced to wander far from home gathered here to weep, which was why it was also called the Wailing Wall.

Along the way, Lothar saw many devout believers praying with reverence.

Arabs who believed in Zoroastrianism, Jews who followed Judaism, Armenians of the Apostolic Church who followed an Orthodox branch, and Orthodox descendants left behind from when the Eastern Empire ruled Asia Minor and Syria.

The fervor and devotion of these heretics and unbelievers were no less than those of the Catholics.

This was an age that belonged to religion.

"Some say Jerusalem is one enormous tomb."

Balian's expression was filled with emotion. "Too many people have been buried here. I can scarcely imagine what bloody revenge those Zoroastrians will exact after Jerusalem falls."

Godfrey patted his shoulder. "Then do your best to protect this place. Train hard in martial skills under Sir Kevin, and I will grant you a knighthood as soon as possible."

Balian nodded. "I will, Father."

Lothar exchanged a glance with Godfrey and smiled without giving anything away.

Afterward, they went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Jesus had once walked this road, carrying a heavy cross step by step toward the place of execution.

Countless devout believers prostrated themselves along this road in worship.

They also went to the Church of Agony on Mount of Olives, an Orthodox church built by the Eastern Empire, where Jesus had prayed before his arrest.

Lothar prayed with a sense of sanctity, though he was still not particularly devout.

Yet everyone viewed these ancient structures with utmost piety. They did not even dare speak loudly, afraid of offending the gods so near at hand.

That feeling infected him.

And the devout believers filling the city gave him a deeper understanding of the power of faith.

If guided properly, that power would undoubtedly be terrifying.

"Lord Godfrey, there is something I need your help with."

Finding an opportunity, Lothar brought Baron Godfrey to an unoccupied spot and got straight to the point.

"Does it concern the task Your Majesty assigned you?"

Baron Godfrey asked.

Lothar nodded.

He glanced around, saw no one approaching, and lowered his voice. "Let's talk here. No one can hear our conversation."