Chaotic Situation

On the black-and-white chessboard, Lothar's black pieces had already suffered defeat many times.

The system's notification had also sounded by Lothar's ear many times.

You have been elevated to Kingdom Baron and have obtained 1 Extraordinary Retainer Draw Ticket. Use this ticket to gain the allegiance of any four-star retainer.

You have obtained "Yoglusburg" as your fief. Please proceed to your fief as soon as possible to activate all functions of the "Yesterday's Great Ship" system.

"Baron, you seem somewhat distracted."

Baldwin IV was somewhat displeased by Lothar's obvious restraint.

Lothar nodded in admission. "A little. After all, I'm merely the second son of the family. My lifelong goal until now was no more than to seek out an estate where I could settle down."

"I understand. I hope that when we next play, your chess skills will have improved."

Baldwin IV gestured for Lothar to leave.

Before he left, Baldwin IV spoke again. "Lothar, do not devote too much effort to that territory. Jerusalem is where your true stage lies."

To be far from Jerusalem was to be far from the kingdom's center of power.

Just like Caymont, the city Lothar had passed through on his return.

Though it was a fairly prosperous Urban Fief, its lord had no desire to live there at all, instead going to serve in Jerusalem.

"I understand, Your Majesty."

Baldwin IV nodded slightly and waved his hand.

"Once the situation has eased somewhat, I will have another appointment for you—perhaps command of an army. Prepare yourself."

"Go, Lothar. Do not forget to see my herald. I will have him make your personal seal and enter it into the kingdom's register of nobility."

"May the Heavenly Father bless you, my lord."

"May the Heavenly Father bless you as well, my loyal knight and baron."

After bidding Baldwin IV farewell, Lothar strode through the narrow corridor with a "Charter of Enfeoffment" personally written by Baldwin IV in hand.

It served as proof of his identity, setting forth his powers over his fief, including the appointment and dismissal of officials, the collection of taxes, ownership of all land, and a series of other rights.

At the same time, it also stipulated the "feudal obligations" he was required to fulfill as a noble of the kingdom.

Lothar found the herald, presented his Charter of Enfeoffment, generously paid one gold coin for labor and materials, and took his leave.

He did not need to design his personal coat of arms himself. He only needed to wait a while, and the herald would send him his seal and heraldic banner.

In this era, one's personal coat of arms was closely tied to one's fief and title, and could not be altered at will.

Before leaving, Lothar could not help turning back for one last look at that towering palace.

A man would die for one who truly understood him.

Though he would not go so far as to die for Baldwin IV, how could he not feel grateful after being valued so highly?

Leaving the royal palace.

For the first time in a long while, Lothar mounted the Nisaan warhorse he had brought from Argao and headed straight for Baron Godfrey's manor.

He handed the reins to a servant.

Without waiting to be announced, he strode into the manor.

"Balian, Sir Kevin."

At that moment, Balian was fully armed in heavy chainmail and a Bucket Helm, sparring with Sir Kevin amid crisp metallic clashes.

At Lothar's arrival, the two stopped their training as well.

Joy appeared on both their faces. "Sir Lothar, you've finally returned!"

"You should call him Baron Lothar now."

Baron Godfrey, dressed in a silk casual robe, rose and walked toward Lothar.

Clearly, he had already spoken with Baldwin IV.

"His Majesty has already summoned you, correct?"

"Yes."

"You two continue. Lothar, come with me. There are some matters I need to discuss with you."

Lothar nodded to Balian and Sir Kevin, then followed Baron Godfrey into the manor's inner courtyard.

Balian watched Lothar's retreating figure.

His expression was somewhat complicated, carrying both envy and admiration. "Sir Lothar is truly favored by His Majesty. He was elevated to baron so quickly."

Sir Kevin let out a soft sigh. "Baron Lothar is an exceptional man, and he has outstanding talents like Hans under his command. I am not surprised that he was elevated to baron."

"As for you, my young master, we should continue training."

Sir Kevin felt a little bitter as well.

He had served the Ibelin family for so many years, yet had never obtained a true noble title. How could he not feel regret?

Outside, the sound of metal clashing rang out once more.

Inside the room.

Baron Godfrey's expression was somewhat complicated after Lothar finished telling him where the Kurdish cavalry troop had gone.

"So this was Abdullah's choice?"

He let out a long sigh. "The moment I learned that King Nur ad-Din still had surviving descendants, I realized this day would come."

"Let us hope they can truly disrupt Saladin's rule over Antioch and Edessa. That would be good for us as well."

Lothar said in a deep voice, "Lord Godfrey, I don't understand. I was only gone for half a month—how did the situation in the city change so drastically again?"

"Heh, that's politics. Things change in the blink of an eye."

Baron Godfrey sighed. "Ever since the court council decided to form the Pilgrim Crusade, the seeds of conflict between the three factions had been planted."

"Everyone wanted to secure more wealth and a greater share of the military allotment. And I happened to have been appointed by Your Majesty as commander of the Royal Knightly Order."

Lothar frowned slightly.

He knew that the Royal Knightly Order had thirty knights and two hundred armored cavalrymen.

Its strength was no weaker than that of the Jerusalem Knightly Order controlled by Regent Raymond.

Now that every major regiment was expanding its forces, the Royal Knightly Order was naturally doing the same, and that involved the allocation of military funds and positions.

"Raymond, the Regent, wants me to side with him. He says he will do everything in his power to challenge the legitimacy of this duel. Reynald, on the other hand, wants to force me to resign as commander of the Royal Knightly Order. He says he can guarantee that Guy won't harm a single hair on Balian's head in this duel."

Lothar said thoughtfully, "No wonder Your Majesty wanted me to represent Balian in this duel. This duel actually concerns the survival of the Royalist Faction."

Godfrey gave a wry smile. "Guy is a very formidable knight. He once earned the illustrious title of Champion Knight of all Provence. You may not necessarily be his match."

"I have already declined Your Majesty's proposal."

Lothar said solemnly, "Balian was a blacksmith for a long time, but that does not mean he has no pride in his heart. He would never agree to let someone else fight this sacred duel in his place."

Lothar said seriously, "If we did that, Balian's pride would be utterly crushed. The blow to him would undoubtedly be devastating."

Godfrey fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "That child truly does have that sort of temperament. That is why I often feel he is unsuited to the kingdom's arena of power."

Lothar's mood grew heavy as well.

Baron Godfrey was the undisputed leading figure of the Royalist Faction. Though Lothar had now also been elevated to baron, whether in status, influence, or strength, he still fell far short of Baron Godfrey.

If Baron Godfrey fell, the Royalist Faction could basically be declared finished.

Lothar alone could never bear the banner of the Royalist Faction.

"You needn't worry too much. There may yet be a way out."

Baron Godfrey's expression suddenly became somewhat strange.

Lothar did not understand what he meant, but recalling that this man was an old fox who had battled in Jerusalem's political arena for many years, the tension in his heart finally eased a little.

He asked, "Where will the duel be held?"

"At the parade ground west of the city."

Lothar nodded. "I will take my personal troops to watch. My force is beginning to look respectable now, and they are all armored soldiers. Hopefully, that will make Guy hesitate before he acts."

Baron Godfrey smiled. "Go on, then. We'll meet again there."

After training ended.

Balian washed himself clean and entered his room.

He suddenly stopped, his expression one of surprise.

On the table sat a crystal bottle filled with azure liquid, reflecting a dazzling, rainbow-like radiance beneath the sunlight.

By the window, a woman cloaked in black wizard's robes stared at him coldly. "If you wish to defeat Guy and marry Princess Sibylla, drink this Dragon's Blood."

Balian said in surprise, "Eve, why have you come to Jerusalem too?"

The woman wrapped in wizard's robes spoke in a voice as cold as ice. "Of course, it is to repay your kindness and settle the grievances between us. You once saved my life. I cannot simply stand by and watch you die beneath Guy's sword."

Balian's expression darkened somewhat.

If he had not been a devout believer, unable to accept being with a witch—

He would certainly have chosen Eve.

"Dragon's Blood is a potion brewed by my teacher. It is made from the blood of a Spinosaurus from the Scandinavian snow mountains, and it can greatly enhance your physical abilities."

"This potion must be very precious, right?"

"No. It's nothing. It means nothing to me."

"You're lying."

Balian picked up the crystal bottle and said in a deep voice, "If this potion truly meant nothing, Emperor Henry would have long since used it to arm his knights."

Eve gave a cold laugh. "What does that have to do with you? I'm leaving. Go on dreaming of becoming king."

Bang—

She transformed into a black crow, brimming with an ominous aura, shot through the window, and soared into the sky.