Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 465 - 245

The sky was gloomy.

The clouds were swirling.

The undead army from Hell brought a chilling temperature, making the entire beach feel like a winter swamp, causing involuntary shivers.

Mueller exclaimed in surprise, "Captain Hog is here!"

"Good timing, just a bit late."

Andreas glanced back at the large number of wounded behind the defense line. If not for the Lazarus Potion, at least eighty percent of these individuals would succumb to their injuries later on, even if they hadn’t died now.

He leaped out of the trench filled with corpses, shouting, "Everyone, pick up your weapons and do not fear those seemingly terrifying spirits; they are vengeful ghosts from Hell targeting the Saracens."

"Summon your courage, warriors of Eira Port, seize this opportunity, and wipe out those damned robbers!"

With that shout, Andreas charged forward, with several of his attendants initially intending to stop him but ultimately biting their lips and following.

Mueller watched his back with disbelief, thinking, "What’s with this brat’s constitution? He fought just as hard as I did until now, yet he remains energetic. Could it be I’m truly getting old?"

"What are you all standing around for? Didn’t you hear Lord Andreas say those undead are here to deal with the heretics? Get moving!"

He ordered loudly.

Sporadically, dozens of town guards rushed out.

Yet many still hesitated, showing signs of doubt.

In theory, it’s simple; the undead indeed target the heretics, but who knows if they’ll turn on us as well?

Not until they saw Andreas fighting amidst the undead army without suffering any attacks did many more muster courage, leaping from the trench.

Old Hassan shouted, "Quick, seize this opportunity for glory; even if we’re too old to use it, it can benefit the young ones in our tribe."

The tribesmen nearby hesitated, saying, "Those are dead people; who knows if approaching these monsters might attract the demons, preventing us from ascending to the Celestial Kingdom even in death?"

"Fools!"

Old Hassan cursed, grabbing his long spear and rushing out.

The nearby tribesmen hesitated for a while, but years of instinctual behavior led them to follow Old Hassan’s charge. Their enemies were already terrified, facing little resistance, and Hassan speared a fleeing Kuman mercenary’s back.

He picked up a bow from the corpse, aimed, and shot down another. Despite his frail body, the sensation of slaying enemies felt as effortless as chopping vegetables.

"They’re just a bunch of cowardly fools; there’s no easier way to earn merit than this."

Old Hassan thought triumphantly, but his exhausted body couldn’t keep up anymore. With the closest enemy already a distant figure, he resignedly sat down among the pile of corpses.

Finally, the cries of battle erupted behind him.

In Losa Territory, besides implementing the division of land, the system of granting land for military merit was also enforced, with beheadings contributing to commendations, which could be passed on even if they died in battle.

The division of land ensured soldiers defended the territory, while granting land for military merit encouraged them to strive for excellence.

Hog stood at the ship’s bow, arms crossed, squinting at the overwhelmingly one-sided battle, with no intention of intervening.

The combat power of the zombie sailors, compared to a well-trained soldier, wasn’t much stronger.

While they excelled at boarding actions on a ship, facing hundreds of winged cavalry on land would quickly overwhelm them.

After all, they were light infantry with loose discipline; even dismembering their limbs or heads wouldn’t kill them.

However, this didn’t mean their defense was strong; compared to warriors in heavy armor, they’d quickly have limbs severed, rendering them harmless to enemies even if they didn’t die.

In battle, even the most feeble troop appearing unexpectedly from behind enemy lines, merely looking terrifying, could drastically impact morale.

Much like the undead army appearing behind the Wolf Race Expedition Army in combat records.

Perhaps just a dozen Wolf Race heads could wipe them out, but in the chaos of battle, they descended like divine troops behind enemy lines, becoming the proverbial last straw.

Moreover, the zombie sailors weren’t weak either, as the Saracen forces ahead were scattered, unable to mount effective resistance.

"It’s them; they’ve chased us to the shore!"

"That leading monster—I clearly saw its head shot off by the ’Banshee’s crossbow cannon, yet it’s alive again!"

"By the holy fire, how did we provoke these demons?"

"They’re not attacking the heretics; these undead must be creatures made by the evil Franks."

Thus, the battle was decided.

...

Outside Gaza City.

Encampments rose steadily.

Industrious craftsmen were assembling the massive siege machines in the center of the camp; the frames of siege towers were taking shape, with armor plating fastened atop using nails.

In the central camp.

Adil questioned solemnly, "Will Master Salman not lend a hand?"

The caster across from him nonchalantly replied, "The Crusader main force has moved north; Gaza City’s forces are prioritized. Does such a city still need my help for you, Adil, to breach it?"

Adil frowned, "Breaking the city isn’t the issue; it’s the time it requires."

A well-equipped army with comprehensive siege weapons could, without regard for time and cost, achieve equal or less loss than the defenders.

But if time is pressing, relying on brute force tactics before siege equipment is complete would result in uncountable losses.

The caster addressed as Salman shook his head, "I won’t act unless their caster acts first."

Adil took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his rising anger, snorted coldly, and left the central camp.

...

At dusk. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

A gentle night breeze brushed by, causing the weary guard to yawn reflexively.

The Saracen camp was intriguingly arranged; as Governor of Egypt, Adil’s influence in the Ayyubid Dynasty was second only to Saladin, commanding his own Mamluks.

Chelina had been infiltrating the camp for two days now.

She took out an iron box, chewing a chocolate bar, and stared expressionlessly at the vast encampment before her.

As if isolated from the world, the surrounding magic aura enveloped Chelina.

The lord was right; the casters of this world are all cunning and cautious individuals who value their safety above all else.