Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 603 - 376: The Evolution of the New Firearm

"Is there anyone who lacks military supplies? I will order the quartermaster to provide as much as possible."

No one else stood up to request supplies.

Most of the Germanic nobles were already staunch supporters of Losa.

As for the Gaul nobles, aside from those who had also leaned towards Losa, some lords originally intended to take this opportunity to ask for some supplies. However, seeing the disdain in the eyes of others, they swallowed their words.

We certainly can’t let these crude, impoverished Germanic barbarians look down on us, right?

At present, the Germans had not yet risen to prominence. The Apennine States, though wealthy, were scattered like grains of sand. Gaul was the core region of the entire Europe, and the Gaul nobles always considered themselves superior.

"Very well, since there is none, I ask that all of you, great lords, return to your territories and prepare for battle promptly. At the latest, we will fight another major battle with the Saracens in half a month’s time."

Losa’s expression was solemn.

"Following your orders, my lord."

"Obeying your will."

The Crusader nobles all chimed in.

Losa nodded slightly. Although this military council required extra spending on supplies, it was actually beneficial for him to tighten his grip on the army’s authority.

Currently, the grain prices in the Kingdom of Jerusalem were soaring. Even though some Jewish merchants had been executed for price gouging, and various monasteries had generously contributed, the Crusaders’ supply issues remained quite severe.

However, after capturing Damietta City, Losa and his main army immediately sent people to check the city’s granaries, occupying all the provisions that Governor Iben originally intended to use for defense.

This allowed him to be the only one capable of providing a large batch of supplies and military equipment in the short term.

The promised supplies from the Lionheart, at best, would take a month or more to arrive.

To be honest, if the Lionheart arrived in the Holy Land with a force of elite Crusader Soldiers from Europe, Losa would genuinely worry about losing much of his authority. But if it’s just him and a Personal Guard, it’s a far stretch.

Richard frowned, unable to hold it back, he spoke bluntly: "Marquis, I have another question."

He was never really adept at scheming and intrigue, and when he tried, it was neither satisfying nor effective. So he simply stood up straightforwardly: "You can’t expect a king to obey your command."

His Count’s Guard Captain, also his advisor, was speechless. By this point, Richard was completely at a disadvantage and should not speak any further because there was no possibility of overturning the situation.

But he also knew that his lord had such a character.

Just like before, he wanted the throne, so he directly raised the banner of rebellion against his own father. If he failed once, he’d try twice; if twice didn’t work, he’d try a third time!

And just like now, knowing well that his brother was colluding with the cunning fox Philip next door to plot rebellion, he nonetheless contacted Sebastian, constructed a teleportation array , and without hesitation left his kingdom to journey alone to the Holy Land.

"I certainly do not dare to harbor such extravagant hopes, esteemed Your Majesty."

Losa bowed his head in salute: "But Your Majesty, with your extensive battlefield experience, you surely understand that if every lord acts independently and arbitrarily during battle, it would certainly cause disastrous damage to the overall war situation."

He said earnestly: "Our opponent is not the scattered Saracens of a previous Eastern Expedition. They possess Mamluk Cavalry, meticulously trained, with combat strength not inferior to our Frankish Knights."

"While we rejoice in our effortless conquest of Damietta Province, Saladin’s brother, personally appointed as the governor of Egypt by Saladin himself, Adil, also rejoices in effortlessly compelling those normally arrogant, order-defiant infidel princes to bow before him."

Losa paused slightly in his tone, raising it: "Gentlemen, consecutive major victories should not blind us."

"We must realize the enemies we face are no longer the helpless, defeated curs. Indeed, Crusader Soldiers arriving in the Holy Land to join us, inspired by our capture of Damietta, is a daily occurrence.

But at the same time, the entire Saracen World, under the name of Jihad, dispatches Ghazi Warriors, who, with their own weapons and even food, join under Saladin’s banner. They hail from Iberia, Africa, Asia Minor, the Fertile Crescent, Arabia... Moreover, the Saracen military strength far exceeds that of visitors battling abroad. If we become complacent, we may suffer a similar catastrophic defeat here as the former King Amalric."

A stranger noble from Gaul sneered: "Is the Marquis saying all this out of fear?"

His voice was grating.

Because in the otherwise silent room, he was the only one speaking mockingly, and it immediately drew sharp, piercing stares.

Losa chuckled softly: "Tell this strange noble gentleman, half a year ago, when I led the Royal Knight Order to capture Saladin’s beloved youngest son, when I led the Crusader Cavalry to charge into the camp of tens of thousands of infidel armies, when I led a disadvantage force to pierce through Mamluk elite several times my strength, when I faced pagan devils who controlled the fire-breathing Demon Dragon, was I ever afraid?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Crusader nobles instantly responded chaotically: "No!"