Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks

The rain was not heavy.

Drizzle.

The entire city was enveloped in a thin mist, like it was wearing a white veil.

Baron Godfrey stood at the entrance of the Royal Palace Hall, carefully brushing off the mud splatters on his cloak of plate armor, a smile unable to be suppressed on his face.

Along the way.

The envious expressions of people upon seeing his magnificent armor made him feel a little elated.

Godfrey was not one to indulge in pleasure or luxury.

The Public Teaching's doctrines never advocated it either, but an armor that boasted amazing defense and freed from the bleak appearance of chain armor, was truly irresistible.

Only I have it, and others do not.

This feeling of satisfaction is akin to wearing a brand-new, very stylish, warm, and comfortable outfit in Losa's original world school during winter, when everyone else had to wear cumbersome blue and white uniforms.

Godfrey was already eager to flaunt his custom-made plate armor at the assembly among his vassal colleagues, while also promoting Losa.

But then.

Suddenly, the sound of hooves emerged behind him.

Regent King Raymond, with a team of attendants, wearing a blue cloak emblazoned with a cross, handed the reins to the attendant with a smile, and walked towards the stone steps.

When the two met each other's gaze, their expressions instinctively stiffened for a moment.

"Lord Tiberias."

Raymond also smiled and returned the gesture: "Baron Godfrey."

As Godfrey chatted with him, a ripple stirred in his heart.

"Damn it, why does Raymond look even more imposing than me in that armor? Could it be that the armor Losa gifted him is even more exquisite?"

"Exactly, look at those patterns on his chest armor, Losa, you ungrateful brat!"

Raymond had already anticipated this. Losa was closer with Godfrey, and having gifted it to himself, he would naturally gift his most important ally as well.

Only...

"Hey, this guy Godfrey clearly pales in comparison to me in terms of physique, he doesn't look as impressive or gallant in that plate armor as I do!"

Regent King Raymond straightened his chest, his face filled with a joyful smile: "Shall we go in together?"

Godfrey's grin became increasingly stiff: "Sure, please, after you."

...

"Phew—"

Hans steeled himself, apprehensive, took a deep breath, and finally chose to knock on the wooden door before him.

He was there to visit Joseph's widow.

Joseph was the Knight who lost his son last year and perished in battle with Demons this year.

"Who's out there?"

Hans tried to make his voice sound gentler: "Madam, I am Joseph's friend."

The wooden door opened.

The scene inside surprised Hans somewhat.

For there were three Knights, six Soldiers, all gathered around a square table—a gathering of all who survived the battle with Demons except those severely wounded.

"Commander Sir!"

They rose and greeted Hans.

Joseph's widow, a woman with light freckles on her face, with fiery red hair, offered a gentle smile: "Ah, you must be Hans from Sego? Joseph often mentioned you. You're a decent person, I appreciate you coming to his funeral."

Hans remained silent.

"Please come in, Mr. Hans."

Hans struggled to move his steps as he entered the room, and softly said: "Sorry, Madam, I couldn't bring Joseph back alive."

The smile seemed to vanish from the woman's face.

The atmosphere turned a bit heavy.

But she immediately wiped away her tears and regained her smile: "No, it's alright, they told me what happened, you did your utmost, even Heavenly Father wouldn't fault a noble Knight like you who treats his subordinates kindly."

"Please, take a seat, I'll bring some wine for you."

The Knights and Soldiers extended their goodwill invitation as well.

"Yes, Commander Sir, please sit down quickly."

"Father Urding and his Redemption Order completely healed our wounds in just one day, I've heard you have a good relationship with him?"

"Ah, um, yes, it's quite good."

He came to the table and said somewhat stammering: "I thought… I thought you would… you would blame me."

"Blame you?"

"Blame you for being a werewolf?"

The soldiers displayed cheerful smiles: "Commander, indeed you are a werewolf, but you're not at all like the ones from the legends. Unlike the drunken tales of the minstrels, we prefer to trust our own eyes."

"That's right, Hans, you're nothing like the savage, merciless monsters from those tales."

"Moreover, since the Grand Master trusts you and has given you significant tasks, we have no reason not to trust you."

Hans was moved to the point of speechlessness.

"I..."

What Hans didn't know was that before departing, Losa had specifically visited each of these people and used Blood Magic to guide them.

As for how much of their current attitude stemmed from genuine feelings and how much was due to the magic's influence, it was unclear.

Losa had no intention of telling Hans about this.

As his elder brother, Losa felt it necessary to protect his younger brother's mental and physical well-being.

…

In the countryside vineyard.

Losa and his group paused on a country dirt road, beside them were laboring hirelings—this land belonged to him, the Lord.

Now, it's his second day back in Hebron.

But he didn't linger long in the Lord's Hall; instead, he fulfilled the promise he made to Jeanne and the others before leaving, taking them to experience the vineyard.

It's the harvest season now.

The accompanying Winged Cavalry raised the Double-headed Eagle banner, proclaiming the lord's tour to the inhabitants.

He would frequently stop to listen to the inhabitants' demands and respond with solutions or refusals depending on the situation.

Such a high-profile presence was because Losa intended to lure out those rats hiding in the sewers once and for all.

Having left Hebron for close to two days, if those local strongmen were decisive enough, they should have prepared to attack him by now.

He was not afraid of this.

What kind of powerful killer could these rural strongmen hire?

At most, like the conspiracy forces in Jerusalem, who organized the assassination of Crown Prince Baldwin, they might hire the Assassins to target him.

But times have changed; an enemy of that caliber no longer requires Jeanne, Prajna, and Furinjira to take action; he could easily handle them alone.

In the fields.

A young heretic girl, bare-footed, stepped onto the soil, shyly carrying a basket of grapes as she approached, "Lord, these are for you."

The girl was very beautiful, with skin like milk, and the black dirt on her cheeks did not diminish her charm.

Losa smiled and ordered the guards to accept it: "Thank you."

The girl sincerely expressed her gratitude, "Thank you for your generosity. May the sacred flame and Heavenly Father bless you."

"You're welcome."

Watching the girl leave, the smile on Losa's face gradually faded.

He handed the basket of grapes to Prajna.

Furin immediately extended her hand, "I want some too!"

Losa, slightly helpless, pushed away Furin's hand and, looking at her somewhat disappointed expression, asked, "Try to see if it's poisoned?"

Prajna calmly picked up a grape, deftly peeled it with her slender fingers, and put it in her mouth.

A moment later, she succinctly said, "There's no poison; very sweet."

Furinjira said somewhat sheepishly, "Actually, I can test for poison too. Human toxins probably won't affect the Blood Race."

Jeanne mocked, "Miss Furin, I believe you don't quite understand the value of Heavy Iron Guard armor!"

Furinjira quickly retorted, "Are you saying you do?"

The two had started frequently quarreling and bickering recently.

Jeanne's intimidation of Furinjira was continuously declining; it seemed it wouldn't be long before she earned a title standing shoulder to shoulder with Prajna's "big dummy."

Losa somewhat sentimentally picked up a grape, peeled it, and put it in his mouth, "Indeed very sweet, let's share and eat them. Honestly, I'm surprised."

Andreas, by Losa's side, complimented, "Sir, there's nothing to be surprised about; even heretics appreciate your generosity."

Losa shook his head, "With linguistic and religious barriers, sometimes being kind to the common people doesn't earn gratitude."

Andreas cautiously stated, "That's true, but sir, you should feel happy too, right?"

Losa was momentarily stunned.

Then laughed, "Ha, indeed, receiving others' gratitude is always better than walking the streets with countless hateful and disgusted glares behind you."

If possible, he was very willing within his capacity to provide a better life for his people under his command.

This wasn't related to whether it aided his rule but tied to his background from the common people's class.