Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks

When Losa was ushered in by the Winged Cavalry into the Inner Castle of Alandler City.

Tariq immediately respectfully presented a golden tray, offering the most precious wine.

"Under the Holy Fire, worship the Great Lord of Transjordan, the new uncrowned king of the Dead Sea—Count Losa, please drink this cup of wine and accept my tribute to you."

Instinctively, Losa glanced at Jeanne and saw an uncontrollable hint of laughter in her eyes, and couldn't help but think it was somewhat ludicrous: "I heard the doctrine of Fire Worship doesn't allow drinking?"

Tariq confidently replied, "To us, this is merely fermented grape juice."

Tariq cautiously chose his words, saying, "My lord, I am willing to persuade my brother-in-law to return all the goods and your vassal Reynard's fiancée that he plundered. Please forgive his offense against you."

Losa frowned, "I have already taken Alandler City; no matter what, I will not return this city."

Tariq quickly said, "Lord Losa, you misunderstood; I am not trying to use hostages to secure your withdrawal."

"I just realize you possess some terrifying magic power that we can't resist, so we wish to cease hostilities and make peace with you."

Tariq's tone was noticeably pessimistic.

He didn't understand where Losa's extraordinary power came from.

Nor did he comprehend why their revered "Holy Fire" didn't favor them and grant them a way to counter such "Demon Power" from Losa.

Could it be that the Frankish deity is truly more powerful than ours?

"Can you keep your word?"

Tariq shook his head, "I can only say, I will do my best to persuade my brother-in-law."

Losa smiled and nodded, "Unfortunately, you won't have the opportunity for that now."

"Take him away, imprison him in the dungeon."

A hint of pallor appeared on Tariq's face, "Lord Losa, do you hope for my brother-in-law to rashly attack, only to be annihilated by you in a field battle?"

An unnatural expression flashed across Losa's face.

This kid is quite shrewd.

Tariq keenly noticed the change in Losa's expression and hurriedly said, "You're overthinking this. My brother-in-law, though foolhardy on occasion, is cowardly and quickly acts on opportunities—and likewise, he will surely shrink away like a hyena once sensing danger."

Losa waved his hand, signaling Pepin to take Tariq away. This time, he specifically emphasized, "Prepare a nice cell for him, do not harm his life."

Pepin dryly chuckled, "I understand, my lord."

Jeanne softly lamented, "Tariq is a smart man, it's no wonder Zain Aladdin values him. What do you think he'll do next?"

Losa shook his head, "I don't know, but the initiative is now in my hands. If I want to fight, I can rely on Alandler as the frontline and slowly wear him down. He can't compete with me."

Now, I don't urgently need to attack Eira Port anymore, one is that ambushes can occur once or twice but not thrice.

Secondly, I now have some bargaining chips in hand.

Even if I halt my advance, it counts as a major victory, boosting my reputation among the vassals.

Jeanne pointed not far away, "Should the remnants of that Scorpion-tailed Lion be beheaded and made into a specimen?"

"Cut it off, and hang it here in the Inner Castle."

Losa looked up.

At this moment.

The originally hanging Holy Fire Banner atop the castle had been slashed by two veteran remaining soldiers and replaced by a colossal Double-headed Eagle Banner and Jerusalem Cross Banner.

Losa spoke, "Model, you temporary hold the position of Sheriff of Alandler, lead your soldiers, and maintain order in the city. Simplify all laws to three rules—murderers die, thieves die, rapists die."

Model quickly kneeled on one knee, responding, "Yes, my lord."

"Stable Chief Laine, you are responsible for guarding the prisoners. As long as they can pay the ransom, they can leave Alandler immediately."

Losa issued orders one by one.

The less than two hundred troops immediately began to operate like a well-oiled machine, orderly and efficiently.

Alandler is home to about five thousand people, making it a sizable city.

The original population consisted mostly of Frankish and Hellenized immigrants, later becoming a frontier of Fire Worship settlers from Yemen and other places after the fall of Eira Port and Alandler Bishopric.

Once the situation stabilized, Losa would likely need to cleanse those existing vested interests, replacing them with his reliable allies.

In the short term, Alandler won't become a liability under Losa's control.

Because next, plundering homes, extracting ransom, selling off spoils—all are lucrative methods, besides, there's one more ruthless way: Losa could thoroughly raid Alandler inside and out, sell all heretics into slavery, confiscate all properties, and after squeezing every drop out.

Return the place to the Church.

Many Lords do this, blindly expanding territories doesn't necessarily bring wealth, but a thorough plunder better secures pockets.

Alandler City, after the initial chaos, became exceedingly quiet.

People tremblingly hid in their homes, fearing those arrogant heretic soldiers on the streets would break down their doors with weapons and start a massacre.

Meanwhile, the Christians who previously endured oppression in Alandler wildly reveled in their newfound power, enacting revenge upon those who had once bullied them.

Model's temporary security forces were too few, unable to manage in time.

This was only rectified after Farmer Soldiers stationed in New Habsburg came to aid.

The Grand Monastery outside the city, despite its high walls and fortified defenses, with plenty of stored grains and siege weapons inside.

Didn't pose much of an obstacle to Losa, just having Tariq lead a persuasion, the garrison within surrendered, disarmed, and withdrew en masse.

Thus, Alandler fully and smoothly fell into Losa's hands.

Post-war casualty settlement, only one death occurred, an unlucky Varangian Guard pushed off the wall.

There were quite a few injuries, but thanks to fine armor, the wounds were merely minor.

…

Eira Port.

Inside the castle.

Zain, with an expression of disbelief, was trembling while reading the message from the messenger.

"How... how could it result in this?"

"This Count Losa, shockingly has a wizard capable of instantaneously killing a Scorpion-tailed Lion..."

He slumped into his throne.

Losa didn't release Tariq to persuade Zain Aladdin for truce talks.

Yet as his brother-in-law predicted.

The ambition initially seeking elevation upon Losa's reputation was immediately tempered by this severe setback, inducing apprehension.

"In any case, these Franks are fierce, I can't easily dispatch troops."

"Better... better pay. First, redeem Tariq, then send someone to negotiate properly with Count Losa, to see if exchanging Reynard's fiancée could return Alandler?"

After hesitating briefly, he added, "Also, send a letter to my brother, asking him to dispatch an army quickly to assist me."

Zain's brother, known as Piercer Cassim, is a cruel and ruthless lord, also the lord of Dahab, Ma'anville, and other areas, with significant strength.

If it weren't for his brother's staunch support, Zain wouldn't have secured the lordship of Eira Port.