Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks

Morning.

Losa wore a linen shirt and held the Shining Cross Sword. Opposite him, Chelina wielded a double-edged blade, her expression solemn.

The blades clashed.

A crisp metallic sound echoed.

Chelina only defended and did not attack. Despite Losa's rapid, torrential assault, she was impervious to his advances.

Sweating, Losa took two steps back and transformed the Shining Cross Sword back into a necklace, tying it up.

"No more, Chelina, are you sure you've already suppressed your agility to my level?"

Chelina replied respectfully, "Yes, sir."

At this moment, a maid with wheat-colored skin respectfully said:

"Sir, there is a group claiming to be from the 'Germanic Brothers of Jerusalem Holy Mother Knight Order' who wish to visit you."

Losa pondered for a moment, then realized this must be the newly established Teutonic Order, which previously was a loose hospital organization.

"What do the Teutonic Order want with me?"

Losa was somewhat surprised because he had not had much contact with these Germanic Knights. In fact, in Jerusalem, he rarely encountered them at all.

Compared to the Templar Order and Hospital Knight Order, the Teutonic Order started much later and had a weaker presence.

"Could they be seeking donations from me?"

Losa was wary.

Germans were poor; compared to France, the supposed chosen land and center of Europe, Germans had almost nothing but bad land—of course, that's relative.

If one only considered the arable land area, under his rule as 'Tsar', it's all wasteland.

But if commerce is factored in, Losa's territory far surpasses the former.

This is why Emperor Henry places great importance on this era because of the flourishing Mediterranean trade and the very prosperous and developed Northern Apennine City-States.

He needs the money bags from the Apennine Peninsula.

"Let them in."

Previously, before the Teutonic Order had a Grand Master, he had even considered supporting Hans to become the Grand Master of the order.

But not anymore.

He had the Saint Lazarus Order, people he cultivated himself, which were certainly more reliable and easier to manage than the Teutonic Order.

Losa changed his clothes and came to the reception room.

As the castle had been attacked before, the Dragon Head once stored there was moved here, hanging above his chair, with the Jerusalem Cross Shield and the Double-headed Eagle Shield hanging on either side.

"Count."

The Teutonic Knights dressed in white cloaks with black crosses observed Losa curiously, the lord who recently gained great fame in the Holy Land.

"Hello, with whom shall I speak?"

A knight respectfully saluted Losa, "Good day, esteemed Count, I am Hiberland from Bremen, temporarily elected as the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order."

At that time, there were no winged helmets and horned helmets like the one Hans wore.

So by appearance, this Grand Master Hiberland only wore a white cloak more than his companions.

"Good day, Grand Master Hiberland, what would you like to discuss with me?"

Hiberland wore a pained expression: "Sir, you must know, our Germanic Knights are having a hard time in the Holy Land, not only is our territory barren, but we are also squeezed by the Gaul and Albion Knights."

"Did not His Majesty the Emperor and His Holiness the Pope already reconcile?"

Losa did not echo this sentiment.

In the Holy Land, ultimately the Gaul forces were stronger, Reynard of Chatillon, Baldwin IV of Anjou, Count Raymond of Toulouse.

They were all nobles from Gaul or Albion.

Albion, in strict terms, also belongs to the Gaul faction.

Richard the Lionheart of the Anjou Family not only had a large number of Gaul vassals but also spoke only Gaulish in his court.

The Teutonic Order, as newcomers, faced exclusion partly because they boldly declared allegiance to Emperor Henry and were granted a few Northern Apennine fiefs.

It was also partly because, as newcomers, their rise naturally threatened the status of the Hospital Knight Order and the Templar Order.

The former, although supporting this little brother, the Teutonic Order, to help fight against the increasingly powerful Templar Order, had no intention of treating them as equals.

Hiberland's face was gloomy: "Sir, you must clearly understand that although His Majesty reconciled with His Holiness the Pope, after he punished the rebellious Apennine city-states, their relations soured again... rumors even spread that His Holiness intends to excommunicate His Majesty."

Losa frowned: "Grand Master Hiberland, I am not concerned with the European situation, please state your intentions."

Hiberland hesitated no longer and spoke frankly, "Count, we hope to fight for you, as long as you promise to grant us a place to settle after the war."

Losa felt a headache coming on.

He hadn't even made a move on Rauf's territory, yet he had already promised away several lands.

The sons of those great nobles were easy to deal with; he could ensconce them as Imperial Knights and grant them lands, and he wouldn't lose anything.

But the Teutonic Order, as the master of a faction, Losa certainly couldn't appoint its Grand Master as his Imperial Knight.

Seeing Losa frowning and silent,

Hiberland quickly said, "My lord, you must believe that all members of the monastery are the most valiant and devout Christ Warriors; they will become the sharpest spear and sword in your hand, for you to use."

Losa replied indifferently, "If we're talking about bravery, my Winged Cavalry is indeed the most formidable and intrepid knights in the Holy Land; their prowess has been tested by warfare."

In this era, Germans were not known for bravery and warlike prowess.

It was generally believed that the martial virtues of the Gaul Knights far surpassed those of the ignorant and impoverished Germans, something to be laughed at until it quite came true during World War II.

Hiberland opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but found nothing to say.

For previously, they had joined the northern Crusade led by Raymond, yet their performance was utterly lackluster.

A hint of pleading appeared on Hiberland's face, "Our territory in Acre is both barren and narrow, unable to accommodate our growing number of German brothers."

"Count, I beg you, as fellow German brothers, we've had enough of being excluded in battle, even having our military flags trampled by Gauls, and being unable to treat the wounds of our injured brethren when their injuries fester."

Losa remained silent for a long while before finally speaking, "Indeed, I have no objection to accepting you all, but Grand Master Hiberland, you must tell me under what identity you wish to remain in my territory?"

"If only as mercenaries, would require a fief as compensation."

"I'm sorry, I cannot accept that."

Hiberland was slightly taken aback, then realized that Losa's question was directly at the core of everything.

The Teutonic Order is currently still nominally loyal to Emperor Henry.

And they are seeking to obtain the position akin to the Templar Order and Hospital Knight Order, directly subordinate to His Holiness the Pope, tax-exempt, tantamount to a state within a state.

In other words, after acquiring lands, they would not become Losa's vassals nor need to fulfill any feudal obligations.

"This is the crux of the problem, Grand Master Hiberland. I currently do not need a group of mercenaries, for my enemies have been weakened to where I could easily destroy them whenever I want."

"Unless you are willing to join me in attacking Egypt in the future, but then, it would definitely be an arduous and unequal war."

Losa paused slightly: "Can you wait for that?"

Hiberland was silent for a while, shook his head, and said, "Sorry, my lord, if we wait until then, the monastery may have already been forced to disband due to poverty."

"So, neither of us can accept such conditions, Grand Master Hiberland."

The Teutonic Knights surrounding Hiberland showed some disgruntlement.

Someone could no longer suppress his anger and spoke, "Count Losa, I've heard you have a reputation for being generous, but didn't expect you to be so miserly."

Upon hearing this, Hiberland's expression changed drastically, "Shut up, fool."

Losa chuckled lightly, "Knight, before speaking, I hope you consider the consequences, and who it is standing before you."

He withdrew his smile, his gaze exuding a dignified majesty that made the knight feel as though he was facing a Giant Dragon, retreating several steps and sitting on the ground.

"Otherwise, I don't mind ordering my Guard Officer to throw her glove at you."

From behind the curtains.

Chelina's figure appeared ghost-like, and the twin swords clanged out of their sheaths.

"Please forgive our offense."

Hiberland glanced angrily at the impudent fool and said respectfully.

Losa regrettably said, "Grand Master Hiberland, my bottom line is that I must serve as the highest officer of the Teutonic Order, namely the Grand Master, and you should assume the role of Commander, swearing allegiance to me; otherwise, I cannot accept your request."

Grand Master Hiberland was silent for a while before responding, "We need time to consider."

Losa extended an arm and said in a deep voice, "Please go ahead, I'll be waiting for your return anytime."

Losa watched Hiberland's departing figure, a hint of a cold smile appeared on his face.

The Hungarians introduced the Teutonic Order for help to confront the Kuman tribe, but their cooperation quickly broke down as the Teutonic Order wanted to establish a state within a state in Hungary.

The Poles introduced the Teutonic Order intending to use them against heretics, which also brought trouble home, which led to the Teutonic Order's statehood and later the formation of the Prussian Kingdom.

Though the Teutonic Order currently surpasses the Saint Lazarus Order in size and military strength, that's because the latter was established later.

Given time.

Losa believes that the Saint Lazarus Redemption Order will certainly not be inferior to the Teutonic Order.