Chapter 95 - 84: The King Rides to War in Person
"The so-called Empress Faction is nothing more than a ragtag group brought together by interests. There are many who dislike Count Reynard, yet due to his position of power, they only flatter him in normal times."
Baron Goffrey saw this quite clearly.
Though Amalric was a favorite of the Empress, his domain was not prosperous, and his talents and military strength were limited. With Reynard’s arrogant nature, it was impossible for him to regard Amalric highly.
In other words, Amalric naturally wouldn’t truly submit to a Count Reynard who looked down on him.
Both of them are dependent on others for their livelihood; the former is said to be the lover of Empress Angnis, while the latter married Countess Stephanie to gain the Earl’s Domain of Jordan.
Ironically, both dependents see themselves highly and look down on each other, which is only normal.
As Amalric’s brother, Guy was the first to raise his hand and said, "I agree. As the so-called ’King of the Dead Sea,’ the Transjordan County is the eastern barrier of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is now at its weakest; let’s allow Count Reynard to wear down Saladin’s forces a bit!"
Losa felt somewhat amused at heart.
In his world, Guy, who ascended to the throne, was a staunch ally of Count Reynard and a genuine pro-war advocate. Now, however, he showed a different face.
Indeed, the mind is decided by where one sits.
"Yes, that’s right."
"The most elite forces in the city now are the Royal Knight Order and the Jerusalem Knight Order. Perhaps we should let these two knight orders first support Kaler Castle, allowing us a good rest. Once the new recruits are trained, we can engage in a decisive battle against the fatigued heretic army! We shall recreate the glory of the Mongisa Campaign!"
These words immediately resonated with many.
Most of the genuine pro-war advocates had joined the northern Crusader expeditions.
Even the new knights eager for titles and lands did not open their mouths to volunteer. No one is a fool; let others first wear down Saladin’s forces, then come forward, which is both safe and profitable.
Losa and Baron Goffrey exchanged wry smiles; indeed, the two of them had become eyesores to others.
"Silence, you cowardly souls."
"How can the warriors of the Heavenly Father leave their Christian brothers in distress without salvation? You are nothing but treacherous Judases!"
Someone angrily denounced.
Among the nobles and knights, there were also fervent believers with simple minds, many of whom were part of the Empress Faction.
The noisy, intense debate seemed to want to tear the entire roof off.
But no one could quell them.
Amalric shouted "Silence" several times but utterly lacked Regent King Raymond’s authority. Blind imitation only made him a laughingstock.
"Silence!"
A heavy scepter struck the floor, producing a loud bang.
People turned to look in the direction of the sound.
The original clamor gradually quieted down.
In the darkness, a young man clad in splendid robes, crowned with a golden crown and holding a scepter, slowly emerged.
Beneath a silver-white mask, a pair of dignified eyes coldly swept over the crowd.
Baldwin IV!
He had actually appeared!
"Who is this?"
"Silence, this is His Majesty the King!"
"Oh my God!"
"His Majesty is still alive!"
The Crusader nobles looked at each other in dismay, never expecting that the king, who had long been absent from governance and whose sudden death many had prepared for, would stand forth at this moment.
"Ladies and gentlemen, long time no see. It seems that you have even forgotten the etiquette of greeting a monarch."
Baldwin IV’s tone contained not a hint of warmth.
His gaze was as cold as ice.
The icy iron mask, coupled with rumors of the king’s divine punishment, melancholy, and evil, made him particularly terrifying.
Losa was the first to kneel on one knee: "Greetings to my king. I am willing to follow your will; whatever you desire, so shall it be."
Goffrey followed suit.
Then came the Crusader nobles who had come on pilgrimage; they still held a reverence for royal authority, unlike those old nobles long accustomed to Baldwin IV’s ceremonial presence and who often cursed privately, wondering why this leper under divine punishment had not yet died.
Subsequently, the entire hall knelt down in unison.
Amalric and the others shivered even more; they lost their reverence for Baldwin IV because it had been far too long since he stood to handle state affairs.
The entire court was controlled by Empress Angnis and Regent King Raymond.
Now, Baldwin IV stood up again, and all power immediately reverted to this King.
Baldwin IV slowly came to the throne, stroked the gilded chair, and couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.
"Tomorrow morning, all of you need to lead the army under my command. Anyone who fails to show up without delay will be seen as forsaking their sacred oath. I will prosecute them in the name of the holy King of Jerusalem, stripping all rebels of their titles and executing them by hanging."
"Yes, my King."
Baldwin IV coughed lightly and said, "When I was seventeen, I led eight hundred cavalry to break Saladin’s thirty thousand troops. It was so then and will be again today."
"Baron Losa, how many members are in my Royal Knight Order?"
Losa stood up and said loudly, "Forty-five valiant and skilled knights, and one hundred and ten armored cavalry."
"Additionally, there are five hundred soldiers. Including the newly recruited pilgrim recruits, there is a total of one thousand."
A gentle light flashed in Baldwin IV’s eyes. He nodded slightly and then asked, "Baron Godfrey, how many members are in the Jerusalem Knight Order?"
Godfrey hurriedly replied, "Three hundred cavalry, twelve hundred armored soldiers, and fifteen hundred pilgrim recruits."
"My two knight orders have amassed four thousand troops. Baron Amalric, Baron Hanfry, you also need to dispatch troops of this number."
Baldwin IV’s tone left no room for doubt.
Amalric opened his mouth, intending to use the need to leave enough city guard troops as an excuse. But recalling the money he had embezzled from the court and city guards over the years, he ultimately didn’t dare speak up.
He decided to seek Empress Angnis for a plea later.
"Thus, the main forces already comprise nearly ten thousand. Tomorrow, all those who receive my summoning decree must stand ready before the battle. I shall lead the army personally to decisively fight Saladin’s heretic armies."
The nobles and knights accepted their orders one after another.
Some were worried, while others were wild with joy.
Regardless, Baldwin IV’s appearance at this crucial moment undoubtedly gave the scattered nobility of Jerusalem a backbone.
...
After the assembly dispersed.
Baron Godfrey came to the throne with slightly tearful eyes, "Your Majesty, I feel as if I’m back on the eve before the Battle of Mongisa."
"You were just as heroic then... How is your health now?"
He choked up for a moment.
As an ardent supporter of the King’s Faction, his loyalty to Baldwin IV was unquestionable.
Baldwin IV sighed softly, "Baron Godfrey, my health has been treated by the medicine Baron Losa found. I am not in grave danger."
Godfrey looked at Losa with a face full of shock, as if to say: How did you silently accomplish such a significant deed?
Losa smiled wryly, "I initially didn’t have complete confidence."
Father Urding’s solemn voice sounded, "Your Majesty, you are too anxious; the treatment is not finished. This greatly exhausts your life force."
Emerging from the dark passage was Urding himself, followed closely by the King’s personal servant, gripping the Demon-Blocking Golden Sword.
Losa didn’t know how much restraint the Demon-Blocking Gold had on the local wizard but for Furin and Prajna, it had no limiting effect.
The retinue in the systematic world and the extraordinary in this world are distinctly different systems.
There might be some common points, but they are absolutely separate matters.
Baldwin IV removed his mask, and that face wasn’t as hideous and twisted as people imagined; traces of past handsomeness were faintly visible. "For this matter, I have an unshirkable duty."
He spoke, looking at Losa, "I originally intended to entrust you with this heavy task, but since you have found a way to heal me, how could I continue to linger in a dark and sunless room?"
"Baron Losa, Baron Godfrey, you two are my staunch supporters; the matter of the campaign will entirely depend on your assistance."
"Cough—"
The words hadn’t even settled when a bout of urgent coughing broke out.
Baldwin IV reached out to support the chair, straining to keep himself upright.
Urding reminded again, "Your Majesty, please return to the inner chamber with me to continue the treatment."
Baldwin IV looked at Losa apologetically, "In the coming time, I’m afraid I’ll have to make frequent use of your squire."