In the mansion of Hebron.

When the wind and dust returned to the courtyard, Jeanne, who was about to take a break, couldn't help frowning when she heard the news: "So, the number of people who went out for this battle has increased by four hundred?" ”

"That's right, these four hundred include three hundred members of the Brotherhood of Knights, and one hundred Knights of the Salvation Order of St. Lazarus."

Now Lothar's territory is on the right track, and there are town militias in each city to maintain order.

And then count the forces left behind by Lothar.

It is still very easy for the Transjordan border territory to hold on to its original territory without going to war with the outside world.

Even if an enemy is attacking, it is possible to recruit the army of a lower lord.

Therefore, Lothar is not worried that he will draw so many troops, which will lead to the emptiness of the territory.

Jeanne was a little dissatisfied: "With the addition of these four hundred knights, do I still have to prepare at least four hundred squires for them to serve their food, clothing, and daily life?" ”

Four hundred attendants are small, and under normal circumstances, a knight must have at least two attendants, one responsible for serving the cattle and the other responsible for maintaining weapons and equipment.

Lothar comforted: "Don't worry, there are only about a hundred regular knights in these knight brotherhoods, and the rest are squires, and they will handle the logistics themselves." ”

Jeanne rubbed her eyebrows: "Send Miss Cellinina to me as a helper, I don't bother to take care of such trivial matters in the past." ”

It has been said that war is not a vigorous horseback ride and slash.

War is waiting, it is an endless march, it is waiting for the rations of the next meal to be distributed to oneself.

Therefore, although the conscription order had not yet reached Lothar's hands, he had already begun to reorganize his armament in full swing.

"Yes."

"My lord, I must warn you that our financial problems are already serious, and unless you are willing to receive the tax next year, or an additional shield tax, we will have to borrow from the Templar banks."

"Don't worry, Anna promised to be reimbursed for the military expenses of this battle. No matter how corrupt the Eastern Empire is, it is still a formidable behemoth, and they are very wealthy. ”

Lothar said in a relaxed tone.

With so many new people newly settled in his realm, the damage to his reputation and prestige would be great if they were taxed in advance or in addition, and he would rather borrow a loan from the Knights Templar than consider raising taxes.

Jeanne frowned and said, "That's also a post-war reimbursement, is it possible that it can be advanced to you?" ”

"Anyway, you don't have to worry about the finances, maybe tonight, Captain Hogg will dock at the port of Ayla with a shipload full of treasures."

In the evening.

The crimson sunset is hanging in the sky.

The countryside northwest of the city of Hebron.

Outside a church that has just been painted.

Knights and monks dressed in black robes on a white background were hurriedly encamping.

This church is no bigger than the one outside Alaandler, a huge monastery that resembles a fortress and can accommodate an entire army.

The vast majority of people still live in camps.

Heberland looked at the dense oak forest in the distance and whispered, "It is said that this is an oak tree planted by Abraham himself." ”

Beside him, several knights sighed with emotion: "Hebron, a city of miracles, a wonderful city, but unfortunately, there are too many heretics here. ”

"Yes, I also think that the Grand Master treats those despicable Jews and Saracens too well."

Heberland frowned, "It's none of our business, put yourself right, my comrades. ”

The knights were silent for a moment, and someone said, "Bruno, Heberland, is angry that we have divided them and merged them with the Order of St. Lazarus. ”

"If the Knights continue like this, sooner or later they will decline, and he just thinks that we should merge with the Knights Hospitaller."

Heberland sneered: "But with the merger with the Knights Hospitaller, we will still be ostracized, does he think those Gallic knights will treat us equally?" ”

There is another sentence that Hyberland did not say, but everyone knew it.

Merge with the Knights Hospitaller, and those of their great standing will be swept to the dust.

To sell yourself, you have to find a more reliable buyer with better treatment.

Someone suddenly shouted, "Look over there!" ”

In the distance, smoke and dust billowed out.

A large convoy is slowly approaching this direction.

At the front of the team, the black eagle flag hung high, so that Heberland and the others immediately realized the identity of the comer.

"The Grand Master?"

"Did he have supplies ready for us so quickly?"

The Teutonic Knights numbered a lot, numbering in the thousands, not including the guards stationed in fiefdoms such as Acre, although most of them were monks who did not need to be equipped with equipment and mounts.

But so many people eat horses and chew, and it is not so easy to be satisfied.

Soon, the convoy was in the camp.

The members of the Teutonic Knights, looking at the soldiers accompanying the convoy, all armed and armed, couldn't help but feel envious.

Andreas rode on the back of a tall sturdy horse and greeted Heberland.

Then he beckoned to the soldiers, and placed ten pairs of plate armor of various sizes in front of everyone.

"My lord said that as members of the Great Knights' Council, you should distinguish your identity from the rest of the knights from your armor, which is exclusive to you."

The great knights who had been transformed into Edict Knights couldn't help but breathe a lot heavier.

Some people even reached out to touch the smooth plate armor that could reflect the human face as if they were caressing the lover in their dreams.

A good pair of armor, on the battlefield, can save lives.

In this era, many knights have the experience of being hit by dozens of arrows and still fighting on the front line, but none of these knights are poor.

Armor, for a knight, is not only the second life, but also the third, fourth, fifth ...

A good pair of armor can save more than just your life.

Tyberland forcibly suppressed the throbbing in his heart and asked, "Knight Andreas, what about the rest of the men's equipment?" ”

Andreas explained: "Preparations are still being made, Hebron's arsenal has long been empty, but the arsenals of Port Ella and Philorn still have a lot of captured Saracen armor, which can be transported with only a slight modification. ”

"I see."

The Heberland knights were slightly disappointed.

Andreas smiled, "Don't worry, my lordship, as Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, assures you that before the expedition, every knight of the Order will receive a chain armor and a barrel helmet, and each squire will receive a scale and armor. In addition, fifty war horses and two hundred pack horses will be allocated. ”

"Thank you Grand Master for your generosity."

Heberland hurried.

The Teutonic Knights were not unarmed at all, but they were severely lacking in armor and horses.

As long as these equipment were in place, the Teutonic Knights' combat effectiveness could at least triple their effectiveness.

They are already known for their well-trained, but the shortcomings of their equipment greatly limit their strength.

Andreas smiled and said, "Commander Heberland, you send someone to check if there is any error in the number of supplies, and if it is confirmed, come and sign." ”

He paused slightly, and then said, "Please be sure to make it clear, once you leave, I will not be responsible." ”

Is it so formal?

Heberland couldn't help but have a new understanding of the attitude of Lothar's men.

…

At night.

Candlelight flickered in Lothar's room.

He held a quill in his hand, dipped it in ink, and on a pile of white paper, he wrote down what Anna had explained.

Soon, one spell model after another was calculated by him through his magical knowledge.

Compared with the spell model in the magic book, it is not bad.

Anna was satisfied: "It's not bad, it's the person who once stood on the top of the mountain, and this learning speed is a world away from those stupid wizard apprentices who are as stupid as a stone. ”

"After class, you'll be able to try your hand at fireball. Although the system is different, with your foundation, one day should be enough for you to master this fireball technique. ”

"Tomorrow night, I'll check on your progress."

Lothar nodded, "No problem." ”

"Good night then, Lothar."

"Good night, Ms. Anna."

After hanging up the communication.

Lothar snapped her fingers.

A cluster of flames immediately burst from his fingertips, and after completing the Volcano King milestone, his affinity for the fire element was amazing, and after knowing the principle of the fireball technique, it was a matter of course to cast this spell.

However, being able to perform it is not the same as using the maximum power of the fireball technique.

There are various optimal solutions for the same spell model, and each difference in the operation of the magic power may cause the fireball spell to produce abnormal changes in various directions.

Some will lower its temperature, some will reduce its flight speed, and some will be extremely unstable, and may explode before they can be released.

The fireball technique recorded in the magic book is the optimal solution in the usual sense.

Consumes less mana and is more consistent.

Lothar is still far from fully mastering this "optimal solution".

"Heh, it's almost the same as solving equations, no wonder you can learn mathematics, physics and chemistry well, and you are not afraid to go all over the world."

Lothar hesitated for a moment and waved his hand to extinguish the flames.

He was going to change the spacious area to test spells, and although he was immune to fire damage, it didn't mean that his mansion could do the same.

If he accidentally burned down the mansion, he wouldn't have the money to rebuild another one.

…

And just like that, time is running out.

On the third day.

A summons was sent to Lothar.

Baldwin IV said: Isaac, the tyrant of Cyprus, killed priests, insulted nuns, destroyed churches, and mutilated Christians.

and repeatedly plundered the merchant fleets of the Crusaders, and all the Christians on board were sold to the infidels.

This series of dishonorable deeds is unforgivable by any Christ people.

It is hereby ordered that the Count of Transjordan, Lothar von Habsburg, call up 1,400 soldiers for the Crusade of Punishment against Cyprus.

This number can be said to be the same as the number of soldiers that Lothar was originally going to dispatch, because Lothar had already passed through Nishaya and Baldwin IV in advance.