In the camp of Lothar.

He sat on the throne in a military uniform with a warm smile on his face.

"Turiados, for our meeting in this situation, I can only say, regretful."

Turiados's face was miserable: "Lord Count, I don't want to, but Isaac has already defeated the Crusaders and the Imperial fleet, and we can't resist him." ”

Seeing that Lothar didn't show a look of surprise on his face, he suddenly said, "You already knew, right?" That's why you can guess my intentions to do something to you. ”

"But Isaac has a black dragon, and his army is far stronger than mine, and when he gathers the armies of the lords from all over the world, your lone army will definitely be defeated."

"I can provide you with ships and promise not to stand in the way of your retreat," he said in an accentuated tone. ”

Lothar couldn't help but laugh.

At this point, Turiados thought he could get out without paying any price.

"Cellinina, tell our honored guest, what are my nicknames."

Cellinina's expression was solemn: "Coward, sitting in front of you are the 'Guardian of the Holy Land' who defeated Saladin, the 'Werewolf Killer' who once stabbed the werewolves, the 'Liberal' and 'Savior' who are worshiped by the common people, the 'Brave' who will charge forward in every battle, the 'Guardian of the Sacred Tree' who turns the desert into a fertile land, and the 'Dragon Slayer' who killed two dragons one after another. ”

The corners of Lothar's mouth turned up slightly, remembering Daenerys in the song he "wrote" in Winter and Summer.

And that's just his nickname, and if you count the title, it's only longer than Daenerys' prefix.

Turiados couldn't help but be dumbfounded.

He had heard of Lothar's reputation, but he always felt that the rumors were exaggerated, and since Lothar had never deliberately publicized them, he didn't take it seriously.

After all, what lord doesn't boast about himself in his own territory?

He was a little incredulous: "This... It's true? ”

Jeanne sneered, "Fool, could it be that deceiving you will give us more power to deal with a black dragon out of thin air?" ”

It was then that Turiados realized that he had said something stupid again.

If Lothar is not sure to deal with a black dragon, it is time to prepare for the withdrawal of the army.

Instead of sitting in the tent and negotiating with yourself slowly.

Lothar stretched: "Lord Turiados, you are on the wrong side. Give up the city of Limassol. ”

Turiados was silent for a moment, with mixed feelings in his heart, and even wanted to scold Lothar, you have this ability, why didn't you say it earlier?

With some difficulty, he said, "I can hand over the city of Limassol to you, as long as you are willing to guarantee the safety of my person and property." ”

Lothar frowned: "Lord Turiados, you must understand that even if I take Limassol City, it will still belong to the Eastern Empire, not mine. ”

"So, if you want me to guarantee the safety of your family's property, what other benefits can I get?"

"Do you want me to rob the property of the rich merchants and petty nobles in the city, or the property of the burghers and farmers?

If you've heard of me, you'll know that I've never been a bully who condones military robbery. ”

Turiados said sincerely: "But Lord Count, after all, you have limited manpower and cannot afford to be damaged. ”

"Limassol is a big city of 30,000 people, if it weren't for the limited time, I would have been able to gather more troops, and those city militias alone are not something you can easily capture."

"Isn't my willingness to sacrifice the city of Limassol enough to prove my sincerity?"

Lothar snapped his fingers, and a cluster of fire suddenly burst out between his fingers, and the light of the fire made his face clear: "Lord Turiados, it is not a problem for me to take the city of Limassol. ”

"If I wanted to, I could even burn the whole city to the ground."

Turiados gritted his teeth and said, "Half, I am willing to give half of my property and ensure the supply of your army, Lord Count." ”

"Deal."

Lothar smiled, "You have to be glad that I'm not a tyrant like Isaac. ”

Turiados had no choice but to say, "Thank you for your kindness." ”

Lothar held out his hand and motioned for Cellina to move him to a seat: "Next time you stand in line, remember to keep your eyes peeled." ”

Turiados sighed lightly and said with a wry smile: "Lord Count, you have a good reputation, and if you lose at your hands, I will not lose my life."

But Isaac, he's a tyrant.

When I don't know which of you is strong and who is weak, I don't have a choice. ”

…

Outside the camp.

Soldiers are cleaning the battlefield and treating the wounded.

Whether it is your own or the enemy's, the physicians of the Order of the Redemption of St. Lazarus will lend a helping hand.

In this battle, the losses of Lothar's side were almost negligible, and the casualties were only in single digits.

The corpses left by the enemy were at least 800 and nearly 1,000 prisoners.

The most noteworthy thing is that when the knights charged, they broke off a lot of horses.

Even if they are wearing horse armor, the damage rate of war horses on the battlefield is still surprisingly high.

Moreover, the cavalry of the Greeks, seeing that the wind was blowing the rudder, turned around and fled too quickly.

As a result, many pack horses were captured, but there were very few war horses.

Fortunately, Turiados has decided to sacrifice the city of Limassol, and then, all their supplies have been settled, and there is no need to worry about the combat effectiveness of the army plummeting.

Lothar no longer intends to march further into Nicosia.

He planned to be in this city, waiting for Isaac to lead his troops to come to the crusade.

Now that the enemy is strong and I am weak, Isaac has just defeated the combined fleet, and it is just when he is complacent, Lothar does not believe that he can hold his temper, and continues to retreat in Nicosia.

The city of Limassol is the name of the Gallic language, and the Greeks called it Amasius.

This coastal city is the largest seaport city in the south of the island of Cyprus and has a permanent population of 30,000.

In the evening.

Lothar made a contract with the citizens, the city defense army, and the nobles through the matchmaking of Turiados.

In the big cities of this era, the burghers, represented by various guilds (such as the stonemasons' guild and the blacksmith's guild), generally held a considerable part of the right to speak.

Some municipalities in Central and Western Europe even had complete autonomy in addition to paying taxes to their lords.

This was also the result of a long struggle and compromise between the lords and the burghers.

Many lords have no experience in managing cities at all, and when they take over them, they will only make a mess.

It is better to leave the city to the management of professionals, and it can also be exchanged for a large amount of taxes, and everyone is happy.

This is similar to the tax package system.

The contract stipulates that Lothar will guarantee the safety of the lives and property of all citizens of Limassol.

At the same time, the city of Limassol had to pay a large "war reparation" and guarantee the army of Lothar for military supplies in the crusade against the rebellion.

Without a single soldier, this prosperous port city opened its doors to Lothar.

He rode on his war horse and walked side by side with Turiados: "I heard that the city still has remnants of the glorious traditions of the ancient empire, a large arena, and the temple of Aphrodite? ”

Aphrodite is one of the twelve main gods of Olympus in Greek mythology, who rules love and navigation.

Greek culture and the culture of the ancient empire have long been indistinguishable from each other.

For example, Zeus was called Jupiter in the ancient imperial culture; Aphrodite was called Venus.

Turiados said respectfully: "Yes, if you want to go on a tour, I can be your guide." ”

Lothar shook her head and said, "No need, let your men prepare food, hot water, drinking water and shelter." ”

He paused in his tone and chuckled, "Ask for clean food, Isaac is a tyrant, but that doesn't mean that I will forgive your offense again and again." ”

He was smiling, but in Turiados's eyes, he looked like a dragon.

"No, not this time!"

Turiados' gaze swept over his subjects, whose faces were full of trepidation and unease.

None of them showed indignation.

He couldn't help but sigh in his heart, could it be that the bravery of the imperial people had really disappeared in the long history?

It seems to have seen through the idea of Turiados.

Lothar chuckled and said, "When did the empire with great martial arts in the past fall to such a state? Is it really her (the Empress of All Cities) that her people have become cowardly? ”

"If you want me to see, it's you nobles, it's just rotten."

…

In the palace of Nicosia.

The giant dragon was entrenched in the garden, its wings covering most of its ugly and hideous dragon face, and it was sleeping leisurely.

In the giant tray next to it, there was also a piece of beef leg that had been gnawed to the bone.

The searing breath from its mouth and nose plucked the ground apart.

Isaac said triumphantly, "It's incredible, this is the power of the dragon!" I can't imagine how the legendary knights challenged this behemoth. ”

】

The black shadow behind him slowly stretched his body, and said in a light tone: "Not all dragons are so powerful, you have to be fortunate to be able to get such a powerful god as me." ”

"I'm glad I am!"

Isaac's eyes moved slightly: "In order to thank you for helping me, I will prepare ten more young girls for you to enjoy." ”

The dark shadow lazily refused, "No, the price you paid was enough. I'm not a devil, and I'm the most particular about equivalent exchange. ”

Isaac was slightly stunned, and then said without changing his face: "Then forget it." ”

In my heart, it was a wave of waves.

There are only twelve girls, even if they are all national colors and heavenly fragrances, it is rare to see, how can they be compared with the value of a black dragon?

After he really owned this dragon beast, he realized how unequal this so-called "equivalent exchange" was.

Thinking of the phrase "I'm not a devil" that the black shadow often hung on his lips, there was a faint hint of uneasiness in his heart.

But even if it's the devil.

I can't get out anymore.

He stretched out his hand, stroked the black dragon's somewhat hot dragon scales, and said silently in his heart.