Limassol is a great place to be.

To the north, it has a large area of fertile plains suitable for farming, a mountainous southwest with a large number of wineries, and a southern part of the sea with many natural harbours.

It can be said that this is the best part of Cyprus after Nicosia.

In the manor of Turiados.

Lothar is communicating with Anna.

"I have captured the city of Limassol, and Turiados has become my prisoner."

"You used a forbidden spell?"

"Nope."

There was silence on the other side.

It took a long time before a voice came.

"I don't know if I should be happy or angry, it's incredible that you took the fortified city of Limassol in one day with just over a thousand people."

Anna's voice was a little bitter.

Lothar shrugged his shoulders and said bluntly: "There is something wrong with your military system, the combat effectiveness of the army is quite poor, no wonder the frontiers of Asia Minor will be like a sieve, wantonly plundered by the Turks. With a huge empire, you can't rely on mercenaries forever, right? ”

Although, Lothar specially brought the mounted spear originally assigned to Hans on this trip, plus his own "charge", and Jeanne's "knight's flower" triple blessing.

The strength of the Teutonic Knights has been raised to a notch.

But most of the soldiers under him were recruits who had not been trained for a few months.

Anna silently.

As a witch, she can train an elite for the Empire at most, but other than that, she is actually quite limited.

Lothar changed his words: "So what now?" We're friends, but I'm taking more risk than a Mazzotos can pay. ”

Lothar is very outspoken and wants to sit on the ground.

"I understand what you mean, but I can't agree to you handing over Limassol to you, unless you're willing to swear allegiance to Venerable Baselisa."

"It so happened that His Majesty had the idea of splitting the Cyprus Military District into three parts.

If you can capture Isaac, I can call you the title of military general, not an earl commander like Turiados. ”

Limassol is not only a city, but also the regional capital of Limassol, with several towns, castles and villages, including Mazotos.

"Military District General."

Lothar frowned.

In this era, there is no saying that one minister does not serve two masters.

He could be a vassal of both the Eastern Empire and the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

For example, his good brother in the mock war, Charles the Bold of the Duke of Burgundy, is both a vassal of the French King and a vassal of the Holy Lorea.

Although, in reality, he will not fulfill any of his feudal obligations.

And he has been seeking to consolidate all his territories into one title, the Grand Duchy of Burgundy.

He was even promoted to the Kingdom of Burgundy and became a monarch comparable to the King of France and the Emperor of the HRE.

To put it bluntly, it's a two-five boy who jumps sideways repeatedly.

"Very tempting proposal, I will seriously consider it."

Lothar decisively skipped the topic: "Tell me, what is the weakness of that black dragon?" ”

Anna let out an "um" and replied:

"The temperature of the black dragon's breath is far less terrifying than that of the tyrannical dragon, and its physical strength is much worse than that of the tyrannical dragon, but its minions have a very terrifying corrosive toxin, which is similar to the magic resistance gold, and has a certain degree of demon-breaking effect."

"Also, the flight speed of the black dragon is among the pterosaurs, although it can only be said to be average, but it is also a pterosaur, and it is very maneuverable. If you really want to talk about weakness, that is, the scale armor on its body is relatively fragile. ”

"Overall, this black dragon should be a cut away from the tyrannical dragon you dealt with."

"I see, thanks."

Lothar is very confident.

No matter how nimble this black dragon is, as long as the scale armor is not strong enough and its vitality is not as tenacious as the tyrannical dragon, it will not be able to withstand the holy spear that both Jeanna and he can wield.

However, where did Isaac get this black dragon, which is more worthy of his caution.

Hang up the communication.

Lothar looked at Celinina beside her, "Did you hear that?" ”

"Hmm."

"What do you think I should choose?"

Cellinina was slightly stunned: "Is this a new test for me?" ”

"Count."

She pondered it and said, "Personally, I think you can agree." Even if you're worried that Limassol, an enclave, won't be able to control it, you can swap territories with Princess Sibylla who holds Gaza and Jaffa. ”

"A territory swap is a good idea, and I've thought so before. It's a pity that Limassol is not a small town like Mazotos, and it is impossible to replace it. ”

Lothar stretched: "Since you have said so, then I will agree to Anna's conditions." ”

Cellinina: "? ”

Fringira complained: "Don't listen to the nonsense of adults, he must have already thought about agreeing to Anna's conditions, maybe, and also thought that he could take advantage of the canonization ceremony to meet the legendary first beauty of the East." ”

Lothar smiled kindly, quietly glanced at Prajna, and did not answer.

…

In the evening.

On the walls of Limassol.

Lothar stroked the weathered wall tiles.

Turiados followed him with some flattery.

"In two months, it will be harvest time in the vineyards of the Troodos Mountains. Lord Count, here's a lease to the winery. ”

"Then you're welcome. Count it in your half of your possessions. ”

Lothar took the contract and looked down at the harbor below.

Due to the war, there was significantly less traffic.

"Lord Turiados, how much does Limassol pay you taxes in a year?"

Lothar's sudden question, which caught Turiados a little off guard, he recalled it, and said thoughtfully:

"If you count the city alone, there are about 10,000 gold coins of Souleds."

"Including business taxes?"

"Of course."

"It's about the same as Hebron."

Lothar looked unsurprisingly surprised that Hebron's permanent population was only one-third that of Limassol.

However, it is a holy place of the two religions, and counting the many pilgrims, in fact, the tax revenue of the two places is almost equal.

Compared to the territory in the hands of Lothar, if only the development potential is counted, Limassol is still inferior to the port of Ayra.

Although the trade in the Mediterranean is more developed, there are also many ports, which are not as good as the port of Eyra, the best port on the Red Sea.

It's just the Limassol Military District, there is not only one Limassol city.

The benefits of this territory will only be greater.

"Have you ever thought about the punishment you will receive this time?"

Turiados was stunned, a hint of bitterness on his face.

Participating in the rebellion, in the Eastern Dynasty, the guarantee is also a family to exterminate the family, and it is even possible to connect the nine clans.

If it was in the Eastern Empire, when the bureaucratic system was still complete, Turiados would at least have to be sentenced to death and stripped of all noble titles.

Now...

It's hard to say.

If Lothar is willing to help him cover, there is a high chance that he will be able to save a life.

"I don't know that if Your Majesty had mercy, he might have taken me back to Constantinople for trial."

"Let's put it this way, Turiados, even if you don't lose a life, you can't be the Earl Commander of Limassol anymore, you have to consider the interests of your family."

"What do you mean?"

Lothar said: "Venerable Baselisa intends to split the Cyprus Military Region, and I will be the general of the Limassol Military Region, I hope you can help me secure this position." ”

Turiados was silent.

I couldn't help but feel a trace of anger in my heart, you took my place, slaughtered my army, seized my property, and still want me to help you?

When I was the Minotaur in Crete? (Minotaur in Greek mythology)

"Turiados, everyone has to pay for their choices. Take refuge in me, and I will save your life and the interests of your family. ”

Lothar's tone was leisurely: "Or, are you charged with treason and sent by me to Constantinople for trial?" ”

Turiados was a little incredulous: "Would you like to use me?" ”

Lothar chuckled, "Or am I joking with you now?" ”

He didn't care if Turiados was loyal or not, and when he stepped down, he would just be transferred to the knight of the edict.

Turiados didn't hesitate any longer, and said simply: "I am willing to serve you." ”

Lothar let out an "um" and asked, "How many troops are under Isaac?" ”

"Not counting the armies of the commanders and nobles of the localities, Isaac had two thousand Turkic and Cuman light cavalry under his command, and the personal guards he had brought with him from the Cilician Military District, a well-formed army of two thousand men, including many Latin knights."

In a narrow sense, the Latin knights refer to the Frankish knights hired by the Empire, and in a broad sense, they also include the new cavalry formed by the Empire according to the "rifle charge" method of warfare.

After all, the strength of the Latin knights is obvious to all, and the mounted cavalry of the Eastern Empire is no longer suitable due to its high price.

"Lord Earl, I must warn you that Isaac still has a navy, if he comes by sea"

"Wouldn't the militia in Limassol help me protect Limassol? Everyone knows about Isaac's brutality, could his army be a righteous army that conquers a city and lets it not be ransacked? ”

Turiados opened his mouth and sighed lightly: "I will help you persuade the citizen representatives to send the town militia to help defend the city." ”

"Not for me."

Lothar patted Turiados on the shoulder: "It's for yourself." You've chosen a side, but after you've lost that battle, you don't have to choose again. ”

Lothar said succinctly, "You can only follow me. ”

…

In a military camp inside the city of Limassol.

The atmosphere is warm.

A big victory made the peasants and soldiers, who were still a little nervous, relax a lot.

The old peasant soldier was counting the coins in his hand with joy, which he had captured in the battle.

The comrades gathered on the side and discussed with great interest today's ceremony of entering the city: "The Greek girl here is really beautiful, I heard that the kiln sister in the city, as long as a silver coin, can have a beautiful time." ”

The crowd listened and swallowed.

The isolated military life made these soldiers who were just young and middle-aged, and when they thought of the white body, they couldn't help but feel a kind of heat.

Moreover, they also happen to have money in their hands.

The old peasant soldier stuffed the coins into his pocket, coughed, and scolded: "Don't fart, let Judge Ned hear, and you will be whipped indispensably." ”

Thinking of Ned Stark, who always had a calm face, the group suddenly felt as if they had been poured a basin of cold water over their heads.

On the side, Renault, who was silent, suddenly spoke: "Prostitution is a serious crime in the military law formulated by Knight Jeanne, and leaving the barracks without permission is the most important thing. ”

The crowd was slightly stunned.

Someone laughed and scolded: "Heh, Renault, you stinky boy has started to talk to us about military law." ”

"We're just talking."

The old peasant soldier got up, came to Renault's side, and said with a smile: "What's the matter, Renault, the usual queue and poke work, right?" We're not knights, it's enough to understand this. ”

Someone laughed and joked: "Renault is the first row, he only needs to be responsible for raising the shield." ”

Renaud said sincerely: "It's my fault, I shouldn't have questioned the training rules formulated by Lord Count and Knight Jeanne, but we don't seem to have played a role in this battle." ”

"Hey, we're just a group of bitter infantry, it's good to be able to fight for the knights."

Renault said with some envy: "I heard that in the second company of the barracks next door, there is a small peasant soldier named Karami who has accumulated enough merits and is said to be canonized as a knight." ”

The hearts of the crowd were hot.

"Old Barr, you're fast, aren't you?"

The old peasant soldier sat cross-legged on the marching bed, and when he heard this, his face turned pale: "Of course, I can choose any more than three enemy heads, the hussar company, and the newly formed mounted cavalry company." ”

Hussars and hoplite archers, certainly not knights.

But in the eyes of these people, there is no difference from the knights.

These words ignited the enthusiasm of every peasant soldier in the camp to kill the enemy, and they were eager to fight another big battle with the enemy immediately.