In the center of the large oval-shaped arena.

The young earl in a golden mask and helmet, wearing a black cloak emblazoned with a golden double-headed eagle, rode the red warhorse of the divine steed, and slowly stepped out of the shadows into the sun.

It didn't seem to be able to adapt to such a noisy environment, and the grapes were a little uneasy to dig into the mud.

Lothar hung the shield on the hook in the saddle and patted its iron-clad head gently to reassure: "This is the first time we have fought side by side, so let's save face." ”

The spectators in the stands were talking, and although the reporter had briefly introduced Lothar, they still had little impression of the young crusader marquis.

"Is this Lothar a newly recruited barbarian general from the Empire?"

"The Habsburgs, such an unfamiliar name."

"yes, I remember, this General Lothar seems to be the inventor of that Gwent card, and I remember that his cards were quite powerful."

"Can he do it?"

"Who knows, they're all Frankish barbarians, it should be about the same."

To the proud nobles and burghers of Constantinople, Lothar was a nobody from the backwoods.

At the very least, the title of a marquis and a military general is obviously not as easy as this one who easily defeated the most courageous Greek knight of the Empire, the son of Caesar of the Western Empire.

Although many Greeks did not agree with the fact that Greater Germania inherited the legal system of the Western Empire, after all, Germania was never a de jure territory of the Empire.

But it also depends on who you compare with.

The nobility of Constantinople apparently disliked the Crusader princes who had taken a big share of the trade in the East and refused to exchange their imperial homeland.

Hearing the disrespectful comments of the long-tongued women, Fringilla couldn't sit still and snorted softly: "If my family can't do it, there will be no one in this world who can do it, you all wait and see." ”

A young lady had long been tired of seeing Fringilla's arrogant face in the stands, and snorted: "Even my husband is no match for him, let alone your family." ”

Fringilla's criticism of her husband, the Greek noble knight, had caused her to lose face, and she naturally wanted to get it back now.

Even when Fringilla was about to have a seizure, she was stopped by Cellinina: "There is no need to quarrel with this kind of person, she will be embarrassed later." ”

...

"You are Lotha of the Habsburgs?"

Crown Prince Henry, opposite, rides a white horse covered with a black single-headed eagle coat on a yellow background, and wears a barrel helmet with a longitudinal crown similar to that of the remaining veterans, connected to the chain mail neck guard.

The upper body is also a burqa of the same color, and it is propped up by armor.

He was armed with a riding spear, and in his left hand he held a yellow-painted shield with a single-headed eagle coat of arms.

Lifting the mask, he asked Lothar, who had just arrived on the field, with a proud face.

Lothar took the lead in a knightly salute and said with a smile, "Yes, Your Highness. ”

Crown Prince Henry was obviously very satisfied with Lothar's attitude, and his face was slightly restrained: "I won't introduce myself, Lothar, how did you play for the King of Greece?" ”

Lothar explained with a smile: "Your Highness, you also know that the kingdom is very different in strength from the infidels, and the Eastern Empire is the most important ally of the kingdom, and I came to help the Greeks on the orders of my king Baldwin. ”

"I see."

Crown Prince Henry said thoughtfully: "Well, when the matter here is over, if you are willing to follow me, and when I take the Kingdom of Sicily, I will make you the Grand Duke of Messina, how about it?" ”

"I don't think much of it, but Sicily is too far away from the Holy Land, and Saladin still has his eye on Jerusalem, and I don't know when it will return, and I can't leave it behind for my own future."

Crown Prince Henry said with a look of pity: "That's a pity, but you're right, as a devout crusader knight, you should uphold your will to defend the Holy Land." ”

The two had already come to the front to communicate at this time.

Grape looked at Crown Prince Henry's Nisaan warhorse and let out a threatening neighing in disdain.

But the opponent's mount was not afraid at all, and not to be outdone, he responded with a voice.

The grape was furious, and at once he ran over with his hooves and opened his mouth to gnaw at its neck, but Lothar tightened the reins and gave it no chance to rejoice.

Crown Prince Henry exclaimed: "Good horse, Marquis of Lothar, if I win, I will not ask for your armor, nor will I hurt your life, but this horse must be given to me." ”

"Your Highness, if you want, come and get it."

Lothar replied with a smile on her face.

"Good!"

Crown Prince Henry replied confidently: "You don't have to keep your hand, I heard that you once defeated Abelardo's knight disguised as a werewolf in a knight's tournament, but I will say that even it is far from my opponent. ”

"I'll do my best, Your Highness."

The two saluted each other, then turned around and returned to where they had started.

Lothar saw two figures in the stands.

Fringira was pulling a somewhat reluctant Cellinina, standing on tiptoe and beckoning.

Looking at the reluctant and embarrassed expression on Cellynina's face, he couldn't help but look at the other side of the stands, where the Empress and Anna were.

Although it was far away, he still saw Anna's mouth, and she was saying, "You must win."

Lothar didn't look around, he put down the golden mask, and the noise around him immediately seemed to be cut off.

He stared at the triangular flag in the referee's hand without blinking, waiting for the signal that the duel would begin.

With the flag waved down.

The noise on the field was much lighter, many people were staring with bated breath, and some of the nobles were even clutching handkerchiefs, so nervous that their breathing was trembling.

This is the duel.

There's nothing more exciting than a battle that can be both high and dead.

The hooves of the horses, nailed with iron palms, trampled on the tamped mud ground, and let out a deafening roar.

The wind peeked through the cracks in the helmet, emitting a piercing screech.

The distance between the two sides is getting closer.

Lothar flattened the cavalry spear in his hand, and at the moment when the two staggered, not only dodged a stabbing blow from Crown Prince Henry, but also poked the cavalry spear on his shield.

With a loud bang.

The spear made of white beech wood shattered into countless sawdust, scattered and splattered in all directions.

The cheers burst out.

Such a warm atmosphere made Lothar can't help but have the illusion that he has shot Crown Prince Henry to death.

Lothar looked back at Crown Prince Henry, who was still sitting firmly in the saddle and couldn't see clearly because of his overturned helmet, and breathed a sigh of relief.

In this confrontation, although he had the upper hand, he didn't even stab Crown Prince Henry directly, you know, although he is the main spiritual power, but his strength has been strengthened all the way, and it has long exceeded the scope of ordinary people.

Lothar was surprised.

Henry was noticeably more surprised.

Just now, the huge power from the opposite riding spear, if he hadn't taken a lot of physique-enhancing potions, and the riding spear was blunt and fragile, he felt that he would definitely be stabbed to the ground.

In the stands, some depressed Greeks shouted in surprise because of their own setbacks one after another.

Lagaia's expression did not change, but the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and he asked, "Mr. Messenger, it seems that we are going to win back this game." ”

Leopold bowed slightly: "With the help of the Marquis of Lothar, it is naturally not difficult to defeat His Highness." It's just that I'm wondering, can you, Your Majesty, really order a pious crusader like Lothar to leave the Holy Land alone and run to Sicily to fight for you? ”

"Or do you have another general who can be sent to Sicily to fight the Norman knights and Saracen mercenaries of Tancred?"

Lagaia frowned.

Before she could speak, Anna continued, "You don't have to worry about it, Mr. Messenger.

Sicily is an inherent territory of the empire, and in the event of cooperation, the ownership of Capua, Benevento, Apulia, Calabria, and Salino is still to be discussed, but Sicily is by no means negotiable. ”

It's going to be on the field.

Off-field is also a confrontation.

The Germanians wanted to use the navy of the Eastern Empire, but in the matter of dividing the spoils, they were at most willing to accept the addition of some Greek vassals to the Kingdom of Sicily, and were absolutely unwilling to return the Eastern Empire to the Apennines.

Leopold also said with a serious expression: "No, this is impossible, if this is the case, will the legal system of the Kingdom of Sicily have to be divided into two tops?" ”

Although the Kingdom of Sicily was divided into two parts, the Kingdom of Sicily and the Kingdom of Naples, both actually claimed to be the Orthodox Kingdom of Sicily.

As a result, when it was merged later, there was the saying of the two Sicilies.

Before the empress could speak, it was up to Anna to confront Leopold: "There is nothing wrong with two tops, otherwise, do you really think that you, the prince, can sit firmly on your throne?" ”

The two quarreled.

...

At this time, the second round of confrontations has already begun on the field.

Lothar got a new riding lance, and this time, his opponent, Prince Henry, was noticeably more serious.

As the two sides staggered, Crown Prince Henry not only used his shield to block Lothar's cavalry spear, but also stabbed Lothar's shield with the riding spear in his hand, and the huge force shook Lothar's shoulder with a faint pain.

That's a lot of strength!

Although there is a factor of his release of water, it is enough to prove that Crown Prince Henry's strength is indeed far beyond the scope of ordinary people.

However, such an encounter did not make Lothar feel any pressure.

The cavalry spear used in the mere competition could not penetrate the defenses of the dragon scale armor, let alone just stab it on the shield.

The "grapes" under his crotch are also sweaty and bloody horses with excellent physical strength and endurance, and if he continues to fight like this, he can only drag the battle into a battle situation that competes the endurance of both sides.

In that case, he would be the victor.

Round 3.

Fourth round.

Crown Prince Henry stopped suddenly, and the shield in his hand was already in tatters.

He took off his helmet and shouted to Lothar: "Enough, when will such a boring battle be over, we might as well start the next one, let us lead our troops and have a bloody battle here." ”

Lothar said to himself: "As you wish, Your Highness." ”

Crown Prince Henry was in a hurry.

An impatient commander will be more prone to mistakes when making decisions, and even if two games are combined into one, it is nothing, and Lothar has the confidence to win.