Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks

The weary Crusader scouts stood on the hill outside Damascus City, bloodstains evident on their armor, marks of their skirmishes with Saracen scouts along the way.

Under the scorching sun, the tall and thick city walls of Damascus stretched out like a slumbering earthly giant serpent, tightly guarding the city within its embrace.

On the walls, a number of tall and sturdy towers were distributed in an orderly manner.

Dating back to the time of the first Eastern Expedition, Antioch had four hundred towers and twelve kilometers of solid city walls.

Although Damascus couldn’t compare in scale to Antioch at its peak, it still had over two hundred towers, strategically placed so that any section of the wall facing attack endured crossfire from multiple towers.

"This is the legendary Damascus, the capital of the Saracens!"

Leopold and Losa, leading a few dozen Winged Cavalry, paused on a small mountain.

He couldn’t help but marvel, apart from Alexandria, this was the most magnificent city he had seen, with towering minarets, grand Holy Fire Temples, and rows of white buildings reflecting sacred light under the sun.

Contrary to widespread depiction as a desert, the Syria Region, in future news reports and many film works, is often portrayed as barren.

Yet, to nurture cities such as Damascus, Aleppo, Antioch, Baghdad, and Tarsus in the Crescent Fertile Land, how could it possibly be barren?

Sometimes, simply by crossing a small mountain, one could see lush forests and babbling brooks running through mountain silt.

This area undeniably served as the center of the world.

Holding it means holding the heart of the entire Eurasian continent.

Gazing at this grand city, no lesser than Alexandria, and far surpassing Jerusalem, Losa was taken aback.

Here, he would be crowned as the King of Damascus Kingdom.

Since then, most of the Eastern Empire’s lost territories have been reclaimed by him, Ragaya’s promised titles of "Basileus" and "Empire Deputy Lord" had transformed from mere honorary titles to reality.

"Your Majesty, since Damascus fell into the hands of heretics five hundred years ago, this majestic city shall return to the hands of Christ our Lord."

Losa nodded with a smile: "Thanks to God’s grace."

"Your Majesty, such a grand achievement will make the entire world sing of your name!"

Leopold’s expression was very excited, a stark contrast to his usual composure.

Even as merely a backdrop to such a great undertaking, it’s a lifetime’s worth of glory.

Even the "Archbishop of Salzburg" in his domain, who often pointed fingers at him and originally at his feudal lord "Lion Henry," would likely bow in reverence before his achievements.

Seeing Losa only smiling without a word, Leopold couldn’t help but sigh: "Your Majesty, you are so calm. If it were me accomplishing such a feat, I fear I would be too excited to catch my breath right now."

Suddenly thinking of something, he turned and shouted, "Ludwig, summon the painter!"

He said this, somewhat embarrassedly explained, "Your Majesty, I want the painter to capture us against the backdrop of Damascus, to be hung as a family treasure in the Lord’s Hall at Amhoff Palace."

Losa chuckled lightly: "As you wish."

"Your Majesty!"

The scattered scouts converged from all directions and came before Losa, reporting the situation one by one.

"The streams found in the mountains have been blocked by the Saracens or filled with corpses, poison, nearby towns and villages likely still have water sources, as the Saracens didn’t relocate everyone into the city."

Leopold laughed, "It seems the Saracens didn’t completely execute their strategy of scorched earth."

Losa shook his head, "Damascus has a permanent population of hundreds of thousands, not less than Cairo. It’s not like Alexandria, a port city. They couldn’t possibly relocate all the residents outside the city into the city, unless they’re willing to watch the external residents perish of thirst and hunger."

Leopold paused, "In that case, is Saladin showing great compassion?"

Losa chuckled slightly, "Perhaps, Saladin also knows he cannot possibly hold Damascus."

He looked at the windswept sands before him, watching the Saracen troops rushing atop the walls, as if seeing again the slender figure he faced for the first time in battle.

"Saladin indeed, worthy of admiration."

Losa smiled slightly, sometimes those who make less wise decisions receive the greatest admiration.

But soon he restrained his smile and ordered, "Send people to those villages to collect water sources, avoid disturbing civilians actively."

Water sources are the lifeblood for both offense and defense, not only do people need water, so do livestock, warhorses, all large consumers of water.

The Crusaders on their march to Damascus City still had some supply of food, but the water jars were nearly exhausted.

"Send more people to the woods, cut timber, and transport it here to build camps. The soldiers are very tired from the long-distance travel, they need to rest for three days before proceeding with the siege."

After issuing the orders, Losa lightly jumped, dismounted, and went straight to the highest point of the small mountain.

He made a whistle.

A gigantic black shadow suddenly revealed itself from the clouds, swooping towards the ground.

The soldiers’ mounts let out uneasy cries, Duke Leopold, encountering Demon Dragon Ladon this close for the first time, was completely overwhelmed by the terrifying beast.

"Heavenly Father above!"

Witnessing Losa leap up, mounting the dragon’s back as they soared into the clouds together.

Only after did Leopold exhale deeply, making the sign of the cross on his chest.

After issuing the orders, Losa lightly jumped, dismounted, and went straight to the highest point of the small mountain.

He made a whistle.

A gigantic black shadow suddenly revealed itself from the clouds, swooping towards the ground.

The soldiers’ mounts let out uneasy cries, Duke Leopold, encountering Demon Dragon Ladon this close for the first time, was completely overwhelmed by the terrifying beast.

"Heavenly Father above!"

Witnessing Losa leap up, mounting the dragon’s back as they soared into the clouds together.

Only after did Leopold exhale deeply, making the sign of the cross on his chest.

After issuing the orders, Losa lightly jumped, dismounted, and went straight to the highest point of the small mountain.

He made a whistle.

A gigantic black shadow suddenly revealed itself from the clouds, swooping towards the ground.

The soldiers’ mounts let out uneasy cries, Duke Leopold, encountering Demon Dragon Ladon this close for the first time, was completely overwhelmed by the terrifying beast.

"Heavenly Father above!"

Witnessing Losa leap up, mounting the dragon’s back as they soared into the clouds together.

Only after did Leopold exhale deeply, making the sign of the cross on his chest.