Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks

The former King’s expression was serene, the twilight’s halo adding a touch of sanctity to him.

"My era has passed; the new wheel will eventually roll over the old footprints. Sir Godfrey, do not grieve for me; this has long been the release I’ve yearned for."

Godfrey said dazedly, "Your Majesty..."

"Call me Baldwin."

"As an old friend of many years, I only implore you, in this difficult time for Losa to extricate himself, not to hinder my departure."

Baldwin slowly removed his coverall embroidered with the white and gold Cross Badge, smiling as he tapped the simple chest armor underneath—clearly a product of the "Losa Arsenal."

This rudimentary chest armor, composed only of two iron plates, had become popular quickly upon its release by Losa’s blacksmith workshop, valued for its affordability and ease of maintenance, with an annual output of even reaching eight thousand pieces.

But even though the price had been reduced significantly, only the knight class and the more affluent recruit citizens could afford it, still out of reach for the common soldiers.

So Baldwin’s current attire was exactly like a down-on-his-luck knight who, having arrived in the Holy Land, could not boast great fortune but wasn’t too unfortunate either, at least able to purchase a new steed and layer a steel plate over chain armor.

"Your safety..."

"Don’t worry, Sir Demetrius will be with me."

Glancing at Demetrius, the "sword-bearing old servant" who always had little presence standing by Baldwin, Godfrey sighed softly: "If you can ensure your safety, I can only acquiesce in your adventure."

Baldwin laughed cheerfully and lightly patted Godfrey’s shoulder: "Go attend Losa’s coronation ceremony for me, stall him, don’t let him find me too soon."

Amid the hustle and bustle, the former king sprinkled a bottle of magic potion on himself, and then quietly disappeared into the crowd.

In the Royal Palace, a young witch struggled to stuff the alchemy cauldron into her bag.

Nishaya had arrived empty-handed, but with Baldwin’s support, she was now leaving with a heap of magic artifacts.

"Why are you packing up?"

A gentle voice sounded from outside the room.

Baldwin, leading a horse, asked in confusion.

The young witch wrinkled her brow: "You’re no longer the King; the Jerusalem Court now belongs to Mr. Losa. And Mr. Losa surely doesn’t need a not very capable young witch as an advisor, so I’m planning to pack up and return to Constantinople."

"Has your mentor summoned you back?"

The young witch shook her head: "She’s still busy with the war in Sicily, where would she find the time to care about me? Moreover, I’m no longer an apprentice; as a qualified official witch, I’m going back simply because my contract with the Jerusalem Court has ended."

"Oh, well, let me help you pack."

"Alright."

The two busily moving, while the old servant, holding a sword and leading two packhorses, looked on expressionlessly at the bustling pair, without the slightest intent of helping, grabbing a handful of dates from the saddlebag to munch on.

"You sure have a lot of stuff."

Seeing Nishaya, like a hamster, hoarding and packing her belongings, Baldwin couldn’t help but remark.

Nishaya, a bit embarrassed, shrank her head and suddenly realized: "Ah, right, supposedly all this alchemy equipment was purchased with Royal funds; should I leave it for my successor?"

Baldwin chuckled: "Take it all; if Losa complains to your mentor, just say that I authorized it."

"Oh, thank you then."

Baldwin asked again: "How do you plan to return, fly or sail?"

Nishaya, without looking up, said: "First ride, then take a ship; the Flying Technique is an advanced witchcraft, very hard to learn."

Baldwin smiled: "In that case, we have a high chance of being on the same route; want to travel together?"

"Ah?"

Nishaya was slightly taken aback, then said: "Oh, of course, no problem. Along the way, Uncle Demetrius can protect me—where are you headed? If going to Europe, we can part ways in Athens or Crete."

"What if I plan to make a trip to Constantinople, then maybe we won’t have to part?"

"Ah?"

Nishaya was startled: "Are you planning to settle in Constantinople? But the Empress and His Majesty Losa have a close relationship, and even if the Empire has a custom of sheltering exiled Monarchs, it’s impossible..."

Baldwin gave a somewhat self-mocking smile.

The old servant in the yard cackled like a crow.

Baldwin finally relented: "Miss Nishaya, I may not have much money to hire you, but I sincerely hope you’ll join my adventure team."

Nishaya caught on: "So you want to employ me? My mentor always said those who want to exploit you without pay are the worst in the world."

Baldwin was at a loss for words, then saw Nishaya with a sunny smile: "But you treated me so well before, and I barely helped at all, so let’s just consider it included."

She prodded excitedly: "Which horse is for me? Since these artifacts are considered as advance salary, let’s move as much as we can."

Baldwin breathed a sigh of relief, smiling as he said: "This gray horse is prepared for you. Also, Miss Nishaya, do you remember saying you would tailor a path to the extraordinary for me?"

Nishaya smiled sheepishly: "That was said in a brag after accidentally inhaling the ’Egomaniac’ potion; though I do have a concept, it’s at least enough to wait until I advance to a higher-level caster."

"No problem, I have plenty of time to wait."

Baldwin filled the saddlebag to the brim, smiling: "Demetrius, the adventurer team in a minstrel’s tale, swordsman, knight, witch, what’s still missing?"

The silent old servant cackled: "A priest, I can barely manage that."

He said, drawing a cross over his chest: "May God bless you, Amen."

The group of three led the packhorses, chatting and laughing as they slipped out of the palace.

Perhaps because the coronation ceremony captured the city’s attention, their journey was almost unimpeded; even the few guards they encountered were easily placated.

All the way to the city outskirts, Nishaya still found it hard to believe: "Didn’t expect we could move so much, and no one cared. I thought that after Your Majesty’s powerless abdication, the tea would quickly cool."

Baldwin, about to speak with a smile, suddenly saw ahead, a golden-haired female knight clad in silver armor, holding iron armor, smiling at the three of them.

"Lady Knight of Radiance?"