Chapter 960 - 183: Hanging!
Damascus Square was abuzz with voices.
Many citizens of Damascus and notable figures were required to attend this ceremony—yes, it was not an execution, but the coronation of His Majesty Losa as King of Damascus, with the execution being just a trivial segment.
These natives of Damascus, still in shock, watched the Crusader Princes and Knights, who were so distinct from them, with pale faces.
As a prisoner with a sack over his head was pushed to the execution platform in the center of the square, the atmosphere immediately grew much heavier.
Some Damascus residents, unaware of the inside story, even thought Losa had captured Saladin to execute him in front of them, showing worried and sorrowful expressions.
But soon, a herald announced the identity of the prisoner to them—Reynard of Châtillon, a butcher stained with the blood of many, having attacked the Saracen border villages multiple times.
He was sentenced to hanging for violating military law, killing seventeen civilians, and plundering their wealth.
Instantly, there was an uproar from all sides.
"The heretic king actually established such military regulations, no wonder those Frankish barbarians haven’t harassed us."
"Ha, in my opinion, it’s just the Franks tearing themselves apart, using this to deceive us."
"Alas, whatever the case, it’s a great thing that these heretics are now somewhat restrained."
The people of Damascus clearly felt Losa’s goodwill, and their expressions became much more relaxed.
On the Crusader side, their expressions were generally not so pleasant.
Baron Regina of Sidon couldn’t help but complain: "Does our newly crowned His Majesty the King intend to execute a meritorious Crusader Prince to appease the people of Damascus?"
Raymond’s expression was complicated. Reynard had been his old rival, and his noble faction had been in open and secret conflict with Reynard for years, like fire and water, but he certainly didn’t want his old rival executed for such a reason.
Losa, do you see us, the great nobles who once called the shots in the Kingdom, as mere pigs and dogs to be casually executed on the gallows?
"Philip, if you don’t stand up, your number one lackey is about to be slaughtered."
Richard the Lionheart looked a bit schadenfreude.
Reynard of Châtillon had worked hard to build the teleportation array for King Philip to reach the Holy Land and was recognized as one of Philip’s confidants. Losa’s decision to execute him was nothing short of a slap in Philip’s face.
Philip was somewhat frustrated: "I have warned him, Losa means business this time, but he refused to listen, insisting he would personally take what Losa wouldn’t give. What can I do?"
He knew well that Losa, in his triumphant momentum, had blown the matter up so much that if he went to plead now, it would only be self-humiliating.
Count Fuller beside him couldn’t help but say: "But Your Majesty, this is a huge blow to your prestige."
His confidants were also quite dissatisfied: "His Majesty Losa’s military law is too harsh, executing a great noble who has dedicated his life to the Crusades over such a trivial matter doesn’t make sense in any respect."
Philip was somewhat impatient: "You are mistaken. It’s out of emotion, not reasoning. Losa personally killed Saladin, breached Damascus, without him, could you have done it? He is willing to reason with you, yet you insist on sentiment and reason with him. If you force him, and he refuses to even reason with you, what will you do?"
Philip hoped these nobility of the Holy Land would recognize the reality.
Wishing for a powerful king who can bring them victory, glory, and wealth, yet unwilling to accept the pressure of such a strong king—there’s no such good deal!
Moreover, now in the East, clinging to the old noble’s dignity, digging food from the land, how much money can those estates and manors earn? If it were Philip himself, he would rather be a city noble with no land, operating workshops and caravans, and living in urban mansions.
After being reprimanded, the nobles all became obedient.
It’s not that Philip doesn’t stand on their side, but he has made his stance clear; he won’t stand up for them forcefully. His focus is on Gaul, not the Holy Land. Now, the most he wants is to finish this Eastern Expedition with Losa and return full of glory.
Reynard, who had his sack removed, was temporarily blinded by the strong light from the outside, making it hard for him to open his eyes.
When his vision recovered slightly, he was shocked to find himself already standing on the gallows, surrounded by spectators who had come to watch the execution, and this scene made him feel like he’d fallen into an ice cave.
He struggled frantically: "I am innocent! Killing heretics is no crime, as His Holiness the Pope himself declared! Your Majesty Philip, Your Majesty Richard, Lord Raymond, for God’s sake, please speak a fair word for me."
Their expressions changed subtly, and they found it hard to maintain their composure.
Before they could speak, Losa stepped forward in front of Reynard and gestured with his hand, instantly silencing the surrounding clamor.
"Gentlemen, have I not repeatedly emphasized not to wantonly disturb civilians?"
As soon as Losa finished speaking, many Crusader Soldiers raised their arms and shouted: "That’s right!"
Compared to those who resisted Losa, the majority of the Crusaders clearly supported him. They mostly came from humble backgrounds and could not speak as loudly as those prominent nobles, but their voices clearly drowned out the former at this moment.
"Very well, gentlemen, have I not poured out all my resources, emptying the treasury’s silver, to provide you with supplies and even distribute salaries so you don’t need to plunder civilians for food and water?"
"Reynard, for your crimes, I will strip you of all your noble titles and return them to Sir Hanfry of Tolun."
Sir Hanfry of Tolun willingly accepted these two territories to be divided and given to his family
In reality, it was equivalent to taking these two territories back into the royal family. Losa planned to summon all the incompetent nobles to the capital in the future, denying them local governance but instead providing them with annual salaries and corresponding official stipends.
This was much like the historical process of centralization in France, except Losa intended to force it through with his prestige, whereas France took several generations over hundreds of years to achieve this.
"Execution!"
Losa intensified his tone.
...
Looking at the body swaying on the gallows, Losa waved his hand, signaling the executioner nearby to collect the body and return it to Reynard’s vassal—or rather, former vassal.
Losa already transferred Montreal and Kaler Castle from Reynard’s possession.
Losa intensified his tone.
...
Looking at the body swaying on the gallows, Losa waved his hand, signaling the executioner nearby to collect the body and return it to Reynard’s vassal—or rather, former vassal.
Losa already transferred Montreal and Kaler Castle from Reynard’s possession.