Ahmed paced anxiously around the room.

Inside the room, the fireplace blazed fiercely, the walls were decorated with various patterns made of lines, squares, triangles, and colorful tapestries.

Due to the Fire Worship prohibiting idol worship and depictions of all living beings, they rarely used animal and human portraits.

Thus, in battle, it was noticeable that the banners of the Christian lords and knights often featured lions, eagles, dragons, bulls, and snakes, while the Saracens held banners made of lines, moons, and flames.

Of course, the 'Saladin's Eagle' banner was an exception, likely related to old Egyptian beliefs.

A servant brought in a plate of watermelon cut into strips, revealing the red flesh: "Master, don't worry."

"How can I not worry? That is the Dragon Slayer, said to be the most valiant knight in Jerusalem. Who knows if those Assassin assassins will succeed?"

Ahmed sighed deeply.

Losa was well known for his personal bravery; if it weren't for Losa breaking the rules and having intentions against them, they wouldn't dare to oppose him.

Moreover, the servant they sent to contact Reynard had not returned with any news. If he could get the old Count's support, he would be much more at ease now.

The servant reassured him: "Master, don't worry. These Assassins are fearless, armed with Demon-Blocking Gold weapons, even if that Frankish Lord possesses some extraordinary power, he definitely won't survive."

It seemed as if his words were charmed.

As soon as the words were spoken.

A loud explosion was heard, and the entire estate shook.

Immediately, shouts and screams surrounded from all directions.

Ahmed's face turned pale: "It's bad, the holy fire above, this killing star has come for me first, weren't the Assassin assassins supposed to be death warriors?"

They were indeed death warriors, but Losa didn't need their confession to know who was responsible—even if, hypothetically, it wasn't Ahmed's doing, Losa would still pin the blame on him.

At that moment, he was personally leading his troops, instructing soldiers to use huge battering rams on Ahmed's estate gate.

Ahmed climbed onto the courtyard wall, looking at the fully armed, iron-armored, lobster-helmeted veteran soldiers outside, his expression grew worse.

Clinging to a slim hope, he shouted, "Count, why are you attacking my estate? I have always been loyal and have offered you tribute."

Bam—

Heads were launched by the small catapult below, falling like raindrops within the estate, causing a wave of terrified screams.

"Ahmed, you hired Assassin assassins to strike at me. Now, the heads are here. Are you still going to deny it?"

Losa sneered.

Ahmed shivered; he was merely a landlord, not even as ruthless as someone like Hussein, and lacked psychological resilience.

He cried desperately: "Sir, I, I was coerced as well. Adan and Aibeni are the masterminds..."

"Enough, no more excuses. Tonight, none of you will escape."

Losa led one side, while Furinjira followed Jeanne, taking another squad to march through the night, attacking the estates of Adan and Aibeni.

Due to the reduced number of troops led, each squad had just over fifty people, so the Group Night Vision Technique lasted a long time.

He was in no hurry.

Bam—

The wooden door was smashed open.

Losa shouted: "Attack!"

The veteran soldiers rushed into the estate.

Screams resounded incessantly.

...

That night.

The three prominent local magnates in Hebron, who monopolized land taxation rights over tens of thousands of acres, were wiped out by Losa.

The wealth, spices, and fabrics transported from their homes were simply countless—these were accumulated over hundreds of years through cunning and ruthless acquisitions.

"Seizing estates is truly a shortcut to wealth. If during the late Ming, Emperor Chongzhen could have learned from me—no, if Emperor Chongzhen dared to learn from me, he would have died even faster."

Losa remarked with a hint of sentiment.

However, the repercussions of confiscating estates were significant. In this era, the saying 'a vassal's vassal is not my vassal' held true.

This prevented Losa's vassals and other local magnates under various lords from getting involved in the situation in Hebron.

Otherwise, the rebels should have already gathered thousands to besiege Hebron's castle.

In an era where even kings and emperors (particularly the Great Germania Emperor) were merely grand feudal lords, the way a lord increased his authority was quite simple.

He continuously expanded his land.

Gaining more wealth and taxes, along with more knights' allegiance.

But Losa had already provoked the local magnates who were heretics, making further expansion within his domain difficult.

For instance, if Losa tried to revoke a vassal's title and land under charges of 'treason' or 'dueling', it would easily incite united opposition from vassals and local magnates.

Then, it would be impossible to avoid internal wars and even attract outside forces' interference.

Because these heretic magnates would never want a lord like Losa, a ruthless figure, ruling over them.

But it didn't matter.

Losa had no intention to burn his new office's fire on his own vassals, especially since Reynard had expressed loyalty to him.

Legally, there were no flaws, but to seize their territories over matters of private morality or baseless accusations would be too unsightly.

He intended to adopt a different method—for example, appointing a vassal as his Imperial Knight—a common practice.

A knight was both a low-tier noble and a profession; when Losa charged with his soldiers during simulated battles, he operated both as a knight and as the King of France, Duke of Niger.

At this time, then gradually nibble away and assimilate the feudal lands of Transjordan's Earldom from top to bottom, this was the best choice.

After conquering Ahmed's estate.

Losa and Prajna first led a squad of guards, escorting a prisoner carriage back to the Lord's Hall in Hebron.

Jeanne still had to handle the next day's "land division", while Fabio and Andreas acted as Jeanne's assistants.

Switching to an Imperial Knight, although it didn't require money, it was unfortunate that it lacked the equipment obtained from military camps.

Luckily, Marles' blacksmith shop could already produce full plate armor, making it quite satisfactory.

Tonight, Losa took away the three largest local magnates under him with one sweep; tomorrow, he would hold a public trial—expecting these tyrants in the area not to commit crimes was too much to hope for human brilliance.

They weren't as smart as some landlords from the Eastern Dynasty who could consolidate land while distributing grain secretly, acting as a villain behind closed doors yet posing as a good person publicly.

Once tried, they would be hung on the gallows—the less depraved wives and children would become slaves, either sold or thrown into mines to work.

He had no inclination to slowly fight against these local powers.

He wanted to quickly integrate the power within his domain for the preparation of reclaiming the fallen Eira Port and Alandler City.

What?

Alandler is a Bishopric?

What are you thinking!

If reclaiming Alandler, Losa might at most nominally enfeoff Alandler to Urding, letting him be the Archbishop.

Expecting Losa to return Alandler to the Church was absolutely impossible.

As for after reclaiming lost territory.

His goal was the neighboring Sinai Peninsula. Although most of its land was uninhabited desert, the northern coastal areas were quite livable and rich.

If he could truly conquer the Sinai Peninsula, maybe his title as Count could change—becoming a Border Count or translated as Vassal Prince.

Just a nominal difference, nobody cared about the name.

Nor would anyone thereby believe Losa as a Vassal Prince would be superior to Count Raymond of Tripoli.

But Losa thought he should earn another new reward; after all, the saying "the West also practices Dukes, Marquesses, Counts, Viscounts, and Barons" was deeply ingrained in people's hearts in previous life.

Returning to the castle, Losa had a brief wash before going back to his room to rest; tomorrow not only marked the day for the public trial, but also a new week's lottery draw.

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