Otto frowned deeply, "Losa, you're really set on bringing up unpleasant matters on this joyful day of our brothers' reunion, aren't you?"

"Ha, isn't it that honest words are unpleasant to hear?"

Losa grasped his brother's arm and gently embraced him.

Since being transported to this world, he hadn't communicated much with this elder brother.

But having inherited the original owner's memories, he did feel some affection for Otto, and it was impossible not to be happy about reuniting after such a long separation.

"Even if the words are harsh, Otto, you should know the duties you must fulfill as the first heir of the Habsburg Family, right?"

"Simply enjoying power without fulfilling obligations isn't what a qualified heir should do."

Even Losa himself had benefited from being born into nobility.

Although the Habsburg Family in Algo was only a small family, it still possessed the noble bloodlines of the ancient Carolingian and Capet families.

If not for such a lineage,

even if Losa achieved great merit, Baldwin IV would undoubtedly face much opposition if he wanted to bestow him the title of Count of Transjordan.

"I know, but..."

Otto showed a bitter expression: "Sigh, if you don't mind such things, why not marry Princess Sibilla? I've noticed during our days in Jaffa, she has an interest in you."

Losa was unable to hold back a smile: "Why are you suddenly talking about me?"

"Why not talk about it? In terms of status, Princess Sibilla is far above the second daughter of the Duke of Lorraine. As for the dowry, it surpasses by far, and Princess Sibilla isn't a promiscuous woman, she's only been divorced once, much better than mine. Why are you not interested?"

Losa rolled his eyes.

He had no interest in being a makeshift father.

"Our situations are different. I don't need political allies through marriage, but you do."

"Why don't you?"

"If you become a Prince of Jerusalem, with hopes of succeeding the King's throne in the future, you could become the most honorable monarch in all of Europe. By then, we could be the Habsburg Royal Family. Isn't that more important for us?"

Losa remained calm, speaking casually.

"You can't have both lampreys and health, you know? I was able to become a Count by relying on the power of two Witches, and they require that I cannot marry."

Otto for the first time had heard of such a thing, couldn't help but be surprised: "Then what about your future heir?"

This indeed was a problem.

The Dragon Bloodline had difficulties in reproduction, along with reproductive isolation issues, making it tough to have offspring.

Losa deflected: "This is not urgent. With the help of witchcraft, I won't die any time soon."

"Witchcraft..."

Otto couldn't help but marvel: "It truly is a Miracle bestowed by the Heavenly Father, no wonder the monarchs of Europe are all keen on seeking the allegiance of Wizards."

"Gains always come with losses. For the sake of family, I have to give up secular marriage."

Losa patted Otto's shoulder: "So you understand what you need to do, right?"

"I understand."

Otto's face showed resolute determination: "Once this pilgrimage is completed, I will return to Algo to fulfill the marriage contract."

Losa comforted: "By then, just consider yourselves as partners, no need to stick to the husband-wife relationship."

The sound of footsteps approached.

"Lord Losa, long time no see."

A well-dressed servant bowed to Losa.

His face showed no signs of dissatisfaction, though Losa had already stood him up twice.

"Lord Losa, my master invites you to a banquet, surely you won't refuse this time, will you?"

Losa smiled and said, "Of course, being received so hospitably by your master is, to me, the greatest honor."

"I heard you recently broke through Alandler City? Has the war reached a conclusion?"

"Hmm, it's temporarily stopped."

Otto couldn't help but frown, puzzled: "At such a critical time, you left the front line just to fetch me?"

Losa nodded slightly: "It's indeed a critical time, but I have a completely trustworthy comrade overseeing everything for me."

Otto whispered, "A Witch?"

"No."

Losa paused slightly in his tone, smiling: "A very capable Knight. I'll introduce you when we head back."

Whether in commanding battles or talents on the battlefield, he was far inferior to Jeanne.

The level of trust was beyond question.

So he straightforwardly became a hands-off boss.

Moreover, he suspected that if he stayed in Alandler, that cautious Zane would still dare to lead troops to attack Alandler.

Though they claimed they might attack Eira Port at any time, upon sending scouts to Eira Port, its defenses were found to be very tight. It would only be as someone like Reynard, who could transport a Fleet into the Red Sea, that could make breaching Eira Port feasibly possible.

Hence, his trip was not only to bring Otto back, but also to lure the snake out of hiding.

The two brothers walked side by side through the royal gardens at Jaffa Port.

Casually, Losa said, "How's our Emperor His Majesty been lately? Haven't heard much about him."

Losa remained guarded towards this Emperor from the Hohenstaufen Family, as Germania, while less fertile compared to Gaul, had vast territories and occupied the prosperous regions of the Northern Apennines.

If truly unified, the might of Great Germania would surpass that of Gaul.

Moreover, this Emperor's construction of Wizard Tower and systematic cultivation of Casters also raised concern.

To Losa, among the three great monarchs of Central and Western Europe—Great Germania, Albion, and Gaul—the former was the most worth being cautious of.

"Not too well."

Otto sighed: "After this laborious expedition, he successfully subjugated Milan, consecutively breaking through several fortress bastions, forcing the city representatives of Milan to beg for mercy at His Majesty the Emperor's tent, barefoot."

Unlike the historical "Barbarossa" who should have occupied the throne at this time, Emperor Henry's style was much more moderate.

"Emperor His Majesty convened a meeting at Longkalia, accepting the peace request led by the Milan-centered Lombard League, and reaffirmed the Emperor's dominance over the Northern Apennine City-States at the meeting."

Losa puzzled, "Isn't that a great success?"

"I haven't finished yet."

"On the Emperor's return to the Augsburg Palace, Duke Henry the Lion of Saxony instigated a group of Free City representatives to openly refuse to pay this year's tribute, unless the King punishes those enchanting Witches."

Losa nodded: "That's quite normal; many vassals in the country wouldn't want to see enchanted Witches lead their people astray without punishment."

Emperor Henry was an ambitious Monarch, determined to revive the Frankish Empire, and his years of strategic restraint haven't relaxed people's vigilance against him.

Otto sighed: "My father and I even participated in that Empire meeting, almost getting into a fight with Count Louvain over seating arrangements."

"To be honest, I think if it goes on like this, Germania is going to fall apart, if we get involved, our father will have to heed the call for sure."

Losa shrugged: "High King Philip of Gaul and Richard the Lionheart of Albion might get involved as well."

Werner Count also responded to the Emperor's campaign against the Northern Apennine City-States and held a considerable role as a Commander, receiving a small piece of fief as a reward after the war.

Otto sighed: "I just think that if this continues, Germania will be fought back to its pre-liberation days. I shouldn't have left for Jerusalem at this time when if war breaks out, our father will surely be summoned."

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