Zane led his Mamluk personal guards, ascending the marble steps leading to the Aqaba Palace step by step.

This port city is now filled with fleeing soldiers everywhere.

Rauf led over four thousand soldiers from his main force, along with the troops of vassals and allies, and civilians responsible for transporting supplies, totaling nearly ten thousand.

Those who could return might only be one-tenth.

Today, in Aqaba, nearly every household echoes with cries.

Unexpectedly, a disastrous defeat was encountered at Eira Port. This battle shocked the entire Hejaz region, directly causing the once unshakable hegemony of Rauf in Hejaz to become severely unstable.

Passing guards, minor feudal lords, and local chiefs looked at Zane with complex expressions.

Contrarily, Zane, originally considered bait, suffered minimal losses and, relying on his Mamluk personal guards, quickly rose to become the top general under Rauf's command.

Zane greeted them with a somber expression.

In a daze, he felt as if he had returned to the time when he was defeated under Alandler City and fled embarrassingly to Dahab.

Only this time, the roles were reversed.

For some reason, he felt a bit pleased in his heart—even though Rauf had to win for him to have a chance to regain his territory, he couldn't help but feel happy.

Serves you right for mocking me back then!

You, Rauf, although far stronger than me, still lost a battle, and even more miserably!

He left the accompanying guards outside the palace and walked straight into the hall.

Rauf was lying on the lord's throne, disheveled and gulping down fermented grape juice, his eyes bloodshot—it was unclear whether he was drunk or too deeply affected by the blow.

"You're back."

Rauf lifted his head, his eyes had lost their former arrogance.

In this battle, his main force suffered severe losses. Had it not been for the Scorpion-tailed Lion's reinforcements, even he might have fallen into the hands of those Winged Cavalry that emerged from behind.

Now, not only is his territory on the Sinai Peninsula destined to be lost, but his hold in the Hejaz region also seems unstable.

His rapid expansion over the years gathered him a pile of potential enemies.

For instance, to the south of his territory, Hashim's lord—Hashim Suleiman—is a mortal enemy.

A significant portion of lands originally under Hashim's rule in the Yanbu and Hibayir regions were seized by him.

If not for the Suleiman Family still holding that Holy Land, enveloped by a theological aura.

He would have long moved southward, expanding his territory into Yemen instead of choosing to march east, cultivating the barren lands in the Najd Desert.

Therefore, now he needs Zane's assistance.

Zane forced a hint of concern on his face: "Brother, you've drunk too much. If mother were alive, she wouldn't have wanted to see you so despondent."

He silently lamented in his heart how mature he has become now.

In the past, he never could have managed to feel overjoyed inside while showing such hypocritical concern.

Rauf sighed heavily, putting down a gold cup studded with rubies: "Zane, you're right, this Losa is indeed not easy to deal with."

"I shouldn't have believed Minot's boasting. My Scorpion-tailed Lion Knight watched as he was beheaded by the enemy; it was this self-important fool who got my loyal soldiers killed."

Did Rauf concede?

Of course not.

In his view, Losa was just lucky to gain the allegiance of the Witch.

His strategy had no issues at all.

Zane was silent for a moment, inwardly contemptuous: Even at this point, you still refuse to admit that you're a fool too?

His face, however, showed even more earnest compassion: "My brother, regrets are futile now. Dahab is just a barren land, giving it up doesn't matter. For now, securing Hejaz is crucial."

Rauf pondered for a moment, then spoke: "You're right, Zane. I plan to entrust Yanbu to you. It's the southernmost border of my territory."

Joy blossomed secretly in Zane's heart.

Yanbu is considered a wealthy land, and although he's merely temporarily managing it, he can leverage this to continue developing his influence.

The wealth he brought from Eira Port was substantial enough to easily raise another army.

His face, however, was full of astonishment: "Brother, how can a defeated general like me undertake such a heavy responsibility?"

Rauf unhesitatingly replied: "Zane, help me secure Yanbu. Right now, you're the only one I trust—you're my blood brother, tied by bloodline. I am confident that you can keep Hashim's armies at bay!"

...

Outside Eira Port.

Civilians were systematically clearing the corpses, with the valuables on them having been taken by soldiers, some being sold at the spoils store, and most thrown into the warehouse.

These worn-out armors, weapons, helmets, just need slight repairs to be reusable.

The bodies were piled up.

Soon, thick smoke began to rise.

The new week's draw did not result in Miss Chelina's allegiance.

Yet, the rewards were still quite practical.

It was a large Roman-style irrigation canal that could be established in the manor near Eira Port to significantly accelerate the construction of hydraulic projects.

Of course, though practical, it wasn't of much value.

Losa himself could spend a few hundred gold coins to have workers build irrigation canals and Karez Wells, which, though not as effective as those produced by the system, would suffice.

"Sir, you must be quite disappointed, right?"

"After all, she's a new, pretty lady. If I were you, I'd be crying out of frustration now."

Losa lay on the soft couch with his eyes closed, resting.

Despite the upgrades during the battle allowing him to repeatedly replenish the consumed Blue Bar and energy, he still felt a soul-deep exhaustion.

Tired!

Too extremely tired!

Now, he is gathering his vassals.

The vassals responded quickly and enthusiastically.

Usually, European vassals wouldn't be so eager.

They'd dawdle on their way.

Many times, the wars were over when the vassals arrived late.

Or, some arrived early, lounged in the camp for a month or two, and then left as their service time ended, regardless of whether the war was fought or not.

Such behavior was entirely legal nonetheless.

But this time, Losa's vassals did not dawdle, for this was a feast of division—a banquet laid out, just waiting for them to feast.

Quick hands gain, slow hands miss out.

…

After many noble youths pledged allegiance to Losa.

The Crusaders of Transjordan commenced their westward expedition.

The war progressed smoothly.

Although Losa didn't engage personally, he sent Jeanne and Hans to command the army, executing a grand parade, with the main battles carried out by the vassals.

Though an act of distribution,

they also had to exert force.

In just three days, the Crusaders of Transjordan captured Philorn (Dahab) and a vast territory to its west.

Losa reestablished Saint Catherine's Bishopric, and the Barony of Tih, distributing forty-six knightly fiefs—due to limited slots, Losa genuinely granted many knightly fiefs.

The barony of Tih, Franj, Galat, and Aqaba, due to the mountains obstructing, Losa had no imminent plans for invasion.

They are difficult to defend upon conquest as one can see Egypt across the high lands, and the Arabian Desert east of the Nile River.

Adil will not allow Losa to expand to such an extent.

For now, Losa only plans to take over the Sinai Peninsula, the territory of the Transjordanian principality enlarged by nearly half, but the population increased by only about thirty thousand.

After completing a grand military parade, Jeanne, who barely contributed, announced to Losa upon her return to the manor at Eira Port.

Losa's territory, about eighty percent desert.

Such an extensive area, if in Europe, would be more than enough to become a Duke, but in the Holy Land, it hardly mattered without trade. Losa felt he was, at most, equivalent to an ordinary Count.

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