It is foreseeable that in the future, this place will become a land trade hub no less than Hebron and Eira Port, with even greater potential.

But this all belongs to long-term planning, and it is difficult for a qualitative change to occur in the short term.

In this regard, the short-sightedness of the nobles is not without reason.

Investing in the fief today may lead to it being taken away someday; it's more prudent to seize wealth and be ready to flee at any time.

…

Just as Losa was planning to return to Hebron to "retire."

A new message forced him to halt his idle mode—Adil, the Governor of Egypt, brought troops to the border, claiming to have talks with him!

Losa was somewhat surprised that Adil would interfere.

Although the Ayyubid and Sassanid Empires have vast territories, their local governance is akin to the nominal control over border areas in the East.

In this era, large empires are often described as "loosely assembled."

Strictly speaking, even Saladin of the Ayyubid Dynasty was technically a vassal of the Sassanid King of Kings, but could the Sassanid King control Saladin?

Obviously not.

"Adil brought only two thousand men and made a grand display. He probably doesn't intend to fight me. I suspect he wants to have a negotiation with me, the new neighbor, while showcasing his strength, letting me know that the Egypt under his command is not something I can provoke."

Losa quickly surmised Adil's intentions and instructed, "Jeanne, lead a troop of Winged Cavalry to meet Adil."

"No problem."

The Imperial Knights are partly stationed in their own fiefs, and some serve as officers in the Black Eagle Banner Team.

Moreover, their speed is relatively slow, and since Losa was not heading for a battle, he didn't plan to take them along.

Taking them wouldn't make much difference anyway.

The hard power gap between both sides is too vast; Egypt's population is likely to be several million.

Just the population of cities like Alexandria and Cairo is several times the total of Losa's entire territory.

In terms of heritage, the entire Kingdom of Jerusalem can't compare to Egypt.

The meeting place was set at the border between the Barony of Tih and Galat, in the Saracen territory.

The loyal Baron of Tih, Losa's Imperial Knight Boval wanted to lead the Petra Knights to escort Losa, but he refused.

As Imperial Knights, their loyalty is unquestionable, so there's no need for a show.

At the agreed-upon time.

Losa and the accompanying Winged Cavalry lined up silently on the hillside, waiting.

After a while.

A distant whirlwind of dust appeared.

A mass of black-armored cavalry, endless to the horizon, surged forward like a wave capable of devouring the world.

The desert's ocher gradually turned black.

The Winged Cavalry watched the scene nervously.

The warhorses uneasily pawed at the ground.

Jeanne whistled, "What a display, sir, I wonder when you'll be able to travel with thousands of elite armored cavalry escorting you."

"Let's go and meet this Safudin."

They entered the tent set up at the front of the cavalry formation.

Losa could clearly see that many of Adil's guards were gripping weapons made from Demon-Blocking Gold.

"Count Losa, long time no see."

Adil, clad in golden cloth armor and draped in a black cloak, known to the Crusaders as Safudin, greeted Losa with a hand on the chest and offered some fresh water.

"Thank you."

Losa traced a cross before drinking the water, knowing that in Fire Worship, there's a rule against harming someone with whom you share a bowl of water.

Though such a gentleman's agreement is meant to guard against gentlemen, not villains.

But even villains care about their reputation.

Losa smiled and said, "I heard you recently arrived in Egypt and quickly suppressed the Nubian rebellion in the south. Your swift actions have stabilized all of Egypt.

Am I right, compared to you, Zahir is nothing."

Adil coughed slightly, recalling Losa's previous provocations in front of Zahir.

"Losa, before I met you, I never realized that among the Franks, someone could be as eloquent as the Greeks."

"So, Governor Safudin, what do you want to discuss with me?"

Adil smiled, "You've expanded to my doorstep and now ask what I want to discuss?"

…

After returning to Eira Port.

Otto informed Losa that he received a letter from Count Werner, asking him to return to Europe to fulfill the marriage contract.

The next day, he set off gloomily.

Losa personally saw him off.

Looking at the dispirited Otto, he advised, "Think about it, haven't you always envied my prestige? Your father-in-law is getting old, and the health of a few heirs ahead of you is not good either. One day, the crown of the Duke of Lorraine might just fall on your head."

The Duke of Lorraine was far more prestigious than his own Count of Transjordan title.

"Where's such luck?"

Most heirs in line never get the chance to inherit in their lifetime.

Otto shrugged, "But I've come to terms with it, Losa. You are indeed stronger, braver, and luckier than I am. I can't compare to you."

"But reviving the Habsburg Family isn't your sole responsibility; I should contribute too."

Losa patted his shoulder, "That's right, the revival of the Habsburgs is our shared aspiration. I once had a dream where the Habsburg Family was elected to be King of the Germanic people (A Prince-Elector can only elect a King; it requires papal coronation to be called Emperor), occupying Austria, Hungary, Bohemia, the Lowlands, Lombardy, Venice, Iberia, and the entire world was our domain."

"Is this a divine revelation?"

"Only if we fulfill this would it count."

"Ha, Losa, then let's strive for it together."

He extended a hand clad in chain armor gloves.

With a loud clap.

Their palms met and held.

"Losa, I won't forget what you said."

He wore the same gentle smile as when he had watched Losa leave for the Eastern Expedition, "May the Heavenly Father bless you, with martial fortunes ever-growing."

Losa also adopted a serious tone, "May the Heavenly Father also bless you, with a swift and prosperous family growth, so that on the day I am crowned, I can invite you and father to witness it. I hope by then, I can see the next generation of the Habsburg Family."

Bam.

Otto threw a punch at Losa's shoulder, "Crowns aren't something easily had. If father heard your casual tone, he'd definitely give you a sound beating."

"He's a Count, and so am I, why should he beat me?" Losa quipped with a touch of arrogance.

Recalling their past mistakes together, Otto's smile slowly faded.

Then, looking at somber Losa, he felt uneasy knowing that Losa, with such ambition brewing inside him, would eventually involve himself in a new round of pursuits.

"Alright, it's getting late, and if you don't leave now, you won't make it to New Habsburg before nightfall. Didn't you say you wanted to stay there for the night?"

Losa urged him on.

Otto hesitated briefly but eventually put the money bag into his saddlebag and said, "Don't let your father-in-law look down on you because Egypt is not a wealthy place, so spend a little more to make a good impression."

He drew a cross over his chest, then turned away and started off without looking back.

Tomorrow begins a new week.

And tonight, he plans to have a good talk with Furinjira.

To fetch Chelina's cookie box.

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