CHAPTER 328: CHAPTER 21:

In the center of the oval-shaped Great Arena.

The young Count, wearing a golden mask helmet and draped in a black cloak embroidered with a golden double-headed eagle, guided his majestic red warhorse from the shadows into the sunlight.

Grapes seemed a bit uneasy, pawing at the muddy ground, as if not quite used to such a noisy environment.

Losa hung his shield on the hook of the saddle, gently patted its helmet-covered head, and reassured it: "This is our first battle side by side, so give me some face, alright?"

The spectators in the stands were abuzz. Although the announcer had briefly introduced Losa, they still had no impression of this young Crusader Marquis.

"Is this Losa the new barbarian general recruited by the Empire?"

"The Habsburg Family, such an unfamiliar name."

"Yes, I remember now, this General Losa seems to be the inventor of that Gwent Card game. I recall his card effects were quite powerful."

"Can he really do it?"

"Who knows, they’re all Frankish barbarians, probably not much different."

To the proud nobles and citizens of Constantinople, Losa was still just an unknown figure from the backwoods.

At least, a title of Marquis and Military Zone General was apparently not as impressive as the son of the Western Empire Caesar, who had easily defeated the Empire’s bravest Greek knights.

Great Germania adhered to the Western Empire’s legal system rights, though many Greeks didn’t recognize it since Germania was never the Empire’s legal territory.

But it depends on who it’s compared to.

The nobles of Constantinople clearly disliked the Crusader Princes who had taken a large share in Eastern trade and refused to exchange the Empire’s old lands, even more.

Hearing the disrespectful discussions of these gossipy women, Furinjira couldn’t sit still any longer and snorted, "If my lord can’t do it, then no one in this world can. Just you wait and see."

A young noblewoman who had long been displeased with Furinjira’s previous arrogant demeanor in pointing fingers on the stands, snorted, "Even my husband isn’t his match, let alone your lord."

Just now, Furinjira had criticized her husband, that Greek noble knight, making her lose face. Naturally, she was now looking to regain it.

Furinjira was about to react when Chelina stopped her: "It’s not necessary to argue with such people. She’ll be embarrassed soon enough."

...

"You are Losa of the Habsburg Family?"

Opposite, the Crown Prince Henry rode a white horse draped in horse clothing featuring a yellow background with a black single-headed eagle. His barrel helmet, adorned with decorations reminiscent of veteran soldiers, connected to chain armor protecting his neck.

The upper body was also in the same color cloak, bulging with stuffed armor.

He carried a lance, his left hand holding a kite shield painted yellow with a single-headed eagle emblem.

Raising his visor, he arrogantly questioned Losa, who had just arrived on the field.

Losa first made a knightly salute, smiling, "Yes, Your Highness."

Crown Prince Henry was evidently pleased with Losa’s attitude, slightly toning down his arrogance: "I won’t bother to introduce myself, Losa. Why are you serving the King of Greece?"

Losa explained with a smile, "Your Highness, as you know, the power comparison between the Kingdom and the Heretics is substantial. The Eastern Empire is the Kingdom’s most crucial ally. I am here by the order of my King Baldwin to help the Greeks."

"I see."

Crown Prince Henry mused, "So here’s the thing, once matters here are settled, if you’re willing to follow me, when I capture the Kingdom of Sicily, I’ll make you the Duke of Messina. How about it?"

"I appreciate your consideration, but Sicily is too far from the Holy Land. Saladin still covets Jerusalem, and who knows when he will return. I cannot abandon the Holy Land for personal advancement."

Crown Prince Henry lamented, "That is indeed a pity, but you’re right, as a devout Crusader Knight, you should uphold the will to guard the Holy Land."

The two had come close to each other now.

Grapes eyed the Nisian warhorse under Crown Prince Henry disdainfully, emitting a hiss of intimidation.

But the opposite steed was unfazed, responding with a retaliatory call.

Grapes was immediately enraged, eager to gallop over and bite its neck, but Losa tightened the reins, denying it the opportunity to run wild.

Crown Prince Henry exclaimed, "What a magnificent horse, Losa Vassal Prince. If I win, I won’t take your armor or harm your life, but this horse must be mine."

"Your Highness, if you want it, come and take it."

Losa replied with a smile on his face.

"Excellent!"

Crown Prince Henry replied confidently, "You need not hold back. I heard you defeated the knight Abelardo, who disguised himself as a werewolf, in the knight tournament. But I’m telling you, even he is far from my match."

"I will give it my all, Your Highness."

The two exchanged salutes, turned around, and returned to the starting positions.

Losa saw two figures on the stands.

Furinjira was pulling an unwilling Chelina, raising her toes to wave this way.

Seeing Chelina’s face with a reluctant yet embarrassed expression, he couldn’t help but smile, then shifted his gaze to the other side of the stands, where the Empress and Anna were.

Though it was far, he still saw Anna’s lips forming the words, "You must win."

Losa stopped looking around, lowered his golden mask, and the noise around him seemed instantly blocked out.

He kept his gaze steadfast on the referee’s hand holding the triangular flag, waiting for the signal to start the duel.

As the command flag was waved down.

The noise on the field diminished significantly. Many people held their breath and gazed intently, while some noblewomen clutched handkerchiefs, their breaths trembling with tension.

This is a duel.

Nothing is more thrilling than a battle that decides both victory and possibly life and death.

The hooves of the horse, nailed with iron shoes, pounded on the solid mud ground, creating a deafening roar.

The wind howled through the gaps in the helmet, producing a piercing shriek.

The distance between both sides was closing rapidly.

Losa leveled the lance in his hand, and at the moment they passed each other, not only did he dodge a thrust from Crown Prince Henry, but he also thrust his lance fiercely onto his shield.

With a loud bang.

The lance made of white beech wood shattered into countless splinters, scattering in all directions.

Crowds erupted in cheers.

The fervent atmosphere gave Losa the illusion that he might have killed Crown Prince Henry with a single thrust.

Losa turned back to glance at Crown Prince Henry, who was still sitting steadily on the saddle, his expression unreadable due to the full-face helmet. Losa breathed a slight sigh of relief.

In this bout, he gained the upper hand, but he didn’t manage to unseat Crown Prince Henry directly. It’s worth noting that although he primarily boosted his spiritual power, his strength had also been enhanced to exceed normal human limits.

Losa was surprised.

Henry was clearly more surprised.

A moment ago, the mighty force transmitted from the opposing lance... If he hadn’t consumed numerous potions to enhance his physique, and if the lance wasn’t blunt and fragile, he felt he would have been knocked off for sure.

On the stands, the Greeks, who were somewhat gloomy due to a series of setbacks, shouted cheerfully in surprise.

Ragaya’s expression didn’t change much, merely curving her lips into a slight smile and asking, "Mr. Envoy, it seems this round we’re pulling back one."

Leopold nodded slightly, "With Marquis Losa’s help, defeating His Highness is naturally not difficult. But I am curious, can Your Majesty truly order someone as devout as the Crusader Losa to forsake the Holy Land and go fight for you on Sicily Island?"

"Or do you have another general you can dispatch to Sicily to contend with Tancred’s Norman knights and Saracen mercenaries?"

Ragaya furrowed her brow.

Before she could speak, Anna interjected, "That’s not something you need to worry about, Mr. Envoy."

"Sicily is a rightful territory of the Empire. If cooperation is to be considered, the affiliations of Capua, Benevento, Apulia, Calabria, and Salerno are yet to be discussed. However, Sicily Island is absolutely not open for negotiation."

There was a duel ongoing in the arena.

Outside the arena, another engagement ensued.

The Germanic people sought assistance from the Eastern Empire’s navy, but regarding the division of spoils, they would at most accept a few Greek vassals added to the Kingdom of Sicily, not allowing the Eastern Empire’s return to the Apennines.

Leopold, equally stern, said, "No, this is impossible. If that’s the case, wouldn’t the legality of the Kingdom of Sicily be split into two?"

Although in later generations the Kingdom of Sicily indeed split into two parts—the Kingdom of Sicily and the Kingdom of Naples—in fact, both proclaimed themselves as the legitimate Kingdom of Sicily.

Therefore, when they merged later, the term "Two Sicilies" emerged.

The Empress remained silent, with Anna confronting Leopold: "There’s nothing wrong with two entities. Otherwise, do you really think your prince can securely sit on his throne?"

The two argued fiercely.

...

At this time, the second round of the duel on the field had already begun.

Losa wielded a brand-new lance, and this time, his opponent Crown Prince Henry was evidently much more serious.

As they crossed paths, Crown Prince Henry not only blocked Losa’s lance with his shield, but his hand-held lance also struck Losa’s shield, the immense force causing a faint pain in Losa’s shoulder.

What tremendous power!

Although there was an element of holding back, it was enough to prove that Crown Prince Henry’s strength far exceeded that of the average person as well.

However, such clashes did not pressure Losa.

The lances used in mere competitions could not penetrate the defense of the Dragon Scale Armor, let alone only strike a shield.

His horse, "Grapes," was also a sweat-drenched horse with exceptional physical strength and endurance. The battle could at most only drag on into a war of endurance between both parties.

In such a case, he would certainly emerge victorious.

Third round.

Fourth round.

Crown Prince Henry suddenly stopped. His shield was already in tatters.

He removed his helmet and shouted to Losa, "Enough of this tedious duel! When will it end? We might as well begin the next round. Let’s each lead our troops and engage in a real blood battle here."

Losa had no objection and said, "As you wish, Your Highness."

Crown Prince Henry got anxious.

An impatient Commander-in-Chief is more likely to make mistakes in decisions. Even if the two rounds merge into one, Losa has the confidence to win for sure.