CHAPTER 334: CHAPTER 27: AMBITION

"So, are you now His Majesty Baldwin’s envoy, or Her Majesty the Empress’s general?"

Leopold questioned Losa.

"I believe I’ve already explained this to Crown Prince Henry, and the two roles themselves don’t conflict, much like Harald."

Harald, the Prince of Norway, once served as the commander of the Varangian Guard for the Eastern Empire’s Emperor. After amassing great prestige and wealth, he returned to Norway and reclaimed the throne.

"I understand, Losa. Let’s raise a glass to your victory today."

"Thank you for your past assistance, and if the crusade breaks out again, I eagerly await the opportunity to fight alongside you once more."

"Haha, I’m also looking forward to such a day."

The two exchanged pleasantries for a moment, without saying much more. Before parting, Leopold looked at Losa with significant intent: "Beware of the Greeks. Since you mentioned Harald, remember, he was also caught up in the whirlpool of court intrigue and nearly lost his life."

This refers to Harald being imprisoned by the new Emperor during a succession conflict.

Fortunately, the new Emperor didn’t hold onto the throne for long before being deposed, with Empress Zoe and Empress Theodora ruling jointly, sparing Harald from the disaster of prison.

Later, Constantine IX, favored by Empress Zoe, leveraged his ability to live as a kept man to become the new co-emperor of the Eastern Empire, gradually consolidating the powers of the two previous empresses.

In Leopold’s eyes, Losa is clearly attempting to emulate Constantine IX, only he believes that Empress Ragaya would be far more difficult to handle than Empress Zoe and Empress Theodora.

"Thank you for the reminder."

Losa replied, still composed and unyielding.

He returned directly to his seat, along the way, his glance inadvertently met the burning gaze of high-born daughters, causing him to quickly furrow his brow and look away.

Their gaze seemed ready to devour him completely.

Losa could even hear the murmurs of many people.

"Though he’s a countryside brute, his domain is quite large; just the Limassol military district alone can sustain you."

"He also controls the Eira Port in Transjordan."

"Where’s that?"

"That’s not important; just know that it can bring you a hefty sum annually."

"Well, his assets don’t matter to me; this Frankish brute, tall, handsome, capable of both conquest and battle, truly fits my taste. None of you should think of competing with me."

Who is this, speaking so boldly?

Losa paused, just about to look, when he heard Anna’s voice nearby: "The one who spoke earlier is the daughter of the Duke of Epirus. Her family’s territory is rich in saffron, quite prosperous, and her brothers, including herself, are a bunch of fools. Marrying her would likely secure the succession of the Duke’s position without bloodshed."

Losa turned his head, and Anna approached with a golden goblet in hand.

"You’ve reached the power center of the Eastern Empire. Here, you only need to invest a tenth of your usual effort, or even less, to get a richer return."

Marriage alliances in the Middle Ages held immeasurable value potential.

The Habsburg Dynasty, which rose from Algo County, at its peak, could control Iberia, much of the Apennines, the Low Countries, Austria, Bohemia, Hungary, with lands gained by force accounting for a minimal part.

To ensure the succession rights didn’t lapse, the Habsburg Family also paid a great price, such as close kin marriages, to sculpt a so-called "pureblood family." Ultimately, it was to avoid splitting the territory.

The infamous Habsburg chin emphasized by later generations was likewise a product of their close kin marriages.

Losa snorted: "Anna, if someone offered a gold mountain to marry you, would you accept?"

Anna puffed up her bosom, ample enough to compare to three Furinjiras: "Of course not."

"Then I also won’t accept."

Losa chuckled: "Anna, what kind of person do you think I am?"

Anna hesitated: "Honestly, I can’t quite figure you out. Sometimes you seem honest, merciful, generous, loyal. Yet as an Extraordinary, you pursue worldly power, but your actions show you seem indifferent to it."

"Actually, it’s not as complex as you think. People live in the world to pursue their desires, don’t they?"

Losa smiled: "As an Extraordinary, you just take what you want, but the process often isn’t about gaining but what you gain or lose during that process; those are the most important."

"I’ve thought, maybe at a hundred years old, or older, I’ll retreat to the mountains with Prajna and the others, then all this won’t matter."

...

Leopold furrowed his brows: "Lena, what’s going on with this Losa? Isn’t it said that men almost don’t have the talent for being Casters?"

The Witch, wearing a brown hooded cloak, entwined her supple arms around his chest: "Since it’s ’almost,’ naturally, a few exceptional cases can break this record."

"Moreover, the path for an Extraordinary isn’t a single one; those in Northern Europe drinking berserk blood through ancient rituals as Warriors; those in Africa steadfast in their belief of totem priests to Evil Gods; Werewolves infected by Curse Power..."

"But without exception, these paths are dangerous, nearly nine deaths for one life."

Leopold’s tone was somewhat heavy: "Do I have no chance to become a Caster who wields Extraordinary Power?"

"Heavenly Father doesn’t wish it for you, so why force it?"

The Witch said lightly: "I can concoct potions to ensure your longevity and help you attain the long-desired position of Duke, but can’t make you wield such Power like Losa."

In the Witch’s eyes, Losa clearly was not an ordinary person.

He had many puzzles she couldn’t decipher, for the initial meeting seemed to show only a slight mastery of Extraordinary Power, yet upon this encounter the force had magnified substantially.

Even.

Just under Losa’s presence, she felt threatened, even as a powerful Witch.

Leopold sighed lightly: "Indeed, people are different in this world. Then should I work to win over this Losa more?"

"Just follow your heart; even if he ascends to the heights with the Empress and the witch named Anna, at most he’d become a co-emperor of the Eastern Empire, unable to govern over you."

Leopold suddenly paused.

What does ’at most’ mean?

Becoming a co-emperor, even just notionally as a figurehead, famed without real power, is something countless nobility dream of.

The Witch, seeing Leopold’s envious look, revealed a faint expression of helplessness on her face: "Alright, if it’s just Extraordinary Power, I’ll attempt to find it for you."

As Anna said, love often makes people blind.

But the Witch wasn’t wholly considering Leopold; she merely liked his strength, handsomeness, ambition, and intelligence.

If one day, Leopold became decrepit and frail, she’d retreat without hesitation.

The Witch’s long life, to her, was meant for enjoyment, which didn’t mean she’d ever sacrifice everything for Leopold.