Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks

Chapter 896: Chapter 120: Slave of Disease

In the hall of the Grand Palace, thousands of candles made from whale fat still burned brightly. The minstrels joyfully danced, pushing the atmosphere to another climax. The rebels threatening Constantinople had been imprisoned, and the shadow of war was about to dissipate. Everyone seemed very happy.

Only a few Greek nobles who hadn’t drunk too much noticed that the crusader nobles, originally honored in the hall from Aegyptus, had quietly left at some point.

They led their soldiers, stepping over the holy images made of mosaic tiles in the corridor. Hundreds of iron armors clattered as they marched swiftly.

The hall’s infantry soldiers, Night Guard, and Inner Courtyard Guard stationed at strategic passages all became vigilant.

On the towers, crossbowmen and archers aimed at the approaching figures.

"Are you trying to cause trouble by bringing armed soldiers into the palace?"

"These damn Latins, I knew they couldn’t be trusted!"

Most of Losa’s soldiers couldn’t understand Greek, simply stared coldly until the Empress’s personal eunuch, the Grand Steward Rufinus, stepped forward and presented the Empress’s decree: "Tonight, there is chaos caused by thieves, and the palace guards are insufficient. His Majesty has invited His Majesty Basileus’s soldiers to assist in the defense."

Beside him, the Court Guard Captain also stepped forward: "This is an order personally issued to both of us by His Majesty. Tonight, everyone needs to be extremely vigilant. The alarm must be sounded immediately if there is any disturbance."

One by one, Walking Knights stood at the strategic pathways.

Woodland Archers, along with cavalry skilled in using bows, hurriedly ascended various towers to take over the palace defense. The once-relaxed defenses of the Grand Palace turned into a formidable fortress in the blink of an eye.

Inside the grand hall.

Sitting high upon the throne, the Empress, after accepting the last toast and congratulations from the grand nobles, glanced expressionlessly at the "Witch" beside her. "What’s happening exactly? Didn’t His Majesty Basileus give an explanation?"

Prajna shook her head and said, "It’s unclear for now, but the trouble certainly won’t be insignificant."

"Is someone attempting a coup?"

The Empress frowned. Causing chaos at this time is both understandable and incomprehensible. Understandable because, in outsiders’ eyes, she was about to abandon tradition and forge an alliance with foreign reinforcements. Incomprehensible because these strong reinforcements were right here, where did they find the courage to challenge someone as battle-hardened as King Losa of the Crusaders?

Prajna continued to shake her head: "I can only say, hopefully, that’s the case."

If it were just a palace coup, it probably wouldn’t be enough to make her master feel so threatened.

...

On the towers of the palace.

The Chief Sipahi Cavalryman, a young loader from Damietta, was vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

The Sipahi Cavalry was organized by the Ottoman Empire, imitating European knights, but they hadn’t abandoned the Ottomans’ riding and archery skills. Therefore, Gallio and others also had considerable archery skills.

He subconsciously glanced at the tall, robust archer beside him, who held a longbow nearly as tall as a person. This fellow was incredibly strong, and it was said that the batch of archers he belonged to were all capable of shooting down falcons.

At this moment, this colleague was staring with eagle-like sharp eyes into the silent long night.

Suddenly, a strange sweet scent filled the air.

Gallio sniffed and remarked in surprise: "The empire people are really extravagant, even the watchtower is filled with incense?"

His colleague suddenly held his breath, pulled the bowstring to its full length, and loudly reminded: "Stay alert!"

A jet-black shadow suddenly emerged in the darkness.

The bowstring released with a loud snap, sending the arrow into the darkness and pinning the shadow to the stone floor.

Roar—

A piercing scream sounded.

The shadow pinned by the arrow struggled violently and, moments later, truly broke free from the arrow, charging towards their location with frenzied steps.

Golden radiance suddenly lit up in the darkness, revealing Templar Knights in various cross-coveralls, containing Holy Radiance Seeds, dispelling the darkness and exposing the demon-like creatures hidden within.

They were humanoid, but their tattered clothes couldn’t hide the decaying bodies beneath. They moved on all fours, forming a beast-like tide rushing towards the palace.

"Heavenly Father above, what kind of monsters are these!"

The Greek guards were almost driven insane by fright.

The court guards generally had distinguished backgrounds and rarely participated in outside wars. Seeing such terrifying monsters made their limbs go cold, as if trapped in a nightmare.

Fortunately, fighting alongside them were Crusader Soldiers from Aegyptus, experienced warriors. They had followed Losa through many more horrifying scenes in their battle history.

...

Inside the Empire Library.

Furin and Eve walked side by side.

"Eve,"

Although Eve had suffered significant spiritual injuries, Lavinia naturally tackled those and had healed her completely.

Eve snapped her fingers, and clusters of flames brightened the dim library.

"You’ve really helped us a lot. Anna said you can browse all the books in the Empire Library, and if there are copies, you may take them to research at leisure."

Returning to this familiar place, Eve appeared much more confident than usual, her hunched back straightening, and her washed, tangled black hair tied up, revealing a small and pretty face.

Ladon fearfully shouted: "My body isn’t obeying me!"

Dragon Flame gathered in his mouth, sweeping towards Jeanne and others.

"You are truly the most nauseating enemy I’ve ever encountered."

Tashia’s lips curled slightly: "That’s quite a compliment. Actually, this battle could have been avoided. If you just offered yourself for a few years of experimentation, perhaps we could have become quite good friends."

""

Ladon fearfully shouted: "My body isn’t obeying me!"

Dragon Flame gathered in his mouth, sweeping towards Jeanne and others.

"You are truly the most nauseating enemy I’ve ever encountered."

Tashia’s lips curled slightly: "That’s quite a compliment. Actually, this battle could have been avoided. If you just offered yourself for a few years of experimentation, perhaps we could have become quite good friends."

""

Ladon fearfully shouted: "My body isn’t obeying me!"

Dragon Flame gathered in his mouth, sweeping towards Jeanne and others.

"You are truly the most nauseating enemy I’ve ever encountered."

Tashia’s lips curled slightly: "That’s quite a compliment. Actually, this battle could have been avoided. If you just offered yourself for a few years of experimentation, perhaps we could have become quite good friends."

""

Ladon fearfully shouted: "My body isn’t obeying me!"

Dragon Flame gathered in his mouth, sweeping towards Jeanne and others.

"You are truly the most nauseating enemy I’ve ever encountered."

Tashia’s lips curled slightly: "That’s quite a compliment. Actually, this battle could have been avoided. If you just offered yourself for a few years of experimentation, perhaps we could have become quite good friends."

""