Losa was hungry.
Practicing martial arts is a very physically demanding activity.
Add to that, today's lunch was excellent, so he ate rather hurriedly.
Just then, he suddenly heard someone tapping on the table with their fingers, making a knocking sound.
Seeing Losa look up at the sound, the Count glanced at his brother Otto before saying, "His Holiness the Pope has issued a call to start a new crusade."
"In the distant East, the Egyptians have allied with Sassanid Persia, these evil, fire-worshiping heretic devils, have been gnawing away for decades at the Eastern Empire's territory in Asia Minor. They cruelly persecute our fellow believers, block pilgrimage routes, and have surrounded the Kingdom of Jerusalem."
The Count paused slightly:
"The Empress Ragaya of the Eastern Empire and the Grand Master Gerard of the Templar Order recently wrote letters to His Holiness the Pope, urging the mobilization of all knights who believe in the Heavenly Father to help liberate Asia Minor and reopen the route to the Holy City of Jerusalem."
"In Gaul, nobles have already organized over two thousand knights and hired two witch consultants to embark on the Eastern expedition."
Brother Otto was somewhat enthusiastic, "Father, when will our Great Germania Crusaders depart? We can't let the Gauls take the lead."
Count Werner frowned, sighed somewhat disappointedly, and didn't respond to him, but instead said to Losa, "Losa, prepare to set out."
Listening intently, Losa was somewhat shocked: "Me?"
Count Werner's gray eyes gazed at Losa: "Fighting for God is an obligation our Habsburg Family must fulfill. As the second son, you have no room to shirk."
He then looked at Otto, who was about to speak but remained silent, coldly saying, "You should stop thinking about it; the Habsburg Family has already fulfilled our obligations to the Heavenly Father."
Losa froze slightly.
Indeed.
It's no longer the early Middle Ages when "division inheritance" was still popular; the mainstream in Europe now practices "primogeniture."
The change in inheritance law stems from the fact that "division inheritance" results in effects akin to the Han Dynasty's "decree of endowment," causing family territory to become increasingly divided, which is disadvantageous for survival in Europe's environment of competing forces where feudal lords annex each other.
So, for second sons like Losa, there are basically only two paths.
One path is to become a knight under a lord, gaining territory and titles through military exploits.
The other path is to enter a monastery, becoming a monk serving the gods.
For instance, his two younger brothers are currently studying at Avignon Monastery, and if the family becomes prosperous in the future and can support them, along with their outstanding personal abilities, there might be some chance for them to become an archbishop in a diocese, a feudal lord with clergy attributes.
Losa can only choose the former, as he must act as a backup for his brother, standing in as heir should his brother have no offspring or potentially die in battle or from illness.
Thus, he is destined not to take the path of a clergy.
As for the crusade... it is a perilous path but also offers the possibility of overnight wealth.
If Count Werner hadn't participated in the crusade earlier, he might now be like those impoverished, lower-class nobles who gnaw on coarse black bread every day.
These days, lands in Germania and Gaul have been divided cleanly, and even as a knight serving under various lords for many years, you might not be able to obtain a piece of barren territory.
For Losa, who needs land and prestige to unlock the system, pledging loyalty to another lord is far less rewarding than battling heretics in the Holy Land.
As for risks...
To achieve success and fame, where can you avoid risks?
Since coming to this world, Losa is no longer willing to remain ordinary.
"I understand, Father, I will go."
Losa lowered his head and picked up the spoon, taking a mouthful of pea soup.
At this moment.
Count Werner suddenly spoke sternly, "Kneel down, Losa!"
Losa, somewhat bewildered, put down the spoon, then realized something, quickly pushed back the chair, and kneeled down before the long table.
The Count stood up, drew the sharp longsword from his waist, and placed it on Losa's shoulder: "Losa von Habsburg, in the name of a warrior, I grant you courage, in the name of the Heavenly Father, I grant you justice, in the name of the Holy Mother, I grant you protection for the innocent."
"Now, swear to the eight virtues of the Heavenly Father's knights: You will exert all your effort to strike down heretics and enemies of the Heavenly Father, support the weak, and eradicate bandits."
"Father, I swear to the Heavenly Father and the eight virtues, I will treat the weak amicably, bravely face strong enemies, punish evildoers, uphold justice, and remain loyal and just until death."
Pak—
The Count's palm struck Losa's face sharply, producing a crisp sound: "Remember, becoming a knight, you will face countless hardships and dangers; I hope you always stay true, honoring the knight's code."
That was quite harsh.
Losa thought to himself, without changing his expression, "I will, to the lord I serve."
The Count's brows slightly relaxed, he held the knight's sword horizontally in his hand and said, "Then take the sword, Knight Losa. As for your virtue, I might not see it clearly, but in terms of personal martial arts, I am sure you are worthy of it."
This is an armed sword, commonly known as a knight's sword.
Different from the half sword Losa is accustomed to, which can be held with both hands or one hand, the armed sword is only suitable for single-handed use, usually paired with a kite shield or kite shield.
Losa took the armed sword and scabbard, and strapped it to his waist.
Count Werner sighed lightly, "You need not call me lord; I can only give you a knightly title, not land... currently, three of the knights under the family's command are still without territory—they have been loyal to me for years, even if new lands are gained in war, I must prioritize their needs first."
Losa nodded, "I understand."
The Count sighed lightly, "Losa, before departing, you can choose two clever and capable squires and pick one set of needed equipment. Remember to choose wisely; even the poorest knight needs the assistance of squires, who are both the knight's legs and shield."
"Thank you for your generosity, Father."
Losa expressed his gratitude sincerely.
Count Werner's attitude towards his second son was not particularly good, but certainly above average.
As for this knight conferral ceremony, although it was somewhat rushed, lacking the bishop's witnessing, not like the self-proclaimed Knight's Flower Gauls who had fleur-de-lis cutting ceremonies, nor granting him crucial lands.
Yet Losa still felt quite excited because a crisp system notification sounded in his ear.
On the system panel's title section, it quietly changed to silver-white: Knight.
You have activated the title system, obtaining the chief squire: Prajna (6-star squire)