What a chaotic scene!
Helping Prajna would obviously lower Furinjira's intimacy.
Is Furinjira's intimacy important?
That's beyond doubt.
He is currently just a Knight, but if he could share Furinjira's talent, he could immediately master the mysterious Blood Magic, changing from a melee cannon fodder to a noble Caster.
In the game, for balance, Mages may not be much stronger than Shooters, Warriors, Tanks, and even have major flaws like easy death and short legs.
But this is reality!
Casters are indeed more noble than those smelly melee fighters.
However, if he were to help Furinjira, the hard-earned relationship with Prajna might suffer a crack.
Losa did not weigh the decision too much.
From a pure interest angle, speaking for Furinjira might be more suitable.
But he was never a cold machine that only cares about interests.
"Miss Furinjira, mind your words."
"I don't want you to conflict with my most trusted friend, even if it's just verbal, upon your arrival to this world. As she said, I hope you show at least some respect to your lord in your words."
"This world is not simple; there are many who are stronger than both you and Prajna."
"Even if you once were rivals, now that you are colleagues, you should cooperate wholeheartedly."
"And you, Prajna, I know very well what Furinjira truly is. So, if you are worried that I would be tempted by her, there's no need."
"Mm."
Prajna remained expressionless, but the prompt of increased intimacy showed that she appreciated Losa speaking for her.
However, Furinjira's intimacy not only didn't decrease, but even slightly increased, leaving Losa puzzled.
Losa let out a breath inwardly and said, "Furinjira, come out with me; I will introduce you to my followers."
The two went out to the corridor.
Losa paused slightly, then said sternly, "I must warn you in advance, restrain your Vampiric nature, do not lay hands on my followers, and do not harm ordinary people at will. This is not the Blood Royal Court, but rather an alien world full of Witches, Vampires, and Demons, with deep waters. It's best not to reveal your unique traits freely."
"Vampires?"
She licked her lips: "This world also has Vampires? I am already impatient to meet these compatriots and make them submit under my skirt."
"If you manage that, there will be opportunities."
Losa paused slightly, then emphasized, "Remember what I said."
Furinjira grinned and bowed, saying, "Of course, my respectful Lord, all your commands will be obeyed unconditionally."
Losa nodded: "Now, I have to take you to change your clothes. Although your outfit looks nice, it's too out of place for this era."
"Alright, my Lord."
Furinjira's attitude was very obedient.
But the "intimacy decreased" prompt in his ear indicated her mood.
Was it that she disliked being restrained, or was she unhappy about changing clothes?
Losa looked deeply at Furinjira. To deal with this Vampire girl who is black-hearted to the core, he can't treat her the same way as Prajna.
In the setting, humans who died at her hands numbered at least eight thousand if not ten thousand.
She is an unadulterated female Demon!
Losa took Furinjira to change into a very ordinary dress for this era.
Like Prajna, she was also asked to wear a veil.
Only, her hair was an unusual white, requiring an additional headscarf.
Ding ding ding—
The continuous three prompts of decreased intimacy confirmed that Furinjira truly resented changing into what she considered ugly clothes.
But Losa wasn't in a hurry.
He had already recalled his initial setup for Furinjira.
She was a spoiled princess from the Blood Royal Court lacking discipline.
Her parents died young at the Divine Court, leaving her to grow up alone in her luxurious palace.
Due to her superb talent and noble bloodline, she was essentially an incorrigible little Demon King in the Royal Court.
On the surface, she showed reckless behavior, seemingly harboring a child's rebellious attitude, often defying bans to rampage through the human world.
In reality, she yearned sincerely for family and romantic love.
In truth, she hoped someone would teach her for her own good, in essence, she was a wild child lacking parental care.
Losa's choice to favor Prajna didn't disappoint her; instead, it caused her intimacy to rise, because she never liked those who regarded her differently just because of her beauty.
In the setting, any man enchanted by her would be mercilessly drained of all his blood.
Therefore, as long as Losa takes care of her like an elder brother, supervising her.
Even if she appears defiant or unyielding, her intimacy will only continue to grow.
In the game, players needed to elite before they could slowly unlock Furinjira's setting collection, and upon reading these stories, they specifically strategize for her.
But Losa is different, no one knows these retainers' personalities better than him.
In some sense, all the recruitable retainers within the system are his children.
"Furinjira, this world is very dangerous. Prajna and I once encountered a Witch stronger than her. I know you love beauty, but your safety is more important."
Losa said earnestly.
Furinji La slightly hesitated, let out a light hum, and said in a very impatient tone, "I know, I won't cause you any trouble."
Losa's tone softened, "I apologize for the inconvenience."
The system prompt sounded as expected.
Intimacy increased.
...
Veneto is located in the northeast of the Apennines, situated between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, bordering the Austrian Border Territory to the north.
In Losa's previous life's history.
Veneto was also under the rule of the Habsburg Family for a long time, but that was after the decline of Mediterranean trade and many years into the Age of Navigation.
Currently, the ruler of the Veneto region is the Republic of Venice.
As the undisputed king of the Adriatic Sea, one of the most powerful city-state republics in the entire Mediterranean.
At this time, the only ones who can compete with the Venetians at sea are the Genoese fleet.
Even the Eastern Empire, which once controlled the Eastern Silk Road and wielded the naval weapon Greek Fire, had to compromise with the Venetians in many aspects.
During every Crusade, if the army wished to travel by sea, they inevitably had to seek assistance from the Venetian fleet.
The Republic of Venice maintains its independence despite most countries on the Apennine Peninsula being under the rule of the Great Germania Empire.
Its strength is evident.
Although merchants of this era were despised and ridiculed.
No one can deny the vast wealth they hold, which even a feudal lord or the Emperor of the Empire could only envy.
In this era, as long as you have money, you can organize a large number of elite mercenaries, far more brave and battle-hardened than peasant slave recruits.
Laine and Hans returned.
As soon as they entered, Laine cursed in Swabian countryside slang, "These greedy despicable pigs dare to ask for a sky-high price of three gold coins for a ship ticket, treating us like fat pigs ready for slaughter!"
Model was a bit puzzled, "Did you tell them we were going to the Holy Land to join the Holy War?"
"I did, but that damn fellow nonchalantly told me that if we couldn't afford a ticket, we'd only end up being ruffians, idlers, staining the Holy Land."
"I really doubt whether the Venetians truly believe in Heavenly Father! They are no different from the Jewish people, all heretical pretenders!"
Losa couldn't help but laugh, "Perhaps, the Venetians believe in Hermes instead."
"Hermes what?"
Laine looked confused.
Hans explained, "He's the pagan god once worshiped by the Greeks, who oversaw commerce."
In this era, the right to education is mostly in the hands of theologians.
Even being a lord or a king, illiteracy is not uncommon.
Laine realized and awkwardly agreed, "Indeed, these greedy Venetians' devotion to Heavenly Father pales in comparison to their devotion to money."
"During the last Crusade, the price was already negotiated, but the Venetians dared to raise it temporarily, even with the Pope's command."
Losa laughed, "It's alright, just because he set such a high price doesn't mean others will."
"Not all Crusaders are gathered in the Apennines right now; the Gaul's main Crusader force is still preparing supplies, far from Veneto."
"Their price increase is premature. Tell them, if they insist on raising the price, we'll go to the Genoese to board a ship."
As merchants, they originally traveled across the Mediterranean.
To dare to ask for three gold coins per person for a mere dozen cabin spots, they really treat him as a sucker.
Losa had no intention of appearing personally; for a mere merchant, if he appeared too approachable, they might perceive him as easy to bully.
It wasn't until the afternoon that Laine and Hans returned.
This time, although both of them had some dissatisfaction on their faces, compared to before, it was a completely different situation.
Losa inquired, "Did you negotiate?"
"Yes, it's negotiated, one Suludes gold coin per person. Those merchants tried to insert a loophole in the contract to place us in the lower cabin, thankfully Hans can read and spotted it."
Losa frowned.
Got tough.
His fist hardened.
Losa was slightly puzzled, "Is no one else available for negotiation?"
He didn't want to board the ship of such untrustworthy merchants; he feared that instead of heading to the Holy Land, they might try to sell them to North Africa as slaves.
Of course, the consequence of such actions would be their successful counterattack, and acquiring a ship's worth of wealth.
The guards hired by the merchant caravans could not be their match.
Laine shook his head, "None, it's said that recently there are Sea Sirens appearing on the route to Crete Island, so the route is temporarily suspended. Tomorrow, we have to follow their merchant caravan to the port to board the ship."
"Alright."
Losa nodded, deciding not to stay in Veneto for a month or so; the sooner he reaches the Holy Land, the sooner he can start working on his fief-plan.
With the system in hand, developing just one or two months more could lead to a world of difference.
As for Sea Sirens?
He didn't believe that with Furinji La around, they couldn't handle a few monsters relying purely on charm and brute strength.
"It's decided then."
"Laine, Model, Hans, you three organize the people to purchase a batch of metal spearheads and shields later. If there are any usable weapons among the bandits, keep them as spares. I intend to form all the male vassals into Long Spearmen."
Long Spearmen are cheaper to train and less difficult than Sword and Shield Warriors.