You killed a werewolf and unlocked the milestone: Demon Hunter (kill any three dark creatures including werewolves, vampires, demons, and banshees) [Completed 1/3]
You witnessed a witch and unlocked the milestone: Witch Hunter (exchange body fluids with more than three witches) [Not completed]
You successfully obtained the first title of Champion Knight, milestone: Champion Knight [Completed 1/3]
Milestones flashed through Losa's mind.
Before obtaining a fiefdom, the only way to gain chances for card draws is to strive for milestones.
[Witch Hunter] need not be considered for now. Any witch who chooses a patron is either a Great Lord or at least a regional lord like Count Leopold.
Above them, there are two typical examples: Richard the Lionheart and Emperor Henry of Great Germania.
Their vision is quite high.
Moreover, Losa isn't interested in these witches.
Although the red-robed witch by Count Leopold's side should also be beautiful, compared to Prajna, she falls far short, particularly in terms of skin.
Aside from Witch Hunter.
[Champion Knight] and [Knight of Chivalry] are two milestones that can be considered for swift completion.
The former still requires obtaining the title of Champion Knight twice more; if no opportunities arise in Venice, it can be postponed until reaching Jerusalem.
The latter is much simpler.
During this era, bandits are everywhere, especially the nomadic bandits around the Holy Land, they are as numerous as flies. There is no worry of encountering them.
The Demon Hunter milestone is somewhat challenging.
After all, they are extraordinary creatures, skilled at hiding among regular people, making identification difficult.
Furthermore, even if their identity can be discerned, killing them is challenging. Prajna is powerful, but his strengths don't lie in lethality and speed.
The scent of incense made him somewhat sleepy.
As evening approached, compared to the medieval architecture, the bathhouse with Ancient Empire style had much better lighting, with bright moonlight spilling onto the marble floor through the dome windows.
Swoosh—
The sound of water flowed.
Losa was abruptly awakened and soon saw a beautiful maid dressed in sheer fabric swimming towards him like a mermaid.
"Who are you?"
"I am Your Majesty's head maid, Nazi."
The maid swam slowly, with a teasing expression: "You seemed dissatisfied with the gift we arranged before, so I have come to personally serve you."
Losa suddenly understood.
Seeing that he hadn't touched the maid arranged to serve him nearby, the head maid personally came forward.
He quickly shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, I'm not dissatisfied, it's just that I once swore to the Heavenly Father to remain chaste and not approach women before expelling heretics around the Holy Land."
"Is that so?"
She couldn't help but glance down at the water's surface.
"Absolutely true!"
Losa tried to empty his mind to prevent his blood from flowing downward.
"You truly are a pious knight of the Heavenly Father, I have offended you."
The head maid stood up, with the sheer fabric wet from the water showing every detail of her graceful figure.
She stepped out of the pool and pointed to a stack of clothing by the pool, saying, "Please change into the ceremonial attire and accompany me to meet His Majesty, I will wait outside for you."
...
Losa changed into a tailored black ceremonial attire adorned with purple tassels and followed the head maid towards the interior of the castle.
Purple, whether in the East or West, was a very precious dye, especially in the Western world. Apart from the affluent Eastern Empire nobles, almost no one can afford to wear purple robes.
Thus, even a tiny purple tassel became an important decoration to showcase wealth.
The path from the bathhouse to the castle was entirely paved with marble slabs, along which well-equipped soldiers occasionally patrolled.
It must be noted that Lienz was not Count Leopold's domain, just a palace; Vienna was his stronghold.
The wealth of Count Leopold was evident.
At this moment, the castle's iron gate creaked open with a winch.
Count Leopold stood at the gate, amiably saying to Losa, "How about it, little Losa, are you pleased with the gift I prepared?"
Losa said somewhat bashfully, "Of course, I am pleased."
"Ha, don't be nervous. At first glance, I almost didn't recognize you. Back then I led troops on an Eastern Expedition with your father, we were very good friends, and I even held you when you were young."
Leopold patted Losa's shoulder, signaling him to follow.
Walking along, he said, "Werner is a stubborn old man, and as his son, it seems you've unwittingly picked up this trait."
"We are very close, no need to be so formal."
Losa smiled and said, "Indeed."
Truly skilled at winning hearts.
He did not recall Count Werner ever mentioning having any close friendship with Leopold.
"When do you plan to accept my appointment? The Herald and craftsmen are ready to create your private emblem, Vienna Forest Mountain Baron."
Leopold asked with a smile.
Losa was somewhat stunned, "You intend to appoint me as a Baron?"
Leopold said with appreciation, "Absolutely, but not just a Baron. I also intend for you to stay by my side as a Personal Knight."
"This is the reward I promised before the tournament; I'm not one to make empty promises."
Losa hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, your generosity is well known, but this time I am set to travel to Venice, take a ship to the Holy Land, and fight against the heretics. I cannot fulfill the obligations of a vassal."
The use of the term 'Your Majesty' is not strictly applied; many lords' subjects and servants often use it to address their feudal lords, especially in the East.
As for Leopold's reward.
It is indeed tempting.
But no pies fall from the sky for nothing; being a vassal requires fulfilling feudal obligations, and he simply cannot stay in Austria and be a small baron.
That would mean he would likely remain a baron for his entire life.
After all, he has no way to expand around him, and can only rely on serving Count Leopold, hoping for his generosity to grant him new fiefs.
The possibility of this is very small.
Because Leopold himself is a count, elevating to baron is already the limit.
He wouldn't learn from a certain general named Lü to rebel and overthrow the lord; that would completely ruin his reputation.
Leopold waved his hand and said, "I understand these, but don't rush to refuse. I'm recently planning to seek to upgrade the Austrian Border Territory to a duchy. If this is achieved, as long as you perform outstandingly, I'll consider elevating you to count, alongside your father."
Losa took a deep breath, "Apologies, Your Majesty, I would like to immediately nod and accept your generous request, but the belief in my heart prevents me from breaking the sacred vow."
"Your Majesty, you should also know, I swore to guard the Holy Land and fight against heretics."
Leopold furrowed his brows, his expression turning cold.
"Little Losa, do you know how great this honor is? If it weren't for your chance, solving Abelardo disguised as a werewolf in front of so many people, you'd probably remain a knight for life!"
For ordinary knights, this is indeed true.
The vast majority of landless knights die in the process of achieving fame and success.
Most of the remaining ones also perish in continuing their achievements, while another large portion spends their life mundane as small lords.
Losa shook his head and said, "I understand, and again, thank you for your generosity, but please forgive me for not being able to accept."
Leopold was silent for a long time, his overwhelming majesty causing Losa to feel a hint of fear.
As if it were student days, stammering in front of the dean.
Then.
"Hahaha, you're truly Werner's son, just like him."
Leopold's sternness vanished completely, replaced by hearty laughter, "Don't worry, little Losa, I'm also a pious follower of the Heavenly Father, how could I be angry with your devotion?"
"On the contrary, I will fund a sum of money for you, and once you establish yourself in Jerusalem, you can write to me, and I'll send people to deliver supplies to help you."
Seeing the surprised expression on Losa's face, he again patted Losa's shoulder, "In short, there will always be a place for you under my command, on the day you return from the Holy Land."
Losa smiled and said, "Thank you very much, it's just that Your Majesty isn't also planning to go to the Holy Land for an Eastern Expedition? Maybe we can fight side by side then."
"Indeed, once I've dealt with domestic matters, and... issues with His Majesty the Emperor and His Holiness the Pope, I will lead the army to set out. When that time comes, let me see your prowess in leading troops."
The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, truly host and guest enjoyed themselves before they said goodbye to each other.
Watching Losa leave, Leopold stood by the castle's torch for a long time without speaking.
The red-robed witch came to his side, smiling, "Even this didn't manage to recruit him, hum, with a witch by his side, he's not as pious as he says."
Leopold nodded and said, "Indeed... he's an ambitious and capable person; ordinary people can't defeat a werewolf head-on."
"And Jerusalem, clearly, is his best stage."
"In that city, even a vagabond from Paris might one day transform and become a noble lord."
The witch's vivid red lips curved into an enchanting arc, "Since we can't recruit him, let's form an alliance; it can somewhat make up for the loss of that werewolf knight I prepared for you."
Leopold snorted coldly, "Shut up, how dare you speak such blasphemy in my presence, I will not coexist with evil werewolves!"
"Enough, what's there to pretend in front of me. You're a pragmatic person, as long as it can help the Babenberg Family rise, not just werewolves, even vampires and demonic powers you'd use without hesitation."
The witch's white arm wrapped around Leopold's waist like a boneless snake, "Use freely, with me around, no one can retaliate against you."
Leopold grabbed the witch's arm, a trace of infatuation flashing across his face but soon regaining clarity, "How strong is the witch beside Losa? Compared to you?"
The witch snorted lightly, "What, have you been tempted?"
Leopold shook his head, "Impossible, I'm merely trying to judge Losa's potential to consider how much expense to spend on investing."
The witch nodded, speaking solemnly, "I'm not sure, but it must be very strong, not much inferior to those two old women at the Witch Tower."
"I understand."
...
"You're back."
Prajna sat on the hotel's chair, only slightly raising her head when she heard Losa enter.
"Thank you so much today."
"No need to be polite."
Prajna shook her head, appraising Losa up and down, then her nose gently sniffed, relaxing only when her furrowed brows smoothened—no strange scents.
Losa hesitated, then asked, "Prajna, if during the day, I couldn't defeat Abelardo, would you have intervened?"
Prajna's eyes lowered, not responding.
If Losa couldn't leverage his talent to counterattack, she would still step in at the critical moment.
Rules are rules.
Breaking the rules, though it would make Losa struggle in the future, but the prerequisite is having a future.
But she would not say such words, without the tempering of life and death, always holding the mindset "Prajna will step in to save me," Losa would never grow into the lord she believes in.
Seeing Prajna's silence, Losa said thoughtfully, "I understand."