"We must understand that quite a few Crusader Princes died because of him in the past. In this regard, we should not only refrain from paying the Assassins of the Old Man of the Mountain, but also declare our support for the Sassan and Ayyubid's efforts to eradicate Hawthorne's Assassin Kingdom."
Hawthorne had attempted to assassinate Saladin multiple times but failed without exception.
Both were sworn enemies, and if Hawthorne could truly succeed in assassination, he would have acted long ago; there was no need for the Crusaders to waste their money.
Losa said this merely to save face for the fool who suggested it.
In reality, private dealings between Crusader Lords and the Old Man of the Mountain, Hawthorne, occasionally occurred.
Regent King Raymond nodded slightly: "Indeed, for now, reinforcing the walls and using the money to arm pilgrims is the most reliable option."
Three proposals were rejected in succession, yet these nobles did not express dissatisfaction; rather, they acknowledged the decisions.
The knowledge of this era was held by theologians.
Aside from church schools, there were no schools during this era.
This also made the vast majority of nobles illiterate.
Short-sighted and stubborn, this rendered them poor at eloquence.
Someone like Losa who can express his viewpoint clearly is already a rarity.
Losa continued, "We must admit that the danger facing the Holy Land is unprecedented. The infidel army of the Ayyubid Kingdom is numerous, many times our number."
"Even if our knights are brave and skilled, facing enemies flooding from all directions will leave them struggling."
These words immediately provoked discontent.
Someone shouted, "Nonsense, Heavenly Father's knights fear nothing. Most of Saladin's men are ragtag peasants with muddy pants or cavalry composed of slaves summoned from the fields."
"How could such a rabble possibly be our match?"
The speaker was a handsome knight, though somewhat vulgar in manner. Unsophisticated knights were not uncommon in this era.
The gallant, courteous, humble, virtuous knights mostly existed only in novels.
Losa did not get angry, calmly asked, "Who might you be?"
The knight replied arrogantly: "I am Guy Lusignan. I brought twenty-five knights from my homeland to join the Crusades; they are all brave and formidable, capable of standing against a hundred."
Losa didn't pursue that topic, instead asked: "You are Gaulish, correct?"
Guy nodded: "Exactly, my fief is in Lusignan of Poitou."
Poitou is in the western part of Gaul, currently under the control of Richard the Lionheart.
Losa nodded: "I know that place. I spent some time in southern Gaul. You must find Jerusalem uncomfortable because its climate differs drastically from Poitou. It's humid and warm there, but here it is unbearably hot."
Losa smiled: "I wonder how much strength you can exert in armor under such weather? Can your Nisian warhorse outrun a native Arabian horse?"
Guy Knight was slightly taken aback, did not respond.
He was somewhat proud but not a fool.
Losa spoke sincerely: "I do not deny the valor of Heavenly Father's knights, as I am one of them. But the enemy is stronger, more numerous, and familiar with this climate, which is undeniable."
"Therefore, whether it's training new troops or reinforcing the walls, both have their logic."
Count Reynard scratched his red beard and complained: "Both have logic? Isn't that just nonsense?"
"Count Reynard, as you said, it is indeed nonsense because debating which is better between these two strategies is extremely difficult."
"But I know one thing clearly; if we continue bickering, dispersing our already limited power, it is foreseeable that the fate of the Holy Land being seized by Saladin will be inevitable."
"So please make a decision soon, my lords."
"Whether it's reinforcing the walls or training new troops, a decision must be made."
"As for what that decision is, it's not important as long as you all recognize it."
Losa spoke in a grave tone.
Implied meaning: keep arguing, keep quarreling, keep bickering.
When Jerusalem City falls, what will you fight over then.
Political strife leading to national disaster, that's the Great Ming Dynasty.
The civil officials simply do not care whether the Ming Dynasty falls or not; its downfall won't change their positions in the new dynasty.
But Crusader nobles are different.
The difference in faith makes it clear to them that once Jerusalem City falls, they will face terrifying consequences.
The heretics they once slaughtered mercilessly will return all the harm they inflicted upon them to these Crusader descendants.
Everyone in the grand hall was looking at each other.
If reality were a game, he could surely hear the system's notification about "Reputation Increase."
In the past life, Eastern souls always warned him to be cautious, avoiding the limelight.
This is a simple survival wisdom.
But in this era, it doesn't translate too well.
Regent King Raymond, Count Raymond spoke in a serious tone: "I agree with Knight Losa. We must make a decision."