The public trial meeting is coming to an end.

Not only Hussein and Adnan but also their families, servants, and bandits in the Bandit Corps.

The innocent have long been released; those who face trial are "sinners" with solid evidence against them.

Because Losa also understands that relying on civilians to vote, even petty theft might very likely result in the death penalty.

So it was simplified to just a formality.

"Is the carriage ready?"

Andreas nodded, "Including the ten guards accompanying them, everything is ready."

Losa said, "Then let's prepare to set off."

He was ready to leave Hebron for Jerusalem.

Andreas was a bit concerned: "Sir, are you sure you want to set off today? Hussein is manageable, but Adnan has a good reputation among the chiefs of the Heretics. I'm worried they might band together and seize the opportunity to rebel."

"If they really dare to do that, it would be a quick solution."

Losa showed a hint of a smile, "Don't forget, how far is it from here to Jerusalem in total? I am still the Grand Master of the Royal Knight Order, His Majesty the King's favorite."

"Favorite," although Losa used this term humorously about himself, it was indeed the truth.

In Jerusalem City, although the previously armed Pilgrim Army has been disbanded, there are still two Knight Orders and the City Guard Army standing by.

With such a powerful force as a deterrent, even if Losa doesn't plan to seek external help, these people wouldn't dare act rashly.

"At least, before I provoke them further, they won't dare to act."

Andreas emphasized, "Sir, I mean, what if?"

He's a cautious person and, in Losa's view, his way of doing things is overly concerned, always worried about everything.

As a Clothing Officer in charge of logistics, he was quite competent, but don't expect him to handle things independently like Hans.

Losa smiled, "I will be back tomorrow. If they really can organize manpower within a day, and we haven't received the slightest hint of it, you can rely on the city wall defenses.

Don't tell me, with the solid structure of Hebron Inner Castle (Lord's Hall), you can't hold out for a day?"

Andreas pondered for a while, then nodded, "I understand, sir. This is something that can't possibly happen."

In such a short time, if those powerful Heretic chiefs can really band together, and organize a force that can compete with Losa's more than five hundred standing troops, advancing with divine speed to the gates of Hebron City...

It would be akin to a heavenly fantasy, completely impossible to occur!

…

Losa led ten or so Winged Cavalry, along with two carriages, traveling light and proceeding towards Jerusalem.

At this moment, Hebron was simply a sea of joy; in the streets and alleys, civilians holding wine glasses joyfully drank, even the Fire Worshipers who abstain from alcohol had joyous faces.

The new Lord had just arrived, and Hebron had a new atmosphere, whether it was lowering taxes or punishing the two formerly high and mighty local magnates, making people feel that future days would be considerably better.

Jeanne was somewhat sentimental: "Scenes like this are uncommon in Hebron in the past."

For a city like Hebron, with a rich religious atmosphere and a conservative dual doctrine, it was like a stern father with a constant frown.

In the past, what filled the streets and alleys were those simply dressed, devoutly pilgrimage-bearing pilgrims.

Solemnity and gravity were the dominant tones of this city.

"Indeed, honestly speaking, I feel quite accomplished."

By the roadside, in the lush grape plantation.

People were harvesting the heavy grapes, piling them up in wooden barrels, where barefooted women stomped like dancing within.

Jeanne intently watched the graceful silhouette of a pretty girl, praising, "Sir, you know, the wine made by pretty girls is the most delicious."

"I don't know."

Losa couldn't understand Jeanne's seemingly infatuated behavior.

Jeanne suggested, "If it's a beauty like Miss Prajna, the wine she stomps out must be the most fragrant and mellow. I suppose Sir thinks the same, right?"

Prajna rolled her eyes.

Losa didn't engage in this topic at all, simply stating, "I'll treat you to some aged tank when there's a chance."

"What is aged tank?"

Jeanne was curious.

Losa described seriously, "It is a type of yellow wine from the Eastern realms, brewed in aged barrels, rich and mellow in taste. I used to drink it often."

Jeanne showed anticipation, "I really want to taste it well."

She changed the topic and said, "Sir, you haven't answered my question earlier. Don't you want to taste the wine Miss Prajna made by stomping grapes barefoot?"

Losa glanced at Prajna and saw her calm demeanor, and couldn't help but instinctively entertain a thought.

It seemed, not impossible after all.

Furinjira loudly said, "What about me? I also want to try it, sir. Why don't we visit your vineyard when we return?"

Jeanne praised, "If it's Miss Furin, the taste must be quite good too. Sir, I'm beginning to look forward to this vineyard tour."

Losa seriously considered for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, if you all wish, when we return from Jerusalem, we'll find a vineyard."

Having fought battles all life, can't one enjoy a little?

"Sir, shall we have a horse race? Let's see who can reach that tree ahead first!"

Jeanne said this and charged forward like a whirlwind.

Losa had no intention of chasing.

Furin took the opportunity to malign, acting like a sycophant, "That thick-skinned woman, riding the Akhal-Teke horse you yourself couldn't bear to ride, yet wants to compete with you in riding skills, truly shameless."

Losa agreed deeply, "Indeed, truly shameless!"

...

The entire Hebron, on the surface joyous, yet couldn't conceal the undercurrents swirling beneath.

The powerful heretics who truly controlled this city then realized, their previous thought that merely changing a Lord had little to do with them, was utterly wrong.

In a tavern.

The three heretic powerhouses had gathered together at this moment.

With Hussein and Adnan dethroned, these three were the most outstanding among the remaining tax collectors.

"We can't go on like this, it's obvious this new Lord wants to uproot us!"

"That patrol officer named Ulm, every day, roams our territories with a team of cavalry, telling everyone about the 'Circuit Court', posting all sorts of notices, at this rate, sooner or later it will be our turn."

No one sitting here is clean!

If the landlords of this era were lined up to be executed, perhaps killing ten would wrong an innocent, but killing nine out of ten would definitely miss no fish.

"What can we do? This one is a Dragon Slayer! I saw him with my own eyes displaying a giant dragon head in the hall when I visited him."

"Moreover, Saladin has already signed a peace agreement with the King of the Franks, so they cannot provide us much support."

In this era, unless leading only a standing army, there's no such thing as a surprise attack.

Gathering vassals, summoning serfs, all are grand events whose message cannot be concealed.

Therefore, if they intend to revolt, unless they plan to only bring family guards, they can't hide a thing.

More likely, they will be wiped out by the garrison Losa placed in Hebron before they even gather their forces.

"No, compared to the power of this tyrant, we are too weak. Here, so close to Jerusalem, the other tax collectors don't care about us and won't heed our SOS."

"Then what do we do, just wait for this tyrant to strip away our land, wealth, and then send us to the gallows, turning us into entertainment for these lowly people!"

Someone slammed the table, shouting angrily.

"Didn't you see when Adnan was killed, those lowly people laughing so happily, eager to immediately praise that heretic's foul feet, utterly tainting the Holy Land's glory!"

Losa executing Hussein, they might even feel elated, but executing Adnan completely shattered the age-old rules on this land.

"No, we still have someone we can count on!"

The oldest among the three, with a solemn expression, said, "First, we cannot oppose the heretic's army, this is indisputable, but among the heretics, there's not unanimity either!"

"I understand, you're talking about Count Reynard?"

"That's right, Reynard won't willingly leave his noble position to this tyrant Losa. As long as we support Reynard in regaining his title and driving this Losa away, the King of Jerusalem will have no reason to intervene!"

On their despondent faces, a glimmer of hope finally appeared.

"Of course, we must prepare a backup plan, not relying solely on Reynard."

Someone suggested, "Whether it's bribing a servant to poison, or hiring assassins to kill, we must proceed together with contacting Reynard and get rid of this tyrant as soon as possible."

"In this time, you all must hold your lowly people steady, do not let them run to that Circuit Court to file complaints again."

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