Chapter 18: Rewards
A series of milestone updates flashed through Lothar's mind.
[You have slain a werewolf, unlocking the milestone: 'Demon Hunter' (Slay any three dark creatures, including werewolves, vampires, ghosts, sirens, etc.) [1/3 Complete]
You have witnessed a witch, unlocking the milestone: 'The Witcher' (Engage in the exchange of bodily fluids with more than three witches) [Incomplete]
You have successfully obtained your first champion knight title, milestone: 'Champion Knight' (Win three knightly tournaments organized by counts or higher-ranking nobles.) [1/3 Complete] ]
Before acquiring a fief, the only way to obtain card draw chances was by completing these milestones.
The [The Witcher] milestone could be disregarded for now. Every witch he knew of chose to serve either great lords or, at the very least, regional magnates like Count Leopold. Higher up, there were prime examples like Richard the Lionheart and the Great Germania's Emperor Henry. Their standards were exceedingly high. Besides, Lothar didn't particularly fancy these witches. Although the red-robed witch beside Count Leopold was likely a beauty, she was a far cry from Banu; her skin alone couldn't compare.
Aside from The Witcher, the [Champion Knight] and [Chivalrous Knight] milestones were worth considering for swift completion. The former required two more champion knight titles. If no opportunity arose in Venice, it could be pursued after reaching Jerusalem. The latter was much simpler. This era was rife with mountain bandits and robbers, especially the nomad bandits near the Holy Land, who were as numerous as flies. Encountering them would not be an issue.
The Demon Hunter milestone was more challenging. After all, these were supernatural creatures, adept at hiding among ordinary people, making them difficult to identify. Furthermore, even if one could identify them, killing them was hard. Banu was powerful, but her strengths didn't lie in raw killing power or speed.
The scent of incense made him somewhat drowsy. As evening approached, the bathhouse, with its ancient Imperial style, offered far superior lighting compared to typical medieval buildings. Pale moonlight streamed through the dome's windows, dappling the marble floor.
'Splash—'
The sound of flowing water. Lothar awoke with a start, then saw a beautiful maidservant, clad in gauze, swimming towards him like a mermaid.
"Who are you?"
"I am His Lordship's head maidservant, Naz." The maidservant paddled slowly closer, a provocative look on her face. "You seemed dissatisfied with the gift we arranged for you earlier, so I can only offer my services to you personally."
Lothar understood. So, because he hadn't touched the maidservant arranged to attend him, this head maidservant had taken matters into her own hands.
He quickly shook his head. "My apologies, I have no dissatisfaction. It's just that I have sworn an oath of celibacy to the Heavenly Father and will not approach women until the infidels around the Holy Land are expelled."
"Is that so?" She couldn't help but glance down at the water below his waist.
"Absolutely true!" Lothar tried hard to empty his mind to prevent any tell-tale reactions.
"You are indeed a devout knight of the Heavenly Father. I have been presumptuous." The head maidservant stood up. Beneath her water-soaked gauze, her exquisite figure was revealed in every detail. She gracefully stepped out of the pool, pointed to a pile of clothes by the water's edge, and said, "Please change into these formal garments and accompany me for an audience with His Lordship. I will wait for you outside."
Lothar changed into a black, tailored formal suit adorned with purple tassels and followed the head maidservant towards the castle's interior. Purple dye was extremely precious in both the East and West. Especially in the Western world, apart from the wealthy nobles of the Eastern Empire, almost no one could afford to wear purple robes. Thus, even a small purple tassel became an important decoration to display wealth.
The path from the bathhouse to the castle was entirely paved with marble slabs, and well-equipped soldiers could be seen patrolling along the way. One had to remember, Lienz was not Count Leopold's main seat of power but merely a secondary residence; Vienna was his true stronghold. Count Leopold's affluence was evident.
Just then, the castle's iron portcullis creaked open, drawn by a windlass. Count Leopold stood at the gate, speaking to Lothar with great warmth, "Well, young Lothar, are you satisfied with the gift I prepared?"
Lothar said, somewhat reservedly, "Of course, I am satisfied."
"Ha, no need to be nervous. I didn't even recognize you at first glance. I once led troops on an eastern campaign alongside your father; we are very good friends. I even held you when you were little." Leopold clapped Lothar on the shoulder, gesturing for him to follow. As they walked, he continued, "Werner is a rigid old stick-in-the-mud. You are his son, and it seems you've unwittingly picked up the same trait. We have a close relationship; there's no need to be so formal."
Lothar smiled. "Indeed." 'He's certainly skilled at winning people over.' He didn't recall Count Werner ever mentioning any close friendship with Leopold.
"When do you plan to accept my enfeoffment? The herald and craftsmen are ready to create your personal coat of arms, Baron of the Vienna Woods." Leopold asked with a smile.
Lothar was somewhat taken aback. "You intend to enfeoff me as a baron?"
Leopold said with an appreciative look, "Of course. But not just a baron. I also intend for you to stay by my side as my personal knight. This was the reward I promised before the tournament, and I am not one to make empty promises."
Lothar quickly replied, "Your Lordship, your generosity is well known. But I came out this time intending to travel to Venice, take a ship to the Holy Land, and fight the infidels. I cannot fulfill the obligations of a vassal." The title "Your Lordship" or "Your Highness" was not strictly applied; many vassals and servants used it to address their liege lords, a practice more common further east.
As for Leopold's reward, it was indeed tempting. But good things don't just fall from the sky. A vassal needed to fulfill feudal obligations, and he couldn't possibly stay in Austria as a minor baron. That would mean he'd likely remain a baron for the rest of his life. After all, he had no channels for expansion around him and could only rely on serving Count Leopold, hoping the Count would generously grant him new fiefs.
This possibility was slim, as Leopold himself was a Count; enfeoffing a baron was already his limit. He also couldn't rise in the ranks by turning traitor and eliminating his lord; that would utterly ruin his reputation.
Leopold waved his hand. "I know all this. But don't be so quick to refuse. I recently plan to seek the elevation of the March of Austria to the Duchy of Austria. If this succeeds, as long as you perform outstandingly, I will consider enfeoffing you as a Count, on par with your father, in the future."
Lothar took a deep breath. "Forgive me, Your Lordship. I greatly wish to immediately accept your generous offer, but my faith prevents me from violating my sacred oath. Your Lordship, you should also know that I have sworn to defend the Holy Land and fight the infidels."
Leopold frowned, his expression gradually turning cold. "Young Lothar, do you realize what a great honor this is? If not for the fortunate coincidence of you dealing with the disguised werewolf Abelardo in front of so many people, you would likely have remained a mere knight for your entire life!"
For an ordinary knight, this was indeed true. The vast majority of landless knights died in the process of trying to achieve merit. A significant portion of the remainder would also perish while continuing to strive for glory, while another large portion would live out mediocre lives as minor lords.
Lothar shook his head. "I know. Thank you again for your generosity, but please forgive me, I cannot accept."
Leopold remained silent for a long time, his intense aura of authority even instilling a sense of fear in Lothar, reminiscent of his student days, being meek and subservient before the dean.
Then, "Hahaha! Truly Werner's son, exactly his disposition!" The seriousness on Leopold's face vanished, replaced by hearty laughter. "Don't worry, young Lothar. I too am a devout believer in the Heavenly Father. How could I be angered by your piety? On the contrary, I will sponsor you with a sum of money. After you've established yourself in Jerusalem, you can also write to me, and I will send men with supplies to aid you."
Seeing the surprised look on Lothar's face, he clapped him on the shoulder again. "In short, there will always be a place for you under my command, for the day you return from the Holy Land."
Lothar smiled. "My sincerest thanks. But, Your Lordship, aren't you also planning to go to the Holy Land to participate in the Crusade? Perhaps we can fight side by side then."
"Indeed. Once I have settled matters here at home, and... the issues between His Majesty the Emperor and His Holiness the Pope, I will lead my army forth. At that time, let me see your skills in leading troops and waging war."
The two exchanged pleasantries for a good while, truly a case of guest and host being perfectly content, before bidding each other farewell.
Leopold, watching Lothar depart, stood by the castle torches, silent for a long time. The red-robed witch came to his side, smiling. "So, you still failed to recruit him. Heh, with a witch by his side, he's not as devout as he claims."
Leopold nodded. "Indeed... He is an ambitious and capable man. An ordinary person could not have defeated a werewolf in a direct confrontation. And Jerusalem is clearly his optimal stage. In that city, even a vagrant from Paris might one day transform into a noble lord."
The witch's vibrant red lips curved into an alluring arc. "Since you cannot bring him under your service, then form an alliance. It can, more or less, compensate for the loss of that werewolf knight I prepared for you."
Leopold snorted coldly. "Silence! How dare you utter such blasphemous words before me! I will not stand under the same sky as evil werewolves!"
"Oh, please, why pretend with me? You are a very pragmatic man. As long as it helps the House of Babenberg rise, you wouldn't hesitate to use the power of werewolves, let alone vampires or demons." The witch's pale arm, like a boneless snake, coiled around Leopold's waist. "Go ahead and use them boldly. With me here, no one can cause a terrible for you."
Leopold grasped the witch's arm, a flicker of fascination in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. "How strong is that witch with Lothar? Compared to you?"
The witch hummed lightly. "What, are you interested in her?"
Leopold shook his head. "How could that be? I merely wish to judge Lothar's potential through this, to consider how much I should invest in him."
The witch nodded, her voice turning serious. "I don't know for sure, but she must be very strong. Not much weaker than those two old women in the Witch's Tower."
"I understand."
***
"You're back." Banu sat on a chair in the inn. Hearing Lothar enter, she only lifted her head slightly.
"Thank you so much for today."
"No need for thanks." Banu shook her head, looked Lothar up and down, and her nose twitched slightly. Her finely arched eyebrows then relaxed—no strange scents.
Lothar hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Banu, if I truly couldn't have defeated Abelardo during the day, would you have intervened?"
Banu lowered her eyes and didn't reply. If Lothar hadn't been able to use his talent to turn the tables and kill him at the critical moment, she would have intervened.
Rules were rules. Breaking them, though it would make Lothar's future path incredibly difficult, presupposed he had a future.
But she would never say such words aloud. Without the tempering of life-and-death situations, always harboring the mentality of 'Banu will save me,' Lothar would never grow into a lord she could truly believe in.'
Seeing Banu's silence, Lothar said thoughtfully, "I understand."