The decisive battle between Duke Frandel and Saladin did not end in one or two days. The battle unexpectedly entered a long and protracted state of war. Although Saladin commanded the army to launch a fierce attack, Duke Frandel used the castles and sentry towers on the border to stubbornly entangle with Saladin's troops. The worries of the nobles also fought hard to protect their property and castles. Often, small groups of Antiochs and Saladin's mercenaries fought against each other in the desert under the castle walls and fought against the oasis. This lasting battle made both sides exhausted. When there was no fierce confrontation in the entire battlefield a month later, the soldiers on both sides seemed to have a tacit understanding of choosing to avoid the direct conflict areas, and the battlefield fell into silence.

The stability of the war in the south also gradually faded away from people's eyes. The topic of the noble ladies in Antioch Castle returned to popular costumes and romantic events. Of course, the Earl Schwab, the commander of the Teutonic Knights, occasionally appeared. When Schwab escorted the captives of the Seljuk Turks into the Antioch Castle, it caused a sensation among everyone. Looking at the dejected appearance of these cruel pagans, not only did the Antioch people extremely excited, but it turned out that day became a grand festival for the drunkards, and generous people kept inviting everyone to drink in the tavern.

"Mr. Schwab, you have become the most popular person in Antioch Castle." Sophia said to Schwab in the courtyard, because the queen's face turned red because she removed the threat of the Seljuk Turks.

"Your Majesty, I don't know what people are celebrating?" Schwab frowned. Looking at the castle that seemed like a grand festival, did the Antioch think they were safe? It was ridiculous.

"Celebrating your victory, Earl." Sophia said in confusion.

"Your Majesty, although Anudin has been temporarily defeated, he will make a comeback, and your kingdom is still in danger."

"But the Prime Minister has always told me that the kingdom is safe, and the nobles are doing their best to protect the kingdom." Sophia said.

"Safe? My God, your nobles from the east are curled up in the castle. Let the Seljuk cavalry gallop, because they have no reliable army in their hands, and their children have fallen into the hands of the enemy. I don't know how the palace princess learned about the security of the territory." Schwab said indignantly. The kingdom was controlled by a group of incompetent mediocre talents, causing the whole country to be like a broken ship with water leaking.

"Go and find the palace minister." Sophia seemed to have heard of this for the first time. She immediately said to her guard. After a while, the old palace minister led the guard to the queen.

"Your Majesty, you summon me?" Gong Xiang bowed and raised his head and said to Sophia.

"Yes, my chief minister, you told me that the eastern territory is very safe. But I heard a completely different statement from the Earl of Schwab, what are your explanations for this?"

"What? I have never heard of the Eastern nobles mentioning this. Maybe we need to send another investigator to ask."

"What else do you need to ask? The eastern nobles have not received assistance for a long time, and their morale has declined, like farmers who have lost their courage." Schwab interrupted, not knowing whether it was an illusion, he seemed to see a strange look in Gong Xiang's eyes.

"Transfer new food and weapons to the nobles of the east immediately. I hope you can be a competent chief minister." Sophia said in a rare and stern tone.

"Yes, my Majesty." Gong Xiang humbly retreated. After he left the courtyard, he went to a hidden corner of the castle.

"What's going on? So slow?" In the dark corner, a man in a noble uniform turned his back to Gong Xiang, but when he turned around, he blamed Antioch's chief minister dissatisfiedly.

"I'm sorry, Duke. I'm late because I was summoned by Her Majesty Queen Sophia temporarily." Gong Xiang took out a linen handkerchief from his generous embroidered clothes and wiped his forehead. The dealings between the big guys made him feel a little overwhelmed.

"Hmph, because of the nosy Earl Schwab?" The Duke of Bellason was waiting for the palace minister, and he said in disgust.

"That's right, I didn't expect that these knights from the mainland are so powerful that they are not even the Seljuks' opponents. The queen has begun to doubt me." Gong Xiang said slowly.

"No, I know that woman, she still trusts you. After all, you are the only minister recommended by her amiable uncle. Besides, do she have any ministers she can trust? Haha." Duke Bellason said with a smug smile. It was a kind of laughter that held everything in his hands.

"So what to do now? I heard that Duke Frandel has withstood Saladin's attack, and the nobles have once again fully supported the Duke. I am sorry, you have no chance of winning anymore." Gong Xiang said carefully.

"So what? Don't forget that I am still the most powerful person in this kingdom. Come here, I want you to do something." The Duke of Bellason narrowed his eyes and hooked his fingers at Gongxun, let Old Gongxun approach him and then said in his ear.

"Yes, yes, yes." Gong Xiang listened carefully, nodding from time to time and echoed.

"Go and keep an eye on Count Schwab and figure out his every move. The Teutonic Knights are the factor of change, and I have to control this factor."

Just like all the courts, conspiracies enveloped the court all the time. The Duke of Bellason hated the Teutonic Knights, but he knew that he could not deal with this powerful Knight in the sun, so he curled himself into the shadow and looked at Schwab and his Knights with a sinister look.

"Earl Schwab, are you going to pass through the Seljuks' territory alone and enter Baghdad?" In the palace, Queen Sophia heard Schwab say in surprise. The surroundings of the palace were surrounded by guards, and here were Sophia's confidants, or her own confidants, because Schwab repeatedly emphasized doing so.

"That's right, your majesty, your eastern nobles are already in panic. For this reason, they must rescue their children. I have received news from the slave merchants that the children were sent to Baghdad, so I must go there." Schwab had to tell Sophia for his own safety, because she hoped that the queen could make the illusion that she was still in the Antioch castle, and of course the substitute was played by Baron Rugodie.

"But it is too dangerous, and there is no need to take risks with your life." Queen Sophia advised that even in the palace she knew very well what danger Schwab would face in stepping into the territory of the Seljuks.

"How can you get a tiger's son if you don't enter the tiger's den?" Schwab said involuntarily, an idiom from his previous life.

"What does it mean?" Sophia asked curiously without understanding.

"How can you get a little lion without entering the lion's nest?" Schwab explained briefly.

"Ah, it's so appropriate." Sophia exclaimed, and then continued, "So what did you ask me to do?"

"Just pretending I'm still in the castle, so this thing needs to be very cautious. Baron Liugoodie will pretend it's me, and you can tell people that I need to rest for a while because of the wind and cold."

"Well, I can only pray for you."

Soon with the help of Queen Sophia, Count Schwab was infected with a cold due to the wounds of the previous battle, so the rumors that he needed to rest flew like wings in the entire Antioch Castle. It seemed that the Queen, who was in the palace, had a strong ability to use the lady with long tongues. Count Schwab was quietly lying in his bedroom. As long as the doctor sent by Queen Sophia occasionally came in and out, William would be loyal to guard the door of the bedroom.

But the real Schwab had already worn the robe of the Sultans and dressed up as a traveling merchant. When the Teutonic knights who were also posing as guards led camels and some goods to Baghdad, they had not yet left the city, Schwab saw a person he didn't want to see.

"Ah, look, our Count Schwab appeared on the streets of Antioch Castle like a magical example." When Schwab covered his face and carefully prepared to pass through the narrow street, he was suddenly blocked by a man. The worst thing was the other party's language.

"How did you follow me?" Schwab's face changed under the mask. He looked around nervously. Fortunately, no one except the Teutonic Knights paid attention to this corner.

"Me? Why can't I come?" The woman smiled and stretched out her hand, putting it on Schwab's shoulder like a prostitute, as if she was hooking up with a client.

"Latina, how do you know?" Schwab asked with a frown, his hand involuntarily placed on the handle of the short knife around his waist.

"Ha, you think the court of Antioch is so strict, but don't worry, only the queen and I know about your affairs. It was the queen who asked me to come." Latina hooked Schwab with her smooth and slender legs and rubbed her gently. The breath from her thick and sexy lips was slight.

"I didn't listen. The queen said, don't deceive me if you have enough." Schwab pushed Latina hard and decided to ignore the crazy woman, but the corner of Schwab's robe was pulled.

"You won't just go to Baghdad like this, do you know the way there? Do you know which local snakes are there?" Latina laughed, as if she had grasped Schwab. Sure enough, Schwab turned around and stopped.

"Sir, what should I do? Do you want it~~~." The Teutonic Knight next to me came over, looked at Latina and then pulled her neck with her thumb, but Latina smiled and didn't seem to care.

"Okay, you can keep up, but don't cause trouble." Schwab thought for a moment, and finally nodded in agreement with Latina's joining. Latina cheered and immediately entered the small caravan, busying herself like an ordinary maid at the same time.
Chapter completed!