A Guide to Becoming a God Starting from a Monastery

Although it is also called a divine weapon, it is not as invincible as the Bloody Cross Flag.

"That's it," the chief elder replied. "Everyone, does anyone have any objections?"

But no one responded.

After all, whether in terms of resume or ability, Ferdinand is the most suitable candidate. In addition, the several key points he just raised are also very insightful.

"In that case, let's call it a day today, and discuss the specific distribution of work in detail tomorrow."

Everyone dispersed after hearing this. Just when Ferdinand was about to leave, he heard the words of the chief elder behind him.

"Great Elder Ferdinand, please wait a moment. I have something I want to discuss with you in private."

Soon, the others left, and now there are only two people left here.

Ferdinand looked at the chief elder.

He was a very old man, his face so wrinkled you could snap a mosquito's leg. It was hard to tell his age or how many years he had lived from his face; you just instinctively felt he was very old. Yet, his movements and demeanor didn't seem old at all.

In fact, he doesn't even need a cane to walk!

On the contrary, several other elders who did not look that old always used crutches.

"Ferdinand," the Chief Elder said. "I remember you looked surprised when you first entered this room. Did you find this prayer room strange?"

"It's indeed a little...unconventional," Ferdinand admitted.

This pool is quite odd and out of style.

"Ha, actually, this pool is no ordinary thing," the old man said. "It's a gift from the saint who guides the Sword of Stars and Moon. You know, our order has always been forging blessed weapons. This is also one of our order's highest secrets... It's said everywhere that our blessed weapon has a secret recipe that no one else can learn!"

Of course, Ferdinand had heard about this matter a long time ago.

In the early days, the Star-Moon Sword had formed a close relationship with the masters and strong men within the Star-Moon Sect through this method.

"Actually, there's no secret recipe. It's just quenching with this water." The old man pointed at the water. "The correct method is to quench it nine times. However, if a weapon isn't quenched nine times, it's considered inferior. Of course, most weapons are quenched four or five times now. Each quenching ensures the weapon won't break down for ten years."

He smiled and explained.

"What's the difference between defective products and genuine products?" Ferdinand asked.

"There's no difference. The original weapon is only ninety years old. However, when the weapon's wielder faces an elf or demon, the inferior weapon becomes vulnerable. The original weapon remains unaffected."

The old man's eyes suddenly became sharp.

"The reason I'm telling you this is to make one thing clear. The Star-Moon Sword is no ordinary group; it's a sacred organization watched over by saints! It brings the true God's will!"

"God demands that we recapture the Holy Land and seize Rhodes Island... This is the unchangeable goal of the Star-Moon Sword. I hope you understand the weight of the burden you bear!"

"That saint is extremely difficult to please. But as long as you please him... he will give you unimaginable rewards. You can get everything you want. Magic items, wealth, status, knowledge, power... even life span, nothing is impossible!"

"Yes." Ferdinand lowered his head humbly.

"For this battle, I will ask the saint for a sacred object," the old man said. "To counter the Bloody Cross! You can present it to the Sultan. That way, you'll definitely have a place in his army, and you'll be better equipped to participate in this war."

Ferdinand was slightly startled.

Is this still possible?

But since the other party said so, he must be sure!

"Also, I'll pass on the Assassins' affairs as soon as possible," the old man said. "Just rest assured and make your preparations!"

"I will recruit people here as soon as possible and prepare to go."

Ferdinand said.

Here in the Star-Moon Sword's lair, there are a large number of powerful elite warriors.

Chapter 269 Before the War 1

On a winter morning, Thomas climbed to the top of the castle, toured it, and felt the castle.

The castle that the Knights had invested so much money in was finally nearing completion.

This was an era of technological change. With the advent of the gunpowder age, the destructive power of cannons on old-fashioned city walls was already widely known.

The strongest city walls of the previous era have become weak and easily broken in front of the cannons of this era.

The Battle of Ceuta is the best example!

This also led to siege warfare being looked down upon by the soldiers of this era - everyone admitted that siege warfare was more difficult than field warfare, but not much more difficult.

It was not only the attackers who saw this, but also the defenders.

Fortress design, of course, underwent a revolution.

Military engineers hired by Italy responded to the challenges of the era with radical designs, and the castle built by the Knights embodied the latest technology in military engineering: a bastion.

Thick walls and sloping breastworks could be used to withstand enemy artillery shells. Bases for mounting long-range artillery and trumpet-shaped firing ports provided long-range fire support. Layered inner defenses and double trenches...

Although it is slightly different from the bastion structure in Thomas's memory of his previous life, the basic idea is the same.

The value of a bastion lies in its ability to withstand long-term artillery bombardment head-on, while also fully unleashing the terrifying power of long-range firepower to ensure that every step forward by the enemy is met with a torrential downpour of crossfire.

It's not about keeping the enemy out (like an old-fashioned castle), but about killing as many enemies as possible.

Even if the enemy desperately breaks through the outer defense, they still have to face the inner defense.

The entire castle was strategically divided into eight different areas by walls. If any of the outer walls were breached by the enemy, only that area could be captured, leaving the other areas unaffected.

Just like the watertight compartment of a ship, if one compartment runs aground, it will not affect the overall operation of the ship.

Thomas looked to the end of his field of vision.

Here, the wall extended outward, protecting the port of Smyrna. The defenses here were relatively weak, but they were gradually being built up because the Knights had a naval advantage.

Thomas was satisfied. In fact, Smyrna's current defenses were somewhat excessive. The bastion Thomas had in mind didn't have such a complex internal structure. It didn't have this "watertight compartment" design.

Ultimately, the bastion hadn't been tested in battle. People of the time, even the Italian engineers who designed it, didn't have enough confidence in its strength and formidableness. Therefore, many auxiliary structures were added as a precaution.

Thomas, of course, supports this.

He couldn't say he was very confident about the future war.

After all, no one can guarantee something that they have not experienced.

A little more defense, that's definitely a good thing!

Next to Thomas is the secretary Demetrios.

As they walked, Demetrios reported the latest news to Thomas.

The eastern border of the Seljuks had finally been stabilized. Although both sides had deployed troops on the border, they ultimately shook hands and made peace. Some armies had even begun to withdraw.

It is said that the two monarchs also swore an oath of blood and concluded a covenant of mutual assistance.

To show its sincerity, the Buyid Dynasty also lent more than 10,000 soldiers to the Seljuks to help the Sultan fight against the Christians.

Although the Sultan faced two Christian forces, the Byzantines and the Knights Templar, it is certain that the Sultan's target was the Knights Templar.

Losing troops and territory is a shame that no king can tolerate, let alone losing a place as Feng Shui as Smyrna.

If it was a piece of poor, desolate land, then maybe it would be fine. But Smyrna was absolutely impossible.

If the Knights wanted to rule Smyrna, they not only had to be able to conquer it, but also to defend it!

Just like the thunder tribulation that must happen when an immortal ascends to heaven, if the Knights want to break out of the cocoon, they must endure this battle!

Of course, even if the Knights wanted to retreat, they could not escape this thunder tribulation.

Thomas did so much, and ultimately changed the location of the catastrophe from Rhodes Island to Smyrna. Finally, there was a way out.

Even if we are really defeated, we can still retreat.

It's like playing a game, but now you have two lives. The difficulty is completely different from when you only have one life!

If Rhodes Island loses, it will be completely over.

In the history of the previous life, the Habsburg family gave the Knights Hospitaller, who had lost Rhodes Island, a piece of territory to allow the Knights to survive.

The Habsburg family in this world would not give a piece of land to the Knights for free - they have not developed to that level yet!

"Dimitrios, when do you think the Turks will arrive?"

"Grandmaster, I think it should be next spring. Even if the Sultan is in a hurry, he will avoid winter."

"I think summer is more likely," Thomas said, looking at the still-empty pedestals. "But no matter what, we need to expedite the purchase of cannons! We can't wait until the castle is completely finished to stockpile food and supplies; we need to do it now!"

"Captain, we've been purchasing cannons, but we've prioritized using them to strengthen the navy. Furthermore, we're currently facing funding constraints..."

"Is there not enough money again?" Thomas said with a headache.

"I'm sorry, Grand Commander, our expenses have been quite high lately. Food, gunpowder, ships, equipment... and the salaries of our personnel..."

"Forget it... Fortunately, we gained a lot from capturing the Star-Moon Sword's castle this time."

"A lot? But Grand Commander..." Demetrios was puzzled.

Although they had destroyed the Star-Moon Sword's seaside castle, the spoils weren't much. In other words, the seaside castle wasn't a logistics base for storing food and supplies, so the spoils were just a drop in the bucket for the Knights' current situation.

"I hid the most important loot." Thomas said casually.

He still had dozens of golden apples in his hand. He took out ten and gave them to Demetrios in exchange for some money.

Demetrios did a great job last time, so let him do it again.

Anyway, the real financial situation of the Knights Templar is only in the hands of Thomas and Demetrios.

Things were different now. Back then, even if Thomas had the golden apple, he wouldn't have dared to sell it. But now, everyone knew the Knights' successes and their lucrative gains. Even if their accounts suddenly overflowed with hundreds of thousands or even millions of florins, no one would have questioned it.

After patrolling the city wall, the group went down to the ground. Suddenly, a rider dressed as a messenger rode his horse and galloped towards them.

Without Thomas's orders, a knight who was accompanying him came forward and stopped the messenger at a safe distance.

Soon, a secret letter was delivered to Thomas.

"What's going on?" Thomas was a little surprised.

But after opening the letter, he was no longer surprised.

An urgent letter from the Pope.

It is said that the Seljuk Sultan, who had previously offered a reward of 100,000 florins for Thomas's head but failed to get it, has now increased the reward.

Not only did he increase the reward, but he also invited the Assassins, who had already accepted the Sultan's deal.

The Pope asked Thomas to be alert and careful.

Assassin?

Thomas closed the letter and handed it to Demetrios beside him.

Although it was expected, when the news actually came out, people still felt a little uneasy.

It seems that the Sultan has become a little desperate.

Chapter 270 Before the War 2

"Demetrios, what do you think?"

"I'm afraid the Sultan is determined to conquer Smyrna," Demetrios replied.

"That's right. Although the war will definitely last another six months," Thomas said, "we must take action."

"what do you mean?"

"Send envoys to all nations throughout Christendom, requesting aid," Thomas said. "Also, preparations for the castle must begin immediately... Finally, we'll need to find mercenaries in Italy!"

“Will the Kings of the Nations . . Support Us?”

"Let's give it a try first to see if there are any results." Thomas said casually.

"What did you say?" Demetrios was startled. The language Thomas just used was obviously some foreign language.

"...Oh, no, nothing," Thomas said. "Any help is helpful."

He looked towards the northwest, the direction of Constantinople.

"Also, we should try to make peace with the Byzantines," Thomas said.

Although they were once allies, the alliance had long since expired, and relations between the two former allies were now extremely strained.

To be honest, many people think that the reason why Byzantium did not go to war with the Knights Templar was not so much because it was unwilling, but because it was unable.