Chapter 159 : The Turbulent Apennine Peninsula (3)

Becoming ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍the commander-in-chief of a military force totaling ten thousand, especially going out to the battlefield as the sword of the Church, was certainly an immense honor.

If ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍he could only achieve victory, he would acquire tremendous fame.

However, ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍separate from that, Shatien was harboring many worries.

'Surely ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍they are not just going to hand over the army and leave it at that?'

If ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍victory was guaranteed simply by having plenty of supplies and troops, why would a commander be necessary?

Especially ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍in a large-scale war of this magnitude at a national level, various preparatory works were required.

In that sense, the Church's plan to crush the anti-Church alliance of the northern free cities was much more meticulous than expected.

"Soon, an excommunication will be issued to the Doge of Mediolanum. Some members of the council in that city have helped us identify evidence of heretical collusion and apostasy at this moment."

"Those who will respond from within are already prepared, and the Church intends to spare no diplomatic or administrative support requested to suppress the unruly movements of the northern Apennine cities."

"Oh..."

Excommunication.

The most powerful punishment in the current era.

The power of excommunication was truly incredible when fighting against the Emperor of the Holy Empire in the past.

Did the electors not rebel all at once, and did the margraves appointed in various regions not break their vassalage contracts simultaneously?

If excommunication was issued to the Doge of Mediolanum, the leader of the anti-Church alliance in the northern Apennine Peninsula, it was certain that their cohesion would weaken rapidly due to the nature of a city confederation.

'If I join hands with Count Shatin in the southern part of the Empire and move the mercenaries from the Mercenary Bureau south to block the way, I can completely shut down the northern part of the peninsula.'

Since the anti-Church alliance in the northern peninsula often consisted of inland cities focusing on inland trade, they would suffer a massive blow if the trade routes were blocked.

Given the nature of city leadership being sensitive to the public opinion of internal citizens, this would also act as a great burden!

If things went well, it seemed he could very easily break their alliance system and crush the resistance of Mediolanum.

Of course, this was.

'A story for when everything goes well.'

The northern cities were wealthy, and if push came to shove, the mercenaries they could mobilize were immense.

Of course, since it would take time for the Church to preemptively hire all nearby mercenaries and finally assemble the troops, the city walls were strong and there was enough food to hold out until their reinforcements arrived.

If they united firmly, he might have to conduct countless sieges just to reach Mediolanum.

And if the war continued to be delayed like that...

'The Emperor might crush the anti-Imperial alliance led by Count Shatin and head south.'

If that happened, the Church would be forced to wash its hands of the matter, and Shatien himself would become a scapegoat as a condition for peace, receiving the full hatred of the pro-Imperial nobles who suffered damage.

"Have you understood everything spoken so far? If you just say the word, I intend to help you assemble the mercenary corps finally and issue orders immediately."

Shatien did not get scared or back down because of that.

"Very well. Please summon them at once."

Opportunities did not come easily, and the opportunity the Church offered this time was too sweet.

To catch a lion, one must enter the lion's den, must they not?

In any case, he was already in a position where he had climbed onto the back of an ogre.

Rather than coming down clumsily and being trampled mercilessly, he would ride it to the end and sweep away the enemies!

* * *

Once the commander-in-chief was finally decided and the grand strategy was set, all that remained was to refine the details.

How to execute the grand strategy.

What method would be best for achieving the goal.

No matter how much Shatien had risen to the position of commander-in-chief, he was still just a knight without a fief or a title.

Normally, the influence of the cardinals dispatched from the Holy See would have been strong, but...

"Stop! Since we have given him full authority, we must trust the Sir and push forward. From now on, don't interfere any further in the operation of the army."

The Pope personally stepped forward and made a decision at once.

The cardinals all wore surprised expressions, but no one dared to argue.

"Haha. We have crossed the line too much it seems."

"We understand, Your Holiness."

"Sir Shatien, please erase our words from your mind. It is right to operate the grand scheme according to the Sir's will."

A firm belief that since the Pope had decided, they would naturally trust and follow.

It was truly surprising to see such loyal religious conviction.

'Hmm. Good.'

To be supported this much.

It was very good.

In that case, it was now time to move properly.

Shatien immediately sent a messenger across the northern Apennine Peninsula toward Count Shatin.

It was to utilize the force of approximately 3,000 mercenaries from the Sauerland Mercenary Bureau stationed there.

"You plan to move those troops immediately? Then the tension of nearby cities will rise significantly."

"Hm. No. They will simply stop at the entrance."

"What?"

Mage Agpiel frowned, asking what kind of absurd thing he was saying. To lead such a force and do nothing but daze away while blocking the crossroads.

But there was a reason for everything.

To destroy a group with mixed various interests like an alliance, breaking the link that connected them was the top priority.

They would live if they united and die if they scattered, but how much loss could each confederation, where the support of city citizens was important, endure for themselves?

"So you will block the trade routes in the northern peninsula and deal a blow to the economy? To trigger dissatisfaction among the internal citizens? They might actually unite more firmly."

Since turning internal dissatisfaction toward the outside was a traditional method, it was a logical point.

"I know, Mage Agpiel. That is why I intend to thoroughly ignore them."

"Hmm? Surely you are not saying you will ignore the other cities and go straight to Mediolanum?"

"Exactly."

Shatien nodded while listening to Mage Agpiel's shocked words.

Approximately three large-scale free cities and the satellite cities linked under them.

What reason was there to fight all of them?

"In the first place, the core of this war is the Doge of Mediolanum, the leader of the anti-Holy See alliance. If we just crush the city he rules, it will be over."

"Huh... it is a too reckless operation. What will you do if the supply line collapses?"

"Hehehe. Do not worry."

Shatien laughed wickedly at Mage Agpiel's worried words.

"We are not there to occupy the cities, but to punish the corrupt leadership of the city that dares to deny God's will. At first, each city will be uncertain, but..."

"They will be deceived if you keep accumulating damage and pretend to look on with indifference?"

"Exactly."

Furthermore, if indulgences with the seal of the Holy See were hung before them, they would be even more shaken.

"Ugh... well, since you are the one taking responsibility for the result, go ahead and try it."

At Shatien's confident boast, Mage Agpiel eventually had to nod with a groan.

* * *

A rumor suddenly began to spread in the Holy City and further into the Apennine Peninsula.

A rumor that the Church was preparing a war to punish heretics, and the target was the Doge of Mediolanum.

At first, everyone was uncertain, but as the mercenary corps assembled near the Holy City and messengers from the Holy See holding actual excommunication documents arrived in Mediolanum, the rumor was revealed to be true.

"It is war!"

"Everyone prepare. Take up your swords!"

Thanks to this, the northern Apennine Peninsula heated up in an instant.

Since they had excommunicated the head of the anti-Church alliance, it meant a large-scale war would break out in the north and countless masterless fiefs would be created.

Ambitious people had no intention of missing this opportunity.

Especially the mercenary captains near the Holy City whom the Church had summoned in advance.

However, the way things were going was a bit different from the direction they wanted.

-We will only punish the heretic, the Doge of Mediolanum. Those who help him will all be punished as heretics, but conversely, those who don't help him will be gladly forgiven.

-Each city, don't act rashly! This war is merely a punitive war for the excommunicated Doge of Mediolanum.

The knight named Shatien, who had become the commander-in-chief, was suddenly struggling to narrow the scope of the war.

Clearly, it seemed he was trying to soothe and negotiate with the other cities through diplomacy by any means.

As this happened, the dissatisfaction of the mercenary captains erupted.

-Damn it! I thought he was vigorous because he was young, but he is a complete coward.

-Talking only with his mouth instead of fighting with an army of ten thousand. How can that be a commander-in-chief?

-What did Voltion see to be won over? Isn't he a complete idiot? He will probably be replaced from the commander-in-chief position before long. Tsk tsk.

For the mercenary captains who were thinking of fighting heatedly, occupying each city, and receiving massive rewards, Shatien's conciliatory behavior was incomprehensible.

Furthermore, he showed signs of negotiating even with Mediolanum, so he truly looked like a coward.

However, the citizens of each city in the anti-Holy See alliance were uncertain.

-C-Certainly, if they are just trying to punish that bastard, the Doge of Mediolanum, is there a need for us to step forward?

-Did they not say our sins would be forgiven if we just don't help?

-This is all a scheme to divide us. Do not be shaken!

-Divide you say! When the evidence of heretical acts is so clear, how can we help that man? He is an excommunicated heretic!

-Right. In fact, we are suffering massive losses right now just by taking his side. Council! What on earth are our spokesmen doing? Our Council President should judge properly!

-You bastards! We will all die if we scatter now! You believe the words of the Church?

-What? You ask if we believe the words of the Church? Are you also a heretic?!

-Is it the citizens or that rotten, excommunicated Doge of Mediolanum!

The cities that belonged to the alliance fell into chaos in an instant.

The internal citizens were each entangled in their own interests, and opinions were already failing to be unified and began to creak.

"Hmm, good."

It was flowing according to plan.

Then, Mage Agpiel beside him spoke out and sneered.

"You have come up with a truly cunning scheme. People would never imagine that the faithful knight who performs miracles would come up with such an astounding scheme. Watch as they fall for it as it is."

"...It sounds like you’re insulting me."

"Ahem, it is a compliment. A compliment. Young knight. Hahaha."

As a rule, a monarch needs the cunning of a fox and the heart of a lion.

Mage Agpiel was very satisfied as he knew how to come up with the cunning of a fox.

"I hear your teacher is also coming?"

"Yes. He said he would join the mercenaries from the Mercenary Bureau and provide help."

"That is truly fortunate. A knight tempered this much must certainly be one who has crossed the wall. Hehe. In many ways, luck follows you. It is a good thing."

'I don't think he will help at all, though?'

Shatien wore a blunt expression for a moment at Mage Agpiel's words.

That was also brief.

What was important now was not that.

It was now gradually time.

The time when everyone was off-guard and suspicious. Even his own allies, the mercenary corps, were they not suspicious of him?

But Shatien had finished all preparations in the meantime.

Supplies were received by the coast with support from ships from pro-Church cities, and he had been made aware of the situation on all routes through merchants in advance.

All that remained was to raise the army when everyone was off-guard.

"Inform the entire army. We advance. The target is... Mediolanum."

He would advance like lightning and end everything!