Chapter 160 : The Turbulent Apennine Peninsula (4)

I ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍shall advance like lightning and see the end! He had thought so, but the reality was a bit different.

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍preparation requirements for large-scale combat were on a different dimension from what people imagined.

To ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍supply provisions for 10,000 men, a massive logistics support team of that scale was necessary.

That ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍problem was somewhat alleviated because they decided to receive supplies via the sea, but the issue lay elsewhere.

Even ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍if the Apennine Peninsula had properly inherited the legacy of the ancient empire and its infrastructure functioned well, these old-era roads were not large enough to accommodate a massive unit of 10,000 men.

Furthermore, ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍command over each unit conventionally belonged to the mercenary captains or feudal nobles who brought them, so the fragmented units became entangled, and the marching speed was bound to slow down further.

This was the same for the opponent, but Shatien wanted to showcase maneuvers that exceeded the enemy's expectations.

Was speed not the lifeblood of this tactic?

"How is my reputation among the mercenary captains these days, Captain Voltion?"

"U-Um? It is widespread that you are a faithful and pious leader worthy of being an exemplar..."

"I am not looking to hear such formulaic flattery."

"Ahahaha..."

Only then did Captain Voltion wipe away his sweat and look at Shatien's reaction.

He had roughly expected it, but it seemed he boasted an underwhelming reputation.

Indeed, mercenary captains burning with a desire for success were bound to feel a sense of rejection toward Shatien's lukewarm actions.

"Well, I can tell without you saying it."

"I-I did not say anything though?!"

"Your expression says it all, so why are you making such a fuss and jumping in surprise."

"Ahem. Hem, hem."

Seeing Captain Voltion coughing for no reason, Shatien smirked.

He thought about teasing him but felt there was no need.

"Bring all the mercenary captains to me."

"Huh?"

"The atmosphere is not good, so shouldn't we loosen things up a bit?"

"Ah... I understand?"

Voltion tilted his head at Shatien's cryptic words but quickly sent someone.

A short while later, the mercenary captains entered the command tent one by one.

Judging by their universally disgruntled expressions, they seemed to have accumulated quite a bit of dissatisfaction.

Shatien looked at them, smirked, and issued an order.

An order forbidding all looting during the march.

Then, the mercenary captains could not hide their bewildered expressions.

No matter how much this commander-in-chief was recognized by the Holy See, they had not expected him to supervise with such piety.

"Instead, I will give you a special reward."

"Huh? A reward you say..."

"I will grant the unit that arrives at Mediolanum first the right to pillage the house of the Doge of Mediolanum."

"Oh...!"

Only then did greed seep into the eyes of the mercenary captains.

How much wealth would the Doge of Mediolanum, the strongest and wealthiest among the free cities of the northern Apennine Peninsula, possess?

Of course, a few were still indifferent.

After all, was it not a reward that only one unit could obtain?

As if he had anticipated even this, Shatien spoke once more.

"And while I forbid the looting of the villages and free cities we pass through, I specifically grant the right to pillage the satellite cities of Mediolanum. Naturally, the faster you arrive, the more supplies there will be to pillage in those regions."

"???!?!"

Only then did the mercenary captains jump in surprise and straighten their postures.

"Is that truly alright? Will the Church not say anything? Are they not ordinary followers..."

It was an event of the Church.

Because there was no way the Church, which prioritized life and mercy, would permit such widespread, large-scale looting.

Of course, Shatien had already anticipated this.

"Ordinary followers? Do you truly believe the satellite cities following the excommunicated Doge of Mediolanum are ordinary followers?"

"Eek. N-No. The words came out wrong. You are right. They were heretics!"

"Yes. So follow the order without worry. I have already informed the Church. Both I and the Church fully recognize your dedication and will ensure you receive the benefits."

"Oh...!"

Only then did the mercenary captains let out exclamations as if they were moved.

They thought he was a narrow-minded, faithful knight, but he turned out to be a merciful commander-in-chief who took care of them brilliantly.

Indeed, he was a knight who was faithful, merciful, and followed God's gospel.

"We shall follow your orders. We will manage the men strictly."

"Then we shall see you in Mediolanum, Commander-in-Chief!"

Though they had complaints at first, they could not feel dissatisfied if he looked after their interests to this extent.

Rather, they would praise him.

For mercenaries, the best commander was first one who did not delay pay, and secondly one who allowed them to take more than their contracted salary through spoils.

Shatien satisfied both, so was he not a truly magnificent commander?

'...I suppose I did choose the right side to stand on, right?'

Watching the mercenary captains who were now completely smitten with Shatien, Voltion stood with his mouth agape.

It was a relief that Mage Agpiel, who was watching quietly from the side, was patting Voltion's shoulder and nodding slightly.

Clap!

"Now then, since the disgruntled mercenary captains are all settled, shall we move the army immediately?"

Once the situation was mostly wrapped up, Shatien clapped his hands and said so.

The fragmented forces the mercenary captains brought totaled about 6,000 men.

However, including the 3,000 direct troops of the Church, the 500 direct mercenaries Shatien brought, and the 500 mercenaries Voltion led, it was a grand force of nearly 4,000 men.

Of course, in the eyes of Mage Agpiel and Voltion, it looked quite unstable.

"Will it truly be alright? To head straight there leading the army like this?"

"He's right. No matter how many carrots you've given the mercenary captains, they won't be able to fix their old habits. If looting occurs in other cities or villages on the way, it will surely be a great difficulty in advancing."

Then Shatien smirked.

"We will be the ones arriving first. The other mercenary units will simply be chasing our tails."

"Huh?"

"All miscellaneous supplies will be transported by sea via ships. We will prepare only the minimum amount of food and march straight up fully armed. We will head to the coast only at important supply points."

"......"

It was a tactic that made one's mind go dazed.

If things creaked even slightly, would it not fail due to a lack of supplies?

"What do you plan to do if other cities send troops to intercept us on the way?"

"Hehe. The Holy See has already scraped together all the nearby mercenaries. The standing armies they maintain are likely only the mercenary units guarding their cities, and the troops they can send for an interception won't even be a handful. Rather, if they do come to intercept us, they will clearly find out how sharp the spear tips of the elf knights are. Is that not so, brothers?"

"Hahahaha! As expected of Sir!"

"I keep saying he's the most hearty and warrior-like human knight outside of us elves! Indeed, Sir is no coward!!"

Voltion looked at Mage Agpiel, hoping he would stop him by any means, but Mage Agpiel only shrugged his shoulders.

It was a sign of agreement.

'The young knight's idea is a fairly plausible plan.'

If such a large army moved, the various cities would not be able to support troops recklessly.

Rather, they would simply hide tightly inside their walls and pray that their city would not be the first to be attacked.

Furthermore, had Shatien not done some prior work?

He controlled the roads leading to the Empire, ruining the trade network and building internal dissatisfaction, and had now sent envoys holding the flags of the Holy See to each city.

-We are merely moving to punish the excommunicated Doge of Mediolanum. Let the rulers of each city keep this in mind. Helping the excommunicated means becoming the same kind of heretic. Should anyone dare to interfere, they shall burn in the fires of hell for generations!

Many cities on the path to Mediolanum wavered and could not make a decision; thanks to that, the 4,000 troops led by Shatien moved over 30km a day in the blink of an eye, striking rapidly into the heart of the anti-Church alliance.

Of course, not every city was standing by idly.

A few cities did send troops to prevent the fragmentation of the alliance.

-Neighhhh!

"For an honorable death! Charge!! Let us show the majesty of the north to those smelly country bumpkins of the peninsula!"

"Aaargh!"

-Crunch.

"This is crazy!! Why are those pointed-ears here?"

"Run. We cannot stop those bastards. This is a pointless death!"

The hastily assembled troops, which were not that many, could not withstand the lance charge of the elf knights, whose numbers had grown including their squires.

They were crushed and hurriedly fled back into their cities, barely salvaging less than half their forces.

As the situation turned out this way, things began to move strangely.

"I-I had always thought the Doge of Mediolanum was suspicious. Please forgive our past sins."

"Long live His Holiness the Pope!! Long live the Church! Commander-in-Chief, we were wrong! Our city has no intention of following heresy. So please, our fief..."

Beyond just standing by, cities that actively cooperated even began to appear.

"......"

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Commander-in-Chief. I will pledge my loyalty for a lifetime from now on. Please, you must accept this loyalty."

"??"

Shatien wondered why this man, Voltion, was suddenly acting like this.

* * *

Not long after.

-The army of the Church has arrived within three days' distance!!!!

Unbelievable news struck the city of Mediolanum.

The rumor that the Church's army of 4,000 had come within a distance of only three days.

At first, they treated it as nonsense, saying it was an impossible story, but after hearing the reports from messengers coming from here and there, the Council of Mediolanum finally realized the rumor was true.

They had truly come right under their noses.

As the situation became like this, the Council turned into a scene of chaos in an instant.

"Damn it! What are our allied cities doing?"

"How much gold did we give them, and yet they've all betrayed us?"

"Doge!!! I hear the satellite cities are being pillaged right now. Please, do something."

"If the satellite cities—especially the only port city—fall, we lose even our minimum supply capacity!"

It was said the atmosphere was never that quiet, but the Council President of Mediolanum became incredibly noisy, just like a marketplace.

Originally, the Doge of the city, which was a life-term position, possessed power comparable to a king, but it was different when the situation was unfavorable like this.

They could be impeached and dragged down at any time.

Therefore, the Doge of Mediolanum, who was quietly listening to the angry protests of the council members, slammed the table and jumped up from his seat.

"I. I shall personally step forward."

"What???"

"From what I know, their troops are not that many. Only about 4,000."

"But... would it not be better to defend the city instead, Doge?"

A few members cautiously voiced their opinions, but the Doge of Mediolanum shook his head.

'More troops are coming down from the north.'

He heard that the mercenaries of Sauerland's Mercenary Bureau, hired by Count Shatin, had stopped blocking the roads and were heading here.

At this rate, they would be surrounded by a massive army from both front and back.

Before that, there was a need to either defeat them individually or minimize the damage as much as possible.

Furthermore, the Doge of Mediolanum was confident.

"The Emperor has supported us with knights. And... he specifically supported us with a court mage as well."

"Oh...!"

"No way? The Mage of Lightning, Libetraum?!"

"That is correct!"

The Doge of Mediolanum nodded with a triumphant expression.

The Mage of Lightning, Libetraum.

He was an archmage who wielded incredibly powerful magic as the Emperor's court mage.

With him and the knights the Emperor supported, even if their strength was inferior, they would be able to deal massive damage.

"So trust me and follow me. I shall lead the army out and intercept them!"

There is opportunity in crisis.

If they won this war, they would finally be able to suppress the Church and become the true rulers of the northern peninsula.

The Doge of Mediolanum spoke with a voice full of conviction.