ALL NOVEL
Chapter 49: Coastal City
“Your Majesty,” Madam Marti reported to Constantin XI, “we have found evidence of collusion between the nobles and the Venetians. Their letters, seals, and terms of agreement are here. There is concrete proof of their betrayal. Their plan was to take over the city during the Caesar’s absence and present it to those despicable merchants.
“We have already locked down the ports, thus eradicating the possibility of the Venetians sneaking to shore. If the Venetians wish to take down Thessaloniki, they would have to invest significant troops here.
“The Caesar really showed no mercy. He didn’t just purge the nobles but relatives of the imperial family as well. We haven’t fully tallied the numbers, but there were at least 20 Komnenos among the casualties, and even more for the Laskaris and the Ducasse…
“Who knows how many old houses died off just like that? I fear that the nobles of the other cities will be even more vehemently opposed to our rule from this day onward.”
“So be it.” Constantin XI sighed. “It was already too late by the time we found out about it.”
“…” Madam Marti quietly stared at Constantin XI.
Your Majesty, I might have believed those words more if you weren’t happily counting how many more empty fields there are now that the nobles are gone.
“Oh right,” Constantin XI handed Madam Marti a seal, “I’ll grant you full authority to handle all logistical matters relating to the Caesar’s military conquest.
“I doubt we have the room to take in more cities right now, but many of our brethren are still scattered on this land. It’s not my wish to see them die a dog’s death, so I’m thinking that we can grant them some level of autonomy as long as they surrender. As for the specific details, you can decide on your own.”
“Your Majesty, are you that confident that they’ll surrender?” Madam Marti asked as she stowed away the seal.
“There are bound to be diehards,” Constantin XI remarked. “I doubt that they’ll obediently surrender just because we tell them to. However, if our Caesar declares that he’s planning to massacre all of them, some of them might just raise a white flag.”
“Let’s hope so.” Madam Marti nodded. “Actually, I’m more worried that our Caesar won’t give them a chance to surrender. It might already be too late by the time I find out about it.”
“…”
…
Meanwhile…
【The feed is lagging like powerpoint slides!】
System 12345 wailed.
It thought that it could finally showcase its kung fu and help its host conquer the sea of flowers after fixing its black screen issue. Yet, it was like a rubber ducky that kept floating up no matter how it tried to drown it—the problems just wouldn’t stop!
【Hm?】
The screen suddenly froze at the sight of Shu Yichao kicking his way into the nobles’ banquet. System 12345 fell into deep thought.
【Kicking the door open? It’s no wonder my host keeps having his favorability shaved off. See, the nobles’ favorability for you immediately zeroed out!】
【Eysh…】
System 12345 sighed.
The feed changed again.
This time, Shu Yichao was galloping across town with countless cavalrymen behind him. Corpses were strewn along the street, and blood was trickling down the walkway.
【!!!】
System 12345 was stunned.
【My host!! What happened?! Did enemy forces slip into the city?】
【GAHH! My host, run for your life! So many cavalrymen are chasing after you!!!】
System 12345 panicked.
【Wait, I’ll get you a good steed right now! Leap onboard and flee!】
“A war steed with 400 speed?” Shu Yichao was won over by the dashing white steed that suddenly appeared before him. “Galewind? This horse has a name? And it has special traits too? Ah, it’s not unaffected by wet terrains! That’s terrific!
“A good game developer knows how to replenish the player’s supplies before a huge battle.
“Brothers, let’s set off!”
Around 2000 Elite Horse Archers were gathered behind Shu Yichao.
…
A salty sea breeze blew across one of Venice’s colonies in the Balkans.
A neatly-dressed, middle-aged man tidied up his clothes as he prepared to alight from a ship. He hummed a melody while wondering where he should find some fun for the night.
However, he couldn’t help but notice that the servant packing his items was a little out of it.
“What’s wrong?” the middle-aged man asked the servant.
They had known each other for more than a decade now, so they were accustomed to talking informally to each other.
“Is something bothering you? Let me guess. Did one of your sons get into trouble again? Or is it concerning a lady…”
“Count,” the servant stuttered as his eyes nervously flickered around.
The count smiled. “You don’t have to be so careful. Speak your mind.”
“I heard that…” the servant softly whispered, “…we are going to war with the Scourge of God?”
“…” The count frowned. “You’re talking about the Khitan Caesar?”
Oblivious to Shu Yichao, his reputation had spread to all nations and cities like a blazing wildfire.
Khitan. Cavalrymen. Mound of corpses. Rivers of blood. Defeating the powerful Ottomains within an extremely short span of time.
These associations formed a terrifying image, and Shu Yichao soon became known as the Scourge of God. While he hadn’t invaded Europe yet, the accomplishments of previous Scourges of God were enough to make the locals shudder in fear.
And it didn’t help that the present Scourge of God had appeared closer to home…
The thought that their nations might soon have to clash with such a terrifying force made the people tremble in fear.
“I know what you’re worried about,” the count chuckled as he tidied his hat, “but you can ease your mind. The situation isn’t as terrible as you think. We merely played some tricks in hopes of reaching an agreement with the Khitans. As much as possible, we don’t want to fight with the Khitans too.
“Besides, the Khitans might be undefeatable on land, but our city is located on an island. How can the Khitans and their steeds fight us on the sea?”
There was a basis behind the count’s confidence.
The Venetians had been taking advantage of the cities located along the Adriatic Sea, causing many to become bankrupt and reduced to slaves. Many would start puffing white smoke out of sheer anger at the mention of the Venetians, and there was nothing they wanted more than to send them to the guillotine.
But the Venetian navy was not to be underestimated.
Most nations chose to devote their resources to building fortresses and training cavalrymen. Their ‘navies’ were often just a couple of commercial ships equipped with weapons, or seamen hired as mercenaries.
Yet, the Venetians invested their colossal wealth to build up an elite naval force.
They hired veteran seamen and skilled swimmers into their garrison navy, and they invested a significant portion of their national funds to build galleys. They even equipped oarsmen, a role usually left to the slaves in other nations, with weapons and paid them a regular salary.
Their expensive but ferocious fleets had defeated countless powerful enemies, and Venice eventually became the dominant powerhouse in the Adriatic Sea.
The Eastern Romain Empire had no way of challenging a naval powerhouse on water.
Similarly, the Khitans were trained for land battle too; it was doubtful whether they knew the sea.
Not to mention the Eastern Romain Empire was surrounded by enemies, and a huge portion of the Khitans’ wealth was being held in their hands. Unless they wanted to give up on their money and supply of rations, they shouldn’t turn against Venice at this juncture.
The Venetian Senate thought that the risk of this maneuver wasn’t high even though they would offend both the Romains and the Khitans, so they went ahead with it.
The servant moved his lips, but looking at how confident the count was, he decided against saying anything.
He also hoped that things would play out the way the Senate expected, but the rumors floating around definitely didn’t show that the Khitan Caesar was someone open to negotiation.
“AHHH!”
Just then, a heart-wrenching shriek tinged with fear and despair echoed from the city.
“Bad news! The Scourge of God is here!”
“What?!”
Horrified, the count ran to the deck to look at the city. A blood twin-headed eagle flag could be vaguely seen in the middle of the city.
“What the hell?!” the count exclaimed. “What were the guards doing?! How could they let the Khitans enter the city?!”