ALL NOVEL
Chapter 59: Pushed To a Corner
Bad news.
Bad news.
And bad news again.
Senator Vernier fell into despair.
The envoy she had sent to the Eastern Romain Empire had failed in his peace negotiation, which meant that the Khitan Caesar intended to slit more Venetian throats with his scimitar.
More bad news came from within the country.
Shu Yichao’s terrifying assault had driven Venice’s economy to the brink of collapse. Morale among the frontline soldiers was at its lowest ever, arguments were rife in the Senate, and their trade had nearly stalled to a halt.
Everyone knew that Venice was on its last foot.
Milan took this opportunity to launch a fierce counterattack in northern Italy, which led to many Venetian mercenaries tossing aside their helmets and armor. It was a terrible defeat for Venice.
Genoa was secretly gathering a massive fleet to stab Venice in the back. It was rumored that they had gotten in touch with many countries that were Venice’s ally in name.
The Holy Romain Empire was inclined to make a move too. They had always viewed Italy as their territory, and this was a chance for them to claim Venice for themselves.
Other than that, Vernier’s personal safety was also threatened.
The officials and nobles in the Senate angrily berated her, as they thought she was the one who brought Venice down this path of destruction. Someone even suggested handing her over to the Khitan Caesar to appease him.
Vernier’s cousin had hinted to her through letters not to return to the country for the time being.
Vernier knew that her political career was over even if she survived this ordeal.
“Damn it!” Vernier covered her face as she wept. “Am I the only one responsible for this outcome? The rest of you voted in approval of the motion too, but now you are blaming it all on me?!”
She wiped off her tears.
“No, I can still turn things around!”
She began analyzing the situation with gritted teeth.
“If the Khitan Caesar wants to attack us by land, he will have to pass through Hungary and the Holy Romain Empire, but those two countries are unlikely to let them pass through, and they are strong enough to hold their ground too. They might just be able to deal with the Khitans.
“If the Khitan Caesar wants to attack us by sea, we might be able to turn things around if Venice leverages on its powerful navy to bring down the Khitans before the Genoese fleet arrives.
“Naval warfare is beyond the means of mindless, horse-riding bandits. We defeated the Vikings. We defeated Lhasa. We defeated the Romain Empire. We defeated Genoa, Pisa, and Sardinia. Surely we can defeat the Khitans too!”
A plan was slowly being hatched in her mind. Vernier began writing to Venice’s Crete Provincial Commander to request a meeting.
“Arrogant Caesar, I’ll show you Venice’s true prowess!”
…
Shu Yichao watched as the Venetian fleet loitering around Morea departed into the distance.
“They are fleeing? No, that doesn’t seem to be the case…” He eyed the map. “They didn’t head too far out into the sea. Are they planning to ambush us? That fits my will.”
Shu Yichao was afraid that the Venetians would flee deep into the sea. Their fleet was still a force to be reckoned with, at least in terms of mobility. Chasing them would be a chore.
There were two things he hated the most when playing war games.
One, the AI hunting him down.
Two, him being unable to hunt the AI down.
“Time to start preparing for a naval battle,” Shu Yichao murmured.
【Hm?】
System 12345’s screen flickered before freezing at the scene of Shu Yichao standing by the shore, watching quietly as the Venetian fleet departed. The rising sun embraced his fair face with its gentle golden ray.
His lips were pressed together, his eyes slightly lowered. A hint of frustration cloaked his face.
He was so delicate that the moon would have waned and flowers would have wilted in embarrassment. Fishes would have drowned and swallows would have plummeted while admiring his beauty. No words could accurately capture just how beautiful he was.
An Empire Bewitcher he was indeed.
【H-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-host?!】
System 12345 felt light-headed.
【You’re too pretty! It’s no wonder Vernier is intimidated by you! Who can withstand the might of such a broken-hearted beauty?】
System 12345 thought that Senator Vernier was already a beauty in her own rights, but compared to Shu Yichao…
The two of them just weren’t on the same level.
It’s probably similar to how people would be flattered if a beautiful girl next door went after them, but if a gorgeous diva tried to court them, they would just be horrified.
This is especially so for Vernier, who relies a lot on rational thinking. Shu Yichao’s existence must have terrified her. She must be afraid that she would succumb to his beauty and turn into a simpleton who knew nothing but to indulge in the nectar of love.
【Eyy! My host, you’re so pretty! Has no one really tried approaching you?】
System 12345 sensed that something was amiss at the back of its processor.
With looks like that, it wouldn’t have been surprising if flocks of people rushed at him like moths drawn to a flame.
【It’s weird how you haven’t gone beyond a certain level with anyone yet. I wonder what’s stopping them…】
System 12345 couldn’t make sense of it, so he decided not to get hung up over it.
【My worries, my host!】
System 12345 began cheering for Shu Yichao to hype him up.
【Vernier isn’t rejecting you. The fact that she’s extremely terrified of you means that she’s on the verge of succumbing to your attacks! You just have to give it one last shot, and her defenses will all come crumbling down.】
【Here, I’ll issue you a mission right now: A Blow to the Heart!】
【Chase her, my host!】
【Send her heart into disarray. Render her speechless. Shake her being up. And last but not least, turn her into your prisoner!】
“Great Caesar,” Sophia walked up to Shu Yichao and curtsied, but her eyes remained lowered as she dared not to face him, “May I know what our next step should be?”
They had conquered Morea. Most of the mercenaries had surrendered.
Going by their original plan, they should immediately head off to sea, rush to Crete at full speed, and conquer the island before the Venetians had time to react.
But from the looks of it now, the Venetians had made preparations.
If they insisted on attacking Crete, the chances were that they would have to confront the Venetians on their turf—the sea. It would be a highly risky move.
As much as Sophia desired vengeance, she knew better than to let her emotions blind her at this critical juncture.
“Should we wait for the Genoese fleet? They have expressed their willingness to aid us…”
“Why are we waiting for them?” Shu Yichao rolled his eyes. “Are we waiting for others to steal our kills? Of course we should chase them right away!”
He raised his arms grandly and roared, “Venice must be vanquished!”