The inner city was breached in a single night. Thanks to Eric’s instigation, most of the citizens who had originally resisted joined the besieging forces.
The next morning, cities within Genoa’s sphere of influence began to dispatch reinforcements in an attempt to save Genoa. However, they had underestimated the enemy’s strength. These were merely ordinary city militias, and before the scattered reinforcements could converge, they were easily crushed by the Norman Knights.
The Norman Knights led by Eric were mostly veterans who had followed Robert on his expedition to England. Almost all of them had worked alongside Genoese Crossbowmen before and were quite familiar with their attack patterns and marching formations. Thus, they defeated them with ease.
The nobility hiding in the fortress held out for three days. After learning that all reinforcements had been defeated, they sent an envoy to Eric and Matilda to propose peace talks. They refused to use the word "surrender."
Simone Scalas entered the fortress’s main hall. The moment he stepped inside, one of the nobles spat at him.
"Simone, you bastard! You violated the treaty between Pisa and Genoa! The Pisans have shamelessly betrayed their word. This victory will become a curse! God will have His vengeance on you!"
"The treaty was signed by Cesare Lanfranchi. What the hell does that have to do with me, Simone Scalas? By the way, Cesare went to Hell a few days ago, so your curse took effect early.
I guess that news might cheer you up a bit." Simone laughed heartily, looking mockingly at the nobleman. "But first, let me make one thing clear, not for my own sake, but for my esteemed masters. The glory of this victory belongs not to Pisa, but to the great Canossa and Outville!
You dogs of Genoa, welcome your Conquerors: the Marquis and Marchioness of Tuscany." Simone bowed humbly and stepped back, gesturing to Eric who followed him in.
Eric was wearing the Aachen Scale Armor awarded by the system. Its defensive properties were better than Chain Armor, but it hindered flexibility and was much heavier. For Eric, however, it was just right.
"I think we need to clarify one fact. The treaty between Genoa and Pisa still exists, but Tuscany, as their Supreme Lord, is not bound by this agreement.
I must make it clear that the party that initiated this war was not Pisa, but Tuscany. According to the relationship of fealty between a vassal and their Lord, Pisa is required to provide for all of Tuscany’s wartime needs, including troops.
Therefore, the vast majority of the wealth and land gained from this war will belong to Tuscany," Eric explained in a gentle tone.
But no matter how gentle his tone, it couldn’t hide the despicable nature of his words, which sounded incredibly grating to the ears of the Genoese nobility.
Eric’s Identity as a Norman and the instigator of this conflict further provoked some of the more emotional nobles.
"You! You shameful Normans! You have once again proven your vile character, as disgusting as the lowly side characters in a Greek play! We will never acknowledge your authority.
Your treacherous atrocities will be remembered by every single Genoese!
Just you wait! We have not been defeated! This is only the beginning! The fury of the Genoese will one day drive you from this land!" A middle-aged noble with a thick beard walked up to Eric, yelling curses loudly in French.
"Perhaps quite the opposite. They will remember that starting today, their lives became more comfortable and wonderful than ever before. They have received almost everything they have long hoped for—everything you failed to give them!" Eric was unfazed. He smiled and patted the man’s shoulder, then waved to a Norman Knight behind him. "Guy."
Guy walked slowly until he was in front of the bearded noble, who was still cursing.
The next moment, however, there was a sickening THUD that chilled everyone to the bone. The nobleman doubled over, the air knocked out of him, unable to even cry out. Just as he was about to collapse, Guy punched him in the gut again with a fist clad in Chain Armor Gloves.
Two Tuscan soldiers hauled him upright, and another fist smashed into his face. Blood gushed from his nose and mouth.
"Drag him away. Hang him in front of his own magnificent and glorious mansion. I want his corpse to hang there forever. As he dies from a painful suffocation, tell the Genoese watching the execution that his property now belongs to them.
Then, tell them that as long as the Normans, the Pisans, and the Tuscans hold authority in this land, we will do everything in our power to defend their ownership and the legality of the property they have acquired over these past few days. We will also pardon all their acts of violence during these three days. The Norman Knights will ensure they are not subject to trial or retaliation," Eric said with a smile.
But now, his smile was chilling. The hall fell silent.
"Now, shall we talk?" Eric said again, his smile gone.
After a moment of silence, an elderly man stepped forward. Perhaps he was Genoa’s reigning Governor, or maybe its Chief Justice.
Perhaps he was prepared to accept all of Eric’s terms in exchange for peace, or maybe he just wanted to de-escalate the situation. After all, no matter what, continuing this standoff would do Genoa no good.
But before he could even reach Eric, whispers arose from the nobles behind him.
"Traitor! Traitor!"
"He’s selling out Genoa."
"Weakling!"
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