From the Sauerland Mercenary Office at the edge of the central region and close to the south of the Empire, the distance to the Holy See was not very far.
However, the Apennine Mountains blocked the way, meaning one had to endure the misery of crossing high mountain terrain, and there were also free cities belonging to the Emperor that were hostile to the Holy See scattered in between.
“It is good to maintain a moderate number. Of course, they will not openly persecute us, but one never knows, Sir Shatien.”
Therefore, the envoy of the Holy See advised as cautiously as possible.
It was even more so because this was an invitation initiated in the name of His Holiness the Pope, rather than a simple invitation carried out in the name of the Holy See.
If a useless conflict occurred during the journey, it would be quite troublesome.
“Would His Holiness find it uncomfortable if I brought too many troops?”
“Haha. The more the better, of course.... But still, just in case, how many do you intend to bring?”
The more troops, the better.
Only then could they widely display the prestige of the Holy See.
However, in this era, bringing soldiers, especially mercenaries, to a place where there were no interests was equivalent to throwing money into the air.
The envoy thought Shatien was bluffing.
At least until the words came out.
“You don't have to overdo it. In my opinion, one hundred should be....”
“The troops I can mobilize right now are approximately 3,000 men.”
-Spurt!
The envoy, who had been moistening his throat, sprayed out water at Shatien's words.
“My goodness. Envoy! Are you alright?”
“Cough, cough. Uh, I am fine.”
The envoy hurriedly waved his hands.
He knew that Shatien led a rising mercenary company lately, but a troop of 3,000 just for an outing?
It was unbelievable, but he realized those words were true upon seeing Shatien's peaceful expression.
‘His Holiness has a reason for stepping forward personally!’
3,000 mercenaries available for mobilization at any time.
If so, how many mercenaries would he be able to mobilize when properly preparing for war?
Furthermore, the envoy knew they had a branch in the North as well.
“Why, is it too few? If I really push it, I could mobilize up to 5,000 right now, but that is actually a bit too burdensome. Haha....”
“No, Sir. 5,000, you say. No, even 3,000 is too many. About five hundred is sufficient. More troops than that might actually make others suspicious.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes! Yes! Please trust me.”
“Understood.”
Only then did the envoy let out a sigh of relief.
It was because he felt he had prevented a situation that could have turned into a major conflict.
Crossing the northern free cities with 5,000 troops along with an envoy.
The free cities would likely be startled by the approach of such a large force and have no choice but to beg for mercy from the Emperor and His Holiness like mangy dogs.
‘Still, his heart that thinks of His Holiness is quite commendable.’
Wiping away the flowing sweat with a handkerchief, the envoy thought so.
That this innocent knight was trying to devote himself so much to the Holy See.
It was truly a devout and gracious matter.
Of course, Shatien, who was scanning the envoy's expression.
‘Hmm, Master and Branch Manager Marhen were right. They told me to call as many troops as I could mobilize. Hehe.’
He was inwardly letting out a somewhat insidious laugh, though.
* * *
“Whoa whoa whoa-!”
-Neighhhh
“Hey. Calm down. Calm.”
“Hey you there. Work faster, won’t you?”
The entrance to Sauerland was crowded again after a long time.
It was because the recruitment of troops to head to the Holy See on the peninsula with Shatien was all finished.
There were two centuria of the first pike phalanx that had been working with Shatien for a long time and one centuria of halberdiers led by Miles.
The troop totaled 300 men.
One might wonder why it was only this many, but this time, it was not just simple infantry moving.
“Uhahaha. Thanks to Sir, I can go on an outing to the ancient capital after a long time!”
“Thank you, Sir Shatien. As expected from the knight. To receive an invitation from His Holiness! Ah. How honorable this is.”
“You pathetic things. This is an opportunity given by Sir, yet you are still so sluggish?! Move immediately. Snap to it.”
The elf knights and the squires under their command.
In total, it was a level exceeding almost 50 people.
‘Hmmm.... To think he is even commanding those difficult elf knights. Amazing. It seems His Holiness has found the right person.’
Thanks to this, the envoy of the Holy See was very deeply impressed.
Heavily armed knights and 300 elite soldiers were at a level that no lord could ignore.
In fact, considering the armament or training status, they were at a much more powerful level than typical troops of about 1,000 men.
“Now, now, the envoy is waiting. Advance in order starting from the prepared personnel.”
“Yes! Understood.”
“How many years have we been together, yet you are still so sluggish! You bastards. Do you want to have your backsides hit?”
As soon as Shatien finished speaking, Miles was busy commanding the mercenaries while shouting loudly.
The mercenaries moved quickly according to the instructions while grumbling.
Since they were the elites among elites who had moved with Shatien since the early days, their discipline was incredible.
And among them were existences that were quite heterogeneous.
Carts and wagons filled with luggage as high as mountains.
It was the procession of merchant groups led by Branch Manager Marhen.
“By the way, Branch Manager Marhen. Are you pulling up the branch by the roots this time?”
At that immense volume, Shatien looked at Branch Manager Marhen in amazement.
“I must expand properly to the South on this occasion. The free city friends in the northern peninsula will likely have no reason to reject this procession, will they? It will not be easy to commit such a rudeness when accompanied by the flag of the Holy See. Nyahat!”
Branch Manager Marhen was full of excitement.
She said that to Shatien while wagging her tail.
Originally, trade between cities was quite closed.
Trade was something that could only be sold at designated places to designated people.
The ones holding that tight were the guilds that held the city's autonomy and exercised influence.
Even if one brought goods suddenly, they could not be sold if they were not accepted.
However, this case was a bit different.
‘Hnng. No matter how much they are of the Emperor's faction, they cannot openly ignore the flag of the Holy See.’
Secular disputes aside, religious authority could never be ignored.
Especially in a place like the Apennine Peninsula where conversion had taken place very rapidly.
The merchant group led by Marhen would likely be able to enter the free cities without restraint between Shatien and the envoy of the Holy See.
“...You are quite bold, Branch Manager Marhen.”
Of course, Shatien was even more amazed seeing her move so aggressively despite knowing clearly that disputes would arise later.
“Hnng. Sir Shatien will protect me if a problem occurs, will you not? Right?”
“That... is a remark that seems a bit problematic. Branch Manager Marhen. I am helping as a bastard cooperative relationship. Ahem, ahem.”
“Tsk tsk. Can you still not tell the difference and are playing at love anywhere?”
Just then, Master Joachim, who came late, spoke as he clicked his tongue.
It was natural in a way that the two of them jumped in surprise and shouted at those words.
“What are you saying, Elder.”
“That is right. People will misunderstand.”
“Ugh.... Misunderstand my foot. Is that not so, Envoy?”
“Hohoho. They look good. Very good.”
“…….”
They wanted to make an excuse, but since even the envoy of the Holy See was like that, there was truly nothing to say.
Branch Manager Marhen was only wagging her tail while looking at a distant mountain with her face turned beet red.
Eventually, Shatien let out a sigh and asked Master Joachim.
“Did you come to participate in this procession?”
“Participate in what. I came to see you and that thoughtless child off properly.”
“Hmm? Are you not going together?”
“At this age, why would I go all the way there. And I have already been to the ancient capital of the ancient empire. It is just a massive city with nothing special.”
Joachim spoke indifferently, but Shatien realized his master had some other thought.
“Are you by any chance going to torment those friends again?”
It was because his master's nasty hobby lately came to mind.
“Hey! Tormenting, you say. It is all training, training.”
“...Rolling them around so ignorantly is closer to torture than training, Master?”
“You! This impertinent bastard. It is all a special training method to make up for the lacking years.”
“Yes, yes, I am sure it is.”
What was the point of saying more.
Shatien shrugged his shoulders and looked at Centurion Jenga, who had also followed.
“I am trusting Centurion Jenga, no, Senior Centurion. For the time being, Senior Centurion Jenga is the deputy of the Mercenary Office, so please do well.”
“Hehe, hehehehe. Do not worry, Captain Shatien! I will keep it running well without any problems.”
Senior Centurion Jenga, who usually had a very strong desire for power, felt that he had lined up very well.
Deputy of the Mercenary Office!
What a sweet and grand title it was.
“His mouth is going to reach his ears at this rate. His ears.”
Therefore, Senior Centurion Jenga was not bothered at all by Miles' words as he played around and gave a rebuff beside him.
-Clap!
“Well then, all preparations are finished now, and let us move out.”
“Yes! Understood.”
Now that the order was given, it was time to move.
Shatien and the accompanying party slowly left Sauerland, escorting the envoy of the Holy See, and began to move forward.
It was still quite a long distance to the Holy See.
In particular, as they had to pass through the rugged Arhen Mountains, they would have to pay even more attention to safety.
‘I hope nothing unusual happens.’
Shatien thought that he hoped the way there would at least be quiet and without any trouble.
The moment he returned from meeting the Pope at the Holy See, an endless war with the Emperor was ahead, after all.
But as always, ironically, God used to grant human wishes in reverse.
“Hmm?”
While the march that started in the morning had passed half a day and descended quite far.
“Why are there suddenly so many people lingering around?”
A few restless people were seen, and then at some point, a large number of people could be seen gathered in the distance, unable to move a muscle.
“??”
Just as Shatien was about to order the mercenary beside him to find out what was happening ahead in wonder.
-Neighhhh!
Suddenly, a single horse galloped over and.
“Stop! Stop-!”
“?”
“From where have these troops come? This bridge ahead cannot be crossed. This is a controlled area! Return immediately!”
The rider uttered ridiculous words with an arrogant expression.
“???????????”
-Clang!
-How dare you, impertinent bastard!
-To block the path of the envoy of the Holy See and the great and honorable Sir Shatien! You bastards, draw your swords-!
“Oh boy....”
Shatien thought that there was truly never a quiet day.
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