Motive, evidence, and even witnesses.
Everything was prepared too perfectly.
Branch Manager Hobbs, who was captured at the scene, was summarily executed without any trial, and his head was cut off on the spot.
"Salt the wretch's head and send it to the Emperor's court!"
At the same time, as if that alone could not appease his wrath, Count Shatin informed the surrounding nobles of the matter and blocked the Emperor's merchant groups from using the crossroads leading to the peninsula.
It was truly a radical and ruthless action.
It was so extreme that even the envoy from the Holy See, who had wanted Count Shatin to fall out with the Emperor of the Holy Empire, was surprised enough to try and stop him.
"What was destined to happen has finally happened. It is time for the Emperor to reap the seeds of karma he sowed himself."
Watching that scene, the mage Agpiel commented indifferently.
"Still, isn't that action practically an invitation to war? Even if they are angry now, once the Emperor's forces arrive, everyone will cool their anger and try to negotiate. Then, Count Shatin is highly likely to be sacrificed as a pawn for the negotiations."
Mage Agpiel laughed heartily as he looked at Shatien, who spoke calmly.
"Young knight. don't think that all nobles worship rational reason as you do."
As a rule, nobles tended to be moved by honor rather than cold reason.
Especially in a case like this, where the Emperor used a wicked scheme to infringe upon the rights of a noble.
"Even so, isn't it true that it is excessive? Mage Agpiel."
"Tsk tsk."
Mage Agpiel clicked his tongue as if Shatien were pathetic.
It seemed this young knight still had much to learn about the habits of nobles.
He still seemed stained with the traces of his days as a scholar or a mercenary.
Well, of course, a being like himself, Mage Agpiel, existed to help with such things.
"A noble who cannot protect their honor has no value as a noble. This is even more important if one becomes a ruler. How can one who cannot even protect their own honor protect the honor of their subordinates? Think of the relationship between nobles as a mutual contractual relationship. Count Shatin's honor suffered a severe blow from this incident, and his actions are justified. The surrounding lords will likely take Count Shatin's side instead."
"Hmm. Is it because they think the Emperor's actions toward Count Shatin could be done to them as well?"
"Yes! Exactly."
Still, he understood immediately once told. Mage Agpiel smiled at the cleverness of this young knight.
"Trust me. My words will surely be correct. Hahaha."
* * *
Indeed, Mage Agpiel's boast turned out to be exactly right.
-How dare a man who calls himself Emperor plot a despicable conspiracy against the territories of his vassals!
-This is a clear example of how the Emperor of the Holy Empire views us. How else could he commit such an atrocity unless he sees us as mere slaves!
-We must unite! Southern nobles of the Empire! Raise your flags. Let us bring down the cowardly oppressor!
Shatien thought the Count might become an innocent scapegoat due to his radicalism, but to his surprise, things were different.
In accordance with Count Shatin's actions, the neighboring nobles of the Empire began to join him, protesting fiercely.
It was not even limited to the nobles of the Empire.
-To handle vassals with such cowardly methods! He is a truly despicable and cruel man.
-Perhaps the plague that spread through the cities last time was also the work of the Emperor of the Holy Empire?
-Could it be? Come to think of it, the cities where the plague spread were all anti-Imperial free cities! This is certain!
Countless free cities near the Apennine Peninsula were simultaneously enraged upon seeing what happened in the County of Shatin.
They questioned whether the culprit behind the fatal plague that ruined the Apennine trade network in the past was the Emperor of the Holy Empire.
Of course, considering that the plague had spread along the ports, it was nothing more than a common external plague spreading through the trade network, but it did not matter at this point.
It was a golden opportunity to drive out the pro-Imperial factions remaining in the cities, and at the same time, it was perfect for appeasing the dissatisfied urban poor.
And as a result.
-We recommend Count Shatin as the leader of the alliance!
-We will stand with Count Shatin. This alliance will never break until the Emperor of the Holy Empire offers a proper apology.
-Send an envoy to the Emperor. Tell him it is either an apology or war. He must choose only one of the two.
An anti-Holy Empire punishment alliance was formed to oppose the Emperor of the Holy Empire.
A massive union of powers, ranging from the southern part of the Empire to the free cities of the northern Apennine Peninsula, had merged.
Particularly considering that the free cities of the northern Apennine Peninsula were wealthier than most feudal lords, it was a nightmare for the Emperor of the Holy Empire.
And another's misfortune is always a source of happiness.
-The Holy See cannot overlook this incident. We will immediately send investigators and thoroughly investigate the curse incident! We offer our condolences to Count Shatin, who suffered an unfortunate event. In the name of the Pope, we guarantee that those involved will be severely punished!
The Holy See, which had been observing the situation, finally moved.
* * *
"Congratulations, Your Holiness!"
"The northern free cities are in turmoil. If we push forward like this, the free cities belonging to the pro-Imperial faction will surely turn their backs one by one."
The cardinals all bowed their heads and offered their congratulations to the Pope.
They had very easily solved a problem that had been so troubling.
Moreover, it was done through a small decision made by His Holiness.
"Why such praise? Is this not all thanks to that faithful young knight? To think he would move like this before even being officially assigned a task. He is truly a true knight sent by God."
"Ah. That is correct."
As soon as the Pope finished speaking, the cardinals made the sign of the cross and replied accordingly.
"It is truly like a gospel sent by God. This is a perfect revelation."
"Indeed. A faithful knight who appeared out of nowhere, and the matter being resolved even as he was being invited. This is a golden opportunity to spread God's gospel across the entire continent, Your Holiness."
To spread God's gospel to all the nations of the continent and reorganize them into the order spoken by God.
This was the earnest desire of the Church.
If they could lead the anti-Imperial sentiment well this time and bring the Emperor down, they would soon fulfill that desire!
The faces of the cardinals as they spoke were all flushed with excitement.
"However, isn't all we know about that young knight still just rumors? To truly judge a person, one must face them directly and look them in the eye."
The Pope, who had fought against secular monarchs for a long time, was calm.
The devil's whispers were always despicably cunning, shaking the human heart even when trying to follow God's word.
How many times had the knights and nobles supported by the Holy See turned traitor after succumbing to the temptation of power?
"Shatien. Summon that young knight to the Holy City. I will gladly meet him face-to-face in the Holy Ground and verify the man's character."
"Th-That is!"
The cardinals all widened their eyes in surprise at the Pope's words. Inviting him to the Holy City and meeting him directly was within the realm of understanding, but to see him directly in the Holy Ground?
The Holy Ground within the Holy City was the land consecrated by the first Pope while praying to escape persecution, a place where even cardinals dared not enter carelessly.
Yet, to summon a young knight there and test him!
But the surprise did not end there.
"I will decide there. If the young knight is worthy, I will bestow a sacred sword upon him."
"!!!!!"
"!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"So, send a messenger to the County of Shatin immediately! Also, we will summon the mercenary corps. Send messengers to the mercenary captains scattered in each region. Tell them the time has come to fulfill their contracted sacred duty."
However, the bewilderment was brief.
The cardinals all smiled brightly and bowed their heads.
"As Your Holiness wills!"
"As you will!"
If it was the Pope's will, then regardless of restoring influence over the Holy Empire, they would at least be free from the tedious threat of the Emperor in the northern region of the peninsula.
* * *
-Clang, clang, clang!
-Psssssssssh!
-Move! It is very hot!
In an instant, the County of Shatin was filled with the sounds of various hammerings.
Weapons were being produced day and night in the smithies, and the vicinity of the castle was bustling with troops brought by Count Shatin's vassals summoned from various places.
Since merchant groups joined in following them, the entire area was incredibly busy and chaotic.
However, no one complained. Rather, they were slightly excited.
"Count Shatin made a proposal! He asked if we could take up spears for them this time!"
"I said I would introduce my friends in the north. It is unfortunate, but don't we have to move with the knight?"
"What? Don't you think it is a waste to miss the chance to gain honor on the battlefield? Come now, Sir! Do you think the friendship between us is only that much?!"
"Ah, well, of course... Ah, it is a waste, but... Wait. What are you saying! We should play in the big leagues! Think of how great a task we will receive once we go to the Holy City. Hahaha. Sir!"
"......"
Especially these loud and noisy elf knights were even more so.
Shatien wished they would just leave with Count Shatin instead.
Thinking about how he would have to endure their various boastings while being with them for a while made his head ache.
"Hehe. You are truly receiving plenty of love from those elf knights, young knight."
"I would prefer to receive love from a woman? Sigh... This is all because of Viscount Ragnarsson."
"...Because of the Viscount? Isn't it because you fight ignorantly like an elf knight? Tsk tsk."
Wagging his tail like that and then saying it was not so.
Mage Agpiel did not know whether this young knight was insensitive or just stupid.
"By the way, didn't he make a proposal to you? I saw that Count Shatin seemed busy contacting people everywhere?"
"He did indeed make a proposal to me. He asked if he could hire the mercenaries from the Mercenary Bureau."
"Oho."
Shatien thought it was not a bad opportunity since things had turned out this way.
In any case, the current goal of heading to the Holy See was to form an anti-Imperial alliance, so if he supported Count Shatin with troops and just assisted him so that he would not collapse until a proper alliance was formed, it was actually a successful situation.
"I am thinking of about 1,000 to 2,000. If I provide too many, the Emperor might get angry and strike us first."
"That is a very appropriate number. You did well. There is no need to provoke the Emperor first for no reason. You must move as if it is strictly a contract between mercenaries."
Since Mage Agpiel now knew Shatien's plan to some extent, he could not overlook such small advice.
Shatien nodded, saying he understood.
If necessary, he even intended to go further and send someone to the Emperor to ask to be hired.
Shouldn't he hide his true intentions for now?
'Come to think of it, it seems like a pretty good idea. I can catch the Emperor off guard and also give trust to the lords of the continent.'
To show absolute loyalty to the client without caring about political views.
This was a perfect situation to show that.
Except for the fact that they were placed in an environment where allies might fight one another.
'Well, I should be able to get out of that sufficiently if I adjust it properly.'
If the radius of operations were different, there would be no direct conflict.
Furthermore, the proportion they occupied out of the total troops was ridiculously small.
While he was thinking that.
"Sir Shatien! Sir Shatien!"
A voice calling out urgently was heard from afar.
It was the envoy from the Holy See.
"What is the matter? Envoy."
"His Holiness the Pope has invited you to the Holy City. He said he would personally commend your achievements in the Holy Ground!"
"?!?!?"
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