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𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐝 (3)
Once a person’s fortune starts to decline, it is not easy to break free from it. That was exactly the case with Marquis Crucho.
The marquis, an experienced and skilled commander, knew well that the most dangerous time was just before a landing. Therefore, he meticulously investigated and planned.
He identified the location of the mercenaries currently plundering the fiefdom, anticipated their routes, and contacted the vassals of the fiefdom to block any potential advance. . .
Only then did he lead the transport fleet across the sea. The landing point was the relatively safe southern part of the fiefdom.
However, the marquis’s misfortune started from there. He encountered an unexpected storm, struggled fiercely, and was forced to change course. He had no choice but to land in the north.
The second misfortune was the pagan pirates. There were pagan pirates not only in the islands east of the Edene Sea but also in the south of the Catalian Peninsula.
One should not think of pirates as merely wandering rogues. Pagan pirates were skilled warriors who usually based themselves in nearby counties or duchies, receiving support and conducting raids.
The pagan pirates, mistaking that the marquis had brought a vast wealth from the Empire, aggressively attacked. The marquis barely managed to evade them and make a landing.
And then the final misfortune came to the marquis. During the landing, he encountered mercenaries roaming for plunder.
━𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐡! 𝐀𝐧 𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐡!
Upon calm reflection, even though the marquis’s army was tired and injured, they were numerically and qualitatively superior to the mercenaries. . .
But the fear of the exhausted soldiers from the voyage exceeded the marquis’s expectations. The formation quickly collapsed, and they began to scatter in all directions.
The oblivious mercenaries, not understanding the situation, surged in their confidence and began to attack. As more mercenaries in the vicinity heard the news and converged, even the soldiers who had been holding their ground became terrified.
Eventually, the marquis had no choice but to retreat from the battlefield with his knights. It was a truly absurd defeat.
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
̇ȧ̇𝘸ᴇ𝚋s𝚝𝐨𝚛𝚒ė̇ṡ.ᴄ𝕠ᴍ
“It is said that they encountered pagan pirates and were attacked by mercenaries during the landing.”
“Even so, is it true that they collapsed just because of that?”
“I was surprised as well, but I checked several times. It’s said that the marquis’s army has collapsed.”
“The republic’s envoy also couldn’t believe it and checked multiple times, but the stories they heard were all the same.”
“Could it be that God is punishing the marquis’s arrogance?”
“I see.”
It didn’t sound very convincing, but Johan agreed for the time being.
According to the envoy, the marquis’s domain and the Emperor’s fiefdom are in complete chaos now. Not only mercenaries but also pagan pirates have landed and are looking to plunder.
How will this situation affect Johan?
“That’s a good excuse.”
“Summon the vassals. Since we have a contract, we must adhere to it.”
When a lord summons, a vassal must lead their troops. It’s a condition of their fiefdom.
“Your Excellency, you should prepare, but there’s no need to worry too much. The seas around here are under the control of the republic’s fleet.”
The republic’s envoy was puzzled. There was no need to gather all the vassals.
The pirates also had their wits about them. They didn’t specifically target the calm domain of the Count of Coolia. The sea was blocked by the republic’s fleet, so they had to focus on land routes. A wrong move could mean getting trapped and killed.
“No, pagan pirates are wild and barbaric, and their actions are unpredictable. The help of the republic is desperately needed.”
“Yes, we will do our best to help. . .?”
As long as there is a port, the republic had no choice but to help. The envoy couldn’t understand why Johan was making such a fuss.
Was it because of his deep faith that he was so upset about the invasion of pagan pirates?
To the people of the republic, who trade with anyone regardless of the Eastern Empire or others, it seemed like a foolish attitude.
‘𝘍𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦.’
However, Johan’s thoughts were different.
He had been wondering what excuse to use to squeeze the vassals of his fiefdom, and now he had found a good one.
‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦.’
The crimes of not showing loyalty during Johan’s advance, not attending the wedding, not responding to the vassal’s summons.
It was more convenient to summon all the vassals and discuss right and wrong like this, rather than addressing these three separately. If they accompany Johan in the campaign, they wouldn’t dare have other thoughts.
When Johan was advancing rapidly, it was a situation where one could take their time, but not anymore.
If there is still someone who hasn’t grasped the situation after the last wedding, they will be the first to be trampled!
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
𝕒𝕨𝘦𝘣𝘴𝐭𝐨𝙧𝔦𝙚𝐬.𝐜ᴏṁ
The servants rushed frantically to summon the vassals. The count’s vassals were taken aback by the sudden summons.
“Pagans are invading?”
“Are they Jekyllid scoundrels?”
Jekyllid is a sizable island in the southwest of the peninsula, known as the Jekyllid Hundred Kingdoms since it was ruled by pagans.
As a key transportation hub for both the peninsula and the continent, pagan pirates often docked with the permission of the Jekyllid Hundred Kingdoms.
Or were they originally from the Jekyllid Hundred Kingdoms!
“If it’s the Jekyllid, isn’t it not urgent for us? Shouldn’t the marquis’s land be the priority?”
“But master. There might be disadvantages if we do not respond to the summons. Didn’t you also miss the wedding ceremony?”