163 – 167
“Commander, the Persian soldiers of Babylon have arrived.”
Sabinele frowns upon hearing the news.
‘They killed our king and now the Persian soldiers are coming here?’
“They claim to be mercenaries who were stationed near Ayah and have nothing to do with betrayal, requesting to be accepted… What should we do?”
Upon hearing this, Sabinele falls into deep thought.
Although he would like to kill them all, the instigators of Ioannes’ death will mostly be dead or captured on their way to Rome.
“I should meet with them first.”
Sabinele climbs up the rampart.
As he gazes down, he sees thousands of troops.
“I am Commander Sabinele! Who is the representative of the mercenaries?!”
A person emerges from afar.
“Hello? We are temporarily led by the mercenary chief, Nasser.”
“We heard that you executed our king. How dare you come here?!”
Sabinele retorts angrily.
“Nasser takes off his turban and says, ‘Viscount Sabinele, we express regret for the king of Nicaea’s execution.'”
“Regret? Is that what you call it?”
Sabinele responds angrily.
“You mercenaries may lack morals, but to betray and murder a king of a sovereign state! Is that what you call regret?”
In response, Nasser says, “I understand your anger, Viscount, but what we did was regrettable. As you know, the betrayal by some mercenaries is not associated with us.”
Sabinelli chuckled at those words and replied, “Ha! So what do you want? Didn’t you come here because you want something?”
“We all want to return to our homeland alive.”
“Then why have you come to find me?”
Sabinelli knew why they had come to find him. They were seeking ways to survive after their comrades had become Byzantium’s nourishment. They were seeking him, a resistance fighter, to figure out a way to live on. Of course, Sabinelli also realized that it was impossible to reclaim Nicaea with their current military strength.
“Hire us, please.”
Upon hearing this, Sabinelli coldly retorted, “I don’t see why we should hire you.”
In truth, Sabinelli needed soldiers more than anyone else, but without clear leadership and trust, he couldn’t see a reason to join forces with them.
“Lord, without us, you will soon be defeated by the imperial army.”
“Even so, I don’t see a reason to join forces with you if there’s no trust. Perhaps if the Empire promises to spare you and send you back home when they have me at their mercy?”
“We have never made such a promise. Trust, you say? If you wish to join us for our survival, would you believe in us?”
Watching Nasser speak boldly, Sabinelli fell into thought.
“Fine. Your name is Nasser, right? Only you may enter the sanctuary.”
Thus began the meeting between the one striving to restore the kingdom at all costs and the one seeking to survive.
***
Explaining to Chairman Charles that he had the power to veto the Emperor Faction’s dissolution proposal, the tax reform bill was passed, and after the Emperor Faction’s dissolution proposal was passed, it was later nullified by his veto.
Perhaps when he formally signs and announces it, the bill will come into effect.
And as I sat in the carriage, laughter unexpectedly bubbled up within me.
“hehehehe…”
I had defeated him for the first time.
He, whom I had never defeated before our marriage.
“I must have surely grown, right?”
I must have grown.
I had gained influence, received recommendations for talents, unlike before when I first became Emperor, I had started to change, albeit slightly.
This was the first time I had gotten what I wanted from him.
Furthermore, I had promised to call the Golden Knights within two years.
So it will surely turn out well.
In the carriage heading towards the palace, I felt a sense of accomplishment.
***
After finishing work at the council in the morning, I received a letter from Nicaea.
“Most of Thessalonica and Adriatic have fallen to Sabinelli…”
Certainly, being famous within Nicaea had its effects, as it seemed that the people of Nicaea were following him.
Around 40 to 50 thousand, it’s not a small number.
By the way, where are Babylon’s mercenaries?
The mercenaries who were supposed to be camped in the field are nowhere to be found.
Supplies and rations must be running dangerously low.
If they join forces with Sabi Nelli, it could cause quite a headache…
Currently, there are 150,000 troops stationed in Nicaea.
If we lose, there is a risk that the Nicaean nobles we are currently negotiating with may turn their backs, but I can’t imagine Agrippa and William losing from a position of absolute advantage.
Finishing up like that until late afternoon, he heads to the bedroom.
Should I put on a slightly gloomy expression on the way? I ponder, but it doesn’t seem necessary.
It would be too much to overdo it.
Normally, I would remain calm.
Deciding to calmly stay put, thinking that I would calmly consider other options.
Before I know it, upon arriving at the bedroom, I briefly greet the guard and enter.
-Creak.
“You’re back?”
Theodora, who was idly playing with wine on the tea table, meets my eyes.
Her slightly flushed face.
Seeing Theodora, who seems a bit happier than usual, I hide a smile inwardly.
A little… cute, perhaps?
But if she finds out that her mother and I have deceived her… she would be upset, right?
I should keep this as a secret.
“Yeah. Couldn’t sleep?”
Honestly, since the incident last time, we have remained in a somewhat awkward relationship.
It’s not the same as before.
“Yes. Since I defeated you for the first time.”
Theodora, feeling slightly different than usual, whether she’s a bit tipsy.
She gets up from her seat and approaches me step by step.
Her flushed face, slightly dilated pupils, and the faint scent of wine.
“Are you feeling very bad today?”
She giggles softly.
Is she in such a good mood?
Seeing her in a good mood, I almost smiled unintentionally, but at times like this, I decided to show a slightly regretful expression.
After all, as a ruler, one must exude confidence in front of others.
“Yeah, I really took a big hit this time. How could you think of embracing the Imperial faction?”
Theodora smiles softly at my words.
“Ahem… I’m trying my best too.”
Saying so, she gently takes hold of my wrist.
“Come and have a drink too.”
Although thoughts of the tasks to be done tomorrow come to mind, I couldn’t remember the last time I saw her laugh so brightly, so I decided to go along with it.
Seeing Theodora forcing a wine glass into my hand, I smile inwardly.
“Cheers! Drink up.”
Two empty wine bottles are visible under the tea table.
Huh…?
I feel awkward watching her pour wine into my glass.
I… Is it okay?
I’m worried that I’ve had too much to drink.
“Cheers! Let’s toast.”
– Cheers!
We toasted like that all of a sudden.
As I raised my glass, Theodora stared at my face with unfocused red eyes.
“Hey! How long are you going to sulk like that? Lighten up.”
I’m not sulking, I’m just worried…
I was concerned that if I got too drunk tonight, she would have an embarrassing memory.
“I’m not sulking.”
Theodora pouts as if she doesn’t believe me.
“Tsk, your poker face is on. Don’t sulk. You also kept secrets from me about your dealings with Epirus and Ejeop under the guise of Jonas.”
Her expression is completely different from usual.
“Well, that’s true.”
I reply like that and take a sip of wine.
It’s definitely delicious.
It has a depth unlike regular wine.
From Noble mtl dot com
Is it because it’s from the Royal Palace?
As I pondered this,
“Um… I’m feeling a bit sleepy.”
I say as I look at her rubbing her eyes.
“If you’re sleepy, go to bed soon.”
In response to my words, Theodora yawns widely, covering her mouth with her hand.
“Ah… I guess I should. Seems like I drank too much.”
She gets up and heads to the bed.
– Flop.
Seeing Theodora lying on the bed, I sigh as I look at the snacks and bottles of alcohol on the tea table.
She should clean up before going to bed…
***
Sabirelli and Naser agreed to travel together until the fall of Byzantium.
Of course, Sabirelli, who didn’t trust them, made it a condition that the Babylonian mercenaries would not enter the city under any circumstances.
“Commander… It’s intelligence from Byzantium. It’s reported that General Agripa is leading 70,000 troops and heading this way.”
Upon hearing this, Sabirelli gazes at the road from Adriatic to Byzantium lost in thought.
‘The enemies are currently stationed in Nicaea with 150,000 troops. Our forces are only 40,000, but with the Babylonian mercenaries, it’s 90,000. It seems they are unaware that the Babylonian mercenaries have joined us.’
Of course, the sudden increase in troops makes it difficult for Adriatic to sustain the army.
Although they can scrape together food supplies from Adriatic to somehow maintain, Sabirelli doesn’t think it will last long.
‘If the enemies are complacent. If we play our cards right…’
Sabirelli thinks that if they can deplete 70,000 out of the 150,000 troops, a comeback for Nicaea might be possible.
He began to scrutinize the map meticulously.
And as he gazed at a certain spot, Sabireni sank into contemplation.
‘If only I could lure them here…’
He pondered while looking at a hill right next to the rugged mountain range.
‘Do we really need to abandon the advantageous defensive position and engage in battle outside?’
However, if this strategy succeeds, he could extend his influence to the nearby cities and castles of Byzantium.
‘And if I can manipulate them through negotiations with other lords to the east…’
In every kingdom, there exist nobles under the king’s command.
Usually, in times of war, the king leads the army in a form where his vassals and contracted forces provide about one-third of their troops. So, just by receiving support from the forces of the eastern lords not under attack by the Empire, the current situation would crumble.
Of course, they wouldn’t cooperate with Sabireni, well aware that Nicaea had already fallen to the Empire.
‘But if, by some chance, I win this battle… I might be able to persuade them.’
Sabireni knew well that to negotiate, he would have to force the Empire into a situation where they would have to make significant sacrifices to strip the Angelos family of their title.
Of course, with the vast wealth obtained through the Pieta Summit, Devian had no intention of doing so even if it cost him his life…
As Sabireni, who was unaware of this, made a rational decision, he let out a sigh and immediately issued orders to his subordinates.
“Phew… Instruct all soldiers to prepare for battle.”
‘Oh God, grant me victory this time.’