Giovanni probably never imagined that he would one day ask Alexander for help, as evidenced by the gloomy but deliberately tactful smile on the face of the messenger he sent.

Giovanni's emissary was one of his attendants, whom Alexander had seen on several previous visits to Giovanni.

At that time, this man always seemed to inadvertently show arrogance, the kind of body that took Alexander as a tendency to try to hug Giovanni's thigh, almost never hidden.

But now the look on his face when he walked into the main hall changed from gloomy to momentarily flattering, and then to gloomy again so quickly that it was easy to wonder if he had learned the clown in the circus.

The reason for so many changes was that he heard about the bishop's name after bowing to the bishop next to Alexander.

Tony Rovere, although he had already known from his master that the bishop of Montina was from the Rovere family, but now that he saw the bishop and Alexander together, all kinds of speculations immediately appeared in the messenger's heart.

"My lord, I have come to deliver a message to you on the orders of my master." The chamberlain was careful to speak, his eyes quietly looking down at the bishop of the Rovere family, and despite knowing that it was impossible to find anything, he tried to see something in the bishop's face.

As for what happened after seeing it, this servant himself didn't know.

The letter was written by Giovanni himself, and when he opened it and looked at it a few times, Alexander couldn't help but shake his head in his heart.

When the Battle of Oral began, Giovanni's failure to quickly support the Milanese and Alexander was obviously unconcealable, and because of this, when Cargino finally joined Giovanni, there was no joy of victory between them, on the contrary, the indifference and mutual suspicion of both sides were even a little too lazy to hide.

Cargino's distrust of Giovanni was evident from the fact that his army was placed less than 1 franca away from the Papal Army, but it was kept at a distance, and what they did not expect was that Pittiliuno took advantage of this seemingly not wide gap to suddenly launch an unexpected attack on the coalition forces.

Pittiliuno was a very cautious man, as can be seen from his decision against the French at the Battle of Fornovo, and even after gaining a large advantage, Pittiliuno did not let the French attack much, but immediately ordered the withdrawal of the army because of the loss of the army.

So no one expected that the Venetians would suddenly make such a bold decision, so that when the coalition discovered that a Venetian army had actually penetrated the gap between the Papal army and the Genoese, and then quickly occupied a small town behind the Papal army leading to the Chimone mountain road, Giovanni was stunned to realize that he seemed to be in danger of being cut off by the enemy.

It all changed so quickly that Giovanni hadn't even woken up from his jealousy of the battle of Oral, and while Calgino was still reminiscing about the triumph he had had in front of Giovanni, the tide of battle had taken a surprising turn for them.

For Giovanni, the pain of being cut off was much greater than the conjecture was lost.

This was due to the fact that he had tried to cut off the Venetians' retreat by dividing Pitiliuno's forces against the Genoese, and had left all his supplies in that town for the sake of a smooth march, and now he was about to taste the bitter consequences of his decision.

Having been robbed of almost all his supplies and cut off from his retreat back to Rome, Giovanni sensed danger while Calgino's army attacked Pitigino, but to the disappointment of the coalition forces, the Venetian chose to avoid the battle after his success.

Pitigilino allowed himself to hide in the city of Reyaro, and even Calgino deliberately sent out the baggage detachment of his army and dangled not far from Reyaro.

This made Cargino also a little annoyed, of course, he did not want to help Giovanni, but wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to take advantage of it again as he did in Oral, but it was clear that Pittiglino was much more cunning than his Milanese companions, and when he heard that his army had not only cut off Giovanni's retreat according to plan, but also accidentally intercepted almost all of his supplies, Pittiglino decisively gave the order to avoid any battle with the enemy

"My lord, my master is waiting for your help, and I wish I could tell you about the situation my master is facing."

The attendant said nervously, he looked at Alexander, who had been reading the letter silently, he was very anxious, he still remembered Giovanni's instructions to him before he came, when he heard Giovanni say that he would do whatever it took to get Alexander's help, the attendant vaguely guessed the meaning of his words.

However, this "all means" now seemed obviously not suitable for speaking in the presence of the bishop, so the chamberlain could only hope that Alexander would give him a chance to meet alone.

"Count, it seems that you are very busy now, so I will not bother you anymore," Master Tony was very interested, he took the initiative to stand up and take his leave, and when Alexander walked to the door with him, the bishop suddenly turned back and lowered his voice and said, "Earl, I know that you must be very loyal to my niece, but this does not prevent you from looking for another love, and I believe that Barendi will not be dissatisfied with you because of this, even if this love is not allowed by the doctrine, such as a bohemian woman, but I think Barondi can still accept it." So never forget that you are from the Rovelle family. ”

With that, the bishop said softly, "God forbid," and then turned to leave.

Looking at the back of that old man Tony, Alexander wanted to catch up with him and slap him a few times.

If the Rovelle family had said this to him a few months ago, Alexander would have been gratefully engaged to Barendi, and at the same time tried to keep Sophia even by some means, but now these words can only make Alexander feel that the people of the Rovelle family are really so realistic that they are not only jaw-dropping, but even a little annoying.

Back in the hall, Alexander saw the attendant pacing back and forth, and seeing the man hurrying up, Alexander waved his hand at him, motioning for him to follow him through the main hall to the two closed doors.

"I don't give you much time, for I have something very important to do here," Alexander said slowly, and seeing the anxious look on his squire's face, he continued, "If you can't give me a reason to convince me, I must first consider the safety of my territory, and I think you and your master are aware of the ambitions of Montina, the Visny, and as Count of Montina, my first duty is to protect this place from being violated." ”

"Yes, my lord, of course my master knows your responsibility, but ......"

The attendant replied first, then looked down the hallway, and though it was empty on both sides, he still hinted that the next topic was not suitable for a moment.

Alexander looked helplessly at his attendants, he almost knew what excuse this person was going to use to urge him to send troops next, thinking that in this era when the news should have been closed, this thing could spread everywhere so quickly, Alexander couldn't help but feel that some people were really idle.

Sure enough, as soon as the door was closed, the attendant barely had time to express his emotion at the amazing sight in the room, and he was eager to say, "My lord, as Miss Lucrezia's closest friend, don't you take it for granted that you help her brother, you are almost already a member of the Borgia family, and it has always been a tradition of the Borgia family to help their family." ”

Yes, it is also the tradition of the Borgia family to pit their own family, and they are also dedicated to pit sons-in-law.

Alexander wanted to say this, but the thought of Lucrezia's beautiful face and the intoxicating feeling of holding her made him swallow back the words that came to his lips.

Seeing that Alexander seemed to fall silent, the attendant was secretly happy in his heart, he knew that his words seemed to have touched the young earl, and while secretly sighing at Lucrezia's charm, the attendant felt that he had to strike while the iron was hot to move this fellow, who was obviously already charmed by Lucrezia.

"My lord, the Duke is a very good friend to you, and he will always be in the future, and he will definitely want to see your friendship get closer, and you need the Duke's help, don't you," the chamberlain carefully agitated, "I think you already know that His Majesty the Pope is looking for a new marriage for Miss Lucrezia, and he has sent Caesar to do this, and His Majesty seems to be very fond of Alfonso, Duke of Billyselly, and you must know that he is the son of Alfonso, the former king of Naples, So I think you also need support from the Borgia family. ”

Alexander looked at his attendant silently, and after a moment he suddenly nodded.

"Okay, the time I've given you is up, you can go get something to eat now, and then find a bed to rest, and then I'll have someone find you again."

The attendant was stunned, but bowed to the urge to continue, and only then did he have time to glance at the room.

Then he was almost stunned by the scene in front of him.

The room is large, or rather a large hall, with a vaulted dome that connects directly to the surrounding pillars, making the room look like a tall domed tower, with a slightly narrow and tall window between each column, and the sloping window sills make the windows look sharp like a landslide.

Originally, this typical ancient Norman style of architecture should have made the room look empty and lonely, but the crowded and tall bookshelves made the whole room seem to be full again.

In particular, the vivid ceiling paintings on the dome supported by stone pillars made the attendants look fascinated.

"Now I think you should understand why I consider the protection of my territory to be of the utmost importance," Alexander and his chamberlain stood together and looked up at the paintings on the roof, "Do you know whose masterpiece this is?" ”

"I've heard of the masterpieces of Ugrino and Merry, which are nearly 200 years old," whispered the chamberlain, "and many people have said about these masterpieces in the Château de Montina, but now they seem to be ......."

The attendant couldn't help but sigh, and in the end, he could only use a word like "miracle" to describe the shock in his heart.

"A lot of people," Alexander smiled, he knew that there were many people who were worried about Montina, but now it seemed that he had been a little "overly optimistic".

When Alexander was alone in the room, he slowly climbed up a wooden ladder up a bookshelf against the wall, and when he found what he was looking for from the bookshelf on the top floor, the door on the other side of the room was pushed in, and Oflair walked in.

"My lord, I've brought the guy you're looking for," Ofleiyi looked around the large room before noticing Alexander crawling up to the top of the bookshelf, "and I have something else to report to you." ”

"Wait a minute, let that Pomperney in first."

Alexander came down from the ladder, holding in his hand a large pile of dusty and tightly bound manuscripts, and when he saw the somewhat restless and slightly excited craftsman, Alexander put his things on the table and greeted the craftsman.

"I've heard that your father used to be the best builder, didn't he?"

"Why does everybody only ask about my father," Pomperney muttered discontentedly, "and everyone who hears that my surname is Pomperney asks 'Who are you old Pomperney?' ”

"Then you'll have to prove for yourself that you're no worse than your father," Alexander smiled and beckoned, "Come and see this." ”

As he spoke, he picked up a large drawing from the table next to the pile of papers he had just moved, which was already a little old and had to be opened with caution.

A huge diagram of the castle appeared in front of the two of them.

Alexander glanced at Pomperney and asked, "Know this?" ”

"Of course," said Pomperney, with a hint of pride on his face, "this is the work of a great master whom my father had known at the time, and who had named my father to be the overseer of his castle. ”

Alexander nodded, and then he looked down at the drawings and fell silent, and the room fell silent.

Pomperney looked back at Ofleiuil, a little inexplicably, only to see the young soldier holding up his hand to him to signal him not to make a sound, so he could only wait with trepidation.

"Tell me, if I were to build such a castle, would you think you could be a builder like your father?" Alexander suddenly broke the silence and asked.

Pomperney's mouth grew instantly, and he looked at Alexander and then at Oflair, then hurried to the table, breathing heavily, staring at the drawings on it.

Then he raised his head and slowly shook his head with a disappointed face,

"My lord, no one can build such a castle, my father had this dream, but this is simply crazy, even the Pope can't afford to build such a castle."

Pomperney's words made Ofleiil, who was still a little excited just now, also deflated, although he was not very old, he was already a veteran who came out of Agri with Alexander, he knew that although his lord had become an earl, he was not very rich, or simply a poor bastard, otherwise he would not have sold his reputation for 5,000 florins.

"Yes, such a castle can't even be built by the Pope," Alexander nodded, "but what I'm saying is that if you are asked to be the overseer, will you be up to it?" ”

Pomperney was stunned for a moment, and then it seemed that it was not his business to think that it would be possible to build it.

"Of course!" Pomperney puffed up his chest proudly, "I'm Pomperney, not only my father deserves this surname." ”

Alexander nodded, glanced at Ofleiyi behind him, and looked down at the map.

Offrey beckoned to a somewhat bewildered Pomperney and motioned for him to follow him, and when he was out of the room, Offrey said, "It looks like you're going to have an errand soon." ”

"Is the Count really going to build such a castle?" Pomperny still asked suspiciously, "Do you know how much it costs to build such a castle, and if it is really to be built, then almost the entire castle of Montina will have to be demolished, and the previous foundation and scale are simply not enough." ”

"Tell me about it," Ofleiyi shrugged, "I've seen that picture, and I think it's pretty good, but it's crazy enough, and the number of bastions that protrude out of the castle alone is terrifying, after all, if you take into account the squeezing and inclination of the masonry of the city walls, the whole castle must be much larger than it is now." ”

"Oh, that sounds like that, why do you know how to do it?" Pompany first asked with a little interest, and then stared at the young soldier in front of him vigilantly, "Or maybe you deliberately learned these things because of my daughter to please me, and tell you that when you are a soldier, I will not marry my daughter to a soldier, I don't want her to be a widow early." ”

Offrey looked at the squeaky father helplessly, he wanted to explain that he had been a stonemason, but he was afraid that the craftsman would immediately persuade him to continue to work as a stonemason so that he could marry his daughter.

After seeing off Pomperney, Ofleiil returned to the room known as the 'Dome Room', and looked at Alexander, who was always staring at the drawings on the table, and Ofleiil walked over and asked carefully:

"My lord, can I say something?"

Alexander looked up at Ofleiil a little unexpectedly, and after a little thought, he understood what he meant, and then asked with a smile:

"Do you think I'm crazy to build such a castle without any effort on my own?"

"Of course not an adult," Oflair's face flushed a little as he was poked out of his mind, "I know you must have an idea, but it's too difficult to build a castle like this." ”

"It's really hard."

Alexander said as he gave a gentle push, and the originally curly drawings slowly closed together.

"You already know, Giovanni sent someone."

Hearing Alexander's inquiry, Ofleiyi immediately walked over to the table and rummaged through the messy pile of maps, only to find a map that seemed to be barely able to distinguish the nearby terrain.

"Pitiliano has taken possession of the Chimone mountain road," Alexander crossed his arms as he walked, holding a quill and brushing it lightly on his lips, "but I was a little surprised that he was so active. ”

"Are we going to send troops? Going to Chimone? Ofleuil looked at Alexander, then looked down at the map, "If we send troops from Montina, it may not take us more than two days to reach the Chimone Mountains." ”

Alexander paused and said, "Go and call Caro, he was a mercenary, and I would like to know how much food a mercenary usually carries with him." ”

"I know this adult, no more than 2 days at most 4 days, after all, the weather is getting hotter and hotter now, not only inconvenient but also bad." Oflaiyi said with a smile.

"So, dear Giovanni, you'll need to hold on for a few more days."

Alexander first silently set a schedule for his brother-in-law to set a Hunger Games, and then he remembered to ask, "What were you going to tell me just now?" ”

"My lord, I saw something interesting," Ofleiyi suddenly became excited, "I saw a girl singing, and it was strange that she was actually accompanying the steps and movements of our Agri phalanx, which was quite interesting to say, but I thought it might be ...... if our soldiers could sing and train with her."

"That would be in tune, and you wouldn't even need to listen to the officer's orders, you could do all the action just by listening to the music, right?"

Alexander's eyes lit up, he looked at Oflaiyi's equally excited face, and then suddenly asked, "Tell me, isn't that girl very beautiful?" ”

Oflaiyi's face froze for a moment, and he was stunned for a moment before he nodded a little embarrassedly.

"I knew it was so," Alexander muttered under his breath, "it's the same in any era, and it's all about looking at your face that matters." ”