The sun isn't so hot anymore.

In particular, hiding under the pergola erected and being blown by the wind makes you want to close your eyes and sleep for a while.

Listening to the slight and well-proportioned wheezing of the man beside him, Alexander moved his head slightly, allowing himself to lean more comfortably on the cushion behind him.

"Shell is a good follower."

Suddenly, when Alexander looked down, she picked up the cup on the plate next to her and took a sip of the cool ice water in it, and then looked at him with interest.

"Tell me, does he often prepare these things for you and your lover's trysts, otherwise how could he be so considerate?"

No matter how you answer this question, it is not a point but a life, and Alexander Miao's choice refuses to answer.

He just pulled the supple hair on top of her head like a woodpecker, and then took her around and looked at the arena in front of her, which had been shrouded in a rose-colored color by the setting sun.

"I never thought I'd be ...... in an arena one day," Josha said, moving and looking at Alexander with a little annoyance, "If Mom knew about us, she would faint." ”

"Believe me, the Count will help us find the most suitable excuse, just as it was given to her in the first place."

The corners of her eyebrows twitched, and she sat up to face Alexander.

Alexander, instantly captivated by the majestic view in front of him that was more majestic than the arena, looked at his sister, who was staring at him closely.

"Tell me, Alexandre Juliant Cambrai, who are you?"

Josha asked softly in a dream-like voice, a tone that reminded Alexander of the legendary Kraken who seduced the travelers and eventually pulled them into the depths of the ocean.

"Who do you think I am?" Alexander asked softly, too.

"I think about it," she put a finger to her lips as if she was considering, and looked at Alexander as if confused, and after a moment she suddenly let out a chuckle, "You are my brother, and you will be the father of my children, but I think you will never let anyone know about your relationship, just like now, I know you will never tell me who you really are." ”

Listening to Josha's words, Alexander let out a soft sigh, he was really a little annoyed now why fate arranged them as "brother and sister", otherwise he swore that even if she was married, he would do anything to take the girl in front of him.

It's just that as Jisha said, the two of them can never be together publicly, even if everyone already knows, they can only maintain that brother-sister relationship that seems to be broken at the first poke.

"I'm going north."

Alexander suddenly said to Josha, seeing that his sister instantly became short of breath, he stretched out his hand and gently touched Kosha's forehead.

"What are you worried about?"

"You know," Josa stared at Alexander's face, and from his expression confirmed her guess, "you want me to stay in Andalusia, don't you?" ”

"You know it's a must."

Alexander was a little helpless, and sometimes it didn't seem like a good thing to have an overly smart sister.

"Do you want to go to Valaridot on your own?" Shosha stared

"Of course not, you know there's also Shell and my chasseurs......"

"You still want to leave me here alone." Ji Sha said coldly.

Alexander sighed, knowing that it would be difficult to convince Jossa that he would have to do it.

"You know if you insist on going north with me, war is inevitable, but that's the last thing I want."

Ji Sha's beautiful white forehead was slightly raised, and a big wrinkle formed between her eyebrows, but then she relaxed again, but her expression became more serious.

"Of course I know what you're worried about, but that's not a reason to take the risk, and do you think Ferdinand will let go of this opportunity easily, he will do everything he can to get rid of you."

"So I'm not going straight to Vallaridus," Alexander explained with a smile to Josha, "I'll go to Toledo first, I think the noble elders must be in a hurry right now." ”

Alexander's words made Jossa think for herself, and she knew that although Alexander seemed to be doing risky things many times, he actually made his decision with great certainty.

That sounds like that now.

For the noble elders of Toledo, it was evident from the time of Isabella that the reduction of power against them had made them less and less influential.

The relocation of the capital to Valliedud made Toledo fall from the capital of the kingdom to its current embarrassing position.

All these signs are evidence that the royal family is trying to get rid of the influence of the elders altogether.

Of course, this is something that the noble elders do not want to see, so if someone is willing to side with them at this time, they will definitely spare no effort to support it.

Doing so alone seems to be contrary to Alexander's ultimate purpose.

After all, in terms of the unity of royal power, Alexander and Isabella were no different.

"I think I can give those elders a price that is satisfactory enough for them to be willing to side with me."

Alexander knew what Josha was worried about, of course, but he didn't think it was all that difficult to solve.

From the beginning, he had already figured out how to solve the problems he was facing.

In fact, this is also a problem that the Spanish royal family has been facing since then.

Unlike other European countries, which rapidly developed monarchy over the next century, Spain, even at its strongest, was hampered by the sheer power of the local aristocracy.

In addition, the Spaniards apparently did not know how to make proper use of the astonishing wealth they had received from the New World.

Or perhaps it was because the wealth came so easily that the Spanish royal family had been squandering it at will, unaware of the consequences it had planted for themselves in the future.

Alexander was determined to change all that.

The ruthless squander of great wealth is intolerable at all times and must be changed.

The historical Spanish royal family was mired in European wars because of its inexplicable relationship with the Habsburgs, and Alexander had already figured out how to get out of it in the future.

As for the aristocracy that had always held on to power, and had remained entrenched even in modern times, Alexander felt that perhaps he should find something to do for them.

Alexander was a firm believer that no one could be impressed, and of course there was a more direct saying that no one could be bought.

The only difference is that some can be directly marked with the price, while others have to add a layer of high-sounding packaging.

Just like Jisha, he finally used the unique way between brothers and sisters to communicate in simple terms, and finally got a satisfactory answer.

"You can go to Toledo, but only after I enter Córdoba."

This was the only condition that Josa could agree to him, and although he tried many times to do so, in the end, when night had gradually fallen, Alexander, who dragged his tired body out of the arena, failed to impress the Queen of Sicily again.

This led him to pin all his hopes on Tiego, and for the next few days he waited for a hearing back from Córdoba as he prepared to go north.

A few days later, Tiego finally returned, bringing not only Gonzalo's reply, but also his lieutenant.

Gonzalo de Córdoba was undoubtedly a man of honour.

He sternly rejected the persuasion of the Queen of Sicily, believing that it was an invasion and insult to Castile by the Sicilians, and although the Battle of Seville was lost, he would fight to the death against the invading enemy for Castile's sake.

It sounds like Thieg's errand has been screwed up.

But what happened next made Alexander wonder if the "Great Gonzalo" might not be as noble as the legend suggests.

Gonzalo's lieutenant brought a message from him.

"As a Castilian nobleman, I can only face any dispute involving the royal family, so I choose to prove my attitude with neutrality at this time."

This statement immediately attributed the Sicilian invasion to a royal war, and the implicit recognition of Alexander's claim to the throne completely exposed Gonzalo's attitude.

"I have not lost any money for this," Alexander said to Josa, "but it may not be a good solution to the problem if they can be redeemed from the Castilian nobles." ”

At Alexander's words, he was convinced.

This is not blind faith, but in the light of the miracles that Alexander has witnessed for several years.

It's just that she has some doubts about whether the Castilian nobles will be satisfied.

"Of course it's not just good," Alexander was not worried about Josha's doubts, "Grace and power are the way of kings, and any loyalty that is only gained by intimidation or bounty is unreliable." ”

Speaking of which, Alexander couldn't help but think of his diplomat, Machiavelli.

Speaking of which, Machiavelli did not disappoint him, although Machiavelli's performance in the eventual annexation of Florence was so ugly that his reputation was somewhat damaged, but in terms of results, everything was just right.

In this day and age, a monarch who is too benevolent and not notorious is often not considered a wise monarch, at least not a person to fear.

And it is impossible for a monarch to maintain his rule entirely on the basis of a good name.

"Sometimes ruthlessness is a necessary means of kingship, just as a knight can never expect to be able to overcome his enemies with leniency, and cruelty and sometimes treachery are more conducive to keeping the people and enemies in the necessary reverence for the monarch."

Unbeknownst to Alexander, after announcing his complete takeover of Florence, Machiavelli not only wrote these sentences in his manuscript, but also wrote them on the title page of his work: "With the utmost humility, I dedicate this humble work to my sovereign, His Royal Highness Alexandre Giulian de Cambrai, Duke of Rome Thea."

"So you've decided?"

Ji Sha finally asked helplessly.

Upon learning that Gonzalona had replied as if she were completely self-defeating, Jossa knew that she could not stop Alexander, so she immediately ordered her army to prepare for departure.

The Sicilians were already a little enamored by their short time in Seville, where they had almost everything a conqueror could get, whether it was wealth, wine or women, and Seville allowed the Sicilian army, which had just experienced a bloody battle, to quickly wash away the dust and indulge in it.

So when they heard that the queen had ordered the departure, many soldiers couldn't help but be full of resentment.

In the eyes of some, the expedition had already been won, and it was time to return triumphantly if it was to go.

But the queen ordered the army to continue northward, which made many soldiers dissatisfied.

After some severe punishment of the soldiers who provoked the trouble, the army finally regrouped.

This time, the Sicilians saw a different queen.

Instead of wearing armor, he wore a gorgeous and cumbersome court dress, and the delicate group dress even required two maids to support him so that he would not be contaminated with dust on the ground, which surprised the soldiers.

With the exception of a few, most of the soldiers were accustomed to their queen being like a goddess of war, and even in the minds of many, the Queen of Sicily should be in full armor and standing in front of the battle.

But now looking at the queen, who looked more noble and graceful than any noblewoman, the Sicilian soldiers could not help but be full of astonishment.

Standing on the parade platform, the sun-kissed blonde hair of the Tsusha is as dazzling as the luster of the jewel in the crown she uses to bind her hair, which is unforgettable

"Sicilian soldiers, I want to thank you here for your miracle," said Jossa to the soldiers standing below, "You have won the battle of Seville over the greatest general of Castile, captured the largest city in southern Castile, captured Andalusia, and let the Sicilian flag fly in a land far from the kingdom, you are my pride!" ”

"Banzai~~"

"Long live the Queen!"

"Long live Sicily!"

The shouts suddenly sounded in the square, and the soldiers, who were still a little anxious, shouted loudly, and some people shouted and looked proudly at the locals who were looking from afar.

At this moment, the Sicilian soldiers were extremely excited because of pride.

"But soldiers, while enjoying the spoils of war, I warn you that your enemies are not Castile nor the natives," said Jossa as he looked at the ugly group of Castilian nobles standing not far from the stage, "Your enemy is Ferdinand, and it is his army that is invading Sicily, and it is he who is trying to plot to overthrow my rule, and all this is only because I support my brother, the Duke of Rome, to take back what belongs to him." ”

As she spoke, she glanced at Alexander.

"I know that some of you question why we continue to participate in this war, so I tell you now, because Ferdinand was afraid that my brother would take back the crown of Castile, and that I would have my brother's support for it, so that I, also a member of the House of Astamara, would challenge for the throne of Aragon!"

There was a "buzz", and the instant roar instantly flooded the thousands of soldiers in the square like a tidal wave.

And the sound became louder and louder, and when the soldiers who had not heard what had happened heard the rumor that the queen had declared war on Aragon and was going to conquer Aragon, which had already changed their tone with word of mouth, the mood of the entire Sicilian army was like a moment when a red-hot iron block was put into ice water, and the mood was completely boiling.

"Soldiers, when I landed in Malaga with you, no one would have imagined that you would be able to bask in the sun in Seville comfortably," and seeing his own words caused a burst of laughter, Zhisa paused before continuing, "So what miracle will you do next, the fertile land of Aragon is what I desire, and the splendid silks of Valencia, the precision utensils of Barcelona, and the riches of Zaragoza are your trophies, so tell me that you want all this?!" ”

Jisha's last loud question rang out in the square, but then it was silenced by countless voices.

The roars of the waves drowned out everything, and the Sevillians in the distance could not help but be frightened by the madness of the Sicilian army.

A queen hungry for power and territory, with an army that is no less insane.

The people of Seville couldn't help but shudder.

"There's no turning back, brother."

When there were only two of them, Jisha snuggled up in Alexander's arms and looked out the window at the group of soldiers hurrying by, and said in a somewhat helpless tone.

"So you have to be careful for my sake, too, or we both might lose our lives."

Alexander's heart tightened with his words, and he knew that he was reminding him to be careful by tying her to himself completely.

After such a declaration, the last trace of reconciliation between Sicily and Aragon no longer exists.

The two of them are now truly one.

"When are you leaving?"

She tilted her head slightly to look at the face that was clinging to her slender neck, and resisted the urge to kiss it.

After all, it was by the window, and below it were the soldiers who were busy preparing.

"Soon." Alexander smiled, he was still waiting for someone.

"Oh, so let's try to hurry up, okay?"

Looking at the smiling appearance of Jisha, Alexander's heart couldn't help but jump.

"I've already thought about it," said Jossa as she pulled Alexander away from the window and toward the bedroom, "I have a lot of loot for this expedition, but the most important thing is for me, brother." ”

The Corocio de Rossigal Mountains are located in the Fassares Mountains, southwest of Toledo.

The mountain is also the highest peak in the Fasares Mountains, which straddle the south of Castile.

Although there is never any official statement, it is customary for the Fasares Mountains to divide Caslitia into north and south halves.

The mountains of Corocho de Rossigal are slightly to the north, and from the top of the hill you can look down over the entire plain of La Chaman, which leads to Toledo.

From Andalusia to the mountains of Corocho de Rossigal, there are several large rivers that cross the border, and the towns and castles along the way are obviously passes.

Alexander had already thought of this, so he was not prepared from the beginning to let the Sicilian army fight all the way north.

In that case, even if he wins, he will have to pay a huge price, not to mention that if he really beats Castile to pieces, he will be distressed at that time.

A small group of cavalry slowly walked along the mountain road, and Alexander measured their speed and ordered the hunters to rest in place.

When the sun was approaching overhead, the cavalry reached the top of the hill.

Looking at Gonzalo, who was a little out of breath, Alexander smiled slightly.

His companion on this trip, finally arrived.