On this side, the Norman kingdom took advantage of the civil war in the Holy Roman Empire to force troops with strong words. Occupied Pomerania. The power of faith in this age is even stronger than Egil imagined. At the same time, the title of Holy Roman Emperor was worth more than Egil had imagined - of course, Egil preferred to believe that it was the work of the saber that hung around their necks. The remaining Pomeranian nobles quickly accepted reality. They expressed their willingness to accept the rule of the Norman kingdom. The Scandinavian garrison led by General Anderson was officially renamed the Pomeranian garrison. Sail south to Stettin to establish Norman rule over Pomerania.

At the same time, the Tadelan Peninsula, which had been in turmoil until then, was silent after hearing the orders of the Norman kingdom. Even in the heyday of the Danish kingdom, they could not defend themselves against intrusion from the north, let alone the current situation. Many of the nobles immediately pledged their allegiance to Egil. Existed as a vassal of the Norman kingdom.

In fact, the entire peninsula has been almost destroyed in the previous melee. Aarhus, the original capital of Denmark, is now in ruins. People fled as much as they could. Even many nobles couldn't stand this kind of life, and ran away with their servants to other places to become mercenaries, a promising profession. The whole Teland Peninsula is such a large place. Whether or not there will be 10,000 people is a question of whether it will be able to do so. If it weren't for Egil's desire to use this as a springboard to attack North Germany, he really didn't want to care about the Teland Peninsula. This is also the reason why Egil did not send garrisons, administrative officers, and development there. Because it's not worth it.

That's it.

And when the Norman kingdom attacked Saxony very suddenly, Pope Innocent III almost vomited blood after receiving the news - the Norman kingdom was involved in another war. Then the last and only support army of the Papal States will be gone. Although Saxony suffered from the enemy, in the eyes of Innocent III, it was completely fine to hold on for a few more years. A few years, enough time for the Eastern Romans to put the Papal States on the wheel several times!

"Sure enough, it's not at all reliable! None of the bastards are !!reliable," Innocent III, when he heard the news, was furious in the Vatican's papal hall, his face was red, his neck was thick, and his blood was surging, and he lifted the huge, priceless porcelain vase next to him and smashed it directly to the ground. Let the bishops next to them look at it and it hurts a heart—such a large, beautiful porcelain vase. Even in the East, it is rare. In the West, it is even more valuable. I didn't expect Innocent III to fall like this. It's a terrible thing.

"Damn...... It's disgusting...... Tell me what you should do! The Holy See is going to be finished, it's going to be finished! I'm going to be hanged on the head !!of Rome, and you can't run away."

The circle of cardinals standing below all turned their faces, not daring to look at the Pope's holy see, which was like a ferocious beast. Finally, Robert, the leader of the mercenaries from Switzerland, stepped out, bowed respectfully to the Holy Seat of the Pope, and then waited until Innocent III sat back on his throne, and waved his hand weakly, signaling that he could speak. Robert saluted again. After that, he spoke.

Robert, a Swiss man in his forties, with an angular face and short brown hair, has been like most Swiss since the age of fourteen, picking up a spear and going out with the team to cook mercenary food. After thirty years as a mercenary, Robert traveled to all parts of Europe, France, the Holy Roman Empire, Northern Italy, Poland, Iberia, Eastern Rome...... In the end, with his own experience and talent, he won over a group of fellow villagers who were also from Switzerland. A mercenary group of several hundred people was formed. Everyone worked together, fought together, and made money together to support their families...... With the unique tenacity, unity, and excellent credit of the mountain people, he has made a name for himself in this industry. Favored by the Holy See of the Pope. Hired and called it the Swiss Guard. Take charge of all mercenary forces in the Papal States.

Robert has become famous so far, and he has a noble title, a territory, and money. The Swiss naturally knows how this came about. During his years as commander of the Swiss Guards, he was conscientious and loyal. In short, whatever the Pope says is what it is. It's okay to kill yourself. Because of this, he sat in this position for several years. The fight against the Eastern Romans was not uncommon. Both sides have won and lost each other. Robert was also famous, becoming a prominent figure in the Apennine Peninsula and the Papal States.

"Holy See, in fact I think that even if no reinforcements arrive at a short time, we will be able to withstand the attack of the Eastern Romans on our own. As soon as he said this, the other cardinals began to whisper. Most of these guys were frightened by the Eastern Romans. Some even argue that the Eastern Romans should not have fought at all without more than ten times the number of troops.

"Holy See, please. Today, there are 5,000 valiant soldiers from Switzerland and about 5,000 soldiers hired from northern Italy. and the ten thousand soldiers conscripted in the Papal States themselves. These warriors were all well-armored and well-equipped. Can fight. At the same time, Genoa and Venice could also arm an army of 20,000 to 30,000. That adds up, and we have about 50,000 soldiers. If this army is concentrated, then ......"

"Who's going to be in command of the gathering?!!" Robert's words were quickly interrupted by a bishop. Immediately afterward, a mocking laugh erupted in the papal chamber.

Clergy, look down on these mercenaries.

Robert lowered his head and said no more. And this behavior is also considered by the bishops to be subdued. The ridicule grew louder.

"If—"

At this time, the voice of Innocent III came. Immediately afterward, there was silence in the Papal Chamber.

"If, you become the commander of this army. Do you have the confidence to drive the Eastern Romans away?" asked Innocent III.

However, before Robert could be pleased, the whole papal hall was boiling for a moment, and all the clergy, regardless of rank, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, etc., were all excited at once.

"- Holy See!"

"How can such an important task be entrusted to a Swiss?!"

"He's just a mercenary nouveau riche!"

"He can't be trusted!"

Seeing the excitement of the crowd, Innocent III sighed silently: "Then, this matter will end here." Then send an emissary to mediate between the Holy Roman Empire and the Norman kingdom. Hopefully, hopefully it will work. ”

After saying this, the entire papal hall fell silent again. Seeing this group of priests who were watching their noses and noses, not knowing what was going on in their hearts, Innocent III's hands trembled. I couldn't stay any longer, so I just turned around and left.

Seeing the Pope leave, the bishops dispersed in twos and threes. But I don't know which country's secret envoy I want to discuss and betray the country. The whole Papal States was in the pre-Doomsday scene. The trees fell and scattered, and when the catastrophe came, they flew separately...... Seeing this, Robert, the leader of the mercenaries, sighed softly, but he also began to think about whether he should leave here with his brothers and find another employer to work for.

"However, there are ......still six months left in the employment contract with the Papal States," Robert thought of this, and sighed again: "Then wait another six months." This can be regarded as the fulfillment of benevolence and righteousness......"

Just as he was thinking this, and was about to leave here and go home, he heard a voice: "Go to the secretary's office, the Holy See is waiting for you." ”

Robert was taken aback, but he didn't know who came to him so silently, and the vigilance he had cultivated over the years as a mercenary was completely useless at this moment. Robert quickly grasped the hilt of his sword, and with a glance, he fixed his eyes on a plain-looking priest dressed in a black priest's robe.

The priest smiled and nodded at Robert, proving that he had indeed stopped him.

Robert was about to ask, but realized that there were so many people around him that it was not the place to speak. So he closed his mouth, nodded to the priest as well, and followed him. I walked in the direction of the secretary's office.

Robert thought as he walked: "Could it be that the Holy See has changed its mind? Yes, the state that was not sustainable just now, now it must be discussed with me alone in a place where there are few people." It must be so, yes. So, can the plan I envisage be carried out?" imagine yourself as a mercenary, commanding an army of 50,000 to fight against heretics and defend the Holy Land of Christ. Such a feat will surely go down in history forever. Thinking of this, Robert not only became enthusiastic.

However, there was a slight surprise at this time—after walking to an inaccessible corner, the black-clad priest suddenly stopped, and then turned around.

"What's wrong? It's not good to keep the Holy See waiting too long—" Robert asked curiously.

However, at this moment, a crossbow arrow with a faint blue light "flickered" and shot at his throat. It happened so suddenly, and the mercenary leader had no idea that he would be assassinated in such a place. Caught off guard, he could only tilt his head to the side, but there was still a bloody mark on his neck.

After that, Robert was about to draw his sword to fight back, but when he felt a wave of paralysis all over his body, he couldn't move at all...... "I'm sorry, big hero." The priest, or rather, the Assassin, who had come with him, grinned and withdrew his Hidden Arrow, before drawing his dagger. Slashed Robert's throat......

(To be continued)