As soon as the news of the naval battle of Sicily broke out, the hearts of the Byzantine people were shaken.

The Imperial weapon, Greek Fire, was redeveloped by the giants.

Some nobles who disobeyed the giants did not dare to provoke him lightly when they saw his monstrous prestige.

I can only continue to endure and let the giant recruit his own soldiers.

After this war, the regions of Rome, Sicily, and North Africa held by Chaisu formed a defensive vacuum.

His navy could only hold the open sea in two places, and in one place the sea power had to be retreated.

But Rome is the kingdom of God, Sicily is his homeland, and Tunisia is the richest.

Chai Su thought about it again and again, and no piece of meat was willing to cede it, so he also issued a national mobilization order.

All adult males in the Principality of Africa are to go to the front.

He also sent his troops from the west back to defend Tunisia.

North Africa is bordered by deserts and black lands.

A large wasteland, but it produces ivory, gold, ore, incense and other goods.

So Chaisu has been in business.

There were 2,000 of them.

Half of him was sent back to China.

The coastal zone is more populated, but there are frequent pirates, and there are nomadic tribes who believe in heresy.

Chai Su released 5,000 people here and took them all back.

Chaisu's retreat also affected the development of the Kingdom of Castile.

On the Iberian Peninsula, the most powerful power, the Kingdom of Castile, after the Reconquista, has taken control of sixty percent of the ancient "Spanish Empire" with legal titles and land.

The heretics on the peninsula have long been allied with the tribal regimes of North Africa.

Chaisu pulled the army back, freeing the tribes to attack the kingdom's port of Ceuta in North Africa, forcing Castille to defend North African territory in addition to sweeping the pagan kingdoms in the eastern part of the country.

The reconquista movement has been severely hampered.

On the other hand, although the giants are victorious, it will take time to transform the war advantage.

Most of the Chaisu navy was wiped out, thousands of people died in the sea, and the giants did not get much from it.

Plus the cost of developing Greek fire and expedition chaisu and pirates.

The giant even used his imperial regent status to order a reduction in the expenses of the Grand Palace and spend all the military money on himself, but there was still a gap in this way.

On the eighth day after the naval battle, the giant sent a letter to Chai Su for compensation, but after Chai Su occupied Rome, he believed in the sword of God and was unwilling to bow to the Orthodox guardians.

Unable to get the indemnity from Chaisu, the giants began to rob the western Mediterranean.

On the one hand, it used the army to storm the southern part of the peninsula.

Mobilize troops on both land and water.

The city of Rome was under a powerful onslaught.

The City of God is once again in chaos.

In the taverns of Rome, there were horrific rumors of Greek fire.

When the world is in turmoil, no one escapes from it.

Bran also received an order from the Purple Chamber.

Ashclay ordered the mobilization of the Italian peninsula, and the Teutonic Knights were ordered to march south along Florence to attack the territory loyal to Chaisu.

Bran, who received the military order, did not want to send troops.

I had just recovered from the United Front in Northern Italy, and the treasury was still very empty.

He immediately called all the important ministers.

The atmosphere at the meeting was solemn.

Although the people had never seen Ashklay, they knew his military might.

Bran gave Dursley a look, and as the head of the regiment, let him speak first.

Desley said, "Your Highness, if our regiment can produce a maximum of 2,000 or 3,000 people, we will have to eat more than 3,000 kilograms of wheat alone every day, not counting other wear and tear, and the maintenance of weapons ......."

The first paragraph is to shout poverty, and Bran also understands the difficulties of everyone.

That is, if the army does not attack the enemy, as long as it exceeds a month, Branguang will have a headache to pay the interest on the city's debts.

It's too expensive to go to war.

"Your Highness, you must not fight, the southern part of the peninsula is a heavy city, winning and consuming our side, and if you win, the army of the Purple Chamber will then take over these territories." Hilde spoke out against it.

"The situation seems chaotic at the moment, but there is still a possibility of maneuvering.

Franks considered themselves the successors of Rome and the largest power in the Bright World, and would never have watched Rome fall.

Chai Su would not let such a good ally go, so it is possible that Frank will send troops south. ”

Everyone had heard of Frank's army, but Bran understood that it was Hilde's reminder that Frank could take advantage of it whether he was going to war or not.

For example, if you lie about the military situation, the Franks will cross the Alps, or send a navy from Provence to attack the peninsula.

These words sounded reasonable, and the giant would not immediately doubt them.

Then Hilde said, My idea is to delay, two more months, and when our navy is finished, we have paid tribute to the silver carriage before, and raised funds for the Purple Room as an emperor's celebration, as well as the action of sweeping away Blackbeard's plan, which has already shown our country's determination to submit.

Now that His Royal Highness is still married to the nobles of the Purple Chamber, I think we can ask the Duke of Georgia to help us, and let him help to say to the giant, give us some more time, but don't send no people, if it does not exceed six hundred, raise funds for me to find a way.

On weekdays, Heard often doesn't say a word, just nods in agreement, but at the critical moment recently, he is always the first to stand up and give a partial solution, which improves a lot of prestige.

It is better to say more than to say, and it is better to say it well than to say it skillfully.

After Heard finished speaking, he finally added, "With the ability of your lords, our country will definitely resist this difficulty and prosper even more." ”

But Simon didn't appreciate this,

As soon as Heard finished speaking, Simon gave him a look, and his knights immediately spoke.

But the basic meaning of what he said was far from that of Hilde, it was all nonsense, and there were more words of flattery.

"How's the Greek fire check?"

Bran looked at Moru and Ichisu of the intelligence department.

Ichisus handed over the document, which depicted the smell of more Greek fire burning on the surface of the sea.

Judging from the data, Bran probably has tartar, sulfur, asphalt, oil, and so on.

The main ingredient in this thing, he guesses, is combustible oil.

Oil, also known as "black fire", is found in certain mountainous areas of Byzantium.

When Bran was developing guns and weapons, he inquired about the minerals of various countries and learned about the origin of black fire.

The meeting concluded that it was not yet possible to break with the giants.

After the meeting, Bran left Desley and Simon to give separate instructions.

"Dursley, if you let Blackbeard show his head and attack our port in Meath City, I will take this opportunity to tell the giant that the coastal defense is unstable and stall for time.

Simon, you immediately go south and tell the three of them, and ask them to persuade Chai Su to take command of the navy, and wait for my intelligence before taking action, and don't start a war with the giants again.

Two months ago, Uri, a trio of men, sent an emissary to the city of Meath.

When she saw the queen of Alain, she was shocked and immediately reported it to Ucci when she returned.

Ulki's interest in the princess of Alain is even stronger.

And Alain thought that Bran asked him to help meet the envoy, which was to make her a real hostess, so he also behaved magnificently in front of the envoy of Wuqi.

Make an impression.

A month earlier, Bran had asked the princess of Alain to follow her to the castle north of Rome to inspect the territory.

In fact, Wu Qi, who came to Rome to report on the affairs of Chaisu, could meet the princess of Alan in private.

After this meeting, Ugie was fascinated.

The temptation of profit and beauty, so that Ugie is finally in the hands of Bran.

Bran had no intention of giving Alain to anyone, he was a lord, a future Grand Duke of Venice, and even a higher being, and a woman with whom he had a relationship would obey his orders.

Whether they want it or not.

After instructing Simon and Desley, Bran went to Hield privately.

"How's the Rome intel going?"

"It's very bad, Yi'an is being snubbed now, Chai Su asked him to come forward to admit his command error, and also deprived him of his fiefdom, let him bear the anger, and it is difficult for the people I send now to meet."

"Don't break this line of Yi'an, I believe he won't do anything to cheat."

Bran added, "Hilde, you've impressed me over the past few years. ”

"Your Highness!" Hilde looked panicked and immediately got up.

"Sit down, whoever is useful to me, I will keep in mind. I'm going to give you a marriage, do you have a favorite candidate?"

"No, no, now I don't want to be these little things, and I wholeheartedly assist His Highness."

"Reproduction of bloodlines is very important for nobles, tell me, which noble girl does you fancy in the territory?"

Hilde almost said that the princess of Alain had come.

He looked up to see Bran's expression, and suddenly became alert.

There is no majesty at all.

It's completely different from the usual Bran.

A person's personality and temperament are not easy to change, and if they are completely different from before, there will be many deceptions.

"Your Highness...... I really have a crush on someone close to Her Highness, but I'm afraid I'm not worthy of her. ”

"Tell me about it."

Bran's face became more gentle, and he even called for the servant to bring a cup of tea to Hilde.

The two chatted like old friends.

After taking the tea, Hilde gulped it down, then opened his eyes and said, "Your Highness...... I think...... I want to marry Agatha!"

"I am not good-looking, and I know that many noble ladies secretly laugh at me for being short, but Agatha has never done this, she looks very good with my aesthetics, and she learns etiquette from Her Excellency Marlene, and she will definitely be able to educate my children well in the future, and even ......"

When Heard said that he was excited, he also stood up, and the voice depicted the picture of Agatha after marriage.

"Your ability is a hundred times better than those handsome knights, if you are able to judge beauty and ugliness, you are shining gold, those noble knights with flowery mouths, just scrap metal. Otherwise, when the war is over, I will take the princess of Alain. ”

Hilde immediately spoke up, "No, I just want to marry Agatha, I don't want anyone, ask Your Highness to reward me." ”

Hield lowered his head and stared at the ground, Bran couldn't see his current expression.

Hilde was scared, inexplicably afraid, he didn't know if Bran believed it or not.

"Get up, I remember your wishes, go down."

Hilde raised his head and opened his mouth, "I will try to fulfill His Highness's orders. ”

Hilde looks like she is in love with Agatha and is infatuated.

If Bran didn't know that he slept with Never's woman, he might have believed it.

Originally, Bran's idea was to give him a verbal promise to Alain to see his reaction, and also to make Hilde do his best in this contact with Rome.

After Hilde left, Bran saw that it was still early, so he went to the martial arts training ground and found a few shield-wielding samurai to practice with sparring partners.

In addition to these people, there are also archers around, who can attack themselves at any time by releasing cold arrows without arrows.

Bran practiced reflexes and guts.

Clang...... Rumble...... Touch!

Bran took the wooden sword and struck them on the heavy armor of these men, taking care to dodge the hidden weapon.

This training has been going on for half a year, in order to fuse the power of the alien beast in his body (the undead bird and the green dragon plus the power of the white dragon).

The advantage of the immortal bird is that Bran's current body can resist high temperatures, his eyesight is like that of an eagle, and he can grasp the target at high speed.

The function of the green dragon is that when his skin and flesh are injured, the blood will immediately coagulate, transferring nutrients from other parts of the body to the injured part, and repairing the wound exponentially.

The power of the white dragon is to enhance the balance of his physical fitness, as well as the spirit of a king.

But the power of the three beasts, sometimes too strong, his body will be restless.

It should be removed by various methods.

He changed three groups of people to practice, and he didn't stop for two hours, breaking seven wooden swords.

"You guys shoot me with arrows."

Bran saw that his swordsmanship was almost complete, and switched to dodging.

He asked nine soldiers who could shoot arrows to surround themselves in a triangle and aim them at themselves.

These arrows don't have arrows, but those who hit them can also be injured.

Bran dodged all over his body.

Three shoot, three prepare, three aim.

The three hits are almost seamless.

Of the thirty-six arrows in four rounds, Bran was shot in different parts by four arrows.

At this time, Carol also came over, and when she saw Bran practicing like this, she said, "Your Highness, is this to restrain that general?"

"Yes, I heard that Ashclay has a superhuman marksman by his side, and he has always protected him."

Few people dared to get close to the giant, and even sent a second arrow from a distance, because this person was there, as long as he saw it, he could immediately pull out an arrow, accurately find the enemy's position, and shoot the person in the shadows.

The first bow in the East China Sea is more of a compliment to the power of the giants, but the warrior in Carol's mouth is terrifying.

When Bran was in the Templar Order, he had heard of the warrior's martial name.

The famous masters around the giants, he has to investigate.

"Your Highness, the last time I heard about Takeshi Mikawa?"

"The power of human flesh and blood can shatter the iron armor with one punch, it is absolutely impossible, it is just a rumor in the market."

Bran continued to practice dodging.

......

Port of Venice.

The waves crashed against the rocks, and the big ship slowly sailed into the harbor.

The sea breeze blows lightly, and the fish under the hull of the ship disappear from time to time.

The sky was blue.

The Giant King's Banner enters the harbor.

Aschucle first returned to this port for repairs, and he used the island of Venice as the headquarters of the navy and issued orders.

He was accompanied by a team of heavily armored samurai to protect him and his son.

One of these warriors was dressed differently, and the heavy armor was hollow, as he needed to keep his body light as he drew his bow and fired arrows.

His body structure is odd.

The hair on his whole body was white, like albinism in later generations.

Even the pupils are white.

The arms are extremely long, longer than the knees when hung down.

The legs are extremely thick, supporting the thin body, like a hard tree, but the flowers and plants on the upper body are withered.

He had no ears, but his eyes were bright, and he could see the white light even in the night.

There are many people who want to assassinate giants.

Especially Venice after he had cleansed.

Some seemingly loyal and honest peasants may be fanatical ascetics who want to assassinate giants.

The giant was followed by the ships of the Three Rivers into the harbor for supplies.

Edwina. Billund set foot in Venice for the first time.

This long-standing place made him feel that it was better to meet than to be famous.

The port was occupied by a large number of warships, and there were not as many exotic merchants as legend has it to do business.

Quark wasn't as disappointed as Edwin was, and the place was more prosperous than Trois-Rivières, and he was as excited as a child.

Just as their ship had just docked, and before they could get off the port, there was a sudden commotion in the port!

The giant, who had just disembarked, was suddenly assassinated by the onlookers in the harbor.

The sound of the trumpet sounded, and the black-armored warriors formed a phalanx of iron buckets to guard the giants.

But on the tower in the distance, the archer, who had been in ambush for a long time, pulled his longbow and aimed it at the giant below.

The arrow was sent out and was picked up by a samurai instead of hitting the mid-ranger.

One of the black-armored warriors set his gaze on the falling arrow.

Move with your heart. The stiff bow hanging behind him was pushed by his hand and bounced above his head.

As he fell, he took out two arrows in his left hand and held them tightly, and in his right hand he held the drawn strong bow.

The bowstring was full in an instant.

With a thud, a full-stringed arrow was struck.

He fired the arrow with his index and middle fingers, which pierced the tower but missed.

But his little finger and ring finger caught the second arrow and didn't fire.

After a pause of three seconds, when he saw the man hiding the tower appear, the second arrow in his hand instantly exploded.

Kill one stone through the head!

The man in the tower, his brains scattered.

The archer didn't look at it, but pulled his hand back, pulled out three more bows and arrows, and hung them on the strings.

Shoot while walking.

Wear two people in a row.

Then he pulled an arrow on the bow.

I want to send it.

Finally take the arrow back.

The tips of his arrows are made of Uzi steel.

Sharp and terrible.

He then ordered his soldiers to retrieve the arrows.

Edvenna, who witnessed all this, swallowed.

All along, he was skeptical of the rumors of the sharpshooter.

I didn't expect it to be so powerful, if only I could use it for myself, and share my allegiance with Qu Ke, one in close combat, and one in long-range attack.

Isn't that invincible in the world!

The archer then came up to the giant and bowed his head.

"Your Majesty, the danger has been cleared."

"Well done, Karemi."

Karemi. Habsburg.

The full name of this sharpshooter.

A small aristocratic family in a valley in Austria was named Habsburg.

The fort was part of the Byzantine sphere of influence.

The religion here is devout and reveres the Orthodox lords.

Karemi's hands are above his knees, and he looks like an ape.

Because of the color of his skin, he is called the "white ape".

God takes one of man's organs, and He will compensate him accordingly.

The white ape has no ears since he was a child, and he has never heard any kind of sound in the world.

But his eyes react ten times faster when he sees objects transmitted back to the center of his brain.

The response was amazing!

The long hands that were over the knee allowed him to pull up a long bow, and the hard arms and legs were deliberately practiced by him.

In the past ten years, the bow has been drawn more than 100 times a day.

Even when sleeping, the fingers are moving, simulating the feeling of holding an arrow.

Today, his archery has reached a level that no one has ever done before.

He once said to people, "If you give me a bow, an arrow, and anything fast, I can shoot it down." ”

The real first bow in the East China Sea!