In the deep, dark mountains, King Innos IV listened to his subordinates' reports while chewing on stiff dried fish. He was dressed in an extremely luxurious black and red robe.
Many ordinary people praise him as "the Lord's saint on earth," or even as "the incarnation of the Lord."
"How is Webb Jan Draghimir doing?"
"They've led 10,000 Imperial troops and should already be at the city gates, right? As long as we capture Qiwell, we can establish a cooperative relationship with the High Elf lord 'Mathis.' The prerequisite is that we take Qiwell."
“Once the Empire’s ports are blockaded, Joanna Rivers’ entire Earldom will become our camp.”
Innocent IV, the leader of the Eastern Expedition, was himself a poor man; it is said that before the outbreak of the civil war, he was just a middle-aged worker in a brewery.
Suddenly, a sense of "divinity" awakened within him, and he became, and was regarded as, "a symbol of the Lord."
He peddled the clergy, claiming that half of the world's holy clergy should be purged, including the Pope Benedict IV of the Bathotok Empire.
Such a statement resonated with and fueled the hopes of the "poor" members of the Eastern Expedition.
They also claimed that all the dead would be resurrected two years later.
He will then lead them into the sanctuary to be baptized, to receive the baptism and sacraments of heaven, and to celebrate the world's largest holy mass.
It must be admitted that the false pope Innos IV was a terrible figure.
But even the most meticulous plans can have oversights.
The war situation in the Canaanite territory was soon laid out on his desk, and the false pope Innocent IV and the shepherds of the heretical Eastern Expeditionist sect looked at the letter in bewilderment.
"How could we have been defeated?!"
"They were attacked by high-level spellcasters in Canaan, and their left flank of three thousand troops collapsed on the spot?"
"The warlord and high priest, Isaiah Ithan, has been arrested?"
"Is Webb Jan Draghimir still holding on?"
Low murmurs drifted through the forests of the mountains, campfires burned outside the huge pit, and countless imperial soldiers were resting in the mountains.
"Webo Jan Dragimiir actually lost? Isn't he a veteran of the Empire?"
"They didn't even get to see what Qiweier City looked like before they were stopped outside their territory by the Canaan lord... that guy named Su Yue?"
At this moment, the name Su Yue appeared in the minds of many shepherd heretics.
"Your Holiness, what should we do next?"
Webo Jan Dragimier's defeat means that their deal with the High Elf "Mathis" territory will likely be postponed indefinitely.
The deal involved the High Elves dispatching their elven naval forces and ships to blockade and suppress the territory of Earl Rivers in the Empire, thereby controlling the naval power of the Bathor Empire and influencing and radiating influence over surrounding territories. However, before this blockade could be completed, General Webb, who had been dispatched, was defeated!
"We also encountered a 'meteor shower' from a high-level spellcaster."
Weber's defeat did not have a significant impact on Innocent IV or the papal army of heretics, to which the Pope stated:
"This is just a small flaw in a perfect plan. Even if Count Rivers of the Empire loses control of the war, it will not affect our breakthrough into the Empire's capital and capture the Holy See's enemy, Gidu. Moreover, the war is always a battle with both sides winning and losing."
He immediately ordered Webb to retreat, and along with the main rebel force of the Bruj Guild, to encircle Count Joanna and the remaining troops of the deceased Count Bartogal Rivers. Pope Innocent IV stated bluntly: "We need to stain the entire territory of the Empire red... This is a war in which 'the illustrious' shed their blood, and also a sacred war for the transfer of divine authority."
His words fell with the holy light of the Gospel and Heaven.
A vast expanse of pure white holy light.
A sharp, platinum-like portal was formed, and one by one, archangels were recruited by Innos Forty and the bishop to join the battlefield, in response to him.
This means that their reserves of gold, resources, mithril, etc., are decreasing on a large scale—Heaven also needs to wage war against evil and needs the support of resources.
They have always let conflicts and wars among the mortal churches develop unchecked, acting as mercenaries in these conflicts, and even allowing the holy lords of the mortal world to recruit archangels from heaven.
"Angel!!"
"It is the Holy Church that has recognized our legitimacy..."
"The shepherd will dispel some of the confusion and lead the Bathor Empire back on track. We will undoubtedly win this civil war."
...
...
Inside a mule cart, a beautiful blonde woman dressed in intricate patterns, accompanied by her servants, gazed at the chaotic scene of war in the distance, feeling a wave of despair…
“Miss…the entire Rivers County, as well as the central ‘Kavlwit Castle,’ has been occupied by the imperial rebels who launched the heretical eastward expedition!”
"Where is Viscount Elta?!"
"Defeated, he was hanged."
"Uncle Jungar..."
"Their troops have also been scattered. Now, if we go back to take over the troops and army in the territory, we're likely facing a nine-out-of-ten chance of death..."
At that moment, not far from Joanna Rivers, scouts brought news: "The Imperial rebels have attacked us. Countess Joanna, please leave this place immediately."
She has just gathered nearly two thousand remnants of the Bartoh army!
They've already been besieged and attacked?
"Run! Mix in with the poor!"
The loyal knight knelt on one knee, making a gesture as if to kiss Joanna's hand from a distance... Not far away, on a large keel ship (Tier 5), sailors and crew roared angrily: "You damned, despicable scum, if you want to board the ship for refuge, immediately hand over 5 Imperial Marks, or no one will be allowed in, you damned rats!"
Joanna was forced to squeeze into the crowd, trying to board the ship, but there were too many refugees trying to escape. Many people were thrown overboard by the guards of the private merchant ship who were enforcing the law because they were short of money.
Many people were seriously injured on the spot.
Many others tried to climb onto the deck of the keel ship, some clinging to the gunwales and wooden poles, their expressions filled with utter despair...
"Get out of the way! Get out of the way! I'm a nobleman! You damned peasants, get out of my way!"
"Ahhh!! Murder!"
A poor man, who had been hiding in the queue at some point, drew his knife and stabbed the nobleman who had cut in line to death, causing a commotion at the scene!
"The army of heretical shepherds will arrive soon. Once they arrive, they will take all the beautiful women away and rape them, plunder all the wealth into their hands, and then turn you into laborers, exploiting your labor power!!"
"Five Imperial Marks, that's money to buy your life!! That's already a bargain!"
"Damn it, let me up..."
...
Joanna watched as flames soared into the sky behind her, the heretics about to arrive, the steam whirring of the keelship filling her ears, yet they were still incredibly far from their destination!
"Miss, this is a problem. We need to board the ship as soon as possible. If we miss this boat, they might abandon us..."
Joanna's blonde hair was now in clumps, soaked with sweat, and the stench of sweat emanated from the crowded surroundings... Normally, a noble lady like her would never appear in such a setting.
He must have appeared at the ball in an evening gown, with elegant and charming manners, dancing joyfully, or chatting about "high-class" topics of lordly development and noble pleasures... But his father suddenly died, and Kavlwit Castle was attacked.
The environment of the Bathorian Empire changed from calm to turbulent, bloody civil war.
This forced her to return to her territory, where she was studying in the empire.
Join the battle!
—She is the only daughter of Count Bartogol Rivers…
"Ah, let me up!"
"This is terrible, this game is so damn realistic, I don't want to be wiped out by the Empire..."
The commoners, dressed in ramie clothes, frantically pushed and shoved their way up, but the caravan's keel-hulled ships were already billowing thick black coal smoke, ready to set sail.
"Damn it, damn it, I haven't boarded the ship yet..."
A young man fell into the water with a cry of pain, followed by an even bigger commotion as three or four people wrestled and fell into the harbor's river... Like dumplings being dropped into a pot, the ship's ladder and the boarding deck ladder were no longer touching.
Joanna's attendant said, "Miss, we must get on the ship immediately!!"
"But the road ahead is blocked!"
Her expression became dazed. This merchant ship should be the last one heading to Qiweier City! Once missed, there wouldn't be a second one.
“You should say your name, then there’s still a chance…” A high-ranking imperial officer beside her tried his best to protect her!
Joanna hesitated, when suddenly she saw a familiar figure wearing a navy cap on the deck!
"Eli, Eli!!!"
Joanna shouted.
On the deck, upon hearing someone's question, the guild leader beside him respectfully said, "Sir Eli, it seems someone is calling you?"
Eli ignored the obsequious expression of the merchant guild manager and suddenly said, "Stop the ship immediately!"
"What!?"
Young Eli, with an extremely serious expression, said, "I need to bring someone up!"
"Imperial rebels and heretics are about to arrive... We don't have much time left. If we are attacked, will you bear the losses?"
A chamber of commerce leader questioned him with a livid face.
Eli said, "I'll take responsibility! She must get on board!"
"who is she?"
"Joanna Bartogel Rivers!!"
"What?! It's her?"
"Get her on board quickly!"
The Imperial Merchant Guild also understood that this sole heir to the countship symbolized their hopes, so Countess Joanna had to be brought back to the ship no matter what.
Joanna looked at Eli, and saw that he was looking at her too.
The keel ship began to dock... Many more people fell into the water, splashing up large amounts of water as they swam around!
In the chaos, Joanna was helped onto the deck by the guards who separated the poor people...
Eli said respectfully, "Greetings, Your Excellency Countess Joanna!"
"Your Excellency!"
"It's Joanna, it's her!!"
"Bartogel Rivers' only daughter!!!"
"If we capture him, we can go to the rebels to claim our reward, and we might even rise to a high position and become new lords and nobles!!"
They all saw the wanted posters for Joanna posted around the city of "Kavlwitt" and immediately became excited. The people on the ship could only be controlled by the merchant guild's servants and swordsmen, and dared not make the slightest move.
"..."
"sail!"
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