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She steadied herself, her eyes falling on the word ‘Genova’ on the map.
Genoa, now almost in control of the entire Tyrrhenian Sea, was both incredibly wealthy and vulnerable.
In addition to the Italian name ‘Genova,’ it also had another Latin name—‘Janua.’
According to legend, Janua was a deity with two faces— one facing forward and the other facing backward— standing at the gate of time, between the past and the future.
It was because of this that the English name for January was derived—‘January’—symbolizing both an end and a new beginning.
Hedy gazed at the crescent-like outline, her mind calm yet profound.
She had a vague sense that if she could seize this country, it would mark the end and the beginning of a chapter in history.
By taking it, she would become a lord powerful enough to rival Florence, a political figure capable of influencing the course of Italy’s future.
Controlling it also meant she would face the threat from France directly, along with more troubles and challenges.
But as long as she moved forward—
By gaining more power, more armies, more influence, and a higher status—
The frustrated past of her previous life, the countless scandals twisted and ridiculed by malicious tongues, and the current life where she once felt powerless, would all be overturned and rewritten.
Another hand rested on her back, the heat of the palm sharp and unmistakable.
"I’ll be with you," Leonardo said, staring at her. "Don’t show such a hesitant expression anymore."
Hedy lifted her head and looked at Leonardo, frozen for a few seconds. Her voice was hoarse.
"I’ve never been a lord," she whispered. "And I’ve never meddled in... matters like this."
"But you’ll do it well," Leonardo said, looking into her eyes. "And I will always be your advisor."
From war machines to the city gates, from medical care to explosive bombardment, he could do anything for her.
"Hedy," he said, tightening his grip on her hand, "you are a force strong enough to do what countless women would never dare to imagine."
She took a deep breath, and suddenly smiled.
Yes.
I’ve done it.
——
Luka City still retained its previous layout, with its design remaining solid and reliable.
They chose Luris’ older brother as the city’s defender and instructed the reinforcements from Florence to withdraw south. Five-fifths of the troops were redirected northward.
The main army retreated through a tunnel, and after the last person had pushed a cart out, the exit was sealed off.
The convoy began its march northward, a vast procession like a returning flock of wild geese.
There was a relatively flat road beside the bay, and the journey was smooth.
The area was divided by a chain of mountains, splitting the region into two parts.
To the west lay numerous small towns scattered like broken biscuit crumbs in the towering mountain ranges, while the east was the territory of the Duchy of Milan and the Duchy of Modena.
