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By evening, the slow-moving servant finally led them to meet the lady lord.
When they saw her face, they couldn’t help but show expressions of surprise and awe.
She possessed the blue eyes of the Germans and the black hair of the Romans. Her classical and graceful features were like the goddess in an oil painting, and the ruby pendant around her neck glimmered in the candlelight.
Her silk gown was adorned with intricate and delicate gems, pearls, and embroidery, all so finely crafted that it was breathtaking.
Even if she merely glanced at them absentmindedly, it felt like a noble blessing.
The two ambassadors, somewhat nervous, performed the full set of courtesies before once again explaining their intentions to the lord.
"This disturbance was originally unjust," they appeared to be completely unaware of the French fleet's actions, "The Republicof Genoa has made a righteous protest, but France is willing to mediate."
"Peace is in the best interest of both of us—"
"My lord." The lord raised a faint smile. "Please, repeat what you just said. What is 'unjust'?"
"This war, my lady," one of the ambassadors said, forcing himself to continue. "I believe the Medici family would never want their family’s honor to be tarnished by this—"
"Sir," the lord spoke slowly, "The reason we sent our troops is for the Holy Roman Empire and the entire papacy."
Both Frenchmen were stunned.
"As you can see, the entire empire is now in a state of chaos and division." Her pale blue eyes were calm and gentle, just like her slow and composed voice. "We are simply following the teachings, loyal to this country."
Once those words were spoken, the French envoys were completely silenced.
The Holy Roman Empire had nothing to do with France anymore, and if this was, in all senses, an internal reckoning, the French had no grounds to condemn or interfere.
She not only clarified her political stance and the motives for war clearly, but also completely took the high ground in public opinion.
Recapturing the Empire, revitalizing the papacy—who could possibly say no?
The two ambassadors stammered for a while, and eventually, they rose to take their leave. They refused even to stay the night, reportedly rushing back northwest to report.
Once they were gone, Niccolò Machiavelli slipped out again.
"We'll march tomorrow," she said, staring out at the starry night. "We can't delay any longer."
"What do you think of the term 'Rebirth War'?" Niccolò asked with a smile. "Not worse than the Wars of the Roses, right?"
Hedy turned to look at him, her long neck elegant like a swan’s.
She smiled, still with that nonchalant demeanor.
"It sounds great."
By the time Genoa received the news, that terrifying woman's army was already at their gates.
How could they have arrived so quickly?!
It would take at least fifteen days from La Spezia to here, wouldn't it?
The midday sun in mid-August was so scorching that it was nearly impossible to open one's eyes. The army's flags fluttered high in the sky—
Above diamonds, the golden-red phoenix flew with wings spread wide.
Cannons roared like the howling of winds and thunder, striking the castle walls. Half of the army was already camped out while the other half adjusted their trajectory and began launching artillery.
