Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 965

965. Everyone’s a Sucker But Me… (2)

“Execute the criminals by hanging!”

The soldiers of the Kingdom of Naples, who were on trial for theft, were sentenced to hanging.

“Please, have mercy!”

“Mercy!”

The soldiers, upon hearing the verdict, wept and begged for mercy, but the commander in charge of the trial replied in a cold voice.

“This is a judgment based on military law. There will be no reversal. Take them away.”

“Mercy!”

Even as they were dragged to the makeshift prison set up on one side of the encampment, the soldiers begged for mercy. The expressions of all the soldiers watching the scene—from the Kingdom of Naples to the Imperial Army—were indifferent.

“Bad luck…”

And this was the same for the commanders. The battlefield was a place where instinct took precedence over everything else. Looting and thievery were almost customary among soldiers on the battlefield. Therefore, it was customary for commanders to turn a blind eye to ‘a certain extent.’ The problem was when that ‘certain extent’ was exceeded. If that happened, the army would instantly turn into a band of robbers with tremendous power.

Therefore, the commanders used these ‘unlucky soldiers’ to maintain the discipline of the unit. What made the soldiers who were sentenced now even more unlucky was that the place they tried to steal from happened to be the Imperial Army’s camp.

“If you were going to sneak in to steal, you shouldn’t have gotten caught! What a disgrace! And at the most crucial time!”

The ‘crime of disrespect’ that had wounded the pride of Alfonso, the commander-in-chief of the Kingdom of Naples, was added.

* * *

Before the soldiers’ trial and execution took place, the commanders of the Kingdom of Naples interrogated the criminals.

“How did you get caught?”

They couldn’t openly brag about it, but Naples was famous for having many thieves. From pickpockets who snatched wallets from passersby to full-fledged thieves who climbed over walls at night, the city was rife with them. It was surprising to see these skilled thieves sneaking into a temporary encampment that wasn’t even a properly built fortress and getting caught.

That meant that the Imperial Army’s discipline and ability were unusual. The criminals’ answers to the commanders’ questions were all the same.

“It seemed like they knew we were coming in advance.”

“They moved without a sound. Like ghosts! They were like ghosts!”

“Their tenacity was like encountering a pack of wolves!”

The commanders muttered with serious faces at the criminals’ answers.

“If you put the stories together, they’re almost like beasts? Just what kind of humans are they?”

Before long, strange rumors began to circulate among the soldiers of the Kingdom of Naples.

-I heard there are wizards in the Imperial Army who use strange magic! When those wizards cast spells, they can see as clearly at night as they can during the day, and people become as strong as bears!

-I heard that the Imperial Army soldiers turn into beasts when the moon rises!

These rumors were fueled by the presence of Imperial Army soldiers from Shinji.

* * *

As the Empire’s territory expanded, various races began to integrate into the Imperial Army. In particular, the proportion of Shinji natives in the Imperial Army stationed in Italy was very high. This was because the main supply line was Shinji. And the Imperial Army had come to favor soldiers from Shinji.

As Shinji’s development progressed, the Empire realized the military talents of the Shinji natives. The natives living in the plains of North Shinji were skilled in group combat and had a strong will to fight.

“Once a fight breaks out, they hold on until the end, and when they receive an order, they move in perfect order, so they have the best qualities as soldiers!”

On the other hand, tribes from the forest zone were outstanding in stealth movement, ambush, and shooting skills.

“To think that they have skills comparable to the tiger hunters without even going through any special training! Amazing!”

And the soldiers from South Shinji endured better than others even in harsh environments like jungles. For the Imperial Army, which was struggling with the problem of securing manpower, they were the best human resources. It wasn’t a bad thing from the natives’ point of view either. For the natives, for whom warriors were highly respected and belonging to a powerful warrior group was an honor, the Imperial Army was the best opportunity.

* * *

In addition to this background, most of the troops that arrived in Italy were from Shinji, so the Italians misunderstood. Many of the Imperial Army medics from Shinji were from native shaman backgrounds. They had received proper medical education and wore official Imperial Army uniforms, but they always wore traditional tribal ornaments.

And they periodically sang and danced in the traditional style of their tribes to stabilize the minds and bodies of the native soldiers from the same hometown. Whenever they did, soldiers from the same tribe or native warriors from nearby gathered together. This led to ‘the birth of a wizard who uses strange magic’ rumor. And as already mentioned, thanks to the talents of the Shinji soldiers, the rumors spread with embellishments.

* * *

In any case, after being badly burned once, the Kingdom of Naples did not target the Imperial Army again. In addition, the allied Italian soldiers did not move rashly and only watched the Imperial Army’s every move. Meanwhile, the troops who had headed to the Duchy of Romagna and the soldiers of the Duchy of Romagna arrived in Rome.

And before long, Imperial officials led by Han Myung-hoi and the lords of the allied cities led by Lorenzo de Medici arrived in Rome. Meanwhile, an envoy from the Kingdom of Naples arrived in Rome and urgently sought out Alfonso.

“His Majesty has ordered you to participate in the negotiations on behalf of the Kingdom of Naples. His Majesty also said, ‘I believe your tongue is as sharp as your sword.’”

The envoy, who conveyed the words of Ferdinand I, handed the royal decree to Alfonso. Alfonso opened the seal, checked the contents of the royal decree, and replied calmly.

“Tell him that I will face it with a determination to die.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The next day, politicians such as Han Myung-hoi, Lorenzo de Medici, Alfonso, and Cesare Borgia gathered for a formal introduction. After the tense introductory meeting, the politicians drafted a joint letter to the Pope.

-Open the gates for peace!

The joint letter, which was brief but firm, was delivered, and the next day, the gates of Rome opened.

* * *

Through the wide-open gates, soldiers holding the flags of the Empire, the allied cities, the Kingdom of Naples, and the Duchy of Romagna entered. The vanguard entered, followed by the politicians.

“Hmm… According to the historical books I obtained and read in my home country, the glory of Rome is unparalleled…”

The faces of the Italians, including Lorenzo, turned red at Han Myung-hoi’s subtly vague words. This was because the Rome they were entering now was incomparably more dilapidated than the Rome of old. The Colosseum, which had been responsible for the entertainment of the citizens of Rome, had collapsed on one side and was in ruins, and all sorts of propaganda and public buildings had disappeared, leaving only a few pillars and foundation stones.

Only the magnificent Aurelian Walls were reminiscent of the once powerful and splendid Rome.

“No matter how splendid glory may be, it is ultimately a fleeting dream… How futile.”

This alone was Han Myung-hoi’s sincerity.

* * *

While the working-level officials were engaged in a heated debate over where to set up the negotiating table, Han Myung-hoi and Lorenzo de Medici’s party, who had entered Rome, were invited to the residence of Cardinal Giovanni di Lorenzo de Medici.

“I implore you to stay here while the negotiations are in progress.”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

When Han Myung-hoi expressed his gratitude, Cardinal Giovanni smiled and replied politely.

“It is my honor.”

Politicians from the allied cities, including Genoa and Milan, and Alfonso also unpacked their bags at the residences of cardinals or archbishops with whom they had ties. The only exception was Cesare Borgia. He stayed at his own residence in Rome. As the politicians’ accommodations were decided, soldiers to protect them surrounded the residences and went on guard.

Interestingly, as they settled in, the soldiers of the Empire, the alliance, the Kingdom of Naples, and the Duchy of Romagna ended up besieging the Apostolic Palace where the Pope resided. After a heated debate that lasted until sunset, the negotiating table was set up in the grand conference hall of the Apostolic Palace.

* * *

Two days later, full-scale negotiations began. As soon as the negotiations began, cracks began to appear. And the first crack came because of Cesare Borgia.

“Why is that traitor, who is worse than Judas Iscariot, in this place! As long as that traitor is here, there can be no negotiations!”

Juan, who came out as the Pope’s representative, pointed at Cesare and shouted.

It was Han Myung-hoi who responded to Juan’s protest.

“The Duke of Romagna is a member of the alliance. So, of course, the Duke of Romagna must also attend. If you do not accept this, there will be no negotiations.”

At Han Myung-hoi’s firm answer, the negotiations were adjourned as soon as they began. During the adjournment, negotiations for negotiations took place. However, Han Myung-hoi’s response was firm, and in the end, Juan had to acknowledge Cesare’s attendance. And with this, the superiority and inferiority were clearly divided.

In the resumed negotiations, the first thing that was discussed was ‘whether the Papal States should exist.’

“I acknowledge the unification of Italy. No, it is something to be welcomed. However, I want to maintain the current Papal States.”

Lorenzo replied briefly to Juan’s request.

“Impossible. The current Papal States are too large. I will only recognize 10 leagues (approximately 42 km) in all directions centered on Rome. The rest of the Papal States will elect their leaders through a vote of the citizens.”

“Vote? Hmph! Isn’t that just a scheme for you to divide it up and eat it?”

“Even if we divide it up and eat it, it’s still one Italy. If you don’t like it, you can break off the negotiations.”

“Ugh…”

When Lorenzo forced the choice of ‘war or surrender,’ Juan groaned and closed his mouth. Han Myung-hoi intervened in the conversation, watching Juan grind his teeth.

“When I came to Italy, I saw that even in the Papal States, tyrants had taken their places in each region. The church is operated through donations from believers anyway, so is there really a need to insist on the Papal States?”

“That’s…”

“As the Supreme Emperor said in the past, didn’t the founder preach, ‘Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s?’ How can those who have been given the mission to save sentient beings not abandon the material desires of the world?”

“……”

Juan closed his mouth at Han Myung-hoi’s criticism. Although the Hyang [a historical incident of persecution of scholars] had already stirred things up once, this part was the most painful and vulnerable part of the Vatican. After two more days of negotiations that were like a hamster running on a wheel, Juan, no, Alexander VI and the Vatican surrendered.

“In return, the safety of Rome and the Vatican has been secured. I’ll have to be satisfied with this.”

With these words, Alexander VI surrendered. But this was not the end.

“While we’re here, I’d like to get a definite answer on this part as well.”

What Han Myung-hoi demanded an answer on was ‘the issue of ancestral rites.’

“Ancestral rites are very important not only in the mainland and Bukji [Northern Territory] of the Empire, but also in Shinji. If you want to spread your beliefs, I hope you will give an answer on this part. In this place, now!”