Loser System and Berserker Me

Chapter 72: Blood Rosalia

“They are finally gone.”

The envoys were moved to tears when they saw Shu Yichao and his thousands of cavalrymen slowly galloping away amidst a cloud of dust. Their lieges had been frantically fleeing through all kinds of channels over the past few days.

Those who had relatives in a foreign country chose to temporarily seek refuge there, even if it meant sailing across the sea.

Those who had hideouts in the mountains escaped there with their aides, enduring the inconveniences and discomfort there.

Those who had underground cellars and secret passageways moved their family over, and they prepared enough rations and water to last them for months. They spent their time praying for the Khitan Caesar not to come.

Only those who had no way of hiding and escaping thickened their skin and remained in the Apennine Peninsula.

For instance, the Duke of Milan.

He had been a mercenary, but a few years back, he took control of Milan and declared himself the duke. His foundation was weak, and he didn’t have a thorough grasp over the duchy. If he fled overseas at this juncture, he would lose everything he had worked for.

So, he hid in his barracks, wearing his armor and wielding his sword at all times. At the same time, he dug out valuable possessions to send to the Khitan Caesar, lest the latter beat him up at a whim.

The gifts that added up to an astronomical sum had satisfied the Khitan Caesar.

“We shall celebrate with a banquet tonight, drinking ourselves silly and enjoying a good rest afterward!”

The envoys were delighted too. They couldn’t help but draw a parallel between them and Pope Leo I, who had convinced the previous Scourge of God to withdraw.

As for who the Khitan Caesar would terrorize next, that was none of their concern.

Little did they know that Shu Yichao’s departure had nothing to do with their gifts. The latter had always been nonchalant to in-game AI presenting him with gifts.

It’s good that you’re giving me things on your own accord, but even if you don’t do so, I can head over and take them myself too. It doesn’t make a difference.

He was leaving the Apennine Peninsula solely because he had finished razing Venice down to the ground.

Now that he had vanquished two of the most glaring red patches on his map, the Ottoman Empire and Venice, he decided to turn his eyes toward the more jarring red patches along the Danube River.

“Caesar, why didn’t we just take them down?” Sophia asked.

Having grown up in the poorer Morea, seeing the prosperous Italy opened up her eyes. It was like someone from the countryside visiting the city for the first time.

Seeing something so wonderful inspired her to take it for herself.

“There are too many colors,” Shu Yichao replied, “I only have a few thousand men. It won’t be easy to fill all of them up. Let’s focus on the closer ones first.”

The Apennine Peninsula was as fragmented as the Holy Romain Empire, which meant that if he wanted to conquer the region, he would have to destroy each state one by one. That was too much work even for a coloring fanatic like Shu Yichao.

He had to admit defeat, lest he tire himself to death.

“Mm.” Sophia nodded as she stowed away her ‘Sun Tzu’s Art of War’. “I understand. War concerns the survival of nations and the livelihood of countless. We have to tread carefully.”

Before waging a war, one ought to first consider how one could end the war.

The Eastern Romain Empire had other enemies to deal with, whereas complications could arise while dealing with the Apennine Peninsula. It was not a good time to deal with the Italian states.

I’ll return next time. I can’t keep relying on the Khitan Caesar’s strength, Sophia told herself.

…

“Did you deliver my love letter into the Khitan Caesar’s hands?”

The Romain Empire’s empress, Frederina, wore a beautiful dark red robe that made her look like a blooming rose. She looked at the returning envoy with expectant eyes, hoping to receive good news.

When the envoy took out the wooden chest containing her letter, Frederina’s face darkened.

“…My subject, you owe me an explanation.”

“Your Majesty.”

The envoy rolled his eyes. He was Frederina’s relative, as well as her elder. This allowed her to take a more casual tone with her.

“It isn’t a good time to send this letter. I believe in Your Majesty’s vast wisdom, but the Khitan Caesar is a reckless youth. He appears to be more passionate about his bow and scimitar than romance.”

Those words were prickly.

By vast wisdom, he implied that Frederina was old and was only good at petty schemes.

By reckless youth, he implied that Frederina’s inappropriate lust for a younger man could bring an unnecessary war upon the Holy Romain Empire.

As for bow and scimitar, he was mocking Frederina’s ability to discreetly bring others down was useless here, for the Khitan Caesar was not someone who could be reasoned with.

In other words…

Don’t butt in if you don’t know war. What if the Khitan Caesar comes with his army, requesting to marry the empress with the dowry being the Holy Romain Empire?

“…” Frederina’s face darkened. She took a deep breath before retorting, “Uncle, do I look that pathetic in your eyes?”

“Of course not, Your Majesty.” The envoy lowered his head. “I absolutely have no such intent.”

“…” But that’s obviously what you mean!

Frederina walked up to the envoy, took the wooden chest, and retrieved her letter. She tore the letter in shreds before dropping its remains into a gold cup filled with wine. She first swirled the cup a little before pouring its content into a flower pot where a rose was growing.

What is she doing?

The envoy was confused.

Frederina took out a bottle resembling a perfume and sprayed it on the rose. Within seconds, the lush rose withered to the point where only black ashes were left!

“Ah?!” The envoy’s lower jaw nearly plopped off. “Poison?”

He finally understood what was going on.

The previous Scourge of God died on the day of his marriage; surely history could repeat itself? Not to mention this could be a chance for them to attain the Eastern Romain Empire.

This ploy could have worked to our advantage! She is the Blood Rosalia indeed!

“Alone, these two compounds are non-poisonous, making them no different from ordinary perfumes. They will indeed become poisonous when mixed together, but they are incapable of seeping through the skin, so most people wouldn’t think that it is poison.

“However,” Frederina swirled the bottle while pointing at her nose, “humans need to breathe. Who can resist taking in the fragrance of a beautiful woman while sharing a passionate night together?

“A little bit of it is all it takes… It’s a discreet way to end a person’s life. In fact, the person wouldn’t die right away. Instead, their mouth, nose, and organs would slowly fester over time, so they would think that it was merely an illness even when they are at their deathbed.

“For a valiant cavalryman, this is more than enough to erode his pride and glory.”

“…” The envoy lowered his head in shame, knowing that he had foiled Frederina’s scheme.

“Don’t worry, there will be chances in the future,” Frederina consoled. “And it won’t matter even if this scheme fails.”

She looked toward the south and mumbled, “It won’t be long before all the nations unite as one. The Khitan Caesar is still too young…”