The Fox of France

Chapter 368: The Igniting Priestess

Concerning the selection of the torchbearer, the determination of the specific route, and security measures—well, not every country has the safety assurance like today. For instance, in Turkey, many regions are riddled with the likes of Alibaba. Especially in the border areas between Turkey and Russia, law and order are in shambles.

Naturally, the countries along the route are aware of the significance of the Olympic Games to the French. If there were any issues with the torch relay within their territories, the French would likely be greatly displeased, and the consequences would be severe. So, despite their indifference to these pagan activities, they've been quite discontent with the recent French penetration into North Africa. Particularly irksome was the sudden French propaganda suggesting that Barbary pirates might threaten the torch's safety on its sea journey from Italy to Spain. Consequently, the French demanded an immediate religious decree from the Sultan of Turkey, commanding the Barbary nations to cease all pirate activities at sea.

The piracy actions of the Barbary nations have a long and illustrious history. Starting from the days of Hayreddin, they amassed great wealth through piracy in the Mediterranean. For a considerable time, the Barbary pirates were the masters of the Mediterranean, even forcing coastal nations to pay them protection money.

As a long-term strategic ally of the Ottoman Empire, France had rarely suffered from their attacks. (The French provided various logistical services during that time.) However, with the declining power of the Ottoman Empire, their control over these North African territories had significantly waned. Effectively, the Barbary nations were only nominally subservient to the Ottoman Empire; in reality, they had become independent states.

Yet, due to the growing strength of the French navy over the years, France no longer had to pay tribute to the Barbary pirates. Later, the British, as a maritime power, gained similar rights.

Strictly speaking, it had been many years since any French ships had been attacked by Barbary pirates. Hence, the French raising such concerns at this time clearly indicated their suspicions about North Africa.

However, Turkey was reluctant to oppose the French will and issued such an order—whether the Barbary pirates would comply was another matter. However, the Barbary pirates were not fools; they understood that provoking the French on this issue might lead to severe consequences. Therefore, the Governor of Algeria even issued an order prohibiting any maritime raids during the period from the Olympic torch's arrival in Italy to its appearance in Madrid.

Ironically, this order led to greater problems.

The finances of the Barbary nations, including Algeria, Tripoli, and Tunis, heavily relied on maritime raiding and collecting protection fees. Halting these activities would drastically reduce income. How could they sustain themselves? So, anticipating the impending halt to their maritime activities, the Barbary pirates felt the urgency to seize more before the ban took effect.

However, this danger had no connection whatsoever to the world's most powerful naval vessel—the latest and largest flagship of the French navy, named the "Inflexible."

This was a purely steam-powered warship and a genuine ironclad vessel. Unlike the former "Free Trade," sold to the British, its armor wasn't superficial; the entire ship was constructed using steel.

With a standard displacement approaching seven thousand tons, it boasted three of France's latest three-cylinder steam engines, achieving a top speed of 16 knots. (French research on steam engines had yet to make sufficient progress.) Although slightly slower than the newest "Free Trade," its length-to-width ratio made its navigation smoother, providing greater comfort.

Apart from comfort, its defense and firepower surpassed that of the newly converted "Free Trade," designated for raiding purposes. The ship had fore and aft turrets, each equipped with a set of twin-mounted 150-millimeter breech-loading cannons.

Due to technological constraints, the French cannons of that time had significant recoil mechanisms, and their efficiency wasn't high. However, with this setup, the French cannons' firing rate increased several times over the original rate. Coupled with the vessel's high speed and strong defense, it was a nightmare for other naval powers of that era.

As the efficiency of cannons increased, the number of gunners and the space required for cannons significantly decreased, freeing up a considerable amount of space, which was utilized to improve onboard accommodations. Considering its frequent assignments involving important figures, the ship even had a lavishly decorated suite.

This suite was intended for Napoleon, but it was Pauline who first made use of it.

This time, Pauline was to travel to Greece, a pagan country, to light the Olympic torch. Joseph and Napoleon were somewhat concerned, while Lucien believed troublemakers like her only caused trouble and there wasn't much to worry about.

"Are you afraid that Sultan Selim III might fancy this crazy woman and take her into his harem? Ah, if that happens, I'll genuinely pity Sultan Selim III," Lucien said nonchalantly.

Despite Lucien's words, they couldn't relax their security concerns for Pauline. For instance, elite guards were specially selected from Napoleon's guard to ensure her safety throughout the journey. Additionally, an expert in security named Belldon was transferred from the Ministry of Public Security to safeguard Pauline.

However, Lucien wasn't entirely pleased with Napoleon's decision to have the Ministry of Public Security prepare a bodyguard for Pauline; he felt the intentions of the Ministry were quite sinister since this Belldon was a young handsome man.

However, Lucien didn't think the Ministry's plot would succeed. After all, "he's just a handsome young man, isn't he? Pauline has seen plenty." Besides, if Pauline were to marry someone, well, this young man Belldon wasn't all that bad.

Previously, Napoleon had always tried to find a husband for Pauline among his capable subordinates. However, these capable young men were all quite conservative in their thinking and were intimidated by Pauline. For instance, two years ago, Napoleon arranged a trip for Davout and Pauline. However, Davout suddenly claimed to have fallen from a horse the day before the trip and was injured, unable to come. Napoleon personally visited him and found Davout indeed injured. However, later, Napoleon's brother-in-law, Murat, who couldn't keep his mouth shut, inadvertently revealed that Davout had initially been quite enthusiastic about meeting Pauline, but after hearing about Pauline's rumors, he became hesitant. Then he visited Murat and Caroline, inquiring about Pauline, and on his way back, he got injured...

As for Joseph's students and assistants, Joseph thought it best not to involve them.

So, by the standards of that era, well, Pauline was undoubtedly a leftover woman. The entire family felt Fouché might be playing a handsome man trick, and this Belldon was likely bait. Yet, they also felt if Pauline swallowed that bait, it wouldn't be too bad.

Aboard the "Inflexible," Pauline and company arrived directly outside the port of Athens. In ancient times, the port of Athens was the most important in the entire Mediterranean. However, at this time, its status was far from its former glory, so much so that the port lacked a dock for the "Inflexible" to berth. Therefore, though the "Inflexible" entered the port, it had to anchor in the

harbor first and then transport people ashore using small boats.

The French Ambassador to Turkey and the local Governor Ali Pasha came to the port to welcome Pauline. Ali Pasha found it strange that the French had sent a woman to handle the lighting of the Olympic torch. Moreover, he seemed quite reluctant to have to receive a woman—even if she belonged to the most influential family in the world. Especially since that woman didn't look quite presentable.

For convenience, Pauline wore a men's hunting outfit, tucked her hair under a tall hat, and wore black high-topped boots with spurs. On her belt at the waist, she had holsters on either side, each with a pair of revolvers—a far cry from diplomatic etiquette.

But a great privilege of the powerful is ignoring the opinions of the weak. Besides, strange glances were something Pauline was used to; she even wanted to say, "I just love how you all look at me disapprovingly but still try to maintain some decorum."

That day, Pauline stayed in a palace Ali Pasha had specially prepared for her. Two days later, she donned the attire of an ancient Greek priestess and, under escort, headed to the ancient Olympic site near the Acropolis. This site lay between the temples of Zeus and Hera and might have been grand in the past, but now it was merely a flat expanse. The once magnificent temples on either side had collapsed, leaving only a few columns standing.