f4;9605;8bfb;7f51; Archbishop Santos is also battle-hardened. Especially during the Almohad military exercise that year, he experienced more than a hundred failures and setbacks in total.
At that time, all the generals regarded him as a soft persimmon and squeezed him hard. They tortured his body and destroyed his confidence in various ways.
That experience was so painful and unbearable that even after so long, he still woke up from nightmares from time to time.
Faced with those failures, setbacks, and the harsh ridicule and sarcasm of others, another person might have suffered a nervous breakdown and entered a mental hospital. But Archbishop Sandos is really a man.
Gritting his teeth, he persisted.
He was defeated one battle at a time, and sometimes he was beaten several times a day. The beatings made him feel ashamed, and from the beginning he cried bitterly, to the end when he was about to cry without tears.
At that time, many people thought that after the big defeat the day before, he would definitely not be able to hold on anymore. But the next day, he stood up again and went into battle again.
‘Even if you’ve been abused thousands of times, you still treat people like your first love.’ It’s just...well, he’s just like a pervert.
Everyone had to sigh in admiration: Damn it, these bastards from the Holy See are really thick-skinned~!
For Santos, although those failures and setbacks are unbearable memories, they are even more valuable combat experiences.
It was those failures and setbacks that finally forged Archbishop Sandos, turning him from a zero-level novice into a qualified, courageous and keen-eyed general.
Therefore, when he received the news that the front line was defeated and the enemy army was about to press the border, he only hesitated for a few seconds and then decisively issued an order: the entire army entered the city and defended the city.
Following his order, the 100,000 Bayer Army Corps immediately turned around, and all of them rushed into the city of Delong.
This city of only a few hundred thousand people immediately became overcrowded, and the streets were filled with soldiers running and shouting.
After learning that the demons were about to arrive, the soldiers of the Bayer District Templar Knights Corps immediately became nervous.
Faced with the siege of hundreds of undead war fortresses and hundreds of thousands of Semitic armies, the more than 100,000 powerful Holy See legions in front were completely wiped out in a matter of seconds.
And they only have a mere 100,000 people, and they are about to face a powerful and bloodthirsty enemy army. At this time, no one can calm down.
Only one-tenth of this army had ever been on the battlefield and fought with Hadou's Southern Army with real swords and guns.
The remaining tens of thousands of people were at best new recruits who had fought in groups in the countryside. When they thought about the upcoming war and faced the ferocious demons in the epic story, they must have been frightened and uneasy.
Many people even kept crossing themselves on their chests and reciting prayers silently.
Cardinal Sandos, however, looked calm as he rode a horse among the army and slowly walked into the city of Delon.
As the capital of a grand duchy, this city is quite prosperous. Cardinal Sandos observed the city defense of Delon with a professional eye and concluded that it was not bad.
But in the current bad environment, just being 'not bad' is not enough.
The city wall of Delong is five to six meters high. The outer layer is made of hard stone. The parapet is complete and there are many watchtowers on the wall.
There is also an inner city built in the city. The center of the inner city is a towering castle, which can be said to be impregnable.
As long as there are enough manpower to defend, it will be very difficult for the enemy to attack.
For him, this is the first good news he has encountered so far.
There are many cities with a long history like Delong on the mainland, which often have hundreds of years of history.
The construction of their city defense system is as long as the city itself, and it also took hundreds of years.
Several generations or more than a dozen generations of nobles continued to reinforce, add to, and expand the building.
It has continued to this day, so one can imagine the solidity of the city's defense system.
Moreover, Cardinal Sandos can be sure that the craftsmanship in building the city wall towers must be very good. As a military defense project, there is no such thing as cutting corners or shoddy quality that is common in other livelihood projects.
On the contrary, the best materials can be used, and the most advanced technology can be used.
The nobles are absolutely not stingy about spending money on this, as this is related to their lives.
You know, in this civilized and prosperous feudal era, although the official propaganda says that the common people are all hard-working, kind, hard-working, honest and honest... but in fact, few of those dead common people are good people~!
They were all poor and poor. The reason why they did not directly challenge the nobles was because they did not directly provoke them.
Not to mention anything else, every nobleman would not have a headache just when paying rent and taxes every year.
That bunch of uncultured, uneducated, and unqualified people have no sympathy for the hard work of the noble lords.
The nobles levied grain, raised troops, collected taxes and sent labor, and even robbed their girls, all for their own good.
Without soldiers and food, who will ensure their safety?
If the aristocratic men do not steal their girls, how can they improve their lowly genes and improve the overall quality of the nation?
Although the nobles worked very hard, the common people had no consciousness at all and had no sympathy at all.
Villains like Spartacus, William Wallace, Robin Hood, and Cromwell would always start uprisings and riots, and attack aristocratic cities and territories with dung forks and hoes.
This kind of thing is a common occurrence in the mainland. We hear about several cases every month. From time to time, some small nobles are beaten to death by those damn mobs, and all the women in the family property are robbed.
As for the situation where a certain aristocratic gentleman was picked off by a bitch while sleeping after working hard for the national economy and people's livelihood for a day, it even happened from time to time.
Therefore, in order to protect their own personal safety, powerful nobles built their cities particularly strong.
Of course, Delong is no exception, but because it is not far from Fantino and there are few wars, Delong is still a fairly wealthy area.
This made Cardinal Sandos very happy. Fortunately, the city in front of him was Delon.
If it were any small city with a population of tens of thousands, Cardinal Sandos would have to consider whether to turn around and retreat immediately.
Now that he has decided to stay here, Cardinal Sandos immediately went to work and loudly ordered: "The 10th to 15th legions, go up to the city wall and take over the defense. The 16th legion, guard the city gate. From now on, not a single grain of food is allowed to be shipped out.
City.
Seventeenth Army Corps, go to the inner city to look at the warehouse, Eighteenth Army Corps..."
Cardinal Sandos, who was in good condition, assigned tasks in an orderly manner and sent soldiers to various important places in the city.
"Yes~!"
"As you command~!"
The legion commanders immediately rushed to their respective goals after receiving the order.
With the officers shouting loudly, the Holy See soldiers of the Bayer Legion ran quickly through the streets of Delong, causing a chaos of chaos.
Just as Cardinal Sandos kept shouting orders, an angry voice came from across from him.
"Stop. Stop~!"
A nobleman in fine clothes walked over angrily, followed by a large group of soldiers in armor, all with evil looks on their faces.
The guards around Sandos immediately rushed forward to protect the commander of the Bayer Legion in the middle.
With a "clinking" sound of weapons grinding, the soldiers of the Holy See drew their weapons and pointed them at the people opposite.
The soldiers passing by saw that something was wrong and swarmed up, surrounding the group of people.
The middle-aged nobleman in the middle of the crowd swept around the people surrounding him, his face turned red with anger, he clenched his fists and waved his hands. He roared angrily: "I don't care who you are, stop now and get out of my way."
City~!”
Cardinal Sandos looked him up and down and asked doubtfully: "Who are you?"
The middle-aged nobleman puffed up his chest, glanced at Sandos contemptuously, and said proudly: "I am the Grand Duke of Pewsele."
"Oh..." Cardinal Sandos responded casually, without even getting off his horse. He sat on the horse and slightly cupped his hands, saying: "It turns out to be His Highness the Grand Duke. I am disrespectful. I am the Holy See..."
Sandos' rude behavior angered Archduke Peusele. He interrupted Sandos angrily and shouted loudly: "Boy, I don't care who you are, get out of my city. Now~!"
Otherwise, I will sue Fantino and I will make you look good. Delong is not a place where you can be arrogant."
Due to his rage, while speaking, white droplets sprayed out of his mouth unconsciously.
Cardinal Sandos laughed out loud and looked at the angry archduke in front of him with interest. "Don't you want to know the reason why we took over this city?"
Peusele paused suddenly, then shook his head and said: "No matter what the reason is, Delon belongs to me. It is impossible for you to take over Delon City. Get out of me quickly..."
Cardinal Sandos looked at the angry Archduke Pewusele and said calmly: "The demons are coming."
"I...what~!" Grand Duke Pewsele screamed in surprise and asked urgently: "What did you say?"
"Rotgaron has been captured, and the entire 150,000 Holy See army in front has been annihilated. The demon tribe's hundreds of thousands of troops, with hundreds of war fortresses, are about to reach Delon." Sandos casually played with the riding crop in his hand.
He said slowly in an elegant aristocratic tone: "My army is going to defend Delong and stop the demons from continuing to the east. Are you sure you want us to leave?"
To be honest, that's exactly what I wanted.
If you just say one thing, brother, I will leave immediately."
Grand Duke Pewsele's face instantly turned as white as snow, like a ghost, and he said blankly: "This is impossible..."
The noble officials and local soldiers behind him also changed their colors, looked at each other in horror, and then all looked at Cardinal Sandos.
"No, I..." Grand Duke Pevusele said incoherently: "Are you... sure of the news?"
"My forwards have already gone for reconnaissance. If you want to know, accurate news will come in half a day at most." Cardinal Sandos's face suddenly changed, he glared at Archduke Pewsele fiercely, and said: "There is accurate information.
I will tell you the news as soon as possible.
Now, don’t stop me from setting up the city defense, otherwise, you will be responsible for the consequences~!”
The ferocious look on Santos's face scared the Duke of Peusele back a step. His face changed several times, and then he waved his hand and said loudly: "Let's go back."
He led hundreds of people behind him and ran into the inner city in dejection.
A few hours later, when Cardinal Sandos was standing on the city wall arranging the army's defense zone and nervously deploying defenses, a long motorcade rushed out of the east gate and quickly headed east.
The number of vehicles in the fleet is no less than a hundred. Among them are luxury high-end carriages produced by Flying Eagle Company such as Royce, BMW, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, etc.
Not only that, there are also some tall freight carriages mixed in, all of which are fully loaded. And the traces of the ruts are very deep. If you are a robbery expert like Lord Luo and Lei Erye, you only need to take a look.
, you can know that the car is definitely filled with valuables such as gold and jewelry.
Among the long motorcade, the luxurious carriage in the middle was the most conspicuous. Although the Grand Duke of Pewsele was very wise and did not hang his flag, the coat of arms on the carriage still exposed him immediately.
Just like a thousand years ago, these nobles abandoned their people at the first opportunity.
The officer next to Sandos sneered and cursed in a low voice: "These cowards~!"
Then he turned his head and said to Sandos: "Sir, it seems that this city is yours now."
Sandos curled his lips and told the nobles to run away. He had already expected it. He shook his head with a wry smile and said: "I know these guys are unreliable. That's all. Let's inform the whole city. Those who want to leave should leave quickly, and those who don't want to leave should stay.
Come down and dig trenches and build bunkers.
They are the only ones that are somewhat effective against war fortresses."
"How long do we have to defend? Will Fantino send reinforcements to support us?"
"Who knows? You can endure it as long as you can." Cardinal Sandos stared at the western horizon and murmured to himself.
xxxxxx
There was chaos in the Vatican Palace.
Pope Hilmeria, dressed in a pure white robe, held a one-year-old baby in her arms and chatted with him. The scene was very warm, if you didn't look at the group of cardinals next to her.
Dozens of senior members of the Holy See in red robes were noisy like a flock of ducks, and there was a buzzing noise in the room.
But this didn't seem to affect the little baby. He stared at these nervous old men with a pair of big black and white eyes, giggling and laughing, as if they were very interesting.
The quarrel in the room spread outside the door, where the papal guards guarding the room looked at each other with a wry smile on their faces.
The news of the defeat of Rotegaron has just come. Now no one knows what the situation is like on the front line. People in Fantino City are panicked, and many ordinary residents are already packing their things and preparing to escape.
Although Delong is now controlled by Archbishop Santos, they only have 100,000 troops. Can they withstand hundreds of war fortresses and hundreds of thousands of demons and traitors?
If you can't withstand it, when will the enemy come to Fantino?
Now it's time to burn our butts, but these big shots still only know how to quarrel. They have been arguing for more than two hours and have not yet come up with any decision.
The soldiers of the Papal Guards helplessly crossed themselves on their chests and silently chanted the blessings of the God of Light - at this time, perhaps they really could count on the God of Light.
Privy Archbishop Mazovia walked up to Hilmeria, bowed deeply, and said: "Your Majesty, we think that at this critical moment, it is best for you... to leave Fantino temporarily and go down to inspect the diocese."
Hilmeria looked at him with bright eyes and asked directly: "Are you asking me to escape? My dear Privy Councilor."
"This..." A layer of sweat suddenly broke out on Mazovia's forehead, and he said naa: "You can't look at it like this. Your Majesty, you are the spiritual leader of mankind, and you must not make any mistakes."
"Isn't it Fantino?" Hilmeria asked coldly: "Does the Pope who has lost Fantino, the main temple, and the resting place of the Three Saints still deserve to be called the Pope?
"
As Hilmeria asked questions, the cardinals in the room fell silent, lowering their heads and looking at their toes.
Many people's faces turned red under shame.
Hilmeria glanced at everyone and said firmly: "In the thousand-year history of the Holy See, there has never been a pope who would run away. He will not be allowed to do so in the future~!
My children and I are not going there, we are just in Fantino.
The God of Light will be with us.
Only hardship and danger can demonstrate our loyalty to God.
As for you...
If anyone wants to leave, they can leave now."
The cardinals looked at each other, and some of them obviously hesitated.
The Patriarch of the Inquisition, Archbishop Frederick, raised his head, glanced at the red-coated men with his sinister eyes like poisonous snakes, and snorted coldly.
Everyone trembled immediately and woke up instantly.
That little bitch is so cruel~!
She said everything she said, and the God of Light was with her.
So if anyone of you dares to leave, it will be disloyal to the God of Light and a shameful betrayal.
I was afraid that before I even got out of the gate of Fantino, I would be arrested by the Inquisition. Then I would be tied to a cross and turned into a delicious roasted meat.
"We will be with Fantino."
"Defend Fantino to the death."
"..."
The cardinals immediately expressed their stance loudly, and all of them were in high spirits.
"But...but," Mazovia jumped anxiously and said: "We can continue to resist if we lose Fantino. Once we lose Fantino and His Majesty at the same time, I am afraid that half of the countries on the continent will surrender to the enemy. As long as you are safe.
, the Holy See can get people to persist, and I will guard Vantino on your behalf."
As the imperial city of the human spiritual world, the importance of Vatican cannot be overstated. Once the Holy See of Light loses Vatican and the Pope, everyone in the continent will think that the God of Light has abandoned them, and it is inevitable that their morale will plummet.
In desperate situations, anything can happen.
The baby in her arms curiously reached out to grab Mazovia's long gray beard. Hilmeria smiled and patted him, and said firmly: "We will not lose Fantino. The Holy See has a million troops, and they
Reinforcements are on the way."
Mazovia smiled bitterly and said: "But they are scattered across the entire continent, and it will take time to drive over."
Hilmeria frowned and scolded: "Then buy time. Cardinal Sandos is guarding Delon City. You must consider providing him with as much support as possible first."
"Yes," Mazovia bowed and said solemnly.
"Don't worry," Hilmeria smiled softly and comforted Mazovia, saying: "There is someone who is more anxious than us right now, and he will do his best to help us get through this difficulty."
Looking at Hilmeria's confident smile, Mazovia was stunned for a moment and said: "You mean... Lord Lorraine."
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