Chapter 965

Name:Black Corporation: Joseon Author:
Episode 965: Everyone is a bully except me.... (2)

“The criminals are to be hanged!”

Naples soldiers who were tried on charges of theft were sentenced to death by hanging.

“Please have mercy!”

“Mercy!”

The soldiers who heard the verdict shed tears and begged for mercy, but the commander in charge of the trial answered in a cold voice.

“This is a ruling based on military discipline. There is no overturning. Take them away.”

“Mercy!”

Even as they were taken to a temporary prison built on one side of the camp, the soldiers longed for mercy. The expressions on the faces of all the soldiers watching the scene – from the Kingdom of Naples to those of the Imperial Army – were grave.

“Unlucky...”

And this was the same for the commanders. The battlefield was a place where instinct took precedence over any other place. Looting and theft were almost common among soldiers going into battle. Therefore, it was customary for commanders to turn a blind eye ‘to a certain extent’. The problem was when it went beyond that ‘certain level’. In that case, the army would instantly become a band of thieves with enormous military power.

Therefore, commanders used these ‘unlucky soldiers’ to establish discipline in their units. What made the soldiers who were now sentenced even more unfortunate was that the place where they attempted the theft was, of course, the Imperial Army camp.

“If you went in to steal, you might get caught! What a shame! This is at the most important time!”

It was an added ‘offensive’ that hurt the pride of Alfonso, the commander-in-chief of the Kingdom of Naples.

* * *

Before the soldiers were tried and sentenced, the commanders of the Kingdom of Naples interrogated the criminals.

“How did you get caught?”

Although he couldn’t boast about it openly, Naples was famous for its many thieves. From pickpockets who steal the wallets of passers-by, to full-blown thieves who climb over walls at night. It was not easy for people who were so good at stealing to be caught hiding in a temporary camp that was not a properly built fortress.

This meant that the imperial army’s discipline and capabilities were unusual. The criminals’ answers to the commanders’ questions were the same.

“It was like they knew we were coming.”

“It moved without any sign. It was like a ghost! It was like a ghost!”

“The persistence was like meeting a pack of wolves!”

The commanders muttered with serious faces in response to the criminals’ answer.

“If you look at the story, they are almost like wild beasts? What kind of people are they?”

Soon after, strange rumors began to circulate among the Naples Kingdom army.

-I heard there are wizards in the imperial army who use strange techniques! It is said that if those wizards cast a spell, they can see at night as if it were day, and a person becomes as strong as a bear!

-It is said that Imperial soldiers turn into beasts when the moon rises!

It was a rumor created by imperial soldiers from Shinji.

* * *

“Thank you for your favor.”

When Han Myeong-hoe expressed his gratitude, Cardinal Giovanni smiled and responded politely.

“It is my honor.”

Politicians from allied cities, including Genoa and Milan, and Alfonso also dressed as women in the mansions of cardinals or archbishops with whom they had ties. The only courtesy was Cesare Borgia. He stayed at his mansion in Rome. As the locations for politicians to stay were decided, soldiers surrounded the mansion to protect them.

What is interesting is that as they settled in like this, the imperial army and the soldiers of the allied Kingdom of Naples and the Duchy of Romagna ended up surrounding the Apostolic Palace, where the Pope was staying. After a war of words that lasted until the sun set, the venue for negotiations was decided to be the conference room at Sado Palace.

* * *

Two days later, full-scale negotiations began. Negotiations began to explode as soon as they began. And the first plosive sound was caused by Cesare Borgia.

“Why is a traitor worse than Judas Iscariot here? As long as that traitor is present, there can be no negotiations!”

Juan, who appeared as the Pope’s representative, pointed a finger at Cesare and screamed. It was Han Myeong-hoe 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.”

In response to Han Myeong-hoe’s firm reply, the negotiations were declared adjourned as soon as they began. While the adjournment continued, negotiations for negotiation took place. However, the response of the Hanmyeonghoe was resolute, and in the end, Juan had to acknowledge Cesare’s attendance. And with this, superiority and inferiority were clearly differentiated.

The first thing discussed in the resumed negotiations was ‘whether the Pope’s decree exists.’

“I recognize the unification of Italy. No, I welcome it. But I want to maintain the current Papal States.”

Lorenzo gave a short answer to Juan’s request.

“Impossible. The current Papal States is too large. Only 10 leagues (approximately 42 km) in all directions around Rome will be recognized. The remaining Papal States will elect leaders through the votes of their citizens.”

“Voting? Huh! Isn’t this a sign that you will share in the end?”

“Even if we share it, it is still one Italy. If you don’t like it, you can break the negotiation.”

“Ugh...”

When Lorenzo forced him to choose between ‘war or surrender,’ Juan groaned and closed his mouth. Myung-hoe Han joined the conversation as he watched Juan grinding his teeth.

“When I came to Italy, I saw that even though it was a Papal territory, tyrants had taken their place in each region. The church is run through donations from believers anyway, so why insist on a Papal territory?”

“That’s...”

“His Majesty the Great Taehyang once said, ‘To Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God.’ Didn’t the dogma preach, ‘To God what is God’s.’ How can those who are called to save sentient beings give up worldly worldly desires? “Can’t you?”

“........”

Juan kept his mouth shut at Han Myeong-hoe’s point. Although the scent had already been removed once, this was the most painful and delicate part of the Vatican. After two days of squirrel-like negotiations, King Juan Alexander VI and the Vatican gave in.

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

With these words, Alexander VI surrendered. But this wasn’t the end.

“Since we’ve come this far, I’d like to hear a definitive answer on this as well.”

What Han Myeong-hoe requested an answer to was the ‘issue of rituals for ancestors.’

“In the main and northern regions of the empire, as well as in the new region, ancestral rites are very important. If you want to spread your faith, I hope you will give an answer to this question. Right here and now!”