Elliot of Taranto, the only son of Count Taranto.

Compared with the noble young men of this era, Elliott is not very prominent, and sometimes he is a little cynical, but he is a reliable person.

At least this time he completed his mission successfully.

When he heard that the commander of the Aragon Expeditionary Force was Earl de Sanchode, Ruosha couldn't help but remember the description of the Earl he had heard from his uncle.

"Brave and firm, once you set your goal, you will not hesitate, and you will be stubborn like a donkey."

This is what Earl Modillo said of Earl de Sanchode.

In the past, Ruosha once regarded his uncle's evaluation of those Iberian nobles as an interesting story about his long-term residence on the peninsula in his early years, but now she knows that Count Modillo's interest in those people was not just because of his interest, or simply liked to discuss people's strengths.

Perhaps because he knew that one day he would become a natural enemy with those people, Count Modillo was very concerned about all the Iberian powerful people he had encountered or heard of.

Once you set your goal, you don’t hesitate. Such a personality seems to be a necessary condition for success. Anyone who wants to succeed must have a tenacious belief in order to be qualified to touch the fruits of victory.

But stubborn like a donkey... This may not be a problem most of the time, but once you are too stubborn, it will often lead to bad or even the opposite results.

Earl de Sanchode was obviously very firm, but he was more stubborn, which was destined that when he set a goal, even if the situation changed, he would often be more willing to believe in his own judgment than in fact that he might be wrong.

When he was sent to Messina by Ruosha, Elliott was not only an envoy to welcome the Wallachians, but also shouldered another more important task, which was to find a way to convince Sophia to accept Ruosha's plan.

Some Count De Sangchude, who had rich previous war experience, would not see a wonderful fighter jet appearing in front of him. The situation where the coalition forces divided their troops and advanced alone was enough to lure a cautious general to take the initiative, and Count De Sangchude was much braver and decisive than those cautious people.

This naturally adventurous count once showed extraordinary courage in the regaining of lost grounds, and it was that courage that made him trusted by Ferdinand.

More importantly, the Earl firmly believed that the Aragon fleet could block Sicily once it returned, which means that even if it was at a disadvantage in land wars on the island, once the retreat was cut off, the coalition would face the fate of a crushing defeat.

It is precisely because of this fearlessness that the already bold and brave Earl De Sangchude would not miss such a good chance to defeat each other. Once the Wallachians advance alone, it will become the most ideal goal.

The Naples coalition forces entered Ragusa, and the Wallachians were in Noto. This distance was not far, but not close, and it was just a good opportunity for a surrounded army to attack and defeat the enemy.

The arrangements Ruosha had for Earl De Sangqiude were such an illusion.

When she summoned the local nobles in Ragusa and demonstrated the majesty and kindness of the Queen of Sicily, the coalition forces had quickly marched towards Noto, and for this Rusha, they did not even come to the battlefield but stayed in Ragusa to confuse the Aragonese.

But this careful plan faces a very important problem, that is, Sophia.

Whether Sophia can be persuaded to accept this plan, or even convince her to throw the dragoons into the battlefield to fight head-on with the Aragonese army in order to firmly attract the Aragonese people, has become a very important question.

That's why Rusha sent Elliot, who seemed versatile to Messina.

For Elliot, the trip almost turned into a nightmare. For the first time, he truly witnessed how terrible the legendary female grandfather was. If the old Greek had not tried his best to dissuade him, he might have been killed by the female grandfather's sword.

Sophia believed that Ruosha wanted to cheat her, at least she felt that the Dragoon might pose a threat to the grenades she was proud of, so she came up with the idea of ​​using the Aragonese hands to attack her.

So although Elliot tried his best to do so, not only did he not get any effect, but he almost suffered the disaster because he angered the female grandfather.

The plan was finally realized because Sophia changed her mind in the end.

However, this is not without a price. After repeated considerations, Sophia proposed a condition that Elliott had no right to replace Rusha's promise - she asked Rusha to make a promise to publicly support her son August Alexandru Valleolo as a two Sicily queen to marry the daughter of Bohemia's king Ladislas II in the future.

This proposal has completely exceeded Elliot's authority, and it also involves an imperial electorate who has to return to Palermo in a mess and tells Ruosha the idea that sounds like a completely whimsical.

After hearing this condition, Ruosha couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Just half a year ago, Anna of Naples, the wife of King Ladislas II of Bohemia, gave birth to a daughter. This was both happy and troubled for the old Ladislas II.

After all, he is already very old, and the queen is also an older mother, but she is still healthy, so it is unlikely that the two of them will have another child in the future, and the queen will not go to see God immediately for a while.

So he didn't plan to marry another young wife and give birth to a male heir for him.

From this point of view, that princess should be the heir to the Kingdom of Bohemia.

The Queen of Bohemia, Anna, was born into the Naples royal family.

Ruosha suddenly felt that she shouldn't underestimate the wild girl who had no idea that she had a simple chest, but her head was empty.

Even though this idea is probably Alexander's arrangement, she is able to take the opportunity to put forward the conditions at this time, which shows that she is no longer the same now.

Ruosha agreed without much consideration of this condition. Of course, she was not perfunctory, but after hearing about this, a grand map of the future "Alexander Empire" that shocked her quickly appeared in her mind.

Moreover, if she could take the opportunity to expand the influence of the two Sicily kingdoms to the inland and east of Europe, it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her.

The plan was decided like this, and before Elliot returned to report, Ruosha seriously asked him to tell Sophia: "The fate of all of us is in your hands. Whether we can firmly attract the Aragons, or even force them to launch an attack on the initiative is the key to everything. I hand over my destiny in your hands, and our destiny belongs to Alexander."

Ruosha's reminder or warning is undoubtedly foresighted. When the most dangerous moment comes, Sophia has a moment of wavering.

Although he knew that the coalition had secretly arranged the Aragonese's back, Sophia thought of giving up at that moment when she looked at the enemy rushing towards her position like a tide.

She didn't know whether she could persist until she attracted the Aragonese to turn to the attack in full. Her Dragoons were under tremendous pressure and could even collapse and defeat at any time.

The words in "The Book of Generals" became the pillar that supported Sophia's persistence. She didn't know how many 5 minutes she needed to persist, but when she saw the Aragonese finally attacking the entire line, she knew that it was her who persisted until the end, not Earl de Sanchode.

Sophia sat down tiredly, and she no longer cared about what happened on the battlefield next.

On December 27, 1501, the Aragon Expeditionary Forces had 6,000, the Trade Union and the Wallachian Alliance had about 6,500, and the two sides fought fiercely with Noto, a port in southern Sicily.

The Aragonese army was attacked by the coalition forces and suffered heavy losses. Earl de Sanchode, the commander of the Expeditionary Force, had to retreat to the Port of Noto in an unfavorable situation.

The next day, from the early morning, the coalition forces launched hours of artillery bombardment, and then launched a fierce attack on the defenders of Noto Port.

Because the expeditionary commander Earl de Sangchud was injured in the battle and whereabouts were unknown, on the afternoon of the 28th, the remaining defenders of Aragon stopped resisting and surrendered to the coalition forces.

In this battle, more than 1,100 people were killed in the Aragon Expeditionary Force, and all the others surrendered.

The coalition forces suffered more than 400 casualties.

The War to Unify the Kingdom of Sicily came to an end.

Snowflakes were still floating in the sky, but they had already melted when they fell on the ground.

However, the sky was gloomy and the sea in the distance was rolling up layers of waves, and the low and constant sounds made when the ink waves surged to the shore hit the beach, just like a moaning for the ghosts of the dead.

Ruosha stood on the stone slab at the port of Noto Harbor, looking at the roaring sea in the distance. Her wide skirt was blown by the wind and almost touched her body, completely highlighting her graceful figure.

Just turned around and looked at the woman standing there like a proud heifer next to her. Ruosha sighed softly, and her original good mood seemed to have faded a little.

The day after the coalition army won, Ruosha came to Noto and showed extraordinary respect for her arrival even the officers of Wallachia.

The entire plan was formulated by the Queen of Naples. In order to confuse the Aragonese, she even took the risk to stay in Ragusa. When the coalition forces quietly marched towards Noto, Rusha who was staying in Ragusa only had a guard of more than 100 people.

No one can refuse to admit that it was the bravery and boldness of the Queen of Naples, and her unusually correct judgment of the Aragonese movements that allowed the Battle of Noto to achieve the coalition's record with a complete victory.

Ruosha's voice undoubtedly reached a new level at this moment, so when Sophia saw her, she seemed quite cold because of her unhappiness.

But Ruosha didn't care about this. She knew that she and Sophia might never be able to get along in this life.

But this doesn't matter. In Ruosha's view, it would be enough as long as Sophia can ensure that the future "Alexander Empire" will be stronger.

Just looking at the Bohemian woman in front of her who looked even more like a disaster after giving birth, she felt a little uncomfortable.

Looking at Sophia's impatient appearance, Ruosha waved her hand and asked her entourage to send her a thick cloak. She didn't want to stand by the beach like this woman who was healthier than a heifer and was cold.

"I know that many people are worried about the Aragon fleet, and even the coalition forces, that once they are blocked, not only will our previous victory disappear, but they may even die in Sicily because of the cut-off retreat."

Sophia made a "hum" sound from her nose. She knew that Ruosha was right. After the joy of defeating the Aragon Expeditionary Force, many of the coalition generals immediately saw the potential threat next.

But even though she knew that this was indeed a problem that everyone faced together, she couldn't help feeling a little unhappy when she saw Ruosha who seemed to be in control.

"I think we don't have to worry so much. It's not easy for the Aragon fleet to come back." Ruosha said as she turned around and looked at the turbulent sea in the distance. The wind blew away her hair, so she simply took off the seemingly scattered hair accessories and threw them on the ground casually. Then she raised her head and let the cold snowflakes fall on her face.

"Alexander promised me that one day he would take me to the other side of the sea to see. He said that in the farther West there is a new world that we have no idea. I only hope that by that time, whether you or any other woman will become a burden to him."

Sophia stared at Ruosha with a heavy face. She actually didn't understand what Ruosha was saying, and she didn't look forward to the so-called new world.

Those places are too far away, and she now hopes that her son and daughter can have a "home" big enough.

Of course, if there is Alexander in this family, that is the best.

Two days later, the coalition forces entered Karibo.

The Aragonese troops defending Karipo did not resist. They chose to put down their weapons and surrender to the coalition forces. The Aragonese fleet transporting the Expeditionary Force immediately left the Port of Karipo and retreated to the Island of Malta after hearing the news.

Karipo once again welcomed a new conqueror, but this time it was a queen and a female grand duke.

When local officials in Karibo introduced the situation of Karibo to the two noble ladies, they were quite surprised that the Queen suddenly asked if there was a monastery called Saint Sebalon.

After receiving a positive answer, the Queen of Naples immediately showed her interest and immediately decided to visit the monastery.

The Queen's move surprised the officials. Although this can be explained as the Queen's piety, she just looked excited but didn't seem to be like that.

But Sophia obviously had no interest in seeing a monastery. She was learning to write letters now. Although it was very difficult to spell the letters one by one, because these letters were written to the female servants who were taking care of her children far away in Wallachia, she still patiently reminded her to take good care of his children, fearing that she would forget anything.

When Ruosha came to the Monastery of Saint-Sabalon, the monastery who had been notified in advance had asked someone to open the door that was closed all year round. Looking at the Queen of Naples who was slowly walking along with her followers, a strange look flashed in the dean's eyes.

"Your Majesty, you will definitely be blessed by God if you are so pious, and it is our honor to all of us to be the protector of the monastery." The monastery accompanied the young queen slowly in the monastery, introducing everything here to her from time to time, and did not forget to praise the queen with appropriate compliments, but this sounded more like a hint to others, "It's time to pay."

Unfortunately, the queen seemed to have no idea of ​​the dean's obvious hint. She just visited the monastery with interest until she suddenly stopped and set a distance between her and the monastery intentionally or unintentionally, and then she asked casually: "Where is the dungeon of this monastery?"

The dean's expression changed instantly. He wanted to calm himself down as much as possible, but looked at the queen's smiling expression. At this moment, he realized that he might be in big trouble.

"I know there is a dungeon here," Ruosha stood at a safe distance and looked at the monastery in front of her. "Actually, I don't know who you are, but I think there is someone you should know, that is, he told me that you might be here."

Listening to Ruosha's words, the monastery slowly raised his hand. His action immediately aroused the vigilance of the guards around him. They took out the muskets that had been prepared long ago, and a row of black muzzles pointed at the monastery.

"I think I know who you are talking about," said the monastery who slowly took off his hood, which was indeed unfamiliar to Ruosha, but if Alexander was here, he would have been very familiar with this person. "I think it should be your uncle, Earl Modillo, told you, but I don't think he told you who I am."

As he said that, the dean of the monastery spread his arms and saluted respectfully to Ruosha: "Salute to you, Your Majesty, Cerrien is willing to serve you."

Galicia is very warm in winter. At least in Alexander's memory, when the continuous abnormal climate over the past few years affected most of Europe, Galicia's warmth seemed very prominent.

Especially on this coldest and coldest day, other places are already covered with snow. Even in Iberia, there are many places where it is cold. It is a very special sight to see a group of young women lifting up their skirts and washing clothes barefoot in the river.

The clothes of those women had the gorgeous colors unique to Galicia.

In fact, the Spanish girl with extremely deep flaming red lips in later generations gradually evolved from the locals in Galicia. After many years, her unrestrained and obsessive image even became a symbol of Spain like the bullfighting that also originated from Galicia.

However, Galicia is a very special place in Castilla now.

The intricate relationship with Portugal has always been regarded as an alien to Castile, and many local nobles were regarded as a complicity of the Portuguese in the court of Valladot.

Especially after Manuel first launched the war, some people have proposed whether troops should be sent into Galicia immediately to prevent locals from colluding with the Portuguese.

A group of people coming from across the river attracted Scher's attention, and he greeted the Balkan guards next to him.

Looking at the knights who stopped on the other side, Alexander stood up from the sitting stone.

Gonzalo, who had gotten off his horse, walked towards him with the river water, and when he stepped ashore, he immediately pulled off his wet boots and walked barefoot to Alexander.

After a silent pause, Gonzalo finally spoke: "Duke, I don't know why you are coming to Castilia, but this doesn't seem to matter anymore. I want to tell you one thing."
Chapter completed!