Civil War! Death to the Guilds! Death to Michelangelo! You will never be as cunning as Alboino Spinolo!
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Ah yes, Yue. Such fond memories of them.
I'm starting to like Michelangelo. He pretty much represents how I play EUIV, which is ironic considering the name.
Clearly Aris is not a fan of humanism. It's the future, Aris; get with it.
I'm starting to like Michelangelo. He pretty much represents how I play EUIV, which is ironic considering the name.
Clearly Aris is not a fan of humanism. It's the future, Aris; get with it.
Maybe. Maybe not.
A civil war will be very bloody, assuming we come to that.
Ah yes, Yue. Such fond memories of them.
I'm starting to like Michelangelo. He pretty much represents how I play EUIV, which is ironic considering the name.
Clearly Aris is not a fan of humanism. It's the future, Aris; get with it.
I'd be shocked if you didn't like Michelangelo.
Chapter 420
Suddenly, there came news that the Doge was ill and couldn't leave his quarters. A physician was summoned to see the Doge and the man visited regularly. The Doge's advisers waited patiently outside for good news but the physician had been rather secretive regarding the condition of Michelangelo. When asked to meet the Doge, the physician said that Michelangelo wished to see no one until he fully recovered. The advisers were given a note with the Doge's writing and they respected the wishes of the man. They just hoped Michelangelo would be well soon.
Despite being dogged constantly, the physician let nothing slip regarding his patient's condition. Eventually, even the most persistent people gave up trying to find out how the Doge was doing. Luckily, they were told that the Doge had a good appetite as the food sent through the door was always finished, though the servants were never allowed inside. This could be a good sign that Michelangelo was recovering and they really had no reason to worry. The physician probably was ordered by the Doge to keep quiet since Michelangelo certainly appeared as a man who didn't like to be viewed vulnerable.
What was known to a lot less people was the disappearance of Aris. The man simply disappeared without a word and there were talks that he was silenced for opposing the Doge. It didn't seem too absurd that Michelangelo would remove anyone disloyal to him, especially who was so familiar with his inner circles and knew many of his dark secrets. Because Aris didn't have many, if any, friends, his disappearance was quickly forgotten as another man took his place. The new person was as mysterious as Aris but he was picked by the Doge himself.
Other than the sudden illness of Michelangelo and the disappearance of Aris, there weren't really any other mentionable events in the capital. The Republic continued to grow strong as the Traders faction, with its growing power in the government, made steady progress to undoing the various harmful policies introduced by the Doge. Surprisingly, the Doge had not reacted but no one expected him to put up a fight while he was ill. Many expected some action to be taken once the Doge was back on his own two feet.
Yay, Michelangelo is sick. I hope he has Ebola.
Not sure if there's a strain of Ebola back then.
This "illness" seems suspicious...
Who would have suspected Michelangelo can get sick like everyone else.
Chapter 421
Michelangelo never left his quarters but he gave orders by passing his wishes on paper through the door to his most trusted servants. The servants then brought the matters to the government officials who would discuss amongst themselves. Some feared such a procedure would be very inefficient but, somehow, the Doge made it work by having his eyes and ears at work. His eyes and ears were all present at the meetings where they reported all the discussions to the Doge without delay. It was almost as though he merely allowed the discussion to happen as a formality while he already made the decisions himself.
Some wondered why the Doge refused to leave his quarters resulting in many rumors sprouting out. Some claimed that the Doge himself was still ill and couldn't leave his bed. Other suggested that Michelangelo's bond with Aris went very deep and his elimination of the man saw him too grieved to leave his own quarters. There were even rumors saying the Doge learned of a major assassination attempt and staying inside his quarters was the safest way. Whatever the case, no one had seen Michelangelo's face since he was ill and no one was ever granted an audience except for the physician.
A week before the election, a major event happened in the capital as the most influential member of the Traders faction was found assassinated. While the culprit wasn't never caught, the circumstantial evidence suggested that the Doge might have a hand in it. The other members of the Traders faction received letters the very next day with threats if they didn't re-elect the current Doge. The letters weren't signed but it didn't take a genius to figure out who the sender was. Considering how much security the influential member of the Traders faction had, it became clear that no one was truly safe.
Without solid evidence, no one could accuse Michelangelo for these crimes. However, the death was enough to make the members of the Traders faction reconsider their options. Despite having the majority of the votes in the government, they must fear for their own lives. Short of killing Michelangelo, they could all be at risk of being murdered if they didn't comply with the demands in the letters. Wanting to continue living and fight another day, these members voted for Michelangelo and the Doge got his third term in power. However, they weren't going to sit idly and let the tyrant continue his reign at ease.
The power struggle continues. I am curious to see what is really going on with Michelangelo as he locks himself away. So mysterious.
Woohoo!!
Finally cought up!
Go Michaelangelo! A dictator is really something needed from time to time. It won't hurt! Consolidate that power and don't let it slip away!
Finally cought up!
Go Michaelangelo! A dictator is really something needed from time to time. It won't hurt! Consolidate that power and don't let it slip away!
Killing Michelangelo won't be so easy.
Indeed, who knows what goes in that man's head.
Michelangelo won't be letting go of his power without a fight and he will be fighting hard to hold on.
He only wishes that were the case.
Chapter 422
Camilia couldn't hold back her tears as she stared at the lifeless body of her husband. Hours ago, they were still discussing about their next destination. Both of them missed their home tremendously so they intended on heading home and remain there for a short while. Camilia learned a month ago that she was pregnant and the idea of having a child excited her. She was hoping to convince Sini to quit exploration so they could settle down in Sumatra where they could raise a family and have an ordinary life like everybody else. Yet, that scenario no longer seemed possible.
Neither of them was prepared for a child. They didn't even plan for one. They were trying some alcohol they acquired in a foreign place and things happened due to how unexpectedly strong the alcohol was. They didn't think Camilia would be pregnant as a result but that was exactly what happened. Sini was shocked at first but he eventually warmed to the idea of being a father. Exploring foreign places was fun and all but he started to feel his age catching up to him. He was no longer the young explorer who could travel anywhere without feeling any fatigue. He sadly realized that his days of adventures might indeed be coming to an end.
When SIni first began exploring, he was told that he was likely to die from two possibilities. He would either be killed by natives or a disease they had no cure to. Sini was never under the illusion he was immortal but he never suspected either of those to take his life. In reality, he was right and didn't die from either of those causes. Instead, he was murdered in cold blood by mercenaries sent by Michelangelo. The Doge, following the feast with Sini, didn't like the explorer one bit and wished to eliminate him. Therefore, he hired a few mercenaries to board the ship as sailors.
The mercenaries waited patiently for their opportunity until they managed to be alone with Sini and a handful of men. They quickly dispatched Sini's men before ending the explorer's life. Ironically, the mercenaries encountered natives on the island where they met their demise. The fate of the mercenaries was unknown but no one cared about them. Sini's body was later found and, from the wounds he suffered, Camilia and the others were convinced that he wasn't killed by natives. However, the official story given to the government was death by natives as Camilia suspected Michelangelo to be behind her husband's death.
Poor Sini, he didn't even die an explorer's death. At least the natives killed someone.
Well the official story is believable at least. Those damn natives love to murder explorers.
You two seem to be mistaken. Michelangelo is the great and mighty doge who is clearly not a tyrant and rules rightfully with a strong hand. Michaelangelo is a benevolent god figure who guides that fate of Nuova Italia from an alternate dimension, leading the nation towards dominance of Southeast Asia and soon the world. That extra A holds all the power.
You two seem to be mistaken. Michelangelo is the great and mighty doge who is clearly not a tyrant and rules rightfully with a strong hand. Michaelangelo is a benevolent god figure who guides that fate of Nuova Italia from an alternate dimension, leading the nation towards dominance of Southeast Asia and soon the world. That extra A holds all the power.
So...such doge, much power, many republic, wow.Well the official story is believable at least. Those damn natives love to murder explorers.
You two seem to be mistaken. Michelangelo is the great and mighty doge who is clearly not a tyrant and rules rightfully with a strong hand. Michaelangelo is a benevolent god figure who guides that fate of Nuova Italia from an alternate dimension, leading the nation towards dominance of Southeast Asia and soon the world. That extra A holds all the power.
Poor Sini, he didn't even die an explorer's death. At least the natives killed someone.
The method of his death is instrumental to what happens afterwards.
Well the official story is believable at least. Those damn natives love to murder explorers.
You two seem to be mistaken. Michelangelo is the great and mighty doge who is clearly not a tyrant and rules rightfully with a strong hand. Michaelangelo is a benevolent god figure who guides that fate of Nuova Italia from an alternate dimension, leading the nation towards dominance of Southeast Asia and soon the world. That extra A holds all the power.
This is clearly false propaganda.
Don't listen to him.
Chapter 423
A small group of mercenaries managed to sneak into the palace. They were given a task that would practically guarantee their deaths but they were unafraid. They were ready for the afterlife once they accepted the dangerous mission. The mercenaries were devout Catholic zealots who wouldn't hesitate to give up their lives for their God. They saw Michelangelo as a follower of the devil so they must do everything in their power to eradicate this evil. Regardless of what the outcome was, they would be granted access to heaven where they could continue serving the Almighty.
The mercenaries didn't know who their employer was, not that they cared at all. They were convinced Michelangelo was evil and had to be disposed of at once. Their employer merely provided ducats and supplies along with a few contacts who would make their lives slightly easier. It was the men of their employer who made it possible for the mercenaries to sneak into the palace without detection. However, they still had to get through the many guards patrolling the palace. Since the Doge got ill, the guards patrolling the palace had increased dramatically.
The mercenaries were alone as soon as they got inside. Their employer wanted nothing to tie them to the assassination attempt so his men disappeared once they did their job. The mercenaries took a moment to study the palace layout again before they ascended the stairs. Their success relied heavily on how long they could remain in the shadows as they were certain a large contingent of soldiers were posted outside the Doge's quarters. They needed every men they had to get through those soldiers to have a chance of killing the devil's servant.
Remaining in the shadows, the leader of the group kept his ear out for any footsteps. They managed to ascend several floors without being noticed and the leader of the mercenary group soon realized that the guards were complacent. They had grown accustomed to nothing happening so they allowed their security to be more lax. This was exactly what the mercenaries needed to get to the top floor unscathed before the fated battle with the Doge's personal guards. According to reliable intelligence, the Doge had a few dozen personal guards outside his quarters at all times.
Those mercenaries are about to be slaughtered.
So Sini is a martyr?The method of his death is instrumental to what happens afterwards.
I think the mercenaries knew that. And Sini isn't a martyr unless he can break through the fourth wall.
Chapter 424
The mercenaries waited in the shadows as they prepared the first surprise for the Doge's personal guards. They each brought out a small container that were filled with gunpowder inside. They lit the fuse and threw it into the hallway which got the attention of the personal guards. Moments later, there were multiple explosions killing many guards and wounding several others. The mercenaries then came out of hiding and began hacking away at the guards who were still struggling to make sense of what was happening. None of them was prepared for this sneak attack.
What the mercenaries used were the earliest known accounts of grenades. They contained enough gunpowder to pack quite the punch and the fuse gave the user some time to throw them amidst the enemy. However, these were merely prototypes that had origins tied to the fractured China where, despite all the conflicts, military technology was making several large strides. The Trade faction members had been doing business with Yue where they first learned about this incredible technology. With only a limited number, they decided to use the grenades in this sneak attack.
Once the remaining personal guards overcame their shock and surprise, they quickly got into formation as they fought it out with the mercenaries. While the mercenaries were skilled, they soon learned that the Doge's personal guards weren't pushovers either. Michelangelo only selected the best men to serve him and those selected had to go through additional training making them the most elite soldiers in all of the Republic. However, no training could prepare these men for the grenades and the sneak attack which saw them losing a considerable number of men in the early stages of the sneak attack.
As the fighting was going on at the top floor, the other guards were still puzzled over what they heard. The grenades created explosions that could be heard throughout the palace but, being new and unfamiliar for the Nuova Italian soldiers, it was understandable they didn't know the origin of the sounds. To many, they sounded like thunder in quick succession. None of them considered going to the top floor to investigate so, luckily for the mercenaries, the fight would remain between them and the Doge's personal guard which suited them just fine.
I'm hoping that when they burst into the doge's quarters, Michelangelo isn't even there. He's probably recovering on some tropical island drinking martinis.