The reason the three ambassadors could all remain so calm was because this was something they had already anticipated to some extent.

• -The land force, including the Swiss mercenaries, exceeds 100,000, making it the largest on the Italian front.
• -Fighting this number alone would be the act of a fool.
• -Naturally, they will attempt to form a coalition.
• -We’ll think about what comes next when it happens.

While nodding at Shin Sukju’s words, Seong Sam-mun continued with a slightly uncomprehending expression.

“I thought France would reach out to Portugal first… this is a bit unexpected.”

If what the man from Paris said was true, France was sending an envoy to Spain, but as of yet, had no plans to send one to Portugal.

Of course, considering the time difference, it was possible an envoy had also gone to Portugal. However, considering Portugal’s value, ‘Spain before Portugal’ was a strange move.

Yu Eung-bu picked up on Seong Sam-mun’s point.

“Perhaps France is thinking of Suez and Italy as separate issues.”

“Suez and Italy are separate? Hmm…”

“That could be it…”

Shin Sukju and Seong Sam-mun, who were chewing over Yu Eung-bu’s opinion, soon nodded their heads.

***

It wasn’t that France was completely ignorant of the Empire. No, they knew it well. Therefore, they must have naturally concluded that if they touched Suez, the Empire would move in earnest.

And they could be certain of that from the words of the man from Paris.

The compensation France had offered to Spain and the Habsburgs consisted only of the partitioning of Italy.

In other words, France’s objective was only to protect its own interests in Italy and to exclude the Empire’s interference.

• -We cannot give up Italy, but we have no intention of breaking off our entire relationship with the Empire.
• -Therefore, Italy and Suez are separate matters.

This was how the three men judged the reason France had left Portugal for later.

***

“Hah~.”

Realizing France’s intentions, Seong Sam-mun shook his head.

“There is a saying, ‘Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth,’ but… where do they get the confidence that Spain and the Habsburgs will accept their terms if they just declare them separate issues…”

Yu Eung-bu retorted to Seong Sam-mun’s criticism in a cynical tone.

“They are a great power, are they not?”

“A great power, my ass… Hmm… If France is coming at it like this…”

As if a good idea had struck him, Seong Sam-mun suddenly stopped talking and fell into thought. After nodding to himself and pondering something, Seong Sam-mun looked at Yu Eung-bu.

“How many Eul-type long rifles and Eul-type Hwachas are left in the homeland?”

“There are many left. Why?”

“If they are using a Horizontal Alliance strategy, shouldn’t we use a Vertical Alliance strategy?¹ Since His Excellency Huihyeondang² is going to Portugal, I shall have to go to Hungary. The Hungarians would like the Eul-type long rifles and Hwachas, would they not?”

“A fine idea.”

“An excellent idea.”

“Then let’s write up the report as quickly as possible, send it to Seoul, and make our move. We’ll need to contact Livorno and request ships as well.”

“Let’s do that.”

And so, the fierce diplomatic war that opened the prelude to the war in Italy began.

***

While a fierce diplomatic war was unfolding centered on Florence and Paris, the Imperial military port in Livorno was teeming with the Empire’s warships.

This was thanks to the main body of the Imperial Army, which had arrived in Italy via Suez, and the second transport fleet from New Frontier arriving at the same time.

“I’m sure there was enough time between the dates! Why!”

“Instead of questioning why, deal with one more ship!”

“This is just the beginning! Cargo and people are still arriving continuously at Henrique Harbor!”

“Same goes for New Frontier!”

The Imperial Navy personnel managing the port, starting with the port commander, were moving without proper rest.

They organized the docking order of the arriving ships and brought over cranes and windlasses to unload the cargo.

In another area, carts pulled by draft animals and towing vehicles moved in lines like worker ants to transport the unloaded cargo to the warehouses.

In step with the busy movements in Livorno, Florence was also moving busily.

“Check the railway connection properly!”

“Yes, sir!”

At the Imperial Army garrison built on the outskirts of Florence, Yu Eung-bu was checking on the situation, his nerves on edge.

This was because the most important of the facilities being built at the Imperial garrison, the railway, was undergoing its final process.

Once the railway directly connecting Florence Station to the Imperial Army garrison was laid, they would be able to comfortably transport the Imperial Army’s new mainstay weapons.

After confirming that the newly laid railway was properly installed by mobilizing a reserve iron horse from Florence Station, Yu Eung-bu let out a long sigh.

“Hoo~. To think they’re actually planning to use those bizarre contraptions. Damned trench warfare…”

Around the same time, at the Imperial Army arsenal in Livorno.

The artisans belonging to the army and those dispatched from Area 51 and Area 52 were methodically assembling the parts that had been unloaded from the ships.

Screech! Screeeech!

“No issues! It rolls well!”

“Then load it up!”

The equipment, whose assembly and final inspection were complete, was loaded methodically onto the open flatcars on one side of the arsenal.

“Cover it with a tarp!”

“Tie the ropes tight!”

“Wrap it up tight!”

As the equipment was loaded onto the freight cars, soldiers swarmed over them, covering them with tarps and tying them down firmly with thick, tough ropes.

When night fell, an iron horse entered the arsenal. As guards boarded the freight cars that were pulled out of the arsenal in a line by the iron horse, the train got on the railway heading to Florence and departed from Livorno.

Their final destination was the Imperial Army garrison on the outskirts of Florence.

Watching the freight cars disappear into the distance, the artisans muttered with complicated expressions.

“I thought it was just the Emperor Emeritus’s pastime…”

“What’s more surprising is that His Majesty the Emperor allocated a budget to mass-produce that thing.”

“Well, that’s because they’re blood…”

“Shh!”

“At the end of the day, it’s only the officials at the Ministry of Finance who are pitiful, huh…”

“Break time’s over! We still have a lot more to assemble! If you want to get any proper sleep, move it!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Recite the slogan! One defective unit, your pay gets cut! One quality unit, your pay goes up!”

“Goes up!”

“Who are you! You are the artisans raised by the Incomprehensible Emperor Emeritus and Jang Yeong-sil!”

“Uoooh!”

The artisans, who had vigorously recited the slogan, diligently moved their tools.

The reason the artisans were doing their best was not just because of the prize money. It was because they were curious to see how the Imperial Army’s newest weapon, which they were now assembling, would perform on the battlefield. And it was because of a strange sense of competition that had blossomed among the artisans.

• -For that equipment to make a name for itself, we must handle it properly!
• -On the honor of Area 51! We will show them the skills of the original!
• -We will show them what Area 52 is all about! We will prove who Jang Yeong-sil’s direct successors are!

***

While a fiery competition was unfolding among the artisans in Livorno, a great uproar was also breaking out in Seoul.

It began with a small rumor that flowed out of Suganggung Palace.

• -The Emperor Emeritus has commanded that a new military uniform be made for him to wear!

“A military uniform? Why?”

Han Myeong-hoe tilted his head when he heard the rumor. But soon, his face turned deathly pale, and he shot up from his seat.

“No way! It can’t be! It mustn’t be!”

Shouting something like a scream, Han Myeong-hoe forgot his dignity and sprinted towards Geunjeongjeon Hall.

“Hahk! Tell… heuk! His Majesty that the Prime Minister… heok! has arrived!”

As Han Myeong-hoe spoke, gasping for breath, the court attendant immediately replied.

“His Majesty has gone to Suganggung Palace now!”

“Oh, shit!”

Spitting out a curse without realizing it, Han Myeong-hoe had to sprint again towards Suganggung Palace.

“Hoo-eup! Heok! Keok!”

“Oh my, Lord Prime Minister!”

Perhaps because he had sprinted from the prime minister’s office on the Street of the Six Ministries to Geunjeongjeon, and then again to Suganggung, Han Myeong-hoe was on the verge of passing out when he arrived at Hyang’s residence. A startled court attendant ran to support him, and after barely catching his breath, Han Myeong-hoe got to the point.

“To His Majesty, I…”

Before Han Myeong-hoe could even finish his words, Hyeon’s roar thundered from inside.

“Absolutely not! You wish to go to Italy! Do you not know what will become of that place?!”

At Hyeon’s roar, Han Myeong-hoe’s expression turned crestfallen.

“Just as I feared… Hoo-eup~. Hooo~.”

As the event he had anticipated unfolded, Han Myeong-hoe moved past his despair and instead became calm. Composedly catching his breath, Han Myeong-hoe spoke to the attendant standing beside him.

“Announce me.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. Your Majesty! The Prime Minister has arrived!”

“Let him enter!”

As Hyeon’s permission was granted, Han Myeong-hoe stepped inside. Seeing Hyang and Hyeon, Han Myeong-hoe paid his respects politely, and Hyang greeted him with a smile.

“Welcome. Sit there.”

Taking the seat Hyang offered, Han Myeong-hoe got straight to the point.

“A strange rumor has been circulating within the palace lately, so I came in a hurry, and I overheard you from outside. Do you truly intend to go to Italy?”

“I do.”

“It is a place that will become a battlefield.”

“That is why I am going.”

At Hyang’s words, Hyeon raised his voice again.

“You say that is why you are going, but what is the reason for it?!”

“It is because of the new equipment being deployed this time, and the issue of supply.”

“Pardon?”

Hyang explained the reason he had to go to Italy.

• -The Imperial Army being deployed to Italy this time has more than one or two new weapons.
• -Small arms won’t be a big problem, but the large weapons systems are.
• -Although they have undergone some verification, no one knows what problems might arise in actual combat. For a quick resolution, there needs to be someone who knows their mechanisms well. And I know those mechanisms best.
• -And it also helps with the supply problem. Long-distance supply lines must be maintained, whether from New Frontier or the homeland. If things go wrong, we could lose a war we should have won because of supply problems. For that reason, I must be there. Do you think there is anyone who would dare to mess up the supply lines if the Emperor Emeritus is there?

“…Lastly, we can’t just have the ambassadors be the ones to accept the surrender of the European monarchs, can we? There should at least be an Emperor Emeritus present to have the proper dignity, don’t you think?”

At Hyang’s words, Hyeon wore a look of utter disbelief.

‘He’s not even considering the possibility that the Empire might lose! Well… I don’t expect to lose either, but still.’

As he came to a sort of understanding, Hyeon looked at the military uniform hanging behind Hyang.

Seeing the military uniform that was black from top to bottom, Hyeon muttered to himself.

‘He’s openly telling them to kneel.’

Though he understood, what couldn’t be, couldn’t be. As if he knew Hyeon’s feelings, Han Myeong-hoe tried to dissuade Hyang.

“The battlefield is a rough place. It is a place overflowing with corpses and all sorts of hideous things.”

“I would appreciate it if you did not forget that I, too, have experience facing enemy bandits up close, risking my life.”

“Ah…”

Han Myeong-hoe was at a loss for words at Hyang’s point. It was Hyang who had fought at the very forefront during the palace storming incident in the Giyu year.