Eagle's Glory

"I've already written the letter." Father Faria replied with a smile, "You can have someone send it to Italy at any time, and send it to them."

"Then I'll host it myself," Aegron replied.

"Huh?" Father Faria's eyes widened. "you……?"

"Yeah, I planned to go to Rome before." Aigron looked at him with a smile, "Now it seems that I have even more reasons to go."

"...you have to be careful about your own safety." Father Faria thought for a while, but didn't say anything to stop him, but just gave a warning.

After all, Rome is now under the direct rule of the Papal State, and Austria is not within reach. As long as the church does not hunt down his master, and the young people do not show up in public, then there is really not much danger.

"Did you go to Rome to meet your family members?" Then, he guessed Aigron's reason.

"Yes, I plan to meet my grandmother and other family members." Aegron's smile gradually disappeared, and then he looked at the void calmly, "They probably miss me very much too..."　　

32. Rome

After discussing with Father Faria, Aigron began to prepare for his next move in the next few days.

He packed his bags, and at the same time discussed with the priest what he should pay attention to after going to Rome.

On the island of Monte Cristo, only priests know the internal structure and various secrets of the Roman Church.

Soon, it was time for him to prepare to leave.

On this day, he took the initiative to find Father Faria and bid farewell to him—after all, Father Faria was old and paralyzed, so even though he wanted to introduce him to him, he was powerless, and Aigron could only take He remained on the island of Monte Cristo.

"Your Majesty, I wish you the best of luck." Father Faria bid him farewell sincerely, "I firmly believe that you will achieve your goal smoothly."

"I will do my best, Father, thanks to your guidance, I can find enough confidence to do what I am going to do." Aegron thanked the priest warmly, "I am not on the island with Chanel. Days, please take care of your health, I will continue to rely on your wisdom in the future."

"Don't worry, I feel that my physical condition is dozens of times better than when I was in the dungeon. Even though my body is inconvenient to move, I am already very confident in my lifespan. I believe I can see you ascending the throne." That day." The priest replied with a smile, and then he looked at Chanel next to him and nodded gratefully, "Of course, I also want to thank Miss Noel for taking good care of me. In the twilight years of your life, you can still feel the warmth of the world...Miss Noel, I also wish you the best of luck.”

"Where are you talking? This is just what I should do..." Chanel lowered her head, a little embarrassed.

Although she was very angry at the moment when she found out that Edmond Dantès was going to steal the treasure, and even said that she would send him and the priest to the bottom of the sea, but that was just an impulse of anger, and it did not represent herself What kind of dislike does she have for the priest? After accepting the order of Aigron to take care of the priest, these days, she took good care of the priest when she was free, and it was because of her care that the priest's physical condition recovered so much quick.

As Aigron hoped, Chanel was also moved by the old man's humility, humor and knowledgeable temperament during the process of getting along with Father Faria, and his attitude towards the priest became more gentle, which he never enjoyed. For the first time in her life, the little girl who lived happily with her family felt the love of her elders.

The same is true for Father Faria. This old man who has no children and has been imprisoned in a black prison for more than ten years, how could he not be moved by being treated like this after he escaped from the prison?In his heart, he also regards Chanel as his granddaughter.

Now the relationship between the two of them is particularly harmonious, and this is what Aigron wants to see.

First, he hopes to see his cronies and subordinates are sincerely united; second, if there is a spiritual fetter, Father Faria will have a greater sense of belonging to him, and he will be more willing to dedicate his loyalty to him—and as long as the Father Leah's loyalty to him is tantamount to holding the general Edmond Dantès firmly.

This pair of "father and son", in his hands, one is responsible for making plans, the other is responsible for execution, and both of them are resourceful and loyal, which is really a rare talent.

Although they can be made to serve because of the kindness that helps them to be free, but if there is affection as a bond, the cohesion of the team will also increase.

After saying goodbye to each other, Aigron told the priest again.

"Father, I have already told you that you are my special adviser and you have the right to know about specific matters. After I leave, although my cousin Louis is in charge of the affairs on the island, you can intervene. Others I will do my best to cooperate with you."

Although Egron's tone was light, Father Faria immediately sensed his intentions. "Okay, don't worry, I will pay more attention to the situation on the island."

Aegron looked out the window.

It used to be the ruins of a monastery, but as more and more people settled on the island, the ruins began to glow again—but the goats on the island suffered a catastrophe and were basically left idle on the island. The bored people hunted and killed them all.

These days, Louis has been helping him recruit sailors, plus the people who originally went to the island with him, he has enough manpower, but it is not enough.

"The rest is all up to Edmund." Eggron whispered, "I need a group of experienced veterans as officers to really give me an army."

It's easy to recruit desperadoes as soldiers, but the true combat effectiveness of an army still depends on officers, especially grassroots officers, otherwise the best equipment will be nothing more than loose sand.

For Aigron, the loyalty and ability of an officer are very important, so he can only find a way to recruit veterans from France who have served the Bonaparte family as his officers-and this depends on Treville The Marquis and Edmond Dantès helped.

The more manpower they get from mainland France, the more guaranteed the combat effectiveness of their army will be.

"I have no doubts in Edmond's ability." The priest replied stubbornly, "Don't worry, as long as people come to follow you, he will be able to bring them to you safely!"

"I believe so too." Eggron nodded.

Then he bent down and gave Father Faria a hug. "Goodbye, Father Faria."

"Goodbye, Your Majesty!" Father Faria patted the young man's shoulder lightly with his still movable left hand, and sent him his best wishes, "Glory belongs to you!"

In this way, after Aigron arranged the affairs on the island, he boarded the boat from the pier and embarked on a journey to Rome.

He was completely new, with a fearless ambition and a few letters.

These letters were written by Father Faria to those close friends of his back then—these people had already held high positions in the Holy See. As soon as he arrived in Rome, he would find a way to send all these letters through a middleman.

If he was lucky, Aigron would be able to open up joints through these people and obtain direct access to the Pope. At that time, he could talk about how to use the Pope's majesty.

Maybe everything will not go well, but... how will you know if you don't try? !

He has a talent for doing what he says, and with endless energy and action, he must achieve his goals.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, the sailboat rides the wind and waves, carrying the young people to their destination.

Taking advantage of the darkness, after a night of sailing, the sailboat slowly approached the port of Civitavecchia.

Although this port is not as large as the big ports of Genoa and Livorno, it is currently the largest port ruled by the Papal State, and it is only a few tens of kilometers away from Rome. It is the main external gateway of Rome.

According to the habit of smugglers, the sailboat disguised as a small merchant ship patrolled the port for a period of time. After the accomplices on the shore confirmed that it was safe, they mixed with fishing boats and merchant ships and moored in the port.

After a bumpy night, Aigron and Chanel got off the boat together and came to the port.They didn't care about resting here, and immediately took a rented carriage and set foot on the journey to Rome.

The carriage ran all the way from the morning, heading towards Rome.

This is one of the most prosperous areas in Italy, so there is an endless stream of horse-drawn carriages along the way. How could these fellow travelers imagine that the former king of Rome is advancing towards Rome unstoppably?

Just like an ordinary traveler, Egron has been looking at the scenery outside the car window with great interest, estimating the distance between himself and the eternal city, and as the horizon moves, the hills and hills around Rome, as well as the Those majestic buildings also gradually emerged outside the car window.

"Sir, take a rest, it's still a long way from Rome." Chanel looked at the young man with some distress, "You didn't rest well on the boat last night."

After leaving the island of Monte Cristo, Chanel also had to change the name of the young man.

"It's okay, Chanel, I'm fine now." Aigron shook his head, and then suddenly changed the topic, "Chanel, have you been to Rome before?" Aigron asked.

"Of course not." Chanel immediately shook her head, "You know my experience, how can you have the opportunity to come to Italy?"

"Then you are blessed. I will take you around when I have time. Let's take it as a pleasant trip." Aigron replied with a smile, "Maybe you can take this trip as a paid trip." Enjoy the holidays."

"That's great..." Chanel laughed out of joy, "Your Highness, I've wanted to see this place for a long time. It would be even better if you were with me."

Yes, Rome!

This city was once known as the capital of the world, the city of eternal glory, and its residents proudly ruled the entire land around the Mediterranean Sea. However, with the passage of time, after more than a dozen centuries, its brilliance has dimmed. The capital of the decadent Papal State, ruling a small corner of the Apennine Peninsula, has lost its former power.

Only the ancient buildings and ruins densely covered in this city can make people recall its former glory in a trance.

But even so, the name of this city still makes people feel excited, wishing to witness it with their own eyes.

"Chanel, let's spend the night in a hotel on the outskirts of Rome, and then try to find a way to contact my grandmother Letizia." Aigron smiled for a while, and then became serious again, "My grandmother's residence is too eye-catching. It’s not good to visit rashly, I don’t know how many people will care about me, but it’s always right to be careful.”

After the destruction of the empire, the former Empress Dowager Letizia went from Paris to Rome and defected to Pope Pius VII.

Although the relationship between Pope Pius VII and Emperor Napoleon broke down, the Pope did not embarrass her for this devout Christian and loyal patron of the church, allowing her to live in Rome.

The Empress Dowager Letizia bought the Rinuccini Palace in the city with the money she had saved, and renamed it the Bonaparte Palace, and then she lived there with her brother, Cardinal Joseph Fish.

The two older siblings live an isolated life in this palace.

Obviously, it is not easy for Aigron to rush directly into the city to go to his grandmother's residence now, so he can only check the wind direction outside the city first-but he firmly believes that the day when he will meet his grandmother will come soon.

"Your Majesty, leave everything to me, and I will take care of it for you." Chanel smiled softly, "You should sleep for a while."

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Egron's group approached the city of Rome from the northwest, and at almost the same time, another group of people was heading for the glorious city of Rome along the northeast road.

Compared with the simple carriages rented by Aigron and his party, the carriages these people rode were much stronger and more luxurious, and the horses that pulled the carriages were also quite handsome and strong, and even their manes were maintained to be smooth and smooth.

Although there are no heraldic emblems engraved on the carriages, it is obvious that they are owned by the pampered nobles.

Obviously it was a safe and comfortable trip for them.

In a carriage in the middle, there was also a young girl silently watching the scene outside the window.

Compared to the smug young man, she looked much more melancholy, her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she was preoccupied.

However, this did not detract from her appearance, on the contrary, it made her more charming and charming.

"Your Highness, what are you thinking?" the maid next to her asked softly.

"Didn't you tell me, don't call me that again when you arrive in Rome." The girl came back to her senses, and then glanced at the maid in displeasure.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot again..." The maid laughed, "So miss, what are you thinking? Are you thinking about your own travel plan?"

"Yes..." Teresa sighed a little, looking a little lonely. "Originally, I wanted two people to travel here together."

That's right, she is Princess Teresa, daughter of the Austrian royal family, Archduke Karl.

Recently, due to a series of incidents, the princess immediately became the focus and laughing stock of the social world, and she also had a fierce quarrel with her parents because she insisted on fulfilling the marriage contract.

After an unknown number of quarrels, the parents who couldn't hold back their daughter had no choice but to let their daughter insist on her own way amidst sighs.

Not long ago, Princess Teresa proposed to her parents to travel and relax.

Because they were worried that their daughter would be under too much psychological pressure, her parents were also willing to let her go out to relax and temporarily bid farewell to the storm of public opinion in Vienna, so Teresa started her own trip to Rome.

Although Teresa insisted on keeping the car light and easy, how could the parents be willing to let their daughter take risks alone?So naturally, it is still impossible for her to be without guards and maids.

Of course, Teresa was very moved by her parents' painstaking efforts, but it was nothing more than a trouble for her travel plan - Teresa's main purpose of this trip was not to visit the ancient sites in Rome, but It was to visit Letizia, the former Empress Dowager of the French Empire and His Royal Highness's grandmother.

It has been several months since His Highness fled Vienna, but there is still no news of His Highness's whereabouts. Theresa decided to go to Rome in desperation.

She guessed in her heart that His Highness might go to find his grandmother, and maybe the two of them would meet unexpectedly in Rome.

Even if His Highness hasn't gone yet, she can still visit Empress Dowager Letizia first, and then get the blessing and approval of the elders, and let the world see that Princess Teresa still insists on her choice.

If His Highness's grandmother has spoken, then His Highness will definitely know... Teresa thought to herself.

Teresa originally planned to visit her grandmother in Rome with His Royal Highness after marriage, but she never expected that she would have to come alone... Thinking of this, her heart was filled with bitterness.

When will this bitterness end?She doesn't know it, but she desperately wants it to end sooner.

In the girl's thoughts, Teresa and her party came to stay in a hotel on the outskirts of Rome after a bumpy journey.

At the front desk of the hotel, Teresa needs to register her name as required.

Of course she couldn't sign her real name, and the surname Von Habsburg couldn't be easily revealed to others.

Neither did Bonaparte, of course.

Teresa thought for a moment, then quickly signed her name. "Theresa Memmingen."　　

33, the old woman

As the sun dyed a golden glow in the sky, the elderly Madame Letizia Bonaparte opened her eyes and started another boring morning of her own.

Old people always wake up very early, although there is nothing left for her in the world.

According to the usual habit, the old lady rang the bell to call the servant, asked her to help her dress herself, and tidied up her gray hair, then she walked out of her bedroom, ready to have breakfast first.

Since the destruction of the empire in 1815, the former empress dowager Letizia Bonaparte came to Rome and lived in seclusion in this palace.

Although they live in the spacious Bonaparte Palace, there are actually not many people living here, and even fewer people can dine with the master.

A middle-aged woman was already sitting at the dining table. She was Miss Anna Barbara Banci, a female painter employed by Letizia. After seeing the old lady appear, she stood up quickly and saluted her respectfully.

The gray-haired Letizia, wearing a pure black dress, has a decent and solemn expression, but looks like a mourning dress, with a low and depressed expression.

After sitting down, she looked around, and then looked at the empty seat opposite.

"Where's Joseph?" she asked.

This Joseph is her younger brother, Cardinal Joseph Fish. Since coming to Rome, the two older siblings have lived in seclusion here together, living a retired life that no one cares about.

The world seemed to have forgotten them, but it didn't pour out more malice. It just placed the two old people here until they met their destined death.

"Someone sent a letter just now. His Excellency the Bishop has gone to receive it. It may take some time." Miss Banci, a female painter, replied.

Send a letter?Someone actually sent a letter here?A little suspicion flashed in Letizia's heart.

Could it be sent by the grandson?

Ever since she learned of the sensational news from Austria, she has been harboring a vague expectation and fear these days.

But soon she gave up thinking. She is old and doesn't have the energy to think about so many problems. She might as well resign herself to fate, anyway, she will know what happened later.

"Is that so? Then let's wait a while." She said flatly, and then waited quietly at the dining table.

Soon, Cardinal Fish, who was also aged, walked to the dining table with still nimble steps.

His expression was very strange, neither angry nor ecstatic, but full of surprise.