I, the Villain, Want to Save Myself, But the Yandere Heroines Disagree
Chapter 70 - Do You Want to Live Under His Shadow Forever?

Clearly, Giovanni’s idea was correct.

He didn’t even need to send out letters. The other dukes had already proactively requested a meeting with Odysseus.

Their purpose was not to help Giovanni. Giovanni at the moment was like a person sinking in quicksand. Those beside him could only watch. If they tried to pull him out, they would also get trapped. Therefore, no one would willingly step into this muddy water.

But they still needed to inquire about the handling of the situation after Giovanni was defeated.

At the very least, even if the Napoli Duchy ultimately ceased to exist, the expansion of the Imperial Family and the Antica Duchy needed to be limited.

Of course, the Imperial central army had also begun to mobilize and prepare for war, ready to head south at any time to support the Antica army.

Initially, the central army had reservations about whether to head south. In their opinion, going south was possible, but not necessary. They could wait until the armies of the two duchies were both severely weakened before heading south. This way, they could maximize the results of the war while minimizing losses.

But after a meeting was held within the army, Scaloni, overriding all objections, insisted on heading south. Therefore, the Imperial army began to prepare itself and contacted the Antica army, hoping for the two armies to cooperate in battle.

...

Napoli Duchy, Florence City.

As a major stronghold in the northern part of the Napoli Duchy, this place was both a historic commercial center and an impregnable military fortress.

And at this moment, on a street within Florence City, a man wearing armor looked at the young woman before him. The man’s eyes were resolute while the young woman’s eyes were already overflowing with tears.

“Judith, don’t worry. After winning this war, I will be back,” the man said this, comforting the young woman.

To cope with this attack, the Napoli Duchy had begun an unprecedented conscription effort. All men aged eighteen to forty-five were required to participate in the conscription test.

The slogan for the conscription was also very simple: they had received the Duke’s favor for so long, and now, to protect the land beneath their feet and defend the Duke’s honor, it was time to take action.

As for the Duke being excommunicated?

As ordered from above, all of this was just a rumor, and anyone who dared to spread it would be considered treason and beheaded without exception.

But anyone with discerning eyes could see that this war was definitely going to be very difficult for the Napoli side.

The opponent was an elite force that had just experienced fighting against the beastmen, while they were just a group of ordinary citizens who had become used to idleness. No matter how large their numbers were, a head-on clash would definitely be very difficult.

From the very beginning, this was destined to be a battle that would not be won.

The young woman named Judith, upon hearing the man say this, clearly did not believe his words and just wiped away her tears in despair.

“No, Martin. I heard that the enemies are all people who can tear beastmen two meters tall in half. With your physique, even if you can defeat one or two, you can’t defeat so many people. I’m not worried about you, but I’m afraid someone will harm you on the battlefield...”

“Don’t worry, Judith,” Martin hugged the young woman before him, then released her.

“I’ve been in a mercenary group before, after all. If even I don’t go, my compatriots will have even less of a chance to defend this city.”

Then, he resolutely turned around. Ignoring the young woman’s objections, he just turned and walked towards the street corner. There, a group of companions also waiting to be conscripted were gathered. The few of them thus embarked on the journey to the military camp outside the city.

Judith watched in despair as Martin moved further and further away from her.

She knew that this parting could be a permanent farewell.

Beside her, Judith’s mother also walked out of the room and pulled her back inside.

On the other side, on the road leading to the military camp outside the city, Martin kept his head down in silence.

“Still thinking about Judith a little? Why don’t you go back? You should have money at home, right? There’s no need to fight desperately like us,” his companion advised.

This conscription could be avoided by paying a tax, but Martin didn’t want to do that. He felt it would harm his dignity as a noble.

Yes, although his family was not considered a prominent noble family, just a small noble family, they were the kind that didn’t have to worry about food and drink.

“No need. You are all going to the front lines. If I don’t go, it will harm the friendship between us,” he said this, looking at his companion who was advising him, and forced a smile.

“Sigh, since you’ve said so, there’s nothing I can do,” his companion saw Martin like this and also sighed. He was known for his stubbornness. He wouldn’t easily go back on a decision he had made.

“However, fighting on the battlefield is different from exploring in a mercenary group during normal times. Even if you are a Tier 6 warrior, if you are not careful on the battlefield, something bad can happen.”

“I know,” Martin nodded.

But the enemy had already advanced to the outskirts of Florence City. In at most three days, they would arrive at the foot of Florence City.

He did not want to see the city fall then, and for him and his beloved to be forced to leave their hometown.

...

On the other side, at the front-line military camp.

Litte had already taken leave and arrived at the front line. This time, she was not the overall commander, but she had also obtained independent command of the front-line army.

Although Orson had not personally come along, just in case, he had still sent Virgil as her deputy.

Looking at the front-line battle reports, Litte was quite satisfied.

The Napoli army was inexperienced in battle and was no match for the Antica army, which had been confronting the beastmen for years. In just three days, her army had already captured three cities.

At this rate, Napoli would soon be leveled.

Of course, the battle situation would clearly not be that smooth.

According to intelligence, Napoli’s subsequent troops were still reinforcing the front line. At that time, the gap in hard power between the duchies would become apparent.

The advantage in numbers and equipment could definitely compensate for the difference in troop quality to a certain extent.

However, Litte was not worried about these things at the moment, because the centrally administered army of the Imperial Family had already sent her a letter, requesting to cooperate and share intelligence.

This meant that the Imperial Family’s side was also about to make a move.

...

In the dim basement, Donny looked at Zenith before him, his face filled with terror.

“Zenith, is this the only way?”

“Mm,” Zenith nodded seriously. “Young Master Donny, I am not joking. This is the only way.”

Just now, Donny had sought out his trusted subordinate, Zenith, preparing to ask him for a way to break the deadlock.

After all, Giovanni had always told Donny to relax, but seeing the front line constantly being broken through, Donny simply couldn’t relax, so he went to see Zenith.

And Zenith had simply given Donny a bottle of poison.

“Currently, all fingers are pointing at the Duke. Therefore, as long as the Duke, who is the source of evil, is poisoned, not only will you, Young Master Donny, rightfully inherit the Napoli Duchy, you will also gain a reputation for righteousness and sacrificing your own family. At that time, the enemy will not only not attack, but will even reward you.”

“But... but if I do this, I cannot betray Father...”

“Then, Young Master Donny, do you want to live under the Duke’s shadow forever? To be the Duke’s puppet forever, watching him arrange the rest of your life? Even if it means being judged together with him, does it not matter?”

Zenith’s words directly hit Donny’s sore spot. Donny lowered his head in silence for a moment, then raised his head.

His hands were still trembling, but his tone, for once, became firm.

“I understand, Mr. Zenith.”

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