Chapter 810: Chapter 718: Charlemagne’s Mysterious Dream

One hour later.

Franz II knelt on one knee before Archbishop Chiaramonti, kissed the ring on his finger, and recited the prayer:

“My soul yearns for Your forgiveness and guidance. My life, thoughts, and deeds are all devoted to You… May all glory be to Jesus, now and forever, world without end…”

According to Catholic rituals, he was kneeling in worship before Jesus.

However, this also clearly demonstrated his stance.

In the Mei Quan Palace Square, Giacinto Reale stood before the gates of the Royal Palace, took a few deep breaths, yet his hands trembled slightly.

He had heard the news that the Pope’s envoy had already arrived in Vienna.

He was supposed to meet the Holy Roman Emperor before the envoy, but his master Muzareli had encountered heavy snow in Villach. According to the itinerary, he’d only be able to leave Austria today afternoon.

For the sake of his master’s absolute safety, he had delayed his visit to the Schonbrunn Palace until now.

Yes, a week ago, a mysterious person informed Muzareli that the Pope had sent an envoy to Vienna–the messenger had also encountered snow; otherwise, they would’ve arrived a few days earlier.

Muzareli immediately departed Austria for the Papal States, leaving Reale behind to carry out an important mission.

Reale soon received an audience with Franz II.

The Holy Roman Emperor’s first words to him were: “Where is your master?”

“I believe he is already near Rome,” Reale replied with a slight bow.

“What?” Franz II exclaimed, shocked. “Wasn’t he supposed to give a speech in Zary? Damn it!”

Reale’s heart raced furiously, summoning his courage to say, “Your Majesty, it seems you’ve already agreed to terms with the Pope?”

Those who were familiar with his master often said Muzareli was a gambler, but Reale preferred to call him an adventurer. There was a fundamental difference between the two–a gambler bets everything regardless of the odds, while an adventurer only makes a move when there’s certainty.

Thus, this small acolyte believed he wouldn’t end up strangled by the Holy Roman Emperor today.

Franz II nodded, his expression nonchalant: “It doesn’t matter. As long as I lend my support, the Pope himself can handle it.”

“No, Your Majesty,” Reale said firmly. “You must support Archbishop Muzareli!”

Franz II laughed and gestured to the guards: “Lock him up.”

Reale raised his voice: “If you do this, then the letters you wrote to my master–those regarding having the Holy See declare the Crusaders’ Holy War as mere rumors–as well as the negotiations between your Foreign Minister and him, and the involved documents, will all be made public!”

Franz II immediately stood up, angrily waving his hand as he roared: “I swear, if he dares to do this, I’ll consign him to hell!”

Reale recalled his master’s directives and continued: “Furthermore, my master will voluntarily confess to the Holy See that the assassination plot against the Pope was a scheme between you and him!”

Franz II froze on the spot.

If it were only the matter of conspiring with Muzareli to discredit the Crusaders, at most, the soldiers fighting in Poland would be somewhat displeased.

But to couple this with Muzareli accusing him of plotting the Pope’s assassination alongside him–that would be impossible to clarify!

To outsiders, it would undoubtedly seem that he was trying to bolster Austria’s influence within the Holy See, making the removal of the current Pope entirely logical. Especially under circumstances where one of the co-conspirators had already admitted to it.

Even Pope Pius VI himself would find it utterly believable!

In that case, he would be condemned by the entire Catholic world…

Franz II’s face turned ashen as he roared, “Has he gone mad? Doing this would ruin him as well!”

Seeing the unconcealed terror in the Holy Roman Emperor’s eyes, Reale finally breathed a sigh of relief–it seemed his master had won.

He grinned. “My master said it would be his greatest honor to have a distinguished Emperor accompany him in descending into hell. Even centuries later, there will still be stories told of him.”

“Madman!” Franz II’s temple veins throbbed visibly. “Muzareli is an absolute lunatic!”

He turned his head, glancing around as though a drowning man searching for a lifeline, but found nothing and slumped back into his chair, shaking his head incessantly: “No, this won’t work! The Pope…”

Reale repeated Muzareli’s words: “Yes, the Pope will undoubtedly be displeased with you. He may declare support for the Crusaders’ Holy War, or worse, impose ‘excommunication’ upon you.”

Franz II instantly looked up at him.

Reale continued, “But none of this matters. Archbishop Muzareli will pressure the Holy See against the Pope, and with your support, he will undoubtedly ‘persuade’ the Pope to abandon such thoughts.”

“But…”

“If you’re still uncertain, you could involve Tuscany and Tunisia in coordination.” Reale smiled. “Ah, the French method seems very effective, doesn’t it? What do they call it? Oh, ‘military exercise,’ yes–launch a large-scale drill along the borders of the Papal States.

“I’m confident the result will meet your expectations.”

Seeing Franz II’s gloomy silence, Reale leaned forward and added, “Your Majesty, in truth, this is also a rare opportunity for you.

“You know, the Pope is already quite old. And when Archbishop Muzareli ascends to the Papal chair, you will become the new ‘Charlemagne!’

“Of course, this process will require your selfless support.”

He referred to Charlemagne as the founder of the Charlemagne Empire.

When people speak of the Papal States, they usually think of “Pepin the Short,” the King of Franks who gifted Rome to the Holy See. But in fact, the greatest contributor to the Papal States was Pepin’s son, Charlemagne.

With the absolute backing of the Holy See, Charlemagne led armies to conquer vast territories, including what is now France, Germany, Austria, Holland, and Northwest Italy.

Later, when he divided his empire among his three sons, this led to the emergence of the various Western European nations. The unified Holy Rome was but a “fragment” of the Charlemagne Empire.

At the same time, the Papal States received immense rewards from Charlemagne, including vast lands and religious supremacy.

It could be said that this was the Holy See’s most glorious era in recent centuries.

Franz II was greatly moved upon hearing this.

Muzareli’s intentions were clear–if he became Pope, he would support Franz II in sweeping through Western Europe, much like Pope Leo III once aided Charlemagne.

Coincidentally, Leo III had also risen to the papacy through a coup.

Franz II pondered for a long time, finally firming his resolve. He lifted his hand and signaled to the Guard Captain: “Bring back Archbishop Chiaramonti.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Joseph never anticipated that by merely spreading a message against collaboration between the Pope and Austria, he would drastically alter Church politics.

…

United States.

Philadelphia.

“With all due respect, Congress is not going to pass this bill.” U.S. Treasury Secretary Hamilton gave Lord Grenville an apologetic smile. “Moreover, the expenses required to support your expeditionary force are excessively high. With our current financial situation, it’s utterly unaffordable.”