The entire pirate kingdom can normally draw between 70,000 and 80,000 troops. However, Sweden, controlled by Ella, can draw around 30,000 troops.
Ella planned to use 20,000 people to move east along the Volga River into the Black Sea and besiege Azov, the trading hub of the Republic of Liguria on the Black Sea.
"Let those lords go directly to Novgorod instead of Gotland." Ella drew a marching route on the map. This map was drawn by Gan two years ago. It was expected that the situation would not change in just two years.
It will be huge. Novgorod is a must-stop stop on this trip, and gathering there can effectively shorten the time of this action.
"Your Majesty, do you really want to dispatch 20,000 people?" Amy asked in surprise.
When Hestein plundered the Seven Hills Empire, he only used about 10,000 men and horses. The strength of the Republic of Liguria is far from comparable to that of the Seven Hills Empire, and Ella's goal this time is just to steal the empire.
The Republic of Guria is just an isolated city on the edge of the Black Sea. To use 20,000 people for this purpose would inevitably seem like a massive effort.
"This is the first time that a merchant ship flying our flag has been robbed, so the scale and momentum should be greater. I must tell the world through this battle that plundering our merchant ships will pay a heavy price. Otherwise,
I’m afraid we will never have peace in the future.”
"And the military expenditures are funded by the island republic?"
"Yes, and the military expenditure is also funded by the island republic! Although it is only 80%, but including the loot, we may still make money! This operation can also give those pirates who are clamoring for plunder something to do, it is simply a one-stop operation
Three wins!"
"Your Majesty, what I'm worried about is the defense of the Pirate Kingdom." Amy said worriedly, "When Your Majesty sends troops, Sweden will be empty. But we were just threatened with war by those outsiders? Shouldn't we?
Can you leave some lords to garrison Sweden, or let me stay?"
"Amy, do you really think that group of barbarians who use stones as weapons can mobilize troops to attack the pirate kingdom?"
"That's true." Amy smiled, "They don't even make drafts when they brag."
"By the way," Ella suddenly had a flash of inspiration, "bring all the people in my territory who still believe in Odin! It is said that the King of Sweden is considering whether to return to Odin's command, and this will be what they convince me
The last chance...let the lords also bring all the old priests who believe in Odin in their territories!"
"Returning to Odin's command? Your Majesty! What are you thinking???"
"It's just an excuse to the outside world... Although those priests are plotting against me, if I deal with those old priests now, I will definitely encounter strong opposition. But I think if those priests will definitely rebel, right?
Can the rebellion happen at a time and place that I can control?
…
…
A few days later, everything was ready. Ella boarded the "Flying Zealander" and set off for Novgorod with her direct troops and horses. The fiefdoms of Ella's lords were about 10 miles away from Novgorod.
Virtues come from far and near. But I never expected that the first person waiting for Ella in Novgorod was not any of Ella's vassals, but the Norwegian "Hair King", Harald.
"Why are you here?" Ella asked in surprise when she saw Harald.
"There has been no news about the King of Heroes for a long time. I just want to plunder the nearby tribes to subsidize the family." Harald shrugged, his blond hair that was exaggeratedly styled trembled in the wind, "Listen
He said that King of Sweden was going to make a big deal, so he gave up his original plan and came to join you. Huh? How come you only have your own troops? Where are your vassals?"
"The meeting point is in Novgorod, they haven't arrived yet."
"It seems we have to wait for many days before we can set off." Harald smiled, "Then I will take my men and horses to grab a circle around and then come back to gather!"
After saying that, Harald jumped into his boat and led his fleet into the river.
A few days later, Ella's lords arrived one after another. A fleet of more than 20,000 people gathered on the coast around Novgorod. According to Ella's instructions, the old priests who believed in Odin
They were also brought. The soldiers formed a circle so that the priests could stand comfortably in the middle. After Hestein and Ayla promoted the conversion of the pirate kingdom, these priests lost their power, but they
The clothes he was wearing were still expensive, so he must have a lot of savings.
Perhaps due to long-term use of psychedelic drugs, the priests are all skinny and skinny. Their hair is very sparse, and many of them even have no hair at all; their eyes seem to be sewn together with threads, making it difficult to distinguish.
Should I open my eyes or close my eyes?
"The gods are angry because you betrayed the Asa clan!" The priests used exaggerated body movements to intimidate the surrounding soldiers, "You are destined not to enter the Hall of Valor!"
"I remember that the Hall of Valor is the hall where Odin welcomes the souls of the dead heroes." Ella separated from the crowd and walked into the circle, "But the twilight of the gods has come, Odin is dead, and the Hall of Valor is now composed of
Who is in charge?”
The priests stared at Ella and Amy behind her with hatred. It was these two women who introduced the Olympus gods and replaced the Asa clan. And Amy was protected by the ominous fire god Loki.
.
"This is just a lie you made up!" the priests roared angrily at Ella and Amy, "If the twilight of the gods has arrived, then why does Loki's protector still exist in the world? Loki's protector still exists in the world?
Ji and Odin died together in the Twilight of the Gods! Not only Loki's protection, but also the protection of the gods has not disappeared at all, right?"
"But, I heard that the protection has weakened, isn't it?"
The priests were speechless for a moment. Their protection weakened. This was the most direct reason why Hestein decided to convert the territory, and it was also the most direct reason why the Aesir clan quickly lost believers. And its root lies in that day.
The "Twilight of the Gods" witnessed by everyone.
But even so, there are still a small number of people who maintain their old beliefs. And about half of the people have no fixed bias and just follow the trend of conversion. Once there is any problem in the territory, this group of people will become
The vanguard of the rebellion.
Ella is determined to prevent them from making waves again.
"I am not a dictator. As long as you prove to me that the Aesir are still powerful, I will return the entire territory to the embrace of the Aesir."
With that said, Ella kicked a sword in front of the priests.
"Pick up the sword and prove it to me in the next war!"
