Chapter 43: Acting Skills

"The envoy from Luca? What is this..."
"Oh, so he's going to seek reinforcements. Then we can't let him go."
In a haze, the envoy slowly regained consciousness.
The first person he saw upon awakening was a man dressed in ornate attire with a well-kept beard. In his hand was a letter—the very letter the envoy had been tasked to deliver.
The moment he caught sight of the letter, the envoy instinctively wanted to snatch it back.
But the restraints biting into his body told him he was bound.
"What is your name?"
Giovanni stepped before the envoy, lifting a hand to lightly slap his face.
"Danilo."
Danilo shook his head, saying, "I know you won't let me go. But I am a man of the Roman Curia. You cannot kill me."
"Heh, why would I bother killing you?" Giovanni sneered.
He handed the letter to his servant, glanced at the envoy, and walked out.
As Giovanni left, Danilo lowered his head, his eyes clouded with disappointment.
The mission had failed.
He had barely set out, only to be captured by the enemy. The thought alone was humiliating—an embarrassment he could scarcely bear.
He sat in a corner, brooding over his predicament.
The persistent ache at the back of his head made restful sleep impossible. The shame gnawing at his heart left him no peace.
While he reflected, another person entered his tent.
Danilo looked up and saw a man clad in clerical robes.
There was no need to guess; this could only be Leo, the man Lord Anselmo had spoken of incessantly.
Danilo had heard so much about Leo's deeds that his ears had grown calluses. Disregard for rules, heretical beliefs, arrogance—nearly every accusation imaginable had been laid at Leo's feet.
"Your name is Danilo, correct?"
Leo approached, crouching before him.
"I've heard of you, Bishop Leo."
Danilo raised his chin defiantly. "If you intend to humiliate me, please do as you wish. I will not heed a single word you say."
Leo paused at his words.
What did he mean by that?
"If you're going to burn me at the stake, then do as you please. Everything I possess is already known to you; I have no value left..."
"Stop, stop, don't be so hasty."
Leo interrupted him. "What are you saying? I'm not here to kill you."

Danilo was caught off guard.
He had heard so much ill of Leo, yet here he was, not doing anything malicious?
After a moment's hesitation, Danilo said, "Rest assured, I won't believe a word you say."
"Believe or not, it's up to you."
Leo said this and immediately drew a dagger.
When the cold blade glinted before Danilo's eyes, he squeezed them shut, fully expecting Leo to end his life then and there, sending his soul heavenward.
Was his life truly about to end?
Danilo's lips moved in silent prayer.
At that moment, a cool sensation brushed his wrist. The ropes binding him were swiftly cut.
"What are you..."
Danilo's voice trembled with uncertainty; he had not expected Leo to free him.
Leo kept cutting at the ropes, speaking in a hushed tone.
"I'm forced to serve them, no choice. Remember, there are wicked men within the Church," Leo said. "Whatever you do, do not go to the Curia. If you do, you'll find it full of Pisans."
"Full of Pisans?" Danilo's breathing quickened.
"Yes..."
Before Leo could finish, the curtain behind him was suddenly lifted.
Giovanni appeared at Leo's back, startling him so much he instinctively shielded Danilo.
Danilo tensed as well.
If they were discovered now, he'd be doomed.
"Bishop Leo, why aren't you asleep?"
"I came to interrogate him. There are things I want to know."
"Alright, but hurry back. Everyone's waiting for you. The soldiers are eager for your sermon."
With that, Giovanni let the curtain drop and his footsteps receded. Leo breathed a sigh of relief, stepping aside.
Turning, he saw sweat beading Danilo's brow.
Leo crouched again. "Time is short, the task urgent. You see how I'm coerced here, there's nothing I can do... Luca can only be saved one way."
"What way?"
With all the ropes severed, Danilo's expression showed he now trusted Leo completely.
"Go north, find Duke Geoffrey the Bearded of Lorraine. He has an army. Have him take the route through Emilia and destroy the Pisan forces. Only he can save us—remember, only him."
With that, Leo led Danilo to the rear of the tent.
He sliced open an exit with his dagger, then patted Danilo's shoulder.

"Go out this way; there's no one behind." Leo said.
Danilo, about to leave, suddenly paused and looked back at Leo.
"And you?"
"Me? I'll manage. Just go, quickly!" Leo's voice was urgent. "If you don't hurry, they'll start suspecting."
Hearing this, Danilo steeled himself and slipped out of the tent.
His figure faded into the darkness, merging with the night.
After a while, Leo too stepped out.
Outside, Giovanni had been keeping a stern face, but upon seeing Leo, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Leo also couldn't hold back.
"Hahahahahahahaha—"
"I can't believe it worked! Leo, you truly are something!"
Giovanni slapped Leo's shoulder, his body curling like a shrimp as he clutched his stomach, overcome with mirth.
"You acted so convincingly—damn it, I can never do business with someone like you, hahaha—"
"I'll take that as a compliment,"
Leo supported Giovanni as they walked through the camp, both faces alight with joy.
Yes, it had all been an act.
When Corrado brought the news to Leo, he instantly devised this plan, letting things flow naturally.
If they hoped to force Duke Geoffrey the Bearded into a field battle by military means, it would be a difficult task.
But with this method, who knows what might happen.
"I'm already looking forward to it. But I'm curious—how did the Lucans manage to secure German reinforcements? To be honest, their bishop must have some deep connections."
At the entrance to the main tent, Giovanni took the wine offered by Stefana, sipping to moisten his throat.
Leo shrugged. "Who knows why he's so loyal."
"But your strategy is brilliant—sending them straight into the mountains of Emilia," Giovanni said. "I can't imagine how desperate the Germans will be then."
"Why despair?"
Leo's face was unconcerned. "If they've marched to war, they should be prepared to be annihilated."
With those words, Leo took a cup of wine from Stefana, gently patting the girl's head.
"We need only wait and watch."