Stepping out onto the bustling streets of Siena, Dracula suddenly felt a sense of bewilderment.
Dracula had joined the army at a very young age, and back then, every day was either spent fighting or preparing for battle.
Later, when he joined the Swiss Guard and came to Rome, Dracula felt a sense of purpose in his life and single-mindedly fulfilled his duties.
After that, perseverance paid off, and Dracula gradually rose to the position of Captain of the Swiss Guard.
From then on, Dracula was inevitably invited to participate in various events.
However, among the Roman dignitaries, Dracula felt like a country bumpkin in the city, so awkward that he wished he could find a hole to crawl into.
Ultimately, he could not integrate into Rome's aristocratic circles; every time such an event came up, he tried to avoid it, so he naturally didn't cultivate any hobbies.
As for any bad habits, Dracula had none.
His usual pastimes were fencing, horse racing, and playing football.
But having traveled such a long distance, and dragging a group of people along to do these things, he felt it was unreasonable.
Yet, Dracula didn't know where to go for a while.
As he walked, Dracula suddenly felt that the passersby were looking at him strangely.
He turned around and found that over two hundred people were still closely following him.
"Why are you still following me? Didn't I make it clear before we came out? Go do whatever you want to do," Dracula said irritably.
Upon receiving Dracula's command, the soldiers, dressed in various outfits, scattered, breaking into groups of three to five and heading in different directions.
Soon, only three soldiers remained, still following him.
Noticing the three of them, Dracula turned around and asked, "What's going on? Why are you still standing here?"
"Reporting, Captain, we have nowhere to go and don't know where to go.
Can we follow you?" one soldier replied honestly.
"Of course, you can.
But actually, like you, I don't know where to go either.
I don't have anything I want to do," Dracula spread his hands, paused for a moment, then added, "His Majesty asked us to gather information.
This is truly my first time receiving such a task.
Do you know any suitable places for gathering information?"
"How about we go to a tavern? It's a mixed bag of people there, perfect for gathering information.
I've been to Siena before and know a good tavern; it's said that even the Grand Duke of Tuscany once patronized it," a soldier suggested.
"That's excellent!
Can you lead the way?" Dracula asked with anticipation.
"Of course!"
After some twists and turns, the four of them arrived in front of a small tavern.
Looking at the unremarkable tavern before him, Dracula exclaimed in disbelief, "Is this it? I can't believe the esteemed Grand Duke of Tuscany would come to a place like this."
"That was a long time ago.
It's said that it was when the Grand Duke of Tuscany was young, and perhaps he never imagined he would become the Grand Duke of Tuscany one day!
However, it's said that most rulers of the Medici Family are relatively close to the people," the soldier said, sharing some amusing anecdotes.
As they entered, a strong smell of alcohol wafted over them.
Customers sat sprawled out in the tavern, talking loudly under the influence of alcohol.
"Captain, we need to buy some wine first and sit down."
With that, the soldier skillfully went and returned with two barrels of wine.
"Young man, judging by your accent, you must be from the North.
I guess you're mercenaries, but I must admit, you don't seem as annoying as ordinary mercenaries."
As soon as the four sat down, an old man dressed as a nobleman walked over with a bowl of wine, followed by a young man.
Dracula had been wondering how to strike up a conversation, but seeing someone approach him voluntarily, he was overjoyed, though his expression didn't show much.
"Yes, sir," Dracula thought for a moment, then politely stood up and replied.
"Are you here because there's a war coming?" The old man's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"Not at all; we are just passing through.
You must be a local of Tuscany, right?" Dracula asked casually.
"No, I am a Sienese! Not some so-called Tuscan!
This is Siena, and the Sienese are the masters here!" Hearing Dracula's words, the old man, who had been kind and amiable, suddenly changed his expression and roared emotionally, his grizzled beard trembling.
Seeing the old man's intense reaction, Dracula was both surprised and delighted.
It seemed he would soon hear some useful information.
The young man quickly stepped forward, helping the old man calm down while trying to persuade him, "Father, the era of the Republic of Siena is over.
Now our country is the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
Please stop thinking about impossible things.
Isn't it good as it is now?"
The old man, who had already calmed down, nearly passed out from anger at these words.
He slapped his son's hand away and shrieked hysterically, "Nonsense! Those vile usurpers of the Medici Family will not succeed!
Siena and Florence are sworn enemies!"
"But you still married my mother, a Florentine, and then had me," the young man muttered in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft.
The old man's face suddenly turned beet red, and he immediately babbled incoherently in his defense, "Your mother, she's different; she's unlike anyone else.
She's beautiful, kind, dignified, virtuous... and many, many more things.
But those other Florentines are different; they're insidious, despicable, cunning, greedy..."
"Old man, what nonsense are you spouting!
If you keep talking nonsense, do you believe I'll beat you!" Before the old man could finish his sentence, a burly man at the next table slammed his hand on the table and stood up, followed closely by several others at his table.
Clearly, they were Florentines.
"What's wrong?
If you're not convinced, come and have a match!
When I was on the battlefield, you were still rolling in your mother's womb!" The old man vigorously waved his fist, seemingly transported back to those past years.
"You insult my father, and I demand a duel with you!" The young man stepped forward, drew his sword, and stood in front of his father.
The burly man looked closely, saw the young man's sword and family crest, and knew he was someone he couldn't afford to provoke, so he immediately backed down: "I won't duel with you; let's go."
As he left, the burly man didn't forget to complain to his companions, "Bad luck!
These Sienese remnants, don't think they're so lively now; someone will deal with them sooner or later.
A few days ago, several Sienese who were clamoring for restoration were publicly executed.
Some people shouldn't think that just because they are nobles, no one can touch them.
In the eyes of true great nobles, they are like ants!"
"You're full of it!
The Republic of Siena will surely regain its former glory, tyrants will be severely punished, and heroic souls will be revered by all!" The old man's face was livid with rage; if his son hadn't held him back, he would have chased them out to fight.
The burly man and his group said nothing more and quickly left without looking back.
"Old man, is what he said true?
Were there really Sienese restorationists executed a few days ago?" Dracula asked cautiously.
Although it was very inappropriate, Dracula still asked, because this question was too important to him!
"Hmph!" The old man showed an extremely disdainful expression, "That fellow who calls himself the Grand Duke of Tuscany, just like his father and brother, always boasts about how benevolent and just he is, yet he fears the resistance of the Sienese people and has to try to stop it with various violent means.
But everything he does is futile!
Two Grand Dukes of Tuscany have already fallen, but the Sienese restorationists have always been here!
One day, he too will swallow the bitter fruit of what he has sown!"
"Then you..." Dracula looked at the old man with some concern.
The old man didn't understand, but the young man understood Dracula's meaning: "You don't have to worry about that.
My father always just talks; he has no connection whatsoever with those restorationists, so it's impossible for him to get involved."
"You're the one who just talks!" The old man was very angry, "Back then, on the battlefield against the Florentine invaders, I personally killed 11 Florentine soldiers in one battle!"
"Anyway, I wasn't born then, so you can brag all you want."