The Papal States' battle flag finally fluttered over the Hungarian battlefield, and the Austrian military camp in the city was filled with cheers, with many soldiers and officers embracing each other, moved to tears.
The Papal States' reinforcements were like a strong light, illuminating the boundless darkness.
Fifteen years of war had pushed the Austrian soldiers' psychological defenses to their limits.
Both Austria and the Ottoman Empire were already too exhausted for a large-scale decisive battle, yet neither was willing to negotiate peace, so they continued to stalemate along the Transylvania border.
The Austrian commander, George Bascht, a former mercenary, knew that a rash attack would yield no results, but he could not withstand the pressure from the Prague court and had to send troops to battle from time to time, which was effectively sending them to their deaths.
Against this backdrop, Austrian soldiers endured the fear of death day after day, so much so that when some units were chosen for battle, many soldiers showed not evasion, but relief.
Once forced to leave and ignored, now returning to the Hungarian battlefield to a nationwide welcome, and he himself was the key to ending this war.
In this situation, Karl could not help but be moved, vaguely feeling a halo rise around him.
Having personally sent wave after wave of soldiers to their deaths, Bascht's heart was also in extreme pain; finally, with the arrival of reinforcements and the sight of hope for ending the war, Bascht was happier than anyone else, starting preparations days in advance and hosting a grand banquet to welcome the reinforcements.
As the welcoming banquet began, officers of all ranks from both sides entered in sequence, almost everyone's face beaming with smiles, as if the war had already been won and they could return home soon.
The Austrian generals could not hide their excitement, vying to toast Karl and his entourage.
Duke drank heartily and soon blended in with the Austrian generals; Riccardo responded absentmindedly, the Pope's words before his departure echoing repeatedly in his mind, still unable to determine how he should fight.
A large number of Austrian generals gathered around Karl, including many "old friends" recounting past acquaintances.
Karl was not interested in these old stories, his gaze sweeping through the crowd, but he still could not find the faces that had left such a deep impression on him.
As the banquet was about to begin, the banquet hall slowly quieted down, Bascht sat upright at the head table, and all the generals took their seats in order.
Still unable to find those few people, Karl's face showed disappointment.
Just then, Bascht clapped his hands, and fully armed soldiers escorted several tightly bound individuals into the center of the banquet hall; the soldiers pushed them down forcefully, and they knelt.
As everyone looked on in confusion, Karl focused his gaze: these were precisely the people who had conspired to frame and falsely accuse him of colluding with the enemy and treason, including the powerful figure from the rear and his son who had taken his place to gain prestige.
Upon seeing these people, Karl's excitement could no longer be suppressed; he suddenly stood up, his eyes blazing, as if they would shoot fire, seemingly ready to melt these people instantly.
Among those moved was the powerful figure from the rear, which was clearly not something a mercenary army commander like Bascht could decide, but rather a decision made by the Austrian high command, demonstrating the Austrian high command's emphasis on the Papal States' reinforcements.
Karl now commanded half of the Papal States' army, and the persecution he had suffered on the Hungarian battlefield was undoubtedly a knot in his heart; if this knot was not thoroughly untied, Karl would find it difficult to exert himself fully on the Hungarian battlefield, and the effectiveness of the Papal States' reinforcements would be greatly diminished.
Bascht immediately stood up, respectfully raising his wine glass and apologizing: "General Karl, you were once persecuted by villains in Austria, and as the commander of Austria, I was completely unaware of it, allowing such a terrible thing to happen under my nose.
I am also guilty; if I were not burdened with such a heavy responsibility, I too should be tied up and kneeling before you.
His Majesty the Emperor was furious upon learning of this matter and ordered a thorough investigation, which quickly uncovered the truth; all these criminals who participated in your persecution have now been brought to justice and are all here, at your disposal! I am also willing to accept punishment!"
Upon hearing this, one of the kneeling individuals hurriedly shuffled a few steps towards Karl, crying out: "General Karl, I am innocent! Everything I did back then was under his coercion! They are all powerful figures who can cover the sky with one hand; if I didn't do it, my family and I would die, I dared not refuse!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the other bound individuals, as if awakening from a dream, also began to wail; some said they were unaware and had been used, others said they had elderly parents and young children, and some even wet their pants out of fear.
Only the powerful figure and his son remained defiant, not saying a word.
They believed that Rudolf II was just putting on a show; given their noble status, no matter how much Karl hated them, considering the relationship between the two countries and their background, he would never dare to do anything to them.
Once the war was over and Karl lost his usefulness, they would surely repay the humiliation they suffered twofold!
For these accomplices, Karl originally had a moment of mercy, but seeing these high-ranking imperial officials and generals behave so disgracefully in the face of death, he was instantly filled with rage.
"Shut up, all of you! Because of your shamelessness and incompetence, how many innocent generals have been wronged, and how many young soldiers have died in vain! As imperial generals, instead of thinking of serving the country, you are so cowardly; your existence in this world is simply a disgrace to the entire Catholic faith!
Save your ghost stories for hell and Satan! Since I am to dispose of you, I will give you a quick end! Guards!"
Fearing that Austria might try to substitute these people and protect them, Karl directly called in his personal guards to take custody of these individuals from the Austrian soldiers.
After a glance at his personal guards to confirm, Karl made his final decision: "You are my most trusted soldiers, so you shall personally send them on their way! Let the blood of these scoundrels be our sacrifice before battle!"
Everyone present was greatly alarmed; they had originally thought that no matter how much Karl hated them, he would maintain his image and show some grace in front of so many people, and it would be a good story to tell in the future.
Even the positions of the few officers and generals tied there were only temporarily filled, not revoked.
But they did not expect Karl to immediately begin a massacre at the welcoming banquet upon his return to the Hungarian battlefield.
However, upon closer thought, Karl's reason for killing was indeed reasonable and entirely understandable.
"They deserve to die!" Duke's short, forceful statement indicated his stance.
Seeing Karl was serious, an officer who had just been acting pitiful tore off his disguise, pointed at the masterminds regardless of consequences, and shouted: "Karl! Don't pretend here, you dare to kill us, but do you dare to kill that father and son? You dare to take it out on us but not seek revenge on the real culprits, even if I die, I will despise you!"
Karl's smile grew wider: "Did my words cause you any misunderstanding? Of course, the father and son are also included among those for the sacrifice!"
"Karl, how dare you! If you dare touch a single hair on our heads, our families will not let you off! You lowly creatures like ants, daring to show off in front of us..."
The powerful figure's son struggled to stand up, but Karl's personal guard behind him struck him hard on the back of the head with a sword scabbard; blood immediately splattered, and his unfinished words turned entirely into wails.
Before Karl could speak, Duke forcefully declared: "Then General Bascht, please report to His Majesty Rudolf and have their families exterminated as soon as possible, and all their heads sent here.
We will not go into battle until their heads are delivered.
Do not play tricks, do not try to challenge the Papal States' intelligence capabilities; if there is any deception, my Papal States' army will immediately return home!"
At this moment, Duke exuded a murderous aura, completely different from his familiar demeanor before the banquet, as if it was he, not Karl, who had been persecuted.
Acting in this manner was both to stand up for Karl and to subtly convey the Papal States' strategic intentions: firstly, to pressure Austria and firmly hold the dominant position in future cooperation; secondly, to delay the deployment of troops until Giovanni's navy could converge, making an attack more secure; and if Austria was foolish enough to refuse their demands or play tricks, they would have a legitimate reason to return home without fighting, thus fulfilling His Holiness the Pope's promise while preserving the army intact.