Madrid, Almudena Palace.
Isabella II looked at Mario Alvarez Khalsa, who had been rushing about for days, and for once, a look of pity showed on her face.
"You're back."
"I am back, Your Majesty. I have not failed my mission. I successfully executed Lieutenant General Varna, who colluded with the Austrians."
"Good! Well done!"
Isabella II was overjoyed. These local warlords of Spain had always been an enormous headache for her.
Spain's geography was naturally suited to separatist rule, and a declining dynasty was, by its very nature, a hotbed for separatist forces.
In fact, in the original history, Spain at this time should have been ruled by a military government.
Although Espartero nominally honored Isabella II as king, all of Spain's domestic and foreign power rested in his hands alone.
After him came Narvaez and O'Donnell.
However, at this moment, these people were still minor warlords ruling over their own corners, and none had successfully entered Madrid as master.
If one said Isabella II was not wary of them, that was simply impossible.
So when she heard that Varna had been executed and Catalonia had returned to Madrid's rule, there was no need to mention how delighted she felt.
"Mario Alvarez Khalsa, listen to me! Today, I shall knight you!"
"Your Majesty."
Mario choked up a little, and there even seemed to be tears glimmering in his eyes.
"No need to decline! Your loyalty to me has already proven that you are qualified to accept all this! Now, the threat from the Austrian Empire has still not been removed, and we must remain vigilant at all times against enemies from within.
"I order you to find the traitors among us!"
"As you command! My Queen, Your Majesty."
"With you here, I can rest easy. Go down and rest