Landry Promis set sail for France with the seed money he had obtained from Pius IX.
At that moment, Giotaire, Pius IX's brother and the Secretary of State of the Holy See, voiced his confusion.
"Why did he go to France?"
His Holiness the Pope replied, looking quite pleased.
"A true professional."
Giotaire was baffled. Shouldn't Poland be to the east?
Pius IX spoke again.
"Commander Landry is a thorn in the Austrians' side, a thorn in their flesh. Crossing Austrian territory would naturally be the quickest route, but it wouldn't be safe."
Hearing this, the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Giotaire, couldn't help marveling at his brother's unfathomable wisdom.
At this time, however, the Austrian Empire had rejected the Papal States' proposal. In effect, the two countries were already at war.
The Austrian Empire had nearly five hundred thousand regular troops, while the Papal States had only fifty thousand. But given the circumstances, no more than five thousand of them might have received long-term military training.
In every other respect—population, territory, tax revenue, weapons, and equipment—the Papal States were at a comprehensive disadvantage.
Moreover, not a single major power had declared war on Austria so far. The Kingdom of Sardinia had agreed to send troops, but only when the time was right.
Among the remaining Italian states, only the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies had significant military strength. But Ferdinand II also seemed intent on sitting on the sidelines.
If things went on this way, the Papal States' army would have to fight a hundred enemies for every one of its own just to win.
The Secretary of State of the Holy See, Giotaire, voiced his concerns, but Pius IX was unperturbed. He pushed open the window, and a deafening roar surged into the room.
"Long live