Charlotte led ten Saint Rank subordinates and four newly pledged nobles, commanding the army to the outskirts of Thessaly.
Thessaly was a port city. Half of it even lay in the sea, spread across six islands and more than twenty gigantic reefs, connected by lavish stone arch bridges. Many seagoing ships could even sail directly into the city.
Baron Merimée Mesu stood atop the city wall, watching the army wind its way toward them without the slightest panic. He said to an attendant beside him, "Go tell that Mr. Mecklen that I have returned to the Mesu Family and once again come under Grand Duchess Mesu's command. Tell him to withdraw."
The attendant acknowledged the order, hurried down from the wall, mounted a fast horse, and galloped between the two armies. He shouted, "Baron Merimée says: We have returned to the Mesu Family and come under the Duchess's command. She is the commander of the Four-Nation Alliance Army and the commander of Byron. This place has nothing to do with you anymore!"
"Mr. Mecklen, you may turn your forces around and attack somewhere else."
The four newly pledged Black Phoenix nobles—Count Nottingham, Count Barnett, Viscount Angelo, and Baron Exon—wore unpleasant expressions, but none of them dared say anything. Baron Exon said somewhat ingratiatingly, "Duchess Mesu is also part of the alliance army. Since she seized Thessaly first, we can only give way."
Count Nottingham glanced over and saw that Count Mecklen remained expressionless. He smiled faintly, ready to enjoy the show. Though he had not dealt much with Charlotte, he believed this newly risen Farsian magnate would never tolerate such a thing.
The other two nobles were indignant instead, shouting, "Even if she is Duchess Mesu, she cannot steal our merit! We must negotiate with them—sternly negotiate!"
Count Barnett even