After Demoblin and the other emissaries from Genoa finished their flattery, they gestured behind themselves and continued:
"You should know that the Austrians could cut off our army's retreat at any moment. My journey to Genoa this time was fraught with great risk."
He sighed heavily with a serious expression, "Perhaps I will be surrounded and unable to return to France."
Vannoni was momentarily stunned, placing his hands on his chest with an expression of deep emotion:
"There is no general more courageous than you in this world. Thank you for everything you've done for Genoa!"
If someone had told him that historically Napoleon indeed drove away the Austrian Army occupying Genoa, yet he never left there until he was defeated... and he had even emptied the Genoa Treasury by means of loans.
One wonders what this emissary would think of that.
Of course, Joseph had no intention of occupying Genoa at all.
