July was scorching, and the heat on the Apennine Peninsula reached its peak. It should have been the driest season, but the Ferrara region experienced an unusual several days of torrential rain.
The wind and thunder accompanying the heavy rain heralded the prelude to war.
The continuous heavy rain not only failed to alleviate the summer heat but intensified the mugginess, making everyone irritable.
Under the pouring rain, the surface of Venice Bay undulated, just like the fluctuating hearts of men.
"This incessant rain really isn't good weather for going out to sea," Riccardo muttered to himself, standing on the deck of his flagship, clutching the umbrella personally gifted by the Pope.
In European history, umbrellas existed very early on, but at that time, they were more a symbol of power than practical, and their use ceased after the Middle Ages.
It was only in recent years that umbrellas were reintroduced to Europe from the East.
Augustus, based on his memory, slightly improved the existing umbrella in terms of materials and construction, making it more portable and waterproof, then vigorously promoted it.
As expected, it was loved by all social strata.
With a little embellishment, it could even serve as a presentable national gift.
And because the improvement of the umbrella was directly related to the Pope himself, the umbrella given by the Pope held even more extraordinary significance.
Therefore, when Riccardo first received this novel item, he treasured it as if it were a priceless gem, and after realizing its practical value, he loved it even more.
However, Riccardo was not in a good mood at the moment.
Not only because he had been drenched for several days upon arriving in Ferrara, but there was also a more important reason: the Venice fleet was scheduled to arrive today, and as the supreme Commander of Tuscany, Riccardo felt it was only right to be among the welcoming party.
Grand Duke Ferdinand had shown him great kindness, and the Pope had treated him well; he could not let his personal grievances affect the overall situation.
Riccardo also understood that the Venice Navy was crucial to this battle, and no matter how unwilling he was, fighting alongside Venice was a foregone conclusion.
Thinking of this, Riccardo couldn't help but sigh.
The grievances between himself and the Venetians were far more complex than what was said at the banquet that day; he only regretted that his current strength was insufficient.
In the afternoon, the heavy rain continued, and the sky remained gray, without a hint of sunlight.
The dense Venice fleet braved the torrential rain, riding the waves. On each ship, the golden lion flag, symbolizing the Venice Navy, fluttered in the storm, slowly moving towards the shore.
Standing on the lookout, Augustus had a clear view of the Venice fleet.
He roughly estimated the number of ships sent by Venice and frowned slightly.
Clearly, the Venetians were holding back.
Compared to the intelligence he had received about the number of ships Venice had assembled, the number of ships Venice sent was probably less than half, and the vast majority were transport ships without a single cannon.
Few decent warships had arrived, and only one heavy warship, serving as the flagship, was sent as an extremely perfunctory gesture.
This meant that the main naval power of Venice remained firmly in their own hands.
Why were the Venetians so cautious? Could it be that the news had leaked?
Augustus thought back, then shook his head; such a possibility was absolutely nonexistent.
In the blink of an eye, the Venice fleet had finished docking, and Augustus led his generals to greet them.
Augustus was not the only one who noticed the incorrect number of Venice ships; all the generals also discovered the issue and were secretly displeased.
Pisani Commander, the Admiral of the Navy of Venice, was an old naval veteran nearing seventy.
One of his eyes had been blinded by a stray bullet in the Battle of Lepanto, which had once shaken the world; a black eye patch was diagonally draped over it, and his whole body exuded the scent of rain.
With the support of his aides, Pisani Commander hobbled to Augustus, then straightened his hunched back and proudly declared, "Pisani, Admiral of the Navy of the Venice Republic, has arrived as promised with 97 warships and 2,000 soldiers of the Venice Republic to join the allied forces."
As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the Papal States' people, including Riccardo, all looked somewhat displeased.
"You Venetians took so much money and so many benefits, and in the end, you only send these broken ships and Miscellaneous Soldiers?" Duke said bluntly.
The soldiers behind Pisani immediately put their hands on their swords upon hearing this, fearless, waiting only for Pisani's command.
On the Papal States' side, including the soldiers from Tuscany, they showed no weakness, gripping their weapons tightly, looking ready for a confrontation.
Pisani was slightly startled.
Although he had anticipated the Papal States' dissatisfaction, he didn't expect it to be so direct upon meeting.
But he quickly regained his composure, motioned for the soldiers behind him to put away their weapons, and then calmly explained, "The Venice Republic's naval strength is certainly more than this.
Many more ships are still undergoing pre-battle preparations, and soldiers are intensifying their training.
I am only leading the vanguard to rendezvous with the allied forces; the remaining fleet will arrive in batches later.
Of course, a portion must indeed be used for Venice's own defense and cannot be fully handed over to the allied forces."
In fact, the Venice fleet was already ready.
Pisani Commander's current mission also included testing the Papal States' attitude to decide how many ships and soldiers Venice would ultimately send to assist in the war.
Seeing that the people of the Papal States were very concerned about the fleet he brought, Pisani Commander felt relieved instead.
"So that's how it is.
I was rash just now; I apologize to you."
After staying in the Papal States for over a year, Duke had become much more adaptable.
"It's no big deal; it's my fault for not explaining it clearly beforehand and causing everyone to misunderstand," Pisani Commander smoothly smoothed things over, then used his remaining single eye to observe the changes in expression of those before him.
"Pisani Commander, General Duke is too straightforward and doesn't know how to speak; I apologize to you on his behalf.
With such heavy rain, the generals and soldiers of Venice have come through the rain; it must have been a hard journey.
We have long prepared ample barracks and dry clothing for our friends from the Venice Republic; please disembark and rest.
After a brief rest, the Papal States has also prepared a welcoming banquet for your arrival.
We invite all of you from Venice to honor us with your presence."
In the arrangement of the barracks, Augustus had a slight trick up his sleeve: the barracks arranged for Venice were exceptionally large and located in the very center of the camp, surrounded by all other barracks.
Adjacent to the Venice barracks, of course, were also the barracks of Tuscany.
"Then we thank His Holiness the Pope first.
Let us take our leave for a short rest, and we shall see you at the banquet tonight."
With that, Pisani Commander motioned to the Venice soldiers, who followed the guiding soldiers to the camp arranged for them.
Watching Pisani Commander's retreating figure, Karl muttered to himself with interest, "How interesting.
They only brought two thousand men, yet they dared to actively draw their weapons in front of us.
I truly underestimated them."
"Because they have Venice behind them, and the rest of their entire main fleet, and they are well aware that we cannot possibly fall out with Venice now.
Arriving in batches…" Augustus mused.
"So what should we do now?"
"No rush; let's wait and see."
Leaving this light remark, Augustus also walked towards the camp.
Riccardo was confused, vaguely feeling that the people of the Papal States were not actually that friendly towards Venice, and that the Pope and his people seemed to be hiding something from him.