With the cooperation of the locals, the Papal States quickly gained control of Venice's main areas. Troops were spread throughout the streets and alleys of Venice, dividing and surrounding the few remaining Venetian forces.
Among the various Venetian units, some were isolated and held their ground stubbornly, some encountered Papal States troops head-on during their retreat, and others, knowing the tide had turned, simply shed their uniforms and scattered.
Those who defended or retreated faced one of two outcomes: annihilation or surrender. Only those who shed their uniforms and blended in with the civilians managed to escape. Venice lacked a comprehensive household registration system, so the Papal States could not, and would not, go door-to-door arresting people based on household records. However, having shed their uniforms, there was no possibility of them putting them back on anytime soon.
"General, our Papal States army has completely sealed off all areas within Venice. These squads, all dressed in immaculate Venetian uniforms, moving through Venice—isn't that a bit too fake?" Wyatt looked at the several small squads Karl had dispatched, perfectly arrayed and full of vigor, and couldn't help but feel a little exasperated.
Karl showed an awkward but polite smile and humbly asked, "Then, in your opinion, what should we do...?"
"The formations can be broken up a bit, the clothes need to show signs of battle, and their demeanor should be a little more subdued. The military bearing shouldn't be so rigid; a bit more disheveled, otherwise, compared to the standard of the remaining Venetian troops, it will be obvious at a glance that they are fake."
After some effort, making the soldiers look dusty and their clothes ragged, the squads Karl had dispatched finally looked a bit like defeated stragglers.
Wyatt assessed the troops before him, deeming them sufficiently authentic, and continued to offer advice unstintingly: "Good, then let's quickly split up and act. After Donato escapes the Dodge's Palace, if he wants to flee Venice, he must go to the Free Bridge, which has already been sealed by Commander Riccardo.
Our army's advance is extremely rapid; their path back will quickly be blocked by our forces, so there won't be any chance for them to run back. Therefore, they can only find a place to hide not far from the Free Bridge, and then wait for an opportunity to escape. So, I believe our search should focus on the vicinity of the Free Bridge, especially around some inconspicuous buildings."
"Makes sense, let's do it! You and I will personally lead the search in this area." Unconsciously, Karl had already placed Wyatt on equal footing with himself.
"It's an honor!"
...
"Look, it's our people!" The plainclothes Venetian soldiers Othello had dispatched to the main thoroughfare quickly and joyfully discovered this organized "friendly force" and went forward to meet them.
Karl instinctively placed his hand on his weapon, but was immediately stopped by Wyatt: "We are the city hall's defenders. The Papal States attacked; they outnumbered us, and we couldn't resist at all. To preserve our strength, we could only retreat first. On the way, we encountered interception by the Papal States army, fought desperately to break through, and lost many brothers before reaching here."
Wyatt's pure Venetian accent, combined with the squad's incomplete formation and the incredibly realistic signs of battle, completely prevented the Venetian soldiers from becoming suspicious.
"His Excellency the Governor and Lord Othello have been waiting for a long time. Please come in." After saying this, the soldiers in the squad eagerly rushed to lead the way, afraid someone else would take their credit.
Hearing that the Governor and Othello were both there, Karl and Wyatt were overjoyed and exchanged a smile.
Following the leading Venetian soldiers through twists and turns, the squad arrived at a hidden corner where several unassuming civilian houses were scattered.
Karl secretly sighed: Wyatt had truly rendered a great service this time. If they had to conduct a carpet search, who knows how long it would take to find such a place. Not finding the Doge of Venice for such a long time could lead to countless unforeseen complications.
"My lord, look who I've brought back for you!" The leading soldier arrived at a civilian house, knocking on the door and shouting loudly, completely unaware that danger was imminent.
The door creaked open. Just as the soldier was about to turn around, a sudden chill pierced his heart. Half a short sword protruded from his chest. Before he could even utter a sound, his head slumped, and he died inexplicably.
The "Venetian soldiers," who had just been dejected, suddenly surged forward like they were injected with adrenaline. Without exception, the Venetian soldiers near the door, like the leading soldier, died under swords and blades before they could make a sound.
"Enemy attack! It's the Papal States soldiers! How did they find us here? Did we have a traitor among us? What do we do now?" Hiding in the innermost part of the civilian house, Donato trembled all over and his hands and feet turned cold as he heard the sounds of fighting and shouting rapidly approaching from outside.
The chief bodyguard was horrified but immediately responded: "No matter what, the outside won't hold for long. We must leave now. We will escort you to retreat through the back door."
"Retreat? Where else can we go?" Donato's mind went blank.
"We can think about that later; we must retreat now! Come, escort His Excellency the Governor to retreat!" Othello felt incredibly weary. The enemy's strength hadn't made him despair, but the Governor's cowardice filled him with sorrow.
Thus, Donato was practically dragged out the back door by Othello and the chief bodyguard, and it took him a while to regain his ability to think and move.
But Othello's subordinates were mostly untrained recruits, and with the burden of Donato, how could they outrun Karl's hand-picked elite troops? Soon, Karl's unit, having dealt with the rear-guard soldiers, was about to catch up.
Realizing there was no chance of escape, Othello's eyes drooped slightly, and he finally stopped in despair: "Your Excellency the Governor, please die with dignity!"
"Othello! Do you know what you're saying?" The chief bodyguard demanded, his eyes wide with fury.
Othello cleared his throat and reiterated: "We cannot escape. If we fall here, it may strengthen the resolve of other cities in Venice to resist. But if His Excellency the Governor falls into their hands, the consequences would be unimaginable!"
The chief bodyguard also fell silent, not saying another word. Seeing the Papal States soldiers charging forward, he bravely met them alone, fighting valiantly against several Papal States soldiers. Although he only lasted a few rounds before being pierced by multiple swords, he earned some respect from Karl: So Venice still had warriors who faced death fearlessly!