The war finally came to Hungarian soil.
After the destruction of the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Turks occupied large areas of Eastern Europe and the Balkan Peninsula.
However, the Caliphate wanted more than this. Since Vlad III, Transylvania had been resisting the invasion of Turks from the Middle East.
Ottoman Türkiye wanted to destroy the Holy Roman Empire just like the Eastern Roman Empire.
Small-scale conflicts continue to break out on the border lands.
Nadasdi, whose territory was on the border between the two countries, was the first to bear the brunt. He was deeply trusted by the emperor and was entrusted to assist the then commander-in-chief of Transdanubia in fighting the Turks.
In the end, Nadasdi defeated the enemy with only eleven casualties, and also captured more than a thousand prisoners of war.
Osman's momentum was slightly suppressed.
There have been no further territorial incursions recently, so the war can be considered over.
After this battle, Nadasdi was also known as the "Black Lord" from the Ottomans.
Elizabeth held her two-year-old daughter in her arms and listened quietly to Nadasdi's account of what happened in the military.
"It's really strange. I obviously wanted to make the 'Black Knight' famous, but I also deliberately had the light armor dyed black. Why did it end up with such a strange nickname as the 'Black Lord'.
Nadasidi said annoyed.
"If you could wear plate armor, you might be the Black Knight."
Elizabeth said to Nadasdi while teasing her daughter in her arms.
"Then please spare me. I can't think of anyone who can wear such heavy armor on the battlefield."
"Is it okay for all knights?"
Elizabeth thought about the cans that followed Nadasdi every day, and said it as a matter of course.
"It's difficult for them to even get on and off the horse. They need help to get on the horse, and it's inconvenient to move. Once they fall off the horse during the battle, they can only stay in the armor and wait for death."
Nadasdi curled his lips and said, then stood up and walked to the side of his wife and daughter. He squatted down slightly and took the daughter from Elizabeth's hand and shook it gently.
"Besides, how can I hold my lovely Anna while wearing such thick armor?"
Nadasdi picked up Anna and waved her around again, causing the girl to burst into laughter in the air.
Looking at Nadasdi, who only had her daughter in her eyes, Elizabeth looked a little unhappy. She reached her husband's ear, wrapped her arms around Nadasdi's chest and asked:
"what about me?"
After hearing this, Nadasdi couldn't help but turn his head and look at Elizabeth's beautiful face close at hand. He smiled helplessly, placed Anna on the floor, and then stretched out his hands to hug his wife into his arms.
"You're so cute today, Eliza."
Elizabeth nodded with satisfaction.
"Are you even jealous of your own children?"
"Are you embarrassed to say that if you don't want to name your son Ferenc III?"
Elizabeth countered.
"This...isn't the daughter born...don't mention this."
"Then, let's bring out another one~"
With a chuckle, Elizabeth kissed Nadasdi's lips.
Although the residence of the garrison troops was nearby, Nadasdi never had time to return home and always lived a military life with the soldiers.
Although they were only a few hours away by horseback, he and his wife could only communicate with each other through letters during this period.
Now that the war has finally come to an end, Nadasdi finally has time to return to Chakdis City to enjoy the warmth of his family.
"Hey, Anna is watching."
Realizing something, Nadasdi broke out of Elizabeth's arms and reminded his wife.
Elizabeth picked up her daughter who had stopped wandering around on the ground, placed her outside the door, and called the maid to take Anna away.
"What now?"
.......
Nadasidi smiled bitterly.
It seemed like there was no way to escape this.
**********
Nadasdi warmly hugged Turso who came to greet him.
"I would like to congratulate you in advance, Your Majesty."
While walking, Turso said to Nadasdi.
"Oh? Does His Majesty the Emperor actually intend to directly let me hold such an important position?"
Originally, the actual duty of the Taipu was to manage the mobilization of cavalry and horses in the entire country. However, after so many years of evolution, the Taipu gradually departed from the original definition and became an important military minister.
"Sir Nadasidi's strength and achievements are worthy of this reward."
"What's the truth?"
"...The truth is that there are many factions among His Majesty's courtiers, and after the war, the vassals from all over the country are also ready to make moves. The Emperor needs a noble who is firm and powerful as an important minister."
He was sent to Vienna for further study since he was a child. His family power is not strong, but with his wife's background, Nadasdi is naturally an excellent candidate.
He will not be opposed by the nobles and has a good relationship with the emperor.
Nadasti nodded in understanding.
"Then I can also look forward to your appearance as the emperor's trusted minister in the future."
He patted Turso on the shoulder and smiled.
George Turso is also a similar figure to him, but Turso comes from a more prominent family.
"I haven't done anything yet, and taking the position of directly serving as a cabinet member cannot convince the public."
"It doesn't matter. If you come to my army in the future, you will naturally get military merits and so on."
"What did the count say?"
Nadasdi nodded again and affirmed:
"There will still be wars. This victory can only calm the opponent for a while."
At present, there are still hidden dangers buried in the countries of both sides, so a large-scale war will not break out yet.
But Nadasdi could predict that one day the Ottomans would come to the city of Vienna.
"Then I would also like to ask the count to take care of you in the future."
Nadasidi waved his hand and said:
"What does this mean? Maybe I will have to rely on you to take care of me in the future."
"Speaking of which, how is the count's physical condition?"
George Turso suddenly asked Nadasdi.
"....Do you understand?"
Turso nodded and then said:
"His Majesty the Emperor received a letter from the Commander of Transdanubia and informed me of it."
Nadasdi suddenly fainted in the camp. Although the doctor checked that there was nothing serious, he still felt some numbness at the end of his limbs.
"That's right."
"Is there any serious problem now?"
"To be honest, nothing has changed, but it shouldn't be a big problem. Before, I just felt some numbness between my fingers and toes. Recently, I can't control my entire right foot well."
"I hope it won't have a big impact on your body."
"Thanks, I think so too."
With the permission of the palace guards, the two stepped into the palace in Vienna.
*********
Feeling the menace of his wife behind him, Nadasdi quickly put Paul down, and then called Anna, who had become a young girl, to ask her to take her brother away.
"Yo, Eliza."
Nadasidi greeted Elizabeth calmly.
"Why have you been avoiding me since you came home this time?"
"Eh? Is there any?"
Nadasdi's feet were motionless. Although he wanted to escape, this time he was completely exposed once he ran away.
Not to mention that he can't run away now.
"Have you forgotten about me since you became commander-in-chief?"
Relying on his many years of military exploits and popularity in Hungary, Nadasdy successfully succeeded the late commander-in-chief of Transdanubia.
However, since he returned to Chahtisburg this time, he has always avoided Elizabeth. Even when he met Nadasdy, he mostly stayed motionless at the desk and dining table.
"How is it possible? I will always love you, Eliza."
"Don't say those nice words yet, Ferenc, can you come this way?"
"Can you not leave?"
"no."
After letting out a long sigh, Nadasdi limped to Elizabeth's side.
"What's going on? Are you injured?"
Elizabeth anxiously tried to lift up Nadasdy's trousers.
"....It's not an injury, it's a disease."
"Disease? What disease?"
Nadasdi shook his head helplessly and said:
"Doctors don't know either. If they had known, it wouldn't have developed into what it is today."
Fortunately, after being promoted to Commander-in-Chief, he no longer had to go to the front line in person.
Elizabeth clenched her hands, raised her head and asked Nadasdy:
"When did Ferenc know this?"
"...I must have known about it more than ten years ago. The emperor and Turso also knew about it."
"Why didn't you tell me? Didn't you tell me you wouldn't lie to me?"
Nadasdi curled his lips. After all, more than ten years had passed, and he had gradually relaxed his vigilance. Although his condition has deteriorated somewhat rapidly in recent years, he really did not expect it to deteriorate so quickly.
Nadasidi now has no feeling in his entire right leg and cannot bend it.
"I really didn't lie to you...I told you everything you asked. I just didn't tell you."
"...That's quibbling."
Nadasdi gently hugged Elizabeth, put his wife's head on his shoulder and caressed her.
"I'm sorry, I was wrong."
"If I forgive you, will your illness be cured?"
"That would be a bit overwhelming..."
"Will your disease continue to develop?"
Nadasdi was silent.
In fact, in the few days since he returned to Chakdis City, Nadasdi has noticed that his condition is deteriorating.
He wanted to tell Elizabeth personally that he would not, but Nadasdy was also unwilling to deceive her.
Elizabeth guessed a thing or two from Nadasdi's attitude.
She asked Nadasdy with growing anxiety.
"...That's it, Ferenc, but you won't leave me, right?"
Nadasti dared not remain silent on the issue.
"Of course, I will never abandon you."
After hearing the confirmation from Nadasdi's mouth, Elizabeth believed him.
Or so Elizabeth wanted to believe.
**********
"Turso, I heard that you have a little sister?"
Nadasdi suddenly asked Turso beside him.
Old Turso, who was over thirty years old, blushed and said:
"That's right...yes, she is my stepfather's daughter."
"You are about the same age as my Paul. Do you want to make an engagement?"
Turso was a little surprised by Nadasdi's sudden proposal, but he had no reason to refuse.
"It is an honor for my family to marry the Earl."
After hearing Turso's answer, Nadasdi nodded with satisfaction and put down the pen held in his stiff right hand.
"Then, I have to ask you to take more care of my son and Elizabeth."
Turso's expression changed and he asked Nadasdi:
"Is it possible that your illness————"
Nadasdi nodded and interrupted Turso's inquiry.
"I know in my heart that I may not be able to survive for a few years. It has been almost twenty years since the onset of the disease, and there is nothing sudden. But you still have a bright future. I just hope that you can take more care of me in the future for my sake. Let them"
In silence, Turso bowed to Nadasdi.
*******
In September 1603 AD, Nadasdi led his troops in a fierce battle with the Ottoman army in Budapest. Although he achieved a great victory, as the commander-in-chief of the Transdanubian River, Nadasdi suddenly became seriously ill and was sent back. In the city of Chakhedis.
Nadasdi, who couldn't move at all, looked at Elizabeth, who had tears falling from her eyes in front of her. Although he wanted to touch his wife's head, he couldn't do it.
"Eliza, you are far less beautiful when you are crying than when you are smiling."
The words coming out of his mouth were also indistinct.
But Elizabeth had been with Nadasdi for nearly thirty years and understood what her husband was saying.
Elizabeth wiped away her tears and forced a smile in front of Nadasty.
"Am I not beautiful when I am crying?"
"But I still prefer you when you smile."
Nadasdi also used all his strength to put a smile on his lips in return.
"This time, I can take a good vacation."
"With this look, there's nothing you can do if you don't stop."
Nadasdi said helplessly.
"Then you, will you leave? Ferenc."
Nadasidi was silent.
That's it...
Tears seemed to overflow from her eyes again, but Elizabeth quickly controlled them.
He didn't like her crying.
"Let's enjoy our vacation together, Ferenc."
The smile returned to Elizabeth's face, the same as the smile of the twelve-year-old girl in Nadasdi's memory.
Under this smile, he became speechless.
**********
In January 1604 AD, Nadasdi, who had been recovering at home for several months, finally lost his breath under Elizabeth's watch.
The beautiful story that happened in Chakdis ends here.
