Despite the desperate resistance of the remaining two accomplices, they ultimately could not escape their fate of death.

Within just fifteen minutes, three heads had already been added to the wooden barrel.

The guillotine’s originally shiny blade had also become particularly terrifying after claiming three heads in quick succession.

"From dust to dust, may the Lord’s mercy be with you forever, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen," Archbishop Morello said a simple prayer for Orsini and his two companions with a devout expression, then left the execution site.

The officer glanced at the three heads in the barrel, showing a look of disdain, then hurriedly ordered his subordinates to put Orsini’s and his comrades’ heads into the prepared small coffins, and reminded, "Don’t take the wrong head!"

The soldiers followed the officer’s orders, reached into the barrel to take out the heads, then placed each one in a different coffin (the headless bodies had already been laid in the coffins) and closed the coffin lids.

Immediately after, the officer divided the soldiers into two groups, with one group responsible for sending the gallows back and the other group working together to carry the coffins to the cemetery for burial.

...

When Jerome Bonaparte, sitting in the Tuileries Palace study correcting documents, heard the news of Orsini’s death, a sense of relief immediately filled his heart.

The trial of Orsini was considered concluded with the deaths of Orsini and his accomplices.

However, the series of political issues sparked by Orsini did not end with his death; instead, they gradually reached a climax.

After all, with Orsini’s death as a witness, the French Empire could justifiably confront the Sardinian Kingdom using Orsini’s confession.

Thinking of this, Jerome Bonaparte immediately summoned Bashirio and instructed him to personally visit the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Bashirio, go to the Imperial Foreign Ministry immediately and instruct Minister De Luyss to continue pressuring the Sardinian Kingdom.

This time, the stance must be tougher than the last, but don’t be overly aggressive; leave them some room to maneuver, now is not the time to lay all our cards on the table!

Understood?"

Bashirio respectfully replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, I will immediately relay the message to Minister Luyis!"

"Mm!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded, then added, "Hurry back!"

Bashirio left the Tuileries Palace by carriage and soon arrived at "Ossai Pier," where he met with De Luyss.

Upon hearing that Bashirio was a guest from the Tuileries Palace, De Luyss quickly put down his work to meet with Bashirio.

When he realized Bashirio had personally come, a look of surprise appeared on his face, "Chief Steward Bashirio, why did you come in person!"

After speaking, De Luyss quickly instructed his secretary to bring two cups of coffee to the office.

De Luyss raised his hand to stop and said, "No need for that! I’ll just say one thing and leave!"

"What orders does His Majesty have?" De Luyss inquired curiously of Bashirio.

"His Majesty ordered me to inform your Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue pressuring the Sardinia Embassy!" Bashirio replied to De Luyss.

De Luyss showed a look of astonishment upon hearing this and quickly asked, "Chief Steward, didn’t we just pressure them a few days ago? Why are we doing it again now?"

Bashirio hesitated for a moment, then shared his guess, "I suspect His Majesty is preparing to strangle Sardinia like a boa constrictor squeezing its prey, bit by bit!

By the way, His Majesty also said not to push the Sardinian Kingdom too hard and to be mindful of the limits!

Now is not the time to fully reveal our intentions!"

"Alright!"

Though De Luyss felt Jerome Bonaparte was being somewhat redundant, since the Emperor requested they continue the pressure, De Luyss did not wish to oppose the Emperor’s will.

"I’ve said what I needed to say, so I’ll be leaving!" Bashirio responded to De Luyss.

"Let me see you off!" De Luyss quickly stood to escort Bashirio.

De Luyss and Bashirio, side by side, walked from the office to outside the Foreign Ministry building. Standing near the gate, Bashirio suddenly asked De Luyss in a low voice, "Mr. Luyis, do you know what Ambassador Richard Metternich has been doing recently?"

De Luyss shook his head after hearing this, unsure of what Bashirio meant by suddenly mentioning this.

"Never mind if you don’t know," Bashirio said faintly and left the Foreign Ministry by carriage amid De Luyss’s confused expression.

"What’s Mr. Bashirio’s meaning in this?"

De Luyss muttered quietly, puzzled by Bashirio’s words as he stood still.

Carrying this doubt, De Luyss returned to his office step by step. Suddenly, just as the office door was about to close, De Luyss thought of something.

Wait, Richard Metternich... Austrian Empire... Apennine Peninsula...

De Luyis thought of the Austrian Empire as a formidable force on the Apennine Peninsula as well, could it be that His Majesty the Emperor is colluding with the Austrian Empire as Bashirio suggests?

Thinking about this, a wry smile appeared on De Luyis’s lips.

He, adept at tactical deception, never imagined he would one day taste the feeling of being defrauded.

De Luyis had a premonition that the Austrian Empire and the Emperor had likely reached some oral or written agreement.

However, De Luyis and his Ministry of Foreign Affairs were currently still unclear about it.

The secret chamber politics of the 19th century were like this, the direction of national advancement and diplomacy largely relied on secret agreements between monarchs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs usually only learns the truth after the secret agreement is fully reached.

By then, attempting to alter the secret treaties between emperors would become extremely difficult.

Though De Luyis had grievances against Jerome Bonaparte for bypassing their Ministry of Foreign Affairs and making a secret agreement with the Austrian Empire, he now had no choice but to follow Emperor Jerome Bonaparte’s orders.

As for when Emperor Jerome Bonaparte would reveal the whole plan to him, it entirely depended on His Majesty the Emperor’s mood.

Subsequently, De Luyis ordered his Secretary of State to invite Delaroca to visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs again, at the Sardinian Embassy in France.

The Secretary of State received the order and left, bringing Delaroca Envoy over half an hour later.

"Your Excellency! What brings you to seek me this time?" Delaroca Envoy curiously asked Minister De Luyis before him.

With an expression of deep disgust, De Luyis said to Delaroca Envoy, "Your Excellency, Orsini is dead!"

Delaroca Envoy was first startled, but then quickly realized the undertones of De Luyis’s words.

Since the culprit Orsini is dead, when would Delaroca fulfill the promises he previously made?

"Minister Luyis, this... this... we... are still discussing!" Delaroca Envoy stammered in response to De Luyis.

"Discussion? How long are you planning to discuss?" De Luyis raised his voice to question Delaroca, "Are you waiting for us to forget about this, then fool us with random people?"

"No, not at all!" Delaroca Envoy hastily responded to De Luyis.

Though Delaroca indeed had such intentions, he couldn’t say it openly before De Luyis.

"Then when will you have a concrete response for me?" De Luyis asked Delaroca with an aggressive tone.

"One month!" Delaroca extended one finger and said to De Luyis, "Please give me one more month!

I can assure France a satisfactory answer!"

"One month?" De Luyis shook his head at Delaroca and said, "No! I can’t give you another month; I will only allow you half a month to consider!

If you still can’t give me an answer, then the French Empire will reconsider its relations with the Sardinian Kingdom!"

"Indeed! I will urge Sardinia to make a decision as soon as possible!" Delaroca humbly replied to De Luyis.

De Luyis’s demeanor immediately transformed, smiling again at Delaroca, he earnestly said, "That’s right! Envoy Roca, our two countries are mutually reliant allies!

I’m sure you won’t disappoint me, right?"

Delaroca’s face showed a wry smile; he nodded, indicating he would do his utmost to complete the task.

...

Meanwhile, about a kilometer away from Ossai Pier at Tuileries Palace.

Jerome Bonaparte was talking with Richard Metternich Envoy.

"Mr. Richard, I think your Austrian Empire can make some moves!" Jerome Bonaparte spoke straightforwardly to Richard Metternich, "For example, initiating certain mobilizations in Venice and Lombardy!"

"Your Majesty, the French Empire and the Sardinian Kingdom between..." Richard Metternich hesitated.

"We will soon sever diplomatic ties with the Sardinian Kingdom! When the time comes, the task of teaching Sardinia a lesson will be handed over to you!" Jerome Bonaparte responded to Richard Metternich, "However, when you attack Sardinia, it’s best to be somewhat swift!

If you are unable to quickly overcome Sardinia, the Kingdom of Britain might consider joining the war.

By then, the overall situation will be unfavorable for your Austrian Empire!"

"We will!" Richard Metternich answered Jerome Bonaparte.