Chapter 1695 - 22. War Without Weapons (Part 5)

Surrounded by aggressive neighbors and guided by unpleasant memories of Austoria's occupation, Ceres, motivated to consolidate military power on one hand, implemented "equidistant diplomacy" to ensure national survival. Consequently, the Vatican acquired Ceres' fiercely loyal Wehrmacht. As long as the pay was right, whether it was Charlemagne, Austoria, or even the Ros United Duchy, Ceres mercenaries sold their service—unless they faced fellow countrymen on the battlefield, for Ceres mercenaries adhered to the principle of "Ceresians do not fight Ceresians". At the same time, Ceres' banking institutions started absorbing the mercenaries' earnings sent home and the dubious, secret funds of various clients. It did not matter whether the depositors were royalty or notorious thieves, or whether their money was legitimately earned or ill-gotten, as long as the fees were covered, any amount of money could be cleaned impeccably.