Autumn had come and after the crops were harvested all of Iberia marched to war. The union of Granada and Ratmen which was called Cin for short, had already started to move. 2 large Cin armies marched one to the west to Cordova and one east to Murcia.
While the rat-loving Duke of Granada had tried to unify his people against the Iberian united front of Andalusia and Aragon, he had failed. While many people of the region didn't hate the rats like so many others did, they definitely weren't willing to die for them. So the Duke had resorted to forced conscription tactics. He was willing to do anything for the beautiful white rat queen, he couldn't help it he was a true simp for the rat.
It had all happened 20 years ago on his 16th birthday on a hunting trip in the wooden mountainside. The Duke's dogs had run off into the wilds after some beast. When he caught up to them, he was stunned to see a white child-sized rat cornered on a rock fighting off the dogs.
No, he wasn't stunned because of her bravery rather he was stunned by the beauty. No human woman was as white as she, no human woman had such lovely fur and feet and lastly, no human woman had as many tits as she had. How could any human woman compete with that?
From that day on he had lived a double life. The queen had promised her hand in marriage to him if she became the Queen of Iberia. For now, he would have to settle on just fantasies of her but soon he promised to make her his. Due to his simping nature, he would always be thinking about her, even when he made love to his human wife he would think about doing it with her.
So now he marched with an army of ten thousand humans and fifty thousand Ratmen towards Cordoba. The armies of Iberia on the other hand would take much longer to gather.
Because of this, the Duke of Faro decided to send his forces to reinforce the city of Cordoba. The rest of the Iberian armies would gather elsewhere and then come lift the siege.
In the middle of the town of Segres men gathered into a marching formation as they prepared to leave for war. In the front stood a small group of ten horses. The Lord of Segres and his son were a part of this group. Behind them stood twenty conquistadors with muskets and swords on their hips. And lastly, there were the two hundred peasants that wore whatever they could afford.
Apart of this group was Jesus and his followers. Jesus wore a full plate armor with a white cape and a white tabard that had a red cross on it. He also had a steel helmet with a pointed dog face visor that he had lifted. He also used a sword and a shield with a red cross also.
The red cross was actually not a cross but a sword pointing downward. Because of their family's fame and wealth, he had gotten the right to hold his family's own crest on the battlefield.
When Duke Tonel Segres looked back at his men and saw this scene, he frowned out of jealousy. Even though he was a Noble the Colombo family had surpassed his family's wealth and prestige. Now the Colombo family wore even nicer armor than he did and Marino even had 420 men under his command. While he could only muster 230 men.
The Duke had tried to convince Marino to bring his 420 men into this war but he had failed. Marino was insistent on using his men for some mission of his own. Somehow he had even gotten the Dukes son to join him.
As Jesus prepared to leave he kissed his family goodbye and said a few words. 'I know it is hard for you all to watch me go. But fear not, for I promise that I will be returning soon. After all its only rats that we are facing. How hard could it be?'
Then he turned to look at his wife. Mary had tears in her eyes as she tried not to cry. 'My wife. Do not cry. You must be strong in my absence and take care of the family.' As he said this he gently wiped her tears away. Then he turned to Marino.
Seeing this Marino spoke with an apologetic tone. 'Father. I have disappointed you. I haven't been very appreciative of your teachings. I have been arrogant and self-centered and I apologize. I have been so focused on my own goals all this time. I promise, that after my journey is done and my goals are fulfilled. I will not ask for more.'
Jesus smiled and proudly said. 'You are strong and wise Marino and I am very proud of you. I have taught you everything I know, and you have become a far greater man than I could ever hope to be. Be patient and fulfill your dreams and then come back home. I have no doubt that you will succeed.' He patted Marino's shoulder as he left and waved them goodbye and said a few more parting words to Lara from a distance. 'And you Missy behave yourself and give me as many grandchildren as possible!'
When the last remaining men joined the formation the Lord yelled. 'Formation Forward March!'
And so the long march started. It would be a physically taxing march for Jesus. Thanks to his heavy plate armour, but that is what he had trained for. Next to him marched 20 of his followers. But unlike him, they only had a plate shoulder on their right side. Accompanied also by plate gauntlets, boots and helmets with T-shaped visors, the rest of their armor was made of leather. Over the armor, they wore white tabards with red Crosse's and white cloaks. On their left side, they would wear a Heater-style shield and on the right a short sword.
Everybody in the village watched as the small army marched into the distance. When they were out of sight the people returned to their normal routines.
But Marino's family had to say one more goodbye before they could return home. Because today was also the day that Marino would leave for his adventure.
When they arrived at the docks they could see 6 ships that were being loaded with tons of cargo. The trip to the new world took 10 weeks in Marino's previous life. So he made sure to put lots of food and supplies onboard for his big crew.
There were the 420 chosen and 7 hand's, all dressed in the same style as his father's men were. Except their attire was black and there were no tabards, only black leather armor and cloaks.
Seeing that his crew was almost ready he turned to his family and spoke. 'Mother I thank you for Avery thing. Without your support, this would never have been possible. And I swear. When I return, it will be with great riches. Enough to ensure Ower family's rise to nobility.'
Mary smiled bitterly and said. 'All that matters is that you return. Come home safe my son.'
'I will.' He answered and turned to look at his soon-to-be wife Lara and said. 'My love do not she'd tiers for me. For my return is not a matter of if, but when. So be strong and take care of over child. I will return before you have the other.'
Hearing this Lara hugged Marino with one hand as she held their child in the other. Eve just looked at them confused, not knowing what was going on.
After a long hug, she said with a bitter smile. 'You better not break that promise.'
Over the last few years, Lara's clingy nature had moved from Marino to their daughter. Thanks to this Marino could finally leave for the new world.
After giving his family one last farewell kiss he walked onto the flagship, Marino's wrath. On the ship, he was greeted by his two hands, code-named sloth and gluttony after their personality's. They were the physically strongest members of their exploration force.
Sloth was a big man, over 2 meters tall and a bodybuilding body. He had short black hair and gray eyes. He was wearing all-black armour same as the chosen, except he only had one weapon. On his back was a Heavy Two-Handed Sword. Sloth stood there with a helmet in hand as he said, without emotion. 'We greet you, master. Can I go sleep now?'
Hearing this Marino smirked and said. 'Soon. Once we get on the open sea. Now go help with the preparations.'
Sloth was a big, lazy and stupid man. But this was only true if he was left alone. As long as Sloth had somebody to tell him what to do he would do it. Sloth didn't listen to anyone except his friends. If Marino told him to train and build muscle, he would do it. If he told him to fight he would fight and so on.
As Marino stood there watching Sloth leave, he heard Gluttony speak. With a dum-looking face and a cheerful and childish voice, he asked. 'When can I eat?'
Gluttony was a bald fat young man of 16 years. He was almost two meters tall and wore the same attire that sloth did. But he used a Heavy Two handed stone Maul/Hammer as a weapon. He used this weapon, because he was too stupid to wield a sword. While he was inhumanely strong, Marino worried that he would cut himself with a sword.
Marino chuckled and said to the fat man/boy. 'Soon. In about 10 week's time, we will be in a new land. There you can eat as much as you can.'
Gluttony looked at Marino with his gray eyes in awe and asked. ' Anything? Can I even eat the soft flesh of the children and women?'
Hearing this Marino laughed awkwardly and said. 'Yeah, sure. Why not. As long as it doesn't cause problems for us.'
After their small exchange of words. Gluttony happily went to help Sloth in his mission. While Gluttony was a stupid, fat and sadistic follower, he still had his uses. Gluttony and Sloth would be traveling on the same boat as Marino. Since they were incapable of commanding their own ship. Their only positive feature was their loyalty and strength.
Marino walked to the steering wheel and watched as the last ropes were unhooked and brought onboard the ship. Then he excitedly yelled. 'Raise the sails!'
Big white sails were lowered. On the sails, and their flags, were square-shaped, red crosses and. On the crosses were black skulls.
With that, all the ship's headed out, towards the sea.
Looking back at the port Marino saw his family waving their hands. In return, he waved back at them. Doing so he smiled as he saw it.
In the distance at the docks was his food wagon, selling sandwiches and making money. Two young girls, in their early teens, were happily serving customers and making sandwiches. Then he heard their loud happy girlish voice. 'Come and get your fresh and tasty, Colombo bread!'
Hearing this Marino's face turned ugly and he felt a pain in his heart, as he turned away and said. 'Full speed ahead!'
God, what have I done? He thought to himself.
Now in this world, there would never again be sandwiches. Instead, there were Colombo breads. Men would not say. ' Bitch, shut up and make me a sandwich.' No, they would say. 'Bitch, shut up and make me a Colombo.' Thinking of this Marino cried, in his heart.