Revolutionary Period – Preface (1)
Revolutionary army garrison in Reims, northeast of the French Republic.
Raphael Balian, commander of the Northern Army of the Republic, greeted the commanders of the Southern Army with a smile on his face.
“It’s an honor to meet you. Welcome, General Mirbo! “I have heard of your reputation!”
“Hmm hmm. Nice to meet you, General Balian. “Could you please say Count Mirbeau?”
As soon as I heard Damien’s words, I stiffened while smiling.
There was silence for a moment.
‘Damn, was that too high profile?’
Just as cold sweat was running down Damien’s spine, Balian smiled again and opened his mouth.
“…Haha, I see. Nice to meet you again, Count Mirbeau. Please go inside.”
“Let’s do that.”
Inside the barracks where Confederate troops were guided, there was a table with an operational map spread out.
The table was not small, but once the Northern and Southern military commanders were seated, it became completely surrounded.
The man who received Balian’s gesture bowed his head to Damien and opened his mouth.
“It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Alexandre Werther, and I am the Chief of Staff of the Northern Army. “I will explain the situation.”
Werther picked up the baton next to the map and continued speaking again.
“A week ago, 10,000 troops from the Northern United Kingdom arrived in the Duchy of Lorraine.”
“In the end, the fact that there was no offensive until reinforcements from the Northern United Kingdom arrived means that they are planning to launch an offensive in the spring?”
“Yes, the northern army’s judgment is also the same.”
Werther used his baton to point out the area where the word ‘Lorraine’ was written.
“The Duchy of Lorraine is stationed with 6,000 troops from the royal army under the command of King Louis and the Duke of Lorraine, and 10,000 troops from the Germanic Empire led by Duke Henry. If you include the Northern United Kingdom, the number is 26,000.”
Screams came from all over the place. I knew that the enemy forces were overwhelming, but even so, there were too many.
Werther pointed to the area written ‘Alsace’ again with his baton.
“20,000 troops of the Germanian Empire under the command of Archduke Leopold are stationed in the Alsace border. Although he has fewer troops, he played a major role in the war between the Empire and the Kingdom of Krafte and is called a hero of the Empire, so we need to be especially careful.”
When Werther retreated, Balian opened his mouth.
“Currently, the northern army has 13,000 troops and the southern army has 12,000, so we need to stop the 46,000 with 25,000. “We are greatly outnumbered in terms of military strength.”
“Uhm….”
Damien swallowed dry saliva.
Until I received command, I was filled with the thought that it was an opportunity, but now that I am here, I realize that it is not a matter of making a mark, but just not losing is a good thing, isn’t it?
It was regrettable that the Marquis de Lafayette went to the south with 1,000 troops.
“In terms of military strength, our army’s goal is to buy time by holding out until the training of additional troops conscripted from the Republic is completed and the Marquis de Lafayette joins.”
“Hmm….”
“Both sides are threatening, but the most threatening force is Archduke Leopold’s 20,000 troops stationed in Alsace.”
Damien de Mirbeau stared at the word ‘Alsace’ on the map with great anxiety.
Archduke Leopold. He had heard that name well.
Wasn’t he the only imperial general who could properly fight against the ‘Great King’ of the Kingdom of Krafte?
Damien, who had been defeated by the Marquis de Lafayette, who felt like a wall to his abilities, did not want to face an enemy more capable than himself again.
Moreover, the number of troops is almost twice that….
“Well, if we take charge of Lorraine…”
“I have no doubt that the Count will lead the southern army and take on the enemy in Alsace!”
“Huh?”
“I have heard of His Excellency, Count Damien de Mirbeau! Even though you are the second son, you have proven your ability to be appointed as the acting lord of the County of Mirbeau!”
“That’s right…”
Damien was a little embarrassed, but Balian started talking at a rapid pace.
“Moreover, he once competed with the Marquis de Lafayette, who emerged like a comet during the civil war, and even though he was a former enemy, he is someone the Marquis trusts enough to entrust him with command!”
At this point, Damien also began to feel better.
How much mistreatment and humiliation had he had to endure after being defeated by that damn marquis, who had once been promising enough to threaten his position as the eldest son?
How long has it been since you met someone who recognized and praised your abilities like this?
“Besides, speaking of the Confederate Army, he is a veteran of veterans! “This is a strong army that experienced the civil war, served a noble commander for a long time, and was united!”
After shouting like that, Balian quietly got closer to Damien and whispered.
“Although the number of troops is slightly smaller than that of the Northern Army, in my opinion, the haphazard conscription of the Republic is nothing compared to the Northern Army. “Honestly, I’m jealous.”
“That keum keum. Does this friend know how to see people? Hahaha!”
“If you face a hero like the Count and don’t know how great he is, wouldn’t you be qualified to be a commander? ha ha ha!”
Balian smiled and bowed politely to Damien.
“It’s a shame, but I think the Count and the Confederate army would be better suited to deal with that old hero than me. Please lend me your strength. There is no need to force yourself to win, so the Count can just focus on defense.”
Damien, who had been displeased to hear that someone like a former mercenary would be in charge of the general command, was pricked with conscience when Balian came out like this.
I’m not saying to repel it at all, just to defend. I haven’t had a chance to make a name for myself due to lack of luck, but if I can stand up properly against that old general, his name will be raised.
Moreover, they said they would deal with enemies with more troops, and Pierre also told them to respect Balian…
“If you say that so much. Please leave it to me. “This Damien de Mirbeau will do a great job blocking that old hero!”
“Oh, as expected, you are a master craftsman recognized by the Marquis de Lafayette! For the Count’s victory!”
“For victory! ha ha ha!”
After some more discussion took place in an atmosphere that looked more like a banquet than a strategy meeting, Damien and the southern army commanders left.
“Oh my hands and feet are all shriveling.”
As Balian was diligently shaking his hands, his chief of staff, Werther, approached and cautiously opened his mouth.
“It’s good that it’s easy to talk because the Marquis de Lafayette isn’t here, but is that okay? “I wonder if he can stop Archduke Leopold with 12,000…”
Balian snorted and answered.
“it’s crazy? Lorraine’s command is divided into three, so we can somehow bridge the gap, but twice the number of troops under Archduke Leopold’s sole command? “That’s too much for me.”
“Uh… then? “Don’t we need to add some troops now?”
“The number of troops we have to deal with right now is twice as large. This side is not easy either, so where can we afford it? “You have to make a name for yourself and get ahead, right? Chief of Staff?”
“That’s true, but…”
Balian chuckled, looking at Werther.
“The Germanian Empire will not be very enthusiastic about this war. There is no reason to give an intact Francia into the hands of King Louis. So let’s hope Archduke Leopold isn’t very motivated.”
“…What if Archduke Leopold is motivated?”
“Then what…”
Balian pretended to put his hands together.
“Let’s hope the Confederate army gets hit less painfully.”
–
Time passed quickly after winning the National Assembly.
Winter is finally over and spring is approaching.
I led an army of 1,000 soldiers from the Southern Army and marched out to defeat Count Lionel.
By the time we marched down the road and reached the south, winter was already completely over.
We were joined by 1,000 troops led by Eris and Lord Beaumont.
These are newly conscripted units from the western region.
When Eris had calmed public sentiment to some extent, the religious suppression decree was lifted, and the stolen church property was returned, the people of the West also agreed to follow the republic after discussion.
That’s why they participated in the battle to suppress Count Lionel, the mastermind identified this time, under my command, the most trusted commander in the Republic.
The Republic still views them with a bit of suspicion, and they may still have resentments against the Republic, but they will be able to narrow the gap a little by fighting together.
“It’s been a while, Marquis!”
Eris on a horse is waving her hand enthusiastically and looks excited even though her face is hidden by a veil.
More than a month has already passed since I left for the capital and asked her to calm the public sentiment.
As I rode closer to her, I saw Lord Beaumont behind me bowing lightly.
“Thank you for your hard work, saint. “Thank you, Lord Beaumont.”
“Oh, hearing something like that gives me goosebumps.”
I smiled, leaned over to Eris, and whispered softly.
“Why are you going to do this later? “Your Majesty, the future Queen.”
“Ugh…!”
Eris hugged my shoulders with both gloved hands and trembled for a moment, but then her eyes were fixed on my chest.
uh? ah.
“Hmph-”
I slowly avoided my face at Eris’s snort.
“Then let’s reorganize the unit and regroup before departing.”
“Marquis~”
“Let the soldiers eat.”
“ancient!”
“Marquis.”
The adjutant who received my instructions ran away and, finally, with no one to talk to, I narrowed my eyes and turned to Eris.
“…why.”
“Did you receive that brooch as a gift?”
Eris asked, pointing to the black rose-shaped brooch I wore on my chest.
Although his face is covered with a veil, I can clearly see him smiling inside.
“It’s an artifact. “I heard there’s a protection spell on it.”
“So the Count of Aquitaine gave it to you?”
“…okay.”
Suddenly, my face heated up as I remembered Christine, who had come close to me and personally attached a brooch to me when I was going on a mission.
“It’s sweet~”
“…No matter what you’re thinking, it’s not what you think.”
“You two are not officially in a relationship right now.”
“Okay, so it’s a pointless misunderstanding…”
“But you both refuse all the marriage talks that come your way, and since you often travel together, there are a lot of rumors in the capital.”
“…well.”
I slowly furrowed my brows as I remembered Christine’s cloudy, abyss-like eyes.
Before he is attractive as a woman, he is the person I trust the most and has been with him for a long time. It would be a lie if I said I don’t have feelings.
But in the end, I was the one who forced her to live with those eyes by exposing her to the cruel truth and hurting her family.
It is obvious that my younger brother Louise’s situation will be much worse if she gets married, so it would be shameless to seek affection from someone who has no intention of getting married.
“Hmm-”
Eris seemed to be looking at my expression, then straightened her posture and opened her mouth in a pure voice like when she sang a song.
“I have received a favor that I can never fully repay. “The Marquis’ name will be remembered forever in this land.”
“…uh?”
“This is what Bishop John asked me to tell you.”
“Haha yeah.”
Only then did I laugh a little, and Eris tapped my shoulder with her fist, then leaned over and whispered.
“Thank you for your hard work, Marquis de Lafayette. “As the princess of this country, I express my deep gratitude to her for her hard work.”
A deep smile appeared on my lips.
“…Thank you, Your Highness.”
Eris stood straight away, stretched, and shouted energetically as if she had never done that before.
“Let’s go!”
“But will you be okay?”
“yes? What?”
“Didn’t you avoid standing on the battlefield? “The enemies we are going to fight now are people you are familiar with.”
“ah.”
Eris made a sound that sounded like a sigh, but after a short silence, she opened her mouth again.
“are you okay. The local people followed me because they believed in my name as a saint and the marquis, but if I pretend to be noble here alone, I am no different from the hypocritical priests in that church.”
I laughed after hearing Eris’ answer. Only then will you be the princess I will serve.
“okay. “Then let’s go together.”
I turned my head and looked beyond the distant horizon.
Count Lionel.
-Good luck, Marquis.
A conversation I had with my eldest son, Gilles de Lionel, came to mind.
-Thank you for the help Lionel gave me. …If the situation changes and you change your mind, I am willing to help, so please let me know at any time.
These were not just empty words.
-I will remember your words of gratitude.
But maybe you already knew.
That day, when we let go of our hands, I would end up clashing with Lionel in this way.
I looked up at the waving flag of the Francia Republic.
I do not have the confidence of Isidor, who claimed that sacrifice was necessary based on firm conviction.
Still, if you stop, nothing can change.
I just move forward without stopping to achieve a better future with those I am responsible for.
?
