Episode 107 War for the Defense of the Revolution – Giselle Davy
Germanian Empire.
Kaiserin Cecilia had been withholding the request to hold a meeting of the feudal lords, making various excuses, but as winter entered, she was eventually unable to withstand the pressure and had no choice but to accept the demands of the feudal lords.
“How is the Kaiserin War going on?”
“I don’t know where the people who boasted that they would be able to plant the imperial flag in Lumiere this year have gone.”
Cecilia looked at the empty chairs of the Elector of Krafte Kingdom and the empty chairs of the feudal lords who supported him with blurred eyes.
“What on earth is Archduke Leopold doing? Even though we sent that many troops, we were unable to defeat half the troops of a country devastated by civil war and suffered a crushing defeat? “Have you become senile?”
“Grand Duke Heung, you’re too old. Even so, weren’t you planning on retiring before this war? “He also knew that he had become obsolete.”
“Now that I think about it, wasn’t it the Kaiserin that stopped Archduke Leopold from retiring and hired him? Looking at the way things are going, perhaps they should have given a chance to younger, more promising generals…”
They are comfortably talking about only the results on a topic that they are not supposed to lead directly to the front lines.
Everyone seems to have forgotten that not long ago, Archduke Leopold, whom they are now wildly criticizing, was praised as a hero of the empire.
Cecilia forced the corners of her stiff mouth to smile and smiled.
“Unexpected defeat on the battlefield is always a possibility. Moreover, the last battle was not due to Archduke Leopold’s mistake, but to barbarian reinforcements.”
However, the faces of the feudal lords did not soften at all despite Cecilia’s words, and one feudal lord even openly sneered.
“Isn’t this the defeat we faced after failing to defeat 50,000 with 90,000 in the first place? “Do you know that all the countries in the Central Continent are laughing at the imperial army?”
If it had been Kaiserin Cecilia’s usual influence, they would not have been able to be so rude.
Cecilia took a deep breath, feeling as if she was once again facing the same disregard and hostility she had encountered at the princes’ meeting for the first time since she had been sold from Frangia, had just become an adult, and had been married to Otto.
“The most serious problem is that the imperial army, which suffered such a shameful defeat, is wasting time instead of going on the offensive!”
“Even though we were defeated once, we sent as many as 50,000 reinforcements! “Why on earth are we sitting back and only spending money on military spending with so many more troops?”
“That Franzian puppet government is probably still training its army. “I don’t understand why they bought them time and dragged out the war until winter.”
Originally, more than half of the empire’s military was comprised of direct troops prepared by Kaiserin.
It was a fairly large scale, and the feudal lords who saw it thought they had a chance of victory, so they mobilized troops and sent them in.
However, many of Kaiserin’s direct troops suffered serious damage in successive battles, and now that 50,000 reinforcements have been sent from the feudal lords and the Northern United Kingdom, the proportion of the direct troops has been greatly reduced.
Naturally, the dissatisfaction of the feudal lords who were currently maintaining most of the army and spending war expenses seemed to skyrocket.
“There was a need to repair the morale of the army after the last defeat. Since the enemy’s territory is occupied, they will eventually have to go on the offensive, and when that happens-” “
When exactly is that?”
Cecilia, who was cut off by the prince’s question, looked displeased, but the princes did not care.
“They didn’t go on the offensive until the winter. Thanks to this, we can now spend only on military expenses and wait until next spring.”
“They attack in the spring? No, didn’t we start the war to bring down their puppet queen? How do you do that, sitting in Alsace-Lorraine?”
“We need to drop Lumière Lumière! “Why are you wasting time by bringing in more troops?”
Cecilia felt suffocated.
When Cecilia was promised the benefits she would receive if she became Queen of Frangia, she acted as if she would spare no effort in cooperating as much as possible, but as soon as the war became a little more difficult, she suddenly changed like this.
The fact that these people were pro-emperor feudal lords and those who supported Cecilia’s war made her feel even more distant.
The war with Francia hasn’t even lasted a year. Considering Archduke Leopold’s attitude and reports, it is unclear how many years it will continue.
Even they are already like this, so what do the Great King of Krafte Kingdom and the feudal lords who support him feel like now?
“Kaiserin, we believed in Kaiserin’s devotion to the empire and his ability to govern, and that he would give us what he had promised, and we supported Kaiserin’s… somewhat inadequate cause.”
A somewhat insufficient justification. While Cecilia’s face hardened, the prince continued speaking.
“However, looking at the current progress of the war, I am concerned that you may have forgotten that we are only relying on Kaiserin’s promises and are bearing the cost of the war.”
“…Of course, I am always grateful for your dedication to the empire. However, I hope you understand that we have already entered winter and that it is realistically difficult to launch an offensive in winter.”
From the beginning, the holding of the feudal lords’ meeting had been postponed, making up all kinds of excuses, but even though the lords were displeased, they did not demand that an offensive be launched in the winter.
however.
“If we do that, we’ll go on the offensive in the Kaiserin spring, right?”
Cecilia narrowed her eyebrows and answered the question that immediately came out.
“The enemy will launch an offensive in the spring.”
“If they are still sitting there then, will we have to wait endlessly next year as well?”
“Of course not, that’s according to the judgment of Archduke Leopold, the field commander-”
Cecilia wanted to end it as briefly as possible, but the feudal lords naturally demanded a definite answer.
“If the Archduke insists that he cannot launch a regular offensive, shouldn’t we launch an offensive at least by appointing a more enthusiastic and aggressive commander?”
“All the countries of the Central Continent are now seeing the imperial army’s disgrace!”
The money coming out of their pockets is probably more of a problem than the prestige of the imperial army.
Even though she was thinking like that, Cecilia couldn’t help but reply with a sigh.
“…If the enemies of Francia do not go on the offensive when spring arrives, we will issue the order to go on the offensive.”
“Then, we will trust Kaiserin and prepare war funds without a hitch.”
Cecilia let out a small sigh as she looked at the people who were pretending to be polite even just a little bit.
After all, this is a war she waged for her throne.
Cecilia herself knew this very well.
However, it was also a war fought because the empire believed that it could never lose to a tattered Frangia.
That was why, when her half-brother, a half-brother, spoke softly in front of her with shining eyes, she could dismiss it as a childish prank that only knew ideals and did not know reality.
but now.
Cecilia gritted her teeth, remembering the transparent violet eyes that seemed to see through the deprivation and jealousy deep inside her.
* * *
Lumière, the capital of the Kingdom of Francia.
The new year is dawning and winter is slowly coming to an end.
At the military academy’s parade ground, numerous cadets were standing in revolutionary uniforms, listening to the academy’s principal, Baron Charon, speak.
“You have followed the Grande École’s curriculum well as officer candidates for the proud Kingdom of Revolutionary Francia.”
A woman, now standing as a cadet named Giselle Darby rather than Jill Darby, with her brown bobbed hair neatly styled beneath her military cap, was standing with them in an angled posture.
“It must have been a difficult process due to the state of emergency, but I know that the hard work of those who did not fail and attended this event was not light. As the principal of the Military Academy, I am delighted to express my gratitude for your accomplishments.”
It wasn’t an easy decision, but I decided to enter the military academy out of greed.
If Ellen had been there, she probably would have held her head and said she was crazy.
When it was discovered that she had entered the church while hiding her identity, she despaired, thinking that all her efforts would be in vain.
However, the headmaster, Baron Charon, ordered her to receive a relatively simple punishment and only a few days of probation, and calmly informed her that the National Assembly had passed a bill allowing women to serve as officers.
“But as someone who once served in the military, I would like to ask you this. Those of you who have completed the minimum training course will now be on the battlefield, but that does not mean you are complete as officers.”
The middle-aged man, who was said to have been a knight before becoming a principal, spoke with a straight face, but knowingly or unknowingly protected her, who had suffered tremendous checks and discrimination after it was revealed that she was a woman.
“You have completed the remainder of your training in the most practical form, so I hope you will follow the teachings of your superiors and enter the battlefield carefully.”
Baron Charon paused there for a moment.
Giselle Darby vaguely wondered if the blunt but secretly attentive principal felt responsible for having to send young officer candidates to the battlefield.
“Your country is in crisis. Even though you were officer candidates, you learned about the attitude and mindset of a soldier. “I believe you know what to fight for.”
The eccentric girl who was vaguely passionate about the revolution and admired the soldiers took a deep breath, reflecting on what she had intensely learned at this military academy.
“I hope that the dedication you will show to protect our country’s revolution will be worthy of the name of the Military Academy. I have worked hard to follow our school’s curriculum. As the principal, I will end my farewell by praying that you will become worthy officers from the battlefield and return safely.”
Baron Charon gave a salute and the cadets responded with a salute in unison.
* * *
Among the officer candidates who finished their graduation ceremony prematurely, Giselle Darby headed to the principal’s office with slightly anxious steps.
Standing in front of the door, Giselle slowly raised her hand and, after a little hesitation, knocked.
“This is Giselle Darby, an officer candidate.”
“Please come in.”
Giselle took a slow, deep breath, stepped into the principal’s office, and saluted.
Baron Charon accepted the salute and then extended his hand to lead the way inside.
And on the spot, Giselle faced a woman wearing a black dress reminiscent of mourning clothes, without any accessories.
A black-haired woman wearing black clothes covers her mouth with a black fan and looks at her with pitch-black eyes.
Duke of Sango, Count of Aquitaine.
A member of the National Assembly and a de facto powerful figure in the Central Party.
A businessman and politician with influence to shake up Frangia, praised by countless people employed at the top of Aquitaine and by the citizens of Lumière.
Giselle swallowed her saliva and bowed her head with the courtesy of a soldier in front of a person whom a commoner-turned-officer candidate would not dare to face.
“Officer candidate Giselle Davy meets His Excellency the Count of Aquitaine.”
Christine lightly nodded her neck and pointed across from her with her fan.
“Nice to meet you, Cadet Darby. “Please sit down.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency Count.”
All it took was Christine to walk up to the seat and sit down, but it felt strangely long.
This person is actually the one who passed the bill for just her.
At this macho military academy, I was looked down upon and checked just because I was a female cadet. Even though my physical strength was limited, I worked hard and achieved top grades. When I was asked if I had a wish, I joked that I wish I could meet the Count of Aquitaine.
I never imagined that the joke would actually bring out the person responsible.
Giselle felt cold sweat running down her spine.
At the military academy, my brain, which had no one to follow, froze and did not work well.
When Giselle was silent for a while, Christine, who was looking at her while waving a fan, spoke first.
“It’s early, but congratulations on your graduation, Cadet Dabi.”
“Thank you. “Your Excellency the Count!”
“I heard you asked to meet me.”
I never thought you would really respond.
But even so, what had to be said was decided.
Ellen took off her hat and bowed deeply.
“Thank you, Your Excellency Count!”
A mess of words that came out in my confused head, leaving out everything that was given.
Giselle closed her eyes tightly, but Christine responded naturally.
“I just received a report from the headmaster, Baron Charon, and decided that you were worthy of that level of investment. And you have proven that you are a worthy talent. So you don’t have to thank me.”
When Giselle straightened up and looked at Christine with eyes dripping with respect and gratitude, Christine slowly opened her mouth again.
“I believe that you will continue to dedicate yourself to Franzia with your talents.”
“I will keep this in mind, Your Excellency Count!”
After hearing Giselle’s enthusiastic answer, Christine waved her fan with a seemingly unimpressed face and then opened her mouth as if she had remembered it later.
“So, which unit are you going to?”
“The 13th Cavalry Regiment, Sir Count.”
“The 13th Cavalry Regiment…”
Christine trailed off a little, and Baron Charon, who was standing next to her, immediately explained further.
“This is a unit commanded by Sir Peter de Casel. “It is a unit under the command of Count Damien de Mirbeau, Your Excellency.”
Christine’s fan, which had been gently fluttering, suddenly stopped.
It was only for a moment, but both Baron Charon and Giselle stiffened, wondering if something was wrong.
However, Christine waved her fan again as if nothing had happened and then opened her mouth.
“…Is there anything else you want to say?”
Giselle almost responded reflexively, but then closed her mouth.
The answer came a beat late.
“Oh no. dismissal.”
Christine nodded and opened her mouth again.
“is it so. I hope you have good luck on your future path. “I’d like to talk to you a little more, but I hope you understand that I have a schedule and have to leave.”
“Yes old! “Your Excellency the Count!”
Christine stood up and Giselle reflexively followed her.
After briefly saying goodbye to Baron Charon, Christine turned her back and walked away as if she had no regrets.
Giselle, seeing that scene, eventually closed her eyes tightly and cried out half-impulsively.
“Are you the Count who took care of the Darby family?”
Christine’s steps stopped.
After a moment of silence, she answered slowly without turning her head.
“well. However, if there is someone who does such a favor, it is probably that they are being taken care of in exchange for a fair price. So there is no need to have a sense of debt. …Good luck Giselle Darby.”
Christine left without leaving behind those words.
Giselle looked at the door she left through and bowed slowly and for a long time.
