Episode 170 Krafte War – City of Fire (1)
Bahua Revolutionary Army General Headquarters.
The day after President Nicola Brisseau left.
I was greeting those who arrived just in time.
“Welcome, I welcome you on behalf of the French Revolutionary Army. “This is the Marquis Pierre de Lafayette, commander-in-chief of the revolutionary army.”
“Nice to meet you. My name is Sergei Konstantinov, a minister from the Eastern Empire and an envoy. “I am serving as the interpreter for this contingent.”
Sergei Konstantinov.
The man who introduced himself as an interpreter for the Eastern Empire Expeditionary Force quickly introduced an elf wearing a stylish green military uniform standing next to him with an extremely polite hand gesture.
“This is Archduke Elsion, commander of the contingent.”
Just a first name, no last name.
From what I heard from Talleyrand, the population is small and the lifespan is too small to consider things like family, so elves express their nobility only with their unique names and without last names.
“It is an honor to meet you, Grand Duke Elsion. “My name is Pierre de Lafayette, Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Army.”
I smiled and offered to shake his hand, but Grand Duke Elsion folded his arms and looked down at my outstretched hand with a very arrogant expression, and just nodded.
“Keuhum khum. The high-ranking nobles of the Eastern Empire are reluctant to have physical contact with other races. “I have no other intentions, so please understand.”
“Oh well. Well, it’s a cultural difference. “I feel like I committed a rude act by not being aware of this in advance.”
It’s embarrassing…
Now that I think about it, you said that the elves, the high-ranking nobles of the Eastern Empire, don’t even try to learn human language, right?
That’s why the humans under their rule learn the Central Continent language and translate it…
I think it’s a great empire, but the only thing that’s disappointing is that we can’t do anything about it.
Still, this is Talleyrand’s achievement.
-I heard a rumor that their artillery technology is so good, Governor.
I still remember Talleyrand’s ridiculous face and voice back then.
-Are you going to get their military technology to please the arrogant tsar who openly asks you to join the country?
Having said that, he actually did it well.
I looked at the human soldiers lined up behind the arrogant elf, Grand Duke Elsion.
The commander is an elf and the troops are all human. I have a rough idea of the military system of the Eastern Empire.
The troops themselves number about 1,000 at most. But the key is what they brought.
I looked at the unique artillery they brought with them.
Is that the famous artillery of the Eastern Empire?
It’s a strange design, with a dragon needlessly carved into the cannon, making it look like a dragon is spouting cannonballs…
“Anyway, it’s a difficult request, but it’s truly an honor that the generous Tsar of the Eastern Empire has agreed to pass on advanced artillery technology.”
“Haha, it’s thanks to the precious macaroons presented by President Talleyrand. “The Tsar is looking for macarons every day in his home country.”
“Hahaha….”
According to Talleyrand, since the Kingdom of Francia could not enter the country, Talleyrand, a subject of the Queen of Francia, personally offered various things in the form of ‘tribute’, and it is said that the Tsar fell in love with the macaron.. ..
Well, it’s a process. Anyway, good is good.
“But I didn’t know that they would even send a contingent. The kindness shown by the Eastern Empire and the Tsar will become a deep symbol of the friendly relationship between the two countries that will continue in the future. I am also deeply grateful to Grand Duke Elsion for coming a long way.”
When Konstantinov relayed my words through an interpreter, Grand Duke Elsion responded in an extremely arrogant and blunt tone.
Konstantinov’s mouth stiffened slightly. What did he say?
“Haha, the Eastern Empire’s ‘Blue Dragon Cannon’ is a powerful howitzer. Artillery manufacturing is a manufacturing technology, but its use also requires elite skilled soldiers. In order to pass on technology to the revolutionary army, it is more effective to learn from those who know how to use this artillery, and it is difficult to achieve this in a short period of time during the war against Krafte.”
Looking at what Konstantinov said, I think it could be interpreted as diplomatic rhetoric that we have now become accustomed to.
If it were the Grand Duke of Elsion, he would probably say, ‘There is no way you inferior humans can properly handle the great artillery of the Eastern Empire, so the army of the great Tsar has come to show and inform you in person.’
Isn’t that what you said?
“Haha… I see. “I am deeply grateful for the favor of the great Tsar and the merciful Grand Duke of Elcyon.”
“I, as the Minister of the Eastern Empire, cannot hide my joy as the Commander-in-Chief of the French Revolutionary Army expresses his gratitude for the great Tsar’s high intentions. “I will make sure to convey the words of the Marquis de Lafayette to the Tsar.”
“I would be very honored if you would do so.”
Regardless of whether the elves are arrogant or not, they are actually helpful, and it’s just to appease them.
I glanced at the cannons that looked like a blue dragon was holding them in their mouths.
No matter how you look at it, it’s a larger caliber than the direct-fire guns we use, but shooting something like that with a howitzer…
I’m sure Krafte-kun will have a very hot taste, right?
While I was thinking that, Louis Dejet came running urgently.
“Excuse me, Sir Marquis de Lafayette. It is said that the Krafte army has marched from Alsace.”
“Oh, it’s timely.”
If it had been just a day late, the Eastern Empire’s contingent would have arrived in the middle of the battle.
But since they must have had a lot of trouble marching, can they be sent into battle right away?
From my perspective, it’s an advanced artillery unit that desperately needs to be deployed right away…
Ah.
I took a deep breath and opened my mouth with a cautious expression.
“I’m sorry, but I guess we’ll have to fight right away. “Although it is the great Tsar’s army, he is probably exhausted, so we should allow Archduke Elsion’s army to rest in the rear during this battle, right?”
Grand Duke Elsion, who heard my words from Konstantinov, furrowed his brows and replied, “What is it?” His answer, which Konstantinov gave him, was very much within the expected range.
“The Tsar’s great army is indomitable, so he says he will join the battle right away.”
I smiled and answered as kindly as possible.
“The Eastern Empire and the Tsar’s army are so powerful, I think we should watch and learn from the revolutionary army as well!”
Ah, how easy it is to deal with an arrogant elf!
…I’ve hung out with Talleyrand a few times, and it’s sad that I’m slowly getting the hang of it.
* * *
Bahua City, where preparations for the street battle were almost at an end, was full of revolutionary troops moving around busily.
“A report has come in that the Krafte army has marched from Alsace. “Hurry up and finish the work!”
“Try to fix the wooden fence there a little stronger!”
“Oh, I understand!”
Giselle Darby was staring blankly at the city where work was in full swing.
“Major Darby! Area A deployment has been completed!”
“Oh yeah. Good job, Lieutenant.”
“Okay then, let’s go back!”
“okay.”
Giselle gave a simple answer and checked the map, and the lieutenant, who was a little hesitant, asked.
“Excuse me, Major Darby?”
“huh?”
“Is something wrong?”
“…nothing.”
“All right! “Then I’ll just leave!”
Giselle Darby thought idly as she watched the retreating lieutenant.
Is it obvious like that?
No, it’s said that we met several times on a regular basis to the point where she was a bit dazed and cared about her.
In fact, Giselle couldn’t even remember the lieutenant’s name.
Giselle swallowed dry saliva.
No, it would probably be no exaggeration to say that there was hardly anyone even within the revolutionary army who did not know her.
Since she is an exceptional case, it is natural that she always attracts attention.
Originally, it was impossible to even enter a military academy.
When the principal suddenly called her and questioned her on the fact that she had entered the school with her name and gender hidden, I thought everything would end just like that.
However, Christine D’Aquitaine, Countess of Aquitaine, rescued her.
He made her dream come true after being treated as a strange girl since childhood.
But-
-Nonsense! Do you think I would believe that? Even if it were true, how would you know?
-Have you forgotten where I am employed?
-They’re just temporarily hired mercenaries!
Leon Durand did not particularly laugh at her or be offended.
He just said it with a very complicated-looking face.
-It’s fun. A person who is an extremely good person to some can also be an extremely vicious person to others. Don’t you know? Major Darby, you must have realized that you were being treated strangely special.
-That…
Giselle couldn’t refute.
-If you don’t believe me…
Leon Durand looked a little worried and then said.
-Did you ask the master of Aquitaine directly?
-Lieutenant Louis Daquiten? …Does he know? This?
-You can check later when you feel like it.
Giselle shook her head to shake off her complicated thoughts.
“-Rain”
She is a staff officer and a great responsibility rests on her shoulders. Now is the time to focus on the battle.
“Hey Dabi.”
“Huh? iced coffee! “Your Excellency Commander Mirbo!”
Giselle suddenly came to her senses and bowed stiffly.
Damien de Mirbeau stared at her with a disapproving look on his face and opened his mouth.
“What about defense preparations?”
“Fortification and emplacement of sector AB are complete! Area C is currently in the final stages of completion!”
“okay. “Well, things are going smoothly.”
Mirbo nodded and seemed to turn his head, but then he looked at her again and asked.
“But where is your mind when the operation is right in front of you? “Uncharacteristically.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Tsk, tsk…”
Damien de Mirbeau looked like he was about to say something again, but then he smiled and patted his shoulder.
“Well, since you were recommended by the Count of Aquitaine, I believe you will do well in real life.”
The Count of Aquitaine again.
In fact, I haven’t even seen Christine Dakiten face-to-face since the military academy graduation ceremony.
Nevertheless, the military higher-ups are naturally treating her as if she is a person with connections to the Count of Aquitaine.
Giselle Darby was confident in her own skills and talents. At the very least, I don’t think he achieved this rank and position without any qualifications.
However, if it had not been for the Count of Aquitaine, would the Count of Mirbeau have acknowledged and used her as much as he does now?
I know very well that I couldn’t even become an officer before that.
So, I am thankful. This is something to be thankful for.
It is not acceptable to have doubts.
but.
After moving to a new house in the capital, my older sister sent me several letters. However, the letter was sent by personal mail without an address, and even that was soon cut off.
-Why aren’t Giselle and Ellen coming?
-Stupid Ellen ran away!
-Ellen is not that kind of person!
-But it didn’t come…
I didn’t know anything at the time, but thinking about it now, it’s a very strange thing. Is it normal for a commoner to hide his or her address by hiring someone to send a letter rather than sending mail to that address?
Giselle, who came to the capital to enter the military academy, worked as hard as she studied to find her sister’s whereabouts.
However, strangely enough, no trace of a person named Ellen Darby could be found. As if someone had decided to erase it.
-The girl who poisoned Jean Malraux and committed suicide was Ellen Darby.
She saw that article too.
What was the name of the suspect girl? Was it Fleur? Anyway, it was a common name. At least it wasn’t Ellen Darby.
In the first place, it was only published in the newspaper once at the time of the incident, and after that, it was buried in Jean Malraux’s story and war stories.
What if it was their family who died without anyone noticing and was forgotten?
…If the reason they were able to grow up warm and not hungry until now is because their sister abandoned her name and was used as an assassin before dying.
Giselle Darby slowly clenched her fist.
Shouldn’t we at least know what the truth is?
But what if that’s really true?
So what should she do?
“…Louis Dakiten.”
Giselle muttered the name of the boy who might answer her questions.
Without even knowing what emotions were in her voice.
