Episode 194 Shadow Peace – Counterrevolution
The trip with Christine, which I hoped would never end, eventually came to an end and we returned to Lumiere.
And while Christine was relaxing at the mansion, I headed to the Revolutionary Army headquarters.
Since I’ve been away for over a week, I thought it would be a good idea to check to see if there were any urgent matters.
But almost as soon as I entered the office, someone came to visit me.
“Welcome back, Your Excellency the Marquis de Lafayette.”
A neat military uniform, a clear voice, and neatly combed brown short hair.
I slowly narrowed my eyes as I looked at my subordinate saluting me.
“…Lieutenant Colonel Giselle Darby?”
“Your Excellency the old Marquis de Lafayette! “This is Giselle Darby.”
I turned my gaze and looked out the window.
No matter how you look at it, it looks like work hours are over, as the sunset covering Lumiere City is in full swing.
I looked away again, tilted my head slightly, and asked.
“Colonel, are you on duty today?”
Giselle Darby smiled slightly and shook her head.
“No, Your Excellency the Marquis. “Just…”
“Just?”
Why did an officer who was not on duty show up at the office of the commander-in-chief who was on vacation as if he was waiting? Right now, I’m officially on vacation until today.
However, the answer that came out of Giselle Darby’s mouth was beyond imagination.
“I thought you were returning from your trip today. “His Excellency, the Marquis de Lafayette, usually stops by his office when he returns from work for a long period of time to see if there are any urgent matters that need to be addressed, so I thought he would do the same this time as well, so I prepared the materials in advance and was waiting for him.”
….
So, after analyzing my behavior patterns and predicting, they predicted that I would stop by the office and prepared in advance.
No one told me I would do it, but I figured it out.
Should I say this is amazing or a little creepy?
Giselle Darby, who was watching my reaction, smiled a little awkwardly and asked.
“If I’m in your way, should I leave?”
Predicting a person’s actions based on their actions is a good skill for a soldier. It would be great if it could be selected based on an individual’s daily habits rather than military action.
The fact that something like this is possible is itself a testament to Giselle Darby’s competence, but the diligence that goes beyond that, bordering on obsession, is even scarier.
I think I can kind of understand why Damien de Mirbeau leaned heavily on Giselle Davy but gave up on her.
“…No, no. It was helpful. You are really enthusiastic. But there’s no need to go this far next time.”
Even though I entrusted her with the inspection department, I still didn’t expect something like this…
Giselle Darby answered me without saying anything, bowing her head.
“I will correct it.”
“okay. “The inspection department’s report is…”
I glanced at the reports on my desk and smiled bitterly.
“You organized it in advance?”
“Your Excellency the old Marquis de Lafayette. Each department’s reports have been reorganized by department and importance. “The reports that I do not have permission to read have been sealed and set aside, so don’t worry.”
“Haha….”
If you keep it like this, I will feel very comfortable.
Since it was during the vacation period, I thought I would have to organize it and figure it out, but this is the kind of help I didn’t expect.
First, I looked at the reports from the inspection department that Giselle Darby had posted.
As expected, it is thoroughly organized with a thorough understanding of the shortcomings and suggestions on how to improve them….
No, it is organized with a thoroughness that goes beyond meticulousness.
As I said, documents from other departments are very well separated according to importance.
I smiled softly.
“Excellent, Colonel. “Thanks to you, I will have half the time to work.”
“thank you.”
Giselle Darby seemed a little relieved as she answered.
Anyway, it’s fun.
It was certainly a great help, but it went a little too far to be an act of flattery to a superior.
If you see that he is nervous, he does it even though he knows he is, so he is a unique type in many ways.
“Thank you. I will review the inspection department’s report and take action. Oh, is there anything you need? “It doesn’t matter if it’s outside of work.”
When asked if she needed anything since she had already done so much, Giselle Darby answered with a refreshing expression that there really was nothing.
“No, not separately, Your Excellency the Marquis. Ah, did you enjoy your trip?”
“I couldn’t have had more fun.”
Now that I think about it, Giselle Darby…
I looked at Giselle Darby’s expression, but there was no sign of any special intention on her face, which showed pure respect for her superior.
“Can I ask you a non-business question, Colonel?”
“Of course, Your Excellency the Marquis! Whatever your question may be, I will answer it in as much detail as possible!”
I asked, laughing at Giselle Darby’s excessive loyalty.
“You met Christine on your wedding day, right?”
“Oh, old times.”
Of course Giselle Darby attended my wedding.
He attended with other subordinates and exchanged a few words with me, but I believe he also met Christine.
When I found out about the relationship between Christine and Giselle Darby, and when Giselle Darby found out about Ellen Darby, I was very curious about what the two people talked about…
but Christine didn’t say a word about Giselle Darby.
I didn’t even bother to ask Christine, so it’s even weirder to ask Giselle Darby.
So I asked differently.
“…is that enough for you?”
Giselle Darby was silent for a moment, but then smiled slightly and nodded.
“Your Excellency the Marquis. “This is enough for me.”
I also smiled.
“Okay, thank you. It’s okay to leave now. “If there is anything you need my support for, please let me know at any time.”
“Thank you, His Excellency the Marquis de Lafayette. “Then I’ll just leave.”
Giselle Darby saluted me, then turned her back and left the office.
I quietly looked at her back.
Lan Gaston, Louis Desget, Alexandre Werther, Jerome Morel, Nicolas Ne and many other subordinates of the revolutionary army.
…even Damien de Mirbeau, who suffered a pay cut due to the gunfire incident.
Not everyone was my subordinate from the beginning. Some of them were enemies, and in some cases, like Giselle, it is not strange to hold a grudge.
Nevertheless, they all helped me achieve this victory and even attended the wedding, congratulating me not only with words but with their hearts.
I grinned and lowered my gaze to the pile of papers on my desk.
Well, now that we’ve had enough fun, it’s time to get to work.
For the people I am accountable to who have helped me so far.
* * *
Spring, when the life of all things blooms in the cold of winter, has passed, and summer, when life is ripe, has arrived.
Nevertheless, there are places where the weather is always almost the same regardless of the season.
As always, the land is covered with thick and murky fog, located under an uneasy sky where not even a single ray of sunlight can enter.
Abyss Corporation, an island where the sun never rises.
It is a country that inherited Pandemonium, a country that once filled the entire continent with fear under the rule of the Demon King, but little trace of the predecessor country remains in the land ruled by seven corporations.
One of the only remaining remnants of the old nation is the name of the capital, Pandemonium, which the Abyss Corporation inherited.
And the other was the demon king’s crown, split in half, that had adorned Bael’s armor for the past four hundred years after the fall of Pandemonium.
Therefore, when something that had existed for four hundred years and seemed likely to continue for another four hundred years suddenly disappeared, all the CEOs of Abyss Corporation naturally noticed the change.
Nevertheless, everyone only looked at Bael’s empty shoulder from the corner of their eyes, and no one mentioned it directly.
“It’s time. Then, the Abyss Corporation regular meeting begins. “The CEOs of each company should report regularly.”
Even Bael himself, who caused the change.
Naturally, a regular meeting was held as usual.
“There is no particular problem with Laser! When is war authorized? “Whether in the Eastern Empire or anywhere else, Ras Corporation’s employees crave war!”
However, as always, there was no declaration of dismissal of the war due to the decision of the representatives of the seven companies.
Bael was silent and did not open his mouth even under Barbatos’ puzzled gaze.
Then Saleos, the Gluttonous Gluttony company who was still blowing his nose, opened his mouth with a red face.
“I guess you’re getting tired of the war that’s been going on for four hundred years.”
“Bu-bu- Lars Company requests that you take care of Gluttony Company’s business!”
Saleos snorted and opened his mouth again.
“There is a problem with Gluttony living, Bael. Landowners in the Eastern Empire who sold human beings in return for opium were executed in large numbers, and an embargo was imposed in the name of the tsar. “The opium inventory is huge and something needs to be done.”
“hmm.”
Nevertheless, when Bael folded his arms and did not say anything, this time Vasago of Greed Grid opened his mouth.
“The situation is the same in the Central Continent. Not to mention Franzia, the Germanian Empire, its largest customer, was under an embargo, and as Franzia carried out intermediate trade with the Alpine Kingdom, the remaining human countries also had an all-time low in weapons exports. “Iberica, which has been completely lost, needs no further explanation.”
He pushed up his glasses with his hand and shrugged his shoulders exaggeratedly.
“I’m sorry to have to say this, but what on earth was Pride doing while Grid was making profits for the Abyss Corporation over decades of Krafte? “What did we do that allowed 400 years of prosperity to fall to this level in just a dozen years?”
Only then did Bael open his mouth.
“The continent is changing all the time, and Pride decided that Abyss Corporation’s existing strategy could not cope with the changing situation. Therefore, let me suggest a change in strategy.”
“Hoo, what’s your strategy?”
Bael answered simply.
“War.”
“War? I agree with buying las! “A huge approval!”
Unlike Barbatos, who immediately smiled, most of the other CEOs distorted their faces.
“Bael Dear Archdemon. The warrior who defeated the Demon King, are you speaking in your right mind? Even if you don’t do that, are you going to start a war when you are isolated from the continent?”
“We judged that the cost of destroying the continent’s capabilities through war now would be lower than the losses the Abyss Corporation would have to endure in the long term if it stuck to the existing strategy.”
“That must be Pride Sana Ras Sa’s position. The remaining companies still have a lot of investment base on the continent. “If you lose all of that, the damage would be astronomical, but it’s ridiculous to have to bear the losses of the rest of the companies in the name of Abyss Corporation!”
Jealous Envy’s CEO, Bottis, spoke in an accusatory tone, and there was a moment of silence.
The CEOs reflexively looked at Bael’s expression, but he still had his arms crossed and gave no response.
Finally, Vassago opened his mouth.
“The reason Abyss Corporation suddenly lost the advantage it had maintained for four hundred years is because the strategy promoted by Pride over the past ten years has completely failed. Accordingly…”
Vassago paused for a moment.
Since the defeat of the Demon King and the creation of the Abyss Corporation, the CEOs of the seven companies have changed.
Demons are competitive by nature and enjoy driving out their opponents whenever possible.
Nevertheless, Baelman has not been challenged even once. Because it cannot be ignored either as a symbol or as a force.
But now.
“Now that Pride, which is in charge of Abyss Corporation’s grand strategy, is failing to fulfill its duties, I propose that Grid should replace Pride’s CEO.”
“Boo-Boo-Barvatos supports Bael’s decision to go to war!”
“As the CEO of Gluttony, Saleos approves.”
2 votes.
Gremory, who has been opposed to Bael’s policies, is silent with a hardened expression, ignoring his usual prickly personality.
It was a shame that it happened, but that doesn’t change the result.
“Envy’s Vortis also approves!”
3 votes.
I was half filled with joy.
Although it is said that the CEOs of the seven companies rule, Bael was the unspoken king of Abyss Corporation.
But what would the person who did that look like if he were no longer king?
While he was working as an undercover agent in Krafte, the new power that seemed unbreakable collapsed on its own.
And the demons were tired enough of him who had ruled for four hundred years to miss this opportunity.
His greed led him to wander around the land of humans looking for new things and opportunities, and ironically, it was the successive failures of the Abyss Corporation that gave him the opportunity.
“I also agree with Sloth’s Proneus.”
4 votes out of a total of 7 companies, including criticizing the cornered Paimon, encouraging discord within the company, and supporting the devil who took over as CEO of Sloth with support from Envy and Gluttony.
With a smile of conversion, Vassago declared the downfall of a ‘king’ that would never be seen again.
“That’s right, Bael. “I’m sorry, but-”
But before he could finish his declaration, Bael wordlessly reached behind him and grabbed the handle of the sword.
The CEOs responded and jumped up from their seats.
“Ha, don’t you think the person who has voted for the ouster of numerous CEOs won’t be able to accept it when it’s their turn?”
“Article 1, Paragraph 3 of the Abyss Corporation Rules! All disputes between Abyss Corporation members are prohibited! “Bael, the moment you pull out that sword, you are a traitor!”
Bael laughed, drew his sword, and opened his mouth.
“Article 1, Paragraph 3 of the Abyss Corporation’s Rules. “Who made that?”
Bael added while everyone remained silent under the eerie light of the blade.
“I made it. On the devil’s corpse, I created a new system that was different from the devil’s old system and gave it to you. But four hundred years is a long time. “The bastards are unable to understand the topic.”
I was mindful of the possibility of Bael’s opposition, but in front of the frozen CEOs who had no idea that they would come out so blatantly when they were outnumbered.
“Article 1, Paragraph 3 of the Abyss Corporation Rules. All disputes between Abyss Corporation members are prohibited. …Except in cases where a direct or indirect threat is posed to the Abyss Corporation.”
Bael arrogantly declared.
“You guys dare to threaten the Abyss Corporation, so let me take back the authority given to you on behalf of ‘Pride’.”
“It’s funny how the hero who defeated the Demon King deteriorates! Even if the ‘Pride’ company is strong, do you think it can fight a war against the four companies on its own and still win?”
“War alone?”
Bael laughed.
“Why should I do that?”
And at the same time, the door to the CEO’s conference room fell off and countless dolls poured in.
“This is a drone…!”
“What? “The thing I discarded is-”
While Vassago, Saleos Votis, and Proneus were panicking and blocking the oncoming drones, a vaguely cheerful voice rang through the conference hall.
“Hello or hello, it’s truly a perfect day. “It’s great to see you all after such a long time.”
“Paimon-!”
The blood-red haired demon declared, smiling in satisfaction.
“Then I hope you all die miserably at the hands of inferior puppets.”
“profit-!”
In the chaotic conference hall, Bael turned to Barbatos and asked.
“Your support remains the same, Barbatos.”
Barbatos twirled the pistol in his hand, then adjusted it and grinned.
“Barbatos is good if we go to war. “I support Bael!”
“Then, Barbatos, we permit engagement with traitors who dare to rebel against the Abyss Corporation.”
“Hahaha-!”
As soon as he could speak, Barbatos ran out and jumped at the four CEOs who were struggling to withstand the wave of drones.
It didn’t take long for curses and screams to erupt.
Bael turned his gaze to Gremory, who had been sitting in his seat with a stern expression and remained silent.
“Because the Demon King’s old system failed, I gave them a chance. However, the result was nothing more than a divided group pursuing only shallow interests. In that case, we have no choice but to sweep it away. Gremory: I highly value your penetration and discretion. What is your choice?”
Gremory looked at the CEOs who were being torn apart by drones and fell to the ground under Barbatos’ bullets, then raised both hands with his lips quivering.
“…I surrender, Bael.”
“Hu…”
With a satisfied smile, Bael reached into his cloak and took out the coffin of the Demon King, who had become whole again.
“Just as I led you in the past to defeat the Demon King.”
Then he slowly lifted it and placed it over his head.
“Now I will lead you again.”
Bael, wearing the Demon King’s crown, stands in front of those who bow before him –
“In just a few decades, the technological gap between the continent and the Abyss Corporation will catch up. Therefore, in order to maintain the Abyss Corporation’s superiority…”
‘Pride ‘ Pride itself declared.
“Before that, the continent’s growth capacity must be completely destroyed.”
