Episode 195 Shadow Peace – Before the Storm (1)
Lumière, the capital of Francia.
National Assembly.
The Grande École plan implemented after the revolution achieved significant results in reforming the military system, and actually proved its value by winning the war against the Kingdom of Krafte, which was said to be the strongest on the continent.
However, the Grande École plan was not simply a policy for reforming the military system, but also for the overall education of the people. In particular, the National Assembly, which called itself the people’s government, had high hopes for civilian education as much as reforming the military system.
However, expectations and reality are always different.
Unlike the military system reform, which was carried out rapidly amidst the desperate crisis of foreign invasion, civilian education was actually going through considerable trial and error.
“There are still many parents in rural areas who do not want to send their children to school.”
“Tsk tsk, even if the government teaches you, you won’t want to learn.”
“Haha, I guess children are one of the important workers in rural areas. “There are still many parents who prefer to immediately mobilize their children for farming rather than learning.”
As members of the Revolutionary Party and the Liberal Party were having a bitter conversation, the Count of Anjou, president of the Center Party, spoke bluntly.
“What good is the good system we provide to those who do not even understand the importance of knowledge? “Isn’t it time we finally realized how unrealistic the revolutionary party’s radical claim to give equal votes to such idiots is?”
“The Count still looks down on the people! When will we be able to abandon the high-handed attitude of nobles looking down on their people? Do you plan on taking it to your grave?”
“What’s wrong with that?” In the old days, we wouldn’t even be able to make eye contact-”
“Oh, calm down, Count.”
“No, but isn’t the Count telling the truth as it is? Honestly, seeing as they refuse and say they just want to live the way they used to live even though it is a policy that they say is good, I think that the position is not one that fits their nature…” “Why are you saying that we should
close the National Assembly and go back to an aristocratic government? ”
“Have you said everything? “I just said it was frustrating!”
“Tsk tsk, someone would think the market was at its bottom.”
“Do you know who doesn’t know that you pretend to be noble but are scheming behind your back?”
“Are you saying we want to fight now?”
I leisurely drank my coffee while watching the lawmakers shouting back and forth in an instant.
Um…
it’s shit as always.
It’s an ordinary national assembly.
As someone who is used to the military-style mentality of following orders, it is a mess no matter how I look at it, but it is amazing that even in this mess, something is progressing steadily, even if slowly.
In the end, as we fight and fight and fight, something changes.
Anyway, after much fighting, the next issue came up.
“Plans to establish a girls’ school are also underway. First of all, the plan is to establish and operate it on a pilot basis starting early next year…”
The lawmakers’ gaze reflexively turned to Christine’s seat, which had pushed hard for this, and then dispersed again.
Because Christine is not there.
“In rural areas, people don’t want to send their sons to school, so will you send your daughters to school?”
“Securing teachers is also a problem. There are many people who think that teaching women hurts their pride as an educator…” “
There is a long way to go from disseminating education to rural areas, so why waste administrative power like this?
” I think it will flow.
Finally, I opened my mouth.
“In any case, it will be implemented on a pilot basis and will be implemented first in large cities. In big cities, many parents think that learning something at school is better for later life, so it might be worth a try. “Once it is implemented, we will be able to identify problems and reality.”
“Hmm, there is some truth to it, but since the National Assembly’s budget is otherwise insufficient, one solution is to postpone low-priority policies a little later.”
I answered with a grin.
“Ah budget! The Count of Aquitaine is also very interested in the National Assembly budget.”
There’s still a long way to go before we can pay off all the war bonds that Christine bought, so why are you making this boring just because someone is away for a moment?
“Keuhum khum, that’s just what I’m saying.”
Sure enough, the lawmakers also cleared their throats and turned away.
“Hehe, there’s probably no one among us who doesn’t know how much the Count of Aquitaine contributed to the National Assembly. Well, if you don’t like it after implementing it, it won’t be too late to discuss it again.”
“If you say so…”
Finally, President Nicola Brisseau stepped in to resolve the matter.
Now that I am married, Christine is the Marchioness of Lafayette, but at the same time, she is still the Count of Aquitaine, and I am still called that way because I call her the Count of Aquitaine rather than the Marquis.
It seems that among the National Assembly members, there were those who were excited, hoping that if Christine married me, she would naturally reduce her political activities or become more faithful to her role as a marchioness…
Unfortunately for them, Christine has no intention of doing that and she That doesn’t happen because what I want is what I want.
“Next on the agenda, it seems like something radical is happening at the Abyss Corporation. “I don’t know the details yet, but there is a need to prepare for emergencies.”
It was President Maurice Talleyrand who brought out the next agenda item.
“The devils on the island….”
“This is all vague, but is there any detailed information?”
“As everyone knows, we are under an embargo on the Abyss Corporation, and this also applies to most countries in the central continent. “Unless you set foot on the island where the sun never rises, it will be difficult to find out exactly in a short period of time.”
“Then how do you know there is a change?”
Talleyrand shrugged his shoulders and then turned his gaze to me.
“This is information confirmed by the Count of Aquitaine. The sources are the Magic Kingdom of Holland and the Northern United Kingdom, which are still continuing their dealings with the Abyss Corporation. In the past two years, it seems that transactions with Abyss Corporation have been temporarily suspended and the person in charge has been changed frequently. “Something inside them…”
-The reorganization is so severe that it is difficult to determine the exact situation. No, it is not a reorganization, but it is so major that one wonders if there is any way for the organization to be maintained normally while undergoing a reorganization of this scale.
I spoke after choosing my words a bit, recalling what Christine had said.
“It appears that a major reorganization is underway.”
“It’s a major organizational reorganization. “I’m worried that those demons might be trying to change their policy.”
President Nicola Brisseau said with a sigh.
Honestly, I’m a little worried too.
Because Christine’s words were not moderate words like reorganization.
-Rather than a reorganization, I think it would be more correct to call this a great purge.
A great purge within the Abyss Corporation.
Two years have passed since the war with Krafte ended.
Meanwhile, the Abyss Corporation has been suspiciously quiet, so Christine has been paying close attention and trying to keep an eye on their movements, but that’s all she managed to get after such a long period of silence.
What naturally came to mind were the two demons with whom I had the closest contact at the Abyss Corporation.
‘Negligent’ Sloth’s CEO Paimon.
‘Lust’ Gremory, CEO of Rust.
The two demons were as completely different as the contrast between their blood-red hair and their golden hair.
It looks like trouble is going on inside the Abyss Corporation, but I don’t know what those two are doing.
As expected, I hope that the cursed Paimon is purged and that Gremory is as safe as possible.
When I first encountered Gremory, I thought to myself, ‘I’m a fool for asking that,’ and I chuckled as I realized the gap between myself and the Gremory I met when fighting the drones of Iberica.
I never thought I would want the devil to be safe as I live, but Gremory is a bit better because even though it is crazy like a devil, it is possible to communicate.
If there was a way to contact Gremory, it would be possible to find out some information about the Abyss Corporation…
but that’s too much.
I shook my head.
It is true that Gremory was a great help to me on the Iberica Peninsula and was faithful to me by clearly giving me the opportunity to kill me.
But even so, he is a devil belonging to the Abyss Corporation. We shouldn’t completely rule out the possibility that it was a ploy to gain my trust.
As I was gathering my thoughts, President Talleyrand, who had been giving meaningless answers to the lawmakers’ questions, spoke to me.
“Anyway, we ask for continued investigation into the movements of Abyss Corporation. In any case, from the perspective of the National Assembly, it has high expectations on the Count of Aquitaine, who is also the head of the National Intelligence Service.”
“Of course, the Count of Aquitaine and the National Intelligence Service are also paying close attention. “I’ll tell you.”
“Haha, then I only trust the Marquis. Oh, and congratulations.”
I smiled and responded to Talleyrand’s congratulations.
“Thank you, Governor.”
* * *
After the National Assembly was adjourned, I rode my horse through the town of Lumiere and headed toward the mansion.
The new mansion is not located in the center of the capital city of Lumiere, but rather on the outskirts.
Although it is not as large as the Marquis de Lafayette’s residence in the south, which was built in a luxurious and grand manner by the Blue Knights, the three-story building is still quite large in size, and is more than enough to overwhelm any other mansion in the capital.
When I got off in front of the building and spoke to the servant, an old man with a big belly who had been waiting for me greeted me.
“Welcome, Marquis!”
“Dumont.”
Robert de Dumont.
Even though I got married, the former Baron Dumont is still sitting in the capital and claiming to be the manor’s butler.
To be honest, he is a person I am grateful to, but it is a bit of a burden for me, but I can’t kick him out and go to the south just because he does it because he likes it….
“Master Leon walked energetically today too! How proud you are! “I’m sure you will grow up to be a very strong man, just like the Marquis!”
“Oh, I see…”
To be honest, Dumont cares about my son more than me.
Anyone who sees him might think he’s Dumont’s grandson…
In fact, I thought of him as somewhat like my father, so I wouldn’t be completely wrong.
“What about Christine?”
“Your wife is also in good health. Of course, Miss Fleur too! haha!”
“Well, thank you for always working hard, Dumont.”
“Haha, it’s my pleasure! Then rest in peace, Marquis.”
“iced coffee.”
Dumont bowed politely to me and walked away.
A funny old man whose protruding belly flutters every time he bends down.
Although he is an old man who insists that it makes no sense for him to be treated with respect as long as he is my butler, he is a grateful person who supported my decision to join the republic.
I glanced at Dumont as he retreated and then entered the room.
“Christine, are you awake?”
“yes. “I’m up.”
I walked up to Christine, who was lying on the bed, and kissed her lightly.
“How was your day today?”
“It was a little boring to just lie down and rest. “Even if I want to work, everyone is trying so hard to stop me.”
Christine smiled slightly and answered.
Admiral of the Franzian Navy and head of an intelligence agency that is no longer a secret organization affiliated with the upper class of Aquitaine but is recognized by the nation. At the same time, he is a member of the Central Party of the National Assembly and a business magnate that no one can ignore.
…It’s because of me that Christine, who has become such a huge figure, did not attend the important National Assembly session.
“As expected, the second time is a bit difficult.”
“Hmm.”
“I didn’t even know it would be this fast.”
“I’m sorry.”
Christine smiled mischievously and said.
“It’s a problem even if I am loved too much by my husband.”
It’s against the rules to say things like that and smile happily.
My son, Leon, was born on my honeymoon, and my daughter, Fleur, was born just yesterday.
Christine, who had already become a mother of two children, smiled like a flower and said,
“Welcome, Pierre.”
I smiled back and kissed her cheek again.
“I’m back, Christine.”
Christine smiled softly, but soon changed her expression and opened her mouth.
“I have information, Pierre.”
“…I heard you couldn’t work because everything was ruined?”
You couldn’t take a break and you started working again?
When he gave me a dissatisfied look, Christine gently averted his gaze and answered.
“Because I can at least receive reports while lying down.”
“Haa….”
Fearing that he might be the manager of an intelligence organization, he had a twinkle in his eye and did an excellent job of avoiding Dumont, who was watching him.
In fact, the decision to purchase a large mansion located on the outskirts of the capital was largely a reflection of Christine’s intentions.
As we are the giants of the economy, politics and military, we have to show a certain formality when welcoming guests.
…This is an external reason.
In reality, it was a very Christine-like reason, because the larger the mansion and the more remote it was, the easier it was to secretly run an intelligence organization.
I asked with a wry smile.
“So what’s the news this time?”
Christine looked at me for a moment and then threw a bombshell.
“It seems like the Abyss Corporation is preparing for war.”
“…Surely Franzia?”
Christine shook her head slightly and answered.
“No, the Eastern Empire.”
