Revolutionary Period – In the next chapter,
a month has passed since the Duke of Lorraine’s surrender and a new year has arrived.
Cheers rang out throughout the city as bright sunlight, befitting the name ‘light’, shone down on Lumiere City.
“Long live France!”
“Long live the revolutionary army!”
The revolutionary army marches along the road to the central square, and citizens filling the streets cheer one after another.
I rode alongside Raphael Balian and led them at the head of the revolutionary army.
Right behind us, Louis Desget is waving to the citizens with a big smile, and Jérôme Morel is raising his chin with a triumphant look on his face.
I turned my gaze away from them and looked at the citizens who were greeting us.
Liberty Equality Fraternity.
Signs with the same phrases that citizens held before the return are floating around.
When I first entered this square, they raised that banner and cried for me to be executed.
The second time we joined the revolutionary government and entered this square, they looked at us with both suspicion and expectation.
And the third.
Now, they are welcoming me and my people, holding the banner of the Republic, praising them as their protectors.
I slowly turned my gaze to Balian.
Balian looked puzzled for a moment, but then he smiled brightly at me.
-The National Assembly will be distraught that the war is over and will want to keep the noble Marquis in check.
That’s what I said, Balian.
No matter how much I contribute to the republic, no matter how much I become a hero to the citizens, I am ultimately a noble and will be checked by them when the war is over.
If I were alone, I might have had to worry about that.
I smiled at him and looked away.
There were many members of the National Assembly waiting to greet us on the podium in front, but it was not difficult to find Christine among them.
As soon as our eyes met, she smiled slightly, so I was able to smile naturally too.
With her around, you can’t be afraid of checks from the National Assembly.
When our troops finally finished their march and lined up in the central square, Revolutionary Party leader Maximilien Izidor came forward from the podium.
“Citizens of Lumiere and proud members of the Revolutionary Army. “I am honored to have the opportunity to make this declaration before you.”
As the revolutionary army stands proudly looking at him, Isidore loudly declares –
“For the people of Francia, the revolution has won!”
The cheers that erupted from the entire square shook the entire town of Lumiere.
–
At the revolutionary army’s triumphal ceremony, the heads of the National Assembly and the presidents of each party jointly officially declared the victory of the revolution and the succession of the fallen kingdom to the French Republic.
A total of three people, including Nicola Brissot, the head of the moderate faction of Maximilien Isidor, who was originally an ordinary member of the National Assembly but was appointed governor to control the wavering radicals, and the Count of Anjou, the governor we established.
Thanks to Christine and I turning down the position of head of the Central Party because we were too young and had too much work to do, the Count of Anjou suddenly became one of the leaders representing the Franconian Republic.
Perhaps that is why the gathering of Central Party lawmakers at the banquet held after the triumphal ceremony was quite cordial.
“Thank you for your hard work, Marquis de Lafayette. “Thanks to the marquis, we won the war, and this old man who was a border lord also got a lot of success because he was good at keeping things in line!”
“ha ha ha.”
As the Count of Anjou spoke cheerfully, laughter broke out here and there.
“Thank you, I am also happy to be here with you.”
From the perspective of the conservative nobles, they are still satisfied with having the Count of Anjou as the head, both in terms of authority and age, and since no one denies that Christine and I are powerful people, it is good.
“Now then, glory to the Marquis de Lafayette and the Central Party!”
“Glory be to you!”
Everyone raised their glasses as the Count of Anjou sang, and I slowly savored the quality wine and looked around.
Although they are all members of the Central Party, more than half of them are unfamiliar faces.
When we first entered the National Assembly, there were only 40 seats, but the number has already grown to 124, so it is not unreasonable.
“It seems like there were a lot of new people while I was out on the battlefield.”
“ha ha ha! “There must be that many people who were deeply impressed by the Marquis’s activities and the influence of the Central Party!”
There are now more nobles who have been part of the National Assembly from the beginning or who have taken up their seats with our support than there are nobles who have joined me in the revolutionary government.
“The Count of Aquitaine’s contribution is great. He was so resourceful that it would not be an exaggeration to say that about half of the people who joined the Central Party were persuaded by the Count.”
“That’s too much praise. “It’s thanks to the fact that there were many people who prioritized practicality and trends over prejudice.”
Christine bowed slightly and responded briefly to Count Anjou’s praise.
Both the radical Revolutionary Party and the moderate Liberal Party have just over 200 seats, so we can now clearly serve as a casting vote in the National Assembly.
Even though we and the moderates joined forces, we were able to raise our weak position in the National Assembly, where the radicals once had a majority, to this point.
Although I can say that she made good use of the efforts I made and the agitation in the National Assembly caused by the past incident, it would be insufficient to say that Christine’s resourcefulness was amazing.
That’s true though.
I took another sip of wine and narrowed my eyes.
Anyway, it feels like too much attention is focused on her, which makes me a little uncomfortable.
Still, in any case, the dishes served at the dinner were extremely excellent.
It was better than the meal I ate on the battlefield, of course, and the meal I ate at the Marquis.
It was a victory commemoration banquet and the Republic had put a lot of effort into preparing it, so looking at the well-dressed people chatting while enjoying the dinner, I felt like I had gone back to before the revolution.
Of course, as it was a place, important conversations flowed naturally.
“So, the Marquis didn’t see King Louis’ execution.”
“I had to redeploy and bring back the revolutionary troops, so that was on schedule.”
“Not only the Northern United Kingdom, but all the princely states of the Germanian Empire sent statements condemning the execution of the king, but the Kingdom of Krafte did not send one.”
“hmm. “Does the great king view us favorably?”
“Is that possible? Although he calls himself an enlightened monarch, he is also a king. Rather, isn’t he trying to show off his influence by blatantly going against the will of the emperor?”
Kingdom of Krafte.
Although it is an electorate of the Germanian Empire, it is not a mere princely state, but a military powerhouse that rebelled against the empire and won, expanding its territory within the empire.
The nominal territory of the empire is vast enough to cover the entire central part of the central continent, but most of it is ruled by feudal lords, and the area directly ruled by the emperor is not very large, so this is possible.
Moreover, their great king is a capable monarch and a well-respected master general, so it is a positive thing that they are not hostile to us right now.
…It would be best if we could use the Kingdom of Krafte, which is hostile to the Emperor, to distract the Empire from targeting Franzia properly.
As I was lost in thought, another topic came up.
“Ah, have you heard the news about the wasteland, Marquis?”
“What if you say it’s news from the wasteland?”
“Yes, I heard there is a rumor going around that barbarians from the wasteland have established a kingdom in the southern mountains.”
“…Barbarians founded a kingdom? “It would be surprising if it were true.”
The Badlands refers to the barren peninsula located beyond the southern mountains of Francia.
There, except for a few cities, orcs and goblins, collectively known as barbarians, live in tribal units, and it is said that quite a long time ago, they crossed the mountain range and plundered southern Francia.
However, after Francia was reborn as a kingdom of knights, drove them out, and fortified the southern mountains, they were regarded as barbarians from the frontier… Did
such a tribe establish a kingdom in the south of Francia?
“I don’t think it’s a very good story for us. “I’ll have to check if it’s true.”
“Haha, of course, there is the Marquis de Lafayette, who is renowned as a master general, so I don’t have to worry!”
I’m a member of the National Assembly, so I’m saying this because I really don’t think much, but…
I’m in charge of the southern Franzian army, and not only Christine and I, but also a significant number of our party’s nobles, have assets in the south, so if even a problem arises, it’s up to me to deal with it. This happens.
The Germania Empire and the Abyss Corporation alone are enough to give me a headache, so it would be nice if nothing much happened.
–
After the dinner is over.
After greeting and conversing with so many people that I couldn’t even count them all, I ended up on the balcony exhausted.
It was okay until the dinner party, but there were too many people who were interested in me, who was a powerful figure in the Central Party and a hero of the revolutionary army.
As a frontier aristocrat who is indifferent to the social culture of the central political world, this is more tiring than fighting on the battlefield…
In the meantime, everyone knows that I am engaged to Christine again, but perhaps because I am not married, I am acting strangely. I was even more annoyed because there were people trying to trick me.
“Woooo…”
Still, as I take a breather and enjoy the cool breeze from the balcony, I feel like I can live a bit.
Christine is still dealing with people, so I’ll have some fun and go back in.
Just as I was thinking that, I heard a loud knocking sound from the door.
As I turned my back, the balcony door opened slightly, and Eris, wearing a familiar white robe, only half stuck out her body.
It must have been a huge fuss to get Eris to wear a dress, but in the end, Eris won.
Naturally, a laugh came out.
“It’s been a while, Eris.”
“It’s been a while, Marquis.”
Eris smiled softly and stretched out her hand to me, and the light she gave off completely swept away the fatigue from my body.
“thank you.”
“I thought you were having a hard time. Was this helpful?”
“…greatly. “Why do you think you’ve become more skilled than before?”
“Iknow, right. “I think the more you use it, the more proficient you become.”
After those words, there was a moment of silence.
Was it out of consideration on her part to hang it over the door like that instead of coming into the balcony?
As I was thinking that, Eris opened her mouth.
“I’m sorry, Marquis. King Louis. … I fixed my brother’s jaw as I wanted.”
I was worried that even if I treated him, King Louis would verbally abuse Eris and make her feel guilty, so I said there was no need to heal her.
“Well, I guess you did it because you thought it was okay.”
However, King Louis, whose jaw was healed by Eris, is said to have admitted his guilt and apologized in court.
At first, those who were verbally abusive, mocking, and enthusiastic about him repeatedly acknowledged and apologized for their sins, but when they reached the moment when he was beheaded on the guillotine, they became calm.
Perhaps King Louis would be the last person to be guillotined by the revolutionary army. I don’t know if it’s just wishful thinking.
“But what on earth did you do?”
When I first heard about it, I doubted whether he was the King Louis I knew. What kind of magic can you use to change someone like that?
Eris just smiled. … That smile seemed a little bitter.
“well. “I’m glad you’re not angry at me, though.”
“…Because you are no longer the young saint who is sponsored by me. I respect your will.
“Moreover, the results were good this time.”
It doesn’t seem like Eris did it because she wanted to, but as a result, Eris, who carefully cared for King Louis during the convoy, came to be praised as a saint who even converted the corrupt king of the old system.
I looked at Eris, who was now an adult.
It would be arrogance if you still think that I have to tell you something and decide for you.
Instead, I spoke with reverence to the saint who deserves respect and the princess whom I will serve.
“Congratulations on coming of age, Her Royal Highness Princess Esiliste Liliane de Francia.”
“Thank you, Marquis Pierre de Lafayette. Please continue to look after us.”
Eris responded softly, grinned, and then turned her gaze to the side.
“Count of Aquitaine-!”
“Saint Lady Seo.”
Christine’s voice sounded like she was rarely embarrassed, and after a bit of a fight, Eris let Christine into the balcony and disappeared with light steps.
Christine’s face was slightly flushed as she fanned herself with a fan in her hand, which made me laugh.
“this. “I had to pick you up first, but you helped me.”
“I was waiting to see when you would come and take me out, but you were busy talking to someone you were interested in.”
Christine folded her fan and glanced away, making me laugh again.
“I’m sorry. “It’s okay to be a minister, but…”
I took out the fan I had already put in my coat and held it out to her.
“It’s late, but it’s an engagement gift.”
“This is…”
Christine took it and looked at it, then widened her eyes when she saw the magic stone embedded in the handle.
At first, I thought about giving her a brooch or an engagement ring like she gave me, but I know that the black dress she always wears is meant as mourning clothes.
That’s why I don’t wear any jewelry or anything like that. In the end, after much deliberation, she ordered an artifact that she usually used and it was finally completed.
Christine seemed to immediately understand why I chose the fan out of all the others, so she smiled naturally and said,
“Thank you, Pierre.”
“someday.”
The day when she, who returned Aquitaine to Louise, was freed from her guilt and burden and took off her mourning clothes.
“That sign will protect you in my absence until the day we are fully together.”
Christine laughed softly and opened her mouth jokingly.
“I’m afraid I’ll make you wait too long.”
“No need to worry. “You and I will both be very busy until then, so time will pass quickly.”
The corrupt and depraved kingdom of the old system has finally collapsed, but we have only just passed the first stage.
There are still many mountains to overcome in the future.
I smiled and held out my hand to Christine.
“So please trust me, because I trust you too.”
Christine also smiled at me and answered while giving me her hand.
“Gladly.”
Still, I believe that if we work together, we can definitely achieve it.
?
