Presidential Government – Before the Storm
A grim office located at the Revolutionary Party headquarters.
I was once again face to face with Maximilien Isidore.
“We need support for the agenda of establishing diplomatic relations with the barbarians of the Iberica Peninsula.”
“Yes, Governor. If we put aside the prejudice that they are barbarians, we will be able to stabilize the collapsed rural economy to some extent by exporting grains, and the minerals we will obtain from them will be useful in many ways. If it goes well, we might be able to use it for trade with the failed Alpine kingdom.”
I said, looking into Isidore’s cold eyes behind his glasses.
“It is absolutely necessary to improve the livelihood of farmers, the main supporters of the Revolutionary Party, and at the same time strengthen national defense against upcoming threats. “Could we seek the support of the President and the Revolutionary Party?”
Maximilien Isidor looked at me quietly and opened his mouth.
“We don’t want to become the flag bearers of the center party. Even if I agree, the members of the Revolutionary Party will not do as you wish.”
A bitter smile inevitably comes out.
“There are many more members of the Center Party who oppose this agenda.”
Hearing what I said, Isidor slowly raised his eyebrows, and after a moment of silence, he opened his mouth.
“Why?”
“In any case, the members of the Central Party, many of whom come from nobles and capitalist backgrounds, have stronger hostility and distrust toward barbarians than the stability of the rural economy, which does not really matter to them.”
Isidor raised his hand, adjusted his glasses, and spoke again.
“That’s not what I asked, Marquis.”
“…”
“I asked why they were trying to pass this agenda by going against the opinion of the Central Party and asking for help from the Revolutionary Party.”
“It’s simple. “We must stabilize the peasant economy and strengthen our military by importing weapons through trade with the Alpine kingdom to prepare for the coming threats from foreign powers.”
Isidor looked at me intently and asked again.
“To that end, we are pushing an agenda that could cause division in the Central Party and strengthen the revolutionary party’s position?”
Isidor slowly raised his hands and clasped them.
“If I am not mistaken, what the Marquis de Lafayette and the Count of Aquitaine have been doing is to weaken our power and allow you to take control of the National Assembly.
But now that they are saying they are going to do something that goes against their previous actions, I don’t know if I should believe it.”
I looked at Izidor, who, unlike when I first met him, gave the impression that he had gone through a lot, had become president, and was quite stuck in reality.
“I thought the governor would understand.”
Isidor raised his eyebrows.
“what?”
“Power is only a means, not an end. Isn’t it?”
Isidor was silent.
“Yes, I have weakened the power of the Revolutionary Party and strengthened the power of the Central Party. Only then can we, who come from noble families, be guaranteed safety and carry out our will.
But it is not an end in itself.”
I slowly tasted the tea Izidor had prepared.
As expected, cheap tea without a single grain of sugar is extremely bitter.
“A lot has changed since you went from being just a member of the National Assembly to becoming governor. Still, there are some parts that still haven’t changed, like this car. So do I. “I took over power to advance my will, but if I break my will to protect power, what good is that?”
“…So the Marquis believes that passing this agenda is more important than consolidating his power in the Central Party.”
“you’re right.”
Isidor looked at me with narrowed eyes.
Only after a long silence passed did he open his mouth.
“You are a person who shakes the meaning of revolution with your very existence. He is also a person who freely enforces his own justice based on personal force rather than the laws of the republic. Are you saying that your purpose is patriotism when you use your power for the sake of this republic?”
-If the order can only be maintained by doing things like this, it would be better to collapse.
I remembered what I had said to him and chuckled.
“Please don’t be mistaken, Governor. Because I’m not that noble of a person. “I am a person who finds it difficult to care for myself and my people.”
After speaking, I thought of those who charged against the Storm Witch under my command.
“I still don’t think a republic is best. However, the people of Francia who follow the republic have sufficiently proven their worth, so I think it is better for my people to protect this republic.”
Isidor quietly glared at me and opened his mouth.
“In the end, even the country and its people are nothing more than means to you.”
“I don’t deny it. However, as long as it does not harm me and my people, I am someone who contributes enough to give this country and its people a better future. “If that’s enough, isn’t it a pretty useful sword for the Republic?”
“It’s a sword.”
If Christine and I had overthrown the system of the Republic and the National Assembly and formed our own government, it would have been difficult to proceed with something like this.
If the government, where only my people remain, goes against all of them, there is no other way than overthrowing the government and purging it.
“Yes, the sword told the governor to prove the value of the republic. “It is up to the governor and the republic to decide whether I will continue to be a sword fighting for the republic.”
I laughed.
I never thought I’d make an expression like this in front of the man who cut my head off on a guillotine.
“How are you? Would you like to use me as a means to your own end?”
–
Thanks to the council members making a fuss, worried that Hassan and Shandra would reveal pagan witchcraft or barbarism, Saint Eris personally came and performed a ritual to purify the two.
Whether you look at the form of the two people smiling and talking or the brilliant light scattered, it appears to be nothing more than a performance scattering divine power into the air.
Still, the scene looked quite sacred and even Hassan and Shandra were quite impressed, so Hassan and Shandra were able to attend the National Assembly as official envoys.
“Can we really trust you? “How can we trust diplomacy with a country that doesn’t even have a designated name and isn’t even an official kingdom?”
“I understand that it is not uncommon for transactions with the state to be made in the name of noble families or merchants. There will be no problem in writing a treaty in the name of King Crocs. We may also consider dispatching an ambassador between the two countries to ensure compliance with the future treaty.”
Despite the quite hostile and sharp questions, Hassan answers in an extremely cautious and wise manner.
“I wonder if continuous delivery of the trade goods you mentioned, especially gold and silver mithril, is possible. How can you prove that you have built an industry so systematic that you operate a mine?”
“If you wish, our King will be happy to assist you in allowing your countrymen to visit and resolve any questions you may have.”
As questions are asked one after another, there are fewer and fewer questions, and only the chaos in the council spreads.
Honestly, with the exception of a few, I can’t help but feel that Hassan looks superior to the low-income National Assembly members.
The appearance of Hassan, which is uncharacteristically dignified for its young age, is quite useful in a situation like this. … I don’t think he would be happy about it though.
Nevertheless, in the end, Count Anjou, who had been watching silently, opened his mouth with an uncomfortable look.
“It is truly surprising to see you, but I am the one who fought against you in the southern fortress just over ten years ago. “Can you truly plundering heretics continue to interact with civilized countries?”
“As you said, the conflicts of the past are real, and I understand your concerns about us not serving your gods. “But if this is true even in the most secular Francophone Republic, what about other countries?”
Hassan quietly lowered his head, then slowly raised his head, stood up straight, and opened his mouth again.
“National interests are the foundation for maintaining relations between countries, rather than any rhetoric. “If your country becomes the only country that has diplomatic relations with our brothers, what advantage would there be for us to betray your trust by giving up that gain?”
“…Your king sent someone quite useful. But I am not deceived by you.”
Count Anjou looked disapproving and did not open his mouth any more.
“Keuhum khum. As the Marquis de Lafayette said, more than you might think…”
“Even so, they are barbarians. Don’t you understand why they sent human minions instead of coming directly? “It’s nothing more than a deception!”
“But it is true that we have no regrets as long as our deal with them is maintained…”
I slowly lowered my eyes as I heard voices coming from all over the place.
While I was negotiating with Isidore and seeking his cooperation, Christine used her connections and funds to lobby the Center Party and the Liberal Party as much as possible.
Their official Hassan also did what he could, so he did everything he could.
The next day was the National Assembly voting day.
“251 votes in favor, 247 votes against, 52 abstentions.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
Count Anjou, president of the Center Party, screamed at the announced results.
The declaration resonated with even Liberal Party leader Nicola Brissot unable to contain his surprise.
“The formal establishment of diplomatic relations and trade agreement with King Crocs has been passed.”
The National Assembly was immediately caught up in chaos.
“What nonsense is this!”
“Not only the Center Party but also the Liberal Party did not support it, but the establishment of diplomatic relations with the barbarians is being passed?”
The Count of Anjou glanced at the Central Party members with a red-faced face, and the members who voted for or abstained thanks to Christine’s lobbying glanced at him and avoided eye contact.
The Count of Anjou finally made eye contact with me and burst into anger.
“Marquis de Lafayette! “How is this happening?”
“It seems that many of the lawmakers decided that this agenda would be helpful to Franzia’s national interests.”
While we were doing this, Liberal leader Nicola Brissot was biting his lip, then spoke.
“This is a rash decision. If you join hands with pagan barbarians just for the sake of trivial gain, is there any way that the Holy Church or other countries will look favorably on you? Worse still, the bill was passed without even a majority. “Isn’t this an agenda that more than half of the lawmakers did not agree to?”
“It is questionable whether this is really a fair election in the first place. Who would believe and accept the result of a bill being passed with so many opponents from each party?
“Isn’t the election rigged?”
As the protest continued, a bang rang out.
Maximilien Isidor, who hit the table with everyone’s attention, slowly stood up.
“A year ago, members of the old revolutionary party shouted the same thing here.”
Isidore asked while no one could speak.
“Respected members of the National Assembly, Even if I lose the vote, I cannot let it be a defeat for democracy, so I resigned. … What about you guys?”
–
The National Assembly passed a bill to establish diplomatic relations with pagan barbarians.
Once the benefits were known, only the rural areas would welcome it with enthusiasm, but in the capital city of Lumiere, even among the common people, there were those who harbored concerns and suspicions.
And beyond simple concerns and suspicions, some people felt shocked and betrayed.
Raphael Balian was facing Bishop Arnaud Richelieu with a shocked expression in his drawing room.
“I just thought that the corrupt priests and nobles of the old system needed enlightenment. “A new path was opened by shedding so much blood, but the National Assembly lost its purity and became corrupted.”
Richelieu’s arms were shaking as he said that.
“The rulers who were supposed to lead the lamb to God’s arms turned their backs on God and joined hands with pagan barbarians. They did something that can never be forgiven.”
Balian thought that there would be no harm in interacting with the barbarians as it would ultimately be beneficial, but for now, he nodded to the bishop.
“It’s really unfortunate.”
Although he has no intention of carrying out his cute idea of installing himself as a face madam and controlling politics, Bishop Richelieu is a greeting that Balian needs right now.
“…You have to do it now. If you don’t do it now, it’s too late.”
Balian doesn’t know what happened, but Bishop Richelieu has been saying for some time that the Count of Aquitaine and the Marquis de Lafayette are in danger, showing increasing impatience.
While Balian was pondering for a moment, Bishop Richelieu opened his mouth in desperation.
“It is said that the Marquis de Lafayette is going down to the south again as an envoy to conclude a formal treaty with them. “The citizens of Lumiere also had suspicions about this corrupt National Assembly, so the moment he went down was the right time.”
Certainly, there is probably no more optimal moment than this.
Isn’t it too elaborate?
It was as if someone had prepared something for him.
At this point, it’s fair to suspect that it might be a trap.
However, Balian smiled and answered.
“Okay, Bishop. “Let’s try.”
“Oh finally! “Commander Balian is truly the hero who will lead Francia and its people!”
“I just follow the bishop’s upright cause. Haha…”
Shocked by the violence and absurdity of the National Assembly, he is willing to accept the broken cause of tearing it down and rebuilding it as a means to his ambition.
Even as he smiled at Richelieu, Balian’s brain worked quickly.
If this situation had come about because no one in the National Assembly, including the Marquis de Lafayette, had anticipated their actions, it would have been extremely bland.
If that happens, it will be quite disappointing and sad, but it is a good thing for Balian anyway.
But what if it doesn’t?
Balian felt goosebumps running down his spine.
In that case, it means that the Marquis de Lafayette deliberately created a loophole in order to dare him to lure Raphael Balian.
Balian smiled brightly and looked forward to it with all his heart.
‘Let’s have some fun, Marquis Lafayette. I hope you don’t disappoint.’
