Episode 84 Governor General – Grande École
The wide-open parade ground in front of the Southern Army Headquarters.
I was guiding Talleyrand, the leader of the Revolutionary Party, and showing him a scene where elite troops classified as skilled in the use of magical energy were gathering and training.
“Huh!”
The soldiers on one side shout out their bladeless spears with great enthusiasm, and the soldiers on the other side catch them without raising their weapons.
Soldiers covered their bare bodies with magical energy to catch the spear, and some better soldiers even threw the spear away with a roaring sound unique to magical protection.
In some cases, even the bladeless spear was not able to block properly and was groaning in pain, so Damien de Mirbeau, the commander of the Southern Army, looked at my complexion and fidgeted.
“Hmm, that’s surprising.”
Talleyrand stroked his chin as he watched the scene.
From the knights’ point of view, it may be too clumsy, but it is definitely the first time they have seen commoner soldiers block an attack with magical power, which is the exclusive property of nobles and knights.
Although it may not have caught our eye, it seems to have been impressive enough for President Talleyrand.
“Thank you for your hard work, Count Mirbeau.”
“It’s an honor for you to say that! Of course, it is thanks to the budgetary support of the National Assembly and the excellence of the Grande École process introduced by His Excellency the Marquis de Lafayette!”
I ignored Damien, who was talking excitedly, and looked at the soldiers.
Fortunately, after a lot of training, there are no soldiers who display the same shameful behavior as they did the first time, such as clutching their stomachs, vomiting, or collapsing.
“The immediate goal of this unit is to train it to be able to block musket fire with magical power.”
Even if it is impossible to charge and deflect everything like knights, even if you can block only 1 or 2 shots, you can have an absolute advantage in a battle between infantry.
“If we succeed, we can truly be called a superhuman unit.”
“That’s right. Let me show you those who have achieved more tangible results. “Good work, Count Mirbeau.”
“ancient! I will do my best to develop them into a strong army worthy of the name of the Frangian army, to face the threat of the Germanian Empire-”
I turned away from Damien’s long speech, which seemed to go on endlessly, and guided Talleyrand to the cavalry training area.
“welcome. President Talleyrand, His Excellency the Marquis de Lafayette.”
Gaston, who was watching us training with his bayonet on the ground, recognized us and bowed politely.
“Good job, General Gaston.”
As I watched him training with Talleyrand, I slowly narrowed my eyes.
“You’re here today too?”
“That’s right. dismissal.”
Gaston was somewhat embarrassed.
As we watched, three cavalrymen wearing fancy uniforms and breastplates surrounded one person and were attacking him frantically.
And the person receiving the attack, Shandra, is skillfully dealing with all of their attacks by dodging or avoiding them and deflecting them with magic.
First of all, he was the representative of the embassy, but he always complained that the peaceful embassy work was a pain, so when I allowed him to observe as an instructor as a diplomatic officer, he was very depressed.
Fortunately, the black clothes that Shandra usually wore that revealed her bare skin and tattoos did not fit the mood in Franzia in many ways, so she requested other clothes, so she is now wearing our stylish uniform.
He’s using a cavalry sword instead of the dual swords he usually uses, and even though he’s using weapons he’s not familiar with, he’s easily overpowering three cavalrymen who use their own magical powers.
“…It’s hard for me to even follow it with my eyes.”
Fortunately, Talleyrand did not question the fact that the instructor was Shandra, but instead paid attention to the exchange of fire between Shandra and the cavalry.
It was because the opponent was Shandra, a high-ranking knight, but the elite cavalrymen, who were already well-versed in magical power, far exceeded the abilities of ordinary people.
“That’s right. Although they are not yet at the level of knights, they are worthy of being called the strongest cavalry on the continent.”
During the civil war, most of the knights who were the lifeblood of the Frangian army were lost, but nurturing elite soldiers to replace them is the core of the military training field of the Grande École course I prepared.
The process is progressing steadily.
What was lacking was time, but if their training is successfully completed while the Germanian Empire is in turmoil due to this incident, we can look forward to their performance.
“I certainly understand the military value. But in the end, there are only a very small number of elite soldiers like this, Marquis.”
“you’re right. “If you look at the total number of soldiers in the revolutionary army, the number of people who can use magical power at a level that can be used in actual combat is still less than 1%.”
If enough time is spent to provide systematic training to all troops, more results may be achieved, but the military cannot ignore efficiency relative to investment costs.
Talleyrand finally looked at the cavalrymen, who all fell to the ground and were raised up by Shandra, then turned his back.
“It was a useful time, Marquis Lafayette, where I could see the future of the revolutionary army. “I would like to thank you for organizing today’s visit.”
“I’m glad I was able to show you a good performance, Mr. President.”
I received Gaston’s salute and guided Talleyrand.
While heading to the exit of the parade ground, Talleyrand waved his hand at his attendants and slowly opened his mouth.
“As you know, the National Assembly had some concerns about this training course that the Marquis initially proposed.”
“I know very well.”
And now, their concerns may not seem simply unfounded.
“The existence of a very small number of troops who will be raised as elite soldiers through a special training process. “It is difficult for me to be sure whether they can truly uphold the value of equality advocated by the revolution.”
At first, I had no idea that there would be so few people who showed this level of aptitude. Balian, who probably had high hopes for an army that used magical power, probably did the same.
“Moreover, at a time when the Marquis is trying to return the republic to a kingdom, the National Assembly is even more concerned that those who will be deeply influenced by the Marquis and the noble officer corps will become another privileged class.”
“I guess so.”
In the end, the National Assembly agreed to the election of a monarch proposed by Eris.
However, in the end, this was nothing more than a reluctant acceptance in order to avoid the imminent war and because the National Assembly could not disparage Eris by equating it with other existing royal families.
I couldn’t ignore the public sentiment, so I agreed, but it still wouldn’t make them feel comfortable.
“The Marquis has clearly said that he will protect the revolution, but depending on how you look at it, he is ‘forced to do it by circumstances’ and is taking actions that may run counter to the revolution.”
All the knights are dead right now, but as war approaches, we train elite soldiers who can replace them as another privileged class to protect Francia.
To prevent war from breaking out before we are ready, we will re-establish a monarchy in Francia.
It may certainly seem to others that I am passing through the necessary measures one by one under the guise of inevitability.
“The Marquis found Her Highness during the civil war and became her patron. It is very frustrating even for us who are so concerned…”
Talleyrand touched his chin with his hand and opened his mouth.
“Although the Marquis is a nobleman, he gave up his fiefdom to join the revolutionary government. He did not support Balian’s coup and was reborn as a defender of the revolution. In addition, he made the princess a saint with almost flawlessness, and at the most desperate moment. “Even wanting to crown her as queen.”
He added, looking straight at me.
“There are even those who are concerned that it was all part of the Marquis’ meticulous plan to take control of Francia as a whole. “The process is so flawlessly smooth.”
Talleyrand was silent for a moment and then smiled.
“Of course, if that happens, the Marquis would have predicted all of this during the civil war before the revolution broke out, so it makes no sense.”
I shrugged my shoulders and opened my mouth.
“Well, I understand the Revolutionary Party’s concerns. But if the concern is that it is due to our Grande École plan, I would say that it is a bit excessive.”
“Hoo?”
“I am a military commander. When thinking about human value, tactical value cannot be excluded. Therefore, in my opinion, the equality that the revolution should guarantee is not equality of outcome, but equality of process.”
“It’s the process, not the result.”
“yes. It is true that the Grande École process produced elite soldiers, but the process of selecting them ultimately applied to all soldiers. “Even if we don’t know about the training after being selected, the qualifications to be selected are provided equally.”
“…hmm.”
I looked at Talleyrand and smiled.
“Of course, those who are so selected will certainly receive some preferential treatment and may become a privileged group. But does it matter? “Right now, the treatment that President Talleyrand receives is different from the treatment that a citizen of Francia receives.”
Talleyrand’s face slowly hardened.
That’s because, unlike Isidore, who lived a life completely isolated from corruption and luxury, Talleyrand was a man who enjoyed the pleasure that his power afforded him.
Isidor’s side was strange.
“It’s not just a military problem. What farmers and lawyers can enjoy are different and should be different. “If we force equality on what everyone can enjoy without even such things, who would put in the effort?”
“What the Marquis is saying sounds like a denial of equality itself.”
“Even such a national assembly does not provide complete equality. “You don’t give voting rights to poor people who can’t pay taxes or women who don’t have proper education, right?”
“….”
“Providing a farmer’s son with the opportunity to become a lawyer, creating jobs for the poor who cannot pay taxes, and even educating women are all things we must do. “The Grande École was introduced for that purpose.”
The Grande École is ultimately a comprehensive curriculum designed to foster talented individuals who will be helpful to the nation, and training to foster elite soldiers who use magic power is only a part of it.
“But that is all we have to do. “Striving for equality in the process to provide equal opportunities is completely different from pursuing equality of outcome, which is not actually possible.”
Right now, people like knights and wizards exist, and even if they receive the same education, there are better humans.
All you have to do is talk about the ideal that all humans are equal and should be treated the same, and that’s nothing more than kicking away the empathy and excellent talent you can get.
“I think your job is to make the cause of the revolution sympathize not only with the weak and the poor, but with all members of Francia. “I am not concerned that those who excel will become a privileged class and tarnish the cause of the revolution.”
“…I don’t completely agree with your argument, but it’s an impressive opinion.”
Talleyrand’s words reminded me of Maximilien Isidore’s words and I laughed.
-I am firmly opposed to your irrational and anti-reform opinions. However, I am only a member of the National Assembly and cannot decide such matters on my own.
Is this really the successor to Maximilien Isidore?
“Actually, your concerns are not entirely misplaced. “I was planning to name the elite soldiers who would be trained through the Grande École process after the royal family was restored as the Queen’s Guard.”
Of course, it may not be a title that the National Assembly would welcome, but it is a worthy reward for instilling pride in those who will endure the difficult training process and become elite soldiers.
I grinned, looking at Talleyrand’s slightly stiff face.
“But Her Royal Highness refused. Do you know what you wanted to call me?”
“Hmm, I’m curious about that too.”
“He said we should call it the Revolutionary Guards.”
Talleyrand smiled bitterly.
“The governor also showed a little of his true intentions, so I’ll be honest with you: your revolution was a mess.”
Talleyrand’s expression became strange, and I smiled a little pleasantly.
“Nevertheless, you are quite lucky. There was a leader who became a symbol of the spirit of the revolution itself, and he influenced even me, a nobleman, and even the saint who loved the people the most and sympathized with the revolution was a royal.”
They really seem to be thinking about all sorts of conspiracy theories, but do they think that Eris’s personality can be used as a way to deceive?
“So, as I said before, my thoughts have not changed. I just have expectations from you.”
I looked straight at Talleyrand and smiled.
“I hope that you will show the right ideals so that the army I have carefully trained can dedicate itself to the name that Her Majesty the Princess will give them, and so that they can feel proud of their mission.”
