Episode 90. War to Protect the Revolution – Coronation
After the collapse of the talks in the Alpine Kingdom, our delegation immediately returned to their home country.
As expected, news arrived that the Germanian Empire had declared a mobilization order, and in response to this, we began preparing for war in earnest.
The time when winter is coming to an end and spring is just around the corner.
In my office at the Revolutionary Army Headquarters, I faced people I hadn’t seen in a long time.
“It’s been a while. Jerome Morel, Alexandre Werther and Nicolas Yes.”
Three men who were once Raphael Balian’s henchmen and key commanders of the Northern Army are facing me.
Perhaps because they came from being imprisoned as conspirators in Balian’s coup, all three of them don’t look very good.
“It’s been a while, Marquis, get better. “Ah, it’s late, but you’ve become commander-in-chief, so should I congratulate you?”
Jérôme Morel, who was said to be Balian’s close friend, has a blatantly bad attitude.
“I heard you were looking for it, Your Excellency the Marquis.”
Alexandre Werther is polite, but he does not have a friendly face.
Nicola has kept her mouth shut and is looking at me with a stern face.
I looked at the three people, smiled, and opened my mouth.
“Still, we cooperated on the same battlefield, but let me be blunt.”
“Hwiyu~ Since you consider traitors to be old comrades, I don’t know what to do.”
I added, roughly ignoring Morel’s sarcasm.
“I’ll give you a chance. If you return to the military and make a contribution in the war against the Germanian Empire, we will reduce the punishment sentenced to you.”
There was a moment of silence.
Morel, whose expression was crumpled, and Alexandre Werther, who stood for you with a still stiff face, opened their mouths.
“Why, Your Excellency?”
I decided to answer the question in as much detail as possible, although it was simple, it would have complicated feelings from their perspective.
“First of all, the revolutionary army needs a commander. “The size of the military has grown, but there is a shortage of proven personnel to command it, so it would be a waste to just waste talented people like you who have proven their abilities.”
Officers being trained through the Grande École course will continue to join, but it will take time.
If you recklessly elevate unproven new officers to high positions, it will be the second coming of the incompetent military leadership from the early days of the revolution.
“You were involved in some way in Raphael Balian’s coup, but you tried to avoid a situation that would eventually plunge Francia into civil war. “You could do that if you wanted, and you probably didn’t know that that side had a higher chance of winning.”
Raphael Balian’s personal will may have been his, but in the end, not only he but also others followed it, so such a loose coup would have been possible.
If they had planned to cross the line without hesitation, they would not have attacked and suppressed the Confederate army by surprise, but would have put them down bloody, and Damien’s unprepared army would have been swept away without even having a chance to gain time.
“We judged that although they may have participated in a coup against the National Assembly, they did not intend to harm the country. Therefore, if you are willing, we will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your abilities.”
Jerome Morel looked worried for a moment and then opened his mouth.
“I understand the intention to use it first because it is urgent that a war will break out, but is there a guarantee that those of us who were involved in the coup will not be treated differently? Honestly, I worked so hard, but I would rather not be in a situation where I only get sweet water and get kicked out.”
Although it’s still rough, I think you’ll laugh at the immediately polite way of speaking.
At least there is interest.
Still, it’s a little unfair.
“Was the experience you had as the commander of the northern army such a petty greeting?”
Balian and I’s positions were clearly static, but I still thought we treated each other fairly fairly.
“I don’t think so, Your Excellency Marquis. But back then we were mere competitors, but now we have no choice but to rely on your mercy and fairness…”
I smiled and replied to Alexandre Werther, who spoke cautiously.
“I was in a similar situation as you, but there was someone under me. Count Damien de Mirbeau. He’s been my enemy on the battlefield many times, and I don’t really like him either. But now he is the commander of the Confederate army.”
I added after looking at Jerome and Werther once.
“I think this is enough proof, but you still don’t believe me? Or are you, the main commanders of the northern army, not confident in your contributions? In that case, it would be unfortunate, but you just have to finish your sentence in prison.”
Jerome Morel scratched his head and opened his mouth.
“You are so kind, Marquis. I will do it. “I was already so sick that I was going crazy. It would be better to get back on a horse and run wild than rot in a cell.”
“Okay, Morel. “You will be in charge of the pursuit cavalry.”
In the last war, we were completely overtaken by the hussars of the Germanian Empire, but we worked hard to develop light cavalry that wielded carbines and swords to fight them.
Morel, who was Balian’s cavalry commander, would be a good fit.
“Please leave gasoline to me.”
I turned my attention to Werther.
“What about you, Alexandre Werther?”
Werther scratched his eyebrows, sighed, and opened his mouth.
“Your Excellency the Marquis. I must tell you this, but I have repeatedly told Commander Balian that His Excellency the Marquis must be eliminated.”
“Very good. “It was definitely advice that a chief of staff should give.”
Werther looked at me blankly, as if he was at a loss for words at my words.
“I pride myself on being quite attentive to the advice of my people. Balian was defeated because he ignored your advice, so isn’t it a bit unfair to end it as your defeat?”
Werther looked at me for a while, then laughed and saluted.
“If that is the case, I will assist you.”
“Okay, Werther. Serve as my chief of staff.”
I turned my attention to Nicolae, who had not said anything until then.
This man shouts loudly on the battlefield and leads his soldiers very bravely, but in front of me, he is completely silent.
“Don’t you have any thoughts?”
“…I am loyal to Commander Balian. I can’t now swear allegiance to His Excellency the Marquis-”
“What are you talking about?”
You quietly narrowed your eyebrows, but even I don’t understand this.
“When did I tell you to be loyal to me? “Even those who were my subordinates from the beginning won’t be loyal to me, right?”
Gaston would be loyal to me, but I don’t think Deje would feel loyal to me either, right? Damien de Mirbeau is a guy who is stubborn and loyal to begin with.
Given this reaction, Raphael Balian must have thought of the northern army as if he were his own private army.
I sighed lightly and said.
“You don’t have to be loyal to me. As commander-in-chief of the revolutionary army, there is only one thing I ask of you: As a revolutionary army, will you fight to protect your country or not?”
Nicola Ne thought silently for a moment and finally spoke slowly.
“Soldiers should fight to protect their country…”
I answered with a grin.
“Very good. You would be perfect for the role of fighting in the vanguard.”
I faced three people with faces that were half relieved and half confused.
Still, it’s better than when I first entered the room.
“…I wanted to create my own era. “That’s what I said.”
When Raphael Balian recited exactly what he said in front of the execution table, all three people’s faces hardened a little.
“No matter what Balian said to lead you or what you did in the past, I will forget everything from now on. So forget about you too.”
I said this while looking at the last legacies left behind by Raphael Balian.
“My promise to you is simple. If you are given the opportunity to demonstrate your abilities as soldiers and make achievements, I will leave it entirely as yours. So, take the glory with your own hands.”
All three who heard me saluted at the same time, and I saluted them and gave them an order.
“After processing the parole, we will issue an official order. I look forward to your future activities. dissolution!”
* * *
As the final negotiations with the Germanian Empire broke down and the second princess of the Northern United Kingdom gave up her candidacy, the National Assembly immediately held a vote for or against the enthronement of Eris as queen.
Eris is already gaining nationwide popularity as a saint, and many of Francia’s citizens may not even know what exactly this vote means.
The people seemed quite amazed and happy just by being able to vote for or against the queen’s enthronement with their own hands.
In the meantime, as the sense of crisis grew that if Eris was not enthroned, Kaiserin of the Germanian Empire could be crowned as the Queen of Franzia, Eris’ enthronement was passed with an overwhelming vote of nearly 90%.
We tried to hastily hold the coronation ceremony before the war with the Germanian Empire began, and the preparations were completed at an unimaginable speed.
because.
“Your Royal Highness, the clothes you will wear at your coronation-”
“But if you have money to spend, give it to the poor or at least make more uniforms for the soldiers.”
“Your Highness, no matter what, we can’t use the same palace that the kings of the old system used, so we have to renovate it-”
“It costs money to fix it, so just use it as is! “If you really care, take off the interior decoration and sell it!”
“Her Royal Highness, how much budget do you need to spend to invite foreign guests?”
“Anyway, there are not many countries that still recognize the National Assembly. “If you want to invite everyone and make it extravagant, think about it later.”
Because the person who was to be crowned queen was radiating with her whole body that she had no intention of spending a single penny on the coronation ceremony.
The Count of Anjou, the inferior leader of the Central Party, almost begged.
“I am sorry, Your Majesty, but if things continue like this, your national prestige and Your Majesty’s authority will be in question. “I appreciate your heart for looking out for the people, but no matter what-” “
If national prestige and authority can only be gained by giving up the share that goes to others, then there is no need for such things. “This country has been running fine without a queen.”
I was left speechless by Eris’s firm answer and had to just walk away.
Time passed so quickly and it was now spring in the royal palace.
Rather than wearing the luxurious clothes that symbolize a king, Eris is dressed in white robes as always. Jenny must be really depressed.
Eris knelt in front of the hall where the throne was, watched by not only the country’s leading figures but also the citizens of Lumiere.
In front of Eris, Nicolas Brissot, who became the representative because he devoted himself to the National Assembly the longest among the three party presidents, stands holding the crown once worn by King Louis.
He stayed like that for a moment.
From kingdom to republic and back to kingdom.
Perhaps his feelings are also complicated.
Instead, Eris, who had closed her eyes, looked up at him and said something and smiled. Only then did he smile as if he was a little relieved and put the crown on Eris’ head.
Applause filled the hall.
The final point of the plan I made at the beginning of the civil war was to put Eris on the throne.
In the end, the war could not be completely prevented, but at least it prevented the united Germanian Empire from attacking Francia, which had not yet recovered from the wounds of the civil war.
I clapped my hands and smiled at Christine, who was standing next to me. She also smiled slightly at me.
With the help of her and my people, I finally reached this point.
As Eris slowly stood up, everyone in the hall knelt before her.
Her long hair shines brightly in silver under the light of the magic lamp, and her purple eyes scan the hall.
When the attendant handed Eris the speech prepared in advance at the central hall, she opened her mouth and began to emit a clear voice.
“As of today, the Franconian Republic has been reborn as a kingdom. But-”
At that moment, someone came running in with a huff, approached Talleyrand and handed him a document.
Talleyrand furrowed his brows, walked up to me, and handed me the document.
I looked at it and then slowly lowered my eyes.
A declaration of war by the Germanian Empire that denies the election of the king by the puppet government of the Franzian National Assembly and aims to prevent the threat of seditious rebels.
The timing sucks.
When I opened my eyes, Eris was looking straight at me and smiled.
Everyone’s eyes were focused on me, so I sighed lightly, got up, walked over to Eris, and handed her the document.
Eris looked at it for a moment and then smiled bitterly.
When I left, Eris handed the speech and declaration of war she was holding to her attendant and opened her mouth again.
“Just now a declaration of war has arrived from the Germanian Empire denying the National Assembly.”
At that moment, the hall was filled with excitement –
“I am sending this message to the people of Franzia.”
As Eris’s voice, amplified by magic, rang out in the hall, everyone looked at her as if they were fascinated.
“The rulers of the old kingdom failed in their responsibility to you. You had to make a revolution to survive, and no one who claims to be noble has the right to criticize and deny your resistance to survive.
Nevertheless, the Germanian Empire denies your revolution. They slandered the National Assembly created by your own hands, calling it a puppet government, and even refused to elect a monarch through them.
Even though they had no such right, and even though none of you threatened the Germanian Empire, they ended up declaring war on the pretext that you would be a threat.”
After speaking up to that point, Eris knelt down towards us.
Everyone opened their mouths and let out empty air, and the moment Count Anjou grabbed the back of his neck, Eris opened her mouth.
“I, Esiliste Liliane of Frangias, address you as Queen of the Frangians, elected by you.
Everything you have achieved. Liberty, equality and fraternity are once again in danger.
I cannot tolerate the rampage of the Germanic Empire, which denies you the right to exercise your sovereignty, the rights you fought for to survive.
The moment the revolutionary army stands against the invaders, I will also be with you on that battlefield.
Please help me do my duty as your servant.”
Eris slowly stood up, placed her hand on her chest, looked at us, and opened her mouth again.
“This is not a war with the Germanic Empire! A war against the Germanian Empire. A war to protect your revolution!
Stand resolutely against the invasion of the Germanian Empire, which denies you the right to exercise your sovereignty and the rights you fought for to survive!
“Please come forward to defend your hometown, your family, and your sovereignty against those who are only driven by ambition!”
Eris, who had caught her breath while no one could take her eyes off her, slowly stretched out her hand towards us and asked.
“I dare to ask you, the respected people of Francia, will you protect your revolution with me?”
