Episode 91. Revolutionary War –
Lumière, the capital of Francia, on the eve of the launch.
A gathering of the presidents of each party and myself.
Eris, with a serious face, narrowed her brows and hesitantly asked.
“…How many troops did the Germanian Empire mobilize?”
“It is said to be 120,000, Your Majesty.”
At first, I thought it was a mistake or a deception by the Empire, so I asked Christine to cross-verify it, but unfortunately it was confirmed to be true.
After a moment of silence, Eris slightly tilted her head and asked with a wry smile.
“I thought I heard wrong, but that’s not true. “Marquis de Lafayette, what about our troops?”
“The number of troops who have been provided with equipment, completed training, and can immediately go into battle is 60,000, Your Majesty.”
The fact that Eris, a saint and queen, is directly at the front lines increases public support for the war, and there is no shortage of people enlisting.
The problem is not manpower, but equipment and training.
If you send bare-bodied soldiers without any training into the battlefield, all that remains is death and the collapse of the battle line.
“The dwarves are manufacturing and selling weapons, but the deal has only recently been concluded, so there is not enough equipment to provide to the army, which has expanded rapidly through the national open military system.”
Without equipment, we cannot properly train, so reinforcing our troops will inevitably take time.
“Our military has also increased significantly compared to the last war, but there are too many Germanian Empire troops.”
“With that many troops, they must have weakened the cause of the feudal lords to prevent them from participating in the war…”
Liberal Party President Nicola Brissot trailed off.
If things are going to be like this now, do you think there is no point in supporting Eris?
“The name is an empire! I guess that’s because the response from the feudal lords has decreased! “We have lost all of our national strength due to the long civil war. Isn’t this also a good thing?”
When the Central Party leader, Count Anjou, immediately got angry, Brissot quietly averted his gaze.
Talleyrand opened his mouth while sighs flowed from everyone’s mouths, no matter who spoke first.
“As the Count of Anjou said, it is clear that many of the empire’s princes were shaken by Her Majesty’s accession to the throne. Nevertheless, it is a stark reality that the empire has drawn that level of power.”
I bit my lip after hearing Talleyrand’s words.
As long as Eris is there, the Germanian Empire cannot achieve what it wants with just a moderate victory.
In order for their empress to become Queen of Francia, she must in fact completely collapse Francia through a decisive victory.
Nevertheless, the fact that those troops came out means that the empress’s own troops were so great that some feudal lords who saw a chance of victory in the size of the troops also participated.
The reason why that is possible is obvious.
The damn demons of the Abyss Corporation were up to something. They would be more than capable of providing enough equipment to arm such a large army.
I thought that the devils would not provide excessive support because the Germanian Empire would not want Franzia to completely collapse, but I guess I was wrong.
Everyone in the room turned their eyes to me.
“Marquis de Lafayette, this is a difficult question, but I have no choice but to ask it. “Can we win against them?”
It is twice the number of troops commanded by Archduke Leopold.
Is it possible to win a battle against that thing?
I thought about it for quite some time, but the answer was decided.
“It will probably be difficult to win the battle.”
Everyone fell silent at my words.
I gritted my teeth, remembering Paimon’s face as he casually told me that they would try to get rid of me.
Indeed, you damn devils. You don’t say empty words.
“…but it might be possible in a war.”
Outnumbered troops? I’ve been through a lot of situations like that.
We always fought in situations where there were a lot of other problems.
In a civil war against the king, the only person I knew for sure was Christine, and it was unclear whether I would even be able to join hands with the Republic.
When I was fighting for the Republic, the National Assembly openly tried to keep me in check, and the competition with Balian and the political struggle that Christine had to endure alone in the capital were all concerns.
But now the entire revolutionary army is completely in my hands.
The National Assembly will unite and actively support me in order to avoid destruction, and the fighting spirit of the people who are enthusiastic about the banner of revolution and the saintly queen seems to be sky-high.
Even though it was twice the number of troops commanded by Archduke Leopold, to put it conversely, that was the limit of what the devils thought they could control.
Their expectation was that Franzia would be defeated, but the Empire would not be able to take us down very easily.
“Her Majesty the Queen is with us, but we must overcome this inferiority. “I will try it.”
Eris, who heard what I said, smiled and answered.
“Of course I will join you. “I trust you, Marquis de Lafayette.”
“Hmm, no matter what, I wonder what it would be like for Her Majesty the Queen to stand on the battlefield in person…”
Count Anjou said, wiping away his cold sweat with a handkerchief, but Eris immediately questioned him.
“You’re not telling me to break the first promise I made to the people when I took the throne, right?”
“The speech we prepared wasn’t like that…”
Eris stood up, easily ignoring Count Anjou’s protest that he felt unfair.
“I am going to the battlefield with the revolutionary army to fulfill my responsibility as queen. “I believe that the National Assembly and the governors will spare no effort in providing all necessary cooperation in carrying out the war while I am away.”
Talleyrand Brissot Ange.
All three governors responded by bowing to Eris.
“…As Her Majesty the Queen wishes.”
Eris and I smiled at each other.
The situation is incredibly unfavorable, but unlike the previous war, which was a civil war and the Germanian Empire had a base, this time it is completely a defensive war for our homeland.
The longer the game goes on, the more advantageous this side is, so the odds of winning are clear.
Despicable evil bastards who operate from across the sea, believing they can always control the situation as they wish.
I will destroy your arrogant plans as a show of pride.
As it has been until now, this time too.
* * *
Since the mobilization order had been issued in advance while in the Alpine Kingdom, the mobilization of the army and preparations for departure proceeded quickly.
As commander-in-chief of the revolutionary army, I was in charge of commanding the entire army, and Alexandre Werther assisted me as chief of staff.
The Northern Army was commanded by Commander Louis Desget and Deputy Commander Nicolas Nega.
The Southern Army is commanded by Commander Damien de Mirbeau and Deputy Commander Lan Gaston.
Lastly, Jerome Morel led the pursuit cavalry and moved as a separate unit.
It was the eve of the departure after the organization and preparation of 60,000 troops, which was much larger than the previous battle.
I was sitting face to face with Christine in the living room of her mansion.
“I’m sorry, Christine. “I made a promise and ended up completely breaking it.”
I had planned to invite her to dinner every night, but I was distracted by my trip to the Alps, but as soon as I returned to the capital, I was so busy that I came to my senses and realized that I was going on a mission tomorrow.
“It’s okay Pierre. “It is an inevitable situation.”
Christine responded lightly, but I also felt sorry.
He’s my fiancé, but if I just keep quiet, I can’t spend time with him.
by the way.
I said with a small sigh.
“Christine. “Until I left for the Alps, my butler was thrilled that you were finally eating some food, but now he’s crying because you’re not eating again.”
Christine unfolded the fan in her hand and made a cruel sound with a calm face.
“Seeing as they treat you as their master and not me, I think I should fire the butler.”
“Uh no. “It’s advice, right?”
“just joke.”
Christine smiled softly as she said that, but it doesn’t sound like a joke when you say it, does it?
Christine must have read my expression and made a mischievous face.
“I’m a little sad that you don’t trust your fiancée.”
“Are you using mind reading at all now?”
“It’s possible because you don’t try to hide your emotions in front of me.”
“Haha…”
We both laughed lightly and drank our tea.
Just sharing time with trivial conversations like this gives me a warm feeling, but it’s a pity that I don’t often have the time to do this.
After a moment of peaceful silence, Christine cautiously opened her mouth.
“This battle won’t be easy even for you, right?”
“…yes. “I think we will probably lose the first battle.”
Since we need to buy time, we have no choice but to fight, but it is foolish to think that we will win in a round against twice the number of troops led by Archduke Leopold.
The key is how much damage can be done to the enemy even if defeated and how much of the team’s strength can be preserved.
If you lose too heavily in the first battle, your plans to respond later will be dragged along instead of being implemented.
Christine smoothed the teacup with her hand and opened her mouth.
“Her Majesty the Queen said she would go into battle with you.”
“yes. “You’re not the kind of person who suddenly becomes a queen.”
I didn’t think that Eris would suddenly become selfish or greedy for power when she became queen, but to think that she would provoke the National Assembly’s opposition by openly announcing that she would stand on the battlefield in front of the citizens of Lumiere.
Anyway, she is a strong saint.
I said with a grin.
“Your Majesty’s mere presence will inspire the revolutionary army, and his power will be of help beyond words.”
Christine looked at me and smiled bitterly.
“I wish I could be of help to you on the battlefield. “If I had known this would happen, I would have learned at least a little bit about military science.”
“No, that’s a bit much.”
Although Christine did not have professional military training, her unrivaled organizational management skills are effective in the military and she is clearly talented as a commander.
Even though it was right after he lost to me in a messy way, he was able to one-sidedly corner Damien de Mirbeau.
But even so.
“If you’re with me on the battlefield, I’ll be nervous and won’t be able to fight.”
Christine can’t protect herself with magic, and she’s only a little good at handling a pistol.
But leaving her standing on a battlefield with bullets and shells flying? I would like to refrain from doing such a dangerous thing.
“…is this a battlefield where you and even Her Majesty the Queen stand?”
“My Majesty and I both have the ability to protect ourselves, so that is a separate matter. Besides…”
I got up from my seat, walked next to Christine, and grabbed her hand.
“Even if I protect Francia, it means nothing to me if I lose you.”
I looked into her pitch-black eyes, kissed the back of her hand, and then added:
“I appreciate your heart, but what you do in the capital also helps me beyond measure.”
If it weren’t for Christine right now, I doubt whether I would have been able to successfully join the Republic, let alone become a powerful figure in the National Assembly or defeat Balian.
However, Christine seemed a little hesitant and asked in a slightly uncertain tone.
“Am I as helpful to you as your Majesty the Queen?”
Come to think of it, Christine cared a lot about Eris from the beginning, even if she didn’t know why.
It must be unsettling to hear that he is leaving her in the capital and going with Eris to the Alps and then to the battlefield.
Seeing how happy she is, I guess I’m not normal either.
“Including the crowning of Queen of Eris, there is nothing I have achieved so far that was not through your help.”
As relief filled Christine’s eyes, I added, feeling a deep smile come to my face.
“Christine, don’t underestimate your worth. “Because I trust you more than anyone else and depend on you.”
“…I will do everything I can to help you while you are on the battlefield.”
I was also happy to hear Christine’s answer.
“More than anything, these are reassuring words.”
After speaking, I lightly kissed the back of her hand again and, leaving behind a slight feeling of regret, let go of her hand and stood up.
“Well, it’s late, so I’ll just head back. I have to go to battle tomorrow.”
At my words, Christine, who was sitting on a chair, slowly got up and called to me.
“…Pierre.”
“Please speak, Christine.”
“Would you like to sleep here today?”
Uh what?
Before I could come to my senses, Christine asked with a faint smile on her face.
“I won’t be able to see you for a while tomorrow morning, so I’d like you to give me one night.”
I quietly tried to use my magic power.
It’s not the fantasy of a damn succubus.
…How can I refuse this?
When I nodded in a half-dazed way, Christine smiled brightly and stretched out her arms to wrap around my neck.
