I Don’t Need a Guillotine for My Revolution Chapter 40

༺ I Don’t Need a Guillotine for My Revolution ༻

Written by – 카르카손
Translated by – Mara Sov

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༺ Revolutionary Period – National Assembly (3)  ༻

 

 

 

After leaving Eris to handle the locals, I rushed back to the Capital.

 

This is not something I can solve by the books.

 

Since the Republic is preparing for a war against the other nations, there’s no way they would relinquish control over their provinces.

 

Furthermore, it could be disastrous for the Republic to openly admit their fault in this matter when opposing King Louis.

 

So, the best course of action would be to have a discussion.

 

With this in mind, I went to meet with Maximillien Le Jidor as soon as I returned to the Capital.

 

His office was incredibly sparse.

 

He had nothing but a desk, a chair, some piles of documents, and a lot of books piled on top of each other.

 

In such a sparse office, the gaunt man fixed his glasses as he offered me a cup of tea.

 

“I didn’t expect this sudden meeting, Marquis.”

 

“The feeling is mutual.”

 

I tasted the tea offered to me and subtly set it down, while Jidor glanced at the cup as he read through the documents I gave him.

 

“It seems the tea wasn’t to your liking, Marquis.”

 

“……It’s rather bitter.”

 

“I have neither a luxurious blend nor that soul-corrupting sugar.”

 

Of course, he doesn’t. Among the members of the Assembly, he’s probably the only one who truly lives a life no different from the common folk.

 

Jidor proceeded to read the documents with a serious face, then he fixed his glasses once more before saying.

 

“……You think this was a mistake on the Republic’s part, Marquis?”

 

“From the combined reports of our officials and the afflicted party, it’s clear that this was a mistake committed by the Republic.”

 

The Republic soldiers executed the peasants, and in retaliation to this, the officers were attacked.

 

Jidor’s lips were pressed into a thin line.

 

After a long silence, his only answer to this was his denial.

 

“None of this would have happened if they hadn’t risen against the Republic’s policies.”

 

“You think a backlash wouldn’t occur by imposing policies that don’t match their reality?”

 

“……They are the ones still living under the order built by the oppression of a corrupt system. Although I acknowledge that they can feel victimized, this is a necessary sacrifice, and through it, democracy will root itself in this nation and only then a true reform will happen.”

 

“You believe that your goals are so righteous that the sacrifices made to achieve them are necessary?”

 

“For the sake of the many, we must be prepared to let go of the few, as heartbreaking it might be.”

 

“Even the wisest man can make mistakes. You’ve only been in power for a couple of years, and yet, you’re certain of your judgment? Think of how many of your comrades became corrupt and the atrocities they have committed while intoxicated by the power they now wielded.”

 

“As a member of the National Assembly, I can assure you that I have never worked for this country for my own benefit. The Republic must be morally impeccable, and even if it’s not, I will make it so. If we slow the pace of our progress out of pity for these minorities, the Republic we’ve built with blood, sweat, and tears will crumble like a sandcastle.”

 

His words were hollow. Since the first day he took control of the government, various reforms have happened.

 

Jidor is also pushing for the introduction of universal suffrage, a system that guarantees voting rights to adults regardless of their wealth or social status. Another reform is the abolishment of slavery so that the citizens of Francia can’t be sold ever again, and lastly, he is also introducing several anti-corruption policies.

 

In all of those reforms, there’s not a single hint of him trying to further his own goals, and although he is the de facto Leader of the Assembly, his official status is just as one of its members, without any additional power.

 

The reason for his self-righteous belief stems from his own irreproachable conduct.

 

“Very well then. I can see that you won’t compromise on this, nor will you admit to the Republic’s mistakes. However, we both know that some bourgeois have seized several assets in that region to line their own pockets. It shouldn’t be a problem if we punish those greedy individuals and seize their assets, right?”

 

“……Indeed. We cannot forgive any sort of corruption.”

 

“Then it would also be possible to compensate the citizens of the Republic who were harmed by these corrupt bourgeois, not as a form of an apology for the Republic’s faults, but as a recompense for their endurance.”

 

Jidor adjusted his glasses as he glared at me.

 

“……We’ll put this matter on the agenda.”

 

“One more thing. Isn’t this enough already? If you continue with this religious persecution, you won’t unite the Republic, but shatter it.”

 

“Isn’t it our duty to guide the people away from these irrational beliefs stemming from the outdated and corrupt Theocracy?”

 

“I’m not advocating for the good of the Theocracy. But the people have found their peace in the faith for a long time now, I suggest we give them the freedom to choose what they should believe in.”

 

“Even if the clergy are corrupt and decadent individuals, whispering sweet lies to the people just to maintain their position?”

 

“Those clergy who failed to uphold their duty have already been killed by the Revolution. Perhaps you have killed even those who truly lived for their cause.”

 

“……”

 

“The clergy who survived that storm are those who either deserve the respect and reverence of the people, or at the very least, who are willing to follow the Republic’s laws.”

 

Jidor finished his now cold tea before his cold eyes were locked with mine.

 

“Why would you go to such lengths for them, given your aristocratic origins?”

 

My driving motive had been to uphold my part of the deal with the Theocracy. Since I had promised to at least make an effort to propose the cessation of religious persecution.

 

However, as soon as I arrived I felt nothing but a terrible disconnect between the ideals the Republic preached, and the reality the people lived.

 

“I didn’t choose the Republic over the Monarchy because I believed your cause was just. I choose it because, unlike the old regime, the Republic has the potential to become something beautiful.”

 

Jidor’s eyes were cold, not a single shed of emotion was to be found.

 

I didn’t know if my words were even being heard by this man, but I had no choice but to try.

 

“I may not understand the value of your reforms. But if the Republic, the one claimed to rise for the people, starts to sacrifice the very same they swore to protect, then I cannot consider it righteous, no matter your goal or cause. I believe this is something every human, noble or not, would think as well.”

 

After an uncomfortable long silence, Jidor opened his mouth.

 

“I disagree with you, Marquis.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“The majority of the Assembly will disagree as well. They believe we must make them an example to those who dare rise against the Republic.”

 

Fixing his glasses, Jidor looked at me before continuing.

 

“I also firmly oppose your anti-reformist ideals. However, I am a mere member of the Assembly, and I cannot decide over such matters alone. Therefore, this report shall be handed over to the Assembly, where it will be inspected, and the opinions regarding it shall be proposed as a discussion topic.”

 

Jidor stoops up from his seat.

 

“The National Assembly shall determine which opinion is the righteous one.”

 

–

 

“W-What do you mean, depart for the front lines in advance-!I-I’m about to go mad at this rate, Marquis!”

 

Damien De Millbeau continued to protest, as the corner of his mouth already began to foam.

 

“Those Republic scoundrels are already pushing for Northern Army supremacy, and you, the Marquis, the General of the Southern Army will be absent from this crucial battle?!”

 

“There’s nothing I can do about this. I have to attend to another urgent matter, so I’ll entrust the command of both armies to General Valliant.”

 

“N-No, NO-! You will leave our army in the hands of tha-… that upstart!”

 

“Sigh-. Valliant will be the command in name. That’s why I trust you will demonstrate your leadership abilities once more.”

 

Damien’s previous objections vanished completely.

 

“R-really, Marquis?”

 

Well, at the very least this fellow has some qualifications to be appointed as the Acting Lord during the Civil War, but it’s just his bad luck he’s dealing with me……

 

“Indeed. But make sure to coordinate with Valliant’s army to avoid any unnecessary rumors.”

 

Of course, I don’t trust him. But I do trust General Valliant’s capacity as a commander and Sir Gaston’s support.

 

That should be enough to prevent any major trouble.

 

“Ooh! To think you would place this much trust on this Damien De Millbeau, after my surrender! I shall strive to elevate the reputation of our army as a way to repay your trust!”

 

Damien gave me a military salute as he skipped his way out of my office, only to squeak like a pig.

 

“Hieeeek!” 

 

Slightly curious, I turned my head just to check what he was up to now, but then I saw Christine greeting Damien with an……amused smirk.

 

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Count Millbeau.”

 

“Ah, Ah, In-Indeed I-it Ha-has Coun-countess. Excuse me, for I have orders! Y-Yes Urgent orders from the Marquis himself. S-So I must be going!”

 

Damien, as pale as a ghost, quickly fled as Christine observed his escape with a cold gaze before entering my office.

 

“Is it truly wise to employ that rat?”

 

“He’s one of the few Knights in this Kingdom capable of using his brain and not his muscles, and he has experience with large-scale battles.”

 

Besides, since he gave up his lands to me, he has nothing left. And to a noble, there’s no path for him, but to rise through the ranks under my command.

 

Even on the off-chance, he has some stupid plans lined up, the subordinates he will command are my people.

 

“Moreover, he’ll stay loyal to me once he realizes that it would lead to the best outcome for him.”

 

Christine naturally walked towards me and sighed.

 

“That’s true. That aside, it seems you’ve stirred the hornet’s nest once more, huh?”

 

I couldn’t help but smile wryly at her remark, while Christine glared at me.

 

Honestly, I wanted to avoid being part of this mess.

 

But there’s no helping it.

 

As the leader of our faction, If I withdraw from this, the outcome would be set in stone.

 

“I’m sorry, but……”

 

“Sigh-. It’s fine, Pierre. I’ll help you too. This is also an important matter for me as well.”

 

Because of the monopoly with the Theocracy, Christine is making a fortune.

 

But if we allow the Republic to continue its persecution of the faithful, we are basically handling the Theocracy as a justification to cut off their dealing with us.

 

“I can’t be sure of what they will think of this, but I believe we have a chance.”

 

Realistically, it will be very difficult to grant their autonomy, while being next to impossible to pin the blame on the Republic’s shoulders.

 

Therefore,

 

“We just need to pin all the blame on those who are using the Republic’s rise  to commit atrocities and spread their corruption.”

 

Christine nodded.

 

“We could use Jidor for this purpose.”

 

Maximillien Le Jidor is a stubborn man due to his strong convictions, but it’s precisely for this reason, that he won’t hide the atrocities committed by the officers and will denounce them publicly.

 

He would also punish the bourgeois who have fattened their bellies with the wealth looted from the churches. Even if this works against the Radical’s stance.

 

Simply because they truly believe that their opinion is the will of the people.

 

“Punishing the evil-doers while appeasing the local population with financial help. And if we manage to stop the religious persecution, we might be able to control the situation.”

 

Capturing the hearts of the people has always been Eris’s forte, her status as a Saint can also play a significant role in dealing with religious uprisings.

 

“The problem is that Republican blood has been shed. If we only punish the corrupt officers and bourgeois in the government, the citizens won’t be satisfied. Sometimes humans can be quite foolish in their sentimentalism.”

 

“Yes, that’s correct, Christine. That’s why we’ll pin the blame on Count Lionel.”

 

“……Lionel.”

 

We were allies during the Civil War. I even saved some of his villages from raiders, and they helped us against that pig of Lorenne.

 

I understand their position, and their reasons for not sympathizing with us, who joined the Republic because they couldn’t abandon their attachments to the old regime.

 

But,

 

“They could have started another rebellion, one that would soak this land in blood once more. And because of their nobility, we could give our opposition a motive to strike at us, should we let them be for long. And besides, they will without a doubt become a threat later on.”

 

That’s why I must declare them as enemies of the Estate and deal with them. Because of this, I can’t fight a war against the invaders.

 

Christine looked at me for a few moments before opening her mouth.

 

“Is this a cruel joke? We, the nobles who sided with the Republic, are going to fight a noble house that offered assistance to the common people.”

 

“Desperate times require desperate solutions……This is something we will have to deal with from now on.”

 

–

 

As expected, Maximilien Le Jidor publicly denounced the bourgeois who had fattened themselves on the properties seized from the churches, confiscating their wealth and exposing the atrocities committed by the officers in the local area.

 

With this, we brought forth families of the local victims and made them appeal their tales before the citizens, spreading rumors about the local circumstances that were different from those at the Capital.

 

Despite this, when we disclosed that the local residents rejected the offer of support for an uprising by Count Lionel and sought a compromise with the Republic, the public opinion was greatly shaken.

 

In the main square, various opinions clashed.

 

“How much blood has been shed due to the Revolution? We already have a clear enemy in the form of King Louis and the invaders, how much longer must the sons and daughters of Francia spill their own blood? We must show some leniency now! They are not our enemies but wayward brothers and comrades who will join us in these trying times!”

 

“Leniency you say? That’s nothing more than cowardice festering our Revolution!

 

Go ahead then, keep preaching that leniency of yours and you will see a military dictatorship taking control of the Republic! And our so-called leaders are subverting the people’s voice!”

 

As always, the radicals had the majority of support from both the Assembly and the citizens.

 

Those who were desperately looking for someone to blame for their hunger and hardships have become somewhat comfortable thanks to the charity efforts of the Aquitaine trading company and were growing weary of the dangerous climate of the Capital.

 

The citizens were quick to blame the locals when the investigations began, but now they couldn’t find a reason to call for the deaths of those people when the ones guilty of this situation were corrupt officials.

 

Besides, we also gave them a clear target for their misplaced resentment: A noble who incited the common men to revolt.

 

The change in public opinion didn’t occur at once, but it slowly and surely spread throughout the city as the radicals lost their sway over the people.

 

Once the scales tipped, Christine’s lobbying efforts also began to bear fruit.

 

Finally, on the day of the vote.

 

“248 votes in favor, 223 votes against, and 29 abstentions……”

 

In the now silent Assembly, the spokesman’s voice echoed.

 

“The bill to lift the religious persecution and the compensation of the local residents’ has been passed.”

 

“What, what did you say? Impossible!”

 

“There’s a traitor among us!”

 

“This vote is invalid, our faction has the majority, how could this happen?! I demand a revote!”

 

Amidst the chaos within the Assembly, Maximillien Le Jidor clenched his eyes, before slowly opening them to look at me.

 

For the first time since I regressed, those eyes were wavering.

 

“Councilor Jidor, you must say something!”

 

“This vote is a sham! There must have been a mistake!”

 

As Jidor rose to his feet, the other members fell silent as they awaited his words.

 

“……Should democracy crumble, it must happen for only two reasons. Either it will be destroyed by the aristocracy, or by the people themselves with the authority they were given.”

 

While everyone stared at him, Jidor continued.

 

“I concede to the vote. If one day we deny the outcome of the National Assembly, which has been decided by the people, they will despise us, thinking we have become the same thing we have sworn to destroy.”

 

Having said this, Jidor turned his back and walked out of the Assembly.

 

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