༺ I Don’t Need a Guillotine for My Revolution ༻
Written by – 카르카손
Translated by – Mara Sov
༺ Revolutionary Period – Raphael Valliant ༻
Republic of Francia, Capital of Lorenne – Nancy.
The mansion that used to be Duke Lorenne’s main estate was now being used as a temporary Headquarters for the army.
The Duke’s tale was a classic tragedy of ‘reap what you sow’. By capturing King Louis and stabilizing the treaty, the Duke managed to bring the entirety of Francia under the Republican banner while also dooming himself.
But even so, there was still work to be done in the post-war state of our nation.
We had to maintain public order in the secured regions of Alsace and Lorenne, distribute our army to defend the borders, and coordinate the rest of the troops to orchestrate the victory parade in the Capital, Lumiere.
“I’ll be counting on you, Sir Gaston.”
“My Lord, your will is my command.”
Sir Gaston went ahead of us with Nicolas Nera with the task of escorting King Louis to the Capital.
Part of the wealth the Duke planned to bring with him was distributed locally, while the rest would be delivered to the government.
“You are one of my most trusted subordinates, Sir Gaston. So I have faith you’ll do well.”
Sir Gaston bowed at my praise while I turned my gaze to the side.
Eris stood there, clad in her usual robes as she looked at me with her mesmerizing purple eyes.
When I questioned her whether it would be possible to completely restore King Louis’ jaw, Eris said to me that while troublesome it could be done.
“As I have said to you, there’s no need to actually heal him completely.”
But would the King even appreciate this act of kindness? He’s probably wishing for death.
I’m almost sure that should we go through the trouble of healing him, his first words would certainly be something akin to a curse directed at Eris.
Honestly, I believe it might have been better to simply leave him to die so Eris wouldn’t have to be troubled with his presence. However, the government wished to put King Louis on trial and execute him.
And should the King die during the transport the culprit would be obvious – After all, how could someone die when they had a legitimate Saint in the escort?
“Just keep him alive enough to make it to the capital. That’s sufficient.”
“…As you wish, Marquis.”
Eris was about to leave with Sir Gaston when she suddenly turned back and spoke.
“You…Don’t need to feel sorry as well.”
Eris might have noticed my guilt. After all, no matter how much of a horrible piece of filth King Louis was, he was still her kin.
“……Thank you. I’ll see you in the Capital.”
A slight smile found its way onto Eris’s face as she turned away.
The task of escorting King Louis to the capital alongside the Saint would certainly raise Sir Gaston’s reputation in the eyes of the people, cementing his position as one of the Southern Army’s representatives.
While I watched their departure, I turned towards Sir Desaix and Damien, who still remained by my side.
“Sir Desaix. You will assist the Northern Army in reorganizing its troops. After this is done, however, you will lead the forces during our return to the Capital for the Victory Parade.”
It was only fair to show some consideration for Louis Desaix, who had been of great help as my second in command.
“That would be an honor, Marquis.”
It seems he understood my intentions as the man flashed a warm smile, while Damien, standing by his side, opened his mouth with a nervous tone.
“W-What about me, Marquis?”
“You, Count Millbeau, will take charge of the remaining troops in this garrison and guard the border.”
“Huh? J-Just me?”
“Didn’t you rest a lot when you mourned the loss of your subordinates? Since our good man Desaix here has been working hard in the meantime, it’s only fair for you to work now, Isn’t it?”
“B-But…How can this be…….”
Damien looked as if the world would end at any minute now.
……But then again, why was any of this my problem to begin with?
This guy was happy enough using his subordinates as an excuse to slack off, wasn’t he?
Well then,
He made his bed, now he would have to lie in it.
The fool should’ve been more earnest in his duties from the beginning.
–
A few days later.
After a meeting to discuss the designation and withdrawal of the remaining forces of the Northern and Southern Army, I was invited to Raphael Valliant’s office.
“Welcome my friend! Welcome! I apologize if my distinguished guest is not pleased with this humble abode of mine, but if you are bothered? Well I can’t do anything then! After all, we are only borrowing the building and there’s not even a proper reception room yet.”
As Valliant chuckled, I couldn’t help but smile at his theatrics.
“Since we share the same building I suppose this wouldn’t matter much.”
“Haha-. That’s why I like you, Marquis! You won’t fuss over useless formalities despite being such a high noble! Regardless, since it’s a bit early for dinner, I’ve prepared something light for our discussion.”
At his sign, a chef brought out some sliced baked potatoes and wine.
“Well, allow me to propose a toast! For the victory of the Republican Army and to you, Marquis Lafayette!”
“For the Victory of our army and you as well, General Valliant.”
As our glasses clinked, both Valliant and I took a light sip of the wine.
While we traded some tales about past battles and work, we continued to savor the wine and snack on the potatoes, so a weak buzz began to set in. It was at this moment that Valliant said,
“I confess I was worried when the other nations intervened, but the war ended more easily than I had imagined.”
Easily he says……
Suddenly, I recalled those who had died as they followed my orders.
I recalled the heat of the battlefield where I put my life on the line, the desperation of my men while we carved a bloody path toward the Witch, and the mountain of corpses left in our wake. I recalled the numerous sacrifices we made to achieve victory.
Perhaps it was truly easier than expected.
That is only if you looked at this war through the lens of a cold mathematician. Weighting the number of losses against the duration of the conflict.
“……Indeed. But this is not the end.”
While the loss of the Witch was significant, this didn’t harm the capabilities of the Germania Empire as one would believe.
Her massive magical power was formidable, and the shock it dealt us was beyond imagination, but ultimately, the losses the Germania Empire suffered in this war were around ten thousand.
The loss of these soldiers was regrettable, but the blow to their prestige was worse. In any case, by the standards of the Empire’s war machine, this number of losses was something they could scoff at.
And the Empire’s swift retreat only exacerbated the fact that they didn’t have an actual interest in this war.
Valliant smiled, as if satisfied.
“Haha-. So those are your thoughts, Marquis?”
“If a nation’s power is largely intact, but its pride is injured, then it wouldn’t be far-fetched to believe they would consider sparking another war simply for the fact of trying to restore their pride. That’s how it usually goes for most monarchs. So they will invade once again should a just cause present itself.”
And if such ‘Just cause’ happens to come from their beloved Kaiserin, they would certainly invade us again.
“Right~! War is a King’s game after all.”
Valliant took another sip of his wine, and as he twirled the liquid within his glass, he asked.
“Do you remember our conversation before you traveled to the Capital?”
All of a sudden the wine in my mouth tasted like vinegar.
Didn’t he say that my loyalty and devotion to the Republic were misplaced?
That there would be no reward for the sacrifices my people and I made?
-The results are there. It may not be much for you, General Valliant. But for me, it was certainly worth it.
A frown found its way to my face as I remembered that conversation.
Back then, I was merely trying to convince myself of something, rather than truly believing in it.
And what I faced upon my return to the Capital was Christine’s pale and cold body, on the brink of death.
“We’ve been so busy lately, with the war and…well, the war, that I’m a bit ashamed to say this only now. But I feel sorry for what happened to you back then.”
Before we parted ways, Valliant had sincerely hoped my efforts would bear some fruit.
“……Is that so.”
As I answered him and set down my empty glass, Valliant quickly filled it back up with a bottle.
“As you know, Marquis, what Francia truly needs right now is time. Time to stabilize itself before another nation tries to pick a fight with us again.”
“Indeed. That’s why we must make use of this peace, for as long as it lasts.”
Even now, I know that Christine must be hard at work trying to strengthen our faction, and once I return, my focus will shift from military matters to political ones.
I had acted following my future knowledge, always anticipating the events, but the revolution I had prepared for has succeeded and the skirmish with the foreign nations has ended.
So, from now on, I must shift my focus to the circumstances of my people.
Valliant smiled faintly and asked,
“So, Marquis, do you want to change this country?”
“Change this country?”
That’s certainly a bold statement to make.
As I narrowed my eyes, Valliant swirled his wine glass once again as he said.
“The old regime has collapsed. The National Assembly has taken its place. But they haven’t been showing the expected results.”
I didn’t answer him and simply drank my wine.
It was a fact that I chose the Republic as the lesser of two evils.
Be it before or after my regression, never once have I believed that the Republic was an ideal choice.
“Liberty. Equality. Fraternity. Such beautiful words, aren’t they? But I highly doubt these values mean something to those morons in the Assembly.”
“That. Is quite the subversive statement for a General who commands half of our army.”
Valliant smirked.
“Ah, but don’t you think so too, Marquis?”
I took another sip of my wine as I chuckled.
“At the very least, we’ve freed ourselves from the Old Regime.”
Valliant once again smiled as he asked.
“Fair point indeed, my friend. Then allow me to ask you. What do you think about this supposed Equality? I’ve always been curious about your opinion as someone who is both a Knight and a General.”
“……For the record, I don’t believe that the strong are necessarily superior. No matter how strong one is, or how mighty they can be, no individual can stand against a whole nation and win. There are many things needed for a proper state to function and for the people to carry their lives.”
After all, while Christine might be weaker than a simple footsoldier, her influence over the people of this nation could be said to be greater than even my own.
Even among the commoners, there might be someone who is more versed in the matters of the law than I am. Some skilled professionals can create things I wouldn’t be able to even comprehend.
Valliant grinned at my answer.
“Indeed, Marquis. Once again you’ve shown me how flexible you are! But what do you think about granting the right of voting to those who are not capable of even reading or writing?”
“That’s the argument raised by the Revolutionary Party. But it is indeed something worrisome.”
Would it be fair to grant such rights to those who don’t even understand what is expected of them? Who doesn’t comprehend their right to participate in the politics of our nation? People like this could be easy targets for manipulation.
Ironically, those who advocate for such ‘Equal’ rights, were the ones who said that Christine couldn’t vote, simply because she was a woman.
It was funny, in a morbid way, that such people refused to grant this ‘Equality’ to someone with ability or influence while advocating the rights of those whom they could easily manipulate and who would offer them fanatical support.
Valliant smiled at me, but I simply offered him a counterargument.
“Just because the implementation is immature does not mean that the ideal of Equality is flawed.”
Ultimately the reason there was such ignorance in the masses was because they had never been given a proper opportunity for education.
Even a lowborn like Sir Gaston who seized all the opportunities given to him could not be considered the same or better than a slothful noble.
It was simply a part of the corrupt logic of the Old Regime. A cruel case of not offering any opportunities for the people, and then claiming superiority over them simply because you have more ‘power’.
“I do believe that a simple mercenary becoming a General who commands half of the Republican army was something impossible to happen under the Old Regime. This proves why Equality is necessary.”
While it’s true that humans will never be completely equal, if at least their opportunities are somewhat balanced, then many who would have been overlooked could prove their worth.
Valliant simply shrugged his shoulders at my response.
“Tsk-. I can never seem to win a debate against you, Marquis. As for the ‘Fraternity’ of our nation…well, that’s not even worth discussing.”
This time, I too did not retort, merely offering a bitter smile.
Valliant poured more wine into his empty glass, swirling it before speaking.
“You know, Marquis……”
While I looked at him puzzled, waiting for his next words, Valliant snorted as he continued.
“What you just spoke of, are ultimately, the values of the Republic and its people. Not of the National Assembly.”
“……”
Freedom. Equality. Fraternity. Those ideals would only matter if they could be realized.
The people of Francia have shown their strength.
They rose against the Old Regime and joined the Revolution, fighting to defend their home.
There were also those who trusted me and joined the Revolution, making compromises with a government that sought to persecute them.
But the National Assembly?
After being betrayed by them once, it is I who demanded that they prove their worth.
“The Republic is still in its infancy. Another war lurks on the horizon, and in the short time we are given, we must organize and reform the State. But would that be possible with the current National Assembly? Where those fools are more interested in keeping the other factions in check than in doing something?”
“……As someone who is part of the Central Party, I know it won’t be easy, but we have to try.”
“But is it really necessary to waste all this time when there’s an easier way?”
I set down my glass as I heard his words.
While Valliant just kept looking at me.
If the problem is the National Assembly, why should we get rid of them? He must be thinking about something like this.
“If I recall correctly……You were the one they prepared to keep me in check.”
Valliant raised his hands in mock surrender.
“Ah, but you see Marquis. I believe the most important quality of a person is their ability! And from what I’m seeing, I much rather put my lot with you than those complacent fools of the Assembly.”
“……What is your goal?”
“I think this Republic thing can really go a long way, you know? Surely you must have noticed how our cavalry fought and defeated the Knights of Germania. Those soldiers couldn’t stop yelling ‘Long Live the Republic!’ as they charged into certain death.”
Valliant seemed to recall the scenes on the battlefield as he looked at me and continued,
“Everywhere else, the nobles safeguard the secrets of mana to protect their privileges and oppress the common folk. But you, Marquis, taught our cavalry how to use their mana! Just look at the results we achieved with this desperate gamble……Now, imagine what could happen if we gave this knowledge to all our soldiers?”
“I was planning to reform the military education program when I returned to the capital anyway…”
Even as I spoke, I was already sensing it.
Valliant’s ambitions were not merely at such a level.
“Indeed! If we could only get rid of this political inefficiency and get things done……Just imagine! We could create the strongest army that would shake the entire continent! A grand army that will carry the banner of Revolution and wield powerful magic! An army that doesn’t fear death!”
A twisted but warm smile spread across his lips.
“Then, we won’t simply defend against Germania’s advances! oh no no no my friend, we would move deeper into the continent, we would crush everything in our way! We would become a true Empire! Not those stupid nations with dreams of grandeur, Coff- Germania, Coff- but an absolute ruler of the continent like the Empire’s of myth and legend.”
Valliant then reached his hand to me and said.
“Unlike those who are wasting their potential, letting their treasures rot away, you and I, Marquis, together! We can certainly make this dream come true. Allow me to ask you then, Marquis Lafayette. Shall we write the greatest legend in history together?”
TL Note: Welp for this week this is it.
