Chapter 27: Revolution Era - Wild Card
"Her Highness Essiliste Lillian de Francia, Princess."
Hearing this, Eris looked up at me with her unique, translucent violet eyes, paused for a moment, and then responded.
"Speak, Pierre de Lafayette, Duke."
"If the time comes when you must ascend the throne for the sake of this country, would you do so?"
"...Do you wish for me to be killed by the enraged revolutionaries, Duke?"
Her reply came so effortlessly that I realized this seemingly carefree, bard saint was surprisingly well aware of the reality.
"Of course, not now. But as your subject, I merely wondered if you're prepared for such a moment, should it arise. As you know, we are in an era of great turmoil, and the throne, lacking real power, is hardly an enviable position."
"...You've acted as if you foresaw this revolution, Duke. I demand an explanation. I cannot understand why you speak of ascending the throne in service to a nation where a revolution against the monarchy has occurred."
"King Louis will not be able to suppress them."
King Louis and Duke Lorraine might still be oblivious, believing that by joining forces they can stop the revolution, but the progression of the revolution is much faster than before my regression.
Back then, King Louis and our military forces were evenly matched, and the stalemate delayed the outbreak and spread of the revolution.
But this time, due to my intervention and the existence of the Blue Knight, King Louis has suffered significant military losses, and the defenses of various territories are weaker than before my regression.
The Duke of Brittany and Count Mirbo, who suffered at my hands, had resisted the revolutionaries for a considerable time in their respective territories before Raphael Ballian began leading the revolutionaries more effectively.
However, even after the revolutionaries gained the upper hand across Francia, the war was far from over.
"If King Louis concludes that he cannot suppress the revolution with domestic power alone, he will seek foreign assistance."
"...That would be from the Germanian Empire, where the 1st Princess is the Empress, and the Northern Union Kingdom, where the 2nd Princess is the Queen."
"Exactly. They will invade this land under the pretext of restoring Francia to a legitimate kingdom from the revolutionaries’ control. Officially, that's their reason, but they'll likely use the opportunity to crush Francia utterly and bring it under their influence."
In fact, the revolutionaries eventually captured and executed King Louis, but foreign powers, especially the Germanian Empire, were threatening Francia daily, trying to overthrow the revolutionary government and install the 1st Princess on the throne.
I don't know what happened beyond my execution, but it's clear that Francia's future post-revolution was anything but bright.
I spoke words I knew Eris didn’t want to hear.
"The civil war and the revolution are not the end, Your Highness. As long as Francia is perceived as a threat to the regime by the leaders of neighboring countries, they will threaten us until we are destroyed, even if the revolutionaries deal with King Louis."
"...So, is that why you've secured me?"
"Yes, Your Highness. The moment they try to invade us, claiming the pretext of restoring the legitimate throne, I intend to propose elevating a popular royal family member to the throne to avoid war and appease the war-weary revolutionaries."
A lengthy silence followed.
I had been bowing respectfully to her as a noble, and when I slowly raised my head, I saw that Eris's eyes had reddened.
"Fraud."
"I haven't lied, and I’ve kept all my promises, Your Highness."
"You did more than just avoid lying. You knew I was a princess from the start, you knew a revolution would happen, and you even believed that the kingdom would fall once, and now a war? What exactly are you?"
I listened to Eris' frustrated words, smiled bitterly, and stood up.
"The choice is yours, Eris. I have no intention of forcing you."
"After everything you've said, you still say that?"
"No, really. I don’t think everything will be solved just by you ascending as queen. It might improve the situation a bit, but I'm not irresponsible enough to say that everything will turn positive just because of that."
If the revolutionary government establishes her as the queen, it might slightly soften their stance towards the nobles, and it would be easier to rally nobles who are averse to the revolutionary government.
But conversely, if mishandled, innocent Eris could be sent to the guillotine, just like before my regression.
Elevating Eris as queen would weaken foreign powers' justification to interfere in Francia's throne, but they might still challenge the legitimacy of a queen promoted by a civilian government.
The Germanian Empire, where the emperor is elected and has to consider other electorates, might buy us some time, but I can't guarantee that it will completely avoid war.
"It's enough for me if you remain as the saint under my patronage. Then you can live freely, doing what you love and helping people."
"...I’m not something like a saint."
"What matters is how people believe. So think about it carefully, my sponsored artist."
As I turned to leave, Eris posed a question from behind me.
“If I sacrifice my freedom and take on this risk, will it truly help the people of this country?”
“If you are prepared to do that, I will do everything in my power to ensure it helps.”
“Then I will do it. If my actions can secure even a slightly better future for the people of this country.”
As I turned my back, Eris was looking at me with a remarkably calm expression.
Her transparent, violet eyes, showing no sign of wavering, made me ask involuntarily.
"...Why?"
- It's a request, Duke. I'm here because I don't want to feel like I'm turning my back on those I can save.
I remembered the almost pleading words Eris once said to me.
She, who grew up unnoticed in the palace and left quietly just before the civil war, still chose to help people in the chaotic, plague-stricken, and revolutionary Francia, ultimately sacrificing herself.
Even if she denies it, she certainly deserves to be called a saint.
That made me curious.
I despise the Blue Knight, who dragged countless people into his vainglorious pursuits and died contentedly without any regret.
I loathe the nobles who unhesitatingly exploited others for their own greed.
In my longing to be different from them, I strive to prevent my people from being sacrificed needlessly, trying to prove my worth through it.
But Eris is different. Unrelated to anyone, she freely bestows kindness even to those who have nothing to do with her. I can never act on such pure goodwill alone.
Why does she go to such lengths?
Eris remained silent for a moment, then spoke with an awkward smile.
“When I was young, I grew up loved and well-cared for in the palace.”
"...I see."
“My mother always told me that everything I enjoyed came from the people of this country. She said I should always be thankful to them.”
“Now you’ve been away from the palace for a long time, and those people have started a revolution to kill the royalty, haven’t they?”
“Even so, most of what I know, I learned from my mother during my favored life in the palace. Uncle Frank is protecting me now because I am a princess. ...And you, Duke, are treating me specially because I am a princess, too.”
I responded to Eris' answer with a bitter smile. I truly had nothing to say.
Moreover, she is still young. It wouldn't be unreasonable to say that her mother's teachings hold significant weight in her life.
But could that be the only reason for her actions?
I found it somewhat hard to understand, but still, out of consideration for her, I responded.
"...Yes, you had a good mother."
Unexpectedly, upon hearing my words, Eris' expression hardened.
Since it was the first time I had ever seen Eris make such a face, I pondered what could have been wrong in what I said. Then, Eris answered with a smile.
"That's right, isn’t it?"
It was a sorrowful smile, as if she was on the verge of tears.
***
In the capital of Francia, Lumière.
As winter ended and spring approached, the leaders of the revolutionary government gathered in the council chamber with serious expressions.
"Is Bishop Richelieu absent again today?"
"Hmph, we don't need that indecisive man anymore. Now that the revolution has started, there's a limit to what a merely compliant person can do."
"But he's undoubtedly a respected figure among the citizens. In such a chaotic political climate, we need someone to stabilize the center. His faint-heartedness is a real problem."
At that moment, Benoit Revere, the first president of the Republic, slammed his fist on the table.
"This is not what's important right now! The King and Duke Lorraine have joined forces, and their army is marching towards Lumière, aren't they?"
A silence swept through the council chamber at the president's words.
President Revere met the eyes of each person in the chamber before speaking again.
"The army led by Duke Orléans and Duke Lorraine is a massive force of 8,000 soldiers. They are seasoned troops from the civil war; there's no doubt about their elite status. If we let them enter Lumière, the revolutionary government will collapse."
The faces of the revolutionary government's leadership hardened.
After the success of the revolution, it was obvious that the King would aim to retake the capital, so the government had implemented a nationwide conscription to bolster their forces.
"We have enough troops to face them. The problem is the lack of officers to lead them."
In the traditionally knightly kingdom of Francia, which retained feudal remnants until almost the end, those who had experience in commanding troops were mostly knights or at least nobles.
Naturally, most of them had been swept away during the revolution.
"Ugh, we shouldn't have killed all the nobles just because they were nobles. To operate a proper state, we should have at least spared some officers."
Nicolas Briso, the leader of the moderate faction, spoke, prompting a snort of derision from the radical faction, Jean Malraux.
"Hmph, the enemies of the people have simply paid the price."
"Ah, yes, let's say that's true. But even so, currently in the revolutionary government, there’s no one who has really commanded a large force. What about employing some of the nobles we’ve captured, those who have shown good behavior?"
"Ha! How can we trust those blue-bloods with our revolutionary army! Have you forgotten that we declared the abolition of feudalism? How can we be sure they won't turn their swords on us when they face the royal army?"
"Are we just going to send the soldiers to battle without leadership? They are regular troops of high-ranking nobles, not mere minnows who can be easily killed by storming their estates!"
"Who doesn’t know that? But to employ those noble scoundrels... isn't that like taking bribes from them?"
"What? Are you done talking?"
As the argument went back and forth, the moderates and radicals began hurling insults and slander at each other, escalating into a heated dispute.
Watching this scene, President Revere furrowed his brow and rested his hand on his forehead.
The revolution had swiftly taken the capital and northwest, spreading across the kingdom, but its leadership was still in utter chaos.
As the council chamber descended into disarray, Maxmillien Zidor, who had been watching with cold eyes, spoke up.
"There is a suitable candidate."
"A suitable candidate?"
At this, President Revere’s eyes lit up, and Zidor nodded lightly.
"He’s not a noble, but he has a history of serving as a mercenary in various cities. Towards the end of the civil war, he served under Duke Orléans in Reims, leading a force of 1,000. He’s well acquainted with the command styles of both dukes."
Zidor gestured, and his secretary distributed documents about the candidate. President Revere looked over them and then spoke.
"He's worked in quite a few cities in recent years. 1,000 troops. It’s certainly not a small number, but isn’t it ridiculously insufficient compared to the force he’ll command now?"
"Do we have any other options? Does anyone among us even have experience commanding such a force?"
"Hmm, it might be worth meeting him."
Finally, when the president spoke reluctantly, Zidor signaled to his secretary, who had been waiting on standby.
After the secretary left, the doors of the conference room opened, and everyone's attention shifted as a young man entered with a remarkably relaxed stride.
"He's that young?"
"Is it really true that he's so experienced?"
Amidst the skeptical gazes, the handsome man, appearing to be in his mid-twenties, placed a hand on his chest and bowed gracefully.
"It is an honor to meet the esteemed leaders of the revolutionary government. I am Raphael Ballian, who was in charge of commanding the militia in the city of Reims."
"Hmm, Raphael... Ballian. You've been moving from city to city quite often. Did you have a bad reputation?"
"Ha, quite the opposite. I was so sought after that they increased my pay."
"And if the King offers you more, you might switch sides, right?"
"The most important thing in mercenary work is not to become a fool who believes everything when an employer blindly raises their pay. Is the King even in a position to offer payment now?"
A few chuckles erupted here and there at Ballian's easygoing manner, and the mood lightened slightly. Then, President Revere spoke with a serious expression.
"So, Ballian. I trust you came here intending to give up mercenary life and serve as a regular soldier for Francia."
"Of course, esteemed President. Both I and my men are tired of living day-to-day. I also aspire to rise to a higher position."
"Ha, what an honest fellow."
"Tsk, lacks refinement..."
Amidst the divergent opinions, President Revere spoke up.
"If we give you command, do you have confidence in repelling the King’s army that is currently threatening Lumière?"
Ballian replied with a smile full of confidence.
"I'll show those relics of the old era the true power of the people's army."
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