Chapter 29: Revolution Era - Stepping on the tail*
As the clash between the revolutionary forces and the royal army ended and spring blossomed in full swing, I convened a meeting with the independent lords sympathetic to Lafayette.
There were the representatives from the House of Aquitaine, Christine, the House of Anjou, with whom we became connected thanks to Eris, and the House of Lionel, with whom we were connected by preventing their plunder, and who supported us against the Duke of Lorraine in the final battle of the civil war.
However, not everyone responded positively to the proposal I brought forth.
"Duke, I understand that the rebel forces performed better than expected in the last battle against the royal army. But to think of joining hands with those commoner rebels, are you out of your mind?"
Count Lionel did not hide his displeasure.
"The neighboring countries perceive these rebels as a threat and are responding positively to King Louis' call for aid. Especially the Germanian Empire, which suffered a defeat at the hands of Francia in the last war, won't let such an opportunity slip away."
"Your words are wise, Count. However, we have already crossed a point of no return with King Louis. The government of the rebels, sensing the possibility of foreign intervention, will likely view our proposal positively. There's nothing new in making an alliance with the enemy of our enemy."
"Even so, to join forces with a rebellion of commoners... And above all, they have declared the abolition of the feudal system. Surely, you understand what that means, Duke."
The abolition of the feudal system. A measure to seize the assets of the nobility in the regions affected by the revolution and distribute them to their bourgeois supporters, while also being a powerful justification to win public support.
Indeed, I believe that the feudal system is now almost exclusive to the Kingdom of Francia, a system that is bound to disappear eventually.
"I am aware. If we are to ultimately cooperate with them, we might have to hand over the ownership of our domains."
"Hah. Are you suggesting that we hand over our lands, passed down from our ancestors, to these ignorant commoners?"
But, such a proposition is not something the noble lords could easily accept.
"If you think about it more comfortably, by handing over the ownership of our domains, we can negotiate a substantial return. Not just tax rights, but the sale of lands and titles has not been uncommon, has it?
After all, the house of Christine, present here, is a nouveau riche noble family that rose to prominence by buying out everything of the ancient and prestigious Aquitaine nobility.
"...Duke, I have heard your thoughts, but I have no intention of joining hands with those dangerous rebels who indiscriminately kill nobles. And I certainly have no intention of giving up the land of Lionel, handed down to me by my ancestors!"
Count Lionel, having finished his speech, abruptly rose from his seat.
"...I wish peace upon the House of Lionel."
"And may Lafayette remain unharmed as well."
With that, Count Lionel strode out of the room.
His eldest son, Gilles de Lionel, looked at me awkwardly before speaking.
"I wish you luck, Duke."
"I'm grateful for the aid Lionel has provided. ...Should the situation change and you reconsider, I'm open to helping, so please let me know anytime."
"Thank you for your kind words, I'll remember that."
Gilles gave me a slight bow and followed his father.
It's not surprising they couldn't accept it immediately. At least the eldest son seems to have some grasp of the situation. If he could persuade his father, that would be ideal.
After the Lionels left and the door closed, Count Anjou, who had been sitting back leisurely stroking his beard, spoke up.
"Ah, the proposal is quite radical."
"Do you also oppose it, Count Anjou?"
"Hmm..."
Instead of answering, Count Anjou looked toward Christine, who nodded affirmatively.
"I'm in favor. Aquitaine has always relied more on its trading guilds than its lands..."
Christine, pausing for a moment, showed a relaxed smile and added,
"It's an opportunity to expand into the northern Francian market, dominated by Brittany and Abyss Corporation. Despite the risks, it's worth a try."
"I appreciate Aquitaine's support."
After expressing my gratitude to Christine, I turned back to Count Anjou, who was fiddling with his beard.
"Indeed, it's hard to keep up with the thoughts of young, emerging lords. But, if I may be so bold to ask one thing?"
"Please, go ahead, Count."
"The two of you, have you promised each other a future?"
"Yes?"
Why would that question come up now?
"The engagement was broken, but that was a decision by the former Count of Aquitaine. Since then, you two have been closely cooperating. This old man is quite interested in having the Countess of Aquitaine as a match for my son, but if you two are already considering a future together, I wouldn't want to intrude unwisely."
Count Anjou, finishing his words, let out a hearty laugh.
My gaze naturally shifted towards Christine, who, unchanging in her expression, smiled and replied.
"Both the Duke and I have only just turned 20. In such a tumultuous time, there's no need to rush into discussions of marriage."
"Hahaha, so there's a chance, but no firm answer yet?"
"Why lower our own value from the start?"
Christine responded with a feigned polite smile, prompting Count Anjou to smack his lips.
"She's a tough lady. Well, good. For an old man like me, the proposal is quite shocking, but my sons say it would be wise to continue cooperating with you. So for now, I'll consider it positively."
Count Anjou, finishing his statement, stroked his beard as if it were a habit, then added,
"After all, ever since aligning with the Duke, I've often felt our lands have been lucky. The plague has subsided, and with Aquitaine's trade guild frequenting, we're seeing a good flow of money. If that rebellion... rather, the revolutionary government can offer a decent deal, then..."
"Then, I'll ensure the House of Anjou receives satisfactory terms."
"With the renowned skill of Duke Lafayette and the Countess of Aquitaine, I have high expectations. The loss of Lionel is regrettable, but with Lafayette, Aquitaine, and Anjou, we still have a force that encompasses the southern kingdom. The revolution started early, but the king's forces crumbled too swiftly, hastening foreign intervention."
Originally, the revolutionary government would have faced foreign invasion after some preparation, but the rapid spread of the revolution and the swift victories under Raphael Ballian backfired, in a way.
The revolutionary government is also feeling the crisis and is in a state of confusion, so now it's our time to move.
***
After the meeting ended, as the sunset faded away, I sat across from Christine, reviewing the reports she had handed over.
Raphael Ballian, during the Civil War, had been moving through northern cities, organizing and training militias to defend against looting. Recently, he contacted Maximilian Zidor, a key figure in the revolutionary government, and was enlisted in the revolutionary army.
Maximilian Zidor, notorious for urging my execution and infamous as a guillotine executioner, why out of so many, he choose that man?
The fact that Raphael Ballian had been active in the northern front cities during the war, places even the Aquitaine trade guild hadn’t reached, was surprising enough. But to learn that he suddenly joined the revolutionary army and ruthlessly defeated the royal forces was quite unsettling for me.
As far as I knew, Raphael Ballian's leadership in the revolutionary army began much later. Why he appeared early to complicate matters, I couldn't fathom.
It's not strange for actions to change as situations evolve, but now, the usefulness of my knowledge of the future seems to be diminishing.
However, the truly important report was something else. Although I already received a pigeon message from Christine, it was still at the stage of suspicion...
"So, what do you think?"
I muttered, looking into Christine's deep and dark black eyes, seemingly absorbing everything.
"Emanuel Sieyes, Sieyes."
This Sieyes had no idea how he aroused suspicion. Therefore, instead of laundering his identity, he would have kept his convenient B-class mage status.
We are lords of the south, completely detached from the revolution.
Originally, we had no reason to be interested or investigate the leaders of the yet-to-erupt revolutionary forces or the origins of works like 'The Doctrine of Estates'.
Moreover, he couldn’t possibly imagine that we'd have suspicions simply because the publication date of 'The Doctrine of Estates' was advanced compared to before my regression.
But we already knew that the author of 'The Doctrine of Estates' was Bishop Arno Richelieu of Lumière, and that Sieyes had significantly assisted in its publication.
That such a person, shortly after the outbreak of the revolution, sought to become a vassal of Aquitaine? It's not just suspicious; it reeks of something more.
A spy for the revolutionary army, perhaps?
But we, far from being hostile to the revolutionary government, had indirectly sent friendly gestures through our city's influence.
Could it be that the revolutionary forces, already in turmoil just after the revolution, sent a spy to us, who are not even their main enemy?
As I pondered, Christine apologized somewhat unexpectedly.
"I'm sorry, Duke."
"Excuse me?"
"About what Count Anjou said earlier, I answered on my own accord."
"Oh, that matter."
Christine had spoken to Count Anjou as if leaving some possibilities open, but she had told me she had no intention of marrying.
If she were to have a husband, it would mean no safety for her brother.
"I understand your position, Christine."
The issue of marriage proposals is as tiring for me as it is for her. Suitors from various quarters are constantly pushing proposals at me, urging me to marry.
I quietly looked into Christine's dark and intelligent eyes. With our engagement broken off, officially, she and I had no relation whatsoever.
But knowing what I know, thanks to her, other noble ladies hardly catch my eye, to be honest.
As we looked at each other for a moment, Christine hesitated slightly before speaking.
"If we—"
Just then, a sound like a knock came from the window.
Looking over, I saw a pigeon with pitch-black feathers and red eyes, almost crow-like, perched outside, looking in.
As I opened the window, the pigeon stepped inside and began to speak in a strange voice.
"It's an honor to meet you like this. Duke Lafayette, Countess Aquitaine. I am Harphas, belonging to 'Pride' division of Abyss Corporation."
What is this now?
As I turned my head, Christine also looked surprised, as if she had never seen such a thing before.
"Before proceeding, I should mention that this bird is my familiar, not my actual form. Please forgive the indirectness of my greeting."
Despite the bird's exceedingly polite speech, I was distracted by a thought that had just occurred to me and had no desire to listen to its nonsense.
"...And what if I choose not to forgive?"
As I drew my sword, the bird tilted its head slightly, its red eyes glowing.
"While it would be most regrettable, I am here on behalf of 'Pride' Corporation to offer you lords a beneficial proposal—"
"If you want to make a proposal, come and do it in person."
Before the pigeon could finish, its head was severed by my sword.
Instead of blood, dark magical energy leaked from the severed neck, and the pigeon slowly disintegrated into dust and scattered.
As I watched the scene, I spoke up.
"Christine."
"Yes, Pierre."
"The CEO of 'Sloth' mentioned that Abyss Corporation couldn't yet communicate from a distance, right?"
"That's correct."
Christine had received a crystal ball from Abyss Corporation and handed it to me.
Paimon had clearly stated through it that it was a regret they couldn't converse with me directly.
"From what I've seen, if there were such a method, he would have tried it immediately."
"I think so too."
Recalling the face of the demon who, despite suffering losses due to me, was filled with curiosity and eagerly awaiting the day we would meet, Christine readily agreed.
The publication date of 'The Doctrine of Estates' was advanced compared to before my regression.
At that time, the only significant action I took that could influence the outside world was profiting from the Industrial Revolution to fund my military, and Abyss Corporation showed interest in that.
And now, just as the person heavily involved in the publication of that book is in my territory, a demon's familiar appears?
"Is there anyone new in this trade mission besides that person?"
"No, besides him, everyone I brought for the trade mission to Lafayette are the usual followers. Otherwise, we couldn't have verified if there were any spies."
Listening to Christine speak with such shrewdness, I couldn't help but admire her again.
"You're monitoring to that extent as well, aren't you, Pierre?"
"Of course. Since the revolution began, we've been thoroughly verifying the identities of everyone entering our domain."
After a moment of silence, I spoke up.
"...Is there a chance the demons might be hiding their means for deception?"
"If the group that contacted us months ago anticipated this and hid a card up their sleeve...
If they're an omnipotent group capable of such, there's nothing we can do to counter them."
"And there'd be no reason for us to be stepping on their tails like this?"
Hearing my words, Christine let out a sly laugh.
"We won't know unless we draw it out, but I want to do it. Whether it's Abyss Corporation or whoever else, if they're hiding their identity and infiltrating as spies, they won't have any right to complain about how we deal with them. What about you?"
As I asked, looking at Christine, she smiled broadly.
"I'm curious too. I wonder what kind of face demons make when they are the ones being caught."
{ TN: *- Stepping on the tail(꼬리밟기) is a Korean phrase often used metaphorically to describe a situation where disturbing someone who is minding their own business can lead to unnecessary trouble or escalation of the situation. }
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