Chapter 46: Revolution Era - The Seed
After Duke Leopold’s withdrawal, a month had passed since Mirbo’s forces and
mine joined to reorganize and revamp the southern army.
I headed towards Bahua, the northern army’s stronghold.
It was once part of Duke Lorraine’s domain, but now the flag of the Republic
fluttered in the wind there.
Unlike Mirbo, who stuck to a defensive battle amidst high ground and farms,
Ballian had taken an aggressive offensive, directly attacking Duke Lorraine’s
territory.
Naturally, Duke Lorraine, with his lands under attack and in immediate danger,
tried to defend them vigorously. However, Duke Heinrich’s Imperial Germanian
forces and Duke Gunhild’s Northern Union Kingdom forces hesitated and were
slow to react.
Ultimately, they were defeated in detail by Ballian’s unexpectedly swift
maneuvers and surprise attacks, leading to their retreat and the loss of
Bahua.
As I rode in, receiving salutes from the northern army who recognized me, I
finally came face to face with a familiar figure.
“Welcome, General Lafayette! I am truly delighted to see you here!”
The sight of Ballian, his face brimming with smiles, subtly irked me.
Yes, he must be thrilled, having thrown the southern army to Duke Leopold and
achieving great feats.
“I, too, am pleased to congratulate you on your victory, General Ballian. Duke
Lorraine and King Louis must have been jolted awake... as was the southern
army in dealing with Duke Leopold.”
“Hahaha, of course, the northern army’s achievements were possible because the
southern army held back Duke Leopold. I have also heard of your exploits and
the southern army’s efforts against Duke Leopold.”
Ballian continued to smile slyly as he gestured inwardly, inviting me further.
“Shall we go inside first? It seems we need a leisurely and in-depth
conversation.”
In-depth conversation, huh? That sounds promising.
***
I was escorted to Ballian’s command tent, leaving behind my entourage and
subordinate commanders for a private conversation with him.
“...It seems you get along quite well with your subordinates?”
Recalling the casual demeanor between Ballian and his commanders, I asked,
prompting him to shrug nonchalantly.
“Haha, there’s no need for formalities. Authority naturally comes to those who
are capable.”
Such confidence.
As I slightly curled the corners of my mouth, Ballian clasped his hands
together and bowed his head to me.
“I must first apologize, General.”
“...Apologize?”
Ballian lowered his clasped hands, giving me a playful smile.
...This feels offensively patronizing.
“You should know why. I’m apologizing for leaving the Southern army to face
Duke Leopold alone without any support.”
Really now?
A derisive smile formed on my face involuntarily.
“So, you were aware it was a problematic action.”
The southern army could have suffered a severe defeat.
Although it didn’t come to that, thanks to the Southern army exceeding
expectations, that was hardly a consolation.
“Yes, I was aware. Of course, I was willing to offer support if needed. But
wouldn’t it have looked odd for me to step in and offer support when Count
Mirbo had not requested any?”
Oh, this piece of work.
That idiot.
I found myself cursing Damien de Mirbo, who wasn’t even present.
That foolish friend, taken in by Ballian’s sweet talk and insisting on
handling things himself.
Though he tried to hide it, the accounts from southern army commanders who
attended the strategy meetings largely concurred.
Had he been incompetent in battle as well, I might have personally seen to his
end, but he managed to hold his ground with caution, so his head remained
attached.
“As I mentioned earlier, the northern army’s successful occupation of the
Bahua region after this battle is thanks to the southern army’s efforts in
holding back Duke Leopold on their own.”
Ballian cleared his throat and then smiled warmly.
“So, let’s say the Northern Army owes the Southern Army one. At least once, we
will provide help that matches this debt.”
He had indeed gained a victory through dubious means, but that doesn’t mean
he’s entirely ungrateful?
Annoyingly, he seems to want to take advantage when it suits him but maintains
a noncommittal stance that’s too ambiguous to outright resent, indicating a
desire to continue cooperating with the Southern Army in the future.
I glared at Ballian’s irritating face before speaking up.
“Very well. We’ll gratefully accept the Northern Army’s goodwill. But, I have
a question.”
“Ah, yes, of course, General. Feel free to ask! Haha!”
“Had the Southern Army faced a major defeat in their solo effort against Duke
Leopold, the Northern Army’s offensive would likely have failed as well. Then,
having lost the Eastern front, we would have been pushed back, making the
capital, Lumière, the frontline. Did you have a contingency plan for such a
scenario?”
Slowly, the smile faded from Ballian’s lips.
That was a very realistic scenario.
Although Damien had problems securing cooperation from the Northern Army, he
fought Balliantly in battle.
Nevertheless, had I not arrived in time, the Southern Army would have been
utterly decimated.
It was only by engaging in a duel with Count Lionel, forcing a quick
surrender, and pushing my troops through a forced march that we managed to
arrive just in time.
“It’s difficult for me to say, but had either Count Mirbo’s or my abilities
been slightly lacking, the Southern Army would have suffered a critical blow.”
I locked eyes with Ballian as I added,
“I doubt General Ballian is unaware of such facts.”
Ballian’s face turned serious, devoid of any smile, before he asked with a
slight grin,
“Do you want a political answer, or shall I speak frankly?”
I chuckled softly before replying,
“Frankly.”
No sooner had I spoken, Ballian wiped all traces of a smile from his lips.
“I had hoped that Duke Leopold wouldn’t be overly aggressive. After all, this
war doesn’t need to be zealously pursued by the Germanian Empire.”
Shrugging, Ballian added,
“Yes, you’re right, General, or rather, Duke. As you suggested, in the
unfortunate event that the Duke decided to aggressively engage... I did
consider the possibility that the Southern Army could suffer a critical blow.”
Indeed, someone of Raphael Ballian’s caliber wouldn’t likely have acted
without such knowledge.
But then, why?
Even if the Northern Army made significant contributions, if the Southern Army
were to retreat, the overall war situation would inevitably turn unfavorable.
Why then would he-
“It seems you’re struggling to understand my decision, Duke.”
Ballian, gesturing over a map spread out on the desk, encircled the territory
of the Francia Republic with his hand.
“Here, this represents your perspective, Duke. You’re looking at the entirety
of this nation. I respect that and think you deserve respect both as a noble
and a military commander.”
After finishing his point, Ballian covered the map with his hand, leaving only
Reims, originally a stronghold of the Northern Army, visible between his
fingers.
“But this was my focus, Duke. If the Southern Army fell, then naturally, the
Northern Army would have had to retreat as well.”
While I remained silent, Ballian shrugged once more.
“However, since the Northern Army did perform well, if the Southern Army had
crumbled and we were forced to retreat, the war situation aside, the position
of the Northern Army and mine would have significantly improved, wouldn’t it?”
“...So, you made such a decision because even if the Southern Army collapsed
and the situation turned unfavorable, the Northern Army wouldn’t lose
anything, all for such a reason?”
“Such a reason, you say, Duke. I come from a mercenary background. Do you
expect patriotism or a spirit of sacrifice from a mercenary? I joined the
Republic to elevate my fame and seize power. Had the Southern Army been under
my command, my judgment would have been different.”
Ballian’s stance was unabashedly confident.
“I’m confident in my abilities. In the long term, I believe that securing a
firm grip on military power and ensuring that even the National Assembly can’t
challenge me will lead to more positive outcomes in the war than dwelling on
localized losses.”
“Ha....”
It’s ludicrous, yet coming from Raphael Ballian himself, it’s hard to argue.
Setting aside my displeasure, from a purely strategic viewpoint, his reasoning
could be valid.
“Rather, I find it hard to understand you.”
“Me, you find hard to understand?”
As my brows furrowed involuntarily, Ballian nodded emphatically.
“Yes. Some may find me ruthless, but at least by acting this way, I and my
followers can secure more for ourselves. I’m taking responsibility for those
who follow me.”
“....”
“Your attitude, of course, deserves respect. Despite being a noble, you’ve
dedicated yourself to the Republic, bearing great costs to protect this
nation. In the West, you’ve taken on political risks to defend those who could
have been branded as rebels and executed.”
Ballian paused, looking at me before adding,
“Even if your involvement in the Republic was based on a well-informed
decision, risking missing a critical battle for a compromise with the Western
regions was a gamble.”
“...Had I not intervened, the West and Lionel would have joined forces against
the Republic. Then, inevitably, we would have had to suppress...”
“Exactly, Duke. While that is an excellent judgment, why is that your problem?
It’s an issue for the Republic.”
I sealed my lips, feeling the unpleasant emotion that had been building up.
“Even if you hadn’t gone to such lengths, Duke, someone would have suppressed
it. Perhaps there would have been some bloodshed, but if you had joined the
battle against Duke Leopold from the start, the Southern Army wouldn’t have
been put in jeopardy.”
“So, I should have just ignored a slaughter that could have been prevented?”
“I don’t know what higher principles you hold, Duke, but do you really need a
reason to go that far?”
Reason, indeed.
Damn it. Since when did saving lives need a reason?
“From a military standpoint, I know the Southern Army’s victory, managing to
force back the Duke’s forces without significant troop losses, is far more
valuable than the Northern Army defeating three armies of fools. Honestly,
it’s an achievement that even I find astonishing.”
Ballian clasped his hands in front of him.
“But look at the outcome. Myself and the Northern Army are celebrated as
heroes of the Republic in Lumière for our victory against the forces of three
nations. The Southern Army, however, only managed to make Duke Leopold
retreat. That’s it. The people don’t understand the value of what you and the
Southern Army have accomplished.”
His eyes scrutinized me as if trying to see right through me.
“I asked for honesty, but I can’t understand why you’re going this far. The
General Ballian I know seemed to want to maintain a good relationship with
me.”
Condemning Ballian, who is already hailed as a hero of the Republic, in the
National Assembly without any solid evidence would be meaningless. But why
provoke me unnecessarily?
Ballian nodded straightforwardly.
“That’s correct. I hold you in high esteem, Duke. Even though we are in a
competitive stance, I wish to maintain a positive relationship with you if
possible. That’s why I’m speaking to you so candidly.”
What exactly is he thinking?
“Duke, that’s just what the National Assembly and the republican government
are like. They won’t try to understand your sacrifices and dedication; they’re
just a group that holds you back.”
Ballian’s words seemed to burrow deep within me.
Have I never had such thoughts? That’s not true.
There have been countless moments when I’ve questioned whether it’s right for
us, merely because we’re nobles, to pay such a high price to stand with them.
“They don’t truly understand your worth, Duke. Your loyalty and dedication are
far too valuable to be offered to those consumed by their own ideologies,
blind to reality.”
“...My loyalty is not to them. What I am loyal to is Francia itself—”
“Is that really the case?”
Ballian immediately countered.
“A noble like you, sacrificing everything for patriotism, even abandoning your
own lands? Truly, you are a great hero. But what compensation is there for the
sacrifices you and your followers have made, for the parasites that thrive on
your devotion?”
Sacrifice.
Vassals who, despite shedding tears, agreed to abandon their lands to follow
my cause.
The blood of Count Lionel, who, even in death, cried out for the honor passed
down from his ancestors.
Christine, who witnessed the bloodshed of her family, as if driving herself to
the brink.
I like to think I’ve provided some form of compensation, perhaps not lacking
materially.
But really, was there ever a proper recompense? Is it even possible to offer
such a return?
“Indeed, has the cause you pursued with this republican government achieved
anything?”
At Ballian’s question, I clenched my fist tightly.
I remember the despair in that sunless dungeon, the moment at the guillotine
when everything was denied.
-Look at this hypocritical noble! Even those who claim they are not corrupt,
have they not always considered us less than human, mere livestock?
The accusation at the moment of my death before my return, the realization of
my petty hypocrisy, thinking I was different from the corrupt nobles, is
etched in my memory forever.
But this time, through the republican method, through their National Assembly,
I managed to negotiate a compromise with those who were nearly killed off as
rebels in vain.
Christine and the noble faction members are still active in the National
Assembly, and thanks to the army I’ve nurtured and the people of the West
joining in, we managed to fend off the formidable Duke Leopold.
Even if it wasn’t the best outcome, the efforts I made to leverage the future
I knew as much as possible have indeed produced tangible results.
At the very least, I believe that at the moment of my death, I won’t despair
thinking everything I did was in vain.
“There definitely are results. They may seem insufficient from General
Ballian’s perspective, but they are undoubtedly valuable.”
“If that’s what you think, Duke.”
Ballian took a step back and bowed politely to me.
“I apologize, Duke. It was presumptuous of me to make such remarks.”
“No need. Let’s just forget it was mentioned.”
Yet, despite saying this, Ballian’s words linger in my mind.
“This conversation has been lengthy. I should be going now.”
“Ah, heading back to Lumière, are you?”
“Yes. They suffered serious losses in the last battle and will need time to
reorganize their forces. The Republic also gained time to reinforce its
troops, so I must oversee that and attend to matters in the National
Assembly.”
Ballian smiled.
“I envy you. I have an interest in politics, but apparently, I’m not
qualified, haha. But as the Duke, I trust you won’t spare any support for the
Northern Army.”
“Impudent.”
“Haha, isn’t that one of my strengths? Is Count Mirbo still acting as the
commander of the Southern Army this time?”
“That’s true, but this time he’s properly assisted, so it would be unwise for
anyone to expect entertainment in my absence.”
“Hahaha....”
Louis Dezy. If that friend from the guards is assisting Damien, at least he’ll
manage the duties in my absence adequately.
“Then, I’ll see you again, General Ballian.”
“Haha, I hope the endeavors of Duke Lafayette bear fruit.”
I shook hands with Ballian and turned away.
“...Well, that’s sincere.”
I heard his low voice behind me, but without turning back, I stepped outside.
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