Chapter 68: Presidential Government - The Eve of the Storm
In the desolate office located within the Revolutionary Party’s
headquarters, I once again found myself face-to-face with Maximilian Zidor.
“We need support for the diplomatic engagement with the barbarian tribes of
the Iberian Peninsula.”
“Indeed, Governor. If we can set aside our prejudices that they are
barbarians, stabilizing the shattered rural economy through grain exports
could be feasible, and the minerals they offer could prove beneficial in
various ways. If things go well, we might even utilize them in the failed
trade with the Alpine Kingdom.”
I said, looking into Zidor’s cold eyes behind his glasses.
“Improving the livelihood of the peasants, who form the main support base of
the Revolutionary Party, and simultaneously strengthening our defense
against upcoming threats, is imperative. Can we count on the support of both
you, Governor, and the Revolutionary Party?”
Maximilian Zidor looked at me quietly before responding.
“We have no desire to be the standard-bearers for the Central Party. Even if
I agree, it’s unlikely that the Revolutionary Party members will act as you
wish.”
A bitter smile involuntarily formed on my lips.
“The Central Party has far more members opposed to this proposal.”
Hearing this, Zidor slightly raised his eyebrows, and after a moment of
silence, he spoke.
“Why?”
“It seems that the Central Party members, many of whom are of noble and
capitalist origins, are more influenced by their disdain and distrust for
the barbarians than by the need to stabilize the rural economy.”
Zidor raised his hand, adjusted his glasses, and then said,
“That’s not what I asked, Duke.”
“...”
“I asked for the reason why you’re going against the Central Party’s stance
and seeking the Revolutionary Party’s help to push this proposal through.”
“It’s simple. Stabilizing the peasant economy and importing weapons through
trade with the Alpine Kingdom to strengthen our military is essential to
prepare for the imminent foreign threat.”
Zidor stared at me intently before asking again,
“And for that purpose, you’re willing to cause a rift within the Central
Party and bolster the Revolutionary Party’s position with this proposal?”
Slowly, Zidor clasped his hands together.
“If I’m not mistaken, the actions of Duke Lafayette and Countess Aquitaine
until now have been aimed at weakening our forces and your takeover of the
parliament.
Now, to undertake an action contrary to your previous course, I find myself
uncertain whether to believe it.”
Looking at Zidor, who seemed much more worn by reality than when we first
met, now bearing the weight of his role as Governor, I spoke,
“I had hoped that, as the Governor, you would understand.”
Zidor’s eyebrows arched.
“What are you implying?”
“Power is not an end, but merely a means, isn’t it?”
Zidor remained silent.
“Yes, I have weakened the Revolutionary Party and strengthened the Central
Party. It was necessary for us, of noble birth, to ensure our safety and to
implement our will.
But that was never the goal in itself.”
I slowly savored the tea prepared by Zidor.
As expected, the cheap tea without a single grain of sugar was bitterly
unpleasant.
“Much has changed since you, a mere member, became Governor. Yet, like this
tea, some things remain unchanged. The same goes for me. I seized power to
implement my will, but what use is it to bend my intentions just to preserve
power?”
“...So, you believe it’s more important to pass this proposal than to
solidify your power within the Central Party.”
“Exactly.”
Zidor squinted at me.
After a lengthy silence, he finally spoke.
“You, by your very existence, undermine the essence of revolution. You’re
someone who enforces their own justice, not based on the laws of the
Republic, but on personal might. Are you saying that using your power as a
means for the Republic’s sake is motivated by patriotism?”
-If the order must be maintained like this, it might as well collapse.
Recalling what I had said to him, I smirked.
“Don’t be mistaken, Governor. I am not such a noble being. I am someone who
finds it overwhelming to care for myself and my people.”
Finishing my words, I remembered those who had charged into the storm at my
command.
“I still do not believe the Republic is the best option. However, the
citizens of Francia, who follow the Republic, have proven their worth, so
for now, I believe it’s better for my people to protect this Republic.”
Zidor stared at me for a moment before responding.
“In the end, even the country and its people are nothing more than means to
you.”
“I won’t deny it. But as long as it does no harm to me and my people, I am
willing to contribute to a better future for this country and its citizens.
Isn’t that quite a useful sword for the Republic?”
“A sword, indeed.”
If we had dismantled this Republic and the National Assembly system and
established a government of our own with Christine, carrying out an
initiative like this one would have been difficult.
In a government where only my people remained, opposing them all would leave
no option but to overthrow the regime and purge the dissenters.
“Yes, I challenged the Governor to prove the value of the Republic. Whether
I remain a sword fighting for the Republic depends on the Governor and the
Republic itself.”
I smiled.
I hadn’t imagined that I would wear such an expression in front of the man
who had once severed my head at the guillotine.
“What do you say? Will you, too, use me as a means to your end?”
***
Thanks to the members who fretted over Hassan and Chandra revealing pagan
magic or barbarism, Saintess Eris herself came to perform a purification
ritual for them.
Whether it was her engaging in conversation with the two with a smile or the
brilliant light scattering around, it all seemed like nothing more than a
performance of dispersing divine power into thin air.
Yet, the scene appeared quite sacred, and even Hassan and Chandra were quite
impressed, allowing them to attend the National Assembly as official envoys.
“Can we truly trust you? How can we engage in diplomacy with a state that
doesn’t even have a formal name, let alone being an official kingdom?”
“I understand that it’s not uncommon for transactions between nations to be
conducted under the names of noble families or trade organizations. Drafting
a treaty in the name of King Croxus should pose no problem. Moreover, we
could consider dispatching ambassadors between our nations to ensure the
treaty’s adherence.”
Despite the overtly hostile and pointed questions, Hassan responds with
extreme caution and wisdom.
“I have my doubts about the continuous supply of the trade goods you
mentioned, especially gold, silver, and mithril. How can you prove that you
have developed a systematic industry capable of operating mines?”
“If you wish, our king is more than willing to cooperate in allowing a visit
from your country’s representatives to address any concerns.”
As the questions and answers continued, the murmuring in the assembly grew,
but it was hard to shake the feeling that Hassan appeared more competent
than most of the assembly members, who were no more than nouveau riche,
excluding a few.
Hassan’s mature appearance, uncharacteristic of his young age, is quite
advantageous in such a setting... though he might not find it pleasing.
Despite this, Count Anjou, who had been silently observing, finally spoke up
with a look of discomfort.
“While it is truly surprising to see you here, I am someone who fought
against your people in a war at the southern fortress just a decade or so
ago. Can those pagans, who once ravaged and looted, truly engage in
meaningful exchanges with a civilized nation?”
“As you said, the conflicts of the past are a reality, and we understand
your concerns about us not worshipping your god. But if even the most
secular Francian Republic feels this way, what about other countries?”
Hassan quietly bowed his head, then slowly raised it to stand upright before
speaking again.
“The foundation of sustaining relations between nations is national
interest, far beyond any flowery rhetoric. If your country becomes the sole
nation with which we establish diplomatic ties, what benefit could possibly
compel us to betray your trust, at the cost of forgoing such an advantage?”
“...It seems your king has sent a rather capable individual. But I am not
deceived by you.”
Count Anjou, with a look of displeasure, said no more.
“Ahem, ahem. As Duke Lafayette said, it appears that...”
“Still, they are barbarians. Don’t you wonder why they sent a human servant
in their stead instead of coming personally? It’s nothing but a ruse!”
“Yet, if trade with them can be maintained, it’s true that we have nothing
to lose...”
As voices murmured here and there, I slowly closed my eyes.
While I was negotiating and seeking cooperation with Zidor, Christine had
used her connections and funds to lobby as much as possible within both the
Central and the Freedom Parties.
Their bureaucrat, Hassan, had done as much as he could, so everything that
could be done, had been done.
The next day, on the National Assembly’s voting day.
“In favor 251, against 247, abstain 52.”
“This can’t be happening!”
Count Anjou, the leader of the Central Party, screamed as if in agony at the
announced results.
With Nicolas Briso, the leader of the Freedom Party, also unable to hide his
surprise, the declaration rang out.
“The proposal for formal diplomatic relations and a trade agreement with
King Croxus has been passed.”
The National Assembly was instantly engulfed in chaos.
“This is preposterous!”
“How can an agreement with the barbarians pass when neither the Central
Party nor the Freedom Party supported it?”
Count Anjou, his face turning red, scanned the members of the Central Party,
and those who had been swayed by Christine’s lobbying to vote in favor or
abstain averted their eyes, wary of being noticed.
As our eyes finally met, Count Anjou burst out in rage.
“Duke Lafayette! What is the meaning of this?”
“It seems a significant number of the members believe this proposal will
serve Francia’s national interests.”
While we were discussing, Nicolas Briso, the leader of the Freedom Party,
bit his lip before speaking up.
“This is a reckless decision. By joining hands with these pagan barbarians
for trivial gains, how can we expect the Holy Church or other nations to
view us favorably? Furthermore, the proposal passed without even a majority.
Isn’t this a proposal that didn’t gain the consent of more than half the
members?”
“The very fairness of this election is questionable from the start. With so
many opponents in each party, who would believe and accept such a result?
Isn’t this a rigged election?”
As the protests continued, a loud bang resounded.
All eyes turned to where Maximilian Zidor, who had slammed his hand on the
table, slowly stood up.
“A year ago, in this very place, members of the old Revolutionary Party
cried out the same words.”
In the ensuing silence, Zidor asked,
“Esteemed members of the National Assembly. I stepped down in the face of
electoral defeat, but not to the defeat of democracy itself. ...What about
you?”
***
The proposal for diplomatic relations with the pagan barbarians passed in
the National Assembly.
The rural areas, understanding the benefits, would undoubtedly welcome it,
but even among the common folk of the capital Lumière, there were those who
harbored concerns and suspicions.
Beyond mere worries and doubts, there were those who felt shocked and
betrayed.
Raphael Ballian was sitting in his reception room, facing Bishop Arno
Richelieu with a bitter expression.
“I merely believed that the corrupt clergy and nobility of the old regime
needed reformation. We opened a new path through so much bloodshed, yet the
National Assembly has lost its purity and become corrupt.”
Richelieu’s arms were trembling as he spoke.
“For the rulers who should be guiding the lambs into God’s embrace to turn
their backs on Him and join hands with pagan barbarians, they have committed
an unforgivable act.”
Although Ballian thought that interacting with the barbarians could
ultimately be beneficial and saw no harm in it, he nodded in agreement with
the bishop for the time being.
“It is indeed a lamentable situation.”
While he have no intention of fulfilling his cute notion of wielding
political power as a figurehead, Bishop Richelieu is, for the time being, a
necessary acquaintance for Ballian.
“...It must be done now, if not now, it’s too late.”
Ballian couldn’t fathom what had transpired, but lately, Bishop Richelieu
had been increasingly anxious, spouting warnings about the dangers posed by
Countess Aquitaine and Duke Lafayette.
As Ballian pondered, Bishop Richelieu spoke urgently.
“Duke Lafayette is descending south again as an envoy to formalize a treaty
with them. The citizens of Lumière harbor doubts about this corrupt National
Assembly, so the moment he leaves would be opportune.”
Indeed, a more perfect moment might not exist.
Isn’t it too coincidental?
As if someone had prepared the situation expressly for him.
At this point, it would be prudent to suspect a trap.
However, Ballian responded with a slight smile.
“Very well, Bishop. Let’s proceed.”
“Ah, at last! Commander Ballian, you truly are the hero destined to lead
Francia and its people!”
“I merely follow your noble cause, Bishop. Haha...”
Shaken by the National Assembly’s violence and corruption, Ballian was
willing to embrace the drastic idea of tearing it down to rebuild, as a
means for his ambition.
While smiling at Richelieu, Valliant’s mind raced.
If neither Duke Lafayette nor anyone in the National Assembly anticipated
their actions, leading to this situation, it would be disappointingly
trivial.
That would be both disappointing and regrettable, but nonetheless
advantageous for Ballian.
But what if that’s not the case?
Ballian felt a chill run down his spine.
That would mean Duke Lafayette deliberately exposed a vulnerability, daring
Ballian, Raphael Ballian, to take the bait.
With a deep smile, Ballian genuinely looked forward to that prospect.
‘Let’s enjoy this, Duke Lafayette. It would be nice if you don’t
disappoint.’
Previous Chapter〣Index〣Next Chapter