Chapter 7: Civil War Era- Christine Aquitaine (2)
As we both agreed, the story unfolded rapidly.
To take control of the Count house, she first needed to strengthen her influence within the family and find a pretext to eliminate her hostile factions.
Both of us had a lot to prepare, and for that, both she and I needed money.
Even though I managed to outmaneuver the Mirbo house this time, the surrounding lords aren't fools; I can't do the same thing again.
"Lady, is the Aquitaine family trading with Abyss Corporation too?"
Upon my question, Christine blinked and hesitated before continuing.
"Well..."
"Don't worry. I have no intention of commenting on your trade with them. I understand that it's impossible to ignore them while running a trading company."
"...I apologize, Young Duke. The knights of Francia, though not as much as the Holy Church, despise them, so I was cautious."
The so-called 'nation where the sun never sets,' Abyss Corporation, is located on a large island northwest of the Kingdom of Francia.
They are a nation of races other than humans, just like the Dwarves' Kingdom of Alps and the Elves' Eastern Empire.
They are a union of seven massive organizations they call 'corporations,' and I'm not sure if that can be called a country, but at least the Kingdom of Francia recognizes them as one.
They consist of various races collectively known as demons and excel in black magic and magical engineering.
Naturally, their relations with the Holy Church, who worships the God of Light, and the Kingdom of Francia, which outwardly champions honor, are very poor.
...At least publicly, but behind the scenes, they covet their exceptional goods and trade with them in some way.
Most of the main products of the Aquitaine family, who own the largest port city in Francia, come from Abyss Corporation. They just hide it under various pretexts.
"Among the seven corporations forming Abyss Corporation, 'Sloth' is about to apply a new technology they've developed."
"How do you know such... things?"
Christine seemed very curious, but since I couldn't explain the regression, I had to vaguely brush it off.
"Just by chance. It shouldn't be a problem since Aquitaine Trading Company can verify it themselves."
Christine pondered for a moment but soon nodded affirmatively.
"Yes, it's possible... if it's true."
"I don't know the exact details of the technology they've developed, but it's said to significantly increase productivity by utilizing slaves."
Abyss Corporation called this productivity revolution brought about by their technology the 'Industrial Revolution.'
After introducing this technology, Abyss Corporation began to churn out goods with a production capacity so overwhelmingly increased that it could only be described as explosive, and the impact of this change was indescribable.
"Increased productivity? That's hard to grasp."
"I don't fully understand the specifics either. Simply put, it's a technology that allows the easy mobilization of countless artisans."
"Ah, my head starts to hurt just thinking about it."
I had to smirk bitterly as I watched Christine press her hand to her forehead.
"I wish I knew more details, but what we need to consider is the phenomenon of greatly increased productivity and its consequences."
Christine sighed softly and then spoke.
"Significant increase in productivity. Then, it's easy to predict that there will be a significant increase in the supply of manufactured goods. Will the prices drop a bit too?"
"It's not just a drop; the prices will plummet."
With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, while high-end products requiring sophisticated craftsmanship were somewhat safe, the prices of simple manufactured items like fabrics and daily necessities crashed dramatically.
"However, they'll still need raw materials for production, so the demand for cotton, wood, minerals, and other raw materials will increase."
By then, Christine's face had begun to pale slightly.
"Is that really true? Can one technology make such a difference?"
"You have the means to investigate, don't you? Rather than doubting what I say, I'd appreciate it if you just kept it in mind for now."
"Alright, I have many questions, but I can verify it myself. ...I hope you're greatly mistaken. If what you say is true, it would be a disaster for Francia."
"That's how it would be."
The price of raw materials will skyrocket, and the price of manufactured goods will plummet.
From Abyss Corporation's perspective, producing in bulk and selling is profitable regardless, but Francia's economy, which relied on handicrafts, faced an utter catastrophe.
Even if the king had been present to impose a trade embargo at a national level, it might have been possible to quell the immediate crisis. However, in Francia, torn between the factions of the first and second princes and embroiled in a civil war, such a measure was impossible.
Ironically, it was the so-called honorable knights among Francia's royalty and nobility who began to competitively purchase cheap weapons from Abyss Corporation. All to win the civil war.
"So, Lady. If their technology is proven true, it would be wise to use all available resources to acquire raw materials. It would also be prudent to dispose of as many of the trading company's stockpiled manufactured goods as possible. The best course would be to steal their technology for our use, but..."
If that were easily achievable, similar technological advancements would have already occurred within Francia. But since they haven't, expectations are low.
Christine sighed deeply.
"Ah, I wish this were all just a dream. Waking up in my comfortable bed, finding that the betrayal by my cursed family and the information you've shared are all just figments of a nightmare."
At Christine's resigned words, I too let out a wry smile. Then, she slapped her cheeks with a 'smack' sound and took a deep breath.
"Alright. I'll verify this immediately and inform you, Young Duke. If this isn't just your delusion, I could swiftly take control of the trading company. So, what do you want in return for this information?"
"I need to borrow funds. Unlike you, who can mobilize the resources of the Aquitaine County's trading company, I'm struggling even to send military aid to the Duke. Having this information is useless to me without the means to act on it."
"Fine. My family would rather cut ties with a costly alliance than fully turn against the Duke's house. And with the tax rights we've extracted from Count Mirbo, I'll manage to arrange something as compensation. If needed, I'll even contribute some of my personal wealth. In exchange..."
"I'll assign Sir Gaston as your personal guard."
Christine blinked for a moment, then broke into a broad smile.
"I like how quickly we're making progress."
She possesses the wisdom and influence over the trading company to make the most of it, yet she is entirely lacking in physical strength.
The pretext was supposedly an accident resulting from the conflict between the Lafayette Duke's house and the Mirbo Count's house, but since the attempt to indirectly murder Christine failed, the Countess and her followers are likely even more wary of her.
In such circumstances, as Christine starts to expand her influence within the family and the trading company, the increasingly desperate Countess and her followers might act out, making it essential for me to protect her.
"Then... it's a bit embarrassing with the engagement about to be broken off, but I'll be counting on you, Young Duke. I'll make sure to live up to your expectations as well."
"Although it's a bit late to say this, I'll be counting on you too. Ah, excuse me for a moment..."
As I caught Christine's puzzled gaze, I rose from my seat and picked up a silver teaspoon from the tea set.
Before my regression, she was known to have died.
The Duke's house, with whom she was engaged, confirmed the facts, but there were no other particular rumors.
At the very least, the Countess and her followers hadn't hurried her death in a way that would have made their means look suspicious.
They must have used a method to make her death appear natural, like dying from an illness.
"...Isn't this a bit too modest for a gift to the Lady?"
"Hahaha, considering I will soon be your former fiancé, I hope you'll be understanding."
Christine took the silver teaspoon I offered and glanced at it before examining it for a moment.
It's an item that discolors when in contact with poison, a common precaution against poisoning in noble households.
It might not detect every poison and is more symbolic in nature, but she would understand its meaning.
A bitter smile then spread across Christine's face.
"Now, I can't even freely enjoy a snack offered by my brother."
***
After Christine returned to Aquitaine County, the engagement with the Aquitaine house was soon annulled.
The Duke at the frontlines was furious and demanded an explanation. However, when I sent a substantial amount of military funds, secured through compensation and ransom extracted from Mirbo, he let it go.
Time passed, and autumn arrived.
The obituary of Christine, which would have already been received before my regression, did not come.
In the meantime, I used the funds Christine provided to purchase as much raw material as possible and reorganized the remaining army in the Duke's domain.
This would be a source of strength for future endeavors.
I was practicing my swordsmanship in the training yard.
The experience and sword skills I had accumulated from numerous clashes with the revolutionaries after the Duke's death remained intact.
My refusal to avoid a duel proposed by the younger son of Mirbo was due to this confidence.
I had a firm belief that, compared to a noble who had hardly seen real combat and stayed within his domain, I, who had faced all sorts of challenges against the revolutionaries, held a significant advantage.
It was a flaw that my body had not been keeping up with my mind due to staying cautiously within my domain, but I had caught up somewhat through intense training in recent months.
Although I was somewhat ridiculed as a noble, I am the son of that 'Blue Knight.' While I may have neglected the body I inherited from my father for quite some time, it's still quite formidable.
That's one of the few things I'm thankful to that Duke for.
While I was diligently sweating through my training, the butler approached with the news.
"Young Duke, a letter and a package from Lady Aquitaine have arrived."
"Understood, Marco. I'll be there shortly."
After the butler bowed and withdrew, Jessie approached to hand me a towel.
"Thanks."
Wiping off the sweat, I headed to my office, with Jessie naturally following.
The occasional servants we encountered deeply bowed in greeting, leaving only the sound of footsteps echoing hollowly in the corridor, prompting me to break the awkward silence.
"Have you gotten used to it yet?"
"It's all thanks to your consideration, Young Duke."
Her response came naturally.
When I first made Jessie, who was a mere maid in the mansion, my personal attendant, she seemed extremely tense, unsure of my intentions.
However, as time passed and she realized I had no intentions of harming her, she seemed to grow more comfortable.
"I worry that suddenly becoming a personal attendant might have caused friction with the others."
"Not at all, Young Duke. If anything, I'm receiving treatment far beyond my station."
Her answer was as expected, yet it left me feeling somewhat deflated.
Perhaps it's just a whim. It could be a way of showing gratitude, or maybe it's nothing more than self-consolation.
On the brink of being dragged to the court and the guillotine in that mad republic, even offering a piece of bread to an old master would have required considerable courage.
Before my regression, I didn't even know her name. Now, she humbly looks down and follows me.
I wonder if she showed kindness because I was a good master or if she felt I was different from other corrupt nobles. I want to ask her.
Perhaps it was simply because she is kind-hearted and compassionate, acting out of shallow sympathy for her former master.
Regardless of the reason, it's an answer I cannot get from her now.
I turned my head and began walking towards the office again.
Even if I care for my people and ensure they're not mistreated, it's merely noblesse oblige – a duty of the nobility.
After all, it's just fulfilling the obligations of an aristocrat.
Knowing that a revolution is imminent, and being a noble myself, the revolution is inherently a threat.
Yet at the same time, I'm aware that this corrupt and decadent kingdom is doomed to fall, with or without a revolution.
It was only in the form of a revolution that the kingdom, lagging behind the times and filled with hypocrites clinging to tarnished honor and chivalry, met its demise.
Even if the revolution had been stopped, the kingdom would have plunged into greater ugliness, sacrificing more people.
Thus, I chose to join the revolution, intending to curb their excesses, and so far, the plan is proceeding smoothly.
- "Duke, that's why you nobles are called the blue-bloods."
Yet, the mocking voice I heard at the guillotine, filled with scorn, still echoes in my ears like a hallucination.
Can I truly treat them as equals, and can they accept and join me?
I still can't be sure.
Lost in these thoughts as I entered the office, a letter and an unidentified sphere sent by Christine lay on my desk.
I gave Jessie, who was leaving, a nod and then opened the letter.
[ Dear Young Duke Pierre de Lafayette,
I am pleased to inform you that the business is progressing smoothly.
I must mention the exemplary role of Sir Gaston, the knight you sent. His contribution has been significant.
Regarding the matter you were curious about, I've investigated and found that the other party is interested in you, so I'm sending an item along with this letter.
Infuse it with magic and say the name of the adorable child we met, and it will activate.
With that, I'll keep this brief and always wish for the well-being of you, Young Duke, and the Lafayette family.
Sincerely,
Christine Aquitaine. ]
I couldn't help but smile slightly.
Christine's efforts to take control of her family seem to be going smoothly, and it appears that Gaston thwarted an assassination attempt.
The matter I was curious about... it must be something related to the new technology of Abyss Corporation, and they've shown interest?
My eyes narrowed involuntarily as I gazed at the sphere on my office desk.
The adorable child we met... Have I ever met a child with her?
Pondering for a moment, I hesitantly placed my hand on the sphere and spoke.
"...Damien de Mirbo."
As I uttered the name, the sphere began to absorb magical energy, emitting light.
No, an adorable child?
As much as it's a code, did the younger son of that Count appear so in Christine's eyes?
"What a peculiar taste..."
I couldn't help but let out a wry laugh as the glowing sphere became transparent, revealing the figure of someone inside.
The person reflected in the crystal ball had an androgynous beauty, adorned in an elaborate purple dress contrasted by a white robe-like outer garment, with horns on their head confirming their demon race.
As the figure, be it he or she, placed a hand over their heart and bowed politely towards me -
A voice as enchanting as a beautiful melody flowed from the crystal ball.
[ It's an honor to meet you like this, Acting Duke Lafayette. ]
The demon inside the crystal ball smiled.
[ I represent 'Sloth' under Abyss Corporation. In your language, my name is Paimon. ]
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