Germania Empire.
Kaiserin Cecilia had postponed the requests to hold a council of Feudal Lords with various excuses, but as winter approached, she ultimately succumbed to the pressure and had no choice but to accept the lords' demands.
“Kaiserin, how exactly is the war progressing?”
“I wonder where those who boasted they could plant the Empire's Flag in Lumiere this year have gone.”
Cecilia gazed with blurred eyes at the empty chairs of the Prince-elector of the Kraft Kingdom and the Feudal Lords who supported him.
“What in the world is Grand Duke Leopold doing? We gave him so many troops, yet he suffered a major Defeat, unable to beat half the forces of a country devastated by civil war? Has he gone senile?”
“Hmph, the Grand Duke must be too old. Wasn't he trying to retire before this war anyway? He must have known he was past his pri.”
“Co to think of it, wasn't it the Kaiserin who stopped Grand Duke Leopold's retirent and appointed him? Given how things are turning out, perhaps you should have given the chance to younger, more promising generals…….”
They spoke so casually, judging only by the results, as if they weren't the ones who would have to command on the front lines.
It seed everyone had forgotten that the very sa Grand Duke Leopold they were now recklessly criticizing had been hailed as a hero of the Empire by their own mouths just a short while ago.
Cecilia forced the corners of her stiffening lips into a smile.
“Unexpected Defeats can always happen on the battlefield. Besides, the last Battle was not due to Grand Duke Leopold's mistake, but because of the Barbarians' Reinforcent Army.”
However, the faces of the Feudal Lords did not relax at Cecilia's words, and one lord openly scoffed.
“Isn't it a Defeat that ca after failing to crush 50,000 with 90,000 in the first place? Are you aware that all the nations of the central continent are laughing at the Imperial Army?”
Under normal circumstances, given Kaiserin Cecilia’s influence, they wouldn't have dared to be so disrespectful.
Cecilia held her breath, feeling as though she was once again facing the disdain and hostility she had encountered in her first council of Feudal Lords, which took place after she was sold off from Francia, beca an adult, and married Otto.
“The most serious problem is that the Imperial Army, having suffered such a shaful Defeat, is doing nothing but wasting ti instead of launching an Offensive!”
“Even after one Defeat, we sent 50,000 Reinforcents! Why on earth are they sitting idle with far more troops, rely draining the war funds?”
“That Francia Puppet Governnt is likely training more troops even now. I cannot understand why we gave them ti and dragged the war into winter.”
Originally, the Imperial forces consisted of more than half of the direct army prepared by the Kaiserin.
It was a considerable size, and seeing this, the Feudal Lords had judged victory possible and dispatched their own troops.
However, a significant portion of the Kaiserin's direct army had suffered severe damage in successive Battles, and now that 50,000 Reinforcents had been sent from the Feudal Lords and the Northern Allied Kingdom, the proportion of the direct army was greatly reduced.
Naturally, the dissatisfaction of the Feudal Lords, who were now maintaining most of the army and paying the war expenses, was sky-high.
“There was a need to restore the army's Morale after the last Defeat. Since the enemy also has their Territory occupied, they will eventually have to launch an Offensive, and when that happens-”
“When exactly is that?”
Cut off by the lord's question, Cecilia's face turned unpleasant, but the Feudal Lords paid no heed.
“They ultimately did not launch an Offensive by winter. Thanks to that, we are now in a position where we just spend war funds and wait until next spring.”
“Will they Attack in the spring? No, wasn't our initial goal in this war to depose their puppet queen? How can we achieve that by sitting in Alsace-Lorraine?”
“Lumiere, we must take Lumiere! Why are we wasting ti with more troops!”
Cecilia felt suffocated.
To think they had acted as if they would spare no cooperation after being promised benefits should Cecilia beco Queen of Francia, only to turn coat like this the mont the war went slightly awry.
The fact that these were supposedly the pro-Emperor Feudal Lords, the ones who supported Cecilia's war, made her mind reel even more.
The war with Francia hadn't even lasted a year yet. Judging by Grand Duke Leopold's attitude and reports, it was uncertain how many more years it would continue.
If even these lords were already like this, what must the Grand King of the Kraft Kingdom and the Feudal Lords supporting him be thinking by now?
“Kaiserin, we trusted in the dedication and leadership you have shown for the Empire, believed you would deliver on your promises, and supported your…… sowhat lacking justification.”
Sowhat lacking justification. As Cecilia's face hardened, the lord continued.
“But looking at the progress of the war now, we are concerned that you might have forgotten that we are bearing the war expenses solely based on your promise.”
“……Of course, I am always grateful for your dedication to the Empire. However, we have already entered winter, and I hope you understand that launching an Offensive in winter is practically difficult.”
That was why she had tried to delay the council eting with all sorts of excuses, but the Feudal Lords, though looking displeased, did not demand an Offensive in winter.
However.
“Then, Kaiserin, you will launch an Offensive imdiately in the spring, correct?”
At the imdiate question, Cecilia narrowed her brow slightly and replied.
“By spring, the enemy will likely launch an Offensive.”
“What if they remain seated even then? Must we wait indefinitely next year as well?”
“Of course not, that will depend on the judgnt of the field commander, Grand Duke Leopold-”
Cecilia wanted to end it vaguely, but the Feudal Lords naturally demanded a firm answer.
“If the Grand Duke insists he cannot launch an Offensive, shouldn't we appoint a more enthusiastic and aggressive commander and launch the Offensive anyway?”
“All the countries of the central continent are watching the Imperial Army's disgrace right now!”
'They're probably more concerned about the money coming out of their pockets than the prestige of the Imperial Army.'
Thinking this, Cecilia could only reply with a sigh.
“……If the enemies in Francia do not launch an Offensive even when spring arrives, then we shall issue the order to launch one.”
“Then we shall trust the Kaiserin and prepare the war funds without delay.”
Watching the lords imdiately feign courtesy, Cecilia let out a small sigh.
In the end, this was a war she had started for her, for her throne.
Cecilia herself knew that very well.
But it was also a war started because she believed the Empire could never lose to a tattered place like Francia.
That was why she could dismiss it when her illegitimate half-sister spoke softly, her eyes shining, as the naive fantasy of a child who knew only ideals, not reality.
But, now.
Cecilia clenched her teeth, recalling those transparent violet eyes that seed to pierce right through the deep-seated sense of deprivation and jealousy within her.
*
Lumiere, the capital of the Kingdom of Francia.
The new year had dawned, and winter was slowly coming to an end.
On the training grounds of the Army Military Academy, nurous cadets stood dressed in the uniforms of the Revolutionary Army, listening to the words of the academy's headmaster, Baron Charon.
“As proud officer candidates of the Revolutionary Kingdom of Francia, you have diligently followed the Grande École curriculum.”
With her neat brown bob cut revealed beneath her military cap, the woman, no longer Gilles Davi but a cadet nad Giselle Davi, stood with them in a disciplined posture.
“I know that your efforts to attend here without dropping out, despite what must have been a difficult process due to the state of ergency, were by no ans light. As the headmaster of the Army Military Academy, I express my gratitude for your achievents with a glad heart.”
It was a difficult decision, enrolling in the military academy out of ambition.
If Ellen were here, she probably would have smacked her head, saying she was completely mad.
When her hidden identity was discovered, she despaired, thinking all her efforts would crumble into nothing.
However, Headmaster Baron Charon ordered a relatively simple punishnt and confinent for only a few days, calmly informing her that the National Assembly had passed a bill allowing won to serve as officers.
“But as one who once served in the military, I wish to implore you. You who have completed the minimum training will now stand on the battlefield, but that does not an you are complete as officers.”
The middle-aged man, said to have been a knight before becoming headmaster, spoke with a stoic expression, yet he had knowingly and unknowingly protected her after her gender was revealed, when she faced trendous opposition and discrimination.
“You have rely completed the remainder of your training in the most practical form, so I hope you will approach the battlefield cautiously, following the teachings of your superiors.”
Baron Charon paused briefly there.
Giselle Davi vaguely thought the gruff but subtly considerate headmaster felt a sense of responsibility for having to send these greenhorn officer cadets to the battlefield.
“Gentlen, your Motherland is in crisis. Although you are officer cadets, you have learned the bearing and mindset of soldiers. I trust you know what you must fight for.”
The eccentric girl who had once rely been fascinated by the revolution and admired soldiers took a deep breath, reflecting on what she had learned so fiercely at this academy.
“I expect that the dedication you will show to protect our Motherland, our revolution, will not bring sha upon the na of the Army Military Academy. You have worked hard following the curriculum of this school. As headmaster, I bid you farewell, praying that you will return safely from the battlefield as respectable officers in your own right.”
Baron Charon saluted, and the cadets responded with a salute in unison.
*
Among the officer cadets who had finished their early graduation ceremony, Giselle Davi headed towards the headmaster's office with slightly anxious steps.
Standing before the door, Giselle slowly raised her hand, hesitated slightly, then knocked.
“Officer Cadet Giselle Davi.”
“Enter.”
Giselle took a slow, deep breath, stepped into the headmaster's office, and saluted.
Baron Charon returned the salute, then gestured inward with his hand.
And there, Giselle ca face to face with a woman in a black dress, devoid of any accessories, resembling mourning attire.
The woman, with black hair and clothes, held a black fan covering her mouth, gazing at her with jet-black eyes.
The Countess of Aquitaine, head of the trading company.
A mber of the National Assembly and the de facto power broker of the Central Party.
A great rchant and politician, praised by countless employees of the Aquitaine Trading Company and the citizens of Lumiere, wielding influence enough to shake Francia.
Facing a presence that an ordinary commoner officer cadet like herself would normally never dare to et, Giselle swallowed dryly and bowed her head with military courtesy.
“Officer Cadet Giselle Davi greets Her Excellency, Countess Aquitaine.”
Christine gave a slight nod and indicated the seat opposite her with her fan.
“A pleasure to et you, Cadet Davi. Please sit.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency.”
Simply moving to the seat Christine offered felt strangely long.
This person, the one who had effectively passed a bill for her alone.
When she had faced all sorts of contempt and opposition just for being a female cadet in this macho military academy and worked herself to death despite lagging physically to achieve top grades, she had joked that she wished she could et Countess Aquitaine when asked if she had any wish.
She never imagined that joke would actually summon The One herself.
Giselle felt cold sweat trickling down her spine.
Her brain, unmatched in the academy, felt frozen and wouldn't work properly.
As Giselle remained silent for a while, Christine, who had been watching her while fanning herself gently, spoke first.
“It's early, but congratulations on your graduation, Cadet Davi.”
“Th-Thank you, Your Excellency!”
“I heard you requested to et .”
'I never thought she’d actually agree.'
But still, the words she needed to say were clear.
Giselle removed her cap and bowed deeply.
“Thank you, Your Excellency!”
A jumbled ss of words blurted out, omitting subjects and everything else in her confused mind.
Giselle squeezed her eyes shut, but Christine responded naturally.
“I simply received a report from Headmaster Baron Charon and judged that you were worthy of such an investnt. And you proved that you are indeed worthy of it. So, there is no need to thank .”
As Giselle straightened up and looked at Christine with eyes full of respect and gratitude, Christine slowly spoke again.
“I trust you will continue to dedicate your talents to Francia.”
“I will keep that in mind, Your Excellency!”
Hearing Giselle's fervent reply, Christine, fanning herself with a face showing little emotion outwardly, spoke as if she had just rembered sothing.
“By the way, which unit are you assigned to?”
“The 13th Cavalry Regint, Your Excellency.”
“The 13th Cavalry Regint…….”
As Christine paused slightly, Baron Charon, standing beside her, imdiately added context.
“It is the unit commanded by Sir Peter de Cassel. It falls under the command of His Excellency Count Damien De Millbeau, Your Excellency.”
Christine's fanning stopped abruptly.
It was only for an instant, but both Baron Charon and Giselle stiffened, wondering if sothing was wrong.
However, Christine resud fanning as if nothing had happened and opened her mouth.
“……Is there anything else you wish to say?”
Giselle almost answered reflexively but caught herself.
The answer ca a beat later.
“N-No, Your Excellency.”
Christine nodded and spoke again.
“Very well. I wish you luck in your future endeavors. I would like to chat more, but I hope you understand that I must leave due to my schedule.”
“Y-Yes! Your Excellency!”
As Christine rose from her seat, Giselle instinctively stood up with her.
After exchanging brief farewells with Baron Charon, Christine turned her back without any lingering attachnt and walked away.
Watching her leave, Giselle closed her eyes tightly and called out, half on impulse.
“Was it Your Excellency who looked after the Davi family?”
Christine's footsteps stopped.
A mont of silence passed, then without turning her head, she replied slowly.
“Perhaps. But if there is soone who bestows such kindness, they likely do so after receiving fair compensation. So, there’s no need to feel indebted. ……Good luck, Giselle Davi.”
Leaving only those words, Christine departed.
Giselle watched the door she had exited, then slowly bowed deeply for a long ti.
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