Translated by Mara Sov
Revolutionary Period The Jokers Play
Your Highness the Princess Erisliste Lilianne De Francia.
The mont she heard , Eris paused and looked at with her purple eyes before opening her mouth.
Speak, Marquis Pierre De Lafayette.
Should the mont when you must ascend to the Throne of Francia for the sake of this country co, will you do so?
Do you wish for to be hunted down by those mad revolutionaries, my dear Marquis?
Her answer ca so quickly that I realized this seemingly cheerful bard might actually know more than she appeared to.
Of course not. As your subject, Im rely asking if youd prepared for such a mont, should the need arise. As you know, we live in a ti of great turmoil, without anyone in complete control of the Nation, and this is hardly a desired outco.
You acted as if you had foreseen this Revolution. I demand an explanation, Marquis. I cannot comprehend why you speak of my ascent to the Throne for a country where a Revolution against the monarchy is occurring.
King Louis wont be able to stop them.
Both King Louis and Duke Loranne might still be oblivious, believing they could stop the revolution just by joining forces, but the course of the Revolution is unfolding much faster than before my Regression.
Back then, King Louiss forces and the First Princes faction were matched, so the progress of the Civil War was slow, delaying the start of the Revolution.
But this ti, due to my actions and the Blue Knights survival from the Plague, King Louis lost a significant portion of his hastily assembled forces, and as a result, various domains were left with little protection.
In my past life, Duke Bretagne and Count Millbeau managed to hold their domains against the Revolutionaries for quite so ti, falling only when Raphael Valliant took the lead of the Revolutionaries forces.
But the Civil War didnt end even as the Revolutionaries started to gain control over Francia.
If King Louis thinks he wont be able to deal with the Revolution on his own, he will seek outside aid.
It will probably be the Germania Empire where the First Princess beca the Empress or the Northern Alliance where the Second Princess beca the ruler.
Thats correct. Those nations will invade this land with the pretext of restoring the legitimate rule of Francia, but in doing so, they will crush Francia completely and bring it under their rule.
Before my regression, the Revolutionaries actually captured and executed King Louis, but the other nations, especially the Germania Empire were intensifying their threats of war constantly, stating that they would remove the Revolutionary governnt and place Eris on the Throne.
I dont know how the future turned out since I was executed as well, but given the situation, its clear that Francias future even after the Revolution was not good.
So I said sothing that Eris didnt want to hear.
The Civil War and the Revolution are not the end, Your Highness. As long as the Revolution in Francia is perceived as a threat to the other countries rule, they will continue to be a threat.
So youre keeping around for that reason?
Yes, Your Highness. The mont they invade us under the pretext of restoring the country to its rightful ruler, we can offer the war-torn Revolutionaries a chance of legitimacy by placing a popular mber of the Royal Family on the throne and avoiding further conflict.
A long silence ensued after my words.
Liar.
I havent lied to you, Your Highness. Until now I have kept all of my promises.
You have not just lied to . You knew I was a Princess from the very beginning, that a Revolution would occur, and the Kingdom would face a collapse at least once, and now even the future threat of another war? Tell . What are you?
As I listened to Eriss frustrated voice, I smiled bitterly and stood up from my seat.
In the end, it will be your choice, Eris. I have no intention of forcing you.
Its quite sothing to hear after you say all that.
Not that I believe that simply crowning you a Queen will solve all these problems. Things could improve a little, but Im not foolish enough to say that everything will turn out well just by doing this.
If the Revolutionaries established Eris as a Queen, even if only by pretense, it might soften their stance towards the nobility in general, and it might be easier to gather the nobles who were averse to the Revolutionary governnt.
But on the flip side, if this situation is mishandled, theres a great chance that the innocent Eris will be sent to the guillotine just as before.
Elevating Eris as a Queen will weaken the foreign claims of legitimacy, but its still possible for them to claim that her commoner blood is not adequate for a Queen, even more so a Queen promoted by a common governnt.
At the very least, this would buy us so ti from the likes of the Germania Empire, but it wont be a guarantee of avoiding a war.
Even if you remain as a Saint sponsored by , it would be enough. At least this way you can live as freely as youd like.
But Im nothing like a saint.
What matters is how the people see you. So, give this idea so thought, whether as soone under my patronage or a future regent.
With those words, I turned around and prepared myself to leave, but Eriss voice stopped .
If I sacrifice my freedom and take this burden, will it really help the people of this country?
If you are prepared for this, I will make sure it helps.
If by doing so these people can have a better future. ThenIll do it.
As I turned around, Eris was looking at with a completely serene expression.
Her mystical purple eyes had not a single hint of uncertainty as I questioned her.
Why?
-Please, My Lord. I dont want to feel like I turned my back on those that I could have saved.
The plea Eris made echoed around my ears.
Despite having grown up in the palace, and leaving just before the Civil War erupted, she was the one who stepped forward and helped those in need during the plague and the Revolution and was even sacrificed for her good deeds.
Even if she denies it, there is no one better suited to be called a Saint than her.
So I was rely curious.
I despised the Blue Knight who dragged countless lives to the grave because of his ego and vainglory, and how this man managed to die with a smile on his face after all of his sins.
I detest the nobles who exploit others without hesitation just to satisfy their greed.
I strive to be different from them, always trying to prevent my people from being sacrificed in vain. This is my way of proving my worth.
But Eris is not like . She, who had no ties, who could be utterly free in this damned world, is using her free will to help others who are of no relation to her. II cannot say I could do as such.
Therefore,
Why would she go to such lengths?
After a mont of silence, Eris smiled and said.
When I was young, I grew up in the palace, loved and well-fed.
I see.
My mother always used to say that everything I enjoyed ca from the people of this nation. And that I should never forget to be thankful to them.
But now you have been away from the palace for quite so ti. And the people of Francia started a Revolution and will kill any who bears royal blood.
Even then, most of the talents I possess were nurtured by my mothers teachings during those peaceful tis in the palace, and its probably because Im a Princess that Uncle Frank has been taking care of until nowAnd you Marquis, in the end, you also treat this well especially because I am a Princess.
A bitter smile crossed my face at her words, and to that, I had no retort.
Moreover, she was still young. So its not far-fetched to think her mothers teachings still played a larger role in her life.
But could that be her only driving factor?
I found this sowhat difficult to believe, but out of consideration towards her, I offered so words.
You had a great mother, then.
Unexpectedly, Eris froze up at my words, her expression stiffened.
Since this was the first ti I had ever seen such an expression on her face, I spurred my brain to think of sothing I had done to offend her, but Eris opened her mouth with a sorrowful smile.
You would think so, wouldnt you?
It was such a tragic smile as her eyes glistened on the verge of bursting into tears.
Lumiere Capital of Francia.
As winter reached its end, spring approached.
The heads of the Revolutionary governnt sat in a conference room with serious faces.
Is Bishop Arnaud Richelieu absent again today?
Hmph, we have no need for that weak man anymore. After all, there are limits to what a ek person can do once a revolution occurs.
Yet, he is a figure respected and even adored by the citizens. In these chaotic tis, we need soone to stabilize our center, but he is too faint-hearted.
At this, the first president of the Republic, the ex-lawyer, Benoit Levier, smashed his fist on the table.
None of this matters now! The King and Duke Lorenne have joined forces and their army is advancing towards Lumiere as we speak!
A somber silence fell over the council at the presidents words.
President Levier looked at each person in the chamber before speaking again.
The forces commanded by the Duke of Orleans and Duke Lorenne are a formidable army of 8,000 veterans, elites who have survived the Civil War. Should they enter Lumiere, the Revolution will fall.
The leaders of the revolutionary movent stiffened at those words.
It was obvious that after the success of the Revolution, the King would aim to retake the Capital, so the new governnt imposed a national conscription to secure troops.
We have enough n to confront them. The problem is finding capable officers to lead them.
In the traditional Knight Kingdom of Francia, the ones charged with leading the troops were usually the Knights or nobles.
Naturally, most of the nearby nobles and so Knights were culled during the Revolution.
Ugh, we shouldnt have killed them just because of their status. If we want to run a proper state, we should have spared at least so of them, to use as officers.
At these words from the liberal writer, Nicolas Brisseau, the de facto leader of the moderate faction, the radical Jean Malo snorted.
Hmph, the enemies of the common people got what they deserved.
Sigh-. Fine, let us assu that is the case. It doesnt change the fact that the new governnt lacks anyone with proper experience in commanding a large force. What if we employed so of the captured nobles who have shown good behavior?
Ha! How could we trust those blue-bloods with our army! Have you forgotten that we declared the abolition of the cursed feudal system? How can we be certain that they wont betray us the mont they encounter the Kings army?
So we are just going to send out the soldiers to fight and hope for the best? These are highly trained forces of the King! Theyre not your run-of-the-mill guards that tried to stop us when we broke into the nobles mansions!
Who doesnt know that?! But to employ those blue-blood scumwouldnt that be like taking bribes from them?
What? What are you even talking about, you madman?
As the back and forth between those seated in the council chambers beca heated, the moderates and radicals started exchanging all manners of insults and slanders with each other.
Seeing this, President Benoit Levier furrowed his brow and pressed a hand to his forehead.
The Revolution had seized the Capital and most of the North, spreading through the Kingdom, but the head of the movent was still in utter chaos.
Just as the eting was about to devolve into a fight, Prosecutor Maximillian Le Jidor spoke with a cold and calculative voice.
I have a suitable candidate in mind.
A candidate, you say?
President Levier brightened at Jidors words.
Hes not a noble but has a history of serving as a rcenary in various places. At the end of the Civil War, he served under the Duke of Orleans, leading 1,000 n into the City of Rheims, so hes well familiarized with the command styles of both Dukes.
With a gesture from Jidor, his secretary distributed the dossier of this candidate, and the President studied it before speaking.
From what I can see, he has worked in quite a few cities in recent years. Leading 1,000 n, huh? Its not a small force, but its not even close to the army we have at our disposal, is it?
Do we have any other alternatives? Or is there soone among us who could lead a force of this size properly?
Sigh-. It might be worth a eting with him.
As the president gave his reluctant approval, Jidor who seed to have been waiting for this gave a signal to his secretary.
After the secretary left, the doors of the chamber opened after a brief mont, and everyones eyes watched a young man enter the room at a calm pace.
Isnt he too young?
Are the rumors about your experience true, lad?
Amidst the questions and skeptical gazes, the handso young man who appeared to just have entered his 20s placed a hand over his chest and bowed respectfully.
Its an honor to et the esteed mbers of the Revolutionary governnt. I am Raphael Valliant, the one in charge of commanding the militia in the city of Reims.
Hmm, RaphaelValliant. Youve had quite the nomadic lifestyle, havent you? Moving from one city to anotherDid you encounter trouble often?
On the contrary, good sir. There were many who offered a higher pay.
So if the King offered a higher pay, would you switch sides?
Ah, one of the most important characteristics of being a rcenary is that you cannot trust an employer who keeps promising a higher pay. Besides, you think the King can afford a higher pay now?
As the atmosphere relaxed a little under Valliants joke, with so even laughing, President Levier opened his mouth with a serious expression.
So, Valliant. I trust that you ca here with the intention of leaving your rcenary days behind to serve the Revolutionary Army.
Yes, esteed President. Both my n and I are sick of the rcenary life. And honestly, wed like to climb to a higher position as well.
Chuckle-. What an honest fellow.
Honest? I call that uncultured
As divergent opinions rose, President Levier spoke up.
If we entrust you with command over our forces, are you confident you can defeat the Kings army that threatens Lumiere?
At his question, Valliant simply smiled before saying.
Ill show those relics of the old era the power the peoples army holds.
TL Note: Ti for sum good modern fighting-style mfs.
Lets pull an WW2 on those french twats
/genesisforsaken
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