Translated by Mara Sov
Revolutionary Period Closing In
As spring blood completely, following the clashes between the Revolutionaries and the Royal Army, I held a eting with the Lords sympathetic to Lafayette.
The ones invited were Christine De Aquitaine, the Countess of Aquitaine; the Count of Anjou who beca an ally thanks to Eris; and Count Lionel who supported us against the Duke of Bretagne and Count Millbeaul in the final battles of the Civil War due to our protection against their plundering.
However, not everyone reacted well to the proposal I brought up.
Marquis, I understand that the rebel army fought well against the Royal Army, better than I expected at least. But you want to join hands with this commoner rebellionShould I worry about your sanity, my friend?
Count Lionel made no effort to hide his disagreent.
The surrounding nations see the rebels as a threat and will respond positively to King Louiss call for aid. Especially the Germania Empire, since they were defeated by us in the last war, they wont let this opportunity go to waste.
Count Lionels words have so rit, but we have to rember that we already crossed the point of no return with King Louis. Besides, the revolutionary governnt will surely be aware of this upcoming crisis as well, so they may react favorably to our proposal. After all, the enemy of my enemy is my ally.
Sigh-. Even soTo ally with these commoner rebels. These people even declared the abolition of the feudal system. I trust you realize what this ans, Marquis.
The abolition of feudalism. Essentially this was simply a asure to seize the nobles assets and distribute them to the bourgeoisie, the main supporters of the revolution, and most of all, this was a way to win public support.
Honestly, I believe that this feudal system is sothing that will already fade in the next decades.
I am aware of this. If we were to cooperate with them, we may have to transfer so of our lands ownership.
Snort-. You are seriously considering handing the lands and estates inherited from our ancestors to that rabble?
Yes, this is not sothing a noble could easily accept.
If this doesnt sound pleasing to you, think like this. You can hand over your title and land for fair compensation. Taxation rights, for example, and both lands and titles are sothing that could be bought at the end of the day, right?
Christines family is living proof of this, as they are a newly risen noble family who bought the titles and land from the ancient house of Aquitaine.
I hear your words, Marquis. But know that I have no intention of joining hands with those rebels who are massacring nobles at will! And much less giving the lands my ancestors secured with their blood, sweat, and tears!
After saying his piece, Count Lionel stood up from his seat.
May peace shine for Lionel County
And prosperity for the Lafayette Marquisate.
With those parting words, Count Lionel stord out of the room.
His son, Gilles De Lionel looked at with an apologetic gaze before opening his mouth.
I wish you the best of luck, Marquis.
Ill always be grateful for all the help the Lionel family has given to Should you ever reconsider, Ill make sure to return the grace given to , so please do not hesitate to ask.
I thank you for those words, Ill rember them.
With a bow, Gilles followed his father.
Truthfully, it would be strange if they accepted this proposal imdiately. At least, his son seed to understand the situation a bit, so he could still be persuaded.
After the two n from the Lionel Family left, Count Anjou who had been stroking his beard spoke up.
Chuckles-. This proposal may have been a little too radical.
Do you also oppose it, Count?
Hm
Instead of answering, the Count looked towards Christine as she nodded and proceeded to speak.
Im in favor. Aquitaine has always been a rcantile family, relying more on trade and comrce than its lands
After a brief pause, Christine showed a more predatory smile and added.
Its an opportunity to expand into the north of Francia, where trade has always been dominated by Bretagne and the Abyss Corporation. So for Aquitaine, this is worth the risk.
Once more, Im grateful for Aquitaines support.
After expressing my gratitude to her, I turned back towards the Count who continued to stroke his beard.
Sigh-. Its becoming rather challenging to keep up with the new generation. But if I may, I wish to ask you one thing.
Please do, Count.
Have the two of you already promised to share a future?
Excuse ?
Why would he ask this right now?
The engagent decided by the forr Count of Aquitaine has been broken. And yet, since then, the two of you have been cooperating rather closely. This old man is rely interested since the Countess of Aquitaine would be a good match for one of my sons, but if the two of you already have a compromise, it would be beyond rude of to intrude.
The Count finished his words with a hearty laugh.
My stiff gaze turned towards Christine who smiled as if she hadnt even heard this.
Both the Marquis and I just turned 20. So theres no need to rush into marriage talks in such chaotic tis.
Hahahaha-. So its still on the table? But you wont give a direct answer?
Why would I lower the value of a disputed commodity so early on?
The Count smacked his lips at Christines soft and kind tone, as she said those words without a single hint of sha.
Aye, shes not an easy lass, Indeed. Well, its rather shocking for this old man, but all my sons have advised that it would be good to continue our cooperation, so for now, well consider this proposal carefully.
After saying this, whether it was muscle mory at this point or simply for the Counts amusent, he stroked his beard once more and added.
Its a fact that my territory has gained much from being involved with you, Marquis. Since the plague had died down and the Aquitaine trading company was back to its usual operations, if our territory got a deal from those rebNo what is what they are calling themselves again? Ah! Yes, Revolutionaries.
Then, I shall strive to secure a deal that will satisfy Anjou County.
After all, the other party will be the one in urgent need of aid.
With both Lafayette and Aquitaine working on this, I would expect nothing less.
The departure of Lionel is regrettable, but with Lafayette, Aquitaine, and Anjou we still have a power that encompasses the southern part of this Kingdom.
With the Revolution breaking out earlier than expected and with the Kings forces crumbling just as quickly, foreign intervention is certain. Originally, the revolutionary governnt would face an invasion after they had a good ti to prepare, but the rapid progress of the revolution and the early appearance and subsequent victories of Raphael Valliant had an unintended backlash.
Now that the revolutionaries are facing a bigger crisis, this will be our ti to move.
When the eting had concluded, the sun was already setting.
I sat across from Christine and studied the reports she had handed to .
Raphael Valliant had been organizing and training militias to defend the cities against raid attempts during the Civil War, and recently, he had personally reached out to Prosecutor Maximillien Le Jidor in order to beco part of the Revolutionary forces.
Jidor was the very sa man responsible for my execution and quickly beca known as the guillotine-man..Of all people, why does it have to be him?
The fact that Raphael Valliant had been moving through the front-line cities in the north during the Civil War and managed to stay undetected by Aquitaine was surprising enough, but the fact that his sudden recruitnt by the revolutionaries, and his win against the Royal Army were disconcerting to say the least.
As far as I knew, Raphale Vaillant only began leading the Revolutionaries way later than now. I dont understand why he appeared early, but this couldnt be good for .
Things have changed from the first ti, so it wouldnt be strange if they continued to change, and the usefulness of my knowledge is fading.
But the more pressing report was one I received from Christine through a ssenger bird, but that was only her suspicion
So, what do you think?
I muttered while I stared at those deep black eyes of hers that seed to suck in on its depths.
Emanuel Sierres, Sierres
This Sierres has no clue we already suspect him, so instead of choosing another background, he would stick with his current identity as a B-class Mage.
Normally, there would be no need to investigate the origins of the Revolutionary leadership or the book Theory of Social Hierarchy before these events surfaced.
Not to ntion, that no one would know about my doubts on whether the publication date of such a book was moved up compared to before my regression.
Yet, I already knew that the author of this book was none other than Bishop Arnaud Richelieu, and a man nad Sierres played a large help in publishing it.
Such a person, just after the revolution broke out, wanted to beco a vassal of Aquitaine? Thats not even fishy anymore, it stinks, badly.
Perhaps hes a spy sent by the revolutionaries?
But, until now we have no hostility towards them; we even sent so friendly gestures through the cities.
So why would the revolutionaries, who should be busy dealing with major threats such as King Louis and the like, dispatch a spy to us, who isnt even hostile to them?
As I thought about this, Christine suddenly said.
Im sorry, My Lord.
Pardon?
When Count Anjou made that question, I acted without your consent.
Ah.ThatMatter.
From Christines words, one could understand that she was not against the idea of giving a chance to Count Anjous sons, but she had said to she had no intention of marrying anyone.
After all, if she got a husband, there would be no way to spare her brother.
Its fine, I understand the position you find yourself in, Christine.
Honestly, Im as fed up with marriage talks as she is. Every day the Baron keeps telling to marry soone and produce an heir.
I once again stared at Christines hypnotizing eyes while I beca imrsed in thoughts. Since our engagent was annulled, we are nothing to each other.
But, after spending ti with her, I must admit that every other lady falls short in my eyes.
As we continued to look at each others eyes in silence, Christine hesitated for a mont before speaking.
What if we-
Just then, a knock ca from the window.
There stood a black pigeon with red eyes, resembling a crow.
When I opened the window, the pigeon flew inside and started speaking with a twisted voice.
Its an honor to finally et you, Marquis of Lafayette and Countess Aquitaine. Im Halphas, a mber of the Pride Corps from Abyss Corporation.
Sigh-. What madness is this now?
Looking at Christine I could see that she seed legitimately disturbed, which was a first.
I apologize for this rude greeting, as this bird is rely my familiar and not my true form. I hope you find in yourself so forgiveness.
The bird spoke with a polite language, courting our favor, but I didnt want to listen to this nonsense, as I said the first thing that ca to my mind.
I dont think I have any forgiveness left in ?
The mont I drew my sword this blasted bird tilted its head, its eyes almost shining.
That would be most regrettable, but as I said, I represent the Pride Corps and have co here with a delightful proposal for both of-
If you have a proposal then co and present it in person.
Before the pigeon could even say another word, I cut off its head.
Instead of blood, what ca out from the severed neck was remnants of dark-colored mana, as the pigeon crumbled to dust.
After watching this scene unfold, I said.
Christine.
Yes, Pierre?
The CEO of Sloth said we cant talk over long distances yet, didnt they?
Thats correct.
Christine was the first to receive that crystal ball and pass it to .
There, Paimon expressed their clear regret over the lack of such a function.
So if such ans existed, they would have contacted us imdiately.
I believe that should be the case.
While I recalled the face of the quirky demon who said he would eagerly anticipate the chance of eting with us despite the losses we caused to them, Christine agreed.
The publication of the Theory of Social Hierarchy was moved up compared to before my regression.
And now, after the early publication of such an important book that affected the masses, a demons familiar appears in my domain?
Are you sure there werent any new additions to your caravan besides that man?
Yes, Im sure. Besides him, Ive only brought those who usually accompany us to Lafayette. Otherwise, we wouldnt be able to confirm his identity as a spy.
Once again I was impressed at Christines cunning.
I assu youll have been keeping a watchful eye for things like this, Pierre?
Indeed. Since the revolution, weve been thoroughly verifying the identities of those who enter and leave my territory.
After a short silence, I asked.
Could it be that these demons have hidden ans for deception?
If the one who contacted us months ago had sothing like this planned from the beginning
Then they are such an omnipotent force that it wont matter whatever we do.
If you think that is the caseWas it wise to step on their tails like that?
Christine said this with a sly smile on her face.
Well, we wont know until we draw them out. But Im curious to know whether the Abyss Corporation or another force is hiding their true identity and sneaking in as spies. If we know that a spy exists, then we could deal with it however we want to. What do you say?
When I asked her stance on this matter, Christines smile widened with a hint of venom behind her beautiful facade.
Now that you have said that, Im rather curious as well. I wonder what face this demon will make when they realize they were the ones being had.
TL NOTE: I.Dont have anything to say in this noteBut..Lets clap sum demon cheeks lads?
Like those
Juice
Demon
Cheeks
Oga GYAAAAT lvs of stuff
Like built in stuff, shockstop stuff.
Im drunk.
/genesisforsaken
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