novelraw Chapter 148: Krafte War - The Opening of Hostilities
Chapter 148: Krafte War - The Opening of Hostilities
The day before the two-year armistice with Krafte was to end.
Lumiere, the capital of Francia, was shrouded in war and tension.
I stood before Eris and the three Director-Generals who had visited the Revolutionary Army Headquarters, pointing to the operation map and explaining the situation.
“60,000 troops are deployed on the frontline in Alsace, and 80,000 in Lorraine.”
Considering Karl II's temperament, I had deployed them in advance, anticipating a possible surprise attack the moment the armistice would end. However, the enemy's deployment and the intelligence gathered by Christine showed no such signs.
“The soldiers must be having a hard time. To be on high alert even before the war has started…” Eris said.
I replied with a bitter smile.
“Even if they’ve completed basic training, this is a hastily expanded army. It is not a waste, as it allows the new recruits who have not experienced the last war to familiarize themselves with the battlefield terrain, while we conduct local fortification and training.”
My concern about a surprise attack from the Great King was certainly an overestimation, but it was always better to be over-prepared, even if it came to nothing, than to be caught off guard.
No, rather, it was stranger that the Great King, despite eagerly awaiting this war, was calmly waiting until the armistice period ended to declare war and begin his advance.I pointed to the operation map again and continued my explanation.
“Of the 110,000 troops currently being mobilized and assembled, 80,000 will be deployed to the second line in Barua and Franche-Comté, 40,000 each.”
Count Anjou, the Director-General of the Central Party, stroked his chin and spoke.
“So you’re deploying reserves to defend both the north and the south this time.”
“That is correct, my Lord Count.”
In the war against the Germania Empire, I had hastily assumed the enemy would advance on the capital, Lumiere, and had concentrated our forces in the north.
As a result, I was caught off guard by Grand Duke Leopold and found myself in a situation where our trade route with the Kingdom of Alps was held hostage.
“Unlike the war with the Germania Empire, we have sufficient troops this time. We will station forces in Barua, a strategic point to the north, and in Franche-Comté, a strategic point to the south, to serve as a second defense line in case of an emergency. The close proximity of the two regions also facilitates organic support.”
At that, Talleyrand, the Director-General of the Revolutionary Party, who had been listening silently, asked.
“Then, where will the remaining 30,000 be deployed?”
“They are troops who are relatively older or less trained. They will be stationed in the capital, Lumiere, to undergo further training and serve as a final reserve in case of emergency.”
It would be best if such troops were not deployed in battle at all…
But war does not always go as one wishes.
“250,000…”
Eris, who had been looking at the operation map, muttered softly.
It was a faint voice, as if she were murmuring to herself, not seeking an answer.
The queen who still wore no crown, only the white robe she had always worn.
The weight of responsibility Eris would have to bear, a leader who fought with her soldiers on the battlefield rather than from a throne.
That was the number of those who had stepped forward to protect this country.
“We have prepared for every eventuality, Your Majesty. It may not be perfect, but we have done the best we can.”
As if my intention was understood, Eris smiled faintly and replied.
“I know. I always have faith in you, Marquis Lafayette.”
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
After replying to Eris and stepping back, Christine, dressed in her admiral's uniform, stepped forward.
“The navy will conduct commerce raiding operations from the northern part of the Germania Empire to the coast of the Krafte Kingdom.”
While the Krafte Kingdom possessed a formidable army, it originated as an inland nation of the Germania Empire.
Considering that even its most developed port, Stettin, closest to their capital, was originally the territory of the Northern Allied Kingdom, it was natural for their naval power to be insignificant.
Christine spoke with a confident demeanor.
“At the very least, for the duration of the war, their maritime trade will be unable to function.”
It was a nation that had maintained a disproportionately large army from its inception. It was obvious that they would suffer greatly in a protracted war with their maritime trade severed.
“Can you not blockade the Central Sea as well? That would cut off their trade route through the southern part of the Germania Empire.”
When Count Anjou asked with a chuckle, Christine replied.
“The Central Sea is relatively vast and far from the main bases of the Francian Navy. There are also many nations with vested interests there. The effort would not be worthwhile.”
Christine paused for a moment before adding.
“Besides, you needn't worry too much about their trade through the Germania Empire.”
“Hmm?”
Talleyrand, the diplomatic expert, answered Count Anjou's question in her stead.
“The Germania Empire and the Krafte Kingdom have been hostile to each other for a considerable time. “Although the Krafte Kingdom is fighting on the Empire's side in this war, their interests do not necessarily align.”
This war itself was instigated by the Great King's personal will rather than the Krafte Kingdom's interests, but in any case, since it had become their conflict, the Krafte Kingdom would seek to secure its own interests.
“While this war was initiated by the Archduchy of Sudenreich, the current holder of the imperial throne, an easy victory would only elevate the Krafte Kingdom's standing within the Empire.”
After I added my own explanation, Count Anjou finally understood.
“Ah, I see. Then the Empire would deliberately provide fewer supplies, or charge exorbitant prices for them.”
Christine smiled faintly and nodded.
“Yes, that's right. And that in itself fulfills the purpose of our commerce raiding operation. In any case, just making the Krafte Kingdom dependent on the Empire for its trade will diminish their national power.”
The Emperor might not, but the Empress was not one to miss such an opportunity if the stage was set for her.
For now, it was wartime, but there was no reason why a hostile symbiotic relationship couldn't be established even in such a situation.
“For now, we will focus on commerce raiding, but once the war progresses sufficiently, we will proceed with additional operations. At that time, I will need Director-General Talleyrand's help.”
“Haha, I hope the opportunity to play my part comes quickly.”
Christine gave a faint smile to the jesting Talleyrand.
I gently turned my gaze to Nicolas Brisseau, the Director-General of the Liberty Party, who had remained silent throughout the meeting, and then spoke.
“Does Director-General Brisseau have any questions or opinions?”
Nicolas Brisseau, as if startled from his thoughts, gave a bitter smile.
“No, no. What would a man who only writes have to contribute to military matters? I am relieved that the leaders of the army and navy are so reliable.”
I looked at Brisseau’s rather bitter expression for a moment.
He had been the leader of the moderate faction since the early days of the Republic, maintaining his position between the conservative noble Count Anjou and the radical Revolutionary Party Director-General Talleyrand, even after the establishment of the Directory government in the National Assembly.
But in an age of crisis like this, such a path and position also meant that his stance was indistinct. That was why his influence as a Director-General, and his party's recognition, were the weakest in the National Assembly.
Count Anjou, too, was greatly overshadowed by Talleyrand as a Director-General, but the Central Party had me and Christine.
Director-General Brisseau had at least attended the signing of the armistice with Krafte as a representative of the National Assembly, but he had been unable to properly negotiate with the Great King, whose mind was already made up.
Though I felt sorry for him, he was the first person in the Revolutionary Army to show interest in Christine and me and had long cooperated with us, so I answered him with due respect.
“Thank you for saying so, Director-General. We will do our best to live up to your expectations.”
At that, Nicolas Brisseau merely nodded, his face a mixture of complex emotions.
*
Late at night.
I held Christine in my arms, my hand stroking her waist.
As I felt the smooth texture of her skin along her elegant curves, a voice tinged with laughter tickled my ear.
“That tickles.”
The calm, yet intimately clinging sound of her voice.
“Haha.”
I took my hand away and instead brushed her sweat-dampened hair from her face. Christine snuggled into my chest and said,
“Now, starting tomorrow, we won’t be able to see each other for a while.”
I answered with a low laugh.
“It's already today.”
It must have been past midnight.
Knowing the Great King of Krafte, it wouldn't be strange for an ambassador to deliver the declaration of war this very morning.
After a moment of silence, Christine spoke again.
“I say this all the time, but I trust you, Pierre. …Still, please be a little careful.”
“So, the latter part is the main point, isn't it?”
To Christine, who burst out laughing instead of answering, I said.
“I say this all the time, but I trust you as well. …Don't overdo it.”
While in the strategy meeting, she had only mentioned commerce raiding, Christine was also in charge of supplying the entire Revolutionary Army through the Aquitaine Merchant Guild and intelligence warfare.
If I didn't say at least this much, she would surely disregard her own health.
As if she understood, her jet-black eyes, which shone even in the darkness, curved gently as she looked at me and replied in a whisper.
“Working for you and for me is quite a joy, but if it’s your request, I’ll try to hold back a little.”
I was about to kiss her, finding her so lovely.
A massive explosion roared.
“What the—”
Rushing out to the balcony, I could see a pillar of fire rising in the distance.
“That’s…”
Hearing Christine's slightly trembling voice, I put my hand to my forehead and replied.
“The armory.”
Damn it. This is why, regardless of the army’s domain, I had wanted to entrust it to Christine somehow.
I furrowed my brow as I looked at the blazing capital armory.
This crazy Great King, to think he would declare war with such a vulgar act, not even waiting for morning, but immediately after midnight.
*
A detached palace near Mittelburg, the capital of the Krafte Kingdom.
The Great King of Krafte, Karl II, was dressed in a crisp military uniform, his hat pressed down on his head, and holding the cane he always carried.
And with that alone, he transformed from a playful and frugal king to a commander of the battlefield.
He had ordered his chancellor to issue a grand declaration of war, so they must have received it by now.
The boring time of peace and waiting was over, and the era of iron and blood he had so longed for had come.
The Great King slowly inhaled, and then exhaled.
The air in the room was the same, yet not the same.
He could almost feel the acrid smell of non-existent gunpowder.
Feeling an uncontrollable vitality overflowing in his body, lethargic only yesterday, the Great King strode forward.
-Great King, you are already hailed as a great and wise monarch. If you lose this war, and in doing so, lose not only future honor but also the very reputation of a wise monarch you have cultivated until now, isn't this a war of no value?
The young, snow-white queen had said so.
But he did not think so.
What value was there in the reputation of a wise monarch in times of peace?
The history of humanity is a history of struggle, and a beast that has ceased to struggle is nothing but a toothless domestic animal.
The Great King could not imagine himself content with the present, simply waiting for death.
For him, his entire life was a struggle, and a testament to himself.
Not the title of Great King bestowed upon him by his people, nor even the nation of Krafte that he had built.
There was nothing of value that could replace that.
As soon as he stepped out onto the balcony, the Great King shouted loudly.
“My army—!”
Tens of thousands of soldiers, lined up in formation, turned their guns in perfect unison and grounded them.
Thump—
Not a human language, but a massive reverberation, united into a weapon, answered the Great King.
“This is my last war. You are the last soldiers to stand with me on the battlefield.”
When he defeated the Empire, he was offered the title of Great King.
But it was not enough.
It was an incomplete victory, achieved from the position of a small country against a once-great power that was in decline.
“I am pleased to be able to share this glory with you.”
That was why he did not rest on that victory.
He proclaimed himself the kingdom's foremost servant and served his country, raising his small nation, once part of the Empire, to the continent's foremost military power.
For this very moment.
“The enemy is the Revolutionary Army of Francia! A worthy opponent to conclude our legend!”
The song to be played is one of steel.
The mark to be carved is a lament stained with blood.
“March forth, my men!”
The Great King declared, filled with elation.
“Let us leave a glory on this continent that will never be erased.”