novelraw Chapter 170: Krafte War - City of Gunfire (1)
Chapter 170: Krafte War - City of Gunfire (1)
Barua, Revolutionary Army Headquarters.
The day after Director-General Nicolas Brisseau left.
I greeted those who had arrived just in the nick of time.
“Welcome. On behalf of the Revolutionary Army of Francia, I welcome you. I am Marquis Pierre de Lafayette, Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Army.”
“A pleasure. I am Sergei Konstantinov, a minister and emissary from the Eastern Empire. I will be serving as the interpreter for this dispatched force.”
Sergei Konstantinov.
The man who had introduced himself as the interpreter for the Eastern Empire's dispatched force then, with an extremely polite gesture, introduced the elf standing beside him who was dressed in a splendid green uniform.
“Commander of the dispatched force, Grand Duke Elshion.”
A name with no surname.
According to Talleyrand, elves express their nobility with a unique name alone, without a surname, because their population is small and their lifespans are long, making family names less meaningful.“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness Grand Duke Elshion. I am Pierre de Lafayette, Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Army.”
I tried to offer a handshake with a smile, but Grand Duke Elshion, with his arms crossed and a very arrogant expression, merely glanced down at my outstretched hand and gave a slight nod.
“Ahem, ahem. The high nobility of the Eastern Empire refrain from physical contact with other races. There is no other intention, so please be understanding.”
“Ah, um. Well, a cultural difference, I see. It seems I have committed a discourtesy by not being aware of it beforehand.”
How awkward…
Come to think of it, didn't he say that the elves, the high nobility of the Eastern Empire, don't even bother to learn human languages?
So the humans under their rule must learn the language of the Central Continent and interpret for them…
They certainly seem to be a great empire, but we are the ones in need, so there's nothing to be done.
Still, this achievement belongs to Talleyrand.
-I've heard rumors that their cannon technology is quite good, Director-General.
I can still remember the dumbfounded expression and tone Talleyrand had at that time.
-To pander to the arrogant Tsar, who openly demands tribute, just to obtain their military technology?
Having said that, he actually succeeded.
I looked at the human soldiers lined up behind that arrogant elf, Grand Duke Elshion.
The commander is an elf, while the army consists entirely of humans. I can roughly deduce the Eastern Empire's military system.
The force itself numbers only about 1,000. But the key lies in what they brought.
I looked at the unique cannons they had brought.
So those are the famous cannons of the Eastern Empire.
The cannons feature unnecessarily carved dragons, creating a strange design that resembles a dragon spitting cannonballs, but…
“In any case, it was a difficult request, so it is a true honor that the generous Tsar of the Eastern Empire has agreed to pass on his advanced cannon technology.”
“Haha, it is thanks to the precious macarons that Director-General Talleyrand presented. His Majesty the Tsar is looking for macarons every day in his home country.”
“Hahaha…”
According to Talleyrand, since the Kingdom of Francia could not pay tribute, Talleyrand, as a servant of the Queen of Francia, had personally offered various things in the form of ‘tribute,’ and the Tsar had become obsessed with macarons…
Well, regardless of the process, a positive outcome remains positive.
“But, I did not expect you to send a dispatched force as well. The goodwill shown by the Eastern Empire and the Tsar will serve as a profound symbol of the friendly relations between our two countries for years to come. I also express my deep gratitude to Grand Duke Elshion for coming such a long way.”
As Konstantinov interpreted my words, Grand Duke Elshion replied in an extremely arrogant and blunt tone.
Konstantinov's lips tightened slightly. What exactly did he say?
“Haha, the Eastern Empire's ‘Blue Dragon Cannons’ are powerful howitzers. Not only does their manufacturing require advanced technology, but their operation also demands elite, skilled soldiers. In any case, to transfer this technology to the Revolutionary Army, it's more effective to learn from experienced handlers, which is difficult to achieve quickly during a war against Krafte.”
From the way Konstantinov was speaking, I could now interpret his words with moderately accustomed diplomatic rhetoric.
That Grand Duke Elshion probably said something like, ‘There is no way you inferior humans can handle the great cannons of the Eastern Empire immediately, so the army of the great Tsar has deigned to come show and teach you in person.’
…was it something like that?
“Haha… I see. I am deeply grateful for the goodwill of the great Tsar and the benevolent Grand Duke Elshion.”
“That the Commander-in-Chief of the Francian Revolutionary Army so understands the high will of the great Tsar and expresses his gratitude, I too, as a minister of the Eastern Empire, cannot hide my joy. I will be sure to convey the Marquis’s words to the Tsar.”
“I would be most honored if you would do so.”
Whether the elves are arrogant or not, as long as they're actually helpful, a little pandering is acceptable.
I glanced at the cannons, which were shaped like blue dragons holding something in their mouths.
No matter how I looked at them, their caliber was larger than our direct-fire cannons, and they fired with a high arc…
The Krafte Army is in for a real treat.
As I was thinking this, Louis Desaix came running hurriedly.
“Excuse me, Your Excellency, Marquis Lafayette. Reports indicate the Krafte Army has set out from Alsace.”
“Ah, just in time.”
If we had been a day later, the dispatched force from the Eastern Empire would have arrived in the middle of a battle.
But they must have had a difficult march. Can they be deployed in battle immediately?
From my perspective, they're high-quality artillery desperately needed for immediate deployment…
Ah.
I took a light breath and spoke with caution.
“I am sorry, but it seems we will have to fight a battle immediately. Though they are the army of the great Tsar, they must be tired from their journey, so we should let Grand Duke Elshion's army rest in the rear during this battle, shouldn't we?”
Grand Duke Elshion, upon hearing my words from Konstantinov, frowned openly and spoke. The reply Konstantinov gave was entirely within my expectations.
“He says that the great army of the Tsar is an indomitable army, so they will join the battle immediately.”
I answered with the friendliest smile I could muster.
“The army of the Eastern Empire and the Tsar is so mighty that the Revolutionary Army must watch and learn!”
Ah, arrogant elves are so easy to handle!
…It's a little sad that I seem to be getting better at this kind of trickery after spending time with Talleyrand.
*
The city of Barua, where preparations for urban warfare were nearly complete, was filled with the bustling Revolutionary Army.
“A report has come in that the Krafte Army has set out from Alsace. Hurry with the finishing touches!”
“Secure that palisade more firmly!”
“Y-yes, sir!”
Giselle Davi was staring blankly at the city where work was in full swing.
“Major Davi! Deployment in sector A is complete!”
“Ah, right. Good work, Lieutenant.”
“Yes, sir! Then I will take my leave!”
“Alright.”
As Giselle replied simply and checked the map, the lieutenant, who had been hesitating, asked.
“Excuse me, Major Davi?”
“Hmm?”
“Is there something wrong?”
“…No, nothing.”
“Understood! Then I will take my leave!”
Watching the departing lieutenant, Giselle Davi thought blankly.
Is it that obvious?
No, if he’s concerned about her just for being a little dazed, it means they’ve met several times before.
And yet, Giselle didn’t even remember the lieutenant’s name.
Giselle swallowed dryly.
No, it would be no exaggeration to say that there was hardly anyone in the Revolutionary Army who did not know her.
She was such an exceptional case that it was natural she was always in the spotlight.
Originally, it was impossible for her to even enter the military academy.
When the headmaster suddenly summoned her and accused her of entering the school while hiding her name and gender, she thought everything was over.
But Countess Aquitaine, Christine d’Aquitaine, had saved her.
She made it possible for her to achieve the dream of a girl who had been treated as a strange child since she was young.
But—
-Absurd! Do you think I would believe that? And even if it were true, how would you know?
-Have you forgotten who I am in the employ of?
-You’re just a temporarily hired mercenary!
Leon Durand did not particularly mock her, nor did he seem displeased.
He had spoken with a very complicated expression.
-It’s funny, isn't it? That someone who is an exceedingly good person to some is an exceedingly evil person to others. You know, don’t you, Major Davi? You must have been aware that you are being treated in a strangely special way.
-That is…
Giselle could not respond.
-If you really don't believe me…
Leon Durand hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
-You could ask the young master of Aquitaine directly.
-Second Lieutenant Louis d’Aquitaine? …He knows? This?
-You can verify it later, if you wish.
Giselle shook her head to clear her troubled thoughts.
“—vie.”
She was a staff officer with heavy responsibilities resting on her shoulders. Now was the time to focus on the battle.
“Hey, Davie.”
“Hut, yes? Ah, ah! Your Excellency, Commander Millbeau!”
Giselle snapped to attention and offered a stiff salute.
Damien De Millbeau looked at her with displeasure, then spoke.
“How are the defense preparations?”
“Fortification and positioning in sectors A and B are complete. Sector C is currently in the final stages.”
“Right. Well, it's going smoothly.”
Millbeau, who had nodded, was about to turn away, then looked at her again and asked.
“But, where is your head at with the operation right around the corner? It’s not like you.”
“M-my apologies.”
“Tsk, tsk…”
Damien De Millbeau looked as if he were about to scold her again, then smiled faintly and patted her shoulder.
“Well, you were recommended by Countess Aquitaine, so I trust you’ll do well in a real battle.”
Again, again with Countess Aquitaine.
And yet, Christine d’Aquitaine had not even seen her face since the military academy graduation ceremony.
Nevertheless, the military high command treated her as if it were a matter of course that she had Countess Aquitaine as a connection.
Giselle Davi was confident in her own skills and talent. At the very least, she did not think she had obtained this rank and position without being qualified.
But if it hadn't been for Countess Aquitaine, would Count Millbeau have recognized her and used her as he was now?
Before that, she knew well that she couldn't have become an officer.
So it was a thing to be grateful for. She should be grateful.
Harboring such doubts was not permissible.
However.
Her older sister, who had moved to a new house in the capital, had sent a few letters. But they had no address, and she sent them by messenger, though even that soon stopped.
-Giselle, why isn’t Ellen coming?
-Silly, Ellen ran away!
-Ellen is not that kind of person!
-But she’s not coming…
At that time, she didn't know anything, but thinking back now, it seems very strange. Is it normal for a commoner to send a letter by hiring a person instead of using the post with an address, and to hide their own address?
When Giselle came to the capital to enter the military academy, what she did as diligently as studying was to search for her sister’s whereabouts.
But the traces of a person named Ellen Davi were strangely absent. As if someone had deliberately erased them.
-The girl who poisoned Jean Malo and committed suicide is Ellen Davi.
She had seen that article.
What was the name of the suspect girl? Fleur? That was a common name. At least it wasn't Ellen Davi.
In the first place, it had only appeared in the newspaper once during the incident, and after that, it was buried by stories about Jean Malo or the war.
If their family was the one who had died and been forgotten without anyone knowing.
…If the reason they had been able to grow up warmly and without going hungry until now was because their sister had even given up her name and been used as an assassin and died.
Giselle Davi slowly clenched her fists.
At the very least, shouldn't she know the truth?
But, if that really is the truth?
Then what should she do?
“…Louis d’Aquitaine.”
Giselle muttered the name of the boy who might answer her questions in a low voice.
Without even knowing herself what emotion was carried in her voice.