novelraw Chapter 194: Shadow Peace - Counter-Revolution
Chapter 194: Shadow Peace - Counter-Revolution
Episode 194. Shadow Peace - Counter-revolution
The trip with Christine, which I wished would never end, finally came to a close, and we returned to Lumiere.
And while Christine was recovering from the journey at the mansion, I headed to the Revolutionary Army headquarters.
Since I had been away for over a week, I thought it best to check if there were any urgent matters.
However, just as I was about to enter my office, someone visited me.
“Welcome back, Your Excellency the Marquis Lafayette.”
A crisp uniform, a clear voice, and neatly combed, short brown hair.
I slightly narrowed my brow as I looked at the subordinate saluting me.
“...Lieutenant Colonel Giselle Davi?”
“Yes, Your Excellency the Marquis Lafayette! It is Giselle Davi.”I turned my gaze to look out the window.
No matter how I looked at the sunset blanketing the Lumiere Urban Area, it seemed working hours were over.
I turned my gaze back and tilted my head slightly as I asked.
“Lieutenant Colonel, are you on duty today?”
Giselle Davi smiled slightly and shook her head.
“No, Your Excellency the Marquis. It’s just...”
“Just?”
What reason would an officer not on duty have to appear as if she had been waiting in the office of the Commander-in-Chief who was on leave? As of now, I am officially on vacation until today.
But the answer that came from Giselle Davi's lips was beyond imagination.
“I was aware you would be returning from your trip today. Since Your Excellency the Marquis Lafayette usually stops by the office upon returning from a long absence to check for any urgent matters to be aware of, I thought you would do so this time as well and have been waiting with the materials organized in advance.”
…….
So, she analyzed my behavioral patterns, predicted that I would stop by the office, and made preparations in advance.
On her own, without anyone telling her to or expecting her to.
Should I call this impressive, or a little creepy?
Giselle Davi, who had been observing my reaction, asked with a slightly awkward smile.
“If I was a bother, shall I withdraw?”
Predicting actions based on a person’s tracks is a decent talent for a soldier. It’s quite remarkable if it can be drawn out based not on military action, but on an individual’s usual habits.
The fact that this is possible is proof of Giselle Davi’s competence, but the diligence bordering on obsession that surpasses it is more frightening.
I feel like I can understand a little why Damien De Millbeau seemed to both rely on and be weary of Giselle Davi.
“...No, not at all. You've been a help. You are truly zealous. But from now on, there’s no need to go this far.”
I did entrust her with the Inspector's Office, but I didn’t expect this much…
Giselle Davi bowed her head to me without a word and replied.
“I will rectify it.”
“Alright. The Inspector’s Office report is...”
I glanced over the reports on my desk and gave a bitter smile.
“You've already organized them?”
“Yes, Your Excellency the Marquis Lafayette. I have reorganized each department's report by department and order of importance. Reports I do not have the authority to view have been set aside sealed, so please do not worry.”
“Haha...”
This certainly makes things very convenient for me.
Since they came during my vacation, I naturally thought I would have to organize and review them myself, but to receive such unexpected assistance.
I first looked over the Inspector’s Office reports that Giselle Davi would have submitted.
As expected, it thoroughly identifies the deficient areas, and even includes detailed proposals on how to improve them…….
No, it is organized with a thoroughness that goes beyond meticulous.
The documents from other departments are also very well sorted by importance, just as she said.
I smiled faintly.
“Excellent, Lieutenant Colonel. Thanks to you, my work time will be cut in half.”
“Thank you.”
Giselle Davi seemed slightly relieved as she replied.
In any case, she is amusing.
It was certainly a big help, but it went a bit too far for an act meant to flatter a superior.
Seeing her being somewhat tense, she must know it herself and does it anyway. She’s a peculiar type in many ways.
“Thank you. I will review the Inspector’s Office reports and take action. Ah, is there anything you need? It doesn’t have to be work-related.”
Since she had gone this far, I asked if she needed anything, but Giselle Davi replied with a fresh face that truly showed she needed nothing.
“No, there is nothing in particular, Your Excellency the Marquis. Ah, did you enjoy your trip?”
“I had an incomparably enjoyable time.”
Come to think of it, Giselle Davi is...
I studied Giselle Davi’s expression, but I could see no particular intention on her face, which only showed pure respect for her superior.
“May I also ask a non-work-related question, Lieutenant Colonel?”
“Of course, Your Excellency the Marquis! I will answer any question you may have in as much detail as possible!”
I chuckled at Giselle Davi’s excessive loyalty and asked.
“On the day of the wedding, you met Christine, right?”
“Ah, yes.”
Giselle Davi had, of course, attended my wedding.
She attended with other subordinates and we barely exchanged a few words, but I know for a fact that she also met Christine.
Knowing the relationship between Christine and Giselle Davi, and knowing the moment Giselle Davi learned about Ellen Davi, I was very curious about what the two might have talked about...
But Christine herself didn't say a single word about Giselle Davi.
I didn't bother asking Christine, so prying into it with Giselle Davi would be even weirder.
So I asked differently.
“...Are you satisfied with that?”
Giselle Davi was silent for a moment, but then she nodded with a small smile.
“Yes, Your Excellency the Marquis. I am satisfied with this.”
I smiled back.
“Alright, thank you. You may leave now. If there's ever a matter where you need my support, let me know anytime.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency the Marquis Lafayette. Then, I will take my leave.”
Giselle Davi saluted me and then turned her back to leave the office.
I quietly watched her retreating figure.
Gaston, Louis Desaix, Alexandre Berthier, Jerome Morelle, Nicolas Nere, and many other subordinates of the Revolutionary Army.
...Even Damien De Millbeau, who had his pay cut for the salute gun incident.
Not all of them were my subordinates from the beginning. Some were even enemies, and there were cases like Giselle's where it wouldn't have been strange to hold a grudge.
Nevertheless, they all helped me achieve victory, and they attended my wedding, congratulating me not just with words, but with sincerity.
I chuckled and lowered my gaze to the pile of documents on my desk.
Alright, now that I've played enough, it's time to work.
For the people who have helped me so far, the people I must take responsibility for.
*
Amidst the winter's cold, spring, when all of creation’s life blossoms anew, passed by, and summer, when life ripens, arrived.
Nevertheless, there are places that always maintain nearly the same weather, regardless of the season.
The Earth, located under an ominous sky so covered in a dense, murky fog as always, that not even a single ray of sunlight could penetrate.
The island where the sun never rises, Abyss Corporation.
Though it was a nation that succeeded Pandemonium, a state that once plunged the entire continent into fear under the rule of the Demon King, almost no trace of its predecessor remained in the land ruled by seven corporations.
One of the only two remaining remnants of the old nation was the name of the capital that Abyss Corporation had inherited as is, Pandemonium.
And the other was the split crown of the Demon King, which had adorned Baal's armor for the past four hundred years since the fall of Pandemonium.
Therefore, when that thing, which had existed for four hundred years and seemed set to last another four hundred, suddenly vanished, all the CEOs of Abyss Corporation naturally noticed the change.
Yet, everyone only glanced at Baal’s now-empty shoulder, and no one mentioned it directly.
“It’s time. Then, let us begin the Abyss Corporation regular meeting. Each corporation's CEO will give their regular report.”
Even Baal, the one who caused the change, himself.
He was conducting the regular meeting as naturally as always.
“Wrath Corp has no particular problems! When is the permission for war? Whether it's the Eastern Empire or anywhere else, the employees of Wrath Corp crave war!”
But the declaration to reject war by the decision of the seven CEOs, as always, did not come.
Baal remained silent, not opening his mouth even under Barbatos's puzzled gaze.
Then, Saleos of Gluttony Corp, still chugging from a bottle, spoke with a reddened face.
“Kilk-kil, it seems you’re finally tired of the same old war song that’s been going on for four hundred years.”
“Boo- Boo- Wrath Corp requests that Gluttony Corp mind its own business!”
Saleos snorted and spoke again.
“Gluttony Corp has a problem, Baal. The Eastern Empire landlords who were selling humans for opium payments were executed en masse, and an embargo was issued in the Tsar’s name. We have a huge stock of opium, and we need to take action.”
“Hmph.”
When Baal still said nothing with his arms crossed, this time Vassago of Greed Corp spoke up.
“The situation is the same on the Central Continent. Francia is a given, but our biggest customer, the Germania Empire, has issued an embargo, and with Francia conducting transit trade with the Kingdom of Alps, weapon exports to the other human nations are at an all-time low. As for the completely lost Iberica, well, no further explanation is needed.”
Vassago pushed up his glasses with his hand and gave an exaggerated shrug of his shoulders.
“I regret to have to say this, but while Greed Corp has been generating profits for Abyss Corporation in Krafte for decades, what exactly has Pride Inc. been doing? What did you do for a four-hundred-year prosperity to collapse like this in just over a decade?”
Baal finally opened his mouth.
“The continent is changing by the moment, and Pride Inc. has judged that Abyss Corporation's existing strategy cannot cope with the changed situation. Therefore, I propose a revision of the strategy.”
“Hoh, what strategy is that?”
Baal answered simply.
“War.”
“War? Wrath Corp agrees! Wholeheartedly agrees!”
Unlike Barbatos, who was immediately delighted, the faces of the majority of the other CEOs contorted.
“Baal, my dear Great Demon. O hero who slayed the Demon King, are you in your right mind? To start a war when we are already isolated from the continent?”
“Compared to the long-term losses Abyss Corporation would have to bear by sticking to the existing strategy, I have judged that the cost of breaking the continent's capabilities through war now is lower.”
“That would be the position of Pride Inc. or Wrath Corp. The rest of the companies still have many assets invested in the continent. If all of that is lost, the damages would be astronomical. To expect the other companies to bear their losses under the name of Abyss Corporation is absurd!”
A moment of silence fell after Botis, the CEO of Envy Corp, spouted his accusations.
The CEOs reflexively checked Baal's expression, but he still had his arms crossed and gave no response.
Finally, Vassago spoke.
“The reason Abyss Corporation lost the superiority it has maintained for four hundred years in an instant is because the strategy pursued by Pride Inc. for the past decade has completely failed. Accordingly…”
Vassago paused for a moment.
Since the Demon King was defeated and Abyss Corporation was born, it was not that the CEOs of the seven corporations had never changed.
Demons were fundamentally competitive beings and enjoyed ousting their rivals when the opportunity arose.
Yet, Baal alone had never been challenged until now. He could not be ignored, neither as a symbol nor in power.
However, now.
“Now that Pride Inc., which is supposed to be in charge of Abyss Corporation’s grand strategy, is failing to fulfill its duty, Greed Corp proposes that the CEO of Pride Inc. should be replaced.”
“Boo- Boo- Barbatos supports Baal who wants war!”
“As the CEO of Gluttony Corp, Saleos expresses his approval.”
Two votes.
Gremory, who had opposed Baal's policies, remained silent with a hardened expression, belying her usual cheeky personality.
Vassago found that a pity, but it wouldn't change the outcome.
“Botis of Envy Corp also expresses his approval!”
Three votes.
Vassago was half-filled with ecstasy.
Though in name, the meeting of the seven CEOs ruled, Baal was the unspoken king of Abyss Corporation.
But what expression would such a person make when he was no longer king?
While he was active as an undercover agent in Krafte, the new figure of power, who seemed invincible, self-destructed on his own.
And to miss such an opportunity, the demons were sufficiently tired of him who had reigned for four hundred years.
Greed, that which had made him wander even human lands in search of new things and opportunities, had ironically given him a chance amidst Abyss Corporation’s successive failures.
“Proneus of Sloth Corp also expresses his approval.”
With the support of the demon who had seized the CEO position of Sloth Corp by denouncing the cornered Paimon, fomenting internal discord, and receiving support from Envy Corp and Gluttony Corp, it was a total of four out of seven votes.
Vassago let out a triumphant smile and declared the fall of the ‘king’, something he had never seen before and would never see again.
“So it has come to this, Baal. It is regrettable, but—”
But before his declaration could end, Baal silently reached for his back and grabbed the hilt of his sword.
The CEOs reacted by bolting up from their seats.
“Ha, I see the one who has cast votes for the ousting of countless CEOs can't accept it when it's his turn, can he?”
“Abyss Corporation bylaws, Article 1, Section 3! All forms of conflict between members of Abyss Corporation are prohibited! Baal, the moment you draw that sword, you are a traitor!”
Baal chuckled, drew his sword, and opened his mouth.
“Abyss Corporation bylaws, Article 1, Section 3. Who made that?”
As everyone fell silent in the eerie light of the blade, Baal added.
“I made it. Upon the corpse of the Demon King, I created a new system different from the Demon King's old regime and bestowed it upon you. But four hundred years is a long time indeed. For maggots to lose their sense of place.”
Before the CEOs, who were frozen, not expecting him to be so blatant despite being outnumbered, though they had considered the possibility of Baal’s resistance.
“Abyss Corporation bylaws, Article 1, Section 3. All forms of conflict between members of Abyss Corporation are prohibited. ...Except in cases of a direct or indirect threat to Abyss Corporation.”
Baal declared arrogantly.
“Since you dare to threaten Abyss Corporation, I, representing Pride, ‘Pride’, shall revoke the authority I bestowed upon you.”
“Hah, it's ridiculous to see the hero who slayed the Demon King fall! Do you think Pride Inc. can win a war against four corporations on its own, even if it is strong?”
“War on my own?”
Baal chuckled.
“Why should I?”
And at the same time, the doors of the CEO meeting room were blown off—and countless dolls poured in.
“Th-This is, Drones...!”
“What? The ones that were disposed of—”
While Vassago, Saleos, Botis, and Proneus were flustered, holding back the charging Drones, a feigned cheerful voice echoed through the meeting hall.
“Greetings, greetings, it is a truly perfectly perfect day. It is a great pleasure to see you all after so long.”
“Paimon—!”
The demon with blood-red hair smiled with satisfaction and declared.
“Then everyone, I wish you a miserable death, torn apart by the hands of inferior dolls.”
“Eek—!”
In the meeting room that had become a chaotic mess, Baal turned his gaze to Barbatos and asked.
“Is your support unchanged, Barbatos.”
Barbatos twirled a pistol in his hand, then readjusted his grip and grinned.
“Barbatos likes if war. Supports Baal!”
“Then I permit engagement with the traitors who dared to raise a flag of rebellion against Abyss Corporation, Barbatos.”
“Hahahat—!”
The moment the words were spoken, Barbatos shot out and leaped at the four CEOs who were struggling to hold back the wave of Drones.
It didn't take long for curses and screams to erupt.
Baal turned his gaze to Gremory, who had been sitting in her seat with a stern face, maintaining her silence.
“Because the Demon King’s old regime failed, I gave them a chance. But the result was nothing more than a divided group chasing their own petty gains. If so, I have no choice but to sweep them away. Gremory, I value your infiltration skills and prudence highly. Your choice?”
Gremory looked at the CEOs being torn apart by Drones and riddled with Barbatos’s bullets, then raised both her hands, her lips trembling.
“...I surrender, Baal.”
“Hoo....”
Baal let out a satisfied smile and reached into his cloak—and took out the once-again whole crown of the Demon King.
“Just as I led you in the past to slay the Demon King.”
Then slowly, he lifted it above his head and placed it on.
“Now, I shall lead you again.”
Baal, wearing the Demon King's crown, before those who were showing him courtesy—
“In just a few decades, the technological gap between the continent and Abyss Corporation will be closed. Therefore, in order to maintain the superiority of Abyss Corporation...”
He declared, as ‘Pride’, arrogance itself.
“Before that, we must thoroughly destroy the continent's potential for growth.”