novelraw Chapter 195: Shadow Peace - Eve of the Storm (1)
Chapter 195: Shadow Peace - Eve of the Storm (1)
Episode 195. Shadow Peace - The Eve of the Storm (1)
The capital of Francia, Lumiere.
The National Assembly.
The Grandes Écoles project, implemented after the revolution, had shown considerable results in military reform, and indeed, proved its worth through Francia's victory in the war against the Krafte Kingdom, which was called the strongest on the continent.
However, the Grandes Écoles project was not merely for military reform but was a policy for the overall education of the people, and the National Assembly, which proclaimed itself the government of the people, had particularly high hopes for civilian education, as much as for military reform.
But expectations and reality are always bound to be different.
Unlike the military reforms, which had progressed rapidly amidst the urgent crisis of foreign invasion, civilian education was in fact undergoing considerable trial and error.
“In the countryside, there are still many parents who are unwilling to send their children to school.”
“Tsk, tsk, even when the country offers to teach them, they won’t even try to learn.”
“Haha, well, in the countryside, children are also an important part of the workforce. There are still many parents who prefer to mobilize them for immediate farm work rather than have them learn.”As the members of the Revolutionary Party and the Liberal Party were having a bitter conversation, the head of the Centrist Party, Count Anjou, opened his mouth bluntly.
“Hmph, what use is it to bestow a good system upon those who do not even understand the importance of knowledge? Isn't it about time you started to realize how unrealistic the Revolutionary Party's radical claim of giving equal votes to such ignoramuses is?”
“Count, you still look down on the people! When on earth will you be able to abandon the arrogant attitude of a nobleman looking down on the people? Do you plan to take it to your grave?”
“What did you just say? In the old days, you wouldn't have even been able to meet my eyes—”
“Oh dear, please calm down, Count.”
“But still, isn't the Count just stating the facts as they are? Honestly, even though this policy is for their own good, seeing them just reject it, saying they want to live as they always have, makes me wonder if that's just their natural place after all….”
“Why don't you just suggest we shut down the National Assembly and go back to an aristocracy?”
“Have you had your say? I just said it was frustrating because it is frustrating!”
“Tsk tsk, anyone watching would think this was a marketplace floor.”
“And who do you think doesn't know about you acting all noble while playing dirty behind the scenes?”
“Hey, are you trying to pick a fight right now?”
I leisurely drank my coffee while watching the assembly members whose voices instantly escalated to shouts.
Hmmm…….
It’s a mess, as always.
A typical day at the National Assembly.
For someone like me, accustomed to the military way of thinking where you follow orders, it looks like a complete mess no matter how I see it, but it’s strange how, even in this mess, something does steadily progress, albeit slowly.
In the end, by fighting and fighting and fighting, things did indeed change.
Anyway, after they had fought to their heart’s content, the next item on the agenda was brought up.
“The plan to establish schools for girls is also in progress. The plan is to establish them on a trial basis starting early next year, but….”
The assembly members' gazes reflexively turned to the seat of Christine, who had pushed for this so hard, then scattered again.
Because Christine wasn’t there.
“In the countryside, they’re unwilling to send even their sons to school, so you think they’ll gladly send their daughters?”
“Securing teaching staff is also a problem. There are many who think that teaching women is an affront to their pride as educators….”
“We already have a long way to go just to spread education in the countryside, so I wonder if we really need to waste administrative power like this….”
If left alone, this would very naturally flow toward cancellation.
In the end, I spoke up.
“It’s a trial run anyway, and it will be implemented in the big cities first. In the big cities, there are many parents who think it’s better for their children’s future to learn something at school, so it’s worth a try. We’ll only be able to grasp the problems and feasibility once we actually implement it.”
“Ahem, well, you have a point, but the National Assembly's budget is already tight as it is, so delaying policies with lower priority is also an option.”
I replied with a slight smile.
“Ah, the budget! Countess Aquitaine is also very interested in the National Assembly's budget.”
It’ll still be a long while before all the war bonds Christine bought are paid off, so why are they being so boring just because she’s away for a bit?
“Ahem, ahem, I was just saying.”
Sure enough, the members started clearing their throats and making excuses.
“Ho ho, there isn’t one among us who doesn't know how much Countess Aquitaine has contributed to the National Assembly. Well, let's try implementing it first, and if it really doesn't work out, it won't be too late to discuss it again then.”
“If the Councilman says so….”
At last, Councilman Nicolas Brisseau stepped forward to settle the matter.
Christine, now married to me, is technically the Marquise Lafayette, but at the same time, she is still Countess Aquitaine, and since I also publicly call her Countess Aquitaine rather than Marquise, she is still called that.
It seems there were some among the National Assembly members who got ahead of themselves, expecting that once Christine married me, her political activities would naturally decrease or that she would focus on her role as a Marquise…….
Unfortunately for them, Christine has no intention of doing so, and what she wants is what I want, so that won’t be happening.
“The next item on the agenda. It seems that some radical changes are taking place at Abyss Corporation. We don't know the specifics yet, but we may need to prepare for an emergency.”
The one who brought up the next item was Councilman Maurice Talleyrand.
“Ahem, those damn demons from the island….”
“That’s too vague. Is there any more detailed information?”
“As you all know, we are under an embargo against Abyss Corporation, as are most countries on the Central Continent. Unless we are to set foot on that sunless island ourselves, it will be difficult to grasp the situation accurately in a short time.”
“Then how do you know there are changes?”
Talleyrand shrugged his shoulders and turned his gaze to me.
“It is information confirmed by Countess Aquitaine. The sources are the Magic Kingdom of Hollant and the Northern Allied Kingdom, which are still trading with Abyss Corporation. It seems that over the last two years, transactions with Abyss Corporation have been temporarily suspended, and there have been frequent incidents such as changes in personnel. Something within them….”
—The reorganization is so severe, it's hard to grasp the exact situation. No, it's so extensive for a mere reorganization that I doubt an organization could even stay functional through it.
Recalling what Christine had said, I chose my words carefully before speaking.
“It seems a large-scale organizational restructuring is underway.”
“A large-scale organizational restructuring, you say. I am concerned that those damn demons might be trying to change their policy.”
Councilman Nicolas Brisseau said with a sigh.
Honestly, I am a bit concerned too.
Because Christine's expression was not such a moderate word as ‘reorganization’.
—It's less a reorganization, and more like… it would be more accurate to call it a great purge.
A great purge within Abyss Corporation.
Two years have passed since the end of the war with Krafte.
During that time, Abyss Corporation had been suspiciously quiet, so Christine had been on high alert, trying to monitor their movements, and to think that this was the information she barely managed to grasp after that long silence.
The two demons from Abyss Corporation with whom I had the closest contact naturally came to mind.
The CEO of 'Sloth' Sloth Corp, Paimon.
The CEO of 'Lust' Lust Inc., Gremory.
Two demons who were as completely different as the contrast between hair as red as blood and hair that shone like gold.
It seems a real calamity is happening inside Abyss Corporation; I wonder what those two are up to.
If I had my way, I'd hope that damned bastard Paimon was purged, and that Gremory is, if possible, safe.
I snorted, realizing the gap between myself who, upon first meeting Gremory, had thought, 'I was a fool to ask her,' and the Gremory I met when fighting the Drones in Iberica.
I never thought I'd live to see the day I'd wish for a demon's safety, but still, Gremory is at least somewhat better, since even though she's mad in a demon-like way, a conversation is possible.
If there were a way to contact Gremory, I feel like I could confirm at least a little information about Abyss Corporation… No, that's going too far.
I shook my head.
It was true that Gremory was a great help to me on the Iberian Peninsula, and that she had clearly kept her faith by letting go of a chance to dispose of me.
But even so, she is a demon belonging to Abyss Corporation. The possibility that it was a ploy to earn my trust should not be completely ruled out, just in case.
As I was organizing my thoughts, Councilman Talleyrand, who had been giving some unsubstantial answers to the members' questions, spoke to me.
“Anyway, please continue your investigation into Abyss Corporation's movements. After all, from the National Assembly's perspective, we have high expectations for Countess Aquitaine, who is also the head of the national intelligence agency.”
“Of course, Countess Aquitaine and the national intelligence agency are on high alert. I will pass it on.”
“Haha, then we will trust in you, Marquis. Ah, and congratulations.”
I gave a short laugh at Talleyrand's congratulations and replied.
“Thank you, Councilman.”
*
After the National Assembly was adjourned, I rode my horse through the Lumiere Urban Area toward my mansion.
The new mansion is not located in the center of the capital, Lumiere, but in the outskirts, a little way off.
It's not as luxurious and huge as the Marquis Lafayette's southern estate built by the Blue Knight, but the three-story building, which would still overwhelm most mansions in the capital, is quite large.
As I dismounted in front of the building and handed my horse to an attendant, a pot-bellied old man who had been waiting in advance greeted me.
“Welcome, Marquis-nim!”
“Dumont.”
Robert de Dumont.
The former Baron Dumont, despite my marriage, has remained settled in the capital and appointed himself the butler of the mansion.
Honestly, he's a grateful person, but it’s a bit burdensome from my perspective, yet since he says he's doing it because he wants to, I can't just chase him off to the Southern Region…….
“Young Master Leon took his first steps with vigor again today! How proud you must be! He will grow up to be a very strong man, just like you, Marquis-nim!”
“Ah, is, is that so…”
To be honest, Dumont is a doting fool who cherishes my son more than I do.
Anyone watching would think he was Dumont’s grandson… Then again, since I practically regarded him as something of a father figure, perhaps it’s not entirely wrong.
“And Christine?”
“The Madam is also in good health. And of course, so is young lady Fleur! Haha!”
“Yes, thank you for your hard work, as always, Dumont.”
“Haha, it is my pleasure! Then please rest well, Marquis-nim.”
“Ah.”
Dumont bowed politely to me and withdrew.
A funny old man whose protruding belly jiggled every time he bowed.
He's an old-fashioned man who stubbornly insists it's absurd for him to receive respectful language from me as long as he is my butler, yet also a grateful person who supported my decision to join the Republic.
I glanced at the retreating Dumont, then entered the room.
“Christine, are you awake?”
“Yes. I’m awake.”
I approached Christine, who greeted me while lying in bed, and gave her a light kiss.
“Did you have a good day?”
“It was a bit boring just lying down and resting. I wanted to work, but everyone so earnestly tried to stop me.”
Christine replied with a slight smile.
Admiral of the Francia Navy, and now, no longer the head of a secret organization under the Aquitaine Trading Company, but the head of the state-recognized intelligence agency. At the same time, a member of the Centrist Party in the National Assembly and a giant in the financial world that no one can ignore.
…The reason such a powerhouse as Christine missed an important session of the National Assembly was because of me.
“As expected, the second time is a bit hard.”
“Ahem.”
“Though I didn't know it would be this soon.”
“I, I'm sorry.”
Christine smiled mischievously and said.
“Being loved too much by my husband is also a problem.”
Saying that with your mouth while smiling so happily is cheating.
Our son Leon, conceived on our honeymoon, and now our daughter Fleur, born just yesterday.
Christine, who had suddenly become a mother of two, smiled like a flower and said.
“Welcome home, Pierre.”
I smiled back, kissed her cheek once more, and replied.
“I’m home, Christine.”
Christine smiled softly, but her expression soon changed as she opened her mouth.
“Information has come in, Pierre.”
“...You said you couldn't work because everyone stopped you?”
Couldn't you rest, you couldn't stand it and worked again?
As I automatically sent a displeased look her way, Christine subtly avoided my gaze and answered.
“I can receive reports even while lying down.”
“Haaah….”
Just like an intelligence organization manager, she’s good at avoiding Dumont, who's watching her with hawk eyes.
In fact, the decision to purchase a large mansion located on the outskirts of the capital largely reflected Christine’s wishes.
Because we, as giants of finance, politics, and the military, have to maintain a certain level of formality when receiving guests.
…This was the public reason.
The real reason was a very Christine-like one: the larger and more remote the mansion, the easier it is to secretly operate an intelligence organization.
I asked with a bitter smile.
“So, what's the news this time?”
Christine looked at me for a moment, then dropped a bombshell.
“I think Abyss Corporation is preparing for war.”
“...Don't tell me, Francia?”
Christine shook her head slightly and replied.
“No, the Eastern Empire.”